Patents Examined by David B. Thomas
  • Patent number: 11667028
    Abstract: A telescopic tool includes a positioning device mounted between first and second rods. The first rod includes a first positioning hole, and a first gripping portion. The second rod includes a plurality of second positioning holes, and is movable relative to the first rod to align the first positioning hole with one of the second positioning holes. A switch controller is movable relative to the first rod and is movably coupled to a positioning member. The positioning member movably extends through the first positioning hole and is releasably engaged in one of the second positioning holes in response to movement of the switch controller relative to the first rod. A fixing member includes a second gripping portion mounted around the first rod. A resilient biasing member is pivotally connected to the first rod and pressing against the positioning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Hong Ann Tool Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng-Wei Su
  • Patent number: 11660732
    Abstract: The multi-function tool described herein includes a case, a drive ratchet installed in the case, a threading die held within the case, a file attached to the case such that a working surface of the file is exposed, a wrench tool removably secured to the case by a wrench retaining feature formed in the case, socket tools removably secured to the case by socket retaining features formed in the case, and a bar extension tool removably secured to the case by a bar extension retaining feature formed in the case. The ratchet has a fitting exposed at the top of the case, and a toggle switch exposed at the bottom of the case. The bar extension tool is compatible with the socket tools, the fitting of the ratchet is compatible with the socket tools, and the fitting of the ratchet is compatible with the bar extension tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventor: Alim Ahamad Khan
  • Patent number: 11660733
    Abstract: Disclosed is a torque-adjustable wrench for a narrow space. The present disclosure relates to the technical field of assembly tools. The wrench comprises an elongated upper cover plate and an elongated lower cover plate, the space between the upper cover plate and the lower cover plate forms a mounting space, one end of the mounting space is provided with a screw pre-tightening mechanism, and the other end of the mounting space is provided with an adjustable screw locking mechanism. During use of the wrench, first, the screw pre-tightening mechanism is used to pre-tighten a screw to be assembled, and then the adjustable screw locking mechanism is used to perform locking operation on the pre-tightened screw. By means of the wrench, the mounting and dismounting of a screw in a narrow space can be conveniently achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Nan HU
    Inventor: Nan Hu
  • Patent number: 11654731
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a machine for treating a tired wheel, for example a machine for assembly and/or disassembly of a tired wheel, as well as a method for treating a tired wheel, for example an assembly and/or disassembly method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: BUTLER ENGINEERING AND MARKETING S.P.A.
    Inventors: Tullio Gonzaga, Cristiano Tarozzi
  • Patent number: 11654534
    Abstract: In a multi-bit screwdriver, a locking mechanism is formed from a tubular shaft having a passageway for facilitating travel of a selected bit through the passageway. A locking finger is formed longitudinally in the shaft and cantilevered from the shaft at a rearward end of the locking finger for facilitating radial spring action at a forward end of the locking finger. A locked detent and an unlocked detent are formed in the locking finger and are longitudinally spaced from each other, the locked detent being rearward of the unlocked detent. A track extends from the locked detent to the unlocked detent. A locking sleeve is slidably positioned on the shaft proximate the locking finger. A roller ball is mounted in the locking sleeve portion for engaging the locked detent or the unlocked detent, the roller ball being rollable along the track between the locked detent and the unlocked detent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Wheelfloat, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Snook, Thomas G. Fulbright
  • Patent number: 11649149
    Abstract: A rotating lid opener for removing screw lids includes non-slip elements (e.g., non-slip pads) on the underside of the device at locations that will engage with the top surface of the lid, thereby providing additional adhesion or friction when the handle is being rotated to reduce the chance of the device rotating without the jaws locking onto the lid. The non-slip elements can be made of any appropriate non-slip material (e.g., rubber, foam, sponge, cork, fabric, plastic, silicone, elastic, adhesive, etc.) and/or be configured to enhance grip (e.g., patterned, coated, etc.). Among other things, these non-slip elements will facilitate one-hand operation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventor: Romek Figa
  • Patent number: 11642765
    Abstract: A drive guide connectable to a power tool includes a shank, a barrel, and a sleeve. The shank includes a tool coupling portion and a barrel coupling portion. The barrel is coupled to the barrel coupling portion of the shank. The barrel includes a bit coupling portion configured to couple to a tool bit. The barrel also includes a first depth indicium disposed on a surface of the barrel and a second depth indicium disposed on the surface of the barrel. The second depth indicium is circumferentially spaced about the barrel from the first depth indicium. The sleeve is disposed concentrically about and slidable along the barrel. An edge of the sleeve provides a visual indicator to determine depth based on the first and second depth indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: James J. Van Essen, Jacob A. Krabbe, Michael J. Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 11642763
    Abstract: An electric ratchet wrench as one example of the ratchet wrench includes an electric motor, a holder that rotatably holds a socket via a one-way clutch mechanism, and a spindle configured to convert a driving force from the motor into a reciprocating rotation motion of the holder. A space is provided between the socket and the holder. The space includes large interval portions and small interval portions. The small interval portions are adjacent to the large interval portions in a rotation direction (lock direction) of the socket and have distances smaller than distances of the large interval portions. Additionally, the one-way clutch mechanism includes columnar locking pins disposed between the spaces and have a diameter with a size equal to or less than the distances of the large interval portions and exceeding the distances of the small interval portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ding Zhao
