Patents Assigned to American Grease Stick Company
  • Patent number: 9561584
    Abstract: A swage or coupling tool is provided for use in coupling a fluid line to a compression fitting, a fluid coupler, or the like. The swage tool provides multiple degrees of freedom and/or multiple pivots or pivot joints to facilitate and maintain alignment of the jaws with the compression fitting during use of the swage tool to facilitate properly-aligned assembly of the compression fitting, and to limit bending or kinking of the fluid line when the fitting is being attached. The swage tool includes a pair of movable jaws, which may have stepped or rounded engagement surfaces, which may be forced against corresponding engagement surfaces of the compression fitting to securely assemble the fitting to the fluid line. The shape of the engagement surfaces facilitates properly-aligned assembly of the compression fitting, and limits bending or kinking of the fluid line when the fitting is being attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: American Grease Stick Company
    Inventor: John M. Peirce
  • Patent number: 9492857
    Abstract: A hand held flaring tool includes a receiving portion for receiving an end of a tube, a stop element, a locking mechanism and a flaring mechanism. The stop element is movably disposed at the receiving portion and is movable between a stopping position, where the stop element limits insertion of the tube at the receiving portion to set the tube at an appropriate location for flaring the end of the tube, and a flaring position, where the stop element is moved to a position remote from the end of the tube. The locking mechanism is operable to lock the tube at the receiving portion when the tube is inserted into engagement with the stop element. The flaring mechanism is operable to move a flaring mandrel towards and into engagement with the end of the tube to flare the end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: AMERICAN GREASE STICK COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark J. Hasenberg, Logan D. Pitts, John M. Peirce
  • Publication number: 20130341147
    Abstract: A wrench ratchet mechanism includes a driven member, a housing defining a chamber in which the driven member is at least partially received, a plurality of drive transmitting members disposed in respective recesses between the driven member and housing to transmit a drive force between the housing and driven member and a force applying member extending at least partially around the driven member. The force applying member is movable in a circumferential direction thereof to apply a circumferentially directed force to the drive transmitting members to move the drive transmitting members in the recesses from a non-drive transmitting position towards a drive transmitting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: AMERICAN GREASE STICK COMPANY
    Inventor: Nigel Alexander Buchanan
  • Publication number: 20130340574
    Abstract: A wrench ratchet mechanism has a driven member, a housing having a chamber in which said driven member is at least partially received and a torque transmitter disposed between the housing and the driven member to transmit an applied torque from the housing to the driven member. The torque transmitter is deformable from a non-torque transmitting condition to a torque transmitting condition in response to rotation of the housing in a first direction and returnable to the non-torque transmitting condition in response to rotation of the housing in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: AMERICAN GREASE STICK COMPANY
    Inventor: Nigel A. Buchanan
  • Patent number: 8607671
    Abstract: A wrench for applying a drive torque at a drive element includes an elongated handle, a clamping element or head having a torque-applying gripping surface, and at least one trigger. The head is adjustably or movably mounted at the handle and is adjustable or movable to impart a clamping force at a drive element received at the gripping surface of the head. The trigger is configured to adjust or move the head relative to the handle to impart the clamping force at the drive element. Responsive to a user actuating the trigger, the trigger adjusts or moves the head relative to the handle to impart the clamping force at the drive element irrespective of any movement of the handle relative to the drive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: American Grease Stick Company
    Inventors: John M. Peirce, Logan D. Pitts
  • Patent number: 8561506
    Abstract: A hand operated gripping tool comprises a first jaw unit having a workpiece engaging portion, a second jaw unit having a workpiece engaging portion and being movable relative to the first jaw unit such that a variable size workpiece receiving space is defined between the workpiece engaging portions and a handle for applying a force to the second jaw unit. The second jaw unit is engagable with a reaction surface such that, in use, in response to a force applied by the handle, the workpiece engaging portion is forced against a workpiece received in the workpiece receiving space. An elongate extension portion extends from the workpiece engaging portion. The lever arm is connected with the elongate extension portion and the extension portion has a bend promoting portion disposed between the workpiece engaging portion and the lever arm connection that is configured to promote bending of the extension portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: American Grease Stick Company
