Patents Examined by Sinclair Skinner
  • Patent number: 6105472
    Abstract: A fluid-operated tool has a link provided with an engaging element for engaging and turning a threaded connector and turnable about a pivot axis of the engaging element, a housing, a fluid-operated drive including a cylinder-piston unit with a cylinder formed in the housing, a piston reciprocatingly movable in the cylinder and a piston rod connected with the piston, the piston rod being also connected with the link, so that when the drive is actuated by a pressure fluid the piston rod is displaced and turn the link about the pivot axis, the housing being connected with the link exclusively by the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: John K. Junkers
  • Patent number: 6044734
    Abstract: A new pair of pliers for allowing easy grasping of the handles during use. The inventive device includes first and second arm members each having a jaw portion, a mid portion, and a handle portion. The mid portions of the arm members are pivotally coupled together such that the jaw portions oppose each other. The handle portions of the arm members are in a pivotal relationship with one another. An arcuate gripping handle is positioned between the handle portions of the arm members and is coupled to the handle portion of the first arm member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventors: Larry R. Sellers, Lucille J. Sellers
  • Patent number: 6000302
    Abstract: A tool includes a driving head rotatably secured to one end of a handle which has an orifice and an aperture intersected with each other. A pawl has a rod slidably engaged with the orifice and has a tooth for engaging with the driving head. A spring may bias and move the rod to slide along the orifice and to force the tooth of the pawl to engage with the driving head and for selectively securing the driving head to the handle at any selected angular position. The tool includes few parts and elements which may be easily and quickly assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventor: Der Ching Chiang
  • Patent number: 5988018
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for stripping housing from a cable. The apparatus includes a frame having an interior channel or passage for receiving a cable therethrough and an exterior. The frame has a guide coupled to the frame interior for supporting the cable when the cable is received through the frame and moved axially therethrough. Disposed in the frame is an adjustable shaft having a first end and a second end. The shaft is adjustably coupled to the frame so that the first end is disposed in the frame interior opposite the guide and can be quickly and safely adjusted relative to the guide depending on the size of cable disposed therein. The first end also has a blade attached thereto for splitting the housing of the cable when the cable is moved axially through the frame interior while supported by the guide. The guide supports the cable so that the housing on the cable is perforated by the blade when the adjustable shaft is adjusted to press the blade against the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventors: Thomas R. Tolbert, Tony Locke
  • Patent number: 5974917
    Abstract: A tool for installing and removing MIG welding gun contact tips, the contact tips being substantially cylindrical, having substantially circular cross-sectional shapes and having cross-sectional diameters; the tool consisting of a tube having an outer peripheral surface, having a forward, having a rearward end, and having a conical bore, the conical bore of the tube having a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end of the conical bore having a diameter greater than the cross-sectional diameters of the contact tips and the rearward end of the conical bore having a diameter less than the cross-sectional diameters of the contact tips; and `T` handle means fixedly attached to or homogeneously fused with the outer peripheral surface of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Michael A. Way
  • Patent number: 5960498
    Abstract: A foldable multi-purpose tool includes a pair of jaws and a pair of folding handles and is capable of accepting removable cartridges. In the extended position, the handles operate the jaws. Each removable cartridge contains a number of relatively small tool blades that are preferably selected by functional categories. Various cartridge hold-down and removal mechanisms are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: The Coleman Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William Nabors, Debra S. Yates, David H. Linnebur, Jon Rodriguez, Andrew Hill
  • Patent number: 5957015
    Abstract: A clutch tension adjustment tool for adjusting the tension on clutches that have a threaded aperture into a clutch pressure plate and a clutch adjustment ring for adjusting the tension of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Lawrence Jackson
  • Patent number: 5953965
    Abstract: A device for tightening a bolt and a nut including a housing having a planetary gear reduction mechanism accommodated therein, a rotational drive source attached to the housing for inputting power to the reduction mechanism, an inner socket coupled to one of two output shafts of the reduction mechanism and engageable with a tip at an end of the bolt, an outer socket coupled to the other output shaft of the reduction mechanism and engageable with the nut, and a torque sensor for detecting a predetermined tightening torque of the outer socket. An actuated brake is disengageably coupled to a rotation transmitting system for the inner socket, whereby fasteners of the one side type can be tightened up efficiently with safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Maeda Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunobu Kaneyama, Shozo Matsumura, Kenji Sato
