Abstract: A method and improved apparatus for detecting leaks in pressurized pipeline systems, which compensate for the thermally induced volume changes of the liquid in the line during a test that are produced by both the nonlinear changes in the mean temperature of the liquid and the pressure-induced perturbations of the temperature of the liquid.

Abstract: An improved system for the non-destructive testing of the fluid tight integrity of an installed fluid transfer line such as a drain pipe or vent and wastewater system of a building. A removable test baffle is held in place between ends of adjacent sections of an installed fluid transfer line to isolate a portion of the line for testing. The test system comprises a baffle carriage, a removable test baffle, and a sleeve adapted to engage the outer surfaces of the adjacent sections to seal the junction and the test installation from leaking and optionally to provide one or more gaskets between the section ends and the baffle carriage. In optional preferred embodiments of the test system the baffle carriage is an integral part of the sleeve. Preferred baffles for use with the invention are flexible, of larger diameter than the fluid line, and comprise dual-gasket sealing means and means for removal of the baffles from either side of the test seal.

Abstract: For leak testing closed containers (9) which are filled with a filling product containing at least one liquid component the container is introduced in a test cavity (1) which is evacuated at least down to vapor pressure of that liquid component. The pressure in the surrounding of the container (9) and thus within test cavity (1) is monitored. Monitoring is performed by a vacuum pressure sensor (7), whereas lowering pressure surrounding the container (9) is performed by a vacuum pump (5).

Abstract: A compact fluidic circuit card having a main body with internal sensing elements and with fluidic circuit components (FCCs) located on both its front and back surfaces. An immunoassay sensing element may be used either in the form of a optical waveguide around which the liquid test sample may flow, or a disc through which the liquid test sample may flow. The card may be made inexpensive enough to be disposable by forming its main body and all of its FCCs so that they are suitable for being integrally formed in one piece by injection molding from plastic, regardless of the number of its FCCs; and by using thin strips of adhesively attached material for the main body's cover, needle septum strip and valve membrane strip. Heat-shrink plastic may be used for the valve membranes. The strength of the heat-shrink plastic's adhesive bonds may be increased by using a corona or plasma discharge to intentionally damage the surface of the heat-shrink plastic.

Abstract: A balance weight includes a body having a mounting aperture for receiving a mounting pin, and a guide tab for engaging a complementary guide slot in a rotor. The rotor includes a spinner fixedly joined thereto for rotation therewith, with the spinner having an endwall disposed coaxially about a shaft for defining a balance plane. The mounting pin is disposed at the center of the endwall, with the endwall having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart guide ribs defining a plurality of the guide slots between adjacent ones thereof. The balance weight is mounted on the spinner endwall, with the mounting aperture thereof receiving the mounting pin, and the guide tab being positioned in one of the guide slots for restraining circumferential movement thereof.

Abstract: A method for detecting a power loss condition of an internal combustion engine, the engine having at least one cylinder and a crank shaft, the method including the steps of sensing rotational crank shaft speed for a plurality of designated crank shaft rotational positions over a predetermined number of cycles of rotation, determining an average crank shaft speed fluctuation for each crank shaft position, determining information representative of crank shaft kinetic energy variation due to each firing event in the cylinder, and determining information representative of an average fuel flow rate. Information representative of a power loss for the cylinder is determined as a function of the crank shaft kinetic energy variation, average crank shaft speed and average fuel flow rate and a representative power loss signal is responsively produced.

Abstract: Nonconcentricity or lack of smoothness values are proportional to the change in angular speed of the crankshaft. Deviation values that are proportional to the cyclical combustion fluctuations are ascertained, after the nonconcentricity values of successive combustion cycles are averaged, by comparison of the current nonconcentricity value with the associated mean value. Then the deviation quantity is compared with an individual-cylinder-specific limit value, and cyclical combustion fluctuations are deduced if the deviation quantity exceeds a limit value.

Abstract: The tank venting system is evacuated by the negative pressure prevailing in the intake pipe of the internal combustion engine. A regression calculation, based on a physical model which simulates the pressure variation in the event of a leak in the tank venting system, on the basis of a gas mass flow flowing through an opening, supplies a parameter which describes the curve variation of the pressure during the test for gassing out fuel and during the diagnosis. The parameter contains the information about the leak area and takes into account external influences that interfere with the signal evaluation.

Abstract: An adapter for facilitating the measurement of the angular inclination of components having yokes secured thereto in a vehicular drive train system. The adapter includes a cylindrical shaft portion having an end portion connected to one end thereof. The shaft portion is sized to correspond to the diameter of the opposed bearing cup openings, whether cylindrical as found in a full round end yoke or semi-cylindrical as found in a half round end yoke. The end portion extends perpendicular to the cylindrical shaft and provides a surface upon which an inclinometer may be disposed to measure the relative angular orientation of the yoke. If desired, a slot may be formed in the surface of the shaft portion to accommodate one or more nibs formed on the half round end yoke.

Abstract: An inlet conveyor for conveying tires through a tire uniformity testing system includes a tire centering mechanism and a pair of conveyor belts for delivering tires to a tire testing station. A fixed conveyor having rollers on which tires can easily slide is secured to a frame that supports the centering mechanism. The conveyor belts are reeved around respective pulleys and are supported by support rails fixed to and extending away from the centering mechanism in cantilever fashion. A conveyor elevator is raised or lowered with respect to the frame unit to raise or lower the support rails and conveyor belts to either engage or disengage a tire resting on the fixed conveyor. The support rails and conveyor belts are adjustable in a lateral direction to vary the width of the space between the belts to accommodate different size tires. The conveyor belts are advanced by a rotary pneumatic actuator that precisely controls the distance the belts move to position the tire with respect to the testing station.

