Patents Examined by Robert J Scruggs
  • Pipe wrench
    Patent number: 11141838
    Abstract: A pipe wrench is provided, including a first lever member, a pivot and a second lever member. The first lever member includes a first grip portion, a first clamping portion and a body portion, and the body portion has at least one guide toothed groove. The pivot is slidably disposed within the at least one guide toothed groove, and the pivot is slidable along an axial direction to be on a locked position or a released position. The second lever member include a second grip portion, a pivot hole and a second clamping portion, and the pivot is disposed through and pivoted to the pivot hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: PROXENE TOOLS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Arthur Wu
  • Dual device cleaning apparatus
    Patent number: 11136004
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dual squeegee apparatus that may be sold to fuel station chains to replace the previous single squeegee designs, and thus offer patrons the ability to clean exterior automotive mirrors, lights and smaller windows in addition to the rest of the windows. This may enable fuel station chains to benefit from offering a competitive advantage to their customers to ideally secure more fuel sales and customer attention. This idea has very important benefits: It allows customers to clean the exterior of their vehicles mirrors, lights and smaller windows in addition to the rest of the windows. Never previously offered by any fuel station chains, and by facilitating extra customer service for the purchasing fuel station chains, this may in turn secure more sales and suggests increased profits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventor: Craig Stephen Cormier
  • Retaining ring plier systems and methods
    Patent number: 11135711
    Abstract: A plier assembly for retaining rings comprises first and second handle assemblies and a drive assembly. Operation of the drive assembly pivots the first handle assembly relative to the second handle assembly. As the first handle assembly pivots relative to the second handle assembly, a first support block of the first handle assembly pivots relative to the first handle assembly and a second support block of the second handle assembly pivots relative to the second handle assembly such that a first support block longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to a second support block longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: TIGER TOOL INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Michael Andrews
  • Screw feeding/fastening unit of continuous screw fastening device
    Patent number: 11135708
    Abstract: The present invention provides a screw feeding/fastening unit of a continuous screw fastening device which enables assuredly pulling screws out of a screw strip in tandem with a screw fastening operation even in case of using the screws each of which has, e.g., a flat shape below its head portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: MURO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kunihiro Arai, Isamu Arai
  • Apparatus for opening safety locked bottle caps
    Patent number: 11136230
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening safety locked bottle caps is disclosed herein. The apparatus enables users to open safety locked bottle caps in a safe and effective manner. In one embodiment of the invention, the various elements of the inventive apparatus enable a user to remove a bottle cap when sufficient downward force is applied to the handle of the apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus is comprised of an engagement mechanism that lodges into the bottom portion of the bottle cap's outer lip. The engagement mechanism is designed to remain lodged within the bottle cap's outer lip through a substantial portion of the opening motion. This feature prevents the inventive apparatus from “slipping-off” from the bottle cap while a user is trying to remove the bottle cap from the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventor: Kurt Naukam
  • Industrial tool and drive system for same
    Patent number: 11135706
    Abstract: A drive system for an industrial tool (e.g., a hydraulic torque wrench) includes a cylinder, a first piston, a first rod, a second piston, and a second rod. The cylinder includes a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The first piston is disposed within the cylinder and movable along the longitudinal axis. The first rod is coupled to the first piston and extends toward the first end of the cylinder. The second piston is disposed within the cylinder and movable along the longitudinal axis. The second rod is coupled to the second piston and extends toward the first end of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Enerpac Tool Group Corp.