  • Patent number: 5953969
    Abstract: A screwdriver or screwdriver bit comprising a working end with radially extending engagement surfaces profiled in particular by machining or forming. A surface layer forming a working surface due to nitriting has a hardness of at least 900 HV 0.3 or 67-68 HRC and in an intermediate layer, lying between the hard surface layer and a softer region of a core of the working end, the hardness decreases with a hardness gradient of 1500 to 3000 HV 0.3/mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Wera Werk Hermann Werner GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Rolf Gunter Rosenhan
  • Patent number: 5950507
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an adapter to permit a socket to be driven by a powered drill to rotate the socket, the socket having a first opening defined at one end thereof for the insertion thereinto of complementarily shaped end of a driving tool and a second opening defined at another end thereof for the placement of the second end over a complementarily shaped portion of a first object to be driven, the first and second openings of the body being coaxial, the adapter including: a body; a first end of the body having a shape complementary to that of the first opening of the socket; a second end of the body having a shape suitable for insertion into a chuck mechanism of the powered drill; and the first and second ends being coaxial; whereby: when the first end of the body is inserted into the first opening of the socket, the second end of the body is inserted into the chuck mechanism of the powered drill, and the second opening of the socket is placed over the complementarily shaped portion of the first obje
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: James P. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 5950265
    Abstract: A multiple purpose pocket tool having an elongated housing defining an open cavity, a plurality of elongated ancillary tools pivotally attached to one end of the housing at their proximal ends, and an elongated cover plate pivotally attached to the opposite end of the housing. Each of the ancillary tools includes a slot formed transversely across the top and bottom edges thereof, adjacent their proximal ends. The cover plate includes a downwardly extending flange which engages one of the slots formed in each of the tools when positioned in its terminal closed position, thereby locking the tools in place. The cover plate further includes a protrusion formed on the inwardly facing surface of one of its sidewalls which engages an aperture formed through the corresponding sidewall of the housing when in either its terminal open or closed position, thereby locking the cover plate in such position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Utica Cutlery Company
    Inventors: David S. Allen, Richard Joswick, Paul Clifford, Roy A. Gonzalez, Paul J. Rusyniak
  • Patent number: 5950508
    Abstract: A sink clip tool includes a working end for manipulating threaded fasteners having either slotted or hexagonal ends, as conventionally used in the installation of sinks and basins in countertops. The tool comprises a solid, elongate shank with a handle end and an opposite working end. The working end includes a screwdriver blade or bit which is recessed within or surrounded by a lateral guard or guards, to prevent the blade from slipping laterally from the slot of a slotted fastener. A hexagonal socket extends beyond the blade and blade guard, for manipulating fasteners having hexagonal heads. The blade guard(s) fit closely to each side or end of the blade, in order to fit closely about the relatively narrow end of the slotted studs used with sink clips. The diameter of the hexagonal socket is somewhat larger than the width of the screwdriver blade and space across the guard(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Joseph T. Rossi
  • Patent number: 5943920
    Abstract: The device has a V-shaped wedge provided with a flexible belt which is adjustable to locate on either side of the inside surfaces of the wedge. The belt has frictional side surfaces. The lid of a jar may be either opened or closed by jamming against the convergent inside surfaces between one side of the wedge and the belt adjusted to abut the other side of the wedge. One end of the belt is mounted to the vertex of the wedge and its other end is mounted to a slider button sliderably mounted to an arcuate periphery of a supporting plate of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventors: Barbara Jane McGivern, Raymond A. DelCastilho
  • Patent number: 5943922
    Abstract: A chuck tool usable to apply or remove threaded fasteners provided with an eye formation includes an elongated retainer sleeve having a cylindrical body presenting a forward cut-out adjacent a slotted base plate. During use of the chuck, the enlarged eye formation of a fastener is disposed within the sleeve cut-out with the fastener shank disposed through the base plate slot. In this position, the longitudinal axis of the fastener is aligned with the central axis of the sleeve as laterally spaced points on the fastener eye nest within two recesses communicating with the sleeve cut-out. Rotary displacement of the fastener is accomplished following the insertion of a bifurcated drive insert into the rear of the sleeve whereupon two forward fingers on the insert straddle a significant portion of the fastener eye, between the two points engaged within the sleeve recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: Henry E. Rolfe
