Patents Examined by D. S. Meislin
  • Patent number: 8186246
    Abstract: A clamping mechanism having two or more jaws which may be opened to allow a tubular to be introduced within the jaws and closed to retain the tubular therewithin. The rollers are located within concave recesses and maintained in spaced apart relationship by biasing means, whereby rotation of tubular may cause the rollers to be wedged between a wall of the recess and the tubular to grip the tubular within the jaws. The clamping mechanism may be utilized as an oil field tubular clamp, a slip, a pipe clamp, and other mechanisms. There is also disclosed a clutch comprising an outer race, a cage, and an inner ring. Recesses are provided in an outer race and accommodate rollers therewith and maintained in spaced apart relationship by the cage. The cage may be moved by an actuator to selectively allow free wheeling or prevent rotation. A socket ratchet incorporating such a clutch is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: David Niven
  • Patent number: 8020472
    Abstract: A nut capturing socket assembly includes a socket, an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. The socket has a non-circular shaped interior opening to receive a nut and a circular cylindrical outer surface area. The inner sleeve has a circular cylindrical opening at one end sized to slidingly receive the socket. The inner sleeve has a non-circular shaped opening at an opposite end of the same size and configuration as the non-circular shaped interior opening of the socket. A first abutment element is fixed relative to the socket and a second abutment element is fixed relative to the inner sleeve. An elastic element is positioned between the first and second abutment elements to bias the inner sleeve rotationally relative to the socket. The outer sleeve surrounds the inner sleeve is sized to engage the inner sleeve to co-rotate therewith. The outer sleeve captures the elastic element internally of the socket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventors: Michael W. Kelly, Laura Patterson, Douglas John Francis, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8011277
    Abstract: A hand tool and bit storage device configured to allow easy storage and access to a wide variety of bits. The hand tool comprises a body portion, a stem portion and a bit interface. The hand tool couples with the storage device. The storage device holds one or more tool frames or bit inserts each comprising a plurality of bits. The bit inserts are deformable to allow easy access to the bits contained therein. In some embodiments, the bit inserts may be locked in the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Wagic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Johnson, Robert J. Gallegos, Steven Simas Escobar, Anders Scot Hudson, Idriss Mansouri-Chafik Ruiz, Yugen Patrick Lockhart, Howard Allen Wilson, Eric M. Colton
  • Patent number: 7997168
    Abstract: An adjustable ratchet head assembly has first and second jaw members that are connected using a pinion shaft and a cogwheel shaft. The pinion shaft has oppositely threaded end portions that engage oppositely threaded pinion shaft receiving bores in a central section of each jaw member. The cogwheel shaft has oppositely threaded end portions that engage oppositely threaded cogwheel shaft receiving bores in a proximate end of each jaw member. A pinion gear is concentric with and engages the pinion shaft. A cogwheel gear is concentric with and engages the cogwheel shaft, and is in driving engagement with the pinion gear. Driving the cogwheel gear will cause rotation of the cogwheel shaft, pinion gear and pinion shaft, and will cause the jaw members to move toward or away from each other. The ratchet head assembly is received in a cylindrical ratchet head body, which is received in a handle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventor: Terry Kinskey
  • Patent number: 7997170
    Abstract: A firefighter multi-tool, comprising a head assembly having at least one interchangeable tool head with locking means, a first handle assembly, and a second handle assembly. The first and second handle assemblies house spring-loaded tools within. The at least one interchangeable tool head comprises spring-loaded trauma shears, a bridging head, channel-lock pliers, traditional pliers, an adjustable wrench, needle-nose pliers, a ratchet, and tin snips. A carrying case carries the head assembly having at least one interchangeable tool head with locking means, the first handle assembly, and the second handle assembly. The carrying case comprises a first compartment having a locking mechanism. At least a second compartment mounts upon the first compartment to house the at least one interchangeable tool head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: RJ Inventions, Inc.
