Spreader Patents (Class 81/485)
  • Patent number: 10437002
    Abstract: Universal cable installation tools and methods for using the tools. A cable installation tool includes a cable fastening end and an opposite projecting end extending from fastening end. A cable can be temporarily fastened to the cable installation tool using the universal cable fastening end, allowing the cable installation tool and the operably coupled cable to be threaded through a wall opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Inventor: Derek M. Rose
  • Publication number: 20150090079
    Abstract: This discloses a knot untier. The knot untier consists of an arm or pawl which is inserted into the knot to be untied plus, in some embodiments, a base which resembles a credit card. The knot untier in one embodiment is thus small enough to fit in a wallet. The knot untier may also be hung on a keychain. The knot untier does not, as many existing untiers do, damage most lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Anthony Deluccia
  • Patent number: 8870161
    Abstract: A pipe flange spreading tool is disclosed. The pipe flange spreading tool includes a pair of wedges and a retainer strap. Each of the wedges has a through-hole and a tapered end. The tapered end is configured to be forced between two pipe flanges of a pipeline to separate the pipe flanges of the pipeline. The retainer strap connects the pair of wedges via the through-holes. The retainer strap includes a first and second end loops configured to be looped around a first and second secured locations of the pipeline, respectively, in order to retain the pair of wedges with respect to the pipeline during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Arthur Doty
  • Patent number: 8833213
    Abstract: A power line spreading device used to separate the two conductor lines of a twisted pair conductor. The spreading device includes a substantially conical body and a handle. The body further includes a groove in an outer surface orientated in a conic spiral along a length of the body wherein the diameter of the conical body gradually increases from a first end to a second end. The spreading device is engaged with the two conductor lines proximate the first end, rotated about an axis of rotation whereby the groove acts to draw the two conductor lines from a first end toward a second end of the body. The gradual increase in diameter of the spreading device causes and maintains a desired spread distance between the two conductor lines of a twisted pair connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Enough Said, LLC
    Inventors: James Abel, S. Troy Snook
  • Patent number: 8776645
    Abstract: A knot loosening device and method of use. A pointed member is disposed, for inserting into the knot, followed by a midsection with a pry arm. Once the midsection is engaged, the pry arm is actuated by means of a lever arm which can be viewed as outwardly expanding jaws or jaw surfaces which have the effect of spreading or loosening the knot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Brian A. Fried
  • Publication number: 20140083262
    Abstract: An example includes a hand tool for repairing high-voltage electric power transmission cable, the tool including a generally straight elongate bar extending from a proximal portion including a back end to a distal portion including a tip that is generally smaller in diameter than the proximal portion, the proximal portion including a hand-graspable handle, the bar defining a hollow extending into the handle, the hollow extending from an interior wall of the hollow to an opening in the handle, the bar including a shoulder encircling the bar defining a transition between an at least partially conical shape extending from the tip to the shoulder and a spreader portion extending from the shoulder to the handle, wherein the hollow is sized to receive the transmission cable, with the opening being larger in diameter than both the conductor of the transmission cable and an insulator of the transmission cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Wisman Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Theodore Wisman
  • Patent number: 8661949
    Abstract: A power line spreading device used to separate the two conductor lines of a twisted pair conductor. The spreading device includes a substantially conical body and a handle. The body further includes a groove in an outer surface orientated in a conic spiral along a length of the body wherein the diameter of the conical body gradually increases from a first end to a second end. The spreading device is engaged with the two conductor lines proximate the first end, rotated about an axis of rotation whereby the groove acts to draw the two conductor lines from a first end toward a second end of the body. The gradual increase in diameter of the spreading device causes and maintains a desired spread distance between the two conductor lines of a twisted pair connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Enough Said, LLC
    Inventors: James Abel, S. Troy Snook
  • Patent number: 8627751
    Abstract: A device for loosening and untying knots including a body having a first section and a second section having a plurality of channels, a pusher rod positioned slidably within the first section of the body, a shaft positioned slidably within the first and second sections of the body and being engaged with the rod, and a plurality of prongs, each including a base, a nose and a rail. The rails slidably fit into the channels of the body, and a head of the shaft is engaged with the bases of the prongs. The prongs move between a retracted position, in which the noses are juxtaposed with one another and inserted within a knot, and an expanded position, in which the noses are spaced apart from one another when the shaft is moved within the body, the noses loosen and untie the knot when the prongs are expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventor: Leonard Paul Parkin
