WO2016085547A1

WO2016085547A1 - Jointed stall bar attachment

Info

Publication number: WO2016085547A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/044365
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kendrick H. KNIGHT
Original assignee: Cummins Inc.
Priority date: 2014-11-25
Filing date: 2015-08-07
Publication date: 2016-06-02

Abstract

An adapter for use with a torque tool, the adapter comprising a stall bar projection for connection to a stall bar, a tool holder for connection to a torque tool, and a pair of brackets including a first joint configured to permit the torque tool to rotate about a first axis relative to the stall bar when the torque tool not actuated and to prevent rotation of the torque tool about the first axis when the torque tool is actuated, and a second joint configured to permit the torque tool to rotate about a second axis relative to the stall bar when the torque tool is not actuated and to prevent rotation of the torque tool about the second axis when the torque tool is actuated.

Description

JOINTED STALL BAR ATTACHMENT

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent

Application No. 62/084,258 entitled "JOINTED STALL BAR ATTACHMENT," filed on November 25, 2014, the full disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to reaction torque management and more particularly to adapters for torque tools to couple the tools to a stall bar to absorb reaction torque while permitting positioning of the tool in any orientation.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] In the production of many products, such as engines, assembly lines are used to connect components to one another. The tools for connecting these components are typically electrical power tools that permit workers to torque nuts and bolts to the desired torque requirements. One problem with the mass production of such products is that workers may be subjected to reaction torque when the nuts and/or bolts are tightened to the desired torque. In other words, in high torque applications, workers may experience high reaction torque loads on their arms, etc. when the desired torque is applied.

[0004] Generally, the reaction torque of the air powered tool (which is equal but opposite to the torque applied to the fastener), if not absorbed by the tool operator, causing fatigue, is transferred to a reaction bar or stall bar. Such stall bars are typically rigidly attached to the torque tool and oriented in a fashion to absorb reaction torque in one direction. Consequently, multiple torque tools must be used with stall bars for torqueing fasteners in multiple orientations. This of course adds costs and inefficiency to the production line.

[0005] Consequentially, it is desirable to provide a method and apparatus for a torque tool on an assembly line or otherwise to be oriented in multiple orientations while still permitting a stall bar to absorb the reaction torque of the torque tool when the fastener is fully torqued. SUMMA Y OF DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an adapter is provided comprising a stall bar projection for connection to a stall bar, a tool holder for connection to a torque tool; and a pair of brackets including an upper bracket including the stall bar projection and a lower bracket coupled to the tool holder, the pair of brackets further including a first joint configured to permit the torque tool to rotate about a first axis relative to the stall bar when the torque tool is not actuated and to prevent rotation of the torque tool about the first axis when the torque tool is actuated, and a second joint configured to permit the torque tool to rotate about a second axis relative to the stall bar when the torque tool is not actuated and to prevent rotation of the torque tool about the second axis when the torque tool is actuated, the second axis and the first axis having different orientations.

[0007] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of transferring a reaction torque is provided, the method comprising connecting a torque tool to a tool holder of an adapter having a first joint defining a first axis and a second joint defining second axis different than the first axis; connecting the adapter to a stall bar; coupling the adapter to a source of energy; operatively connecting the source of energy to the torque tool; orienting the torque tool along the first axis and the second axis; coupling the torque tool to a fastener; actuating the torque tool to secure the fastener, wherein actuation of the torque tool locks the first joint and the second joint to permit the adapter to transfer the reaction torque to the stall bar; and de-actuating the torque tool to unlock the first joint and the second joint.

[0008] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, an adapter for use with a torque tool is provided, comprising a stall bar projection for connection to a stall bar; a tool holder for connection to a torque tool; an upper bracket including the stall bar projection; a lower bracket coupled to the tool holder; a first joint defining a first axis; and a second joint defining second axis different than the first axis, wherein the first joint and the second joint are configured to lock when the torque tool is being actuated to prevent rotation of the torque tool and to unlock when the torque tool is not being actuated to enable rotation of the torque tool along the first axis and a second axis.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the first joint includes a first inner gear having teeth and a first reaction gear having teeth, the teeth of the first inner gear configured to engage the teeth of the first reaction gear to lock the first joint, and the second joint includes a second inner gear having teeth and a second reaction gear having teeth, the teeth of the second inner gear configured to engage the teeth of the second reaction gear to lock the second joint. According to a variant of this aspect, the first joint further includes a first upper gear connected to the upper bracket, wherein the first inner gear is at least partly engaged with the first upper gear. According to another variant of this aspect, the first reaction gear is secured to the lower bracket, the first joint further including a connecting member rotatably coupling the upper bracket and the lower bracket, the first inner gear being movable from a first position to a second position of the first inner gear, wherein in the first position the first inner gear is disengaged from the first reaction gear to permit rotation of the torque tool about the first axis and in the second position of the first inner gear the first inner gear is engaged with the first reaction gear to prevent rotation of the torque tool about the first axis

