Angularly Adjustable Handle Patents (Class 81/177.8)
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Patent number: 6928903Abstract: The bi-directional wrench with a ratchet assembly can be used in small space. It includes a handle, a base attached pivotally to the handle, a rotating device mounted on the base and a bi-directional device engaged with the rotating device. The bi-directional wrench with a ratchet assembly can change the effective rotating direction conveniently.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2004Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Inventor: Hui-Chen Liao
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Patent number: 6923094Abstract: A tool has a pair of elongate housings adapted to be joined together in a housing assembly for enclosing and supporting a flexible drive mechanism entrained about a pair of rotatable elements. Each of the rotatable elements is disposed on the housing assembly at opposite ends thereof. A flexible drive mechanism provides a transfer of power between the rotatable elements so that rotation of one rotatable element at one input end of the housing assembly will effect driven rotation of the other rotatable element at an output end of the housing assembly. The elongate housings include male and female configurations for aligning and joining the housings without independent fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2003Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Inventor: Steven H. Marquardt
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Patent number: 6912934Abstract: A ratchet screwdriver has a body and a driving portion. The body has a handle, a shank integrally formed on the handle, a post with a non-circular periphery pivoted with the shank and a head formed on the post. The driving portion has a spring mounted on the post, a cylinder with a non-circular inner periphery mounted on the post, and a chuck mounted on the head and used for holding the tool head. Because the driving portion of the ratchet screwdriver is longitudinally set on the body, it can reduce whole volume of the ratchet screwdriver to enable the screwdriver to be used in a small place.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2003Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Inventor: Hui-Chen Liao
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Patent number: 6899002Abstract: An apparatus for installing and removing a fastener such as a sink strainer nut includes a collar portion and a handle portion pivotally attached to the collar portion. The collar portion defines a plurality of cutouts and engaging surfaces for engaging with lugs on a sink strainer nut.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2003Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Inventor: Charles E. Willis, Sr.
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Patent number: 6895839Abstract: A wrench includes a box end head with a protrusion extending therefrom and the protrusion has an inclined surface defined in a distal end thereof and a first engaging area defined in a part of the inclined surface. The protrusion is pivotably connected to the handle which has a transverse hole and a control member is movably received in the transverse hole along a longitudinal direction of the transverse hole. The control member has a second engaging area removably engaged with the first engaging area along the longitudinal direction of the transverse hole. The head can be pivoted relative to the handle when the second engaging area is moved away from the first engaging area by pushing the control member.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2004Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsien
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Patent number: 6886430Abstract: Apparatus and methods for applying torque to a socket wrench are disclosed. The apparatus comprising a handle, a ratchet head, the handle and the ratchet head pivotally joined to one another, a ratchet mechanism having a first drive spline and a rotation control, the first drive spline extending substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the ratchet head, the first drive spline selectively rotatable with respect to the ratchet head, and the first drive spline configured to apply a first given torque to the socket wrench, and a second drive spline extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ratchet head, the second drive spline fixedly secured to the ratchet head, and the second drive spline configured to apply a second given torque to the socket wrench.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2004Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Inventors: Theodore C. Tremblay, Gary S. Tremblay
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Patent number: 6886429Abstract: The present invention relates to a ratchet wrench having a pivotal head, which generally includes a handle, an elastic plate, an elastic block and a pivotal head. Wherein the handle is defined with a slot at an end thereof, the elastic block is defined at an end thereof with an engaging portion, and at another end thereof is formed with a notch for the reception of the elastic plate. With the help of the elastic plate, the elastic block is movably received in the slot of the handle of the ratchet wrench. At end of the pivotal head is formed with a coupling portion which is to be received in the slot of the handle, so as to engage with the engaging portion of the elastic block. By such arrangements, the ratchet head of the wrench can change the operational angle relative to the handle, so as to improve the applicability of the ratchet wrench.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2004Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Inventor: Chang-Chuan Lee
