Abstract: An adapter for a bearing race and seal driver tool that allows the tool to be used in hard to reach applications. The adapter connects to a driver and a handle at a non-zero angle, for example a right angle, to allow the adapter to be struck at a face of the adapter rather than the handle to be struck at an end of the handle. A pocket is included at one or more connection points between the adapter and the handle or driver to resist rotational movement of the handle or driver.

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 slide hammer tool including a shaft having first and second opposing ends, a handle slidably coupled to the shaft, and a slide hammer weight assembly removable coupled to the handle via threaded fasteners. The slide hammer weight assembly including a number of slide hammer weights coupled together.

Abstract: A direction selector mechanism for a hand-held power tool that includes internal linkages that move an actuation point of a direction selection from above the trigger (as in previous tools) to a top of the tool. For example, the control for the direction selector mechanism includes a direction toggle positioned on a top of the tool, and that is movable by a user to select either of first and second rotational directions (e.g. clockwise and counter-clockwise). This position/location allows the user to select or change between the first and second rotational directions with a user's thumb for both direction changes, in either hand ambidextrously, and places the trigger actuation higher up in the tool, closer to the axis of output of the tool.

Abstract: An imaging device includes one or more processors; and a computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the imaging device to perform functions including: capturing a first image and thereafter a second image; making a determination of whether or not a difference between the first image and the second image is greater than a threshold value; generating a third image by processing the second image using an image processing algorithm that corresponds to the determination; and displaying the third image.

Abstract: A door lock mechanism that rotates a cam mechanism to lock or unlock an enclosure. The mechanism includes a bias member that is coupled to the cam mechanism with a cam pin, where the cam pin is located on one side of the centerline of the lock in the locked state, and on the other side of the centerline of the lock in the unlocked state, to bias the cam mechanism into either the locked or unlocked state. Further disclosed are one or more stop mechanisms that prevent the cam mechanism from over-rotating past the locked or unlocked position. The bias member can further absorb impact from the lock rods of the door lock mechanism contacting the stop mechanisms.

Abstract: An apparatus including a focused light beam receptor apparatus configured to be positioned proximate a first end of a vehicle, a focused light beam generator; and wherein the focused light beam receptor apparatus includes a focused light beam receiving surface for receiving a focused light beam from the focused light beam generator to provide alignment of the focused light beam receptor relative to a centerline of the vehicle. A method of aligning a focused light beam receptor, focused light beam generator and a movable alignment stand relative to a centerline of a vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates broadly to a floor jack and a multi-component trunnion assembly that transfers motion of a power unit to the lifting arm of the jack. The end block may include one or more trunnions that are coupled to the block. The trunnions may engage and be coupled to one or more connection plates coupled to the lifting arm of the jack. A hydraulic power unit, including at least one piston may be coupled to the trunnion block for lifting the lifting arm of the jack.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for repairing vehicles. A particular vehicle can be repaired during a repair session using a computing device. The repair session can include the computing device: receiving a functional task setup with first and second identifiers, the first identifier identifying the particular vehicle, and the second identifier identifying a particular functional task for the computing device to perform on the particular vehicle; determining whether the computing device is available to perform the particular functional task; after determining the computing device is available to perform the particular functional task, receiving an input to initiate performance of the particular functional task on the particular vehicle; after receiving the input, sending a message to the particular vehicle to initiate performance of the particular functional task on the particular vehicle; and after sending the message, displaying a notification indicative of performing the particular functional task.

