Patents Assigned to Central Tools, INC
  • Patent number: 6799863
    Abstract: An adjustable utility light for suspension from an object has a nominal width and lateral edges, and both an elongate hollow member with opposing open ends and an axis. A pair of generally elongate gripping members is also present, each with a free gripping end and a hollow member engaging end. The gripping members are slidably and rotatably mounted with regard to associated open ends of the hollow member so as to be able to change the axial distance between the gripping members. An elongate biasing member extends through the hollow member and is attached at opposite ends to the gripping member. The biasing member is generally under tension so as to urge the gripping members towards each other, minimizing the distance between them. It is stretchable upon separation along the axis of the gripping members against its own biasing forces. An elongate lamp is provided with an axial length generally equal to the nominal width of the hollow member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Central Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Offiler, Marcus D. J. Poisson
  • Patent number: 6216357
    Abstract: A brake drum gage is described for measuring the inside diameter of a brake drum of a vehicle with the wheel mounted on the vehicle in the presence of an axle tube and other undercarriage components or parts. The brake drum gage includes an elongate generally flat bar having proximate and remote ends and defines an elongate axis in a reference plane. A fixed element is fixedly mounted at the proximate end of the bar and a movable element is movably mounted on the bar for movements along the bar between the proximate and remote ends for adjusting the spacing between these elements. Each element includes a generally V-shaped arm that includes an upright portion generally parallel to the reference plane and an angled portion inclined in relation to an associated upright portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Central Tools, INC
    Inventors: Richard Victor, Stephen Offiler
  • Patent number: 5765941
    Abstract: A portable work light having a fluorescent lamp (fluorescent light bulb). The fluorescent lamp has a base which supports a translucent envelope that contains a gas for emitting light when energized by an electric input. Activation circuitry is contained within a base housing, as is a portion of the translucent envelope. A flexible, electrically and mechanically insulating material is injected into the base housing to stabilize and prevent movement of the actuation circuitry with respect to the base housing and translucent envelope, thereby preventing damage to the components of the fluorescent lamp. The portable work light has a transparent cover which supports a lamp. The cover has electrical connectors at one end for engaging the lamp. The cover has a bulb support mechanism which engages a lip on the base of a lamp to maintain the electrical contact of the lamp engaged with the electrical connectors and to inhibit movement of the base of the lamp relative to the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Central Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Vest
  • Patent number: 5469629
    Abstract: A gage includes an elongate support arm at the end of a bar on which there is mounted a measurement and display module. A sliding anvil arm is spaced from the bar in parallel relationship and mounted on the module for sliding movements therewith on the bar. A right angle support arm extends from the free end of the elongate support arm, anvils being mounted on the free end support portion of the right angle support arm and at the end of the sliding anvil arm, both the anvils being arranged along a measurement axis. The support portion of the right angle support arm and the anvil mounted thereon together have a dimension along the measurement axis no greater than the smallest anticipated space between a wheel and a rotor to be measured so that the anvil may be positioned on one side of the rotor while the sliding anvil arm together with the module can be brought into abutment against the other side of the rotor to provide a reading of the thickness of the rotor without removal of the wheel from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Central Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert C. Rogler
  • Patent number: 5465501
    Abstract: An adjustable gage is provided with a plurality of pairs of depth stops along the jaws or arms which support the pointed anvils which contact an internal or external cylindrical surface. By adjusting selected depth stops, an either retracted or extended positions, one pair of depth stops engages a rim or abutment surface of a cylindrical member, thereby insuring that the measurement anvils will contact diametrically opposite sides of the cylindrical surface to be measured along a plane which is substantially normal to the axis of the cylindrical surface. This avoids oblique misalignments of the gage and assures precise measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Central Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert Rogler
  • Patent number: 5317814
    Abstract: A linear measuring instrument having a pair of measuring tips mounted on respective jaws moveable relative to one another along an elongated beam particularly adapted for measuring inside dimensions has a digital display unit responsive to display increments of movement of one jaw relative to the beam on which the jaw is slidingly mounted. The pair of measuring tips are spaced from one another, when the jaws are in engagement with one another, a selected calibration distance. The end user of the instrument follows a sequence of steps, including resetting the display unit to read zero and then adjusting and fixing the position of the other jaw to the beam until the selected calibration distance registers on the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Central Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert Rogler
  • Patent number: D332921
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Central Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Victor, Sr.
  • Patent number: D418238
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Central Tools, Inc
    Inventor: Stephen Offiler