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 A is a side view of a prior art torque tool configuration;

[0012] Figure IB is a top view of the prior art torque tool configuration of Figure 1A;

[0013] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an adapter according to the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 3 is an exploded, perspective view of the adapter of Figure 2;

[0015] Figures 4 and 5 are side partially sectioned views of the adapter of Figure 2;

[0016] Figure 6 is an expanded view of a section of the adapter of Figure 2 as shown in

Figure 5;

[0017] Figures 7A and 7B are side, partially sectioned views of a first joint of the adapter of Figure 2 in a locked and unlocked position, respectively;

[0018] Figures 8 and 9 are side and bottom views of the body of an upper bracket of the adapter of Figure 2;

[0019] Figures 10 to 12 are views of the body of a lower bracket of the adapter of

Figure 2;

[0020] Figures 13 to 16 are views of various components of the first joint of the adapter of Figure 2;

[0021] Figures 17 and 18 are views of a cylinder plate of the adapter of Figure 2;

[0022] Figures 19 and 20 are views of a tool holder of the adapter of Figure 2;

[0023] Figure 21 is a view of a gear rod of the adapter of Figure 2; and [0024] Figure 22 is a view of a gear rod of the adapter of Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0025] The embodiments described below are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Instead, the embodiments were selected for description to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention.

[0026] Referring now to Figures 1A and IB, a prior art torque tool configuration 10 is shown. In configuration 10, a torque tool 12 is rigidly coupled to a stall bar 14. Torque tool 12 in this example includes a handle 16 and a drive body 18 with a socket attachment 20 that rotates about an axis 22 as shown in Figure IB. In use, an operator moves tool 12 such that socket attachment 20 is in alignment with a fastener to be torqued. The operator activates tool 12 and socket attachment 20 rotates about axis 22. When the fastener is fully torqued, a reaction torque (represented by arrow 24) in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of socket attachment 20 is absorbed by stall bar 14. Without stall bar 14, reaction torque 24 would be transferred to the operator.

[0027] While configuration 10 addresses the need to reduce the transfer of reaction torque to operators, configuration 10 is only suitable for use in torqueing fasteners having rotation axes that are parallel to axis 22. When assembling many products such as engines, fasteners having many different orientations are typically used. As such, a configuration 10 must be provided for each orientation, and many configurations 10 may be required to complete assembly of the product.

[0028] Referring now to Figures 2 to 6, a jointed stall bar attachment 30 according to the present disclosure is shown. Attachment 30 generally includes an upper bracket 32, a lower bracket 34 and a tool holder 36 (best seen in FIGS. 19 and 20). Upper bracket 32 includes a body 38 (best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9) having a lower wall 40, an upper wall 42, and a pair of side walls 44, 46 extending between lower wall 40 and upper wall 42. Together lower wall 40, upper wall 42 and side walls 44, 46 form a central opening 48. A stall bar projection 50 extends from upper wall 42 and is sized to be coupled to a stall bar. Finally, upper bracket 32 also includes a pneumatic first cylinder assembly 52 positioned within central opening 48 and operable to lock a first joint 54 of attachment 30 as is further described below.

[0029] Lower bracket 34 of attachment 30 generally includes a body 56 (best seen in

FIGS. 10-12) having a base 58, an upper wall 60 extending from base 58, and an end wall 62 extending from upper wall 60. As shown, end wall 62 extends in substantially parallel relationship to base 58 and together base 58, upper wall 60 and end wall 62 form a gap 64. A pneumatic second cylinder assembly 66 is mounted to base 58 and is operable to lock a second joint 68 of attachment 30 as is further described below.

[0030] Tool holder 36 generally includes a body 70 defining an opening 72 for receiving a torque tool and a projection 74 that extends into gap 64 of lower bracket 34 and is coupled to lower bracket 34 by a connecting member 76. An example connecting member 76 includes a shoulder bolt.

