Patents by Inventor Philip L. Rappl

Philip L. Rappl 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).

  • Pickup tool with variable position limiting and variable axis of operation
    Patent number: 6874833
    Abstract: A hand-held tool, for grasping items located at a distance from the operator, including a tool body, including a handle extending therefrom, for holding by the operator, and a moveable trigger operably arranged with the handle, at least one movable, pickup finger, for aid in grasping an item in response to squeezing the trigger, a first, elongated, rigid member, attached between the tool body and the at least one moveable finger, for holding the tool body and the at least one moveable finger, in a spaced-apart arrangement, a second, flexible member attached between the trigger and the at least one moveable finger, for moving the finger in response to movement of the trigger, a lockable element, a loosely-arranged binding plate, moveable by the thumb of the hand holding the handle, arranged for movement against the lockable element for permitting infinite locking positions of the at least one movable finger against the item grasped by the finger, and, a socket formed in the tool body for receiving the first, r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventors: Glen S. Keith, Philip L. Rappl
  • Pickup tool with variable position limiting and variable axis of operation
    Publication number: 20040135387
    Abstract: A hand-held tool, for grasping items located at a distance from the operator, including a tool body, including a handle extending therefrom, for holding by the operator, and a moveable trigger operably arranged with the handle, at least one movable, pickup finger, for aid in grasping an item in response to squeezing the trigger, a first, elongated, rigid member, attached between the tool body and the at least one moveable finger, for holding the tool body and the at least one moveable finger, in a spaced-apart arrangement, a second, flexible member attached between the trigger and the at least one moveable finger, for moving the finger in response to movement of the trigger, a lockable element, a loosely-arranged binding plate, moveable by the thumb of the hand holding the handle, arranged for movement against the lockable element for permitting infinite locking positions of the at least one movable finger against the item grasped by the finger, and, a socket formed in the tool body for receiving the first, r
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Glen S. Keith, Philip L. Rappl