Patents by Inventor Larry W. Betcher

Larry W. Betcher has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9257807
    Abstract: A wire handheld tool including a handle contiguous to a shank with a wire securing portion. The wire securing portion may be a relatively flat portion with one or more wire passageways used to secure one or more wires thereto. The wire handheld tool can be used to insert, remove, and/or replace wires contained in wire harness conduits. Some embodiments can include a plurality of passageways traversing the relatively wire securing portion in non-parallel diagonal directions relative to each other. In some embodiments, one wire passageway can be included and configured for a wire to traverse a length of the wire securing portion securing itself thereto. The handle of the tool can be ergonomically designed for comfort and practicality, and additionally, may include non-conductive components or coatings to prevent electrically shocking a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Larry W. Betcher, Dirk Skogerboe, Jacob Hanson
  • Patent number: 9132533
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the removing of a spark plug, or portions thereof, from a cylinder head are disclosed. The apparatus includes a lower socket with a longitudinal bore therethrough, a radial compression member disposed in the longitudinal bore of the lower socket, and a shaft disposed on a first end of the radial compression member. The radial compression member includes an internal surface defining a concavity that faces a longitudinal axis of the lower socket. The method includes compressing the radial compression member in a radial direction toward a longitudinal axis of the spark plug terminal, thereby decreasing an outer dimension of the radial compression member in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Pamela Lesche, George Lesche, Larry W. Betcher
  • Publication number: 20140208585
    Abstract: A wire handheld tool including a handle contiguous to a shank with a wire securing portion. The wire securing portion may be a relatively flat portion with one or more wire passageways used to secure one or more wires thereto. The wire handheld tool can be used to insert, remove, and/or replace wires contained in wire harness conduits. Some embodiments can include a plurality of passageways traversing the relatively wire securing portion in non-parallel diagonal directions relative to each other. In some embodiments, one wire passageway can be included and configured for a wire to traverse a length of the wire securing portion securing itself thereto. The handle of the tool can be ergonomically designed for comfort and practicality, and additionally, may include non-conductive components or coatings to prevent electrically shocking a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicants: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH, SERVICE SOLUTIONS U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Larry W. Betcher, Dirk Skogerboe, Jacob Hanson
  • Patent number: 6719305
    Abstract: The mobile stand is generally L-shaped in side elevation, having a horizontally extending base and an upright mast adjacent the rear of the base. The base is somewhat H-shaped in top plan, having a pair of widespread, parallel, horizontal legs that extend slightly rearwardly beyond the mast, and a crossbar that rigidly interconnects the legs adjacent their rear ends. The mast is fixed to the crossbar midway between the two legs. Four rubber stabilizer feet project downwardly from the base at its four corners to space the base a short distance above the floor. Transport wheels at the rear ends of the legs project downwardly from the base but do not engage the floor when all four of the feet are touching the floor, thus rendering the wheels ineffective at such time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Lundgreen, Larry W. Betcher
  • Patent number: 6357097
    Abstract: A hub puller device to simplify the removal of the hub from the wheel bearing on front wheel drive cars when maintenance is required. In the preferred embodiment, the device includes a U-shaped frame, a forcing screw, traveling nut and a pushing piece. A maintenance technician installs the forcing screw to extend through the open cylindrical section of the hub and mounts the pushing piece and the traveling nut on the forcing screw adjacent the cylindrical section. Next, the technician installs the frame to wrap around the spindle housing such that one member abuts the front surface of the spindle housing. The other frame member braces the receiving end of the forcing screw and prevents linear movement of the forcing screw. With the setup completed, the maintenance technician rotates the forcing screw and prevents rotation of the traveling nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Lundgreen, Larry W. Betcher, Dennis D. Hanson
  • Patent number: 6129339
    Abstract: A strut spring compressor (20) having a support frame (22), a plurality of pivot arms (24, 26, 28, 30), a plurality of spring clamps (32, 34, 36, 38), and an actuating mechanism (40) is utilized to compress and expand a spring (42) of a strut assembly (44) whereby maintenance can be performed on the strut assembly (44). Each of the pivot arms (24-30) is pivotally attached to the support frame (22) by ball joints (74) which permit the arms (24-30) to pivot independently and three-dimensionally to compensate for a variety of spring sizes, and the spring clamps (32-38) are pivotally attached to the arms (24-30) to compensate for a variety of spring pitches. The actuating mechanism (40) includes a forcing screw (116) pivotally joined to a top trunnion assembly (118) and threadably engaging a middle trunnion assembly (120) and a bottom trunnion assembly (122).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Lundgreen, Larry W. Betcher
  • Patent number: 5605207
    Abstract: A fuel tank tender is used for facilitating installation, removal and service of vehicle fuel tanks. The tender includes a frame. Casters rotatably mounted on the frame move the frame over a support surface, including into position beneath a fuel tank. A cradle supports a fuel tank. Elevating jacks mount the cradle to the frame for raising and lowering the cradle relative to the support surface to lift and lower or support the fuel tank relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: OTC Div. of SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Larry W. Betcher, Charles L. Mosher, Scott E. Jirele
  • Patent number: 5190265
    Abstract: A service tool is provided for removal and replacement of vehicle parts. The service tool comprises a base, a lift arm mechanism including a base end in a distal end, the base end being pivotally mounted to the base. A jack is mounted to the base and the lift arm mechanism for pivotally moving the lift arm mechanism to adjust height of the distal end. A vehicle part adaptor is included for receiving a vehicle part to be removed or replaced. A ball and socket joint mounts the vehicle part adaptor to the lift arm mechanism distal end for allowing rotary motion of the vehicle part adaptor relative to the distal end in every direction and adjustable screws adjustably limit movement of the vehicle part adaptor to control attitude of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: OTC Division of SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald E. Barry, Larry W. Betcher, C. P. Emerson
  • Patent number: D420188
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: Larry W. Betcher
  • Patent number: D430374
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Larry W. Betcher, Thomas E. Kramer