Patents Examined by David B. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9627191
    Abstract: An extendable multi-tool comprising an extendable pole and a head unit selectively detachably coupled together. The head unit comprises a grasping mechanism configured to engage a light bulb, a control switch and a rotation mechanism. The control switch configured to cause the grasping mechanism to become secured to a light bulb, and to cause the rotation mechanism to automatically detect when a light bulb is secured to the grasping mechanism and then rotate the grasping unit and the secured light bulb in a first direction based on the position of the control switch. The tool further comprises an arm unit for positioning the grasping mechanism in a desired configuration to engage the light bulb, wherein the arm member is coupled to the grasping mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: WAGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Johnson, Robert J. Gallegos, Idriss Mansouri-Chafik Ruiz
  • Patent number: 9623487
    Abstract: A tool having a flexible extension shaft, a first end and, a second end and capable of being bent about its axis. The tool transfers rotary motion from a device to an implement. Both of the ends may be capable of independently being bent about the axis. The shaft may include a male member and a female member for a kit. Further, one end of the tool may include a rotatable member having a first and second implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Combined Products Co. Inc.
    Inventor: Burt Kozak
  • Patent number: 9623524
    Abstract: In a tensioning device for expanding a threaded bolt by a pull on its threaded end portion, a supporting tube surrounds the threaded end portion and a nut is screwed onto the threaded end portion. A cylinder is arranged in the prolongation of the supporting tube and has at least one piston movable therein in the longitudinal direction and connectable to a hydraulic supply. An interchangeable bush is screwable to the threaded end portion and is drivable axially by the piston. A gear arrangement for adjusting the nut is provided. Components of the gear arrangement are a driver element engaging externally on the nut and a drive shaft provided with an engagement structure for a drive tool. In this case, the axis of rotation of the drive shaft is arranged at an angle of preferably 90° to the longitudinal mid-axis of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ITH GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jörg Hohmann, Frank Hohmann
  • Patent number: 9623549
    Abstract: A rotary wrench includes a first wrench body, a second wrench body, and an elastic member. The first wrench body has a first grip whose one end has a pivot hole. The second wrench body has a second grip whose one end has a pivot axially extending outward. The pivot is rotatably received in the pivot hole of the first grip of the first wrench body, so that the first and second wrench bodies are allowed to rotate with respect to each other and provide adjustable working angles. The elastic member is mounted around the pivot of the second wrench body, and prop between the first grip of the first wrench body and the second grip of the second wrench body, for providing an elastic resistance that holds the first and second wrench bodies in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventor: Chih-Min Chang
  • Patent number: 9610812
    Abstract: A tire-lever device for tire-changing machines includes a substantially vertical support arm associated with a tire-changing machine and having upper and lower ends; a pair of substantially vertical and parallel plates integrally extending from the opposite lower end; a connecting rod system, hinged between the pair of plates and including first and second connecting rods; a tire-lever tool with an elongate body defining an upwardly-facing first end and a second end opposite thereto, formed as a hook portion and hinged to the first and second connecting rods and forming an articulated quadrilateral with the latter and said plates; an actuator rotatably actuating the connecting rod system and mounted onto the support arm; a connector element connecting the actuator to the connecting rod system and defining an end hinged to the actuator and an opposite end directly hinged to the first end of the elongate body of the tire-lever tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventors: Gino Ferrari, Franco Maioli
  • Patent number: 9610811
    Abstract: A tire tool includes a body including a tire levering end and an inflating end including first connecting end delimiting a first fluid channel and a second connecting end delimiting a second fluid channel. The first and second channels fluidly connect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventor: Scott Wu
  • Patent number: 9610679
    Abstract: A tool apparatus comprises an operative member and a handle connected to the operative member. The handle comprises a core element having an elongated body, an outer surface and first and second ends opposite to each other. At least the second end is connected to the operative member. The tool handle also comprises at least one cavity extending inwardly from the outer surface of the core element and a plurality of insert blocks selectively receivable in the cavity. The tool handle further comprises an overlay disposed on the core element, wherein a height of the projection on exterior surface of the insert block is no less than a thickness of the overlay, thereby exposing the upper surface to an external environment so as to be visible to a viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: WARNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: David R. Henke, Steven L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9604349
    Abstract: A universal ratcheting tool provides improved handling of tools that are difficult to use on their own, specifically, hexagonal wrenches. The universal ratcheting tool includes a handle and a body with a ratcheting mechanism within the handle. The body includes a first aperture for receiving a tool, and the first aperture includes slots to accept a plurality of sizes of tools. The body also includes a second aperture where the tool extends out of the body. A retaining component is coupled with the body to retain the tool and a retaining tab is able to be used to open and close the retaining component. Once the tool is positioned and retained within the universal ratcheting tool, a user is able to easily install or remove an object such as a screw with the benefit of a comfortable handle and the ease of use of the ratcheting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    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: 9597783
    Abstract: A bit assembly includes a bit for driving a screw, a shank for holding and driving the bit to rotate about a pivot axis wherein the bit is capable of moving relative to the shank in a predetermined range, and a limiting structure formed between the bit and the shank for preventing the bit to move beyond the predetermined range. The bit and the shank are made of different materials and form a sliding connection so that they have a certain buffer space in the axial direction and in the circumferential direction thereby reducing the effect of impacts on the service life of the bit assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Chervon (HK) Limited
    Inventor: Xiaofeng Zhang
  • Patent number: 9597782