  • Patent number: 5941294
    Abstract: A quick change assembly for connecting a mount/dismount head to a swing arm of a rim holding tire changer. The rim holding tire changer includes a swing arm mounted for swinging the mount/dismount head into and out of engagement with a tire on the table of the rim holding tire changer. The quick change assembly is connected to the end of the swing arm. The quick change assembly acts to connect the mount/dismount head to the end of the swing arm in a pre-aligned rotatable orientation. One end of the connector is adapted to mate with the mount/dismount head. That end includes an adjuster for adjusting the aligned relation of the mount/dismount head with respect to the connector end. The other end of the connector includes a locator for locating the pre-aligned rotatable orientation with respect to the swing arm end. Such locator may be a dowel inset in the swing arm end and a slot in the end of the connector which mates to the swing arm. A bore-counter-bore would be sufficient as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Hennessy Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles L. Cunningham, David M. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 5931061
    Abstract: A driving tool includes a barrel having a front hole and having a rear handle inclined relative to the barrel for forming a gun-shaped tool and for allowing the user to easily hold the driving tool and to easily apply a force against the driving tool. A driving stem is rotatably engaged in the hole of the barrel for engaging with a tool bit. A hand grip is coupled to the driving stem via bevel gears for rotating the driving stem. A cartridge is rotatably engaged in the barrel and has a ratchet mechanism for controlling the actuating directions of the driving stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventor: Ying Hong Kuo
  • Patent number: 5931059
    Abstract: A bucket lid remover is provided including a strip having an inboard extent with a U-shaped configuration. An outboard extent has a generally J-shaped configuration with a vertically oriented upper portion and an angled lower portion coupled to a bottom end of the upper portion and extending upwardly and inwardly therefrom. A horizontally oriented intermediate extent is coupled between the inboard extent and the outboard extent. Also included is a screw driver removably mounted to the strip and extending therefrom for leverage purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventor: Charles E. Hammer
  • Patent number: 5927158
    Abstract: A combination ratchet wrench includes a work end at one end of a handle, a ratchet wheel mounted in the work end, a stop block forced by a spring and a ball into engagement with the ratchet wheel to limit the turning direction of the ratchet wheel for permitting the ratchet wheel to be turned with the handle in one direction to fasten up or loosen a workpiece, wherein the work end has a recessed polygonal hole remote from the handle, the recessed polygonal hole having two angled lateral side walls, and two smoothly arched side walls respectively extended from the angled lateral sides toward the handle; the ratchet wheel has an eccentric coupling rod at one side; a crank pivoted to one side of the ratchet wheel and partially projecting into the recessed polygonal hole for stopping an inserted workpiece in the recessed polygonal hole for turning with the wrench, the crank having a constraint block at one end moved with the crank in the recessed polygonal hole for stopping the inserted workpiece in the recessed
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Yuan-Ho Lin
  • Patent number: 5924339
    Abstract: A screwdriver is disclosed. It includes a grip, a connecting stem, a receiving member, a transmission shaft and a rotary wheel. In general using state, a user can quickly tighten a screw. In the case that a great torque is necessary, the grip of the screwdriver is depressed to connect the connecting stem with the transmission shaft so as to obtain greater torque. When depressing the grip, the using state will be affected and the screwdriver can be used conveniently. The sleeves can be received in the chambers of the grip, while the screwdriver heads can be received in the receptacles of the receiving member. The cap member and stopper member are both transparent, permitting the user to observe the positions of the respective tools. Therefore, the user can easily quickly locate the necessary tools. Moreover, the tools are safely stored without possibility of missing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Inventor: Chin-Tan Huang
  • Patent number: 5924340
    Abstract: A fluid-operated tool for tightening and loosening of threaded connectors has a turnable engaging unit for engaging a threaded connector so as to turn the threaded connector and to tighten and loosen the threaded connector; and driving unit connected with the engaging unit and acting on the engaging unit so as to turn the engaging unit, the driving unit including two fluid-operated driving elements connected to the engaging unit and operated so that during an initial stage of tightening or a final stage of loosening of a threaded connector one of the fluid-operated driving elements is actuated and drives the engaging unit, while during a final stage of tightening or an initial stage of loosening of a threaded connector the other of the fluid-operated driving elements is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Inventor: John K. Junkers