    Inventors: Nigel Alexander Buchanan, Seamus Duffy
  • Publication number: 20130133394
    Abstract: A hand held flaring tool includes a receiving portion for receiving an end of a tube, a stop element, a locking mechanism and a flaring mechanism. The stop element is movably disposed at the receiving portion and is movable between a stopping position, where the stop element limits insertion of the tube at the receiving portion to set the tube at an appropriate location for flaring the end of the tube, and a flaring position, where the stop element is moved to a position remote from the end of the tube. The locking mechanism is operable to lock the tube at the receiving portion when the tube is inserted into engagement with the stop element. The flaring mechanism is operable to move a flaring mandrel towards and into engagement with the end of the tube to flare the end of the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: AMERICAN GREASE STICK COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark J. Hasenberg, Logan D. Pitts, John M. Peirce
  • Patent number: 8434391
    Abstract: A hand operated gripping tool includes a first jaw fixedly connected with a first jaw handle, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw such that the first and second jaws cooperably define a variable size space therebetween for receiving a part to be gripped, a second jaw handle pivotally connected with the second jaw for moving the second jaw relative to the first jaw, a link system pivotally connected to the second jaw handle and having a guided portion selectively engageable with a plurality of guide portions provided on the first jaw handle. The guided portion being engageable with a first of the guide portions to define a first range of movement of the second jaw towards the first jaw and a second of the guide portions to define a second range of movement of the second jaw towards the first jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: American Grease Stick Company
    Inventor: Nigel A. Buchanan
  • Publication number: 20130093184
    Abstract: A swage or coupling tool is provided for use in coupling a fluid line to a compression fitting, a fluid coupler, or the like. The swage tool provides multiple degrees of freedom and/or multiple pivots or pivot joints to facilitate and maintain alignment of the jaws with the compression fitting during use of the swage tool to facilitate properly-aligned assembly of the compression fitting, and to limit bending or kinking of the fluid line when the fitting is being attached. The swage tool includes a pair of movable jaws, which may have stepped or rounded engagement surfaces, which may be forced against corresponding engagement surfaces of the compression fitting to securely assemble the fitting to the fluid line. The shape of the engagement surfaces facilitates properly-aligned assembly of the compression fitting, and limits bending or kinking of the fluid line when the fitting is being attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: AMERICAN GREASE STICK COMPANY
    Inventor: AMERICAN GREASE STICK COMPANY
  • Publication number: 20120297934
    Abstract: A socket and ratchet combination includes a socket element and a ratchet device or module. The ratchet device is a self-contained ratchet device module having a housing that houses a ratchet mechanism, and the socket element includes a passageway that is configured to receive the housing of the ratchet device therein. When a drive member of a lever arm is connected to the ratchet device and the lever arm is rotated in a first direction, the ratchet device and the socket element rotate in the first direction to rotatably drive a fastener at least partially received at an end region of the socket element, and when the drive member of the lever arm is connected to the ratchet device and the lever arm is rotated in a second direction, the ratchet device allows the lever arm to rotate in the second direction relative to the socket element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: AMERICAN GREASE STICK COMPANY
    Inventor: John M. Peirce
  • Patent number: 8117948
    Abstract: A wrench comprises a handle portion, a head portion releasably secured to the handle portion and a release device. The head portion has an inner surface that defines a fastener receiving aperture and a side entry to the fastener receiving aperture and is movable relative to the handle portion between a loading position in which the side entry is open and an operating position in which the side entry is closed. The head portion is operable to close around a fastener received in the fastener receiving aperture in response to a torque applied in a predetermined direction using the handle portion. The release device is arranged to at least assist in releasing the head portion from the handle portion to permit the head portion to be separated from the handle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: American Grease Stick Company
    Inventor: Nigel A. Buchanan
  • Publication number: 20120031238
