Patents Examined by Hadi Shakeri
  • Patent number: 11654533
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of ratchet tools are disclosed. In one embodiment, a ratchet tool may comprise a handle extending along a handle axis and housing a motor, a head coupled to the handle at a first end of the handle, the head supporting an output shaft configured to be driven by the motor to rotate about an output axis, the output axis being substantially perpendicular to the handle axis, a ratchet mechanism coupled between the handle and the output shaft, the ratchet mechanism configured to restrict rotation of the output shaft in a first direction and to allow rotation of the output shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a direction control configured to switch the first direction associated with the ratchet mechanism between a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction, the direction control being coupled to the handle and spaced apart from the head along the handle axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Industrial U.S., Inc.
    Inventor: Sean C. Ely
  • Patent number: 11648648
    Abstract: A wrench for opening and closing a clamp having a lever includes a handle section, a leverage section, and a locking assembly. The leverage section is coupled to the handle section. The leverage section includes an engagement surface to engage the clamp and an opening formed therein, the opening being configured to receive the lever of the clamp therein. The locking assembly is coupled to the leverage section. The locking assembly is configured to releasably secure the leverage section to the lever of the clamp when the lever is received within the opening of the leverage section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventor: George M. Kelly, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11646192
    Abstract: A light bulb changer including an elongated pole having a first configured to be rotated about a longitudinal axis thereof, a support structure engaged with the elongated pole near a second end of the elongated pole, and a bulb holder extending from a second end of the support structure. A pair of cog belt pullies and a belt positioned therebetween transfer the rotation of the elongated pole about tis longitudinal axis to rotation of the bulb holder about a central axis thereof that is spaced apart from the longitudinal axis of the elongate pole. The bulb changer enabling removal and replacement of light bulbs of overhead light fixtures with a user safely positioned on a floor under the light fixture with a clear line of sight of the bulb and without the need for ladders or other elevations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventor: William Boroughf
  • Patent number: 11628551
    Abstract: A multipurpose maintenance tool for a mechanical assembly. The tool includes a central body and an elongated shank extending in a longitudinal direction from the central body to a lever end. A foreign object removing element has a foreign body engaging surface. The element extends from the central body generally opposite the shank. A fastener engaging formation is formed on the shank, the removing element, and/or the central body. The formation is sized and shaped for engaging a fastener on the assembly to selectively tighten and loosen the fastener. A lateral extension extends from the central body to span an opening in the assembly and engage opposite margins adjacent the opening. As the shank is pivoted about the extension, the removal surface pivots about the lateral extension in a direction corresponding to the angular direction of the shank to dislodge foreign objects from the opening in the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Jet Medic LLC
    Inventors: T. Benjamin Boyher, C. Shane Stephens
  • Patent number: 11619102
    Abstract: A torque wrench engagement mechanism for a drilling machine is provided. The torque wrench engagement mechanism includes a wrench assembly. The wrench assembly includes a wrench member having a receiving portion adapted to receive a flattened portion of a pipe. The wrench assembly includes a guide member disposed adjacent to the wrench member. The wrench assembly also includes at least one guide pin disposed between the wrench member and the guide member. The wrench assembly further includes a spring member disposed in association with the at least one guide pin. The torque wrench engagement mechanism also includes an actuation member operably coupled to the wrench assembly. At an extended position of the actuation member, the spring member is adapted to move the wrench member to engage with the flattened portion of the pipe, when the flattened portion of the pipe slidably aligns with the receiving portion of the wrench member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventor: Sudhagar Selvam
  • Patent number: 11618148
    Abstract: A multi-tool includes a body having a top face and a bottom face. At least one opening extends from the top face to the bottom face. The at least one opening is sized and configured to receive a finger of a user. A perimeter face connects the top face and the bottom face. The perimeter face includes a convex portion spaced from the at least one opening in a first direction. The convex portion is configured to contact a palm of the user. The body also includes two or more tools formed in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: MIW Associates LLC
    Inventors: Marvin Weinberger, Adam Michael Hecht, Ryan Langeveld
  • Patent number: 11618134