  • Publication number: 20130139367
    Abstract: Provided is a tool for polishing the surface of frets, a fretboard or a fingerboard of a stringed instrument, so as to shape and adjust the frets, the fretboard or the fingerboard to have a curve appropriate for the stringed instrument having a curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventor: Davide Bissoli
  • Publication number: 20130061723
    Abstract: A pipe flange spreading tool is disclosed. The pipe flange spreading tool includes a pair of wedges and a retainer strap. Each of the wedges has a through-hole and a tapered end. The tapered end is configured to be forced between two pipe flanges of a pipeline to separate the pipe flanges of the pipeline. The retainer strap connects the pair of wedges via the through-holes. The retainer strap includes a first and second end loops configured to be looped around a first and second secured locations of the pipeline, respectively, in order to retain the pair of wedges with respect to the pipeline during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: ARTHUR DOTY
  • Publication number: 20120318109
    Abstract: A device for loosening and untying knots including a body having a first section and a second section having a plurality of channels, a pusher rod positioned slidably within the first section of the body, a shaft positioned slidably within the first and second sections of the body and being engaged with the rod, and a plurality of prongs, each including a base, a nose and a rail. The rails slidably fit into the channels of the body, and a head of the shaft is engaged with the bases of the prongs. The prongs move between a retracted position, in which the noses are juxtaposed with one another and inserted within a knot, and an expanded position, in which the noses are spaced apart from one another when the shaft is moved within the body, the noses loosen and untie the knot when the prongs are expanded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: LEONARD PAUL PARKIN
  • Patent number: 8307745
    Abstract: A lever device includes first and second levers coupled at a lever pivot. First end of a first bar is pivotally coupled to the first lever at a first lever-bar pivot. First end of a second bar is pivotally coupled to the second lever at a second lever-bar pivot. First tool is pivotally coupled to a distal end of the first lever at a first lever-tool pivot. Second end of the first tool is pivotally coupled to the second end of the second bar. Second tool is pivotally coupled to the second lever at a second lever-tool pivot and a second end of the lever is pivotally coupled to the second end of the second bar. First lever-bar pivot is between the lever pivot and a distal end of the first lever and the second lever-bar pivot is between the lever pivot and a distal end of the second lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: CranioMandibular Rehab, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Christensen, III
  • Publication number: 20120192686
    Abstract: A power line spreading device used to separate the two conductor lines of a twisted pair conductor. The spreading device includes a substantially conical body and a handle. The body further includes a groove in an outer surface orientated in a conic spiral along a length of the body wherein the diameter of the conical body gradually increases from a first end to a second end. The spreading device is engaged with the two conductor lines proximate the first end, rotated about an axis of rotation whereby the groove acts to draw the two conductor lines from a first end toward a second end of the body. The gradual increase in diameter of the spreading device causes and maintains a desired spread distance between the two conductor lines of a twisted pair connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: James Abel, S. Troy Snook
  • Publication number: 20120186406
    Abstract: A power line spreading device used to separate the two conductor lines of a twisted pair conductor. The spreading device includes a substantially conical body and a handle. The body further includes a groove in an outer surface orientated in a conic spiral along a length of the body wherein the diameter of the conical body gradually increases from a first end to a second end. The spreading device is engaged with the two conductor lines proximate the first end, rotated about an axis of rotation whereby the groove acts to draw the two conductor lines from a first end toward a second end of the body. The gradual increase in diameter of the spreading device causes and maintains a desired spread distance between the two conductor lines of a twisted pair connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: James ABEL, S. Troy Snook
  • Patent number: 7966911
    Abstract: A hose clamp compression tool for engaging and compressing opposed or opposite end tangs of a hose clamp includes a first fixed plate and jaw and a second fixed plate spaced from the first fixed plate and jaw. The first and second plates are mounted on rails with a sliding plate and jaw also mounted on the rails and positioned between the fixed plates. The sliding plate is rotatably adjustable in spacing from the one fixed plate by means of a threaded rod journaled to the fixed plates and threaded to the sliding plate. The jaws each include both a transverse slot cooperative with an end tang of a band type hose clamp and a channel extending from the slot for engagement with the end tang of a ring or wire type hose clamp thereby enabling use of the tool for either a band type or a wire type hose clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Lisle Corporation
