Abstract: A powered pump unit is adapted to operate with a vacuum cup device having a pump cylinder for a manually operated vacuum pump. The powered pump unit includes a pump unit housing, a power source receiver, a vacuum pump, a pump drive, and a sealing arrangement. The pump unit housing is adapted to be received in the pump cylinder in an operating position after the piston is removed from the pump cylinder. The power source receiver, vacuum pump, and pump drive are each mounted on the pump unit housing and at least one of them is at least partially located in the pump cylinder when the pump unit housing is in the operating position. The pump drive is operatively connected to drive the vacuum pump to produce a vacuum that is applied to the vacuum cup of the vacuum cup device.

Abstract: A cutting wire placement tool includes an elongated tool body, a pulling element carrier structure, and an elongated pulling element. The elongated tool body has a handle end and a sealant piercing end opposite the handle end, and the pulling element carrier structure is located at the sealant piercing end of the elongated tool body. The pulling element carrier structure includes a recess and at least one piercing element having a configuration to pierce a sealant material as a sealant piercing force is applied to the elongated tool body. The elongated pulling element is connected to the elongated tool body at a location spaced apart from the sealant piercing end of the elongated tool body and has a pulling loop which is adapted to be movable between an insertion position and a pulling position relative to the recess of the pulling element carrier structure.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a portable electric power storage arrangement (14) and a power panel (18) all mounted in or on a common housing (11) that includes a carrying feature or handle (12) by which the housing may be easily carried. The electrical power storage arrangement (14) provides DC electrical power for the power panel (18) and preferably includes one or more rechargeable batteries. Apparatus (10) further includes an inverter circuit (15) mounted in or on the housing (11) for inverting power from one or more batteries associate with the apparatus to produce a modeler's AC output. The modeler's AC power output comprises an AC power signal that is sufficient to drive an AC powered charging circuit (52) for charging batteries associated with a modeler's transmitter (53) or receiver (54).

Abstract: A vehicle windshield removing tool includes a handle for gripping by the user, and a blade extending from the handle for insertion between the vehicle windshield and the vehicle or gasket holding the windshield. The blade includes a base portion which is mounted in the handle to extend outwardly therefrom and a cutting portion which is formed into an inverted U-shaped terminal end which is used to cut the adhesive or bonding material between the windshield and the molding by sliding the U-shaped terminal end about the perimeter of the windshield, with the windshield edge being positioned and sliding within the U-shaped portion of the blade.

Abstract: A windshield removal apparatus that includes a suction cup assembly that is secured, via a vacuum, onto the interior center portion of an automobile's windshield. A swivel head is located at the opposite end of the assembly where the vacuum interface is initiated. The swivel head rotates bi-directionally 360 degrees in approximately the same plane as that of the windshield. The rotation of the swivel head is relatively friction free. A spring is located between the swivel head and the cutting wire which is in turn attached to a grip, to complete the configuration of the apparatus. The cutting wire is initially threaded through the seal between the windshield and automobile. The connection of the cutting wire to the spring and swivel head may take place in any order such that the apparatus is in the appropriate position to commence the cutting process of the entire perimeter of the seal.

Abstract: A device for starting a cutting wire through a material to be cut by the wire includes an elongated starter tube having an opening extending through its entire length. An insertion facilitating arrangement is formed at an insertion end of the elongated starter tube and a force receiving surface is positioned at the end of the starter tube opposite the insertion end. A handle is preferably connected to the starter tube at the end opposite the insertion end and the force receiving surface is preferably formed on the handle. By applying a sufficient force to the force receiving surface the insertion end of the elongated starter tube may pierce the material to be cut and be driven completely through the material to the opposite side. Once the starter tube traverses the material to be cut, one end of the thin and flexible cutting wire may be inserted through the tube opening until it too traverses the material to be cut.