Abstract: A rack-type lift for vehicles includes a first, stationary rack and a second movable rack that supports a lifting unit. A toothed wheel that is movable within the lift between a first and second end position is interposed between the racks, which racks are so positioned relative to the toothed wheel that opposite ends of these racks engage the toothed wheel at the different of travel positions of the toothed wheel. Thereby, the lifting unit of the vehicle lift travels a distance twice as large as the toothed wheel.

Abstract: A circuit test light includes a reel-shaped housing formed of a light-transmitting material, with a light source disposed in the hub of the reel and connected to the proximal ends of two elongated test leads, the distal ends of which are respectively connected to connector assemblies. At least one of the connector assemblies includes a base connector and a plurality of adapter connectors selectively connectable to the base connector for use with different types of test terminals. The leads can be wound around the hub of the reel for storage when not in use, being retained in place by a suitable strap.

Abstract: An alignment head for use in aligning the wheels of a vehicle. The alignment head includes left and right covers configured for engaging each other to establish a housing. A frame assembly is positioned within a central portion of the housing, and sensors are mounted on the frame assembly. First and second transceivers are positioned respectively within front and rear portions of the housing. The sensors and transceivers provide information that is used by certain control circuitry to generate alignment information that can be used to align the wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A battery pack has a housing with a plug portion mateably receivable in a socket of a battery-powered power hand tool on which the battery back is designed to be mounted. The battery pack also has a connector cable with a connector plug at its distal end mateably receivable in the tool socket so that the battery pack can be disposed remotely from the tool. The battery pack can be mounted on tools with which it does not mate by use of an adapter having a plug portion mateably receivable in the tool socket, and an adapter socket mateably receiving the battery pack plug portion. Multiple battery packs may be interconnected on a wearable carrier and connected to the tool by a cable with a plug connector.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an improved camber adjustment technique. The method comprises the steps of: turning the steerable wheel to a first position in which the steerable wheel is either toe-in or toe-out, then turning the steerable wheel to a second position in which the steerable wheel is toe-out if the steerable wheel is toe-in in the first position, and in which the steerable wheel is toe-in if the steerable wheel is toe-out in the first position. Toe angles and camber angles during the turning of the steerable wheel from the first position to the second position are measured. An adjustment amount of camber at any toe angle is determined by the difference between the camber angle at zero toe and a specification camber angle.

Abstract: A multiple-use battery pack system includes a battery pack housing enclosing a lead-acid battery and a post portion projecting from the housing and adapted to be plugged into a cavity in an associated cordless power hand tool. First terminals on the post portion connect the battery to the tool circuitry when the post portion is plugged into the tool. When used for powering other loads, the post portion is plugged into a receptacle in an adapter housing, in which position either the first terminals or, alternatively, second terminals on the battery pack housing connect the battery to jumper cables on the adapter housing. Latch mechanisms on the battery pack housing cooperate with keepers on the associated hand tool for latching the battery pack in place thereon.

Abstract: A computerized automotive service equipment system is adapted to access remotely located computer systems to retrieve or exchange data and/or software applications, or to undergo live or real-time and two-way interaction. The system and its components are dynamic with respect to both function and data, and can be easily updated or otherwise altered. The system of the present invention utilizes World Wide Web technology, which enables the use of universal and widely compatible programming tools and techniques for efficient and fast system development.

Abstract: A method for conducting a vehicle diagnostic analysis comprises the machine-implemented steps of executing a software application for conducting the vehicle diagnostic analysis, receiving signals representative of parameters of a vehicle, accessing a software object over a data transmission network, the software object containing information necessary for conducting the vehicle diagnostic analysis, and determining a vehicle diagnostic state based on the signals representative of the parameters of the vehicle and the information contained in the software object. Since the information necessary for conducting the vehicle diagnostic analysis is distributed in different systems that are connected with a data communication network, an automotive service system can minimize the size of software stored locally and can access most of the information and/or algorithm required for conducting the vehicle diagnostic analysis from a remote system.

Abstract: Computer-implemented speech recognition system training including displaying an icon representing a concept, prompting a user to generate a vocalization comprising any sound determined by the user to associate to the icon, confirming association of the vocalization with the icon, and saving the association of the vocalization with the icon to a computer readable medium. The invention has particular applicability, but is not limited, to the field of vehicle diagnostics including vehicle wheel alignment or vehicle engine diagnostics.

