Cam Or Gear Operated Patents (Class 81/90.2)
  • Patent number: 11673244
    Abstract: An oil filter wrench having a base, a main gear, a plurality of claws each having a gear portion and an arm configured to engage an oil filter. The gear portions are rotatably disposed within the base and configured to engage the main gear such that when the main gear rotates; the arms correspondingly extend or contract relative to the base. The oil filter wrench also includes a main spring. The main spring is disposed within a cavity defined by the main gear. The main spring is configured to selectively bias the main gear toward rotation in either a first direction or a second direction opposite to the first direction. The oil filter wrench is characterised in that it also includes a switching mechanism a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism is configured to selectively toggle between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the switching mechanism engages a first tine of the main spring such that the main gear is biased to rotate in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: STANLEY BLACK & DECKER MEA FZE
    Inventors: Yu-Wei Tsai, Wan-Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 11391101
    Abstract: The invention provides a bit breaker comprising a generally flat plate that defines two arms and a base leg. The two arms project respectively from opposed ends of the base leg. The bit breaker has a generally rectangular pipe slot located between the two arms. The bit breaker includes a jaw mounted on one of the arms so as to be removable therefrom when damaged and thereafter replaced with a new jaw. The jaw defines a working surface located on a side of the pipe slot. In some embodiments, the bit breaker further comprises a security plate attached to the generally flat plate so as to define a mount space between the generally flat plate and the security plate. The jaw is received in the mount space such that the jaw has limited freedom of movement relative to both the generally flat plate and the security plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: FALCON TOOLS, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley A. Odegard, James D. McQuiston
  • Patent number: 11293235
    Abstract: A directional drill stem loader and associated methods are shown. In one example, the drill stem loader operates in a linear motion. In one example, a drill stem gripper is configured to move the completely to one side of a drill stem during a retraction operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Olander
  • Patent number: 10427283
    Abstract: An oil filter remover includes a main body, a toothed element, three claw elements, and an elastic element. The main body has three first pivot portions and a first connecting portion between two adjacent first pivot portions. The toothed element is arranged at the center of the main body and is formed with an annular toothed portion. Each claw element has a bent clamping portion and a second pivot portion. The second pivot portions are pivotally connected to the first pivot portions respectively. Each claw element has a toothed portion to be engaged with the annular toothed portion respectively. One of the claw elements has a second connecting portion between the clamping portion and the second pivot portion. The elastic element is connected to the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion therebetween so that the claw elements tend to pivot toward the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: TOP WELL TOOLS INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wen-Zhang Shi
  • Patent number: 9597722
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pressing tool includes shaping a blank, which is able to be hardened, at least in part, to a final size of a pressing jaw. Then, a laser beam is applied to at least one selected region of a surface of the pressing jaw so as to form at least one hardened surface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ROTHENBERGER AG
    Inventors: Markus Faulstich, Thoralf Krause, Arnd Greding
  • Patent number: 9174327
    Abstract: A socket assembly includes a plurality of multi-faceted segments disposed in a standard multi-point socket in an annular arrangement, one multi-faceted segment for each apex in the multi-point socket. Each multi-faceted segment has a length extending between two ends and a plurality of flat facets extending along the length including two outer facets defining a pivot edge that engages an apex between two internal socket walls and an internal facet facing inwardly and sized to engage a side of a multi-sided fastener. A retaining mechanism is provided to secure the plurality of multi-faceted segments in the standard multi-point socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Inventor: Arthur E Christensen
  • Patent number: 8984990
    Abstract: A wrench includes a locking mechanism that provides variable locking positions. The wrench has handles that are rotatably connected such that a closing motion of the handles allows the wrench to grip workpieces as desired by moving a plurality of jaw elements inward toward the workpiece. The locking mechanism advantageously allows the jaws and handles of the wrench to be locked precisely on any size workpiece within the working range of the wrench. Related methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Apex Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Broadaway, Yongsheng Xu, Fengping Zhu, Zhihong Fu
