And Diversely Shaped Face Patents (Class 81/426)
  • Patent number: 11890160
    Abstract: Orthodontic positioning devices, and related methods and systems, are disclosed for use with one or more orthodontic elastic members. The disclosed devices may comprise a pair of orthodontic aligners for use as part of an orthodontic treatment plan. The pair of orthodontic aligners may include an upper aligner with a first integrally formed hook and a lower aligner with a second integrally formed hook. The first integrally formed hook and the second integrally formed hook may be configured to engage with an orthodontic elastic member so as to react a force to, for example, generate orthodontic forces on the patient's teeth. Each of the first integrally formed hook and the second integrally formed hook may extend buccally from the upper aligner and the lower aligner, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Kuo, Artem Borovinskih, Shiva Sambu
  • Patent number: 11661752
    Abstract: Disclosed are a ceramic tile leveling bracket, pushing and clamping pliers, and a ceramic tile leveling and laying system. The ceramic tile leveling and laying system comprises: a ceramic tile leveling bracket, an insertion block, and pushing and clamping pliers, wherein the ceramic tile leveling bracket is disposed at a junction of at least two adjacent ceramic tiles, one end of the insertion block is inserted into an insertion block receiving portion of the ceramic tile leveling bracket, and the pushing and clamping pliers push and clamp the insertion block into a ceramic tile leveling bracket such that a bottom face of the insertion block is tangent to upper surfaces of the ceramic tiles. The ceramic tile leveling and laying system is easy to operate, and improves the laying efficiency and laying quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignees: HANGZHOU UNITED TOOLS CO., LTD, HANGZHOU GREAT STAR INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD
    Inventor: Yueming Li
  • Patent number: 11440168
    Abstract: A reaction torque limiting backup wrench arrangement (1) has at least one fastener engaging means e.g. spanner (6) or socket (170), for a pressure boundary bolted joint nut (5) of a respective fastener (3). The backup wrench arrangement provides a reaction torque up to a threshold above which rotation allowed by motion of the fastener engaging means is determined by a magnitude of the reaction torque and force deflection characteristic of a biasing arrangement acting directly or indirectly on the fastener engaging means. Tension in the flexible tension element e.g. chain (7) urges the spanner (6) onto the nut (5) of the fastener permitting the spanner to displace when torque transmitted through a bolt to the nut or bolt head within the spanner exceeds a threshold torque, enabling the nut or bolt head to rotate, helping prevent bolt over-tightening, and helping indicate the bolt seizing or galling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Integrity Engineering Solutions Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Ian Warren Brown
  • Patent number: 9157320
    Abstract: A tool for removing a chisel, in particular from a chisel holder, having a base element which receives an actuating member, wherein the actuating member has an expeller mandrel. The actuating member is adjustable along a displacement direction. In order to be able to perform the removal simply and rapidly, the actuating member of this invention is indirectly or directly coupled to a piston of a fluid-charged cylinder, or to an electric motor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Lehnert, Martin Lenz, Bernd Holl, Günter Hähn
  • Patent number: 9023079
    Abstract: A surgical tool assembly includes a pair of opposing jaws. Further, a viewing opening may be provided in at least one of the opposing jaws. The viewing opening may extend from an upper to a lower surface of the opposing jaw in which the viewing opening is provided. The viewing opening may include a material retainer provided proximate the lower surface of the opposing jaw in which the viewing opening is provided. The material retainer may include an inclined surface inclined towards a central axis of the viewing opening. A grasping insert may be molded onto a lower surface of the opposing jaw in which the viewing opening is provided and an elastomeric material of the grasping inserts may within the viewing opening, the material of the grasping inserts covering the inclined surface of the first material retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Microline Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Boulnois, Richard C. Kowalski
  • Patent number: 8915939
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular medical instrument having a hollow shaft, a handle positioned on the proximal end of the shaft, and at least one tool actuation element that is positioned in the hollow shaft and has on its distal end a tool, wherein the tool actuation element can be coupled with at least one actuation mechanism of the handle to actuate the tool and wherein the tool actuation element and the hollow shaft can be detachably connected to one another by a coupling mechanism. To create a coupling mechanism that is essentially free of any play and is simple to operate, it is proposed with the invention that the stopping of the coupling mechanism between the tool actuation element and the hollow shaft should be dependent on the position of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Renger, Martin Blocher, Uwe Bacher
  • Patent number: 8739594