Abstract: A digital engine analyzer has an oscilloscope display screen operable in single-trace and dual-trace modes and in live and freeze modes, and having signal pickup leads for respectively acquiring different input signal waveforms from the engine and digitizing them for storage and display. When the freeze mode is entered, the last-displayed screen display format is frozen, and can then be reconfigured by the user by altering one or more of the number of traces, the signal plotted on each trace, the engine sweep of each trace, the scale and the scale offset for each trace and, in the case of a cylinder sweep, the displayed cylinder. In dual trace screen display formats, the user can also select for display on trace 2 a waveform pattern selected from a stored library of patterns.

Abstract: A housing for a pneumatic tool includes a head portion, a middle portion, and a handle portion. A sleeve is disposed over the middle portion of a pneumatic tool with a rear portion of the sleeve spaced from the outer surface of the housing. A grip made of pliant material, preferably rubber or a synthetic rubber compound encloses the handle portion. The grip includes a front lip, and a rear flange. Once fully inserted on the handle, the sleeve and the external surface of the housing cooperate to retain the front lip therebetween, preventing the front lip from peeling off the handle portion. An adaptor engages an air inlet at a distal end of the handle portion. The adaptor can include a washer engageable with the air inlet for limiting the depth of insertion of the adaptor in the air inlet and for inhibiting rearward movement of the grip.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating machine vision measuring systems that have more than one camera are disclosed. A first calibration target is mounted in a fixed relationship to a first camera of the machine vision measuring system. A third camera mounted in a fixed relationship to a second camera of the machine vision measuring system. Second and third calibration targets are mounted in a fixed relationship to one another and viewable by the first camera and by the third camera. A data processor is programmed to compute calibration of the first camera and the second camera, based on a position of the second calibration target relative to the third calibration target and based on a position of the first camera with respect to the third camera. The apparatus and method provide a way to continuously measure the positions of two or more cameras used in the measuring system, and to use such measurements to calibrate the system.

Abstract: A target system for determining the location of a position on a vehicle comprises a target body, one or more target elements, a trigger, and a point definer. The target elements are disposed on the target body and are detectable by a position determination system. The trigger is positioned on the target body and is remote from the position determination system. The trigger operates the position determination system by selectively changing the detection of one or more of the target elements by the position determination system. The point definer extends from the target body, and the point definer includes a point its a distal end. The point is capable of being located adjacent the position on the vehicle and is at a known location from the target body. The position determination system determines a location of the target body after detecting the target elements disposed on the target body. Methods of using the target system are disclosed.

Abstract: A composite pliers has crossed levers, each including a non-metallic body with an exposed metal cutter blade. The pliers includes strengthening and/or retaining structure around a pivot joint which does not extend into handle portions of the levers. This structure strengthens the pivot joint and can help confine the pliers parts in the event of failure. In one embodiment, each lever has a pivot joint strengthening structure insert molded therein, the structure extending into a jaw portion of each lever and protruding from the non-metallic body to form a workpiece engagement surface, such as a cutting blade. In one form, the jaws have more than one row of teeth with adjacent rows offset from each other. When the pliers is assembled from two identical lever members, each row of teeth on one lever will face the offset row of teeth on the other lever so that the peaks of the teeth on one lever fall within the grooves between the teeth on the opposing row.

Abstract: A display control apparatus includes a display screen and a mouse and a processor coupled to the screen and mouse for displaying a mouse cursor and icons graphically representing switches, with each switch having assigned thereto a circular list of indicia respectively representing different switch options. If the mouse button is clicked on an icon the switch associated with the icon is activated and if the mouse button is held down while the cursor is on an activated icon the list of indicia assigned to the icon switch is scrolled through the icon while the cursor remains trapped in the icon. The display screen is incorporated in an engine analyzer which stores frames of digitized waveform data, the screen having a frame icon which indicates number in a decimal number, the number of the frame being displayed. When the cursor button is held down while the cursor is on the frame icon, vertical movements of the mouse will scroll the whole or integer part of the frame number through the icon window, i.e.