  • Publication number: 20140360317
    Abstract: An oil core replacing device includes a base pivotally provided thereon with a driving gear and three driven gears. The driven gears are annularly positioned around and meshed with the driving gear, respectively secured thereon with a clamping member with a rod body. A tubular body is annularly fitted around the outer circumferential side of each rod body, able to slide freely at the outer circumferential wall of the rod body. Thus, by having the tubular bodies sliding axially along the rod bodies and extending to the lower side of the rod bodies, the clamping members of the oil core replacing device can be adjusted in length for matching with different operation demands, convenient in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Chia-YU Chen
  • Patent number: 8833209
    Abstract: A self-energizing and de-energizing adjustable gripping tool for engaging a work piece to impart work thereto includes a first element and second element connected for relative movement. The second element includes an actuation portion having a plurality of slots. The first element includes gripping elements which are each associated with a force transfer element which engages one of the slots such that movement of the second element relative to the first element actuates the gripping elements to engage the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Loggerhead Tools, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel P. Brown
  • Patent number: 8578820
    Abstract: The present invention can include an apparatus having both a wire nut receiver and a wire insulation stripper thus allowing a user to strip insulation from wires and then connect them using a wire nut with the same apparatus. The apparatus can include a wire nut receiver defining a cavity having a proximal end and a distal end and one or more stripper blades disposed adjacent to the distal end of the cavity of the wire nut receiver. The apparatus can also include a driver, such as for example a hex driver, connected to the wire nut receiver and the one or more stripper blades. Alternatively, the apparatus can be configured such that the diameter of the one or more stripper blades relative to a rotational axis is variable, which in turn allows a user to easily account for different thicknesses or gauges of wire to be stripped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Reinhold Franz Wirth
  • Patent number: 8544367
    Abstract: A socket for a wrench comprises a fixed portion provided with a first fastener receiving aperture and a rotatable portion provided with a second fastener receiving aperture. The fixed and rotatable portions are disposed such that the first and second fastener receiving apertures are in overlying relationship to define a fastener receiving space and the rotatable portion is rotatable with respect to the fixed portion to adjust the fastener receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Nigel A. Buchanan
  • Patent number: 8402863
    Abstract: A self-energizing and de-energizing adjustable gripping tool for engaging a work piece to impart work thereto includes a first element and second element disposed for relative movement. The second element includes an actuation portion having a plurality of slots. The first element includes gripping elements which are each associated with a force transfer element that engages one of the slots such that movement of the second element relative to the first element actuates the gripping elements to engage the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Loggerhead Tools, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel P. Brown
  • Publication number: 20120079919
    Abstract: An oil filter canister adapter of the present invention mainly includes a base, a rotatable plate, three rotatable members, and three holders. The rotatable plate and the rotatable members are respectively disposed on the base. The rotatable members contact with the rotatable plate respectively, so that the rotatable plate can rotate and drive the rotatable members to rotate. The holders are detachably disposed on the rotatable members respectively. Distances between any two adjacent holders are consistent in value. The distances between the holders are adjustable when the rotatable members rotate. Therefore, the holders can be detached from the rotatable members. Volume of the adapter is minimized for storage. As such, cost of transportation or storage of the adapter can be well controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Lung-Shan Chen, Lien-Chin Chen, Ching-Fang Chen
  • Publication number: 20120031241
    Abstract: A mounting and dismounting device for cylindrical bodies comprises a fixing element, a moving element, and a buckling element. The fixing element connects to the moving element on both sides to form a hole. The cylindrical body is then inserted into the hole. A buckling part of the buckling element pivotally connects to the fixing element. One lifts a lifting part for the buckling element to urge against the cylindrical body in the hole. By lifting the lifting part, the cylindrical body can be mounted or dismounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: MUELLER-KUEPS, L.P.