    Abstract: A plier tool for crimping electrical connectors to wires includes two plier handles that are pivotally connected together by a pivotal coupling that allows for rotation of the handles, towards and away from one another. The two plier handles each have gripping portions that are graspable by a user to rotate the plier handles about the axis of rotation. A crimping die is located on each plier handle, at an end opposite of the gripping portion thereof, and rotation of the plier handles causes the crimping dies to be moved towards and away from one another between engaging and non-engaging positions. The crimping die, together, define an opening that is configured to receive an electrical connector in a manner that positions the electrical connector in an endwise direction that is generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: Danny Anderson
  • Patent number: 8646160
    Abstract: A pair of connector removal pliers includes a first arm and a second arm which is pivotably connected to the first arm by a pin. A positioning member and a pressing member are respectively connected to the first and second arms. The positioning member has a rough surface and the pressing member has a protrusion extending therefrom which extends toward the positioning member. By operating two handles of the first and second arms to position one of two connectors between the positioning member and the pressing member, the technician can easily pull the other connector to separate the two connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: Pi-Liang Wu
  • Patent number: 8516934
    Abstract: A clip installing tool and method for installing the clip are provided. The clip includes a clip holding portion and a leveraging portion, each having a handle at an end. The clip holding portion includes a receiving portion to hold the clip therein. When a force is applied to the clip holding and leveraging portions, the clip is forced around a connector portion of a fuel in order to hold the connector portion with a fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Service Solutions U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Michael Shevela, Richard Martin, Robert Meitzler
  • Patent number: 8252021
    Abstract: A surgical tool assembly includes a pair of opposing jaws pivotally connected to each other. Further, at least one viewing opening may be provided in at least one of the opposing jaws. In this regard, the at least one viewing opening may extend from an upper to a lower surface of the opposing jaw in which the viewing opening is provided. Additionally, the at least one viewing opening may include a material retainer provided proximate the lower surface of the opposing jaw in which the at least one viewing opening is provided. Further, the material retainer may include an inclined surface inclined towards a central axis of the at least one viewing opening. Further, a grasping insert may be molded onto a lower surface of the opposing jaw in which the viewing opening is provided and an elastomeric material of the grasping inserts may within the at least one viewing opening, the material of the grasping inserts covering the inclined surface of the first material retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Microline Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Boulnois, Richard C. Kowalski
  • Patent number: 8176814
    Abstract: A wire forming plier and electrical multi-tool for the purpose of forming, stripping, crimping and cutting electrical wire is disclosed. The plier features two arms overlapped and pivoted together; the posterior ends of the arms serve as handles. Two symmetrically shaped round barrels, different in size, identified with indicia, extend from the anterior ends of the plier arms for the purpose of forming a controlled bend in electrical wires/conductors of varying thicknesses/gauges to fit around specific terminal screw/stud sizes. As the handles are squeezed together, the cylindrical tips will grasp the electrical conductor by applying pressure to the wire between the round and smooth barrel surfaces. While the wire is securely held between the cylindrical tips the wire loop is quickly and easily formed around either barrel by manually rotating the entire tool about a longitudinal axis in either direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventors: Steven J Bernstein, Stephanie L Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8161845
    Abstract: According to the invention, a tool for assembling and disassembling an elastic collar includes first and second jaws mobile relative to each other. The first and second jaws respectively include first gripping profiles, the first gripping profiles being adapted to interact with the elastic collar and being provided opposite each other along a first predetermined and general collar-gripping orientation relative to the jaws. The first and second jaws respectively include at least second gripping profiles, the second gripping profiles being provided opposite each other and being adapted to interact with the elastic collar along a second predetermined general gripping orientation relative to the jaws, the second orientation being different from the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Stanley Works (Europe) GmbH
    Inventor: Hadi Idir
  • Publication number: 20120048689
    Abstract: The invention relates to a link (2-4) for a link conveyor (1), particularly for a transport link conveyor, having at least one plug element (5, 6) for positively latching to a complementary plug element (5, 6) of a further adjacent link (2-4) of the link conveyor (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: Stefan Hastem-Mueller
  • Patent number: 8079291
