Patents Examined by Debra S. Meislin
  • Patent number: 7055414
    Abstract: A wire stripper has a pair of elongated frames pivotably joined together by a pivot pin and defining handles and jaws. The handles are covered by sleeves which include thumb wells which cover the ends of the pivot pin. A mechanical interlock is provided between the handles and the sleeves. The sleeves have slots for receiving the handles. The slots are offset so the front and rear surfaces of opposite sleeves are coplanar. The sleeves have a core and cushion grip overmolded on the core. A molding projection on the core allows precise placement of the core in a mold during formation of the cushion grip. A spring biases the frames to an open position. Legs of the spring are fastened to the sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: IDEAL Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce P. Konen
  • Patent number: 7055412
    Abstract: A gas valve key is provided having a handle; a longitudinal shaft attached to one end of the handle; and a socket attached to another end of the shaft. The socket has a plurality of cascaded valve stem receiving cavities formed within the socket. Each of the plurality of receiving cavities has successively reduced dimensions, including a first largest cavity forming an opening on one end of the socket. The plurality of cascaded receiving cavities are adapted to receive a valve stem of differing dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Canterbury Enterprises
    Inventor: Lisa Leighton
  • Patent number: 7051621
    Abstract: A device for gripping twist caps includes a) opposing substantially coextensive coactive first and second handles having hingedly attached proximal extremities, and opposing distal extremities, respectively, b) opposed confronting first and second inwardly-directed faces carried by the first and second handles, respectively, c) longitudinal, substantially parallel rows of teeth carried by the first handle projecting away from the first inwardly-directed face, and d) longitudinal, substantially parallel rows of teeth carried by the second handle and projecting away from the second inwardly-directed face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Hal Woodrow Halpin
  • Patent number: 7047845
    Abstract: A hand operable wrench is described which comprises a wrench head at one end thereof, and a substantially metallic lever formed as a handle extending in a longitudinal direction from the wrench head. The wrench head has an imaginary axis of wrench rotation, and the handle is formed substantially nontwisted comprising a first handle portion, a second handle portion and a third handle portion. The first handle portion connects to the wrench head, and the second handle portion is longitudinally positioned between the first and third handle portions. The first and third handle portions each have a cross-sectional shape when viewed in a cross-sectional plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Proprietary Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Macor
  • Patent number: 7044028
    Abstract: A socket wrench apparatus for applying enhanced torque having a first ratchet head which has a first ratchet mechanism therein and a first rotatable generally rectangular drive outwardly extending from the first ratchet mechanism. A first tubular handle is connected to the first ratchet head. The first tubular handle terminates at a first free distal end. The first free distal end has a square hole therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventors: Miguel Lozano, Jesus Gomez
  • Patent number: 7044030
    Abstract: A pivoting jaw pipe wrench comprises a fixed jaw including a plurality of discrete teeth, each for a different one of a plurality of pipes having different diameters. A pivotal jaw member has first and second jaw faces at an obtuse angle to one another and displaceable toward and away from the fixed jaw, whereby a pipe of given diameter to be gripped by the wrench is cradled between the first and second jaw surfaces and engaged by the one of the discrete teeth provided on the arcuate jaw for the pipe of given diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Glen R. Chartier, David L. Machovina, Chris W. Mandell
  • Patent number: 7040195
    Abstract: A roof rake system comprises a handle having an upper end and a lower end. A head has an interior region, an exterior region, and an intermediate region. The interior region securely receives the lower end of the handle. The exterior region is cylindrically shaped over the majority of its extent as an extension of the intermediate region and with a free end. A flat plate is in a rectangular configuration with a leading edge adjacent to the free end and a long trailing edge adjacent to the intermediate. A plurality of broad V-shaped projections are at the leading edge of the plate forming laterally spaced crests with laterally spaced roots there between. The intermediate region is curved with the exterior region and plate being in a plane and located entirely beneath the lower end of the handle during operation and use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventors: John P. Lackey, George R. Asselin
  • Patent number: 7040202
    Abstract: A slide stop device of a hexagonal spanner comprises a spanner body; one end of the spanner body having a driving portion. The driving portion has at least one axial slots. Each slot is extended from a center of one end surface of the driving portion to an edge of the driving portion. An axial screw hole is formed in the center of driving portion; an outer end of the screw hole being a tapered shape. In use, a screwing resisting element is inserted into the screw hole. When the screwing resisting element is not tightly adhered to an wall of the screw hole, the screwing resisting element can expand the driving portion outwards to prevent the screwing resisting element from sliding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsien
  • Patent number: 7040194
    Abstract: A jar/bottle opener has a housing, a first pair of opposed jaws for gripping a jar or bottle and a second pair of opposed jaws for gripping a jar or bottle closure. A driven shaft operates the first and second jaws and turns the second jaws relative to the first jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Main Power Electrical Factory Ltd.