    Inventor: MICHAEL MUELLER
  • Patent number: 7992470
    Abstract: A self-energizing and de-energizing adjustable gripping tool for engaging a work piece to impart work thereto includes a first element and second element connected for relative movement. The second element includes an actuation portion having a plurality of slots. The first element includes gripping elements which are each associated with a force transfer element which engages one of the slots such that movement of the second element relative to the first element actuates the gripping elements to engage the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Loggerhead Tools, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel P. Brown
  • Patent number: 7938044
    Abstract: A driver including a handle, lever, swivel cap, shaft, and a tip mechanically connected to the lever configured to engage a screw. Engaging the lever causes the tip to either compress or expand so as to lock the screw to the driver. According to one exemplary embodiment, the cap can be translated releasing the lever, thereby releasing the screw from the tip. According to one embodiment, the cap is a swivel cap allowing for jeweler style use. Advantages of the present system and method, according to various embodiments, include a tip compressing a feature that is within an outer diameter of the screw allowing a driver, or a portion thereof, to have a maximum diameter equal to or smaller than the maximum diameter of a screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Ensign
  • Patent number: 7748298
    Abstract: A self-energizing and de-energizing adjustable gripping tool for engaging a work piece to impart work thereto includes a first element and second element connected for relative movement. The second element includes an actuation portion having a plurality of slots. The first element includes gripping elements which are each associated with a force transfer element which engages one of the slots such that movement of the second element relative to the first element actuates the gripping elements to engage the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Loggerhead Tools LLC
    Inventor: Daniel P. Brown
  • Publication number: 20100089206
    Abstract: A self-energizing and de-energizing adjustable gripping tool for engaging a work piece to impart work thereto includes a first element and second element disposed for relative movement. The second element includes an actuation portion having a plurality of slots. The first element includes gripping elements which are each associated with a force transfer element that engages one of the slots such that movement of the second element relative to the first element actuates the gripping elements to engage the work piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: LOGGERHEAD TOOLS, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel P. Brown
  • Publication number: 20100030278
    Abstract: A driver including a handle, lever, swivel cap, shaft, and a tip mechanically connected to the lever configured to engage a screw. Engaging the lever causes the tip to either compress or expand so as to lock the screw to the driver. According to one exemplary embodiment, the cap can be translated releasing the lever, thereby releasing the screw from the tip. According to one embodiment, the cap is a swivel cap allowing for jeweler style use. Advantages of the present system and method, according to various embodiments, include a tip compressing a feature that is within an outer diameter of the screw allowing a driver, or a portion thereof, to have a maximum diameter equal to or smaller than the maximum diameter of a screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: David T. Hawkes, Michael D. Ensign
  • Publication number: 20100018358
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle and a socket coupled to the handle. The socket includes an open end to receive a head of a screw and has a selectively adjustable diameter. The apparatus further includes an actuator configured to tighten the socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Robert W. Power
  • Publication number: 20080289453
    Abstract: A wrench device having an adjustable head is provided, and the device comprises: a handle having opposing top and bottom ends, the top end having a protrusion, and the protrusion having a plurality of external slots; a wrench head having opposing top and bottom ends, the top end having at least one stationary wrench contact surface and at least one moveable wrench contact surface, and the bottom end of the wrench head comprising a U-shaped component designed to interact with the protrusion of the top end of the handle; a device for controlling the movement of the moveable wrench contact surface to determine a distance between the stationary wrench contact surface and the moveable wrench contact surface; and a device for engaging the slots of the protrusion to thereby allow movement of the wrench head and lock the head to a desired position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Glenn Robinson, Dan M. De La Rosa
  • Patent number: 7311020
    Abstract: A tool for operating a subterranean utility valve having limited accessibility includes a hollow housing with a plurality of elongated members mounted for sliding movement within the housing. Each elongated member is movable in a direction away from the first open end of the housing for placement about a valve nut of such utility valve. A handle is connected to the housing for biasing elongated members for engagement with such valve nut and for generating a torque enabling rotation of such valve nut in order to control flow through such utility valve. A rigid member is connected to plurality of elongated members for retaining and remotely moving them within the hollow housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Stephen D. George