[0031] As best shown in Figure 3, first joint 54 generally includes gear rods 78 (best seen in FIG. 22), an upper cover plate 80, an upper outer gear 82 (also referred to as first upper gear 82), a first inner gear 84, a spacer 86, fasteners 88, a lower outer gear 90 (also referred to as first reaction gear 90), and a lower cover plate 92. Upper cover plate 80, upper outer gear 82, spacer 86 and inner gear 84 are best seen in FIGS. 13-16, respectively. Upper cover plate 80 includes a pair of openings 94 for receiving gear rods 78 and a central opening 96 for receiving a connecting member 98. An example connecting member 98 includes a shoulder bolt. Upper outer gear 82 includes a plurality of teeth 100 for meshing with inner gear 84. Inner gear 84 includes a pair of openings 102, a central opening 104 for receiving shoulder bolt 98, and a plurality of peripheral teeth 106 for meshing with teeth 100 of outer gears 82, 90 as described in more detail below. Spacer 86 includes a pair of openings 108 and a central opening 110 for receiving shoulder bolt 98. Lower outer gear 90 includes a plurality of teeth 112 for meshing with inner gear teeth 106 in the manner described below. Finally, lower cover plate 92 includes a central opening 114 for receiving shoulder bolt 98 and a pair of openings 116 to allow interchangeability with cover plates 80, 180 and 192.

[0032] Pneumatic cylinder assembly 52 includes housing fasteners 118, a cylinder housing 120, gear rod fasteners 122, a cylinder rod adapter 124 (best seen in FIG. 21), a cylinder plate 126 (best seen in FIGS. 17 and 18) and springs 128. Cylinder plate 126 includes openings 130 for receiving gear rod fasteners 122 to secure gear rods 78 to cylinder plate 126, threaded openings 132 for receiving housing fasteners 118 to secure cylinder housing 120 to cylinder plate 126, and a central opening 134 for receiving cylinder rod adapter 124 in the manner described below.

[0033] Pneumatic cylinder assembly 52 and first joint 54 are assembled and operate in the following fashion. Springs 128 are placed into recesses 136 formed into lower wall 40 of upper bracket 32. Gear rod fasteners 122 are placed through openings 130 of cylinder plate 126 and into the ends of gear rods 78, thereby securing gear rods 78 to cylinder plate 126. The assembly of cylinder plate 126 and gear rods 78 is placed into central opening 48 of upper bracket 32 and gear rods 78 are placed through openings 138 formed in lower wall 40 of upper bracket 32. Gear rods 78 are placed through openings 94 of upper cover plate 80 and upper cover plate 80 is positioned against a lower surface of lower wall 40 such that a notch 81 in upper cover plate 80 (shown in FIG. 13) engages an extension 39 of lower wall 40 (shown in FIG. 8), thereby fixing the position of upper cover plate 80. Upper outer gear 82 is placed below upper cover plate 80 and gear rods 78 are positioned on openings 102 of inner gear 84. A notch 83 in upper outer gear 82 (shown in FIG. 14) also engages extension 39 of lower wall 40 to fix the position of upper outer gear 82. Spacer 86 is placed below inner gear 84 and fasteners 88 are threaded through openings 108 of spacer 86 and openings 102 of inner gear 84 and into threaded openings on the ends of gear rods 78. This secures gear rods 78 to inner gear 84 (and spacer 86). Lower outer gear 90 is placed below spacer 86 and lower cover plate 92 is placed below lower outer gear 90. Lower bracket 34 is placed below lower cover plate 92 such that an extension 57 of upper wall 60 of lower bracket 34 (best seen in FIG. 11) engages notches formed in lower outer gear 90 and lower cover plate 92, thereby fixing lower outer gear 90 and lower cover plate 92 in position relative to lower bracket 34. Shoulder bolt 98 is then placed through opening 140 of upper wall 60 of lower bracket 34 and through the central openings of components 92, 90, 86, 84, 82 and 80. The end of shoulder bolt 98 is threaded into and secured within an opening (not shown in Figure 3, but disposed directly below opening 142) formed in the lower surface of lower wall 40 of upper bracket 32. In this manner, lower bracket 34 is connected to upper bracket 32 with the components of first joint 54 sandwiched therebetween. Cylinder rod adapter 124 is then placed through opening 134 of cylinder plate 126 and threaded into and secured within opening 142 formed in lower wall 40 of upper bracket 32. The cylinder rod of cylinder housing 120 is extended from and connected to cylinder rod adapter 124. Cylinder housing 120 is then secured to cylinder plate 126 using cylinder fasteners 118.