    Inventor: Richard D. Thayer
  • Patent number: 7946011
    Abstract: A device and a method for the automatic fitting of an elastic element, which includes a closed loop around a rectilinear element in particular, such as an assembly including a vine shoot and a support wire. The device includes an upper arm, equipped at one of its ends with a hook for hooking an upper portion of the closed loop of the elastic element, with the upper arm being mounted by its other end to pivot around an axis. The device also includes two lower arms, equipped at one of their ends with a hook for hooking a lower portion of the closed loop of the elastic element, with the lower arms being mounted by their other end to pivot around the same axis. The device also rotates around the axis of the upper arm in a given direction and of the lower arms in the reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Ghent-Supply
    Inventors: Jan Bosmans, Frank Bosmans
  • Publication number: 20100307860
    Abstract: Systems and methods for donning a stethoscope with a single hand. Generally, the systems include a stethoscope having two binaurals and a one-handed, binaural spreading mechanism, which allows a user to force the binaurals apart with a single hand. In some cases, the spreading mechanism includes a first contact member that is attached to a first binaural. In such cases, the spreading mechanism can force the binaurals apart as the first contact member is forced in a binaural spreading direction, which can include forcing the first contact: towards a second contact member that is connected to a second binaural, away from the second contact member, towards a binaural fulcrum that connects the binaurals, away from the fulcrum, and towards the second binaural. Although in some instances, the mechanism retrofits to the stethoscope, in other instances, the mechanism is formed on the stethoscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Craig Ellingson
  • 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: 7774913
    Abstract: A device for separating opposed ceramic elements from a metal base member, the device including a rigid body shaped complementarily to an inside surface of the base member and receivable therein. Opposed wedge members are mounted are in the body wall. The body includes a threaded interior surface. A bolt is included for threaded engagement with the interior surface and has a conically-shaped end. Each wedge member is engageable with one of the ceramic elements, such that upon inserting of the body in the base member and threaded movement of the bolt inward to the body, the end of the bolt engages the wedge members to urge the wedge members outward through a body wall to engage the ceramic elements to urge the ceramic elements apart and to separate from the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Richard M. Murdy, John C. Simmons, James R. Blake, Timothy L. Barrett
  • Patent number: 7712398
    Abstract: A spring plier is disclosed. The plier comprises a clipping handle and two symmetrical plier leg plates, and the clipping handle including two reverse direction similar shape plier plates mounted with rivets, the handle mounted with a cover, characterized in that the front end of the two clipping plier plate are respectively provided with a screw hole and a protruded post, the two plier leg plate corresponding to the screw hole and the protruded post are provided with a L-shaped fastening slot and an oval hole, and the front end is a pointed insertion leg, the L-shaped fastening slot engages at a screw fastened to the screw hole at the front end of the plier plate, and the oval hole is placed onto the protruded post, the oval hole provides fine adjustment of leg plate and provides a tolerance facilitating loading and unloading of leg plate, then the screw is tighten so as to secure and limit the two leg plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Jung-Hua Chuang
  • Publication number: 20100071518
    Abstract: A key ring spreader includes a plate having a thin gauge material thickness and generally flat configuration. The plate defines a hole adjacent an end of the plate that is configured to receive a free end of a key ring. The plate may be slid between the split rings of a key ring and twisted so as to separate the split rings sufficiently to insert or remove keys therefrom with ease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventor: Margaret Marie Stinson
  • Publication number: 20100071181
    Abstract: An expander for concentrically expanding a cylindrical member, the expander with a tapered block, a plurality of segments, each having an inner surface at least partially in contact with the tapered surface of the tapered block and the segments arranged to move in concert with each other relative to the block, and a pair of engaging features being provided for each segment, each pair comprising a first engagement feature on one of the segments and a second engagement feature on the block, the pairs of engaging features being arranged to maintain equal circumferential spacing of the segments around the block and to constrain movement of the segments in a direction that is coaxial with the block, each pair of engaging features being located away from the circumferential edges of their respective segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Robert J. Bradley
  • Publication number: 20100065797