    Inventors: Roberto Martinez, Jose Alberto Gomez
  • Patent number: 7992472
    Abstract: A torque-limiting and ratcheting driver. The drive comprises a handle having an enclosed end and an open end, which houses a drive assembly. The drive assembly comprises a drive shaft, a drive clutch member and a camming clutch member supported by the drive shaft. The camming clutch member is coupled to the drive shaft, and the first drive clutch member and second camming clutch member are biased towards one another. The drive assembly has a locking screw supported by the drive shaft, with the locking means located at the enclosed end of the handle. The drive assembly is secured with the housing. The driver also comprises a ratcheting assembly connected to the handle, independently assembled of the drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Bradshaw Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Hua Gao
  • Patent number: 7987747
    Abstract: A ratcheting tool such as a reversible dual-pawl ratchet wrench is disclosed that minimizes wasted motion during ratchet slip or counter-rotation. The ratchet wrench includes a bias assembly that biases the pawls apart to bias a first, selected pawl for a selected drive direction towards engagement with a ratchet gear, and that the biases the selected pawl into a concentric alignment with the ratchet gear. In this manner, non-ratcheting initial rotation of the pawl due to counter-rotation prior to the pawl camming out of engagement with the ratchet gear is eliminated, thus eliminating wasted motion and maximizing the available angular sweep for the wrench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventors: David T. Ross, Steven R. Wente
  • Patent number: 7975574
    Abstract: A ratchet wrench includes a head and a handle interconnected to the head. The head includes a first compartment rotatably receiving a drive member. Two pawls are slideably received in a compartment of the head. A switch is slideably received in a third compartment of the head between first, second, and third operative positions to change the driving direction of the ratchet wrench. An actuator is slideably received in the second compartment and includes two guiding portions selectively engaged with one of the pawls when the switch is in one of the first and second operative positions. The pawls are disengaged from the guiding portions and engaged with the drive member when the switch is in the third operative positions, allowing the handle and the drive member to rotate in either of two directions driving a fastener, and not allowing free rotation of the handle relative to the drive member in either of the two directions without driving the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Bobby Hu
  • Patent number: 7975578
    Abstract: A tool includes a first and a second socket wrench pivotally turnably connected to two ends of a link. Each of the first and second socket wrenches includes a wrench portion and a circular end portion having an axial slot extended through them. The wrench portion of the first socket wrench is internally formed of a hexagonally shaped portion for fitting around a hexagonally-shaped outer surface of a connecting ring of a male F connector to tighten or loosen the connecting ring to or from a female F connector, and the wrench portion of the second socket wrench is internally formed of a constant-torque shaped portion for fitting around the hexagonally-shaped outer surface of the connecting ring to prevent the tool from applying an excessive torque on the connecting ring when turning the same. The tool can be used without being hindered by bent or closely arranged cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: PCT International, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy L. Youtsey
  • Patent number: 7975572
    Abstract: A gripping apparatus and a method apparatus for making up and breaking out tubular connections. In one embodiment, the gripping apparatus comprises an outer gear, a plurality of rollers coupled to the outer gear, an inner ring, a passive jaw, and a pair of active jaws pivotably coupled to the inner ring. The active jaws include camming surfaces for positioning, securing, actuating, and retracting the active jaws upon rotation of the outer gear. The gripping apparatus may further include a control switch operable to maintain the gripping apparatus in a make up mode or a break out mode regardless of rotation of the outer gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7971509
    Abstract: A dual screwdriver is provided for connecting and disconnecting a connector assembly having first and second jackscrew guideposts. In one embodiment, the dual screwdriver includes a housing, a user input rotatably coupled to the housing, first and second manually-bendable shafts each rotatably coupled to the housing, and first and second bits mounted to the distal end portions of first and second manually-bendable shafts, respectively. The first and second bits are configured to matingly engage the first and second jackscrew guideposts. A gear train is disposed in the housing and mechanically couples the user input to the first and second manually-bendable shafts. The rotation of the user input drives the rotation of the first and second manually-bendable shafts and, therefore, the rotation of the first and second jackscrew guideposts when matingly engaged by the first and second bits, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Wiley Shortridge
  • Patent number: 7966911
    Abstract: A hose clamp compression tool for engaging and compressing opposed or opposite end tangs of a hose clamp includes a first fixed plate and jaw and a second fixed plate spaced from the first fixed plate and jaw. The first and second plates are mounted on rails with a sliding plate and jaw also mounted on the rails and positioned between the fixed plates. The sliding plate is rotatably adjustable in spacing from the one fixed plate by means of a threaded rod journaled to the fixed plates and threaded to the sliding plate. The jaws each include both a transverse slot cooperative with an end tang of a band type hose clamp and a channel extending from the slot for engagement with the end tang of a ring or wire type hose clamp thereby enabling use of the tool for either a band type or a wire type hose clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Lisle Corporation
