With Deformable Strip-tightening Means Patents (Class 81/3.43)
  • Patent number: 11890728
    Abstract: A system and method and fastening tool that utilizes ultrasonic or acoustic energy and a horn that focuses the energy into the fastener at a predetermined location in order to facilitate tightening or loosening the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: NEXTGEN AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gary Lee Ward, David Scott Diwinsky, David Joseph Stone, Marc Alan Metz, Tom Lawrence Clutter
  • Patent number: 11844487
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes: a dust canister; a cover rotatably coupled to the dust canister; a filter assembly mounted inside the dust canister and configured to be exposed by an opening of the cover; and a crevice tool coupling to an air entrance of the dust canister or an extension pipe connected to the air entrance. The filter assembly includes an opening portion opened toward the cover, and a protrusion portion protruding from an inner circumferential surface of the opening portion. The crevice tool includes a catching rib caught on the protrusion portion according to insertion and rotation of the crevice tool in the opening portion. The filter assembly is configured to withdraw from the dust canister together with the crevice tool based on withdrawing of the crevice tool to the outside of the dust canister in a state in which the catching rib is caught on the protrusion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Youngho Kim, Myungsig Yoo
  • Patent number: 11721945
    Abstract: A crimping tool and associated method to create a mechanical and electrical connection between two cable elements. A tool body including a first and second attachment points. A first guidance element arranged at a first distance from the first and second attachment points. A second guidance element arranged at a second distance from the first guidance element. The first and second attachment points are arranged on a first side of the first and second guidance elements. A flexible cable with first and second end parts removably attached to the first and second attachment points, respectively. The cable engages the first and second guidance elements. The cable extends between the first and attachment points such that a loop is formed on a second side of the first and second guidance elements. A powering unit configured to increase the first distance so that a diameter of the loop decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: ELPRESS AB
    Inventor: Max Phelan
  • Patent number: 11498822
    Abstract: A screw cap twisting tool uses two primary members—a stationary member with gripping surface(s) and a high-mechanical-advantage-for-gripping pivoting member with gripping surface(s)—to easily and effectively grip and twist a screw cap. The screw cap twisting tool is easily operated by pushing the screw cap against the pivoting member. A screw cap twisting tool also uses a method for holding the pivoting member in its most open position before screw cap insertion. This method for holding the pivoting member in its most open position can be accomplished in numerous ways by using a force opposing feature, member, or mechanism that allows movement and/or deformation when force is applied and restores position and/or shape when force is removed. Examples include, but are not limited to: built-in elastic metal or plastic material, separate metal or plastic spring, separate elastic O-ring or rubber band, gravity, or magnetism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventor: Jeffrey Lucas
  • Patent number: 11486361
    Abstract: A closed strap collar for securing cargo by friction, a device for lifting cargo and a lifting method, the collar being formed by a strap and a tensioner which, by tightening the strap around an element, allows cargo to be secured to the element being held or the held element to be raised by pulling the strap collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: LEUNAMME TECHNOLOGY, S.L.