    Abstract: The invention relates to a protective tube which is slit in the longitudinal direction and is provided with a closing element that maintains the longitudinal edges along the slit on a plane relative to one another. Said protective tube is characterized in that the closing element is a separate profiled piece, of which the cross-section has such a shape that a central web of said profiled piece is inserted between the longitudinal edges of the tube, the top face of the tube is covered by the profiled piece along the longitudinal edges, and the internal faces of the tube are supported by the profiled piece. The invention further relates to an auxiliary tool for closing such a protective tube by means of a closing element, a set comprising an auxiliary tool, a piece of protective tube, and a closing element, as well as an arrangement comprising a protective tube supply and such an auxiliary tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Markus Stenger, Dieter Fieber
  • Publication number: 20100043605
    Abstract: An optimized key ring separator used for splitting and holding open a key ring so that a key can be inserted or removed. The optimized key ring separator consists of a flange attached to an enclosed or unenclosed mounting portion, and may include optional gripping edges. The flange is comprised of a flange base and edges which are tapered resulting in a peak which allows it to be wedged between the turns of a key ring separating the turns of the ring. The flange may also include flattened edges. The key ring separator may also include an attachment member, which allows selective positioning of the flange and removal of any key on a key ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Mark Konkel
  • Publication number: 20090139602
    Abstract: A tool and a method are provided for splaying strands of a wire rope at an end thereof. The tool features a body defining a central opening and a plurality of outer openings extending into the body from a common side thereof, the openings sized and positioned for receipt of end portions of the strands at the end of the wire rope. The outer openings are arranged for splaying of the strands of the rope outward away from the core thereof under rotation of the body in a first direction about the core with the strands received in the openings. The rotation untwists the strands from around the core while the openings are shaped to limit motion of the untwisted ends of the strands to sliding motion along guiding surfaces outward away from the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Henry A. Kwasny
  • Patent number: 7448301
    Abstract: Snap ring pliers include a first section having a first jaw portion with a first outer end and a first tip projecting outwardly from the first outer end, and a second section having a second jaw portion with a second outer end and a second tip projecting outwardly from the second outer end. The first tip opposes the second tip. A pivot pivotally couples the first section to the second section for movement of the first and second jaw portions between closed and open positions. The first and second tips are joined forming a tongue adapted to be received in a snap ring gap in the closed position of the first and second jaw portions, and the first and second tips are spaced apart and separated by a gap in the open position of the first and second jaw portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: John A. Cronin
  • Publication number: 20080127787
    Abstract: A device and a method for the automatic fitting of an elastic element, which includes a closed loop around a rectilinear element in particular, such as an assembly including a vine shoot and a support wire. The device includes an upper arm, equipped at one of its ends with a hook for hooking an upper portion of the closed loop of the elastic element, with the upper arm being mounted by its other end to pivot around an axis. The device also includes two lower arms, equipped at one of their ends with a hook for hooking a lower portion of the closed loop of the elastic element, with the lower arms being mounted by their other end to pivot around the same axis. The device also rotates around the axis of the upper arm in a given direction and of the lower arms in the reverse direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Jan Bosmans, Frank Bosmans
  • Publication number: 20080041197
    Abstract: A mechanically levered spring coil key ring opener in which the thumb and fore finger digit operating the levered opener are generally protected from coming into contact with the spring coil key ring capable of breaking fingernails and cutting the operators digits on the hand or the hand itself. The levered key ring opener is spring loaded in the open position ready to insert the points of the prongs between the spring coil ring strips and with the minor thumb and fore finger pressure, the leverage is sufficient to create an opening between adjacent coil ring strips of the key ring to insert or remove a key of most thicknesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventor: JANET LYNN LALOND
  • Patent number: 7225706
    Abstract: A tool for releasing hose clamps. Also, methods for installing a hose to a device with the tool to release a clamp from an expanded state to a relaxed state. The tool has a curved end having an arcuate convex curved section with an arcuate surface having an uppermost point opposite to a bottom plane of the curved end wherein the curved end is capable of fitting juxtaposed to the outer surface of the hose when the clamp is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Rotor Clip Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd Michael Kassabian
  • Patent number: 7194936
