Abstract: A hand held flaring tool for flaring an end of a tube includes a body portion and a handle portion. The body portion receives the tube therein and includes a locking actuator operable to actuate a locking mechanism to secure the tube in the body portion. The body portion includes a flaring actuator operable to actuate a flaring mechanism to flare the end of the tube when the tube is secured in the body portion. The handle portion includes a grip portion that is grasped by a user's hand for supporting the body portion of the flaring tool during a flaring process of the tube. While the user is holding the handle portion to support the hand held flaring tool, the user is able to access and actuate first and second user inputs disposed at and accessible at the handle portion to actuate the locking actuator and flaring actuator.

Abstract: A fitting for connecting to a tube includes a connector body, a cartridge, a retaining ring and a fastener. The connector body has a generally cylindrical cavity having an inside body diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of a selected tube that is to be connected to by the fitting. The cartridge is disposed in the cylindrical cavity of the connector body and has a passageway therethrough. The cartridge is selected from a plurality of different sized cartridge and the selected cartridge has an inside diameter that generally corresponds to the outer diameter of the selected tube. When the fastener is attached at the connector body, the fastener urges the retaining ring into engagement with the selected tube and at least one of the end of the connector body and the selected cartridge to secure the selected tube within the selected cartridge and the connector body.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling to a fluid line includes a coupler body having an end portion with a threaded outer surface and a conical inner surface. A fastener threadedly engages the threaded outer surface of the coupler body. A ferrule includes a rotational driving portion and a clamping portion having a threaded inner surface. When a tube is inserted through the ferrule and the fastener and into the end portion of the coupler body, the fastener threads onto the coupler body and the conical inner surface of the coupler body engages an outer surface of the clamping portion of the ferrule to substantially clamp the clamping portion of the ferrule around the tube. With the fastener tightened, the ferrule is rotatable relative to the fastener and the coupler body and the tube, whereby rotation of the ferrule moves the tube further into the coupler body.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling to a fluid line includes a connector, a sleeve and a fastener. The connector has an end portion configured for insertion into a tube end, and has an outer surface profile that has at least one protrusion at the end portion for engaging an inner surface of a tube when the end portion is inserted into the tube end. The sleeve is configured for positioning at least partially around the connector and the tube end. The fastener threadedly engages a threaded outer surface of the sleeve, and when the fastener is threaded onto the sleeve, the inner surface profile of the sleeve engages the tube at the end portion of the connector to substantially clamp around the tube at the connector. The coupling device includes at least one clamping element for enhancing clamping of the sleeve around the tube at the connector.

Abstract: A hand held flaring tool for flaring an end of a tube includes a body portion and a handle portion. The body portion receives the tube therein and includes a locking actuator operable to actuate a locking mechanism to secure the tube in the body portion. The body portion includes a flaring actuator operable to actuate a flaring mechanism to flare the end of the tube when the tube is secured in the body portion. The handle portion includes a grip portion that is grasped by a user's hand for supporting the body portion of the flaring tool during a flaring process of the tube. While the user is holding the handle portion to support the hand held flaring tool, the user is able to access and actuate first and second user inputs disposed at and accessible at the handle portion to actuate the locking actuator and flaring actuator.

Abstract: A swage or coupling tool is provided for use in coupling a fluid line to a compression fitting, a fluid coupler, or the like. The swage tool provides multiple degrees of freedom and/or multiple pivots or pivot joints to facilitate and maintain alignment of the jaws with the compression fitting during use of the swage tool to facilitate properly-aligned assembly of the compression fitting, and to limit bending or kinking of the fluid line when the fitting is being attached. The swage tool includes a pair of movable jaws, which may have stepped or rounded engagement surfaces, which may be forced against corresponding engagement surfaces of the compression fitting to securely assemble the fitting to the fluid line. The shape of the engagement surfaces facilitates properly-aligned assembly of the compression fitting, and limits bending or kinking of the fluid line when the fitting is being attached.

Abstract: A hand held flaring tool includes a receiving portion for receiving an end of a tube, a stop element, a locking mechanism and a flaring mechanism. The stop element is movably disposed at the receiving portion and is movable between a stopping position, where the stop element limits insertion of the tube at the receiving portion to set the tube at an appropriate location for flaring the end of the tube, and a flaring position, where the stop element is moved to a position remote from the end of the tube. The locking mechanism is operable to lock the tube at the receiving portion when the tube is inserted into engagement with the stop element. The flaring mechanism is operable to move a flaring mandrel towards and into engagement with the end of the tube to flare the end of the tube.

Abstract: A fluid line connector facilitates the rapid and inexpensive replacement or repair of damaged portions of a fluid line or conduit, such as a vehicular refrigerant line, oil line, fuel line, or the like. The fluid line connector includes a main body that can accommodate different sizes of fluid lines, with ferrules and conduit couplers attached at opposite ends of the main body. The conduit couplers, ferrules, and seals cooperate with the main body to retain and seal the respective open ends of the fluid line in the connector, thus creating a secure and sealed junction or connection along a fluid conduit.

Abstract: A universal drain plug system and method allow for the use of a single tool, such as a wrench, for installing and removing drain plugs from fluid containers such as vehicle oil pans. The system includes a plurality of different drain plugs, each with a substantially identical tool-engaging head portion, but with a different threaded shaft. The threaded shafts may differ in diameter, length, and thread dimensions including thread height and pitch, for example.