  • Patent number: 11638987
    Abstract: A tool bit for driving a fastener includes a shank having a tool coupling portion configured to be coupled to a tool. The tool coupling portion has a hexagonal cross-sectional shape. The shank also has a head portion configured to engage the fastener. The head portion is composed of powdered metal (PM) steel having carbide particles distributed uniformly throughout the head portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: James J. Van Essen, Michael J. Zimmermann, Smith C. Theiler, Zachary J. Geschke, Carl Dietz
  • Patent number: 11639043
    Abstract: A dual tire buffing apparatus includes a turntable having a first end and an opposite second end. The turntable is rotatable about a central axis between first and second positions. A first expandable hub is rotatably coupled to the turntable proximate the first end. The first expandable hub is configured to receive a first tire casing. A second expandable hub is rotatably coupled to the turntable proximate the second end. The second expandable hub is configured to receive a second tire casing. A rasp head is positioned to operatively engage the first tire casing on the first expandable hub when the turntable is in the first position to perform a buffing operation on the first tire casing, and to operatively engage the second tire casing on the second expandable hub when the turntable is in the second position to perform a buffing operation on the second tire casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Bridgestone Bandag, LLC
    Inventors: John S. Lindsay, Jeremy D. Gray, James A. Kendall, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11634309
    Abstract: A container opening device is provided. The device can comprise a plurality of opening structures, including at least a pry portion, a twist-off portion, and a finger receiving portion. A gripping portion can also be included. These structures and elements define a multi-tool device configured to open various types of containers, such as beverage bottles having a pop-off cap, beverage bottles having a twist-off cap, and beverage cans having an opening tab (e.g., pull tab).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Inventor: Darrell Miller
  • Patent number: 11628544
    Abstract: A hook spanner has a spanner body having two opposite side surfaces, a handle segment, and a hooking segment formed on an end of the handle segment. The hooking segment has an abutting end surface located away from the handle segment and having an abutting end surface extending obliquely from one of the two opposite side surfaces of the spanner body to the other side surface. The hook spanner is adapted to turn a nut having multiple grooves arranged around the nut. Each groove has an inclined surface extending obliquely and inwardly from a peripheral surface of the nut. The abutting end surface is aligned with the inclined groove surface of one of the grooves of the nut to stably turn the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: SHIN-YAIN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Pen Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 11628543
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an open-close handheld apparatus and a method of adjustment of the angle between the handheld portions thereof. The open-close handheld apparatus includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a first clamping portion and a first handheld portion. The second member includes a second clamping portion and a second handheld portion. The first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are rotatably and movably connected via a first axle pin. The first clamping portion and the second clamping portion open and close relative to each other, the plane in which the open-close path thereof is located is an open-close plane. The first handheld portion is rotatably connected to the first clamping portion. The plane in which the rotation path of the first handheld portion is located is the same as or parallel to the open-close plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: HANGZHOU GREAT STAR INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., HANGZHOU GREAT STAR TOOLS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Min Wang
  • Patent number: 11623334
    Abstract: A tool is provided in order to facilitate utilization by users in a wide variety of applications. By way of example, a multipurpose tool may include first and second handles configured for relative movement between a closed position and an open position. At least the first handle includes an axle extending thereacross. The multipurpose tool also includes one or more tool members rotatably mounted upon the axle and foldable into the first handle and first and second jaws rotatably connected to the first and second handles, respectively. At least the first jaw defines an opening through which the axle of the first handle extends. The multipurpose tool further includes a resilient member disposed at least partially within the opening in order to apply a bias force to the first jaw during rotation of the first jaw relative to the first handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: LEATHERMAN TOOL GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Adam Lazenby, Matthew Brown
  • Patent number: 11623852
    Abstract: This disclosure details vehicle closure member wedge assemblies that include integrated bottle opener features. An exemplary vehicle closure member wedge assembly may include first and second wedge members that are configured to align a closure member relative to a vehicle body during closure member swing. A bottle opener may be integrated into one of the wedge members, thereby adding functionality to the wedge assembly. The bottle opener is conveniently packaged on the vehicle for use during outdoor social gatherings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Bryan Arellano Aguilar, Tomas Garciajaime, Francisco Mauricio Munoz Armenta
  • Patent number: 11613881
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a kit comprising component for removing, replacing, and/or sealing toilet parts. In some embodiments, the kit comprises a flush valve assembly, fill valve assembly, a handle assembly, two tools, two gaskets, and packaging that also serves as one or more water containers. In some embodiments, the two gaskets are two conventional gaskets that can be combined to make a third gasket. In some embodiments, the combination of the two gaskets allows the creation of a synergistic gasket for sealing a tank-to-bowl interface than neither gasket could seal individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: FLUIDMASTER, INC.