    Abstract: A convertible retaining ring pliers has a pivot, first and second jaws and first and second handles rotatably secured about the pivot. A pair of transfer pins is slidably disposed for selective movement in the jaws and the handles for establishing alternative operating positions enabling the jaws to move either inwardly or outwardly as the handles move inwardly. A switching mechanism is provided for simultaneous shifting of the transfer pins in the jaws and the handles. The switching mechanism includes reaction member housing assemblies which are mounted on opposite ends of the pivot and disposed on opposite external surfaces of the handles. A switchplate structure is rotatably mounted for side-to-side movement about the pivot, and is slidably positioned between at least one reaction member housing assembly and the external surface of one of the handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: A&E Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Bruce J. Engel, James W. Murphy, Larry F. Gerbert
  • Patent number: 7093518
    Abstract: A tool for tensioning loosening, and opening spring-type clamping elements with two radially outward-projecting actuating arms, the tool including a hand-operable actuating part, a Bowden cable having a bore and a sheath, the Bowden cable being connected to the actuating part, and a tensioning part with two jaws which are able to move relative to each other. Each of the jaws is configured to act on one of the actuating arms, a first one of the jaws being connected to the core, and a second one of the jaws being connected to the sheath of the Bowden cable so that the jaws can be brought toward each other and thus execute a tensioning movement. The actuating part includes a device for automatically locking in a tensioning stroke and a device for feeding the Bowden cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Inventor: Engelbert Gmeilbauer
  • Patent number: 7059223
    Abstract: A tool to replace motorcycle brake pads is used for back seating disc brake pistons into their bores to make room for replacement of old brake pads with new brake pads. The tool comprises a pair of curved elongated substantially flat members wedged at both ends that mount onto either side of wheel assembly disc or rotor. Once mounted upon the disc or rotor, the wheel assembly is rotated, causing the wedged ends to slide in between the disc brake pistons and the wheel assembly disc or rotor. This forcing the seating of disc brake pistons into their bores when the plateaued section of the tool is forced between the seating disc brake pistons and the wheel assembly disc or rotor, thus making room for the installation of new brake pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: William Arias
  • Patent number: 7007357
    Abstract: A removal and installation device for external and internal snap rings that can switch between shaft and hole modes by simple operation and produces better controllability, workability, serviceability and easiness in handling is provided. A rotary plate is rotated in a positive direction, a left side lever is turned as a shaft part is rotated integrally with the rotary plate, right and left side levers are crossed substantially in an X shape, the crossed parts supported by the shaft part, realizing the hole mode. The rotary plate is rotated in reverse direction, the left side lever is turned in a reverse direction as the shaft part is rotated in a reverse direction integrally with the rotary plate, both pivot parts of the right and left side levers arranged substantially in a V shape supported by the shaft part so that both projected working tools are parallel, realizing the shaft mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Iwata Denko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 6976412
    Abstract: A tool equipped with a turnable driving head includes a left handle and a right handle to couple with a right driving section and a left driving section therebetween. The left handle and the right handle and the right and the left driving sections are coupled together by a coupling element such that the right and left driving sections may be anchored on the front sides of the left and the right handles at a selected angle to wrench C-shaped snap rings to facilitate operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Inventor: Min-Chi Yu
  • Patent number: 6874390
    Abstract: With the advent of this new and unique spring-loaded slot door latching bar the individuals involved in the operation of removing the contents of the moneyboxes and the like will have at their disposal a device that by inserting and pushing down on the bar handgrip, the latching mechanism will be set and then, by turning the three separate keys the latches will be relocated in place holding the door mechanism. This rapid and safe operation will easily speed up the operation and eliminate a lot of skinned knuckles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Yiejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians
    Inventors: David J. Panek, Al Silva
  • Patent number: 6862965
    Abstract: A tool to replace motorcycle brake pads is used for back seating disc brake pistons into their bores to make room for replacement of old brake pads with new brake pads. The tool comprises a pair of curved elongated substantially flat members wedged at one end that mount onto either side of wheel assembly discs. Once mounted and secured upon the discs, the wheel assembly is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, causing the wedged ends to slide in between the disc brake pistons and the wheel assembly disc. This forcing the seating of disc brake pistons into their bores when the plateaued section of the tool is forced between the seating disc brake pistons and the wheel assembly disc, thus making room for the installation of new brake pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: William Arias
  • Patent number: 6792837