[0034] As best shown in Figures 7 A and 7B, as assembled cylinder housing 120 and cylinder plate 126 are attached (via gear rod fasteners 122) to one end of gear rods 78 above lower wall 40 of upper bracket 32. Additionally, inner gear 84 and spacer 86 are attached to the other end of gear rods 78 (via fasteners 88). As shown in Figure 7A, when cylinder assembly 52 is actuated, cylinder rod adapter 124 is retracted. As cylinder rod adapter 124 is fixedly connected to lower wall 40, this retraction causes cylinder housing 120 and cylinder plate 126 to move downwardly toward lower wall 40 against the upward force of springs 128. Consequently, gear rods 78 also move downwardly, thereby moving inner gear 84 from a first position downwardly to a second position thereby placing first joint 54 in a locked position. When first joint 54 is in the locked position, inner gear 84 is partially within upper outer gear 82 and partially within lower outer gear 90. Additionally, teeth 106 of inner gear 84 engage teeth 100 of upper outer gear 82 and teeth 112 of lower outer gear 90. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, spacer 86 bottoms out against cover plate 92 thereby controlling the insertion depth of inner gear 84 into lower outer gear 90. In either embodiment, this prevents rotation of first joint 54. In other words, lower bracket 34 cannot be rotated about shoulder bolt 98 relative to upper bracket 32 because the meshing of teeth between inner gear 84 and outer gears 82, 90 prevents rotation of the outer gears 82, 90 (and therefore upper bracket 32 and lower bracket 34) relative to one another. Cylinder assembly 52 is actuated automatically upon detection by an electronic control unit (ECU) or other control device (not shown) of actuation of torque tool 12.

[0035] As shown in Figure 7B, when first cylinder assembly 52 is not actuated (because torque tool 12 is not actuated) cylinder rod adapter 124 is allowed to extend. Springs 128 therefore expand to their normally expanded state and cause cylinder housing 120 and cylinder plate 126 to move upwardly away from lower wall 40. Consequently, gear rods 78 also move upwardly, thereby moving inner gear 84 from the second position upwardly to the first position, thereby placing first joint 54 in an unlocked position. When first joint 54 is in the unlocked position, inner gear 84 is positioned entirely within upper outer gear 82. Spacer 86 remains in lower outer gear 90 to maintain alignment of lower outer gear 90 as first joint 54 is rotated about axis 144. Additionally, teeth 106 of inner gear 84 engage teeth 100 of upper outer gear 82, but teeth 106 do not engage teeth 112 of lower outer gear 90. This permits rotation of first joint 54. In other words, lower bracket 34 can be rotated about shoulder bolt 98 relative to upper bracket 32 because nothing prevents rotation the outer gears 82, 90 (and therefore upper bracket 32 and lower bracket 34) relative to one another. This permits the operator to position lower bracket 34 and torque tool 12 in any orientation about an axis 144 through shoulder bolt 98. Cylinder assembly 52 is deactivated automatically upon detection by an ECU or other control device (not shown) that torque tool 12 is no longer activated.

[0036] Referring back to Figure 3, second joint 68 and pneumatic cylinder assembly 66 are shown. Second joint 68 includes the same components as those of first joint 54. Therefore, the components of second joint 68 are not described in detail and are numbered with the numbers of the corresponding components of first joint 54, increased by 100. Similarly, the components of pneumatic cylinder assembly 66 are the same as those of pneumatic cylinder assembly 52. Therefore, the components of assembly 66 are not described in detail and are numbered with the numbers of the corresponding components of assembly 52, increased by 100.

[0037] The assembly and operation of second joint 68 and assembly 66 are also very similar to the assembly and operation of first joint 54 and assembly 52 described above. In general, plate 226 is attached to one end of gear rods 178 using gear rod fasteners 222. The other end of gear rods 178 is attached to second inner gear 184 and spacer 186 using fasteners 188. Springs 228 are positioned between plate 226 and wall 58 of lower bracket 34. Cylinder housing 220 is attached to plate 226 using housing fasteners 218. For second joint 68, shoulder bolt 76 is placed through an opening 230 of wall 62 of lower bracket 34, through an opening 234 of projection 74 of tool holder 36, through the components of second joint 68, and threaded into and secured to an opening 232 of wall 58 of lower bracket 34. Notches in lower cover plate 192 and lower outer gear 190 engage an extension 37 of tool holder 36 (best seen in FIGS. 19 and 20) to prevent relative rotation between them.