Abstract: A fitting for connecting to a tube includes a connector body, a cartridge, a retaining ring and a fastener. The connector body has a generally cylindrical cavity having an inside body diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of a selected tube that is to be connected to by the fitting. The cartridge is disposed in the cylindrical cavity of the connector body and has a passageway therethrough. The cartridge is selected from a plurality of different sized cartridge and the selected cartridge has an inside diameter that generally corresponds to the outer diameter of the selected tube. When the fastener is attached at the connector body, the fastener urges the retaining ring into engagement with the selected tube and at least one of the end of the connector body and the selected cartridge to secure the selected tube within the selected cartridge and the connector body.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling or splicing two fluid lines together includes a connector, a sleeve and at least one fastener. The connector has first and second end portions configured for insertion into first and second tube ends, respectively. The connector has an outer surface profile that includes at least one protrusion at each of the end portions for engaging an inner surface of a tube when the end portion is inserted into the tube end. The sleeve is configured for positioning at least partially around the connector and the tube ends disposed at the first and second end portions. The sleeve has an inner surface profile that generally corresponds with the outer surface profile of the connector, and the sleeve has an outer surface that has at least one threaded portion. The fastener threadedly engages the threaded portion of the sleeve and is tightened thereon.

Abstract: A hand operated gripping tool includes a first jaw unit having a first work piece engaging portion, a support member extending generally transversely with respect to the first jaw unit, a first handle at the second end of the support member, a second jaw unit having a second work piece engaging portion, and a second handle having an end portion pivotally attached at the second jaw unit. A guiding device is disposed at the end portion of the second handle. The guiding device has an engaging element and a biasing element, and the engaging element is biased or urged toward and into engagement with the second reaction surface by the biasing element. The engaging element engages the second reaction surface as the second jaw unit moves along the support member to adjust the size of the work piece receiving space.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling to a fluid line includes a coupler body having an end portion with a threaded outer surface and a conical inner surface. A fastener threadedly engages the threaded outer surface of the coupler body. A ferrule includes a rotational driving portion and a clamping portion having a threaded inner surface. When a tube is inserted through the ferrule and the fastener and into the end portion of the coupler body, the fastener threads onto the coupler body and the conical inner surface of the coupler body engages an outer surface of the clamping portion of the ferrule to substantially clamp the clamping portion of the ferrule around the tube. With the fastener tightened, the ferrule is rotatable relative to the fastener and the coupler body and the tube, whereby rotation of the ferrule moves the tube further into the coupler body.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling to a fluid line includes a connector, a sleeve and a fastener. The connector has an end portion configured for insertion into a tube end, and has an outer surface profile that has at least one protrusion at the end portion for engaging an inner surface of a tube when the end portion is inserted into the tube end. The sleeve is configured for positioning at least partially around the connector and the tube end. The fastener threadedly engages a threaded outer surface of the sleeve, and when the fastener is threaded onto the sleeve, the inner surface profile of the sleeve engages the tube at the end portion of the connector to substantially clamp around the tube at the connector. The coupling device includes at least one clamping element for enhancing clamping of the sleeve around the tube at the connector.

Abstract: A wrench for applying a drive torque at a drive element includes an elongated handle, a clamping element or head having a torque-applying gripping surface, and at least one trigger. The head is adjustably or movably mounted at the handle and is adjustable or movable to impart a clamping force at a drive element received at the gripping surface of the head. The trigger is configured to adjust or move the head relative to the handle to impart the clamping force at the drive element. Responsive to a user actuating the trigger, the trigger adjusts or moves the head relative to the handle to impart the clamping force at the drive element irrespective of any movement of the handle relative to the drive element.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling or splicing two fluid lines together includes a connector, a sleeve and at least one fastener. The connector has first and second end portions configured for insertion into first and second tube ends, respectively. The connector has an outer surface profile that includes at least one protrusion at each of the end portions for engaging an inner surface of a tube when the end portion is inserted into the tube end. The sleeve is configured for positioning at least partially around the connector and the tube ends disposed at the first and second end portions. The sleeve has an inner surface profile that generally corresponds with the outer surface profile of the connector, and the sleeve has an outer surface that has at least one threaded portion. The fastener threadedly engages the threaded portion of the sleeve and is tightened thereon.

Abstract: A hand held flaring tool includes a receiving portion for receiving an end of a tube, a stop element, a locking mechanism and a flaring mechanism. The stop element is movably disposed at the receiving portion and is movable between a stopping position, where the stop element limits insertion of the tube at the receiving portion to set the tube at an appropriate location for flaring the end of the tube, and a flaring position, where the stop element is moved to a position remote from the end of the tube. The locking mechanism is operable to lock the tube at the receiving portion when the tube is inserted into engagement with the stop element. The flaring mechanism is operable to move a flaring mandrel towards and into engagement with the end of the tube to flare the end of the tube.

Abstract: A drain hole sealing system has a ribbed drain plug that includes a shaft for engaging the drain hole of a fluid container, a head portion for engaging a tool, and at least one annular rib or ridge or projection extending from the head portion in the same direction as the threaded shaft and concentric therewith. The annular rib or ribs provide compressive and biting engagement with an annular deformable seal positioned concentrically around the drain hole that is engaged by the shaft of the drain plug. At least one annular rib moves into biting engagement with the annular deformable seal so that the seal deforms at least partially around the annular rib when the drain plug is tightened.