Patents by Inventor Joseph J. Houle
Joseph J. Houle 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).
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Patent number: 9939332Abstract: In a device and method for taking temperature readings on an HVAC system, a first probe is connectable in thermal communication with the HVAC system for taking a first temperature reading thereof. A second probe is connectable in thermal communication with the HVAC system for taking a second temperature reading thereof that is independent of the first temperature reading. A digital display is connectable to the first and second probes for displaying the first and second temperature readings.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2014Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool CompanyInventors: Bryan Alfano, Joseph J. Houle
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Patent number: 9433993Abstract: Compact tube and pipe expanders and flaring tools requiring reduced actuation force by a user. A flaring tool includes a flaring block and a yoke clampable to the flaring block by a clamping mechanism. The yoke includes a housing having a threaded release portion movable between a first position and a second position. A flaring cone of the yoke has a tapered flaring surface adapted to engage an internal surface of a tube and deform at least the engaged portion of the tube against the flaring block into a flared condition. A threaded feed screw is operatively coupleable to the flaring cone to move the flaring cone into engagement with the internal surface of the tube to deform it. The tool has a handle to rotate the feed screw.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool CompanyInventors: Joseph J. Houle, David Wortelboer
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Patent number: 9156075Abstract: A lever bender includes a first handle pivotally attached to a second handle. The first handle includes a forming mandrel around which a pipe is bent and a stop member for receiving and substantially holding the pipe in place prior to bending. The second handle includes a forming head that engages and bends the pipe around the forming mandrel. The stop member includes a pipe-engaging member that receives a pipe and a locking member adjacent to the pipe-engaging member. The locking member includes a retaining member moveable between a projecting position where the retaining member secures the pipe between the pipe-engaging member and the locking member and a retracted position permitting a pipe to either be received within the pipe-engaging member or removed from the pipe-engaging member.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: IRWIN INDUSTRIAL TOOL COMPANYInventors: Joseph J. Houle, Roman Lomeli
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Patent number: 9144835Abstract: In a crossbow-style tube bender, a curved bending mandrel having a channel into which the tube in bent to form the bent tubing length has at least one relief surface forming a localized recess or depression in the surface of the channel. A forming bar or cross bar adapted to cooperate with a bending mandrel has on a first side of the forming bar a least one first pair of forming mandrels configured for a first tubing size, and on a second side of the forming bar has at least one second pair of forming mandrels configured for a second tubing size. The bender has a quick connect-disconnect mechanism permitting quick disconnection from and connection to the forming bar to utilize either the at least one first or at least one second pairs of forming mandrels.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2012Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool CompanyInventors: Joseph J. Houle, David Wortelboer
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Publication number: 20150000364Abstract: Compact tube and pipe expanders and flaring tools requiring reduced actuation force by a user. A flaring tool includes a flaring block and a yoke clampable to the flaring block by a clamping mechanism. The yoke includes a housing having a threaded release portion movable between a first position and a second position. A flaring cone of the yoke has a tapered flaring surface adapted to engage an internal surface of a tube and deform at least the engaged portion of the tube against the flaring block into a flared condition. A threaded feed screw is operatively coupleable to the flaring cone to move the flaring cone into engagement with the internal surface of the tube to deform it. The tool has a handle to rotate the feed screw.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Joseph J. Houle, David Wortelboer
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Patent number: 8869581Abstract: Compact tube and pipe expanders and flaring tools requiring reduced actuation force by a user. A flaring tool includes a flaring block and a yoke clampable to the flaring block by a clamping mechanism. The yoke includes a housing having a threaded release portion movable between a first position and a second position. A flaring cone of the yoke has a tapered flaring surface adapted to engage an internal surface of a tube and deform at least the engaged portion of the tube against the flaring block into a flared condition. A threaded feed screw is operatively coupleable to the flaring cone to move the flaring cone into engagement with the internal surface of the tube to deform it. The tool has a handle to rotate the feed screw.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool CompanyInventors: Joseph J. Houle, David Wortelboer
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Publication number: 20140241395Abstract: In a device and method for taking temperature readings on an HVAC system, a first probe is connectable in thermal communication with the HVAC system for taking a first temperature reading thereof. A second probe is connectable in thermal communication with the HVAC system for taking a second temperature reading thereof that is independent of the first temperature reading. A digital display is connectable to the first and second probes for displaying the first and second temperature readings.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: Irwin Industrial Tool CompanyInventors: Bryan Alfano, Joseph J. Houle
