Idea for Color Changing Torque Wrench

How about a wrench that could change colors instead of breaking or stressing a bolt? By changing colors, the wrench could give a rough indication of torque applied in tightening hardware. The colors could be calibrated in foot-pounds, e.g. orange 70 foot-pounds, red 100 foot-pounds. Perhaps this could be a disposable wrench included in do-it-yourself build-it kits for those people with minimal tool knowledge. One possibility to achieve this color change responding to stress would be the new multichromic polymers or nanostructures. These new compositions change colors depending on a variety of stimuli - one being stress (compression, torque, etc.).

Possible Start Building Blocks –

• Existing concepts for torque wrenches, toy wrenches, torque indicating bolts, etc.


• USPTO Class/Subclasses for "How-To" ideas - 73/862, 81/57, 430/338

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