Abstract: A reinforcing frame structure that bolts or otherwise couples in place of a battery assembly of a vehicle, such as an electrically powered vehicle, and provides sufficient longitudinal, transverse, and torsional rigidity to the vehicle when the battery assembly is removed from the vehicle. The reinforcing frame structure can be releasably attached to the vehicle after the battery assembly is removed. This allows the vehicle to be taken off a lift and moved while minimizing potential damage to the vehicle while the battery assembly is removed from the vehicle.

Abstract: A flexible head joint for a tool, such as a motorized ratcheting-type tool. The flexible joint also allows an output mechanism of the tool, such as a ratchet head, to be disposed at an angle with respect to a housing to the tool, which houses a motor. For example, the first shaft is pivotably coupled to a first connector, which may have a tongue shaped portion. The second shaft is pivotably coupled to a second connector, which may have a slotted portion adapted to receive the tongue portion. This provides two pivot points that have parallel axes.

Abstract: A vise having a modular construction that allows for ease of manufacture, assembly, and changeover or replacement of wear items, such as gripping surfaces of jaws of the vise. The modular construction also provides for reduced weight of the vise compared to conventional cast type vises. The vise also incorporates quick adjustment features allowing for the vise to be easily rotated, a position and size of an opening of the jaws to be rapidly adjusted, and a clamping force applied with ease.

Abstract: A ratchet mechanism of a ratchet wrench having a pawl carrier and first and second pawls. The pawl carrier includes a groove and is rotatable to cause selection of one of first and second drive directions. The first and second pawls are adapted to selectively engage with a toothed portion of a ratchet gear for selecting one of the first and second drive directions. Each of the first and second pawls includes a projection adapted to engage the groove when the pawl carrier is rotated to cause one of the first and second pawls to disengage from the toothed portion and the other of the first and second pawls to engage the toothed portion.

Abstract: A high pass muffler for a pneumatic tool that allows for high pass through of exhaust air. The muffler dampens noise generated by the exhaust air by incorporating channels in walls of the muffler that act as Helmholtz resonators.

Abstract: A thermal imager device, where the thermal imager device includes a thermal imager housing. The thermal imager housing includes a display and user controls. The thermal imager device also includes a removable detector housing including a thermal detector. The thermal imager device also includes a flexible connector configured to detachably couple the removable detector to the thermal imager housing, the flexible connector including a first end, a second end, and a body between the first end and the second end, where the flexible connector is configured to detachably couple to the thermal imager housing at the first end, and where the flexible connector is configured to detachably couple to the removable detector housing at the second end.

Abstract: A ratchet mechanism of a ratchet wrench having a pawl carrier and first and second pawls. The pawl carrier includes a groove and is rotatable to cause selection of one of first and second drive directions. The first and second pawls are adapted to selectively engage with a toothed portion of a ratchet gear for selecting one of the first and second drive directions. Each of the first and second pawls includes a projection adapted to engage the groove when the pawl carrier is rotated to cause one of the first and second pawls to disengage from the toothed portion and the other of the first and second pawls to engage the toothed portion.

Abstract: An insulated tool gaiter with a non-conducting quick connect/disconnect coupling that can be coupled to a handle of a composite handled insulating tool. This allows a quick disconnect and reconnect to a number of different tools fitted with a corresponding coupling. The gaiter can be used in combination with insulating style tools to protect the technician. The insulated gaiter can be coupled to the tool at one end, and encapsulate or envelope the technician's hand, and is removably fixed at the other end with a cuff around the technician's forearm. The gaiter insulates the technician from arcing dangers while allowing the technician's hand to interface directly with the handle of the tool, allowing better control and grip that can otherwise be compromised when a technician is wearing thick, cumbersome insulating gloves.

Abstract: A communication port interface facilitates charging of a power source, such as a battery, while the power source remains coupled to a tool. The communication port interface also facilitates downloading of torque and/or angle log information from an electronic torque tool to an external device. Torque and/or angle preset job information may be entered in client software and uploaded from the external device to the electronic torque tool via the communication port interface. Additional information including real time clock information and wrench system parameters may be uploaded to the electronic torque tool via the communication port interface.

Abstract: An illumination source disposed in a housing of a tool without the need for fasteners or snaps. The illumination source includes a number illumination elements, such as LEDs, disposed on a circuit board. A lens and the housing cooperatively direct light emitted by the illumination elements away from a user's eyes during use of the tool.

Abstract: A slip-on adapter that is adapted to be coupled to existing adapters that have already been developed. The slip-on adapter couples to existing adapters by positive retention on either the outside diameter or inside diameter of the existing adapter. For example, the slip-on adapter can include an O-ring that grips the outside diameter of the existing adapter that it is slipped onto. The slip-on adapter can also be used as a “flip adapter” with different geometries at both ends for use with two different size ball joints. This allows for less expensive adapters for new size ball joints by connecting to existing adapters, rather than requiring full machining of a new adapter.

Abstract: Tools, for example, hexagon sockets, dodecagonal sockets, splined sockets, wrenches, etc., that have inner surface geometries adapted to engage a flank of a fastener at a point away from a corner of the fastener. This increases the strength and life of the socket, reduces a risk of the fastener becoming locked or stuck in the socket, and reduces the risk of the fastener being stripped or the socket slipping on the fastener.

Abstract: A flexible head joint for a tool, such as a motorized ratcheting-type tool. The flexible joint also allows an output mechanism of the tool, such as a ratchet head, to be disposed at an angle with respect to a housing to the tool, which houses a motor. For example, the first shaft is pivotably coupled to a first connector, which may have a tongue shaped portion. The second shaft is pivotably coupled to a second connector, which may have a slotted portion adapted to receive the tongue portion. This provides two pivot points that have parallel axes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to torque application tools, such as an electronic torque screwdriver, with a multiple axis gyroscope (such as a 3-axis gyroscope or other type of gyroscope) and torque sensor that allows for simultaneous or sequential measurement of torque and angle around the axis of the tool. Targets for torque and angle measurements may be used to create algorithms to detect breakaway torque, residual torque, or to perform error proofing to ensure unique fasteners are tightened.

Abstract: The present invention broadly relates to a tool storage unit with an integrated power strip. In some embodiments, the power strip is movable with a compartment of the tool storage unit. In other embodiments, the power strip is stationary. The compartment is adapted to provide access to the power strip when the compartment is open.

Abstract: The present invention broadly relates to a tool storage unit with an integrated power strip. In some embodiments, the power strip is movable with a compartment of the tool storage unit. In other embodiments, the power strip is stationary. The compartment is adapted to provide access to the power strip when the compartment is open.

Abstract: An impact mechanism for an impact tool that includes a housing, a piston slidably disposed in the housing and adapted to transfer impact force to a tool bit, and electromagnetic coils disposed between the piston and the housing. The electromagnetic coils are alternately activated to generate respective magnetic fields to cause the piston to move within the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to torque application tools, such as a torque screwdriver and ratchet tools, with one or more light indicators disposed in a ring shape around the tool. The light indicators are adapted to indicate amounts of torque values and/or angle values as the tool is used to tighten or install a work piece. For example, the light indicators may flash at a first flashing rate, when about 40% of a target torque or angle value is applied; flash at a second flashing rate (greater or faster than the first flashing rate) when about 60% of the target torque or angle value is applied; and illuminate at a solid state when about 80% of the target torque or angle value is applied.