    Abstract: The present invention surrounds to a ratchet apparatus, system and use thereof. The invention is presented to provide additional mechanical advantage and added angular engagement of a ratcheting wrench. In particular the present invention provides increased torque and angular engagement within a compact space without requiring an extended handle, wherein an extended handle reduces portability and further restricts access and movement within confined spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Inventor: Bruce A. Crawford
  • Patent number: 11618135
    Abstract: A screwdriver for driving a screw in bone includes a first body configured to engage a tulip of the screw, a first central bore extending through the first body, a second body having a second central bore extending through the second body and an external surface having a spline member positioned at least partially within the cavity, an inner shaft configured to drive a screw into bone and being rotatably coupled with the second body, a spring-biased pawl engageable with the spline member of the second body, a collar rotatable relative to the first body and the second body and having a cammed inner surface, when the collar is rotated in a first direction about the first body, the cammed inner surface pushes the spring-biased pawl into engagement with the spline member to rotatably couple the first body and the second body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: K2M, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir Ali Sharifi-Mehr, Steven F. Krause
  • Patent number: 11607797
    Abstract: A hand tool including a control element for receiving one or more finger digits of a user. The control element is positioned on the body component and may be in the form of an aperture defined by a perimeter surface. A user places one or more fingers within the control element and applies pressure to rotate the body component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: Mark Gelido Barongan
  • Patent number: 11607798
    Abstract: A hammer tool includes a hammer head and a handle. The hammer head includes an insertion hole and first and second side holes aligned with each other and located on two opposite sides of and intercommunicating with the insertion hole. The handle includes an insertion portion on an end thereof. The insertion portion is inserted into the insertion hole. A first coupling flange is integrally formed with the insertion portion and is inserted into the first side hole. The handle includes a hollow portion extending in a longitudinal direction thereof. The handle further includes a third side hole extending in a radial direction thereof. An end of the third side hole intercommunicates with the hollow portion. Another end of the third side hole extends to an outer periphery of the insertion portion. The third side hole is aligned with the second side hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Tang Chou Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mou-Tang Liou
  • Patent number: 11602827
    Abstract: The pivoting and extending interchangeable hand tool device disclosed herein may comprise a tool head and a torque arm that pivot relative to one another, a secondary torque arm for extending length and increasing appliable torque, and a “T”-handle for additional support. The pivoting and extending interchangeable hand tool device may further comprise a plurality of tool heads that may be interchanged within the secondary torque arm, and may be provided commercially in a multiple-tool set. The device is designed to overcome the shortcomings in the prior art, which specifically include the ability to work in tight spaces while reducing the loss of torque when pivoting a torque arm, the loss of strength inherent in an extendable torque arm, and the bulkiness of a “T”-handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventor: Nathaniel Weaver
  • Patent number: 11602810
    Abstract: In a tightening method for a screw connection of a bolt and a nut by using a tensioning device, a rotary drive, and a process control unit with documentation module, the nut is tightened with the rotary drive by a tightening moment required for the nut to bear against a support. The screw connection is elongated by exerting axial tension on a threaded end of the bolt protruding from the nut. The nut is further tightened while maintaining elongation, and a rotation angle covered during further tightening is detected by a rotation angle sensor. Lengthening of the bolt is calculated from the rotation angle and thread geometry of the screw connection. A longitudinal force in the threaded bolt is calculated from lengthening of the bolt, bolt diameter and bolt length. The calculated longitudinal force and an identifier identifying the screw connection are stored in the documentation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventors: Jörg Hohmann, Frank Hohmann
  • Patent number: 11602828
    Abstract: A screw bit body allows for efficient torque force application onto a socket fastener. The screw bit body includes a plurality of laterally-bracing sidewalls, a first base, and a second base. The laterally-bracing sidewalls are radially distributed about a rotation axis of the screw bit body with each further including a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, a bracing surface, and an engagement cavity. The engagement cavity creates an additional gripping point to prevent slippage in between the screw bit body and the socket fastener. The engagement cavity traverses normal and into the bracing surface. Additionally, the engagement cavity traverses into the screw bit body from the first base to the second base. The engagement cavity is specifically positioned offset from the first lateral edge by a first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: GRIP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Paul Kukucka, Thomas Stefan Kukucka
  • Patent number: 11603672