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Patent number: 6877186Abstract: A swingable handle for a hand tool includes a rear handle body with two spaced apart walls that confine a replacement bit receiving space for receiving replacement tool bits, a front handle body having a mount end portion for connection with a tool shaft, and a coupling end portion pivoted to and turnable relative to the front end of the rear handle body between normal and torque enhancing positions, and a lid member having a front end coaxially pivoted to the front end of the rear handle body and the coupling end portion so as to be turnable between open and closed positions, and a cover portion that covers the receiving space in the closed position and that permits access to the receiving space in the open position. A retaining member is disposed to arrest the coupling end portion in one of the normal and torque enhancing positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2003Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Inventor: Hsuan-Sen Shiao
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Patent number: 6871569Abstract: A tool includes a handle having a cavity to slidably receive a latch, and a driving head having a shank rotatably secured to the handle with a shaft. The shank includes a number of depressions formed in an outer peripheral portion and extended into the cavity of the handle. The latch includes a stem having a reduced outer diameter and includes an actuator to selectively engaged into either of the depressions of the shank of the driving head. A spring may bias the actuator to engage into either of the depressions of the shank of the driving head, and to adjustably secure the driving head to the handle at selected angular position.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2003Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Inventor: Chia Yu Chen
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Patent number: 6857341Abstract: A wrench structure includes a body, a rotation member, a drive rod, a press rod, and an elastic member. The rotation member is rotated relative to the body freely so as to adjust the included angle between the rotation member and the body arbitrarily. Thus, the operation angle of the wrench structure can be adjusted arbitrarily, thereby facilitating the user operating the wrench structure. In addition, the drive rod is limited by the rotation member, so that the drive rod is received in the body without detachment. Further, the press rod is limited by the drive rod, so that the press rod is received in the body without detachment.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2004Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Inventor: Chin Shun Cheng
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Patent number: 6848345Abstract: A wrench includes a handle, a head having a pivotal portion, and a retaining mechanism for retaining the head in the desired angular position relative to the handle. The pivotal portion of the head includes a fore lug and a rear lug that are located with reference to a ratcheting direction of the handle. The handle has an engaging portion pivotally received in an opening between the lugs. Teeth are defined in an arcuate outer surface section of the fore lug. The thickness of the rear lug is not reduced, avoiding damage to the torque-bearing section in the pin hole of the rear lug.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2004Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Inventor: Yen-Wen Lin
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Patent number: 6848344Abstract: There is provided an articulating tool assembly for performing a mechanical task in a confined area, e.g., applying the torque to install or remove nuts threaded onto machine bolts or other hooks in confined or recessed areas. The articulating tool assembly has an elongated body portion having a handle section and a yoke section, a head portion including a head section and a head retaining section, and an actuation member defining an axle shaft with two spaced apart sprockets. The actuation member is provided for effectuating incremental articulating movements of the wrench head portion with respect to the elongated wrench body portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2003Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Inventor: Anthony C. Rocco
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Patent number: 6840141Abstract: A radial indexing head tool includes a handle and ratchet head, each with a splined orifice, and a floating splined pin disposed in the splined orifices for coupling them together. The floating splined pin includes a cylindrical axial retainer coupled to the handle and extending into the splined orifices, a plunger configured for axial movement within the axial retainer, and a splined cylinder configured for axial movement along the outside of the axial retainer within the splined orifices. The plunger and splined cylinder are coupled to each other through the cylindrical wall of the retainer. Movement of the splined cylinder aligns or misaligns grooves and splined portions formed on the splined cylinder relative to grooves and splined portions formed in the splined orifices to lock or unlock the ratchet head for movement relative to the handle.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2003Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Inventor: Charles A. Cole
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Publication number: 20040237729Abstract: An adjustable closed-end wrench is adapted for rotating a threaded fastener. The wrench has a handle and a wheel housing located at a free end of the handle. An engagement wheel is arranged within the wheel housing, and has an inner periphery and an outer periphery. The inner periphery defines a fastener-receiving opening adapted for receiving the threaded fastener. The engagement wheel is mounted for selective one-way rotational movement relative to the wheel housing such that the fastener is rotatable in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2003Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventor: Charles N. Berman
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Publication number: 20040231472Abstract: This invention provides an articulated wrench, comprising: a box end; a handle; a fastening device passing through the through holes of the box end and handle; and a flexed spring disc. The fastening device has a head and a shank, wherein the head gradually expands outwards from the shank to form a flared angle having a tapering angle less than 45°. The flexed spring disc is provided in the indent of the box end and flexed along a diameter thereof to form a curvature.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: LEA WAY HAND TOOL CORPORATIONInventor: Yu-Cheng Lin