    Abstract: A screw tool having a gear head, which has a freewheel gear, having an output shaft, which is inserted in a non-rotatable but displaceable manner in an output opening and can be moved to and fro between a right-hand screw position and a left-hand screw position in each case by use of axial displacement, wherein in each case a different end section of the output shaft projects out of the gear head, having at least one locking mechanism to secure the position of the output shaft in the respective screw position and/or around a screw output element on the output shaft. As a development which is advantageous for use, the at least one locking mechanism can be moved from a locking position to a release position by pressure on an actuation element arranged on the end face of the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Wera Werk Hermann Werner GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Michael Abel
  • Patent number: 9597785
    Abstract: A depth setter for a rotary tool, includes a distal end having a centrally-located bit tip and a cylindrical collar with an edge portion extending therearound, where the edge portion includes a resilient elastomeric material extending therealong and a truncated surface extending peripherally therearound, and an attachment end for securely attaching the depth setter to the drive mechanism of the rotary tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Starborn Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven D. Gertner
  • Patent number: 9597786
    Abstract: A torque limiting tool, method for using the same, and set of torque limiting tools according to different loads are arranged for adjusting a device to a predetermined load, and preventing further adjustment once the predetermined load is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: OSSUR HF
    Inventors: Harry Duane Romo, Janaki Ram-srinivasaRao Chetlapalli
  • Patent number: 9592589
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a pair of adjustable pliers comprising a first handle having a first gripping part arranged at the front end thereof and a second handle having a second gripping part arranged at the front end thereof. The first gripping part and the second gripping part forms a jaw span, and the first handle and the second handle are arranged in an intersectional manner and relatively fixed via a connecting mechanism, characterized in that, the second handle is provided with an elongated rack slot at a position of the connecting mechanism and the rack slot is provided with a toothed rack on a inner side part thereof. The connecting mechanism comprises a toothed block and a link mechanism, the toothed block is arranged inside the rack slot and engaged with the toothed rack of the rack slot, and the link mechanism connects with the toothed block, drives the toothed block to rotate and disengages from the rack slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignees: HANGZHOU GREAT STAR TOOLS CO., LTD, HANGZHOU GREAT STAR INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD
    Inventor: Min Wang
  • Patent number: 9586389
    Abstract: The disclosure addresses wrenches having a portion thereof including carbon fibers. Example wrenches may have a handle portion comprising the carbon fibers; which in some cases can be formed as a part of a composite laminate structure of at least a portion of the handle. Example wrenches will often include an insert portion for engaging a bolt, nut, or similar structure. In most cases, the insert will be formed of a relatively hardened material, such as a metal, or a metal-containing, material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: BurnTables LLC
    Inventors: Kyle Riggen, Matt Kool
  • Patent number: 9573267
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a handle for a hand implement. The handle defines thumb indentations for receiving a thumb. Advantageously, the thumb can be positioned in particular thumb indentations to suit user preference or functional operation of the implement. Preferably, the handle defines a bight opposite the thumb indentations. The handle may define finger indentations in the bight. The finger indentations may be located closer a free end of the handle than the thumb indentations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: Peter Dominic Fegan
  • Patent number: 9573255
    Abstract: The present application is directed towards bit holders. The bit holders include a main shaft, a sleeve, a collet and a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: Timothy Pamatmat
  • Patent number: 9566693
    Abstract: A wrench assembly for turning a central portion of a turnbuckle. The wrench assembly includes first and second wrenches that are substantially identical. Slots in body portions of each of the wrenches define open ends that are oppositely disposed to one another when engaging the central portion of the turnbuckle. The wrenches may be detachably secured together around the central portion of the turnbuckle. At least two spokes extend outwardly from a periphery of each of the body portions of the wrenches that are utilized to impart rotational movement to the central portion of the turnbuckle. In at least one configuration, a distal end of an elongated member is used to push and pull on the spokes to impart the rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Grant J. Atkinson, Garry A. Goebel, Richard D. Freeman
  • Patent number: 9566691
    Abstract: A multi-functional hand tool that has releasable tool attachments that affix to a pair of articulating handles that provide for gripping, rotating, twisting, cutting, pounding, and performing other functions commonly done using a number of different tools. The multi-functional hand tool having a locking mechanism that provides for manipulating a workpiece, without damage or marring of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventor: Scott K. Ford
  • Patent number: 9566697
    Abstract: A top surface of a transmitter on a torque wrench is opposed to a position camera, and bolt holes to fix the transmitter to a wrench main body open on the top surface. The bolt holes are formed to four places so as to define a rectangle and extend in a thickness direction of the transmitter. The marker is attached to the top surface of a head of one of the bolts, which extends through a through bolt hole. When the transmitter is fixed to the main body using a bolt, the depth of a large diameter portion of the through bolt hole is larger than the total thickness of the bolt head portion and the marker. Therefore, the marker is disposed lower than an aperture surface of the bolt hole and the possibility of the marker being damaged during work is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kou Furuie
  • Patent number: 9555536
    Abstract: A two-stage locking electric screwdriver, with its main improved features as follow: the electric screwdriver has pre-locking and locking functions; the torque settings of the electric screwdriver can be easily modulated, and meanwhile the torque accuracy and energy efficiency can be improved; the torque modulation type is external modulation, so that the torque modulation can be carried out externally and even the torsion spring can be replaced. Meanwhile, the component structures inside the electric screwdriver is improved through a design that the motor directly drives the clutch and then drive the screwdriver head unit, and that an internal gear clutch is used to replaced the gear unit and clutch unit, so that the number of parts is dramatically reduced to save production cost. During general rotation, the electric screwdriver will not drive the clutch unit, and when the torque jumps to the set value, the internal gear clutch rotates and generates a torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: Hsiu-Lin Hsu