Multi-shaft electrically-operated automatic nut runner

Claim 2

A multi-shaft electrically-operated automatic nut runner according to Claim 1, wherein said plurality of sockets are arranged such that a pitch of said plurality of sockets on the pitch circle thereof is equal to a multiple of an integer of a pitch of said wheel-mounting nuts on the pitch circle thereof.

Claim 3

A multi-shaft electrically-operated automatic nut runner according to Claim 1, wherein said plurality of driving means are disposed so as to be capable of rotating in both a forward direction and a reverse direction.

Claim 4

A multi-shaft electrically-operated automatic nut runner according to Claim 3, wherein said plurality of stopper means are provided with a plurality of stopper members, respectively, in correspondence with said plurality of torque-generating rotating members, each of said plurality of stopper members being disposed so as to be engageable with a corresponding one of said plurality of torque-generating rotating members and adapted to set the corresponding one of said torque-generating rotating members in the nonrotatable condition by being engaged with the corresponding one of said torque-generating rotating members.

Claim 5

A multi-shaft electrically-operated automatic nut runner according to Claim 4, wherein each of said plurality of stopper members sets the corresponding one of said plurality of torque-generating rotating members in the nonrotatable condition by being located at a projected position at which each of said stopper members projects into a range of movement of the corresponding one of said plurality of torque-generating rotating members, and each of said plurality of stopper members sets the corresponding one of said plurality of torque-generating rotating members in the rotatable condition by being located at a retracted position at which each of said stopper members is retracted from the range of movement of the corresponding one of said plurality of torque-generating rotating members.

Claim 6

A multi-shaft electrically-operated automatic nut runner according to Claim 5, wherein a moving plate is provided for said plurality of stopper means, and all of said plurality of stopper members are coupled with said moving plate, said moving plate being arranged to move in a same direction as a direction in which said plurality of stopper members move to said projected position and in an opposite direction thereto, so as to set said plurality of torque-generating rotating members in one of the rotatable condition and the nonrotatable condition.

Claim 7

A multi-shaft electrically-operated automatic nut runner according to Claim 6, wherein a driving member is provided for said plurality of stopper means and is adapted to move said moving plate as said driving member is actuated.

Claim 8

A multi-shaft electrically-operated automatic nut runner according to Claim 7, wherein said plurality of stopper means are provided with a plurality of shaft members, respectively, in correspondence with said plurality of stopper members, and one end of each of said plurality of shaft members is secured to a corresponding one of said plurality of stopper members, while another end of each of said plurality of shaft members is secured to said moving plate.

Claim 9

A multi-shaft electrically-operated automatic nut runner according to Claim 8, wherein said plurality of stopper means are provided with a plurality of urging members, respectively, in correspondence with said plurality of shaft members, and a corresponding one of said plurality of urging members is provided around an outer periphery of each of said plurality of shaft members, said plurality of urging members being adapted to constantly urge said plurality of stopper members toward said projected position.

Claim 10

A multi-shaft electrically-operated automatic nut runner according to Claim 9, wherein a control switch is provided for said plurality of stopper means, and as said control switch is turned on, said driving member causes said moving plate to move toward said retracted position of said plurality of stopper members against urging forces of said plurality of urging members.

Claim 11

A multi-shaft electrically-operated automatic nut runner according to Claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of sockets has a first socket portion and a second socket portion, said first socket portion being formed by being cut out starting from one end of each of said plurality of sockets toward said driving shaft, said second socket portion being formed by a portion of a bottom surface of said first socket portion being further cut out toward the driving shaft.

Claim 12

A multi-shaft electrically-operated automatic nut runner according to Claim 11, wherein said first socket portion is adapted to be fitted over said wheel-mounting nut.

Claim 13

A multi-shaft electrically-operated automatic nut runner according to Claim 11, wherein said second socket portion is adapted to be fitted over an inner nut.