    Inventor: Emmanuel Garcia De La Pena Razquin
  • Patent number: 10682743
    Abstract: A spring clamp for assembly fixturing includes a retainer that limits a minimum distance between jaws of the spring clamp when the spring clamp is in a relaxed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Inventor: Wade A. Smith
  • Patent number: 9789594
    Abstract: An oil filter wrench. The oil filter wrench includes a housing and an engagement lever. The head portion of the engagement lever has an aperture sized to receive an oil filter therethrough and may have protrusions adapted to engage the oil filter. The engagement lever is rotatable around the center of the aperture and in relation to the housing such that the handle portion of the engagement lever is movable from a first position distal to the handle of the housing to a second position proximate to the housing. The handles of the engagement lever and the housing may be gripped by one hand, allowing for ease of operation of the oil filter wrench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventor: Michael R. Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 9687970
    Abstract: An oil core wrench includes a oneway control unit, a wrench unit and a rotation handle. The wrench unit includes a threaded rod, an adjusting member, a base member and a clamping member. The oneway control unit is mounted in the base member and includes a control member. Thus, the oil core is clamped between the clamping member of the wrench unit and the control member of the oneway control unit so that the wrench unit can drive the oil core to rotate successively in a oneway manner by operation of the oneway control unit, so as to tighten or loosen the oil core easily and quickly. In addition, the oil core wrench can be operated in a narrow or small working region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Plus Craft Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Timmy Chen
  • Patent number: 9389491
    Abstract: A camera system is configured to detachably couple to a camera mount, which in turn can be attached to an apparatus. The camera mount is a spring clamp including two arms, each include a handle component and a jaw component. The spring clamp can be attached to an apparatus when the two jaw components are closed around the apparatus. A strap is adjustably coupled to the spring clamp and is tightened around the apparatus to further secure the apparatus. In some cases, a flexible neck is fastened to the camera mount, and the camera system is detachably coupled to the flexible neck. This allows a mounted camera system to be situated at any desired angle for taking photographs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Aaron Clearman, Nicholas Streets
  • Patent number: 9180556
    Abstract: An auxiliary clamping system for welding operation includes a pair of pliers, and a resilient clamp set in between two jaws of the pliers for enabling hooks of the jaws to hook in respective hook holes of flat clamping arms of the inserted resilient clamp such that if the handle levers of the pliers are not squeezed, the jaws are closed and the retaining tips at the free ends of the flat clamping arms of the resilient clamp touch each other; if the handle levers of the pliers are squeezed, the jaws are opened and the retaining tips at the free ends of the flat clamping arms of the resilient clamp are kept apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: POUL CHANG METAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Chia-Hao Huang
  • Publication number: 20130298508
    Abstract: A handheld jar opener device has a handle and a strap extending from near a corner of the front and one (left) side of the handle. The strap is formed into a loop in front of the handle, and extends through a tunnel disposed diagonally through the handle from near a corner of the front and an opposite (right) side of the handle to the one (left) side of the handle, with a residual portion of the strap extending beyond the handle. The device may engage the lid of a jar, or the body of the jar. Two devices may be used as a system to engage both the lid and body of the jar. Force applied to the handle(s) is translated as torque to the lid and/or body of the jar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: James J. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 8573094
    Abstract: An oil filter wrench includes a flexible stainless steel band having a pattern of sputtered alloy material coating at least part of the inside surface of the band to enhance the gripping ability of the oil filter wrench as the band is tightened above the outside surface of a cylindrical canister during removal or installation of the oil filter canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Lisle Corporation
    Inventor: Gary L. Pullen
  • Patent number: 8316740
    Abstract: A strap pipe wrench for driving an object having a generally cylindrical shape includes a handle which extends along a longitudinal axis, a connecting member which is movable relative to the handle in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a strap formed in a loop and having two opposing end portions which cooperate with two zones integral with the handle when the strap surrounds the object tightly, the two opposing end portions of the strap being attached to the connecting member, a displacement device for displacing said connecting member, and enabling the size of the loop of the strap to be adjusted and the strap to be tensioned when it surrounds the object tightly, and a shoe disposed between the two zones for abutment on the object, the shoe having an abutment face of generally arcuate shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Stanley Works (Europe) GmbH
    Inventor: Hadi Idir
  • Patent number: 7168337
    Abstract: An opener to assist in the opening of a threaded lid from a threaded jar. The opener is a body at least partially to embrace the peripheral wall of a lid. Preferably it allows for an expansion to facilitate application, and a shoulder to be abutted by a thumb or finger to add torque to the removal efforts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: Robert A. Carmo