    Inventor: Richard D. Thayer
  • Patent number: 7963195
    Abstract: A powered ratchet tool generally includes a housing having a handle portion with a trigger assembly. A motor has an output shaft member that rotates about a longitudinal axis. A ratchet assembly includes a ratchet hub member that connects to the output shaft member. A selector member connects to the ratchet assembly and is operable to change the ratchet assembly between a tighten condition and a loosen condition. A drive member is connected to the ratchet assembly. The drive member rotates about the longitudinal axis about which the ratchet hub member, the selector member and the output shaft member rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Jason McRoberts, Terry Turner, Jennifer Resh
  • Patent number: 7950311
    Abstract: A screwdriver kit includes a main body which has a first end adapted for connecting to a tool and a second end. A column projects from the second end and has an opening formed therein longitudinally. A linkage has a first end and a second end, with the second end of the linkage slideably received in the opening. A cap member, which has the second end of the linkage installed therein, is movable between a first position and a second position. The cap member is coupled to the main body when the cap member is in the first position. The cap member is detached from the main body along the linkage when the cap member is moved toward the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Tsai-Ching Chen
  • Patent number: 7938042
    Abstract: A ratchet wrench includes a head (11) having a through-hole (13) rotatably receiving a drive member (20). Two pawls (30) are pivotably received in two compartments (21) in the drive member (20). Each pawl (30) includes first teeth (31) on a first end (60) thereof and second teeth (32) on a second end (62) thereof. Each pawl (30) includes first second, and third positioning faces (351, 352, 353) on an inner side (64) thereof. A control member (40) is rotatably received in the drive member (20) and movable between first, second, and third operative positions to change the driving direction of the ratchet wrench. The center (C) of the third positioning face (353) of each pawl (30) is not coincident to the center of the inner side (64) of the pawl (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Inventor: Bobby Hu
  • Patent number: 7938046
    Abstract: A torque-limiting driver has a handle, a body, a torque-limiting assembly and a work-piece engaging tip. The torque-limiting assembly includes an upper and lower shank that have a plurality of teeth circumferentially spaced. The teeth have a vertical face, an inclined face and a flat peak. The inclined face is defined by a radius of curvature that transitions to the flat peak. There is a spring for applying pressure across the upper and lower shank. The teeth engage for relative rotation when the handle is turned and disengage when a predetermined value of torque is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: ECA Medical Instruments
    Inventors: John Nino, David Ivinson
  • Patent number: 7934440
    Abstract: The problem of reaching a work piece, such as a nut on a bolt, in a restricted space not permitting traditional means of applying torque is addressed with a powered wrench. The wrench translates motor power on one axis to an engageable socket on a perpendicular axis through an innovative gearbox. Means are provided to shift from a gear ratio for power to a gear ratio for speed by simple manipulation, while different size work pieces can be accommodated through socket change parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Inventor: Vincent Martin Samudosky
  • Patent number: 7918147
    Abstract: A removal device for removing an internal seal from a pour top spout, which includes a body having a curved central portion disposed between a first end portion and a second end portion that forms an included angle of less then one hundred and eighty degrees therebetween. At least a portion of the body has a cross section substantially formed in a shape of a closed plane curve and the outer surface of the body is dimensioned to fit within the opening of the ring of the internal seal of the pour top spout along the entire length of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventor: Robert A. Andersen
  • Patent number: 7913593
    Abstract: A tool for installing a threaded object includes a bit or inner implement that has a tip for engaging a head of the threaded object, and a sleeve surrounding the inner implement for securing the threaded object to the tool during the installation process. The sleeve includes plural arms at least some of which have inner lips that engage the head of the threaded object to hold the head against the tip. The inner lips are chamfered to facilitate engagement and disengagement between the sleeve and the head of the threaded object. The sleeve is able to translate to a limited extent relative to the inner implement, in order to pull back and disengage from the threaded object head as the threaded object is received into a threaded opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Jason A. Dahar, Jaime Robledo
  • Patent number: 7900538
    Abstract: A packable battering ram quickly disassembled for transport by two or more persons. In the preferred embodiment, the invention has first and second body members that are symmetrical, but otherwise identically shaped and sized. When assembled, the first and second body members form a lower surface that has a concave portion that approximates the natural curvature of the back of an adult male. The packable battering may be disassembled to distribute the weight between multiple people, yet quickly assembled for use upon arrival at a emergency response location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Breaching Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Darron Phillips, Jeff Wright, Jeff Lambert