    Abstract: An exemplary fastener feeder includes a pair of guiders, a slot cover and a blocker. The guiders define a sliding slot therebetween. Each guider includes a sloped part and a level part, bodies of the fasteners are capable of being received in the sliding slot, and a head of each fastener is capable of sliding down from the sloped parts and stopping on the level parts. The slot cover defines an opening for providing a path through which a fastener pickup device can pass through and engage with a fastener located on the level parts. The blocker is located below the level parts. When the fastener pickup device moves the fastener head engaged therewith away from the opening and a length of the fastener is greater than a distance between the blocker and the level parts, the fastener is blocked by blocker and disengaged from the fastener pickup device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuan Luo, Hu-Dong Guo
  • Patent number: 7926394
    Abstract: An offset force clamp is provided for securely holding a workpiece to a table of a cutting machine. The clamp is a modified clamping pliers having a planar base jaw and an elongate upper jaw oriented perpendicular to one another. The base jaw is preferably mounted fixedly to a first handle of the clamp and the upper jaw is preferably mounted pivotably to a second handle of the clamp. The base jaw is configured to engage the table as the upper jaw applies an offset force to hold the workpiece so that the clamp is not cut during the cutting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: William M. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 7784383
    Abstract: An aid for the connecting of a piece of jewelry together that has a pliers type construction. The aid includes a first handle and a first jaw connected by a pivotal joint with a second handle and a second jaw. The first jaw has a distal end portion with an inwardly facing surface that defines a notch. The second jaw has an elongate arcuate distal end portion that fixes the position of a biased clasp of a piece of jewelry. The notch of the first jaw engages a lever of the clasp and opens the clasp while it is fixed in position by the second jaw. The aid includes a bias that urges the jaws to a closed position and retains the clasp in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventors: Peter Salva, Patrick Riordan
  • Patent number: 7716768
    Abstract: Pliers for removing paint from a jig-eye hole, including a first plier having a first handle and first jaw. The first jaw includes a tooth extending from the end. A second plier is connected to the first plier and has a second handle and a second jaw including an invagination at the end. When the jig-eye hole is registered with the invagination, and the first handle and second handle are rotated closer together, the tooth is inserted into the jig-eye hole for paint removal. Preferably, the first handle section has a hollow handle and a retractable threader in the handle. The pliers may include a tool module. The tool module forms structure for removable connection with the invagination on the handle end. The tool module includes a retractable tool, such as a fishing line threader or hone so that the tool may be extended and used by the fisherman.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Dennis A. Higgins
  • Patent number: 7637185
    Abstract: A plier tool for closing clam shell type electrical connectors onto electrical wires includes a pair of handles, an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The upper jaw and the lower jaw are movable between an open position and a closed position. The jaws move relatively closer together during a closing operation upon squeezing together of the handles. An upper die member having a pivotal connection point is pivotally attached to the upper jaw for pivotal movement during the closing operation. The upper die member also has a generally planar upper contact surface. The upper contact surface is adapted to continuously contact and slide upon a lid portion of a clam shell type electrical connector during the closing operation. A lower die member is rigidly attached to said lower jaw and has a lower contact surface. The lower contact surface has a cavity therein sized to receive and retain a base portion of clam shell type electrical connector during the closing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Aslan Industries Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Montgomery, Robert A. Libby, Kyle Mason
  • Patent number: 7581469
    Abstract: A clamp gripping and actuating tool assembly includes a first arm and a second arm pivotally coupled together. Each of the first and second arms has a first end and a second end. A portion of the first and second arms define heads. The head of the first arm has an upper side that is concavely arcuate to be bowl shaped. An arcuate rod having a pair of ends extends through the head of the second arm and is positioned between the lower side and a top side of the head of the second arm. One of the ends is extendable forward of the head of the first arm. A fastener is extended through openings in a plurality of clamps as the clamps are closed between the heads. The fastener is supported by the upper side of the head of the first arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Inventor: Charles B. Clayborn
  • Patent number: 7578218
    Abstract: A jar opener comprises a pair of handles, a pivot connecting the handles for pivotal movement, and a head section having a pair of jaws extending from the pivot opposite the handles and pivotable by the handles to close for gripping a lid of a jar and to open to release the lid. The jaws have a pair of inner gripping portions adjacent the pivot for gripping a lid of a relatively larger diameter, and a pair of outer gripping portions adjacent the inner gripping portions and further from the pivot than the inner gripping portion for gripping a smaller lid or bottle cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Kwok Kuen So
