Abstract: A composite box end wrench has a non-metallic body including a handle portion and at least one head portion which defines a fastener-receiving opening therethrough. The wrench includes strengthening and/or retaining structure which strengthens the head portion and can change the failure mode to confine wrench parts in the event of failure. In one embodiment each head portion has a fastener-engaging member insert molded therein along with a reinforcing plate which encircles the member and preferably extends slightly into the handle portion. The reinforcing structure could alternatively be a band extending the length of the wrench and encircling the fastener-engaging member (or members in a double-ended wrench). In a ratcheting version of the wrench the non-metallic body may be split lengthwise into two parts, each of which has reinforcing structure embedded therein, the fastener-engaging member being a ratchet gear which, along with an associated pawl, is disposed between the body parts.

Abstract: A lead-acid battery pack has an electronically-controlled power switch connected in series with the battery. A voltage monitor/controller is connected in series with a normally-open ON/OFF switch across the battery, the controller controlling a ramped pulse width modulator which provides a switch control signal to the power switch. The controller is program controlled so that, a fraction of a second after the ON/OFF switch is closed, the modulator will provide a constant DC level control signal to the power switch to hold it closed. If the battery voltage drops below a first level for several seconds, the modulator will produce a PWM switch control signal of gradually decreasing pulse width and duty cycle until the power switch is permanently open. This gradual decrease of power delivered from the battery will occur immediately upon the battery voltage dropping below a second level lower than the first level.

Abstract: A battery pack has a pair of input/output terminals adapted to be connected across a source of charging voltage, and a lead-acid battery connected across the input/output terminals. A Zener diode is connected in series with a resistance across the input/output terminals, the resistance forming part of a trigger circuit for triggering an alarm signal to actuate a visible and/or audible annunciator when the charging voltage exceeds a threshold level. In one embodiment the trigger circuit is an IC comparator having one input connected to a reference voltage drive from a voltage divider connected across the input/output terminals, and the other input connected to the trigger voltage across the resistance in series with the Zener. In another embodiment the trigger circuit includes a pair of transistors, one being turned ON by the trigger voltage and in turn ON the second transistor to produce the output signal and provide a feedback to latch on the first transistor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to computerized vehicle servicing and diagnostic systems that communicate with or access remotely located computers via the Internet that have pre-stored data or utilize pre-store data and parameters. The present system provides a navigational framework with two modules, the Menu Mode (random) and the Wizard Mode (sequential). The Menu Mode provides direct access to any required process and Wizard Mode provides a flexible control of process sequences and allows for user modification.

Abstract: A multi-point serial link protocol, such as USB, is used to transfer vehicle diagnostic information back and forth between vehicle diagnostic sensors and a host computer. Multiple distinct vehicle servicing applications may be added to or removed from the service bay without requiring substantial software changes or revisions. The amount of vehicle diagnostic hardware is also minimized. The multi-point serial link may originate in the vehicle's on-board computer, allowing the vehicle itself to function as a data hub for the diagnostic automotive service sensors.

Abstract: The wrench comprises a frame having a head and a fixed jaw on the head. A movable jaw is movably carried by the head and movable toward and away from the fixed jaw. The frame, the head and the jaw are composed of stacked plates. Two of the plates of the frame respectively define frame ledges and two of the plates of the movable jaw respectively define jaw ledges. The jaw ledges respectively overlap the frame ledges so that the movable jaw captures the frame, thus preventing the frame from spreading or tending to delaminate under heavy load.

Abstract: A keeper battery pack includes a housing incorporating an array of series-connected alkaline battery cells coupled to a cable extending outside the housing and terminating in a quick-connect connector plug adapted to plug into the charger port of a portable lead-acid battery power pack ofthe type used for jump-starting automotive vehicles. The keeper pack is portable and can maintain the charge on the battery power pack during extended periods of non-use, such as during storage, transportation and the like.

Abstract: A charging circuit for a lead-acid battery pack includes a sacrificial battery with a voltage less than that required to charge the lead-acid battery and connected across the input terminals of a power converter, which boosts the sacrificial battery voltage to an output voltage sufficient to charge the battery pack. A processor operating under stored program control is connected across the lead-acid battery and monitors its voltage and produces an output signal when the voltage drops below a predetermined level, for triggering the power converter to apply its boosted voltage to the lead-acid battery for charging.