    Abstract: A wrench for applying a drive torque at a drive element includes an elongated handle, a clamping element or head having a torque-applying gripping surface, and at least one trigger. The head is adjustably or movably mounted at the handle and is adjustable or movable to impart a clamping force at a drive element received at the gripping surface of the head. The trigger is configured to adjust or move the head relative to the handle to impart the clamping force at the drive element. Responsive to a user actuating the trigger, the trigger adjusts or moves the head relative to the handle to impart the clamping force at the drive element irrespective of any movement of the handle relative to the drive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: AMERICAN GREASE STICK COMPANY
    Inventors: John M. Peirce, Logan D. Pitts
  • Publication number: 20110253252
    Abstract: A brake bleeding apparatus comprises a supply receptacle for brake fluid for supply to a braking system, ducting for connecting the supply receptacle with the braking system and a vacuum source connected with the supply receptacle for de-gassing brake fluid stored in the supply receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: AMERICAN GREASE STICK COMPANY
    Inventor: Nigel A. Buchanan
  • Publication number: 20110247387
    Abstract: A flaring apparatus comprising a pipe holder for holding a pipe such as to prevent axial movement of the pipe and a hand-powered actuator including a pivotably mounted lever operable to drive a tool carrier towards the pipe holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: AMERICAN GREASE STICK COMPANY
    Inventor: Nigel A. Buchanan
  • Publication number: 20110247386
    Abstract: A gripping device comprises a support frame defining an axially extending internal space for receiving a part that is to be gripped and a plurality of jaws carried by the support frame. The jaws each have an end face and are connected with the support frame such that an axially directed force applied to the end faces causes axially and radially inward movement of the jaws for gripping a part received in the internal space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: AMERICAN GREASE STICK COMPANY
    Inventor: Nigel A. Buchanan
  • Publication number: 20110232429
    Abstract: A hand operated gripping tool includes a movable jaw, a fixed jaw, a first cam associated with the movable jaw, a pivotal handle connected with the movable jaw and a second cam associated with the pivotal handle. The first cam is spaced from the fixed jaw by a first variable distance, and the second cam is spaced from the fixed jaw by a second variable distance, with the first distance maintained greater than the second distance. The jaws are cooperable to define a variable size space for receiving a workpiece and the cams are operable to cause the jaws to grip the workpiece positioned in the variable size space. The cams are arranged such that rotational movement of the second cam caused by operation of the pivotal handle causes the movable jaw to pivot on the first cam to grip the workpiece that is positioned in the variable size space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: AMERICAN GREASE STICK COMPANY
    Inventors: Nigel Alexander Buchanan, Seamus Duffy
  • Publication number: 20110132151
    Abstract: A wrench socket for use on fasteners such as pipework fittings where closed pipework or other obstructions would normally prevent the use of a ring wrench or closed sockets has a plurality of swivel arms pivotally mounted to a socket main body. The swivel jaws can be opened and closed as required around pipework and the fastener. Formations on the swivel arms align with one another when the swivel arms are closed allowing engagement by a drive bar that locks the swivel arms together. The swivel arms cooperate with the socket main body to define a polygonal fastener receiving aperture. The socket main body can be made thin profile to allow the wrench socket to be used in close proximity to obstructions that would prevent the operation of prior art wrenches and wrench sockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: AMERICAN GREASE STICK COMPANY
    Inventor: Nigel A. Buchanan
  • Publication number: 20110056337
    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: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: AMERICAN GREASE STICK COMPANY
    Inventor: Nigel A. Buchanan
  • Publication number: 20100282033
    Abstract: A hand operated gripping tool includes a first jaw fixedly connected with a first jaw handle, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw such that the first and second jaws cooperably define a variable size space therebetween for receiving a part to be gripped, a second jaw handle pivotally connected with the second jaw for moving the second jaw relative to the first jaw, a link system pivotally connected to the second jaw handle and having a guided portion selectively engageable with a plurality of guide portions provided on the first jaw handle. The guided portion being engageable with a first of the guide portions to define a first range of movement of the second jaw towards the first jaw and a second of the guide portions to define a second range of movement of the second jaw towards the first jaw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: AMERICAN GREASE STICK COMPANY
    Inventor: Nigel Alexander Buchanan
  • Patent number: D768006
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: AMERICAN GREASE STICK COMPANY
    Inventor: Logan D. Pitts