  • Patent number: 7155999
    Abstract: A strap wrench which includes a plurality of gripping pads located on the strap that facilitates tight engagement of the cylindrical object that is used to be located thereabout for the purpose of gripping and turning of the cylindrical object. The strap wrench also includes a brake that provides for securely locking of the position of the strap when it is in its tightly mounted position preventing any loosening movement of the strap. The brake includes a ratcheting mechanism that permits movement of the handle in only one position when the brake is in the locked position. The strap may include a joint assembly which will permit the strap to be separated to be located in conjunction with a cylindrical object and then rejoined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Leon Helfet
  • Patent number: 7152505
    Abstract: A bottle cap turning device for untightening or tightening a bottle cap during an opening operation or closing operation, respectively. The bottle cap turning device preferably progressively engages and further grips the bottle cap when the bottle cap turning device is twisted until the bottle cap begins to rotate during the opening operation or until the bottle cap stops rotating and is fully tightened on the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventors: Yung C. Chan, Mei H. Chan, King H. Chan, Ming H. Chan
  • Patent number: 7066060
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening containers with screw-off lids, consisting essentially of a device to clamp the lid by self-clamping by rotation including the rotation device causing the self-wedging by a belt drive tightened around the container below the lid, preferably at the level of the necking under the screw threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Vincent Sebileau
  • 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: 6959952
    Abstract: A gripper device for loosening, tightening or gripping objects. The gripper device has a support structure with a fixed, object contact surface, that preferably has a high friction surface. One end of a pivot arm is pivotally attached to the support structure. The pivot arm has a free end. A cinch strap with two ends is provided. On end of the cinch strap is attached to the free end of the pivot arm and another end of the cinch strap is fixed to the structure. By moving a jar or other cylindrical object into turning contact with the cinch strap, that object will be captured and held in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Inventor: Steven A. Williams
  • Patent number: 6948404
    Abstract: The present invention provides a jar opener which is designed for easy handling by people with arthritis. The jar opener providing a larger than normal handle with one end being flat and non functional while the opposite end is indented in a concave dish design, with a gripping teeth thereon, so as to accommodate and mate with the ribbed edge of any cap on ajar. A gripping strap loosely wraps around the cap of ajar while the opposite end of the strap aligns and tightens onto the opposite side of the handle by a releasable securing means, such as VELCRO. The user then grasps the handle of the present invention in one hand and uses their opposite hand to stabilize the jar. The user simple applies grasping pressure on the handle of the present invention and pushes in a counter clockwise direction thereby loosening the cap while rotating the cap of the jar to the open position. The strap is sufficiently long enough to be wrapped around any size circumference of a cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventor: Sonia Chokshi
  • Patent number: 6862960
    Abstract: A device for loosening threaded lids from correspondingly threaded containers, comprising a body carrying first and second flexible belts (20, 26) forming first and second loops which engage around the lid and the container respectively, the belts (20, 26) being arranged to be relatively displaceable such that the first and second loops grip the lid and the container respectively, the belts further being arranged to be displaceable by an actuating means such that the first and second loops apply oppositely directed torques to the lid and container respectively whereby the lid is rotated on the container in a loosening direction. Both the lid and the container are thus gripped by the device rather than by hand. The loosening of the lid may be achieved by the rotation of only one of the loops relative to the body, the other loop serving to prevent rotation of the lid or the container relative to the body. Alternatively, both of the loops may rotate relative to the body in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Lap-Yan Chung
  • Publication number: 20040261580
    Abstract: An opener to assist in the opening of a threaded lid from a threaded jar. The opener is a body at least partially to embrace the peripheral wall of a lid. Preferably it allows for an expansion to facilitate application, and a shoulder to be abutted by a thumb or finger to add torque to the removal efforts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Robert A. Carmo
  • Patent number: 6834568
    Abstract: A strap wrench comprising a handle with a central channel and detachable strap anchored at one end of the handle. The strap is held in place in a channel by means of a rocker arm which is biased to press the strap against a portion the strap positioned in the channel. The strap is initially positioned in the channel by the user pressing one side of the rocker arm to open the channel. Once the strap is initially seated, the rocker arm may be released and the loop may be further tightened by pulling the strap through the channel. Free movement of the strap may be enhanced by applying pressure to the rocker arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Ideavillage Products Corp.