    Inventors: Lin Feng Wu, Chun Yu Liu
  • Patent number: 7040201
    Abstract: A method and device is disclosed for clamping an object with quick adjusting pliers. A top jaw has a bottom handle, a slot, and a series of ridges located around the slot. A pin extends through the slot and includes an engagement element. A bottom jaw has a top handle and another opening for receiving the pin. The engagement element engages at least one of the series of ridges in a first position, wherein the top jaw and bottom jaw pivot about a first axis that extends though a longitudinal axis of the pin, and wherein the engagement element is moveable along the first axis from the first position to a second position wherein the engagement element does not engage any of the series of ridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company
    Inventors: David P. Engvall, Jeffery L. Ditzler, Gene L. Tyser
  • Patent number: 7040198
    Abstract: A wrenching tool with an anchored flexible strap that is placed around the rotating part of a screw type connector, the strap then being slide fitted and adjusted in one of two angular slots on the tool for the purpose of tightening or loosening the connector. With proper fitting and adjustment of the strap, a rotation of the tool, which is generally parallelingly in line but offset from the axis of the connector, causes a bight by the strap being restricted on the connector that will, depending on the slot used, tighten or loosen the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: James Joseph Gelpi, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7036405
    Abstract: A key for operating a security fastener having a lock pattern includes a retractable key pattern. The key pattern has an operational extension position in which the key pattern is enabled for substantial engagement with a security fastener having a matching lock pattern, thereby allowing operation of the matching security fastener. The key pattern is also capable of retreating a non-operational retraction position in which the key pattern is not capable of substantial engagement with a security fastener having a non-matching lock pattern, thereby preventing operation of the non-matching security fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: McGard, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew David Trank, Wayne Anthony Hemmerling
  • Patent number: 7036406
    Abstract: An anvil adapted to be received within an impact wrench comprises a round body and a square head. The square head is formed at an end of the round body. A tapered ramp extends from the round body to the square head. A radius is formed in the tapered ramp. The radius is defined by a removal of material in the tapered ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Milbourne, Stephen Debelius, Beverly Kivett
  • Patent number: 7028586
    Abstract: A tong system includes an upper tong having grips for gripping a tubular and a rotation mechanism to rotate the grips and the tubular. A lower tong also has grips and a rotation mechanism to rotate the grips to provide rotation to a lower tubular, such that the upper and lower tubulars may be made up/broken out from one another, also so that string of tubulars may be rotated for drilling purposes without requiring a rotary table. Also, an apparatus and method for circulating fluid through a tubular string has a first fluid conduit for supplying fluid to the bore of an upper tubular to be made up into or broken out from the tubular string and a second fluid conduit for supplying fluid to the bore of the tubular string, which allows continuous circulation of fluid to occur whilst running the string into/pulling the string from, a borehole and also whilst making up tubulars into/breaking out tubulars from the string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Dicky Robichaux
  • Patent number: 7028359
    Abstract: A multifunctional container opener for opening a plurality of different containers, including a body that supports a template defining one or more pockets and a pill splitting tool and one or more compartments or pockets for capturing pieces of the split pill or tablet. The body may also support a variety of tools adapted for opening a container or accessing a container's contents. Such tools include tools for piercing, scoring, cutting or prying portions of the actual container or safety seals associated with the container. The body also supports a gripping device for frictionally engaging the cap or top of a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Mazur
  • Patent number: 7028590
    Abstract: A retractable open-end wrench has a handle defining a web at one end thereof. A stationary jaw projects from a first side of the web, and a first channel is formed at a second side of the web opposite the first side, the first channel being defined by a first arc. A moveable jaw is received by the first channel and moves linearly through the first channel, wherein the jaws form an open end therebetween. A second channel formed in the movable jaw is defined by a second arc, wherein a length of the first arc is greater than a length of the second arc. Moreover, a first radius of the first arc is smaller than a second radius of the second arc, and the first channel and the second channel form a receiving hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Easco Hand Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Hsien-Chung Tuan Mu
  • Patent number: 7024965
    Abstract: The present disclosure is a semi-automatic jar opener made up of a lower part including a run button activating an electric motor mounted under the lower part, which allows a lower plate to turn and activate a gear rack allowing the lower jaws provided with non-skid rubber strips to squeeze a jar according to the desired size, when the jar turns the friction rubber strips prevent it from sliding, and when the jar is unscrewed the electric motor stops automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventor: Donald Tremblay
  • Patent number: 7017458
    Abstract: Self adjusting grooved pliers include a first section having a jaw portion and a channel formed therethrough, adjacent the jaw portion and a second section having a jaw portion and a pivot extending therefrom. The pivot is slidably received in the channel to allow wider or narrower association between the jaw portion of the first section and the jaw portion of the second section. The pivot pivotally couples the first section to the second section for movement between an open position and a gripping position. A plurality of grooves is formed in the first section and a tongue extends from the second section. The tongue is received in one of the plurality of grooves, locking the pivot in position within the channel only upon the first section and the second section reaching the gripping position. A biasing assembly acts on the pivot, urging the pivot upward in the channel toward the jaw portion of the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventors: Daniel L. Poole, Robert N. Poole
  • Patent number: 7017449
    Abstract: A tool is provided to aid in the insertion and removal of tree steps used with blinds in trees while hunting. The invention takes the form of a ā€œZā€-shaped crank made of flat steel stock. The middle portion of the crank has a hole that is placed over the step on the step portion. The upper portion of the crank, has two slots on either side, one of which is used for installing a tree step, while the other is used to remove the tree step. Finally, the lower portion of the crank forms a handle, which can be padded with a cushion or handle grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Allen E. Ritchings
  • Patent number: 7017450
    Abstract: A method for constructing a power tong jaw, including the steps of: (1) providing a substantially flat upper plate and a substantially flat lower plate; (2) providing at least two separately formed substantially elongated column members, at least one of the column members having a die insert groove formed therein; and (3) connecting the upper plate to the lower plate using the column members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Daniel S. Bangert