    Abstract: A plier tool having first and second jaws independently and rotatably disposed about a pivot. A pair of handles are rotatably disposed about the same pivot. The handles are attached on opposite sides of the jaws by a bolt that passes through openings in the handles and through the center of the jaws. The handles are capable of being alternately engaged with the jaws by a pair of pivoting members such that the tool is changeable between a first position where the first jaw is engaged with the first handle and the second jaw is engaged with the second handle and a second position where the first jaw is engaged with the second handle and the second jaw is engaged with the first handle. In this manner, the tool can be switched from an internal retaining ring plier to an external retaining ring plier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Stride Tool, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicola Battistone
  • Publication number: 20040159196
    Abstract: A tool for spreading apart a leg portion of a ski boot including a handle portion and a plate portion wherein the plate portion has at an end thereof means for engaging an inner piece of the leg portion and the handle portion at the end thereof has means for engaging an outer piece partially overlapping the inner piece of a ski boot leg portion. The means for engaging includes a first recess which opens inward of the plate portion and a second recess which opens outward of the handle portion. The handle portion and the plate portion are preferably separate components joined together in rotational relation to each other, preferably by a pivot fastening means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: John David Williams, Frank J. Lang
  • Patent number: 6763560
    Abstract: A bucket spreading tool is disclosed for separating covers of adjacent turbine buckets, the tool includes: an arm for extending a head of the tool between adjacent turbine wheels and for positioning the head between the adjacent buckets of a wheel, wherein the head includes an attachment to an end of the arm and a forward portion having a front side surface shaped to engage a first bucket of said adjacent buckets, and a rear side surface shaped to engage a second bucket of said adjacent buckets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dwight McGee, Mike Tessier, Gary Senecal, Kiernan Francis Ryan
  • Patent number: 6729088
    Abstract: A jig adapted for easily positioning, properly orienting and installing a molding. The jig includes a body having a positioning portion configured to receive a molding. The body also includes a first positioning margin and a second positioning margin each emanating from the positioning portion, the positioning margins being configured so as to be substantially perpendicular to each other. The jig facilitates placement of the molding at a proper installation angle at a juncture of two surfaces, such as a ceiling and wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Shannon L. Corr
  • Patent number: 6634258
    Abstract: A manual trigger actuated automotive hose clamp release mechanism includes a flexible cable in a flexible tube. The cable and tube are attached respectively to opposed jaws designed to engage the end tabs of an automotive hose clamp and effect release of the hose clamp in response to movement of the cable relative to the tube. Mechanical advantage is gained by use of the manual trigger mechanism connected to the tube and cable in a manner enabling movement of the telescoping cable relative to the tube through which the cable extends thereby effecting movement of the jaws to release a hose clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Lisle Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Pool, Michael L. Whitehead
  • Publication number: 20030190133
    Abstract: An extraction tool (100) not only releases an optical fiber terminus (20) from a retainer clip (62) so the terminus can be moved rearwardly out of the connector, but also retracts the terminus without applying tension to the optical fiber (52) or force to the tip (52) of the optical fiber. The tool includes inner and outer tubes (104, 102), the inner tube having a front portion (110) forming a plurality of fingers (120) with front ends (124) that can grasp the terminus body. After the inner tube has been inserted into place, the outer tube is slid forwardly past the inner tube to expand the tines (64) of the retainer clip and prevent the fingers of the inner tube from expanding. Without sliding the tubes relative to each other, the inner and outer tubes are pulled rearwardly out of the connector passage to withdraw the terminus without pulling on the optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Lee Adams
  • Patent number: 6601615
    Abstract: A tool for separating twisted wire has a pair of longitudinally-spaced-apart parallel separator elements with each separator element having a post portion, a generally annularly shaped end flange portion positioned on the end of the post portion, and a blade portion protruding outwardly from a periphery of each end flange. Each blade is angled away from the other separator element of the pair at an angle in the range of from about 45 degrees to about 85 degrees and pointed in a direction for co-rotation about an axis between the parallel posts. The blades are inserted between the first wire strand and the second wire strand from opposite directions so that the first wire strand will be guided into position against a first of the posts and the second wire strand will be guided into position against a second of the posts. The tool is then rotated around the axis between the parallel posts to separate the first wire strand from the second wire strand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: JMC Plastics & Mfg., Inc.