Abstract: A method and computing system for determining whether a DTC set in a vehicle involved in a collision is collision-related or non-collision-related. The method can include determining a vehicle model associated with the vehicle, determining a DTC set within an ECU in the vehicle, determining a damaged portion in the vehicle, determining the DTC is collision-related, and outputting a collision report that indicates the DTC is collision-related. The determined damaged portion indicates where the vehicle was damaged by the collision. Determining the DTC is collision-related can include determining the damaged portion in the vehicle matches a reference vehicle portion associated with both a component attributable to setting the DTC and the vehicle model associated with the damaged vehicle. The collision report can indicate that a different DTC set by the same or a different ECU in the vehicle is non-collision-related.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for repairing vehicles. A computing device having first and second software executables can determine vehicle identification information (VII) that identifies a vehicle. The computing device can store first and second vehicle identifiers that are based on the VII and are respectively associated with the first and second software executables, where the first vehicle identifier differs from the second vehicle identifier. The computing device can be used to repair the vehicle by at least: receiving a request to activate the first software executable, and activating the first software executable at least by providing the stored first vehicle identifier to the first software executable.

Abstract: A tool bit with a surface layer metallurgically bonded on a substrate layer using electrospark deposition (ESD) that allows the tool bit to reduce camout and engage a fastener head for one-handed starting and removal. The surface layer has a rougher finish, compared to conventional tool bits, and therefore better grips engagement surfaces of a mating recess of the fastener during use. The reduction of camout provides greater durability to the tool bit and resists erosion and wear of the engagement surfaces of the fastener.

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 gearing and crankshaft assembly for a powered hand tool including an integrated gear carrier and crankshaft including first and second opposing ends, where the first end includes an offset pin, gears rotatably coupled to the integrated gear carrier and crankshaft by gear pins, bearings adapted to receive the integrated gear carrier and crank shaft to allow the integrated gear carrier and crank shaft to rotate relative to the driver portion, and a gear cover coupled to the driver portion and adapted to restrict axial movement of the gears.

Abstract: A socket having a working end with a work piece aperture that is adapted to receive a work piece and an opposing drive end adapted to engage a torque application tool. The socket includes a biasing member adapted to apply a biased frictional force to the work piece received in the work piece aperture and including first and second opposing ends, where the first end is restricted from moving in the radial direction, and the second end includes a bent portion and is restricted from moving in the axial direction, and a groove formed in an internal surface of the work piece aperture. The bent portion engages the groove.

Abstract: A tool with two sequential gear trains and gear carrier assemblies adapted to be recessed into internal gears. The internal gear assembly also prevents rotation of the internal gear assembly relative to a housing of the tool. For example, the internal gear assembly can include a first gear train and second gear train sequentially coupled to the first gear train, wherein a first ring gear and first planet gears of the first gear train are substantially similar to a second ring gear and second planet gears of the second gear train.

Abstract: An inventory control system comprises an object storage device, a display device, and one or more processors. The object storage device includes a plurality of compartments, in which each compartment has a plurality of storage locations for storing objects. The display device is configured to display information about the object storage device. The one or more processors are configured to establish a description database of objects configured for storage in the inventory control system. The one or more processors retrieve object keywords corresponding to objects stored in the plurality of storage locations of one of the plurality of compartments. The one or more processors also generate a text block based on the retrieved object keywords. On the display device, the one or more processors display a representation of the plurality of compartments of the object storage device with the text block applied to the one of the plurality of compartments.

Abstract: An anvil for an impact mechanism, where the anvil includes wings that taper at a taper angle of about 5 degrees to about 30 degrees. The anvil may also include a shaft extending from the wings, and a drive end adapted to transfer and apply torque to a work piece. The wings of the anvil also include wing impact surfaces that receive rotational impact forces from a hammer. For example, the hammer contacts and applies torque to the wings of the anvil.

Abstract: A method comprises capturing outputs of a VLC and an infrared array sensor (IAS). A memory includes a calibration based on a position of a laser pointer relative to the IAS. The method includes the laser pointer outputting a light beam to produce a laser dot on a target. The output of the VLC includes a representation of the laser dot. The output of the IAS includes values indicative of infrared radiation from the target. The method includes determining a temperature based on a portion of the values indicative of infrared radiation from the target. The portion of the values includes values associated with a portion of the target at which the laser dot is produced. The method includes displaying, on the display, the output of the VLC and the temperature. Displaying the output of the VLC includes displaying a visible light image showing the laser dot and at least a portion of the target.