Patents by Inventor Larry Betcher

Larry Betcher 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: 9887521
    Abstract: A wire installation tool for installing a wire through an existing wiring harness includes a handle configured to be manually grasped by a user, an elongated shaft extending from the handle, and a wire engagement feature disposed at the free end of the shaft. In one aspect, the wire engagement feature is a generally flat elongated plate defining two openings sized to snugly receive the wire and spaced apart a distance sufficient to receive the wire bent to a curvature between the openings. In another aspect, the wire engagement feature includes a pig-tail element about which the wire is wound and held by friction between the wire and the pig-tail element to hold the wire in engagement with the wire installation tool as the tool and wire are pulled through an existing wiring harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignees: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Larry Betcher, Dirk Skogerboe, Jacob Hanson
  • Patent number: 9707808
    Abstract: A tire removal tool for removing a tire from a dual wheel assembly has a handle having a gripping portion configured to be manually gripped, a head configured for introduction into the space between the wheels, and an intermediate portion connected between the handle and the head. The intermediate portion has a bent configuration so that the tool can extend over the outermost wheel with the head in contact with the inside of the wheel and the handle manually accessible at the outside of the wheel. The head includes an engagement surface arranged to simultaneously contact the sidewall of the innermost wheel to act as a fulcrum for transmitting an upward force applied to the handle to a force at the distal end of the head sufficient to dislodge the tire bead from the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignees: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael White, Larry Betcher, James Gwilt
  • Patent number: 9522580
    Abstract: A tire spoon may be provided. The tire spoon may include: a bar; and a spoon portion at one end of the bar, the spoon portion having two outer side edges and a middle portion located between the two outer side edges, and at a given cross section of the spoon portion, the middle portion cross sectional thickness is greater than a cross sectional thickness of the two outer side edges. A method of forming a tire spoon is provided. The method may include: providing a spoon portion on an end of a bar; and forming the spoon portion to have middle section that has a thicker cross section than either side portion of the spoon portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: BOSCH AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Michael White, Robert Jensen, Larry Betcher
  • Publication number: 20150273959
    Abstract: A tire spoon for mounting or removing a tire from a wheel rim includes a spoon, and an elongated shaft. The spoon can be inserted between a wheel rim and a tire disposed thereon. The elongated shaft defines a lever arm that is distal from the spoon and that is configured to receive and transfer a lever force to the spoon to flex a portion of the tire about the wheel rim. A force member extends transversely from the shaft proximate to the spoon and between the spoon and the lever arm, and is configured to receive and transfer a pushing force to the spoon to drive the spoon between the tire and the wheel rim. A grip portion of the spoon has at least one groove configured to grip a surface of the tire and/or wheel rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Michael White, James Gwilt, Robert Kochie, Larry Betcher, Robert Jensen
  • Publication number: 20150239311
    Abstract: A tire removal tool for removing a tire from a dual wheel assembly has a handle having a gripping portion configured to be manually gripped, a head configured for introduction into the space between the wheels, and an intermediate portion connected between the handle and the head. The intermediate portion has a bent configuration so that the tool can extend over the outermost wheel with the head in contact with the inside of the wheel and the handle manually accessible at the outside of the wheel. The head includes an engagement surface arranged to simultaneously contact the sidewall of the innermost wheel to act as a fulcrum for transmitting an upward force applied to the handle to a force at the distal end of the head sufficient to dislodge the tire bead from the rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Michael White, Larry Betcher, James Gwilt
  • Publication number: 20150076426
    Abstract: A wire installation tool for installing a wire through an existing wiring harness includes a handle configured to be manually grasped by a user, an elongated shaft extending from the handle, and a wire engagement feature disposed at the free end of the shaft. In one aspect, the wire engagement feature is a generally flat elongated plate defining two openings sized to snugly receive the wire and spaced apart a distance sufficient to receive the wire bent to a curvature between the openings. In another aspect, the wire engagement feature includes a pig-tail element about which the wire is wound and held by friction between the wire and the pig-tail element to hold the wire in engagement with the wire installation tool as the tool and wire are pulled through an existing wiring harness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Larry Betcher, Dirk Skogerboe, Jacob Hanson
  • Patent number: 8776339
    Abstract: A puller tool and method for pulling a component from another component are provided. The puller tool can include a cross bar, a pair of puller legs that are movable along the length of the cross bar and a forcing screw. The puller legs can be quickly positioned anywhere along the length of the cross bar through a quick release mechanism. The cross bar can include notches on its outer surface to ensure that the puller legs are equidistant from each other during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Larry Betcher, Jacob Hanson, Jose Barrios, Robert Jensen
  • Publication number: 20140183426
    Abstract: A wire handheld tool including a handle contiguous to a shank with a wire engaging end. The wire engaging end may be a helically shaped portion used to engage one or more wires thereto. The wire handheld tool can be used to insert, remove, and/or replace wires contained in wire loom split tubing. Some embodiments can include one or more spiral scrolls in the helically shaped portion. In addition, the end of the helically shaped portion may include wire anchoring structures useful to attach or detach one or more wires by rotating motion of the wire handheld tool. The handle of the tool can be ergonomically designed for comfort and practicality, and additionally, may include non-conductive components or coatings to prevent electrically shocking a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Larry Betcher, Dirk Skogerboe
  • Patent number: 8695458
    Abstract: A slide hammer may be provided. The slide hammer may include: a body defining a through hole and a first attaching surface; an auxiliary weight having a second attaching surface configured to attach to the body at the first attaching surface, the auxiliary weight having a through hole located to align with the through hole in the body when the auxiliary weight is attached to the body; and a shaft located in the through holes in the body and auxiliary weight. A method of constructing a slide hammer is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Robert Jensen, Robert Kochie, Michael White, Larry Betcher