    Inventors: Lance Logan Hood, Yiu Chung Wan
  • Publication number: 20080314205
    Abstract: A pair of pliers for connecting or disconnecting a push-fit coupler with an internal toothed grab ring has forked, U-shaped opposing jaws, one of which is sized to fit to hold a cylindrical pipe connected to a push-fit coupler, and the other jaw sized to hold the exterior support sleeve of the coupler, so that squeezing the pliers will compress the internal grab ring, causing the teeth to splay thus freeing the pipe so that it may be removed from the coupler. The pliers may also be used to splay the teeth while inserting a pipe into the coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Carlos Feliciano
  • Publication number: 20080307934
    Abstract: A multi-purpose cable crimpring tool includes upper and lower dies configured to compress and deform various types of cable ferrules and/or core pins. When brought together, the upper and lower dies are configured to form a plurality of cable crimping cavities. Some cable crimping cavities are shaped as irregular polygons to allow substantially even distribution of swage loads on a cable ferrule being compressed and deformed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Stan Coe
  • Patent number: 7313984
    Abstract: A tool for moving two members relative to each other, such as narrow and wide tangs of an elastic clamp, includes first and second bodies formed substantially identically and operably coupled to each other in spaced, opposing relation, each of the bodies have a substantially lateral channel defining inner back, bottom and front walls therein. Each back wall includes a recess sized and shaped to cooperatively engage the narrow tang of the elastic clamp, when the narrow tang is received in the channel, to substantially retain the lateral position of the narrow tang relative to the body. Each front wall includes an opening for engaging the outward projection of the wide tang when the wide tang is received in the channel, thereby substantially retaining the lateral position of the wide tang relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel M. Eggert, Daniel D. Lionberg
  • Patent number: 7311024
    Abstract: A tool for assisting a user in removing machinery cutting blades includes an upper and a lower handle that operate and lock an upper movable jaw. A fixed jaw is secured to the lower handle. The upper movable jaw includes a prong for tightly engaging the top surface of a bolt, and a clamp member adjacent thereto for tightly engaging the upper surface of a machine blade. By manipulating the handles, a user can lock the upper jaw prong against the machine blade bolt allowing a user to remove a nut attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Donald D. Piel
  • Patent number: 7210381
    Abstract: A locknut tightening construction includes the construction of a locknut having a plurality of adjacent angularly disposed walls and pliers first and second jaws, with the first jaw having a first notch and the second jaw having a second notch, with the first notch being more elongate and distally disposed than the second notch, and the notches engage different angularly disposed locknut walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Channellock, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Allan Crawford
  • Patent number: 7197967
    Abstract: The present invention is a hand tool comprising a pair of handles that rotate about a pivot point. The proximal end of the handles may be covered in an electrically insulating material in order to aid in insulating the hands of the user from electrical shock and cushion the grip of the tool. A jaw member of thin cross-section may be affixed to the distal end of the handles or formed in the distal end of the handles. The unique shape of the portion of each jaw member grips the locknut. Each jaw member is designed in such a manner that, when the hand tool's handles are closed, each jaw member independently engages one or more of the locknut protrusions. A method of tightening and loosening locknuts using a hand tool with the distal end of the handles forming a shaped jaw member for gripping the locknut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Channellock, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Allan Crawford
  • Patent number: 7194937
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical tool for removing knockouts from electrical boxes. The tool includes a first arm and a second arm each comprising a handle, a jaw, and a recess joining the handle and the jaw. A pivot pin rotatably joins the first and second arms while an elongated slot allows the second arm to slide along the slot relative to the first arm. The first jaw includes two projections to be placed on one side of an electrical box wall. The second jaw includes a projection which is placed within the circumference of a knockout. Serrated projections which extend from the end of the first and second handles can grip the knockout and remove the knockout from the electrical box wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Melkowits
  • Patent number: 7013767
    Abstract: A screwdriver element includes two bits, each with a sinuous distal tip end and a screw element includes a head having an X-shaped slot that has sinuous side walls. The bit distal tips have a left-handed shape and a right-handed shape and the side walls of the screw element head are curved in a corresponding manner whereby twisting the screwdriver after the tip is engaged with the screw head slot will cause the screw driver tip to be drawn into tight engagement with the screw head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Shannon R. Seim
