Patents Assigned to Hand Tool Design Corporation
  • Patent number: 6240813
    Abstract: A method of making a recess in a drive socket and the like includes forming a groove to extend along a face of an elongated drive opening in a metal workpiece from one end of its drive opening, moving material from the surface of the groove to increase its depth from its outer end along only a portion of its length and gathering the material so moved from the groove surface to form a ledge between ends of the groove, whereby a recess is defined by the groove extending beyond the ledge. In addition, a female drive device for socket wrenches and the like is disclosed having an elongated drive opening, a groove longitudinally extending from one end of the drive opening along a face of the drive opening, and a ledge between ends of the groove. The ledge protrudes radially inwardly such that a recess is defined by the groove extending beyond the ledge for retaining a male drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventor: Jackie L. Hyatt
  • Patent number: 6230591
    Abstract: A ratcheting tool includes a handle and a head in which a gear wheel is rotatably mounted. A pawl is mounted in the head and includes a toothed first side engaged with the gear wheel and a second side facing away from the gear wheel, with the second side of the pawl including two spaced operative sections. A ball is biased to engage with one of the operative sections of the pawl, thereby biasing the pawl teeth to mesh with the gear wheel teeth and biasing the pawl to bear against a wall of the head. A switch member is pivotally mounted to the head and includes a first end engaged with the pawl to move therewith and a second end for manual operation. The switch member is pivotally movable between two positions to optionally cause the ball to engage with one of the operative sections of the pawl, thereby allowing change in ratcheting direction of the ratcheting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventors: David Ling, Hsien-Chung Tuan-Mu
  • Patent number: 6161454
    Abstract: A ratchet wrench having three interconnected openings formed therein. A ratchet gear is disposed in the first opening which has an access opening to the bottom surface of the wrench. A pawl is pivotally disposed in the second opening. A lever member is pivotally disposed in the third opening. A detent mechanism is carried by the lever member to engage the pawl. A lever arm is connected to the lever member and movement of the lever arm moves the lever member and detent mechanism for forward and reverse ratcheting. A method of assembly of the wrench is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Constantine Chaconas
  • Patent number: 6152826
    Abstract: An impact universal joint has a socket which receives a swivel head. A flat leaf spring with dependent members is connected to the upper face of the socket. The swivel head is substantially a sphere with spaced-apart lugs formed around a circumference of the sphere. Axially connected to the sphere is a body having an opening distal from the sphere. The opening receives a power driver. The socket has a cavity formed therein which cooperates with the spherical swivel head. The cavity has a plurality of spaced-apart channels formed therein dividing the cavity into respective segments. Each channel of the cavity receives a respective lug of the swivel head. Each lug has an outer face which is curved to cooperate with the outer wall of the respective channel. Each lug further has a pair of opposite driving faces which are convex to allow the spherical swivel head to swivel within the socket without binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent L. Profeta, Kenneth Taggart
  • Patent number: 6134990
    Abstract: A ratcheting tool includes a handle and a box end extending from the handle. The box end has a first compartment and a second compartment communicating with the first compartment, a wall defining the second compartment having a cavity. A gear wheel is rotatably mounted in the first compartment and includes an inner periphery for engaging with a fastener and an outer periphery with a number of first teeth. A pawl is mounted in the second compartment and includes a first side with a number of second teeth facing the first teeth of the gear wheel and a second side facing away from the gear wheel. The second side of the pawl includes an eccentrically located groove with a rectilinear section that is at an angle with a longitudinal direction of the handle. A ball is partially received in the cavity and contacts with the groove of the second side of the pawl. An elastic member is mounted in the cavity for biasing the ball toward the groove of the second side of the pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventors: David Ling, Hsien-Chung Tuan-Mu
  • Patent number: 6134991
    Abstract: A pawl for use in a ratchet wrench having a ratchet gear in an opening and the pawl in a communicating pawl opening. A detent ball and spring are in a bore in the wrench communicating with the pawl opening. A relief surface is formed on each side surface of the pawl extending from the front surface of the pawl toward the back surface. The front surface of the pawl has an intermediate surface having opposite ends forming teeth. A tooth is formed on the approximate mid-point of the intermediate portion. The back face of the pawl has two pockets separated by a center ridge. Each pocket has a ramp near the center ridge, each ramp joins a concave portion. A furrow is formed in at least one pocket extending from the bottom surface of the pawl to a point opposite the bore for the detent spring such that the detent ball may be introduced into the furrow and directed into the bore. A spacing hub is formed on the pawl to minimize friction between the pawl and the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Constantine Chaconas
  • Patent number: 6126004
    Abstract: A tool display box includes a main body having a number of spaced resilient retaining plates projecting outward therefrom. A holding space is defined between each two adjacent resilient retaining plates to hold a tool by two mutually facing walls of the two adjacent resilient retaining plates. Each resilient holding plate includes a distal end having a notch defined therein. A retaining member is secured to each resilient holding plate and includes a passage aligned with the notch. A locking member is extended through the notches of the resilient holding plates and the passages of the retaining members for preventing removal of the tool in the holding space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventor: David Ling
  • Patent number: 6082230
    Abstract: A tool having a base and legs, the ends of the legs each having a notch formed therein. The notch engages cooperating ribs formed in a fuel filter end cap such that a drive attached to the tool may rotate the cap for installation and removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Steven Steinweg
