Patents by Inventor Kenneth J. Taggart

Kenneth J. Taggart 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: 7658132
    Abstract: A tool for removing and installing serpentine belts in vehicles has a drive bar, a double box end wrench and a socket. The drive bar has a handle at a first end and a fitting at an opposite second end that is used to connect to the double box end wrench. The double box end wrench has a first end defining a polygonally shaped opening and an opposite second end that defines a ratcheting wrench having a first plurality of teeth on an inner circumference thereof. The socket defines a second plurality of teeth on an outer circumference thereof that are adapted to be received by the ratcheting wrench first plurality of teeth. The socket also defines one of a polygonally shaped opening and a polygonally shaped tang that is received by a work piece of an vehicle idler pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Easco Hand Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Taggart, Sr., Paul S. Steinweg
  • Publication number: 20040200324
    Abstract: A tool for removing and installing serpentine belts in vehicles has a drive bar, a double box end wrench and a socket. The drive bar has a handle at a first end and a fitting at an opposite second end that is used to connect to the double box end wrench. The double box end wrench has a first end defining a polygonally shaped opening and an opposite second end that defines a ratcheting wrench having a first plurality of teeth on an inner circumference thereof. The socket defines a second plurality of teeth on an outer circumference thereof that are adapted to be received by the ratcheting wrench first plurality of teeth. The socket also defines one of a polygonally shaped opening and a polygonally shaped tang that is received by a work piece of an vehicle idler pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Taggart, Paul S. Steinweg
  • Patent number: 6732617
    Abstract: A replaceable tip for a tool. A locking pin is disposed on a transverse opening in the end of the tool. A sleeve having a cammed surface formed interiorly is disposed over the end of the tool with the ends of the locking pin contacting the cammed surface. The replaceable tip has a locking keeper which engages the locking pin. Rotation of the sleeve in opposite directions locks or unlocks the locking keeper to the locking pin to allow retention or removal of the tip. In an alternate embodiment the sleeve has opposite spring fingers which contact the ends of the locking pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventors: Paul S. Steinweg, Kenneth J. Taggart, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20030217622
    Abstract: A replaceable tip for a tool. A locking pin is disposed on a transverse opening in the end of the tool. A sleeve having a cammed surface formed interiorly is disposed over the end of the tool with the ends of the locking pin contacting the cammed surface. The replaceable tip has a locking keeper which engages the locking pin. Rotation of the sleeve in opposite directions locks or unlocks the locking keeper to the locking pin to allow retention or removal of the tip. In an alternate embodiment the sleeve has opposite spring fingers which contact the ends of the locking pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: Hand Tool Design Corporation
    Inventors: Paul S. Steinweg, Kenneth J. Taggart
  • Patent number: 5233891
    Abstract: A one-piece detent for mounting in a bore, the detent including a foot, a head and a resilient connecting member therebetween. The foot is disposed against a stop in the bore and the connecting member urges the second end outwardly from the bore. The connecting member provides a resiliency when a force is applied against the head of the detent, such that the connecting member is partially collapsed in the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Easco Hand Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Arnold, Kenneth J. Taggart
  • Patent number: 5199335
    Abstract: A locking flex-head wrench has a handle pivotably connected to a tool head, and an improved locking mechanism comprising a unitary locking spool seated within the handle and conveniently manipulated to lock or unlock the tool head at a desired angular position with respect to the handle. The locking mechanism is of simple design and can be manufactured, assembled, and repaired at minimum expense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Easco Hand Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Arnold, Kenneth J. Taggart, James D. Diffenderfer
  • 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: 5178047
    Abstract: A reversible ratchet wrench has a handle portion and a head portion. The head portion includes a drive member having teeth thereon and a pawl having teeth which selectively engage the teeth on the drive member. The head portion has two partially overlapping cavities formed therein, the cavities being formed from the bottom of the head portion. The top of the head portion has two spaced-apart openings formed therein, each opening communicating respectively with one of the two cavities. The drive member is disposed in the larger cavity and the pawl is disposed in the smaller cavity. A one-piece lever means is provided having a non-cylindrical stem depending therefrom. The stem is received in a cooperating bore in the pawl. A multi-sided shelf is formed on the stem, the shelf being received in a cooperating cavity in the top of the pawl. The top of the head portion of the wrench is received between the top portion of the lever means and the shelf on the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: EASCO Hand Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Arnold, Richard P. Folkenroth, James A. VanLenten, Kenneth J. Taggart, James Gurzenski
  • Patent number: 5140734
    Abstract: An adjustable brake spring pliers that are readily adjustable for use on either shoe of both old and new types of brake drums of varying sizes. The pliers has a pair of pivotally joined arms. One of the arms has a flat portion formed thereon that minimizes the potential of damage to the brake lining contacted by the flat portion during use of the pliers. The other of the arms includes a pair of pivotal tips formed thereon. Each of the tips have a respective notch formed th erein for engaging a spring to be installed/removed thereby. The tips may be readily selectively adjusted, permitting the pliers to be utilized on brake drums of varying sizes and types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Easco Hand Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Taggart
  • Patent number: 4517821
    Abstract: An automatic torque wrench testing machine uses a strain-gauge transducer to develop signals corresponding to the torque applied to the wrench. The machine is driven by pneumatic/hydraulic drive under the control of a microprocessor. Torque is initially applied at a relatively high rate but as the value of the torque sensed approaches that of a target value, the applied torque is automatically reduced to relatively low rate. When the target or click value is reached, the signal produced by the transducer drops sharply from its highest value. Thereafter, a predetermined number of additional torque values are sensed and compared with the highest value. If none of the succeeding values exceed the highest value, the highest value is displayed, and the direction in which torque is applied to the wrench is reversed until a neutral position is reached. The torque drive is then stopped. The wrench is then tested in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Assignee: K-D Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Taggart, Kevin W. Traub
  • Patent number: D251180
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1979
    Assignee: K-D Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: William G. Mader, Kenneth J. Taggart