  • Patent number: 6904634
    Abstract: A multipurpose 1911 pistol servicing tool consisting of two pliers heads pivotably assembled together with each pliers head having pivotably affixed to it a three-sided handle and with one handle having pivotably affixed to it and within it a series of screwdriver blade components and a file component and with the other handle having pivotably affixed to it and within it, a pair of accessory punch components, a hexagonal driver component and a round file component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Inventor: Gary H. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040129117
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spanner for hexagonal shaped objects (5), comprising an upper and lower jaw (1 or 2), which are respectively connected in a single-piece to the limb of a handle (4 or 3). Both jaws (1, 2) are connected together in a pivoting manner in a length-adjustable single joint (6). The upper jaw (1) comprises a flat, smooth clamping surface (9) and a stop (10). The lower jaw (2) comprises a curved convex, flat clamping cam surface (11), which lies adjacent to a respectively associated lower flank surface (12) for all hexagonal objects (5) of all wrench sizes which are to be accommodated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Gernot Hirse
  • Patent number: 6748830
    Abstract: A pliers having a replaceable gripping member for pliers jaws in the form of a threaded cylinder received in a threaded bore with part of the threaded cylinder extending out of the jaw in which it is mounted to provide a gripping surface formed of a segment of the threaded cylinder. The mating jaw has a recess to receive the projecting segment. A method of renewing the gripping surface includes rotating the threaded member to expose a different portion of the threads in the projecting segment, after removal of damaged threads in the projecting segment by filing the cylinder, if necessary. A hexagonal recess is formed in the end of the cylinder to enable installation, renewal of the segment and replacement of the entire cylinder using an Allen wrench. For non-sparking applications, the pliers are formed of aluminum bronze and the gripping member is formed of beryllium copper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Swanstrom Tools USA, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Swanstrom, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6698314
    Abstract: An air brake slack adjusting tool for pushing in the locking collar on a slack adjuster bolt. The air brake slack adjusting tool includes a first elongate member having a handle portion and a slack adjuster portion; and also includes a second elongate member being pivotally attached to the first elongate member and having a handle portion and a support portion; and further includes a ratcheting mechanism being disposed in the slack adjuster portion for engaging a locking collar on an air brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: James J. Nichols
  • Patent number: 6698734
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a clamp assembly having a pair of clamp handles and a clipping member or a poking member, and the clamp handles use an extendible clamp wire set to control the clipping member or the poking member, so that the tool can be extended into a small narrow operating space for its application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: Ching-Shu Wang
  • Patent number: 6655407
    Abstract: A refrigerant charging tool. In a described embodiment, a refrigerant charging tool has two separately formed handles pivotably attached to each other. One of the handles has a container piercing member mounted thereon. Interchangeable spacers are configured for attachment to the other handle, so that a selected one of differently shaped containers may be biased against the container piercing member when the handles are pivoted toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Technical Chemical Company
    Inventor: Newton Howard Dudley
  • Publication number: 20030005798
    Abstract: A tool for installing a traction stud including a threaded shank having a pointed ground engaging end and an opposite end mounting a transverse head on a snowmobile drive belt so that the head bears against the inside surface of the track and the pointed end projects outwardly beyond the outside surface of the track. The tool includes a pair of clamping members which have pivotally coupled together along one lateral side of the belt and have free terminal ends mounting opposing clamping jaws which swingably move between spread positions spaced from the belt and closed positions clamped to the belt. Handles are provided on the ends of the elongate member laterally adjacent the track for moving the clamps between open and closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventor: Stanley Jason Kuchar
  • Patent number: 6438817
    Abstract: A hand operated tool which aids in securing a cover to a vehicle or other object is presented. The cover installation tool of the present invention includes at one end handles comprising a pair of opposing members disposed at an angle with respect to each other and hinged where the opposing members intersect. The handles may have an ergonomic shape such that the tool is easy to grasp and operate. Additionally, the handles may include a rubber or plastic coating to provide a secure gripping surface and comfort to the user. At an opposite end of the tool, a pair of opposing jaws are configured to fit around a snap head and to engage the material. As such, the cover can be installed without applying lateral forces to the snap head and damaging the material adjacent the snap head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Andrew L. Pongratz