    Inventor: Randy C. Hammond
  • Patent number: 6450232
    Abstract: A drywall finishing system for inside and outside drywall corners including regular corners and bullnose corners. A special roller tool with a flexible frame and four rollers is used to press prefabricated drywall trim into place over a coating of drywall mud. Embodiments for inside and outside corners differ in that the rollers for inside corners are opposed and those for exterior corners are open, in both cases forming an angle of 84 to 87 degrees but able to flex from 84 degrees to over 97 degrees to match an corner angle. A special edge finisher mud box then allows the tapered edges of the trim pieces to be feathered and brought to a finished state. The mud box has several different front slots for coarse and final feathering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventor: Timothy D. Smythe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6364979
    Abstract: A carpet seam repair tool, and a method, for repairing a seam in installed carpet wherein a first carpet portion is separated from a second carpet portion along a seam rift and the seam overlies an adhesive tape. The repair tool includes a pair of legs joined by a pin at and end thereof for enabling coplanar movement of the legs about the pin. In use, the tool is inserted in the seam rift and a setscrew fixes the legs in a selected spaced relationship, thereby holding the carpet portions apart. The repair tool includes a wheel, rotatably attached at an end of each leg, opposite the pin. During a repair operation, the tool is drawn along the seam rift while the wheels hold the carpet portions away from the underlying tape. By holding the carpet portions away from each other, and by separating them from the tape, the repair tool enables convenient deposition of adhesive along the tape, while reducing the likelihood of getting the adhesive on the carpet portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Michael C. Grato
  • Patent number: 6276236
    Abstract: The present invention is regarding to a structural improvement of a clamp which includes a flex attached to a handle set, an actuator cable extends through the slider and is linked to gripper device, of which the openings and open notch are built in, it offers a convenient scheme for operator to detach or engage actuator cable from gripper device, by simple operation, gripper devices may be conveniently interchanged in order to meet versatile needs in various situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventor: Pi-Liang Wu
  • Patent number: 6209427
    Abstract: An adjustment tool is provided for performing vehicle suspension alignment procedures where it is necessary to adjust the space between suspension components. Embodiments include an expanding adjustment tool with a first arm and a second arm that pivots relative to the first arm, and an adjuster, such as a wedge, for moving the first and second arms relative to each other. Both arms have detachable tips, such as spreader plates, yokes, wedges, etc. of different sizes and shapes, which tips are easily interchangeable depending on the particular application. The adjuster is rotatable to adjust the relative positions of the arms, and has an end engagable with a standard ratchet, thereby allowing extensions, swivels, etc. to be connected to the adjuster as needed to facilitate the alignment procedure in tight spaces. Thus, a single adjusting tool easily performs adjustments on a wide variety of vehicles with minimal additional cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald A. Healy
  • Patent number: 5546645
    Abstract: A mounting tool for mounting a tubular member to the top of a fence. The mounting tool includes a generally conically shaped main body member. The main body member includes a forward axial end of conical shape. A handle is mounted transversely to the mounting member. The handle is preferably mounted in a plane offset with respect to a vertical plane of symmetry of the main body member. The main body member also includes spreader wings which are adjustable to vary the amount of spreading of the tubular member and to accommodate tubes of different dimensions. The mounting tool is inserted into an end of the tubular member and is pushed or pulled through the tubular member to aid in mounting the tubular member to the top of a fence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventor: Gene A. Baughman
  • Patent number: 5535651
    Abstract: A tool for adjustably spacing components during an alignment procedure. The inventive device includes a spreader plate pivotally mounted to an engaging yoke. A handle assembly is coupled to the yoke to facilitate manual placement of the yoke and spreader plate between two components to be adjusted. An adjustment assembly is rotatably coupled to the handle assembly for selectively pivoting the spreader plate relative to the yoke to separate the components to a desired spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventor: Jose R. Perez
  • Patent number: 5479689
    Abstract: A windshield replacement tool which can be selectively inserted between the top edge of the windshield and the vehicle frame during replacement for the purpose of separating the windshield and maintaining such separation during the removal process. The method aspect of the present invention relates to the use of the tool for windshield replacement while minimizing stresses on the head, neck, back, shoulders and arms during the replacement process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Harmon Glass Company
    Inventors: David E. Schmit, Bobby W. Sanders, Jr., James H. Lundquist