  • Publication number: 20130283588
    Abstract: A puller tool and method for pulling a component from another component are provided. The puller tool can include a cross bar, a pair of puller legs that are movable along the length of the cross bar and a forcing screw. The puller legs can be quickly positioned anywhere along the length of the cross bar through a quick release mechanism. The cross bar can include notches on its outer surface to ensure that the puller legs are equidistant from each other during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Larry Betcher, Jacob Hanson, Jose Barrios, Robert Jensen
  • Publication number: 20130270758
    Abstract: A wire holding device configured to hold two wires together to establishing a connection. The connection may be made through soldering the two wires together. The wire holding device is also configured to be adjustable so that the wires can be held at different angles. The wire holding device can also be used to isolate a wire from a wire loom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Service Solutions U.S. LLC
    Inventors: William W. Wittliff, III, Larry Betcher, Robert Kochie
  • Patent number: 8533940
    Abstract: A crimping tool having an angled crimping portion and a method to use the crimping tool are provided. The angled crimping portion can be angled relative to the crimping tool handle or pivoting portion. The angled crimping portion can also be replaceable with various angled crimping portion having various angles. The angled crimping portion is also adjustable at different angles as needed by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Service Solutions U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Michael Kawell, Dirk C. Skogerboe, Larry Betcher
  • Publication number: 20130213583
    Abstract: A slide hammer may be provided. The slide hammer may include: a body defining a through hole and a first attaching surface; an auxiliary weight having a second attaching surface configured to attach to the body at the first attaching surface, the auxiliary weight having a through hole located to align with the through hole in the body when the auxiliary weight is attached to the body; and a shaft located in the through holes in the body and auxiliary weight. A method of constructing a slide hammer is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Robert JENSEN, Robert Kochie, Michael White, Larry Betcher
  • Publication number: 20130199733
    Abstract: A tire spoon may be provided. The tire spoon may include: a bar; and a spoon portion at one end of the bar, the spoon portion having two outer side edges and a middle portion located between the two outer side edges, and at a given cross section of the spoon portion, the middle portion cross sectional thickness is greater than a cross sectional thickness of the two outer side edges. A method of forming a tire spoon is provided. The method may include: providing a spoon portion on an end of a bar; and forming the spoon portion to have middle section that has a thicker cross section than either side portion of the spoon portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Michael WHITE, Robert JENSEN, Larry BETCHER
  • Patent number: 8464411
    Abstract: A puller tool and method for pulling a component from another component are provided. The puller tool can include a cross bar, a pair of puller legs that are movable along the length of the cross bar and a forcing screw. The puller legs can be quickly positioned anywhere along the length of the cross bar through a quick release mechanism. The cross bar can include notches on its outer surface to ensure that the puller legs are equidistant from each other during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Services Solutions U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Larry Betcher, Jacob Hanson, Jose Barrios, Robert Jensen
  • Patent number: 8402627
    Abstract: A puller tool and method for pulling a component from another component are provided. The puller tool can include a cross bar, a pair of puller legs that are movable along the length of the cross bar and a forcing screw. The puller legs can be quickly positioned anywhere along the length of the cross bar through a quick release mechanism. The cross bar can include notches on its outer surface to ensure that the puller legs are equidistant from each other during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Service Solutions U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Larry Betcher, Jacob Hanson, Jose Barrios, Robert Jensen
  • Publication number: 20120216399
    Abstract: A crimping tool having an angled crimping portion and a method to use the crimping tool are provided. The angled crimping portion can be angled relative to the crimping tool handle or pivoting portion. The angled crimping portion can also be replaceable with various angled crimping portion having various angles. The angled crimping portion is also adjustable at different angles as needed by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: SPX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Kawell, Dirk C. Skogerboe, Larry Betcher
  • Publication number: 20120024976
    Abstract: A visible vapor generator is provided. The visible vapor generator may include: a pump having an inlet and an outlet; and a passage configured to provide a fluid to an impeller associated with the pump in addition to lubricating fluid and working fluid provided to the pump; wherein the action of the impeller atomizes both at least some of both the lubricating fluid and the fluid provided to the impeller and expels the atomized fluid through the outlet. A method of generating a vapor may also be provided. The method may include; modifying a pump to have a passage to conduct fluid to an impeller associated with the pump in addition to the lubricating fluid and working fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Larry Betcher, Stanley Norland
  • Publication number: 20110133139
    Abstract: A puller tool and method for pulling a component from another component are provided. The puller tool can include a cross bar, a pair of puller legs that are movable along the length of the cross bar and a forcing screw. The puller legs can be quickly positioned anywhere along the length of the cross bar through a quick release mechanism. The cross bar can include notches on its outer surface to ensure that the puller legs are equidistant from each other during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Larry Betcher, Jacob Hanson, Jose Barrios, Robert Jensen
  • Publication number: 20110131783
    Abstract: A puller tool and method for pulling a component from another component are provided. The puller tool can include a cross bar, a pair of puller legs that are movable along the length of the cross bar and a forcing screw. The puller legs can be quickly positioned anywhere along the length of the cross bar through a quick release mechanism. The cross bar can include notches on its outer surface to ensure that the puller legs are equidistant from each other during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Larry Betcher, Jacob Hanson, Jose Barrios, Robert Jensen