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Publication number: 20140208820Abstract: A lever bender includes a first handle pivotally attached to a second handle. The first handle includes a forming mandrel around which a pipe is bent and a stop member for receiving and substantially holding the pipe in place prior to bending. The second handle includes a forming head that engages and bends the pipe around the forming mandrel. The stop member includes a pipe-engaging member that receives a pipe and a locking member adjacent to the pipe-engaging member. The locking member includes a retaining member moveable between a projecting position where the retaining member secures the pipe between the pipe-engaging member and the locking member and a retracted position permitting a pipe to either be received within the pipe-engaging member or removed from the pipe-engaging member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Inventors: Joseph J. Houle, Roman Lomeli
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Patent number: 8746971Abstract: In a device and method for taking temperature readings on an HVAC system, a first probe is connectable in thermal communication with the HVAC system for taking a first temperature reading thereof. A second probe is connectable in thermal communication with the HVAC system for taking a second temperature reading thereof that is independent of the first temperature reading. A digital display is connectable to the first and second probes for displaying the first and second temperature readings.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool CompanyInventors: Bryan Alfano, Joseph J. Houle
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Publication number: 20120240652Abstract: Compact tube and pipe expanders and flaring tools requiring reduced actuation force by a user. A flaring tool includes a flaring block and a yoke clampable to the flaring block by a clamping mechanism. The yoke includes a housing having a threaded release portion movable between a first position and a second position. A flaring cone of the yoke has a tapered flaring surface adapted to engage an internal surface of a tube and deform at least the engaged portion of the tube against the flaring block into a flared condition. A threaded feed screw is operatively coupleable to the flaring cone to move the flaring cone into engagement with the internal surface of the tube to deform it. The tool has a handle to rotate the feed screw.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventors: Joseph J. Houle, David Wortelboer
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Publication number: 20120241123Abstract: In a device and method for taking temperature readings on an HVAC system, a first probe is connectable in thermal communication with the HVAC system for taking a first temperature reading thereof. A second probe is connectable in thermal communication with the HVAC system for taking a second temperature reading thereof that is independent of the first temperature reading. A digital display is connectable to the first and second probes for displaying the first and second temperature readings.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventors: Bryan Alfano, Joseph J. Houle
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Publication number: 20120240655Abstract: In a crossbow-style tube bender, a curved bending mandrel having a channel into which the tube in bent to form the bent tubing length has at least one relief surface forming a localized recess or depression in the surface of the channel. A forming bar or cross bar adapted to cooperate with a bending mandrel has on a first side of the forming bar a least one first pair of forming mandrels configured for a first tubing size, and on a second side of the forming bar has at least one second pair of forming mandrels configured for a second tubing size. The bender has a quick connect-disconnect mechanism permitting quick disconnection from and connection to the forming bar to utilize either the at least one first or at least one second pairs of forming mandrels.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventors: Joseph J. Houle, David Wortelboer
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Publication number: 20100146795Abstract: A serrated pipe cutter comprising handles pivotally coupled together and movable between first and second positions; wherein the first handle includes a grip at one end and a blade at an opposite end; the blade includes an elongated cutting edge which defines a cutting edge surface tapering inwardly, a plurality of serrations extending along the cutting edge, and a plurality of cutting tips extending between adjacent serrations. Each serration defines a cutting edge surface, a substantially concave facet tapering inwardly, and a linear serration cutting edge extending between adjacent cutting tips. Each cutting tip defines a cutting tip surface tapering inwardly and a linear cutting tip edge extending between adjacent serrations, at least a portion of which is offset from at least a portion of the serration cutting edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Inventor: Joseph J. Houle
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Publication number: 20080196562Abstract: There is provided a device for driving a fastener, such as a nut driver, that includes an elongate shaft having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, an aperture disposed on the first end and having an interior aperture shape that is substantially the same as at least a portion of an exterior shape of the fastener, a handle disposed on the shaft, and a tactile feel element disposed on the shaft having an element shape. The element shape has an orientation that is at least substantially the same as an orientation of the interior aperture shape. There is also provided a manufacturing method.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2007Publication date: August 21, 2008Inventors: Asif Elliston, Joseph T. Novak, Peter Weremchuk, Joseph J. Houle