    Inventor: Anand V. Khubani
  • Patent number: 6789450
    Abstract: A strap wrench for turning generally cylindrical objects where the strap wrench includes a manually rotatable thumb wheel which is mounted within a handle. Rotation of the thumb wheel produces lineal movement of a strap that attaches to the handle. The strap wrench is firmly mounted about a generally cylindrical object and applying a twisting force to the strap wrench is to result in turning movement of the generally cylindrical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Leon Helfet
  • Patent number: 6739216
    Abstract: A crown tightening tool is constituted by an engaging part which can be engaged with a crown projected form a watch body of a wristwatch, and a handle part which is engaged with the engaging part and rotates the engaging part. The engaging part is formed by grooves to engage and rotate the crown. The crown tightening tool can be worn by a user as an accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Corporation Yuubido
    Inventor: Kimiko Oyabu
  • Patent number: 6691592
    Abstract: A portable device may be carried by the user, in one preferred embodiment thereof, and motorizes the task of opening beverage containers having a screw cap. The mechanism that couples to the bottle cap consists of a generally circular band having a distal end bent inwardly in the direction of the cap. The bend of the band is sized and configured to permit receipt of the bottle cap with the bent tang of the band engaging the periphery of the bottle cap at one location. The band is mechanically coupled to the drive shaft of a drive motor with the drive shaft extending axially of the band. The drive motor is mounted on a plate carrying a strap designed to receive fingers of the user so that the user may grasp the plate. An activation switch is conveniently located on the plate so that it may be operated by a knuckle or finger of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Perry Hahn
  • Patent number: 6666110
    Abstract: Apparatus for twisting off crown bottle caps. A main body in side view is flattened and has a thickness, with a circular opening through the thickness, the opening large enough to accommodate the diameter of a crown bottle cap. The circumferential edge of the opening is formed into a plurality of pairs of facets, each pair of facets forming a notch. The walls of the facets are not parallel to one another but instead taper toward one another and form generally pyramidal shapes which intersect, or come to a point, within the main body thickness. An inverted triangular shape is formed between each pair of facets. A bottle cap is inserted into the opening, where the notches formed by the facets closely engage the bottle cap jags. The contour of the main body then permits the user to readily twist off the bottle cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Fred A. Buettner
  • Patent number: 6581497
    Abstract: A container-restraining and closure-rotating assembly includes a base plate with a container-gripping strap that tightens about a sidewall of a container located on a counter beside the base plate when a counterclockwise rotational force is applied to the container and a closure-rotating implement for rotating and unscrewing a closure on a container restrained by the container-gripping strap. The closure-rotating implement includes a closure-gripping strap that tightens about a sidewall of a closure when a counterclockwise rotational force is applied to the closure through the closure-gripping strap by a counterclockwise movement of the implement handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventor: Ricky L. Kelton
  • Patent number: 6520052
    Abstract: An oil filter wrench comprising a gripping strap having an inner and outer surface, a handle for tightening the gripping strap. Gripping fingers extending inwardly from the gripping strap, each gripping finger being round and symmetrical and having a smooth convex gripping inner surface and a smooth concave outer surface. The fingers are provided on the strap in spaced relationship to each other in clusters of nine at spaced intervals around the strap, arranged in parallel rows of three each.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Great Neck Saw Manufacturers, Inc.
