Abstract: An insertion tool for inserting an intervertebral spacer is provided. The tool includes first and second pincers. The first pincer is fixed and the second pincer is pivotably coupled to the first pincer at a pivot location in open-biased opposition to the first pincer. The tool includes a compression slide which may be selectively translated into and out of engagement with the second pincer. When the compression slide is in a predetermined engagement position with the second pincer, the first and second pincers are in a closed position for holding the intervertebral spacer. When the compression slide is out of engagement with the second pincer, the first and second pincers are in an open position for releasing the intervertebral spacer.

Abstract: A coaxial connector crimping tool has a base, a handle, a transmittal unit and a crimping area. The base has a containment slot, and the containment slot has a guiding structure. One end of the handle is pivoted on an end of the base. Two ends of the transmittal unit are respectively pivoted on a first predetermined position of the guiding structure and a second predetermined position of the handle, and the transmittal unit has an adjustable length. The transmittal unit has an adjustable portion, and the adjustable portion is disposed between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position. The crimping area is pivoted on the transmittal unit and disposed in the containment slot.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed for driving a slide under a wedge within a slot of an armature or field of a dynamoelectric machine. The tool comprises a frame including a pair of elongated rail members; a force application block located between the rail members; a drive connected to the frame, substantially intermediate opposite ends of the frame; a lead screw threadably engaged at one end with the force application block and connected at an opposite end to the drive such that the drive rotates the lead screw when actuated. Rotation of the lead screw causes axial movement of the force application block. The armature or field includes a core, and this core may have one or more vent slots for facilitating ventilation of the armature or field. A slot plate for locating the tool relative to the slide is present, and a portion of the slot plate extends into one or more vent slots. The slot plate establishes a reaction point for forces applied by the force application block to the stator slide.

Abstract: An automated pill bottle opener that is initiated by the user placing the bottle to be opened on a lower gripping surface that is affixed to a casing of the device. The user then moves a selector to choose the opening operation. A plunger assembly drives a plunger downward until a top gripping surface of a rotator assembly presses on the top of the bottle cap. After the pill bottle cap is opened, a pressure sensitive triggering device reverses the direction of travel of the plunger so that the plunger is again raised to its original position. To reseal a bottle, the user simply places the bottle on the lower gripping surface with the cap positioned on the top of the bottle. The user then moves the selector to choose the closing process. The plunger action of the device is identical, but the direction of rotation of the rotator is reversed so that the cap is screwed back onto the bottle.

Abstract: A portable corkscrew has a body provided with an axial stepped hole where a plunger assembly has been housed and provided with a housing in which a cap appears which, at its lower end, supports a helicoidal rod, while at its upper face it leans against a spherical surface housed in a hole formed in a piece internal to the plunger and provided with a transverse hole to which a manually actuable external lever has been articulated by a pin, the plunger being further provided with two lateral holding elements which at its upper side end are pivotally articulated by means of respective axles against the action of associated springs while the lower ends of these holding elements have been shaped as hooks with their spikes being outwardly directed, this assembly being capable of longitudinal displacement when the mentioned external lever is manually operated.

Abstract: An implement to quickly and cleanly remove a cork from a wine bottle comprising a lower cylindrical shaft having an upper end and a lower end with a point. The lower end of the lower shaft has a helical thread extending radially outwardly therefrom in a spiral configuration. An upper cylindrical shaft axially aligns with the lower shaft. The upper shaft is of a shorter extent than the lower shaft. The upper shaft has an upper end with a contoured handle coupled thereto. A first ratchet component is provided and has a cup-shaped cylindrical member with an open upper end and a circular closed lower end coupled at its center to the upper end of the lower shaft. The first ratchet component has inwardly facing teeth. A second ratchet component is provided in a cylindrical configuration with an open upper end and a closed lower end and a side wall formed with an opening. The second ratchet component is positionable within the first ratchet component.

Abstract: A device for venting a container having a bung includes a saddle assembly curable to a container and having a support extending therefrom. A first arm is rotatably secured to the support, and the first arm extends in a first direction. A second arm has a first end portion drivingly engaged with the first arm, so that rotation of the first arm causes rotation of the second arm. A second end portion of the first arm is positionable proximate the bung of the container. A socket is operably associated and rotatable with the second end portion and is drivingly engageable with the bung, so that rotation of the socket causes corresponding rotation of the bung for thereby venting the container.

Abstract: The automated container cap remover and method for cap removal includes a drive for causing relative rotation to occur between a container cap and a cap engaging unit. The drive brings the cap engaging unit into engagement with the cap and then slips to permit the cap to be unscrewed from the container. A control unit senses the torque created by the relative rotation between the cap and cap engaging unit, and when a drop in torque is sensed, the control unit causes the drive to move the cap and cap engaging unit out of engagement.

Abstract: An analyzer is disclosed having a device for removing and inserting a stopper from and into the opening of a container for liquids arranged in a tray, particularly test tubes filled with body fluids, a gripper which performs rotary movements frictionally interacting with stopper and a lifting means feeding the container to the gripper and fixing it.The gripper features three radially arranged clamping elements with rollers on an inner carrier member, said clamping elements being radially movable by control elements associated therewith and mounted on an outer hollow-cylindrical housing portion. The control elements are coaxially arranged in the form of a ring and each consists of a cam section having a small radius and a cam section having a larger radius, said sections being interconnected via a ramp and having a threshold.