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Patent number: 6820523Abstract: A tool includes a handle having a chamber to receive a block of a tool member which is arranged to be rotated and driven by the handle. A control ferrule is engaged onto the handle and includes a catch engageable with the block of the tool member, to detachably secure the tool member to the handle. The block includes a peripheral groove to receive the catch, and to secure the block of the tool member to the handle. The block includes a peripheral rib having a notch to receive the catch, and to allow the catch to be engaged into the peripheral groove of the block via the notch of the peripheral rib.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2004Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Inventor: Chia Yu Chen
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Patent number: 6796205Abstract: The device has affair of handles each coupled to a tong, which are movable to clamp or release the target. A ratchet mechanism couples to a handle to re-vector the handle in order to reduce the operational footprint of the device to accommodate obstacles and operate successfully in confined and limited access spaces. Operation of the apparatus allows the action to be accomplished over a variable number of strokes, with the distance of each stroke, and thus the arc of the handles traversed, varying with each stroke, while still accomplishing the desired action.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2003Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Inventors: Roger D. Wickes, David L. Wickes
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Publication number: 20040177731Abstract: A tool includes a shank having an orifice and two flaps, and an aperture communicated with the orifice. A driving member includes a number of depressions and teeth formed on a projection. A ball is received in the aperture of the shank, and engageable into either of the depressions of the driving member. A button is received in the orifice of the shank, and includes a groove to receive the ball, and to allow the ball to be disengaged from the depressions and the teeth of the driving member. A spring may bias the button to force the ball to engage into either of the depressions of the driving member, and to lock the driving member to the shank at selected angular positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2003Publication date: September 16, 2004Inventor: Chia Yu Chen
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Publication number: 20040163503Abstract: An angle adjustable hand tool includes a handle having two lugs extending from an end thereof and a function end having an insertion extending from a surface thereof. The insertion is pivotably connected between the two lugs. Two shoulders extend from two sides of the surface and respectively contact top or bottom surface of the lugs when the function end is pivoted at a pre-set maximum angle such as 60 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2003Publication date: August 26, 2004Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsien
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Publication number: 20040144218Abstract: A wrench includes a handle, a head having a pivotal portion pivotably connected to an end of the handle, and a retaining mechanism. The pivotal portion of the head includes two end portions and an intermediate portion between the end portions. The intermediate portion includes an arcuate outer surface section that has teeth to be releasably engaged with the retaining mechanism, allowing the head to be pivotally moved to a desired position relative to the handle and retaining the head in the desired position. Thus, the thickness of the respective end portion of the pivotal portion of the head is not reduced, preventing damage to the torque-bearing section in the respective end portion of the pivotal portion during operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventor: Bobby Hu
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Publication number: 20040144217Abstract: A wrench includes a handle, a head having a pivotal portion pivotably connected to an end of the handle, and a retaining mechanism for allowing the head to be pivotally moved to a desired position relative to the handle and retaining the head in the desired position. The pivotal portion of the head includes a fore part and a rear part with reference to a ratcheting direction of the handle. The fore part includes an arcuate outer surface section. The rear part includes a toothed section having a plurality of teeth. The toothed section has a dedendum circle located inside an area delimited by the arcuate outer surface section. Thus, the thickness of the fore part is not reduced, preventing damage to the torque-bearing section in the fore part during operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventor: Bobby Hu
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Publication number: 20040144219Abstract: A wrench includes a handle, a head having a pivotal portion, and a retaining mechanism for retaining the head in the desired angular position relative to the handle. The pivotal portion of the head includes a fore lug and a rear lug that are located with reference to a ratcheting direction of the handle. The handle has an engaging portion pivotally received in an opening between the lugs. Teeth are defined in an arcuate outer surface section of the fore lug. The thickness of the rear lug is not reduced, avoiding damage to the torque-bearing section in the pin hole of the rear lug.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2004Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventor: Yen-Wen Lin