  • Patent number: 6431035
    Abstract: Mounting wire spokes in a wheel, such as on a bicycle, requires even tightening of each spoke, and to attain such even tightening, wire wheel spoke tightening clamp apparatus and method is disclosed to tightly hold the spoke adjacent to the spoke threaded section, by the spoke tightening clamp, while tightening the threaded nipple onto the spoke threaded threaded section to prevent twisting of the spoke, to thus attain a straight, non-wobbly wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventors: Karl J. Hendrikse, Chris J. Shermeister
  • Patent number: 6430767
    Abstract: A tool that enables the forming of a hole in irrigation pipe, and the placement of an emitter device into that formed hole, includes a pair of elongate plier half-members connected at a pivoting joint. A first jaw includes an inwardly-directed hole punch member, while the second opposed jaw includes an inwardly-directed concavity to engage a piece of irrigation hose, such that closure of the jaws causes the hole punch to pierce a hole in the irrigation pipe. The jaw ends each include semi-cylindrical cavities sized to hold the cylindrical body of an emitter, to facilitate forcible insertion of the spike of the emitter into the hole previously formed in the irrigation pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventors: Adam C. Ramos, Charles Retherford
  • Patent number: 6386077
    Abstract: Pliers of specialized construction for depressing the retaining spring of an electrical connector terminal include a rigid thin blade extending forwardly of the jaws of the pliers. A recess, disposed in the blade, is positioned and shaped in a manner to accommodate a retaining shoulder that is generally positioned in front of the spring and would otherwise block access of the pliers to the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Robert Hartman
  • Patent number: 6367357
    Abstract: Apparatus for engaging and turning spanner type threaded members has an upper jaw member extending from a handle and terminating in a 90° arcuate radiused portion. A cylindrical lug extends radially at the end of the radiused portion for engaging the threaded member, and a clamping jaw member is pivotally connected to the handle so as to be diametrically opposed to the lug. The clamping jaw member is forced toward the upper jaw member to provide a clamping force on the threaded member and force the cylindrical lug into positive engagement with the threaded member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Clint Thomas
  • Patent number: 6327945
    Abstract: A hand held and operated set of fastener clip pliers is provided which is useful to secure together reinforcement steel members, for example, those used in concrete construction, upholstery and fencing. The fastener clip pliers are comprised of a lower handle and an upper handle. The lower handle has at least two first prongs which define at least one intermediate slot between. The upper handle is pivotally connected to the lower handle such that the upper handle and lower handle can pivot to an open position and to a closed position. The upper handle has at least one second prong dimension to fit within an intermediate slot in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Carlos M. Perez Romo
  • Patent number: 6311589
    Abstract: A locking pliers for holding cylindrical elongate objects such as rods and tubing to a work surface. The locking pliers includes a pair of jaws pivotally coupled together. Each of the jaws has a jaw plate coupled thereto. A generally V-shaped clamping plate is coupled to a first of the jaw plates. An elongate bar is coupled to a second of the jaw plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventor: Carlan Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20010023626
    Abstract: A hand held and operated set of fastener clip pliers is provided which is useful to secure together reinforcement steel members, for example, those used in concrete construction, upholstery and fencing. The fastener clip pliers are comprised of a lower handle and an upper handle. The lower handle has at least two first prongs that define at least one intermediate slot between. The upper handle is pivotally connected to the lower handle such that the upper handle and lower handle can pivot to an open position and to a closed position. The upper handle has at least one second prong dimension to fit within an intermediate slot in the closed position. A fastening clip is provided that has a small extension protruding therefrom for manipulating and properly placing the fastening clip around the steel members prior to securing the fastening clip to the steel members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventor: Carlos M. Perez Romo
  • Patent number: 6293790
    Abstract: Orthodontic pliers comprised of two asymmetrical components that are subapically and pivotally joined in a first main embodiment. Each of these elongate pieces is irregular in shape, unequal in length and the jaws are asymmetrical jaws relative to each other. The pliers when heated are used for producing or modifying bumps on a thermoplastic retainer. One of the jaws has a throughbore or blind bore for receiving the bump forming end of the other jaw. The jaw with the bump forming end is shorter and curvilinear so that the only part of that jaw that comes in contact with the retainer is the bump forming end. Additionally, the bump forming end may be of different shapes in order to produce different shaped bumps such as ramps, logos, logo pockets, fluoride pockets, bite plates, rectangular shapes for the retention of blocks to be wired, and hooks for elastic banding, depending on the needs of the individual patients. The pliers are heated to a temperature range of approximately 325° F. to 350° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: J. Keith Hilliard