  • Patent number: 6076669
    Abstract: A tool display rack includes a body with a first engaging member extending from the first end thereof in which a first aperture is defined, a limiting member connected to the body at its first end by a connecting plate and having a recess defined therein, a second engaging member extending from the second end of the limiting member so as to engage with the first aperture, a second aperture defined in the second end of the limiting member so as to receive the first engaging member so that a tool extends through the recess between the body and the limiting member and is limited by the limiting member. The tool can only be taken away from the body by cutting the second engaging member extending through the first aperture in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventor: David Ling
  • Patent number: 6065374
    Abstract: A wrench having a floating pawl in a non-circular opening in the head of the wrench. The pawl has alternate positions for forward and reverse movement of the wrench. A reversing lever selectively moves an actuator to alternately engage one or the other leg of a spring within the wrench. Movement of the selected leg resiliently engages the pawl to move the pawl into the forward or reverse position. The pawl translates and rocks within the pawl opening when the wrench is ratcheted to minimize back swing arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Taggart
  • Patent number: 5996453
    Abstract: A one or two sided or headed ratcheting driving wrench. Each side or head has a rotatable tool carrier constrained to rotate in only one direction by interengaging teeth formed in the tool carrier and in its housing. Both sets of teeth may be pointed or rounded. In one direction, torque locks the tool carrier to the housing, and thus drives a tool such as a screw driver blade or a socket. In the other direction, torque causes the tool carrier to disengage from the housing. Thus, intermittent one way rotation is assured. The chamber is slightly elongated, having two rows of teeth, each row separated from the other by stretches of chamber wall lacking teeth. Should the tool carrier back out of contact with one row of teeth, it will shortly engage the second row of teeth, thereby maintaining driven relationship with the working head. The wrench has a bent lever or handle to allow for working in tight quarters. The tool carrier has a square hole formed therein, for receiving a driven tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventor: Gordon D. Blacklock
  • Patent number: 5988381
    Abstract: A tool display pack includes a board and a security device. The board has an engaging hole with a shoulder section. The security device includes an end pivotally connected to the boar. A resilient locking member projects from an inner side of the security device that faces a front side of the board. The resilient locking member includes a hook formed on a distal end thereof and a protrusion formed adjacent to the hook. The security device includes a through-hole through which a tool to be displayed is extended. The locking member is extendible through the engaging hole of the boar such that the protrusion and the hook of the resilient locking member are located on a rear side of the board. The protrusion is releasably engaged, with the shoulder section of the board, and the hook prevents pivotal movement of the security device relative to the board when the hook is moved to bear against the shoulder section of the board, thereby locking the tool in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventor: David Ling
  • Patent number: 5970552
    Abstract: A ratchet tool for assembly and disassembly-of a scaffold has a handle, a hammer tip, a ratchet gear, a socket and a prybar. The hammer tip is connected to a disc driver which has a male portion to engage a slot in the top of the gear allowing the gear to be turned manually. Thus the socket connected to the gear may be turned manually by finger turning of the hammer head. A prybar is formed on the end of the handle opposite from the head of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventors: Lester H. Kwiecien, Paul L. Armstrong, II
  • Patent number: 5941386
    Abstract: A tool holder includes an upper end wall, a lower end wall, two lateral walls each having an upper portion, and a bottom wall. The lower end wall includes a number of spaced first notches defined therein and spaced along a lengthwise direction thereof. A wall defining a portion of each notch includes a retaining end edge formed on a distal end thereof for securely retaining an end of a tool. A restraining member is removably mounted to the lower end wall to prevent the tool held by the tool holder from being removed. The restraining member includes a number of second notches respectively aligning with the first notches and through which the other end of the tool extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventors: Bobby Hu, Jessie Chow
  • Patent number: 5913954
    Abstract: A hand tool having a pawl with a flange formed on the bottom surface. A bore is formed axially in the pawl. A reversing lever is connected to the pawl. The pawl is received in an opening which has an annular shoulder, the flange on the pawl abutting the annular shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Arnold, Dana L. Delaney, Derek Richner, James A. Van Lenten
  • Patent number: RE37129
    Abstract: A display pack having a rotatable security member includes a board and the rotatable security member wherein the board has a first hole and a second hole respectively defined therein and an inverted U-shaped frame extends perpendicularly from a front surface of the board with the second hole being located between two extending portions of the inverted U-shaped frame. The second hole has a toothed inner periphery and the rotatable security member includes a polygonal head and a shank which has a flange extending from a free end thereof and a toothed periphery defined in an outer periphery near the flange so that the rotatable security member is rotatably inserted into the second hole with the toothed inner periphery engaged with the toothed inner periphery. A ratchet tool is engaged with the rotatable security member and can be operated within a limited angle between the two extending portions of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventor: Jessie Chow
  • Patent number: D412272
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Culberson, Charles E. Anderson, Joseph M. Barker, James R. Mount
  • Patent number: D415403
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Sterpka, David Mathieu
  • Patent number: D426151
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventor: David Ling
  • Patent number: D430799
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventor: David Ling