    Abstract: A floor tapping block is described. The floor tapping block includes a planar base having a front downward facing tongue extending below the planar base. The planar base has a track attached to a top surface thereof. A handle portion having a groove can be fitted over the track on the planar base. The handle portion having a front face configured to be hit with a hammer. This portion can be a flat portion raised from the handle. A locking pin to secure the handle portion to the planar base. The locking pin may be a spring biased pin that locks into predefined locking holes in the planar base. The locking pin may also be a combination of a screw and a nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Apt
  • Patent number: 11596140
    Abstract: A vine removal device may include a shaft connected to a hook with a pocket. An actuation mechanism, such as a line connected to a user's belt, can actuate a movable jaw having a jaw projection configured to at least partly fit within the pocket. The hook has blade that supports a vine slide surface that facilitates collection of vines in the pocket where they can be gripped by the projection of the movable jaw. The blade may employ a surface skimmer to limit how deep the blade can penetrate the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: X-Tirp, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip W. Doberenz
  • Patent number: 11590635
    Abstract: The invention is a hand tool with an operating head, which comprises: a main body having two parallel ears spaced apart at a front end; and a working head having a body; a column connected to one side of the body; another side of the body is provided with a pivotal block and two flaps to pivotally connect the two ears of the main body between the pivotal block and the two flaps respectively. The two flaps are capable of assisting in supporting outer sides of the two ears to relatively strengthen a structure of the ear, thereby enhancing a torsion exerted by the column on a workpiece, and enhancing durability and strength of the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: KABO TOOL COMPANY
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsieh
  • Patent number: 11571868
    Abstract: Systems and methods of buffing tire casings are provided. A tire buffing machine includes a tire hub assembly selectively rotating a mounted casing, a buffer configured to buff the casing, a tire belt detection apparatus having two or more sensors to detect a first belt depth of one or more belts at a first lateral position in a tire casing and a second belt depth of the one or more belts at a second lateral position within the tire casing, and an electronic controller. The controller determines the first belt depth and the second belt depth using a belt detection apparatus having two or more sensors of the belt detection apparatus and adjusts the operation of the buffer based on the first belt depth or the second belt depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Bridgestone Bandag, LLC
    Inventors: James A. Kendall, Jr., Robert P. Hardy, Devin T. Smith, Zachary Milliron, Jeffrey A. Wachtel, Matthew J. Abraham, Jaime J. Benitez, Jeremiah J. Nartker, Alexander G. Tomtschik, Wade L. Terrill
  • Patent number: 11565385
    Abstract: A ratchet tool comprises a base, a ratchet body, a switching member and a pawl member. The base has a rail and is movable with linear motion along the rail between a first position and a second position, the ratchet body has plural teeth, and the pawl member is engaged with the switching member and comprises plural ratchet teeth, a first abutting portion and a second abutting portion. When the switching member is movable to the first position, the pawl member is pivotally rotated to a third position to make the ratchet teeth mesh with the teeth and the first abutting portion abut against the base, therefore the ratchet body enables to rotate along a first rotation direction. When the switching member is movable to the second position, the pawl member is pivotally rotated to a fourth position to make the ratchet teeth mesh with the teeth and the second abutting portion abut against the base, therefore the ratchet body enables to rotate along a second rotation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: KING TONY TOOLS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ching-Hua Lai
  • Patent number: 11554465
    Abstract: Pliers (1) comprising jaw (201, 301) portions incorporating gripping faces for the clamping of the desired workpiece (90), three pivotal handle (202) portions and a sprung toothed strut (60) positioned between the handles (202). A bow shaped resilient portion (408) or portions, incorporated within the third arm (200, 300, 400) portion, when the pliers are operated this resilient portion imparts a sprung pressure upon the clamped workpiece (90) by the gripping face (203, 303) of the jaws (201, 301). The third arm (200, 300, 400) and bend promoting portion are contiguous with each other. The jaws (201, 301) can further be usefully locked in the required clamping position upon the workpiece (90) by a toothed sprung strut (60) pivotally attached to the first and third arms (200) and conveniently being locked or unlocked according to the locking switch (500, 50) pivotal within the first arm (200, 300, 400).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Inventor: Nigel Buchanan
  • Patent number: 11548131
    Abstract: The hammer has a head and a handle which extends from the head. The head has at least two surfaces that face towards the handle and that lie in a common first plane. At least a portion of the handle extends linearly and perpendicularly from the first plane to allow a user to draw a straight line which is perpendicular to the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Inventor: Daniel J. Raymond