Abstract: A protective housing for a jump-starting battery pack includes a flexible sheet of multi-layered, electrically insulating fabric material including inner and outer nylon layers and a foam padding layer sandwiched therebetween adapted to be folded around the case of a battery pack positioned in the middle of the sheet and held closed by Velcro-type closures. Retaining straps secure the battery pack in place, one of the straps having stacks of secured-together folds positioned on opposite sides of the case to provide supports on which the connector clamps of the battery pack jumper cables can be clamped, with the cables projecting from the open top of the housing to serve as handles.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench is provided which includes a handle having an exterior surface, a head coupled to the handle, a rotatable gear disposed in the head and having ratchet teeth, and a rotatable pawl moveable between a first pawl position in which the pawl is engaged with the gear to allow rotation of the gear in a first direction and substantially prevent rotation of the gear in a second direction and a second pawl position in which the pawl is engaged with the gear to allow rotation of the gear in the second direction and substantially prevent rotation of the gear in the first direction. The wrench includes an elongated rotatable rod disposed in the handle having an actuator disposed at a first end of the rod and inclined with respect to the axis of the rod, the rod being rotatable from a first rod position wherein the actuator biases the pawl to the first pawl position and to a second rod position wherein the actuator biases the pawl to the second pawl position.

Abstract: A usage counter has input terminals connectable to the terminals of a jump-starting battery pack. The counter has an IC comparator which generates an output signal when battery voltage drops below a predetermined reference level. If the output signal persists for a predetermined time period, indicating an attempt to jump-start an engine with the battery pack, an IC timer is triggered to output a count pulse which is inverted and then counted and displayed by an IC counter/display circuit. The usage counter circuit is powered by the battery pack and has a Zener diode which provides to the IC circuits a limited supply voltage which is unaffected by voltage spikes which might appear at the battery pack terminals. A capacitor maintains the reference voltage level despite momentary drops in battery terminal voltage.

Abstract: A power tool is provided which includes a motor assembly having a rotatable motor shaft mechanism, and a motor control coupled to the motor assembly and operable between a normal off condition de-energizing the motor and an on condition energizing the motor. The tool includes a rotatable tool shaft mechanism, and a clutch shiftable between a normal disengaged condition decoupling the motor shaft mechanism from the tool shaft mechanism and an engaged condition coupling the motor shaft mechanism to the tool shaft mechanism. A trigger member is engageable with both the motor control and the clutch and is moveable between a first position, wherein the motor control is in its off condition and the clutch is in its disengaged condition, and a second position holding the motor control in its on condition and the clutch in its engaged condition for driving the tool shaft mechanism. The trigger member is designed to prevent premature energization of the motor assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining a roll radius of a vehicle wheel for use in alignment and other diagnostic or maintenance operations. An optically scannable target is attached to a wheel of the vehicle. A first position measurement is made using a machine vision system, such as a three-dimensional aligner. The vehicle is rolled a short distance and a second position measurement is made. The linear and angular differences of the first and second position measurements are used to compute and store a roll radius value. Alignment values resulting from alignment of the motor vehicle are modified based on the roll radius value. A plane angle value may also be created and stored for use in adjusting the alignment values.

Abstract: An engine analyzing system includes an engine analyzer unit having a CRT display screen for displaying display data based on parameter data received from an associated engine. The system also includes a remote portable display unit with a second CRT display screen and a display control keypad. Each of the analyzer unit and the remote display unit has a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. The data displayed on the analyzer display screen is transmitted to the remote unit for display on its screen. By use of the keypad display control signals are transmitted from the remote unit to the analyzer unit for controlling the analyzer unit display and, thereby, the remote unit display.

Abstract: A driving tool, such as a screwdriver, has a handle with an injection-molded, relatively hard and rigid inner body, molded around a tool shank, the inner body having an elongated central portion with two end flanges extending laterally outwardly of the central portion around the entire periphery thereof, with the central portion having a peripheral groove formed therein adjacent to an end flange. An outer gripping body of a relatively soft and resilient material is injection molded around the inner body, surrounding said central portion of said inner body and filling said groove.

Abstract: A portable battery jump start unit includes a portable, plastic, clamshell-type housing including a box-like open-top base and a box-like, open-bottom cover hingedly connected together for movement between open and closed conditions. A lead-acid battery is disposed in the housing, along with a state-of-charge monitoring circuit connected to the battery terminals and including a visible indicator viewable through an aperture in the housing. Cables are connected to the battery terminals and respectively extend through openings formed by cooperating notches in the mating edges of the base and cover, the cables respectively having clamp connectors at their distal ends which can be clamped onto posts projecting laterally outwardly from the sides of the base. A charger jack in the base is connected to the battery terminals for receiving a charger connector.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench includes a body formed entirely of glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material with a gear insert molded therein and a ratchet mechanism mounted on the insert and retained in place by retaining rings. The body includes layers of random discontinuous glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material and a band of unidirectional continuous glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material which are subjected to compression molding around the insert to form a composite wrench structure.