[0038] As described above with reference to first joint 54 and assembly 52, second inner gear 184 of second joint 68 is moved by the activation and deactivation of assembly 66 (and the biasing force of springs 228) to place second joint 68 in either a locked or an unlocked position. When in the locked position, cylinder rod adapter 224 is retracted to position second inner gear 184 into meshing engagement with second upper gear 182 and lower outer gear 190, thereby preventing rotation of second joint 68. When in the unlocked position, cylinder rod adapter 224 is extended (by the biasing force of springs 228) to position inner gear 184 into meshing engagement with upper outer gear 182 but out of meshing engagement with lower outer gear 190, thereby permitting rotation of second joint 68 (and in particular tool holder 36 and torque tool 12) about an axis 236 of second joint 68 which is perpendicular to axis 144 through shoulder bolt 76 (see Figure 7B) of first joint 54. As second joint 68 (and tool holder 36 and torque tool 12) are prevented from rotating about axis 236 when second joint 68 is locked, adapter 30 absorbs any reaction torque of tool 12 about axis 236. As second joint 68 permits rotation of tool holder 36 and torque tool 12 about axis 236 when unlocked, adapter 30 permits reorientation of tool 12 into any orientation about axis 236. [0039] In the manner described above, first joint 54 and second joint 68 absorb reaction torque from tool 12 when in the locked position (transferring such reaction torque to stall bar 14 through projection 50), which corresponds to activation of torque tool 12. Additionally, first joint 54 and second joint 68 permit reorientation of tool 12 into any orientation relative to axis 144 and axis 236 when in the unlocked position. As such, adapter 30 enables multiple orientations of tool 12 without requiring multiple tools 12 and provides an enhanced degree of freedom of engine design regarding the positioning of fasteners used on the engine.

[0040] While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.

Claims

CLAIMS: What is claimed is:

1. An adapter (30) for use with a torque tool (12), comprising:

a stall bar projection (50) for connection to a stall bar;

a tool holder (36) for connection to a torque tool; and

a pair of brackets including an upper bracket (32) including the stall bar projection (50) and a lower bracket (34) coupled to the tool holder, the pair of brackets further including a first joint (54) configured to permit the torque tool to rotate about a first axis relative to the stall bar when the torque tool is not actuated and to prevent rotation of the torque tool about the first axis when the torque tool is actuated, and a second joint (68) configured to permit the torque tool to rotate about a second axis relative to the stall bar when the torque tool is not actuated and to prevent rotation of the torque tool about the second axis when the torque tool is actuated, the second axis and the first axis having different orientations.

2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the first joint (54) includes a first inner gear (84) and a first reaction gear (90), the first inner gear (84) being movable from a first position of the first inner gear (84) wherein the first inner gear (84) is disengaged from the first reaction gear (90) to a second position of the first inner gear (84) wherein the first inner gear (84) is engaged with the first reaction gear (90).

3. The adapter of claim 2, wherein the first joint further includes a first cylinder assembly (52) connected to the first inner gear and operably coupled to the upper bracket (32) to move the first inner gear from the first position to the second position of the first inner gear responsive to actuation of the torque tool.

4. The adapter of claim 3, wherein the first joint further includes a first upper gear (82) connected to the upper bracket (32), wherein the first inner gear (84) is at least partly engaged with the first upper gear (82) in the first position and in the second position.

5. The adapter of claim 4, wherein in the second position the first inner gear (84) protrudes from the first upper upper gear (82) into the first reaction gear (90).

6. The adapter of claim 3, wherein the first cylinder assembly (52) is connected to a cylinder rod adapter (124) and fluidly coupled to a source of pneumatic energy to retract the cylinder rod adapter (124) and move the first inner gear (84) from the first position to the second position.

7. The adapter of claim 6, wherein the first cylinder assembly (52) is fluidly coupled to the source of pneumatic energy to retract the cylinder rod adapter (124) responsive to actuation of the torque tool (12).

8. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the second joint (68) includes a second inner gear (184) and a second reaction gear (190), the second inner gear (184) being movable from a first position of the second inner gear (184) wherein the second inner gear (184) is disengaged from the first reaction gear (190) to a second position of the second inner gear (184) wherein the second inner gear (184) is engaged with the second reaction gear (190).