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Publication number: 20040134314Abstract: A radial indexing head tool includes a handle and ratchet head, each with a splined orifice, and a floating splined pin disposed in the splined orifices for coupling them together. The floating splined pin includes a cylindrical axial retainer coupled to the handle and extending into the splined orifices, a plunger configured for axial movement within the axial retainer, and a splined cylinder configured for axial movement along the outside of the axial retainer within the splined orifices. The plunger and splined cylinder are coupled to each other through the cylindrical wall of the retainer. Movement of the splined cylinder aligns or misaligns grooves and splined portions formed on the splined cylinder relative to grooves and splined portions formed in the splined orifices to lock or unlock the ratchet head for movement relative to the handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Inventor: Charles A. Cole
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Patent number: 6752048Abstract: A quick rotation wrench includes a driving portion, a wrench body, and an angle adjustment structure. The angle adjustment structure includes a control knob, two pawl members, two positioning members, and an elastic member. Thus, the included angle between the wrench body and the driving portion can be adjusted freely and arbitrarily. In addition, the included angle between the wrench body and the driving portion can be adjusted easily and conveniently. Further, the control knob is mounted on the wrench body, so that the user can use his one hand to press the control knob and operate the wrench body easily and conveniently, thereby facilitating the user operating the quick rotation wrench.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Inventor: Shui-Lai Chiang
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Patent number: 6745650Abstract: A spanner head orientation positioning device comprises a spanner head, a handle, and a buckle. One end of the spanner head has a convex pivotal end. The pivotal end has an axial hole; and one outer end of the pivotal end has an inclined cambered surface. The buckle is installed between the spanner head and the handle and is a block; one end of the buckle with respect to the spanner head is formed with a concave cambered surface. The cambered surface has a configuration corresponding to the inclined cambered surface of the handle. Thereby, by above components, the buckle slides between two sides of the concave cambered surface, and thus an orientation of the handle is adjustable.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Inventor: Tsung-Chieh Chang
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Publication number: 20040103765Abstract: A spanner head orientation positioning device comprises a spanner head, a handle, and a buckle. One end of the spanner head has a convex pivotal end. The pivotal end has an axial hole; and one outer end of the pivotal end has an inclined cambered surface. The buckle is installed between the spanner head and the handle and is a block; one end of the buckle with respect to the spanner head is formed with a concave cambered surface. The cambered surface has a configuration corresponding to the inclined cambered surface of the handle. Thereby, by above components, the buckle slides between two sides of the concave cambered surface, and thus an orientation of the handle is adjustable.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2002Publication date: June 3, 2004Inventor: Tsung-Chieh Chang
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Publication number: 20040083861Abstract: A fastener-driving tool assembly includes a fastener-driving member and a coupling device. The fastener-driving member includes a first end and a second end for driving a fastener. The first end of the fastener-driving member includes a polygonal opening. The coupling device includes a first member and a second member. The second member has a polygonal end securely engaged with the polygonal opening of the fastener-driving member. The first member includes an end for engaging with the other end of the second member. The other end of the first member includes a polygonal engaging hole for engaging with one of an extension rod, a handle, and a polygonal first end of a second member of a similarly constructed coupling device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2003Publication date: May 6, 2004Inventor: Bobby Hu
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Publication number: 20030200841Abstract: An articulation lock that includes a first housing, a second housing, and a lockable connection assembly for pivotably connecting the first housing and the second housing together. The lockable connection assembly includes a plurality of apertures arranged upon a portion of the second housing and at least two lock pins, where each of the lock pins is seated within a cavity located within the first housing. The assembly further includes at least one biasing element for creating a biasing force upon each of the lock pins such that each of the lock pins is biased toward the second housing to prevent relative rotation of the first housing with respect to said second housing and also with respect to an engaging member attached to the second housing. The engaging member includes a plurality of protrusions, with one of the protrusions corresponding to each of the apertures in the second housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2002Publication date: October 30, 2003Applicant: S-B Power Tool CorporationInventor: Scott Novotny
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Publication number: 20030188608Abstract: A hand tool includes a handle which has two opposite first surfaces and two second surfaces. A width of each of the first surfaces is larger than a width of the second surfaces. An engaging portion is pivotably connected to an end of the handle so that the user's hand may contact the first surfaces when rotating the handle of the tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2003Publication date: October 9, 2003Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsien
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Publication number: 20030159549Abstract: There is provided an articulating tool assembly for performing a mechanical task in a confined area, e.g., applying the torque to install or remove nuts threaded onto machine bolts or other hooks in confined or recessed areas. The articulating tool assembly has an elongated body portion having a handle section and a yoke section, a head portion including a head section and a head retaining section, and an actuation member defining an axle shaft with two spaced apart sprockets. The actuation member is provided for effectuating incremental articulating movements of the wrench head portion with respect to the elongated wrench body portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2003Publication date: August 28, 2003Inventor: Anthony C. Rocco