    Inventors: Nathan Adam Hughes, Roger Roy Pili
  • Electric quick action wrench with settable torque
    Patent number: 11130218
    Abstract: An electric quick action wrench with settable torque, which is operated in an electric mode or a manual mode, includes: a main body, a controller, a motor, a driving device, and a clutch device. The driving device is driven by the motor and combined with a fastener. The controller sets a threshold torque value. In the electric mode, when the fastener confronts a resistance larger than a clutch torque of the clutch device, the user is notified to switch to the manual mode through the notification of the clutch device. In the manual mode, when a manually output torque reaches the threshold torque value, the user is notified that the screwing operation has been finished by the notification of the clutch device. Thus, the safety of usage is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventor: Bobby Hu
  • Valvetrain service tool
    Patent number: 11118484
    Abstract: A valvetrain service tool for an automobile engine comprises a bracket adapted to be removably mounted onto a structural member of an engine, and a pin slidably supported within the bracket, wherein, the pin is slidable between a first position and a second position, further wherein, when the pin is moved from the first position to the second position, the pin engages a cam sprocket of the engine to support the cam sprocket and allow service to be performed to the valvetrain of the engine without removing the cam sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gianfranco Badellino, Fabrizio Binello, Antonino Barresi, Francesco Zangallo
  • Manual tool having a retractable tool member
    Patent number: 11117242
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a manual tool having a retractable tool member, which further comprises a handle and a linkage member. The tool member is configured to be retractably moveable relative to the handle between an operating state and a retracting state under the driving of the handle and the linkage member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignees: HANGZHOU UNITED TOOLS CO., LTD., HANGZHOU GREAT STAR INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yueming Li
  • Speed control devices for a smart pipeline inspection gauge
    Patent number: 11118718
    Abstract: A speed control apparatus for an inline pipeline inspection tool includes a body configured to be moved by a compressible product moving through a pipeline and a speed control mechanism supported by the body. The speed control mechanism includes a contact member that is positionable against an inner surface of the pipeline and an actuator configured to act on the contact member to adjust a speed of the body when the speed deviates from a predetermined speed. The speed control apparatus forms a drive system that provides forward propulsion to prevent the tool from slowing or stopping due to a problematic feature in the pipeline. The speed control apparatus also forms a brake system that minimizes overspeed conditions that can occur when built-up pressure initially dislodges the tool from the problematic feature in the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Entegra LLP
    Inventor: Paul Pirner
  • Pool cleaner with hydraulic timer assembly
    Patent number: 11118369
    Abstract: A pool cleaner comprises a housing including at least two wheels, a supply mast, and a timer disc assembly configured to receive water from the supply mast. The timer disc assembly includes an outer housing, a plurality of outlet ports extending through the outer housing, and a rotating timer disc positioned within the outer housing adjacent to the plurality of outlet ports. The timer disc assembly also includes at least one stationary port seal liner positioned between one of the plurality of outlet ports and the rotating timer disc. The at least one stationary port seal liner includes an elastomeric piece and a liner piece, and the liner piece is in contact with the rotating timer disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Gopalan, Nitin Agarwal, Jayamurali Kaladharan, Brian King, Leonard Richiuso
  • Dust collector
    Patent number: 11109725
    Abstract: A dust collector includes a dust-collector main body, a coupling-hose part, an operation unit, and a belt or harness. The dust-collector main body serves to collect dust by generating a suction draft (partial vacuum). The dust-collector main body includes a housing, a motor, a dust-collection chamber, and at least one battery pack mount. The belt or harness is attached to the dust-collector main body and is designed for the user to carry the dust-collector main body on his or her back. The operation unit is connected to the dust-collector main body via an external, flexible cord. The operation unit includes one or more LEDs for illuminating the area to be cleaned and an ON/OFF switch for controlling operation of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayuki Tahara
  • Vehicle sensing and guidance system for a vehicle wash, and a vehicle wash
    Patent number: 11110900
    Abstract: A vehicle sensing and guidance system for a vehicle wash, and a vehicle wash, are provided. The system includes a first vehicle sensing system having at least one sensor configured to detect a vehicle and generate sensor data, a storage storing computer readable instructions, at least one processor that, when executing the computer readable instructions, determines a pose of the first vehicle using the sensor data, and at least one output device configured to present at least one of a first vehicle positioning marker and a vehicle positioning signal at least partially based on the pose of the first vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Stephenson Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Roy Stephenson