Claim 14

A multi-shaft electrically-operated automatic nut runner capable of simultaneously rotating a plurality of wheel-mounting nuts, comprising: a plurality of driving means each having a driving shaft, and to which a rotational driving force is imparted in both a forward direction and a reverse direction by means of an electric power source; a plurality of transmitting members disposed in correspondence with said plurality of driving means, each of said plurality of transmitting members being adapted to transmit the rotational driving force, imparted to a corresponding one of said plurality of driving means, to a corresponding one of said wheel-mounting nuts; a plurality of sockets disposed in correspondence with said plurality of transmitting members and arranged such that a pitch circle diameter of said plurality of sockets is equal to a pitch circle diameter of said wheel-mounting nuts, and such that a pitch of said plurality of sockets on the pitch circle thereof is equal to a multiple of an integer of a pitch of said wheel-mounting nuts on the pitch circle thereof; a plurality of torque-changing means each disposed between a corresponding one of said plurality of driving means and a corresponding one of said plurality of transmitting members, each of said plurality of torque-changing means being adapted to change a torque of the rotational driving force of the corresponding one of said plurality of driving means so as to transmit the rotational driving force to the corresponding one of said plurality of transmitting members; a plurality of torque-generating rotating members disposed in correspondence with said plurality of torque-changing means, each of said plurality of torque-generating rotating members being coupled with a corresponding one of said plurality of driving means via a corresponding one of said plurality of torque-changing means and being adapted to cause a corresponding one of said plurality of transmitting members to generate torque of a first predetermined value or less during free rotation and to cause the corresponding one of said plurality of transmitting members to generate torque greater than or equal to a second predetermined value higher than the first predetermined value during stoppage of rotation so as to rotate said corresponding transmitting member; a plurality of stoppers disposed in correspondence with said plurality of torque-generating rotating members, each of said plurality of stoppers being disposed within an area of movement of a corresponding one of said plurality of torque-generating rotating members and being movable to a retracted position at which said plurality of torque-generating rotating members become simultaneously rotatable and to a projected position at which said plurality of torque-generating rotating members become simultaneously nonrotatable; driving means coupled with said plurality of stoppers and adapted to simultaneously move said plurality of stoppers to said retracted position; and a control switch electrically connected to said driving means and used for moving said plurality of stoppers to said retracted position and said projected position.

Claim 15

A multi-shaft electrically-operated automatic nut runner according to Claim 14, wherein said driving means has a moving plate, and all of said plurality of stoppers are coupled with said moving plate, said moving plate being arranged to move in a same direction as a direction in which said plurality of stoppers move to said projected position and in an opposite direction thereto, so as to set said plurality of torque-generating rotating members in one of a rotatable condition and a nonrotatable condition.

Claim 16

A multi-shaft electrically-operated automatic nut runner according to Claim 15, wherein said driving means has a solenoid which is adapted to move said moving plate by being actuated.

Claim 17

A multi-shaft electrically-operated automatic nut runner according to Claim 16, wherein said driving means has a plurality of shaft members in correspondence with said plurality of stoppers, and one end of each of said plurality of shaft members is secured to a corresponding one of said plurality of stoppers, while another end of each of said plurality of shaft members is secured to said moving plate.

Claim 18

A multi-shaft electrically-operated automatic nut runner according to Claim 17, wherein said driving means has a plurality of compression coil springs in correspondence with said plurality of shaft members, and a corresponding one of said plurality of compression coil springs is provided around an outer periphery of each of said plurality of shaft members, said plurality of compression coil springs being adapted to constantly urge said plurality of stoppers toward said projected position.

Claim 19

A multi-shaft electrically-operated automatic nut runner according to Claim 18, wherein as said control switch is turned on, said solenoid causes said moving plate to move toward said retracted position of said plurality of stoppers against urging forces of said plurality of compression coil springs.

Claim 20

A multi-shaft electrically-operated automatic nut runner according to Claim 14, wherein each of said plurality of sockets has a first socket portion and a second socket portion, said first socket portion being formed by being cut out starting from one end of each of said plurality of sockets toward said driving shaft so as to be fitted over said wheel-mounting nut, said second socket portion being formed by a portion of a bottom surface of said first socket portion being further cut out toward the driving shaft so as to be fitted over an inner nut.

Claim 21

A multi-shaft electrically-operated automatic nut runner according to Claim 14, wherein said torque-changing means is a planetary gear mechanism.