    Inventors: James Saunders, Scott Webb
  • Patent number: 6490951
    Abstract: The instant invention includes a pair of strap devices which are utilized in combination to enable a person (especially the elderly and/or physically challenged) to open jars or similar containers with ease and simplicity. One of the strap devices is employed as a jar or container holder. The other device is used as a strap-type wrench. The holder is designed to be permanently mounted on a vertical surface. The wrench device can be utilized to remove vacuumed sealed, screw-on, crimped or pull-tab lids with relative ease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventor: Charlton Davidson
  • Publication number: 20020178868
    Abstract: The instant invention includes a pair of strap devices which are utilized in combination to enable a person (especially the elderly and/or physically challenged) to open jars or similar containers with ease and simplicity. One of the strap devices is employed as a jar or container holder. The other device is used as a strap-type wrench. The holder is designed to be permanently mounted on a vertical surface. The wrench device can be utilized to remove vacuumed sealed, screw-on, crimped or pull-tab lids with relative ease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Charlton Davidson
  • Patent number: 6431032
    Abstract: A new and improved type of oil filter wrench consisting of a handle and a sharp toothed coil with a self adjusting band. The coil with the attached self-adjusting band has vertical and horizontal insert slots where the handle portion is inserted. The wrench after preferred assemble is secured onto the filter with effortless twist. The toothed coil then grasps the filter and the self adjusting band secures itself to the size of the oil filter making the installation or removal very easy and quick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventors: Armen Kuryan, Srbui Charlette Kuryan-Badivian
  • Patent number: 6427562
    Abstract: The invention comprises a chain wrench having a mounting plate with an elongated link chain with one end of the chain pivotally mounted to the plate and extending outward from the plate one edge of the plate. The plate has a plurality of spaced lugs along an opposing edge of the the plate with the chain having a plurality of spaced pins at intervals along the length of the chain whereby the chain may be wrapped from its one end about a work piece with an having its pins located along its intermediate portion of its length inserted in the spaces between the lugs, whereupon a turning tool may be mounted to the mounting plate to turn the mounting plate relative to the work piece to draw the one end of the chain toward the intermediate portion of the chain, and whereupon the tool may be further turned in the same direction to rotate the mounting plate, chain, and work piece about a center axis of the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Donald F. Muhlenkort
  • Patent number: 6425305
    Abstract: A flexible mounted jar holder tightly holds a jar upon a flat base while a user loosens a tightened cap therefrom. The jar holder includes a resilient, ribbed gripping first retaining strap which encircles and locks the jar in place therebetween, preferably with as friction inducing members, such as a plurality of suction cups. A locking member includes a pair of upwardly extending fixed posts, and a third locking cam post, which includes an ellipsoid cross sectional diameter. A further retaining means includes at least one further flexible strap which is urged against a portion of the outer circumference of the jar to be held at a point opposite to where the first retaining strap is urged against the outer circumference of the jar to be held. This further flexible retaining strap is stretched linearly between the pair of fixed posts. Preferably the further flexible retaining strap includes a pair of further retaining straps having respective looped ends insertable over each respective fixed post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Inventor: Pasquale Gasparre
  • Patent number: 6421896
    Abstract: A grasping tool for removing and reinstalling a valve from within a valve guide in an internal combustion engine. The grasping tool includes a securing loop of cable extending from a grasping head. The length of the securing loop can be adjusted such that the valve is entrapped between the securing loop and the grasping head. Specifically, the length of cable that forms the securing loop is fixed at one end relative to the grasping head and includes a locking member attached to a second end to fix the length of the cable between the first end and the locking member. The grasping tool includes a handle movably mounted to an elongated shaft through which the cable passes. The handle is rotatable relative to the elongated shaft to adjust the length of the cable that forms the securing loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Neal (Mitz) K. Beyer
  • Patent number: 6328295
    Abstract: First and second handles of a tool are spring biased to pivot into a closed position in which mounting end portions of the handles abut each other. A band has a first end attached to the mounting end portion of the first handle and extends therefrom to form a loop. The opposite end of the band is slidably received through passages through the mounting end portions of the handles. A series of openings through the band correspond to various predetermined use diameters. A pin extending into the passage in the second handle engages one of the openings corresponding to a selected use diameter. The gripping end portions of the handles opposite the mounting end portions are squeezed together to increase the effective diameter of the band loop and allow the loop to be placed around parts to be aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Ronald G. Hanks
  • Patent number: 6202272
    Abstract: A device for enabling substantially uniform and tight crimping of an intravascular stent onto a balloon catheter assembly. The stent crimping device includes at least one compressible and resiliently expandable loop portion, that is expandable radially outwardly to enable supporting of the stent and catheter assembly thereon, and compressible radially inwardly to substantially uniformly and tightly crimp the stent onto the balloon catheter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg A. Jackson