Patents by Inventor Gerald R. Bakula

Gerald R. Bakula has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5520073
    Abstract: The ratcheting screwdriver comprises a handle with a working end and a reversible ratchet mechanism therein, the ratchet mechanism defining a bore which receives one end of an associated shank coaxially therein. A cup-shaped reversing member is coupled to the handle for limited rotational movement relative thereto and has an annular flange projecting a slight distance radially therebeyond and engageable by a finger and/or thumb of a user's hand which is gripping the handle for shifting the ratchet mechanism between forward ratcheting, reverse ratcheting and non-ratcheting modes. A cup-shaped spinner is fixed to the shank, the reversing member being nested in the spinner with the shank extending through a hole in the reversing member and into the ratchet mechanism, the diameter of the spinner being approximately the same as that of the working end of the handle for easy engagement by the gripping hand of the user to spin the shank relative to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Gerald R. Bakula, Daniel M. Eggert, Christopher D. Thompson, Gerald L. Socha
  • Patent number: 4845792
    Abstract: An approach ramp for an automotive support platform includes first and second ramp members, the trailing end of the first ramp member being pivotally connected to the leading end of the platform. The second ramp member is both slidably and pivotally movable with respect to the first ramp member. Each ramp member carriers rollers at its leading end for engagement with the floor when the platform is lowered to an access position. In one configuration the ramp members are disposed in overlapping parallel relationship to define a single ramp incline. In a second configuration the second ramp member is extended from the first and is inclined with respect thereto to form a dual-slope ramp incline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Snap-on Tools Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald R. Bakula, Donald J. Caldwell, Andrzej J. Dlugolecki
  • Patent number: D299910
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Snap-on Tools Corporation
    Inventors: Donald W. Doman, Gerald R. Bakula, Raymond R. Zuzinec, Sr., Thomas J. Christensen, Jack A. Parise