    Inventors: Jack Nguyen, Justin Storm, Michael Lagasse, Corinne AndersonSchoepe, William Martin, Mike Robbins, David McFarland, Christopher Podolak
  • Patent number: 11612988
    Abstract: An adjustable wrench uses colors for identification. The adjustable wrench includes a bit including multiple identification zones and a pointer in addition to a body and a movable jaw. The body includes a stationary jaw extending from a front end. The movable jaw is movably connected to the front end of the body so that a distance between the jaws is adjustable. The identification zones are formed on a side of the body. Each of the identification zones is in a color corresponding to a size of a workpiece. The pointer is formed on a side of the movable jaw. The distance between the jaws is set to be a value corresponding to the size of the workpiece when the pointer is aligned with one of the identification zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: MATATAKITOYO TOOL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yi-Min Wu
  • Patent number: 11607779
    Abstract: The Shaft Spring Cutch is an apparatus, used to drive fasteners, or the like, that is multi-directional, and non-ratcheting, comprised of two drive members, separated and held in an unengaged position by a return spring, that are axially retained within a guide housing. The first drive member is attached to a handle or input shaft. The second drive member is attached to a drive bit. When in an unengaged position, the handle, or input shaft, can rotate freely in either direction relative to the drive bit. The first and second drive members are engaged by applying axial force sufficient to overcome the return spring force, which locks the handle, or input shaft, and drive bit together. Once engaged, any rotational force applied to the handle, or input shaft, is transferred to the drive bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: Daniel Soucy
  • Patent number: 11602823
    Abstract: At least some implementations of the present invention include the ability to access and secure a compressed riser portion of a pop-up sprinkler. Access is gained through use of the tip of the tool, sloped for access clearance between the sprinkler nozzle “lip” and outer sprinkler base. Once raised from the outer sprinkler casing, the riser is secured in a designated clamping bay or within designated clamping points. This two-pronged approach accommodates varying diameter of sprinkler risers and increases the multi-use function of the tool. The tool's overall inward tension is provided by an engineered compression spring designed with adequate outward tension without making hand compression use of the tool restrictive. Use of the tool in an inward sweeping motion toward the sprinkler allows for raising and clamping the riser in a quick and simple fashion. Thereafter, allowing free and open-hand access for quick and thorough maintenance, repair, exchange or adjustment of the sprinkler nozzle and filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventor: Scott B. Merrill
  • Patent number: 11597072
    Abstract: A length adjustable connection structure contains: an adjustment assembly, an engagement assembly, and a receiving tube. The receiving tube includes an insertion accommodated, a coupling portion, a groove, a trench, and an elongated slot. The engagement assembly includes a fixing portion, a toothed portion, a fitting portion, a hexagonal hole, and a circular hole. The adjustment assembly includes a connector, a locating orifice, a hexagonal column, and a C-retainer. The hexagonal column of the adjustment assembly is received in the hexagonal hole of the engagement assembly so that the engagement assembly is connected on the hexagonal column, the C-retainer is engaged in the notch of the hexagonal column, and the adjustment assembly and the engagement assembly are accommodated in the receiving tube, hence the toothed portion of the fixing portion is engaged in the groove of the coupling portion, and the fitting portion is fixed in the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventor: Huang Ting Ya