Patents by Inventor James A. Van Lenten

James A. Van Lenten 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: 6389931
    Abstract: An extension between a driving tool and a driven member which has a hollow body with external gear teeth on one end which is releasably retained in the driving tool. The second end of the body has internal teeth which cooperate with external teeth on the driven member. Also, in the second end of the body is a retaining ring to releasably retain the member to be driven. A sleeve is slidingly received in the body. The sleeve is longitudinally slidable within the body from a first position in which the sleeve is slid fully inwardly to eject the driven member and a second position in which the sleeve is slid outwardly from the body when the driven member is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventors: Dana L. Delaney, Robert L. Arnold, Kenneth Taggart, James A. Van Lenten
  • Patent number: 5913954
    Abstract: A hand tool having a pawl with a flange formed on the bottom surface. A bore is formed axially in the pawl. A reversing lever is connected to the pawl. The pawl is received in an opening which has an annular shoulder, the flange on the pawl abutting the annular shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Arnold, Dana L. Delaney, Derek Richner, James A. Van Lenten
  • Patent number: 5884538
    Abstract: A ratchet wrench having a vertical bore in the handle. The vertical bore has a resilient member disposed therein. The resilient member has an enlarged central section. When the pawl of the ratchet wrench is moved from one alternate position to another, the enlarged central section is distorted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Van Lenten
  • Patent number: 5873286
    Abstract: A pawl for a ratchet wrench to be engaged with a ratchet gear. The pawl has a slot formed on each side of the pawl. The slot extends between the top and the bottom of the pawl near the teeth on the front of the pawl. The pawl flexes to compress the slot when torque is applied to the wrench and engagement between the teeth on the pawl and teeth on the ratchet gear is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Van Lenten
  • Patent number: 5782147
    Abstract: A ratchet wrench having at least one gear disposed in an opening in the head of the wrench. An upper pawl and a lower pawl are disposed in a stacked arrangement in a second opening in the head of the wrench. The openings are in communication with one another. A lever is connected to the pawls to simultaneously move both pawls between a forward and a reverse position. The teeth on the pawls work conjointly and alternately engage the teeth on the at least one gear as the wrench is ratcheted thereby producing a reduction in the backswing arc of the wrench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Constantine Chaconas, James A. Van Lenten
  • Patent number: 5199330
    Abstract: A reversing ratchet wrench especially suited for mass production and having few easily machinable parts. The pawl and driver are provided with overlapping covers which retain the pawl and protect the engaging teeth. The driver cover is flush with the wrench head for added convenience, yet makes no contact because the driver is supported on a driver skirt. Hence, the wrench is highly impact resistant. A unique retaining clip for retaining the driver allows convenient replacement of the pawl cap/reversing lever without removal of the pawl. Likewise, the wrench can be completely disassembled without special tools, thereby facilitating point-of-sale repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Easco Hand Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Arnold, Richard P. Folkenroth, James A. Van Lenten, Kenneth J. Taggart, James P. Gurzenski
  • Patent number: 4969231
    Abstract: A handle for a hand tool having a tool portion to which the handle is secured rearwardly thereof. The handle has a substantially polygonally shaped cross-section to prevent rolling of the tool. An elastomeric sleeve having ribs thereon is disposed over the handle to facilitate gripping thereof even in greasy and oily conditions. A plurality of pockets are formed in the rearward portion of the handle opposite to the tool portion. An end cap having a plurality of complementary studs is disposed over and secured to the rearward portion of the handle so that each stud is received in and secured in a respective pocket. The end cap is color-coded and/or otherwise provided with indicia means to facilitate user recognition and selection thereof. In another embodiment, the end cap is integral with handle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: EASCO Hand Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Mader, James A. Van Lenten, Philip A. Desmarais
  • Patent number: 4724730
    Abstract: A cam lock socket has a plurality of pins having substantially oval-shaped cross-sections. The pins are received in complementary axially-extending circumferentially-spaced scalloped recesses formed in the socket body. When the socket is rotated in one direction or another, the pins are cammed out of their respective recesses to tighten on a nut (or the head of a bolt or stud). Means are provided for retaining the pins axially and radially in the socket body, and to preclude the pins from tilting about their respective longitudinal axes.In one embodiment, outwardly-extending fins on the pins are received in an internal annular groove formed in the socket body, and a resilient retaining ring is received in slots formed on the inside of pins. In another embodiment, a flanged bushing is mounted in the bore of the socket body and cooperates with inwardly-extending fins on the pins. The flange on the bushing carries a resilient O-ring which bears against the respective pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: Easco Hand Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Mader, James A. Van Lenten