Abstract: A workpiece holder comprises a stationary workpiece holding fixture and a workpiece rest which is releasably attachable thereon and on which can be mounted a workpiece. In all the three coordinate directions, the workpiece rest bears by counterpart surfaces on bearing surfaces formed on the workpiece holding fixture and is aligned and fixed by an oblique chucking appliance in two coordinate directions and by at least one holding-down appliance in the third coordinate direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle component support carriage for maneuvering heavy engines, transmissions, or vehicle rear end differentials while those components are being serviced. The apparatus includes a wheeled carriage that supports an enclosed drive apparatus used to incrementally rotate the heavy component for servicing, replacing parts or cleaning the component. The apparatus support apparatus is arranged so that a removable portion of it is aligned and secured to the first engagement member before the heavy component is assembled to the wheeled carriage on a journaled shaft that is operatively connected to the drive apparatus. The removable portion of the support apparatus is pre-disposed with a pattern of mounted apertures or hardware that will present a balanced assembly when loaded on the carriage support apparatus. A second variation enables servicing of two engines at once, both engines being balanced and supported similarly.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping a workpiece such as a forging of an aerofoil component comprises a support body 24 to which a clamping member 26 is hinged. The clamping member 26 has a workpiece clamping element 54 having pads 58 for engagement with the workpiece. The workpiece clamping element 54 is pivotable relatively to the clamping member 26 by means of a ball and socket connection including a ball element 40. This enables the workpiece clamping element 54 to self-align with the profile of the workpiece, for example with a surface of the blade 6 of the aerofoil component. In an alterative embodiment, the workpiece clamping element 54 is formed integrally with the clamping member 26, but is connected thereto by a necked region of the clamping member 26 which permits flexure of the workpiece clamping element 54 relatively to the clamping member 26.

Abstract: A chartered type MacPherson strut spring compressor having a pivot adapter to permit force from the head of a forcing screw to the open surface of a trunion.

Abstract: The assembly of the present invention provides a number of deployable wedges, each of which may incorporate a brightly colored, reflective surface to make the wedge easily locatable visually. Each wedge provides a series of alternating notches and ridges that are formed in opposing faces of each wedge to ensure positive engagement between a door and a doorframe. This notched configuration also ensures that one wedge, used in tandem with another wedge, is highly resistant to slippage of any kind between the two wedges. Each wedge utilizes a structural configuration that maximizes strength of the wedge while minimizing any extra weight, something that is to be avoided by firefighters who are already heavily burdened with other firefighting equipment and protective gear. This structural configuration allows each wedge to be used as a tool for turning a valve when such is desired or required.

Abstract: A crank assembly for use with a hoist assembly comprising an elongated hollow housing with first and second elongated movable elements slidably mounted within opposed ends thereof. Inner ends of the movable elements have a threaded block secured therewith. A crank mechanism is carried within the hollow housing and includes an elongated rod with left hand threads formed along a first section, right hand threads formed along a second section and at least one drive gear mounted on said rod between said left and right hand threads. The threads at opposite ends of the rod are engaged with respective of the block threads connected with the first and second movable elements. A crank handle is connected with said crank mechanism for rotating the drive gear; which causes the crank mechanism to move the movable elements in opposed directions at equal rates. The crank assembly connects with the boom and a support rod of a hoist assembly.

Abstract: Devices and methods for releasing an integrated circuit from its container are provided. The devices include a handle portion and a gripping portion. The gripping portion has one or more notches that are used to engage an integrated circuit container pin. In one aspect, the gripping portion is used to engage the container pin, and downward pressure is applied to the handle portion to remove the pin. In another aspect, the gripping portion is used to engage the container pin, and the handle portion is twisted to remove the pin.

Abstract: A hand tool having at least one end configured with several circumferentially spaced resilient detent fingers defining the periphery of a cage for capturing and both transversely and longitudinally positively confining the annular periphery of a spring-retaining cup of a brake shoe assembly of a vehicular drum brake. A captured cup is pressed by the tool against the end of a brake shoe positioning coil spring and the cup is rotated one quarter turn to attach or detach the cup relative to the end of a retaining pin which passes through the center of the cup and secures the cup, coil spring and brake shoe to a brake shoe supporting plate on the drum brake shoe assembly. The cup is retained in the tool when separated from the brake shoe assembly. The tool may be configured with multiple cages, such as a double ended tool. It may also be in the form of a socket tool having only one cage.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a tool used to position pool cover compression springs 14 over pool cover anchor bolts 16. The tool is substantially a tube having an angled tubular arm 22. At one distal end the tube has a section removed thereby forming a curvilinear tab 24 that can be used as a fulcrum when attaching the pool cover springs 14 to the inground anchors 16. At the other distal end the pool cover spring tool has a transverse handle 26 providing leverage while using the tool. In addition the handle 26 serves as a compartment 30 for storing tools 32 such as an alien wrench that is used to raise and lower the inground anchor bolts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-purpose tool for use in connection with vehicle adjustments and repairs when it is required, in the course of repair or maintenance work, that the steering wheel, brake pedal or accelerator pedal (or clutch pedal, if present) be placed and retained in a particular position while appropriate work is performed. The tool comprises a plurality of parts selectively assemblable to carry out the desired one of a number of possible procedures.