  • Patent number: 6889579
    Abstract: A self-energizing and de-energizing adjustable gripping tool for engaging a workpiece to impart movement thereto includes a first element and second element connected for relative angular movement. The second element includes an actuation portion having a plurality of slots. Each of the slots includes a first section and a second section wherein the first and second sections each define divergent paths. The first element includes a gripping portion having a plurality of gripping elements and a plurality of aligning elements. Each gripping element has a pin connected thereto. One of the aligning elements is disposed between a pair of adjacent gripping elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Loggerhead Tools LLC
    Inventor: Daniel P. Brown
  • Patent number: 6679138
    Abstract: Bottle cap removal device with an opening therein to receive a bottle cap, including a top and a base which combine to provide an envelope for the bottle cap removal device and including an annular member and a surface opposed to the annular member operative to apply increased gripping forces on the bottle cap upon relative rotation between the annular member and bottle cap, thereby efficiently removing the bottle cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Start, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Battles, Paul Decesare
  • Patent number: 6606924
    Abstract: A fastener starter tool includes a number of spring retention fingers for retaining a small part, or combination of parts. The tool has an inner housing, which holds the spring retention fingers, a hand grip, and an outer housing configured to slide over the inner housing and the spring retention fingers toward and away from the hand grip, exposing and opening, or respectively, covering and closing, the spring retention fingers. By sliding the outer housing toward (away from) the hand grip, a part can be released from (retained by) the tool. The tool may include replaceable inserts, for retaining parts, such as screws, and configured to limit the torque applied to the part, to prevent cross threading. The inner housing has means to transfer torque from the hand grip to the insert. The tool may include replaceable bits, the inner housing having means for transferring torque to the replaceable bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Faith T. Chandler, William D. Valentino, Harry L. Garton, Michael C. Arnett
  • Patent number: 6539826
    Abstract: In a screwing element (1) for accommodation of a fastener head (5) of a fastener (6) there are provided jaws (3, 4) for seizing the fastener head. The jaws (3, 4) can be axially inserted into or withdrawn from the holder (2), wherein the jaws in the withdrawn position can be pivotably forced apart into open position. At their free end the jaws are provided with incisions (15, 16) and, adjoining these, with gripper-like parts (17, 18) jutting outwardly toward the central axis for the purpose of engaging mechanically and/or frictionally with the fastener head (5) from behind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: SFS Industrie Holding AG
    Inventors: Helmut Oesterle, Norbert Koeppel, Felix Scheiwiller, Peter Kouwenhoven
  • Publication number: 20020050190
    Abstract: A fastener starter tool includes a number of spring retention fingers for retaining a small part, or combination of parts. The tool has an inner housing, which holds the spring retention fingers, a hand grip, and an outer housing configured to slide over the inner housing and the spring retention fingers toward and away from the hand grip, exposing and opening, or respectively, covering and closing, the spring retention fingers. By sliding the outer housing toward (away from) the hand grip, a part can be released from (retained by) the tool. The tool may include replaceable inserts, for retaining parts, such as screws, and configured to limit the torque applied to the part, to prevent cross threading. The inner housing has means to transfer torque from the hand grip to the insert. The tool may include replaceable bits, the inner housing having means for transferring torque to the replaceable bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Faith T. Chandler, William D. Valentino, Harry L. Garton, Michael C. Arnett
  • Patent number: 6367356
    Abstract: An improved tool driver has improved simplicity, torquing strength, and durability and allows a user to interchangeably use tool bits, such as sockets, from at least two different standard sized sets without changing drivers or requiring adapters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Wesley Stepp
  • Patent number: 6240811
    Abstract: In a screwing element (1) for accommodation of a fastener head (5) of a fastener (6) there are provided jaws (3, 4) for seizing the fastener head. The jaws (3, 4) can be axially inserted into or withdrawn from the holder (2), wherein the jaws in the withdrawn position can be pivotably forced apart into open position. At their free end the jaws are provided with incisions (15, 16) and, adjoining these, with gripper-like parts (17, 18) jutting outwardly toward the central axis for the purpose of engaging mechanically and/or frictionally with the fastener head (5) from behind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: SFS Industrie Holding AG
    Inventors: Helmut Oesterle, Norbert Koeppel, Felix Scheiwiller, Peter Kouwenhoven