  • Grip device for hexagonal wrenches
    Patent number: 11103985
    Abstract: A grip device includes a tubular body, an adjustment member, a left slide and a right slide. The body includes a passage, a guiding slot, a recess and a groove. The adjustment member includes threaded portion. The left slide is slidably located in the groove and includes threads which are engaged with the threaded portion of the adjustment member. When the adjustment member is rotated relative to the pin, the threaded portion of the adjustment member drives the threads of the left slide to move the left slide toward the right slide so as to clamp the hexagonal wrench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Inventor: Chung-Yu Tsai
  • Ground brush for cleaning appliance and cleaning appliance
    Patent number: 11103114
    Abstract: A ground brush for a cleaning appliance and a cleaning appliance with the same are provided. The ground brush includes: a body and a front dust collection strip. The body defines an air channel therein, a bottom plate of the body defines a suction port in communication with the air channel, and a rear side of the body defines an exhaust port. When the body covers a surface to be cleaned, an airtight space is defined between the air channel and the surface to be cleaned. The front dust collection strip is arranged at a front end of the body to support the ground brush for a cleaning appliance on the surface to be cleaned, defines a plurality of front air inlets in communication with the air channel, and is incline relative to a normal direction of the surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaokang Peng, Siyu Jin, Zhonghua Li
  • Hand held temple bending tool
    Patent number: 11106058
    Abstract: A hand held tool (10, 60, 70) for use by an optician in bending the temples (120) of a pair of eyeglasses includes an elongated handle portion (12, 62, 72) capable of being held in the palm of the optician's hand. A mandrel including a convexly formed anvil (14, 64, 74) with a nonslip upper surface (67, 77a) extends from a first end of the handle portion. A concavely formed thumb recess (16, 66, 76) is located adjacent the first end of the handle portion and is located opposite the anvil (14, 64, 74). The optician's thumb (100) fits within the recess when the handle portion is being held. The free end (110) of an eyeglass temple is placed over the mandrel (14, 64, 74) and is bent over the mandrel by the optician.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Bionic Thumb Tools, LLC
    Inventor: Bruce Rubin
  • Notched line runner socket
    Patent number: 11097402
    Abstract: A socket assembly includes a socket head, an input member, and a plurality of transfer members. The socket head is disposed about an axis and defines an aperture extending axially through the socket head and through a side of the socket head. The socket head includes external teeth. The input member is coaxial with the socket head. Each transfer member includes a first end drivingly coupled to the input member and a second end configured to engage the external teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Zachary Machinchick, Joshua Norwood, Douglas Michael Smith, Adam Wirth
  • Vacuum bag
    Patent number: 11096537
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner bag assembly is adapted to be removably disposed within a tank of a vacuum cleaner, and the bag assembly includes a panel assembly made from a first material and forming an enclosure having an interior volume, and an aperture extends through the panel assembly. A shield member may be disposed within the interior volume and secured to one or more portions of the panel assembly, and the shield member may comprise a second material that is different than the first material. The shield member is adapted to protect a portion of the panel assembly when the vacuum cleaner bag assembly is disposed within the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: SHOP VAC CORPORATION
    Inventors: James P. Blackwell, Jr., Robert Lent Crevling, Jr., Jonathan Miller
  • Telepole apparatus and related methods
    Patent number: 11090798
    Abstract: A telepole for swimming pool cleaning is disclosed as including an inner tube and a locking device to temporarily secure the inner tube in a desired position within an outer tube. A preferred lightweight design may be at least partially hollow, and durability may be provided by inner/reinforcement wall(s) in one or both of the tubes. A collar element is disclosed as “locking” the inner tube in place within the outer tube. The collar's opening and the profile of the inner tube are disclosed in a relationship that prevents the inner tube from rotating within the collar. The inner tube is disclosed as having a series of holes along its length to receive a pin element of a detent mechanism. The end of the outer tube opposite the collar is disclosed as having multiple sets of attachment holes to receive attachable and detachable swimming pool cleaning tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Resh, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric V. Resh
  • Gas turbine engine slot tools
    Patent number: 11085323
    Abstract: A tool for a slot in a gas turbine engine, according to an example of the present disclosure, includes a head configured to be received in the slot, a first pad removably bonded to the head with an adhesive, and a second pad removably bonded to the head with an adhesive and disposed opposite from the first pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John Harner, Nathan C. Campagna