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Patent number: 6588304Abstract: The invention is an improved Offset Head Ratchet Wrench. It allows the user to remove or interchange different size ratchet heads or tools quickly with the push of a button attached at the head of the activating shaft. This shaft can activate in three stages if it is operating an offset wrench. The activating shaft is attached to an E shaped structure, which is made up of an activating shaft, locking pin and pivot pin, all three being attached to a central plate. Stage one is when the activating shaft is in a partially depressed position. The locking pin releases the ratchet head for rotation only. Stage two is when the activating shaft is fully depressed, it releases the pivot pin, allowing the ratchet head to be easily and quickly removed or exchanged for another type of tool with a similarly designed head.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Inventors: Darren J. Kady, Benny R. Barnes
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Patent number: 6557442Abstract: A wrench comprising a wrench head with a stud at one end, a handle, including a handle end with a second stud at one end and an intermediate handle having yokes at opposed ends. A first yoke is pivotally engaged with the wrench head stud and a second yoke is pivotally engaged with the handle end stud. A plurality of paired detent surfaces are arranged over end portions of the yokes and cooperates with a detent ring carried by the handle end. The intermediate handle includes a longitudinal bore and a transverse bore which passes through the longitudinal bore. A positioning member, movable between a locking position and a non-locking position, is carried in the transverse bore. An engaging member, movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, is carried in the longitudinal bore. The positioning member is positionable to positively lock the engaging member with an associated stud and to allow the engaging member to become disengaged from the stud.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Inventor: Greg J. Owoc
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Patent number: 6473940Abstract: A knob for a medical post valve, the post valve having a threaded bonnet with a diameter, and a valve stem, the valve stem having an external end shaped, generally, as a cylinder with two opposing flat sides, the knob comprising a hub having an elongated body with a diameter that is generally the same size as the bonnet diameter, the body having a first end, a second end, and an axial cavity, the first end having a medial slot extending in across the first end in a direction perpendicular to the cavity, an elongated handle, the handle sized to fit within the cavity, the handle movable between a first position and a second position, the handle first position being disposed within such cavity with the axis of the handle generally aligned with the axis of the body, and the handle second position being disposed within the slot with the axis of the handle extending perpendicular to the axis of the body.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Harsco Technologies CorporationInventor: Devin Glenn Cooper
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Publication number: 20020139226Abstract: An articulated wrench includes an elongate handle with a generally U-shaped depression at an end of the handle with an edge portion of the handle extending on either side of the depression, and a wrench head formed as a generally planar body with an aperture therein for engaging a component to be turned with the wrench, with the body of the wrench head nested into the depression in the handle with the edge portions of the handle on either side of the depression extending along a portion of the edge of the wrench head, and with the wrench head pivotally interconnected to the handle so as to allow rotation of the wrench head relative to the handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2001Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventor: Ronald A. Hansen
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Patent number: 6446531Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for removing, re-inserting or inserting for the first time, sprinkler system risers into sprinkler system piping connector which connectors are located underground. The apparatus features an elongated tubular member having a pair of opposed slots from which wings or blades are urged upon impact of a threaded shaft disposed in the tubular member. The threaded shaft is moved downwardly to impact the blades by rotation of a handle attached to a threaded shaft. This downward movement of the shaft is carried out after the apparatus is inserted into a riser such that the wings can press upon the interior wall of the riser whereby continued threading rotation of the shaft translates the rotary motion to the riser such that the riser which has male threads, can threadedly engage a female threaded piping connector.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2000Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Inventor: Louie V. Colombani
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Publication number: 20020092387Abstract: A wrench tool includes a shank having two lugs and a recess is defined in the end of the shank and communicates with a receiving space between the two lugs. An operation member is rotatably received in the recess and has first teeth. A head has a connection port which is pivotally connected between the two lugs and the connection port has second teeth which are engaged with the first teeth of the operation member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2001Publication date: July 18, 2002Inventor: Jack Lee