Abstract: A new, novel device for holding a container while applying torque specifically to the closure in the direction of opening. This device is readily adaptable for use with an electric motor or ratchet to provide hands free operation The device may be made small enough to serve as a counter-top appliance for home use. In addition, the device is self sizing to serve a wide array of container closures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable opener for removal of covers which are threadedly attached to containers, such as jars of the type commonly found in households. The opener includes a unitary housing, shaped generally as an inverted L. The vertical portion of the housing contains a motor, and a power supply, while the upper, horizontal portion of the housing contains a drive mechanism which is driveably attached to the motor and to a vertically adjustable and removable first gripping means, which is adapted to grip the cover of a container. This first gripping means includes a resilient body which is adapted to be compressed around the container cover by an over center clamping mechanism. A second gripping means is provided to retain the container. The second gripping means surrounds the container and also utilizes an over center clamping mechanism.

Abstract: A connector device in which at least one flexible transmission member is housed in a holding portion, which is defined by a fixed housing mounted on a stationary member and a movable housing mounted on a rotating member and rotatably combined with the fixed housing, and the stationary and rotating members are connected by means a transmission member. The flexible transmission member is coiled in a spiral pile around the axis of rotation of the two housings, turned back in the middle thereof, and coiled in a spiral pile in the opposite direction from a U-turn portion at which the transmission member is turned back. By doing this, the transmission member can be reduced in length.

Abstract: There is described a stopper remover for automatically removing a stopper in a container, the remover comprising first mechanism for gripping the container against rotation, second mechanism for gripping the stopper, and a drive for rotating the second mechanism about an axis while the second mechanism grips a stopper. The remover features an engaging assembly for frictionally engaging a stopper while the rotating drive rotates in only one direction, the engaging assembly comprising an annular ring and extending from the inside of the ring, a plurality of spikes terminating in points disposed generally in an annular surface inside of the ring and constructed to engage a stopper, the spikes being mounted on the ring so as to be non-radially aligned. The result is that the spikes positively grip the stopper only if the ring is rotated in the one direction, and slip off the stopper when the rotating drive rotates in a direction opposite to the one direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for loosening threaded caps assembled to upper ends of containers is disclosed as including a de-capping assembly for circumferentially engaging and loosening a threaded cap from an associated container. The de-capping assembly is capable of being automatically adjustably pre-positioned relative to threaded caps of different diameter assembled to associated containers. In conjunction with the de-capping assembly, an elevator assembly may also be used for vertically and horizontally aligning a threaded cap mounted container relative to the de-capping assembly. A method is also disclosed for adjustably and circumferentially gripping threaded caps of different diameter assembled to associated containers and imparting circumferential loosening forces to such threaded caps assembled to associated containers while retaining the circumferential gripping force.

Abstract: Herein presented is a device for shutting off the flow through a pipe. The device is basically a pincers tool with two jaws and two handles. It, however, has special and unique features that make it rugged, reliable, efficient and easy to use.It has compound leveraging. It has pivotal features that allow the inner surfaces of its jaws to remain parallel to one another as the jaws are opened and closed. A latching and releasing mechanism permits the locking of the handles once the jaws have reached a desired closed position.

Abstract: A power driven bottle opener for removing the twist-off caps from the top of a bottle includes a housing containing an electric motor and a limit switch for starting and stopping the motor. An inverted cup-shaped head is rotated by said motor and includes ribs on its interior cylindrical wall which engage the cap for twisting the same. A cap ejector pin extends at least partially vertically through the housing and into the head and can be manually pushed downwardly from the front of the housing to eject a cap which may become lodged in the removing head. The pin also carries a radial projection which activates the limit switch and therefore the motor when the pin is moved upwardly by a bottle and cap inserted into the cap removing head.

Abstract: A manually operable apparatus is provided for crushing metal cans and unscrewing lids of jars. The apparatus is comprised of a base, a guide rising upwardly from the base, an overhead assembly which slidably engages the guide, and a handle adapted to cause vertical movement of the overhead assembly. A can or jar to be acted upon is positioned upright upon the base. Forceful downward movement of the overhead assembly accomplishes the desired effect.

Abstract: A power driven bottle opener for removing the twist-off caps from the top of a bottle includes a housing containing an electric motor and a limit switch for starting and stopping the motor. An inverted cup-shaped head is rotated by said motor and includes ribs on its interior cylindrical wall which engage the cap for twisting the same. A cap ejector pin extends vertically through the housing and into the head and can be manually pushed downwardly to eject a cap which may become lodged in the removing head. The pin also carries a radial projection which activates the limit switch and therefore the motor when the pin is moved upwardly by a bottly and cap inserted into the cap removing head. The housing also carries a lighted advertising sign adjacent the top thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for opening the covers on jars including means for positioning and stationing the jar. Means for clamping the cover in the positioned jar and means for gripping the cover periphery and rotating the gripping means are provided to rotate the cover to an opened position while the jar is positioned and stationed.

Abstract: An apparatus for loosening threaded lids from jars or similar containers having screw-type lids. The apparatus includes a rotatable bottom support platform having a friction pad for supporting and rotating the container, and a top, vertically movable friction pad for engaging the threaded lid whereupon rotation of the bottom support platform rotates the container relative to the lid for loosening the lid to facilitate removal. The apparatus includes a drive motor which is energized as the top friction pad is biased downwardly and into engagement with the lid of the container. Alternatively, the drive motor can rotate the support platform in an opposite direction to seal jar lids for use during canning. The apparatus also includes a can opener on the underside of the apparatus housing which is operated by the same drive motor.