Abstract: A scissor jack assembly with double-lead Acme threaded screw. Through use of urethane or similar material as a braking means, the jack assembly is operable with a self locking action over a wider range of loads and especially at lower loads where an Acme loading phenomenon that results in said self locking action has previously been unattainable. Faster and smoother jack operation is made possible by employing a thrust bearing, including a plurality of roller or ball bearings, with the jack assembly. A spacing washer is also provided to retain the threaded shaft within the trunnions of the jack assembly, in order that the ends of each of the trunnions need not be machined or stamped to retain the trunnions within the jack assembly. Utilizing such a spacing washer decreases the costs involved with manufacturing the jack assembly, while increasing the ability to repair the jack assembly.

Abstract: The utility workstation selectively positions a suspended workpiece before a typically seated operator. It is height adjustable and accepts various types of holding and support attachments that allow various kinds of workpieces to be positioned at various angles and rotations. It provides local light and magnifier sources as well as display and storage options for tools and supplies useful for working with a workpiece. It allows a workpiece to be moved laterally from a fully retracted position, where the workpiece is out of the way of someone getting out of or into his or her seat, to a working position, where the workpiece is suspended at a preferred location and orientation before the operator. It is designed to be operated from the left side or right side of a chair, easy chair, stool, couch, or other type of seating means.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved impeller puller where a first jaw is arranged proximate a first end of an elongate support frame and a second jaw, is movably mounted along the support frame spaced from the first jaw, with both jaws extending radially outwardly from the support frame in general alignment with each other, and an extraction screw member is slidably mounted along the support member so as to be variably extended in general radial alignment with the first and second jaw members, the extraction screw member being arranged to engage a shaft so as to extract the impeller from its mounting shaft.

Abstract: A piston pulling apparatus constructed like a mandrel; having top and bottom ends and a cylindric periphery body defined by an array of piston bowl gripping segments having tops and bottoms and lying longitudinally between the top and bottom ends. The top end and the proximate tops of segments are held to each other with a fixed radius and circumference. The bottom end and its proximate array of bottoms are coupled to enable the radial expansion of the array from its bottoms. A threaded shaft lies axially within the body and is coupled to the bottom end to move it vertically upward axially, to displace the segment array bottoms radially, to increase the effective circumference of this apparatus near its bottom end; which, during the expansion, can be positioned to grip the inner sides of a piston bowl.

Abstract: The specification describes economical lifting devices. A consumer jack comprising a rectangular base; a pair of connecting arms that are pivotally attached to the front end of the base, and a pair of lift arms that are attached to the connecting arms and attached at the rearward ends thereof to a sliding block. A screw-threaded actuator shaft is engaged with the sliding block to raise and lower a lifting pad attached to the forward ends of the lift arms of the device. The components are stamped from steel sheet and plate, and folded into the desired configuration, and assembled without the need for machining or welding. An economical power unit, for use with an economical jack stand and also for use with a lift bridge, comprises an adaptation of the consumer jack. The power unit does not use the lifting pad, but rather utilizes a pair of separated leveling pads pivotally attached to the forward ends of the lift arm for engagement with a lift collar of the jack stand.

Abstract: A sponge sleeve installation appliance for installing a sponge sleeve onto a roller has an elongated socket body including a sleeve portion and a tapered portion. The sleeve portion has an outer circular diameter slightly larger than an inner diameter of the sponge sleeve which when not deformed defines an interior space for accommodating at least part of the roller inserted from a bottom of the sleeve portion. The tapered portion has a cone shape with a bottom connected to a top of the sleeve portion which protrudes and tapers off from the sleeve portion in a longitudinal direction of the sleeve portion.

Abstract: A fishtape is adapted for being fed through an internal passageway of a structure. The fishtape includes an elongated, flexible rod with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, longitudinal ribs. The ribs are adapted to promote the fishability of the fishtape through the internal passageway of the structure.

Abstract: A portable hydraulic stake puller includes a hydraulic cylinder that extends to raise a jaw assembly. The jaw assembly pivots, while being raised, to grab and trap the stake. A grab hook may alternatively extract similar items not readily removable with the jaw assembly. The jaw or chain tension is controllably released when the control lever is released at any height of the stroke. Squeezing the control lever can again attain grip easily. The gripping action of the jaw is attained by at least friction against the jaw. When the control lever is released, the entire lift assembly returns to the neutral position under a spring tension. The hydraulic stake puller is mounted on wheels and controlled via handles allowing easy maneuvering.

Abstract: A vise system including a plurality of jaws associated with a vise body. A first jaw is attached to a first shaft which are both slidable with respect to the vise body. A second jaw is attached to a second shaft which are both slidable with respect to the vise body independent of the first jaw and first shaft. A locking mechanism is associated with the first and second shafts for locking the first and second shafts, and first and second jaws, in place. The locking mechanism includes a first collet partially surrounding the first shaft, and an aligned second collet partially surrounding the second shaft. First and second stops are operatively connected to a handle so that as the handle is turned, the first and second stops engage the respective first and second collets to compress the collets over the shafts to immobilize them.

Abstract: A modular workpiece support reconfigurable to support a number of similar, but different profiled workpieces (such as the leading edge skin sections of an aircraft wing) comprises a base 32 defining a number of stations along the component. Each station comprises a clamp block 34, and a frame element 38 of predetermined profile may be clamped in the clamp block in either of two different orientations (for hand and opposite). Each frame element includes a number of suction cups 40, the suction being controlled by a valve 42. The workpiece support may be rapidly reconfigured for a symmetric component simply by unclamping and rotating the frame element through 180°. The workpiece support may also be reconfigured for different profiles by selecting the appropriate frame elements from a library thereof.