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Patent number: 6401576Abstract: A hand tool provides two operative modes for user selection. The hand tool includes a movable handle which may be turned to a first operative position axially aligned with the shank or be turned normal to the shank at a second operative position so that users may select different handle positions to meet different needs.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2001Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Inventor: Fu-Hsiung Wu
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Patent number: 6397708Abstract: A screwdriver grip including a front section and a rear section pivotally connected with the front section. The outer edge of the pivot section is formed with more than one inward recessed engaging section. The center of the front end of the rear section is formed with a pivot cavity. Two sides of the pivot cavity are respectively disposed with two lugs. When the pivot section is pivotally connected with the pivot cavity, the lugs of the rear section clamp the pivot section of the front section. The rear section is disposed with a projecting engaging block corresponding to the engaging section of the front section. When the in rear section is moved forward, the rear sections is engaged with the front section and located without pivotally rotating. When the rear section is moved backward, the front section and the rear section can be pivotally rotated by a certain angle for a user to hold.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2000Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Inventor: Kun Chih Hung
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Patent number: 6386075Abstract: A swingable handle is adapted to deliver torque for rotating a tool bit of a hand tool, and includes front and rear handle bodies pivoted to each other. A first mating wall of the front handle body mates with and is turnable relative to a second mating wall of a spring-biased coupling member which is movable longitudinally relative to the rear handle body. A retaining member is disposed between the first and second mating walls to restrain the first mating wall from rotation relative to the second mating wall. The coupling member has a shifted portion with a relatively large actuating wall surface so as to be conveniently actuated to move the second mating wall away from the first mating wall.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2001Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Inventor: Hsuan-Sen Shiao
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Patent number: 6382058Abstract: Standard flex-head wrenches and other standard wrenches having a head or fastener end-working portion are improved by adding a second and even third joint within the handle portion of the wrenches. The additional joints may comprise the standard ball bearing detent and mated groove pinion portion alone in structure or in conjunction with a locking sleeve, which aids in biasing the handle in any number of predetermined positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1999Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Inventor: Greg J. Owoc
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Patent number: 6349624Abstract: The tool of the present invention comprises two handle/body members each pivotally coupled to a respective end of a generally straight, rigid stem. Each handle/body member is adapted to function as a handle when positioned transversely, preferably at 90 degrees, with respect to the stem or as a working head when the central longitudinal axis of a handle/body member is positioned generally along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stem. In the working end mode, each handle/body member is adapted to perform at least two tasks: riser removal and installation, and reconditioning threads or tapping, i.e., acting a typical screw tap.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1999Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Inventor: Stephen A. Fahringer
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Patent number: 6347564Abstract: A tool for manually driving fasteners having a handle, a shank, and a working tip or bit retainer includes a ball joint for allowing angular displacement of the bit retainer relative to the tool's longitudinal axis so that the tool can be directed into difficult-to-reach areas. The tool further includes a rotatable sleeve threadably mounted on the distal end of the shank, a ball joint disposed at the distal end of the shank, and the tool bit retainer secured to the ball joint by a retaining pin and capable of holding one of a variety of bits. Rotation of the sleeve on the shank binds the bit retainer in axial alignment with the shank, and counter-rotation of the sleeve releases the bit retainer for angular displacement or repositioning with respect to the tool's longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1998Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Inventor: Quintino Matthew Ciocca
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Patent number: 6324947Abstract: A locking device for a tool, such as a ratchet wrench, having a jointed drive head which may be situated in a series of angular positions relative to a handle, and which has means for temporarily holding the drive head of the tool at a predetermined angle with respect to the handle. The tool includes a spring-biased locking element disposed in the handle and which may be either engaged with, withdrawn from, or disengaged from the drive head. In the engaged position, the tool drive head is locked in place by the locking element. In the withdrawn position, the locking element is withdrawn from the head, and held away from it by the user to permit continuous changes in the angular relationship between the handle and the drive head. Finally, in the third orientation, the locking element is withdraw from the head and secured in a temporary holding position, allowing continual changes in the angular relationship between the handle and the head without the need for the user to continually hold the locking element.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2000Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Inventor: Jack D. Jarvis