  • Patent number: 6227081
    Abstract: Pliers with self-adjustment capability for applying a grasping force to a workpiece and for augmenting the grasping force applied to the workpiece which include a first plier member, a second plier member, a first pivot, a second pivot and a first biasing spring. The first plier member includes a handle portion, a jaw portion, an intermediate portion, a coupling interconnecting the handle portion of the first plier member to the intermediate portion of the first plier member, and locking device. The second plier member includes a handle portion, a jaw portion, and an intermediate portion disposed therebetween. The first pivot includes a shifting slot portion, a transitional portion, and a positioning slot portion with a generally arcuate portion formed in said intermediate portion of the first plier member. The first pivot also includes at least one pivot member extending into, and movable within, the shifting slot portion, transitional portion, and positioning slot portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: B!G Ventures, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Alexander Bally, Eric R. Colburn
  • Patent number: 6216568
    Abstract: A set of pliers for easily and quickly removing concentric or standard knockouts from steel outlet boxes and the like. The subject tool is a set of pliers, comprising a first arm having a first end and second end and a second arm having a first end and second end, where the first arm and the second arm are pivotally connected with respect to one another by an interconnecting mechanism located between the first and second ends thereof. The first arm forms a first jaw located above the interconnecting mechanism of the first arm and the second arm forms an opposing, second jaw located above the interconnecting mechanism. The first jaw includes a first projection that extends from an area between the first end of the first arm and the interconnecting mechanism. The second jaw includes a second projection that extends from the end of the second arm. The first projection abuts the second jaw and the second projection abuts the first jaw. Thus, the first and second projections do not touch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: Gerald P. Breiling
  • Patent number: 6155142
    Abstract: The invention includes pliers with self-adjustment capability for applying an initial grasping force to a workpiece and for augmenting the initial grasping force applied to the workpiece. The pliers are structured such that angular displacement of a handle portion of a first plier member is smaller than angular displacement of a jaw portion of the first plier member during an initial movement of the handle portions toward each other for applying the initial grasping force to the workpiece. In addition, the pliers are structured such that angular displacement of the handle portion of the first plier member is larger than angular displacement of the jaw portion of the first plier member to permit augmenting of the initial grasping force applied to the workpiece during a continued movement of the handle portions toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: B!G Ventures, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Bally, Eric R. Colburn
  • Patent number: 6035748
    Abstract: A pair of fisherman's pliers for opening and closing a fishing snap swivel comprises a pair of pliers with a pair of handles pivotally connected to a pair of jaws such that the jaws are brought together as the handles are brought together. Grooves are in alignment on the opposing jaws for receiving the fishing swivel. When the jaws are completely closed with the snap swivel placed vertically in the grooves, the swivel can be opened or closed by twisting the protruding clasp of swivel to right or left with fingers or by twisting the swivel with the pliers while holding clasp of swivel with fingers, followed by releasing the jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Warren E. Burch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6009608
    Abstract: A new brake chamber assembling device for reassembling truck air brake systems after maintenance. The inventive device includes a pair of jaws extend outwardly from the vise grip pliers. The pair of jaws include an upper jaw section and a lower jaw section. The upper jaw section has a notch cut out of an outer end thereof for supporting an upper end of a casing shaft of a brake chamber. The lower jaw section has an aperture through an outer end thereof for receiving a lower end of the casing shaft therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Inventor: Bruce Peckham
  • Patent number: RE41263
    Abstract: A refrigerant charging tool. In a described embodiment, a refrigerant charging tool has two separately formed handles pivotably attached to each other. One of the handles has a container piercing member mounted thereon. Interchangeable spacers are configured for attachment to the other handle, so that a selected one of differently shaped containers may be biased against the container piercing member when the handles are pivoted toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Technical Chemical Company
    Inventor: Newton Howard Dudley