9. The adapter of claim 8, wherein the second joint (68) further includes a second cylinder assembly (66) connected to the second inner gear and operably coupled to the lower bracket (34) to move the first inner gear from the first position to the second position of the first inner gear responsive to actuation of the torque tool.

10. A method of transferring a reaction torque, the method comprising:

connecting a torque tool (12) to a tool holder (36) of an adapter (30) having a first joint (54) defining a first axis and a second joint (68) defining second axis different than the first axis; connecting the adapter (30) to a stall bar (14);

coupling the adapter (30) to a source of energy; operatively connecting the source of energy to the torque tool;

orienting the torque tool along the first axis and the second axis;

coupling the torque tool to a fastener;

actuating the torque tool to secure the fastener, wherein actuation of the torque tool locks the first joint and the second joint to permit the adapter to transfer the reaction torque to the stall bar; and

de-actuating the torque tool to unlock the first joint and the second joint.

11. A method as in claim 10, wherein the energy comprises pneumatic energy.

12. A method as in claim 10, wherein the first joint (54) includes a first inner gear (84) having teeth configured to engage teeth of a first reaction gear (90) to lock the first joint, and wherein the second joint (68) includes a second inner gear (184) having teeth configured to engage teeth of a second reaction gear (190) to lock the second joint.

13. An adapter (30) for use with a torque tool (12), comprising:

a stall bar projection (50) for connection to a stall bar;

a tool holder (36) for connection to a torque tool;

an upper bracket (32) including the stall bar projection (50);

a lower bracket (34) coupled to the tool holder;

a first joint (54) defining a first axis; and

a second joint (68) defining second axis different than the first axis,

wherein the first joint and the second joint are configured to lock when the torque tool is being actuated to prevent rotation of the torque tool and to unlock when the torque tool is not being actuated to enable rotation of the torque tool along the first axis and a second axis.

14. The adapter of claim 13, wherein the first joint (54) includes a first inner gear (84) having teeth and a first reaction gear (90) having teeth, the teeth of the first inner gear (84) configured to engage the teeth of the first reaction gear (90) to lock the first joint, and wherein the second joint (68) includes a second inner gear (184) having teeth and a second reaction gear (190) having teeth, the teeth of the second inner gear (184) configured to engage the teeth of the second reaction gear (190) to lock the second joint.

15. The adapter of claim 14, wherein the first joint further includes a first upper gear (82) connected to the upper bracket (32), wherein the first inner gear (84) is at least partly engaged with the first upper gear (82).

16. The adapter of claim 15, wherein the first inner gear (84) protrudes from the first upper gear (82) into the first reaction gear (90) when the first joint is locked.

17. The adapter of claim 14, wherein the first reaction gear (90) is secured to the lower bracket (34), the first joint (54) further including a connecting member (98) rotatably coupling the upper bracket (32) and the lower bracket (34), the first inner gear (84) being movable from a first position to a second position of the first inner gear (84), wherein in the first position the first inner gear (84) is disengaged from the first reaction gear (90) to permit rotation of the torque tool about the first axis and in the second position of the first inner gear (84) the first inner gear (84) is engaged with the first reaction gear (90) to prevent rotation of the torque tool about the first axis.

18. The adapter of claim 17, wherein the second reaction gear (190) is secured to the tool holder (36), the second joint (68) further including a connecting member (76) rotatably coupling the lower bracket (34) and the tool holder (36), the second inner gear (184) being movable from a first position to a second position of the second inner gear (184), wherein in the first position the second inner gear (184) is disengaged from the second reaction gear (190) to permit rotation of the torque tool about the second axis and in the second position of the second inner gear (184) the second inner gear (184) is engaged with the second reaction gear (190) to prevent rotation of the torque tool about the second axis.

19. The adapter of claim 17, wherein the first joint (54) further includes a first cylinder assembly (52) connected to the first inner gear (84) by a pair of gear rods (78) passing through openings in the upper bracket (32) and connected to the upper bracket (32) by a cylinder rod adapter (124), the first cylinder assembly (52) operatively coupled to the torque tool (12) to move the first inner gear from the first position to the second position of the first inner gear responsive to actuation of the torque tool.

20. The adapter of claim 19, wherein the upper bracket (32) comprises four walls defining a central opening (48), and wherein the first cylinder assembly (52) is positioned within the central opening.