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Patent number: 6311583Abstract: A power ratchet wrench has a handle for gripping and holding the wrench and a head pivotally connected to the handle for pivoting movement relative to the handle about a pivot axis. A locking mechanism comprising a pivot assembly pivotally connects the head to the handle. The locking mechanism is configured to permit selective angular positioning of the head relative to the handle on the pivot axis and is operable between an adjusting mode in which the head is angularly positionable relative to the handle and a locking mode in which the head is locked in an angular orientation relative to the handle. The locking mechanism is rotatable about an axis transverse to the handle between the adjusting mode and locking mode of the locking mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2000Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: S. P. Air Kabusiki KaishaInventor: Osamu Izumisawa
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Patent number: 6308599Abstract: A screwdriver assembly includes a hollow casing in which a tool body is pivotally received therein and a bit receiving member is rotatably received in the casing. A plurality of dimples defined in an inside of the casing and a boss extends from the tool body so that the boss is engaged with one of the dimples when rotating the tool body. An opening is defined in a periphery of the casing so that the tool body can be pivoted out from the casing via the opening. An access hole is defined through the casing so as to pick a bit in the bit receiving member and engaged with an engaging recess in the tool body.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2000Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Inventor: Lin Fu-Hui
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Patent number: 6295898Abstract: An angle-adjustable wrench includes a handle having a front end and two parallel lugs forwardly extended from the front end, a pivot connected between the lugs of the handle, and a wrench head turned about the pivot within 180° relative to the handle, wherein the wrench head has a retaining area and an adjustment area arranged in parallel and facing the front end of the handle between the lugs, and a stop member is coupled to the handle and moved along the front end of the handle between the lugs between a first position where the stop member is engaged with an arc-like, recessed, toothed portion thereof with the retaining area to lock the wrench head, and a second position where the stop member is disposed in contact with the adjustment area for enabling the wrench head to be turned about the pivot relative to the handle.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2000Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsieh
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Patent number: 6257104Abstract: A lug wrench for tightening and loosening of vehicle wheel nuts and incorporating at least one pair of drive heads or socket heads (11, 6) for cooperation with or engagement of a wheel nut. The socket head (6) may be located selectively at either end of an unequal L-shaped bar (14) enabling the brace to be gripped at (12) or (13) for the respective loosening or tightening of wheel nuts. A one-way ratchet mechanism (15) is adapted to be locked in the wheel nut loosening direction but is free in the wheel nut tightening direction preventing use of the longer length bar to tighten the nuts. A jack-driving attachment (9, 10) may be provided and attached in place of socket head (6). The lug wrench may comprise several separate parts attached or attachable together to provide the appropriate L-shaped configuration such that a nut loosening torque may be approximately twice the available nut tightening torque.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1999Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Inventor: Phillip Jarrett
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Patent number: 6253645Abstract: A ratchet screw driver includes a shaft rotatably received in a handle, two follower ratchet gears slidably engaged on and rotated with the shaft, two driving ratchet gears rotatably and slidably engaged on the shaft, and a spring biasing the driving ratchet gears to engage with the follower ratchet gears. A barrel and a ferrule are secured together and rotatably secured to the handle and each has an actuating surface for selectively disengaging the driving ratchet gears from the follower ratchet gears to control the driving direction of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Inventor: Ching Chou Lin
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Patent number: 6247386Abstract: An improved dual action indexable wrench having a moment arm connected to a wrench body which can be operated in a first configuration to apply force directly and in a second configuration to apply force by reciprocal motion, which can be readily switched between the two configurations by engaging and disengaging a shoulder on the wrench body having a v-shaped notch and a corresponding leading edge on the handle having square corners dimensioned to be received within the notch on the shoulder.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1999Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Inventor: Stephen Gummow
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Patent number: 6241594Abstract: In order to provide a hand machine tool comprising an elongated housing, a drive motor which is arranged in the housing and with which a tool holder can be driven via a miter gear, a first handle unit arranged on a housing section located close to the tool holder and aligned transversely to a longitudinal axis of the housing and a second handle unit arranged on the housing, with which the alignment of the first handle unit relative to the axis of rotation of the tool holder may be varied, it is suggested that the first handle unit be held for guidance in an adjusting guide means on the housing and in this adjusting guide means be adjustable within an angular range of at least 90° about a longitudinal axis of the housing between several possible positions and be fixable in a positive-locking manner in the respective position.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1999Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Flex-ElektrowerkzeugeInventor: Holger Lepold