Abstract: A monitoring assembly for a pneumatic tire includes an electronic monitoring device having at least one sensor disposed in a protective body. The protective body includes an encapsulation layer that encapsulates the substrate and sensors, a cushion, and a skin on the outside of the cushion. The protective body is substantially spherical allowing the assembly to roll about the inside of a tire without being permanently connected to the tire. A breathing tube through the protective body is provided so that a pressure sensor can sense the pressure within the pneumatic tire. The breathing tube may be filled with a transfer gel to prevent the breathing tube from being clogged. The monitoring assembly may further include wings that help position the monitoring assembly within the tire. The antenna of the monitoring device may be disposed within one of the wings.

Abstract: An array of acoustic sensors spaced along a cable is deployed in a fluid filled concrete pipeline and the sensors are monitored to find acoustic anomalies, particularly anomalies resulting from breakage of a reinforcing wire for the concrete. The location of wire breaks is found from the data collected.

Abstract: A gravity gradiometer including first and second proof masses and a device for providing simultaneous free flight of the proof masses under the influence of the gravitional force in which the gradient is to be measured and a capacitance device for monitoring the movement of the centers of mass with respect to each other during free flight by monitoring capacitance between portions of the two proof masses.

Abstract: A wheel speed sensor for wheels powered through a transaxle is mounted on the transaxle case. A preferred pickup arrangement senses the rotation of a CV joint positioned adjacent the transaxle case.

Abstract: A physical quantity detecting is capable of easily adjusting sensitivity and an offset of a detected output without being increased in size. In a signal processor for driving a sensor element in which fixed electrodes are disposed on both sides of a movable electrode displaced in response to acceleration, a signal generator generates PWM signals PA and PB in which an invalid control period during which the fixed electrodes are both deenergized only during a period corresponding to data M3 stored in a memory, is, at a predetermined ratio, inserted into a valid control period during which the fixed electrodes are alternately energized and their energization ratio is controlled so that the movable electrode is placed in position.

Abstract: In the sensor: torsion beams 7a, 7b are fixedly connected between the centers of opposite outer sides of central fixed board 1 and the corresponding centers of opposite inner sides of a window 5; electrodes 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b are mounted on a front and a rear surface of weight portions 9a, 9b; and, an outer cover 21, which is constructed of an upper and a lower board 17, 19 provided with electrodes 23a, 23b, 25a, 25b corresponding to the electrodes of the weight portions, is mounted on a side surface of an outer frame 15 in which both the central fixed board 1 and the weight board 3 are received, so that the central fixed board 1 is rotatably supported. It is possible to increase the length of each of the torsion beams 7a, 7b. These electrodes 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b may be produced through a single path in printing process.

Abstract: A method of simultaneously reconstructing and testing a straddle-mount turbine blade hub with the turbine blades in place. The method employs a sector scan ultrasonic phased array mounted on one face of the hub to inspect the opposite face.

Abstract: A transmitter in a process control system transmits a pressure over a process control loop. The transmitter includes I/O circuitry, compensation circuitry and an absolute pressure sensor. The I/O circuitry transmits information over the process control loop. Compensation circuitry receives a pressure related signal and responsively controls the I/O circuitry to transmit pressure information on the loop. The absolute pressure sensor includes a cavity which deforms as the sensor deflects in response to an applied pressure. A sensor in the cavity provides the pressure related signal to the compensation circuitry in response to the deformation.

Abstract: A miniature piezoresistive sensor includes an undoped single crystal and a doped diamond film deposited by a chemical vapor deposition process on the undoped polycrystalline diamond and having a single crystal grain size of about 1 micron to 1 millimeter. The sensor preferably includes metal contacts in contact with the doped film. The resistance of the sensor varies as a function of strain on the doped diamond film transmitted through the single grain. This inexpensive highly-sensitive sensor can be used for sensing pressure, acceleration, strain or weight. It can also be used as a thermistor.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a permanent displacement of an elastic contact segment of a terminal having a displacing load imposing unit, wherein a terminal to be measured is clamped on a surface of a terminal mounting plate, a load imposing head is operated to impose load onto the elastic contact segment of the terminal with its load imposer, a displacement of the load imposing head is measured by a measuring instrument and the contact between the load imposer an the elastic contact segment of the terminal is detected by a circuit tester. An initial contact position of the load imposer with the elastic contact segment is measured at first and continuing to load the elastic contact segment until it reaches a predetermined deformed position. This deformed elastic contact segment is inprocess heat treated and then unloaded by reversing the movement of the load imposer after completing the heat treatment.

Abstract: A mass flowmeter for flowing media, which operates according to the Coriolis principle, with one at least basically straight Coriolis line guiding the flowing medium, with at least one oscillation generator acting on the Coriolis line, with at least one sensor detecting Coriolis oscillations based on a Coriolis force and/or Coriolis forces, and with a compensation cylinder, the Coriolis line being located within the compensation cylinder and mechanically connected with the compensation cylinder. According to the invention, the mass flowmeter is designed and further developed so that the oscillation properties of the compensation cylinder essentially correspond to those of the Coriolis line, so that, during operation, the compensation cylinder and the Coriolis line oscillate opposite one another in the manner of a tuning fork.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensing element for measuring loads. According to the invention, the sensing element commprises: a strain transducer unit (1) measuring the strain in a structure, including a strain transducer element, such as a strain gauge element (6); and a protecting shell (2) inside which the strain transducer unit (1) is fitted and which protecting shell includes: a base plate (3), on top of which the strain transducer unit (1) is attached; and a protecting hood (4) which is fitted around the strain transducer unit (1), on top of the base plate (3). The protecting hood (4) is most advantageously filled with protecting material (5), such as silicon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of titration using a syringe. In the method a sample is drawn into a syringe through a single bore needle; and a titrant is drawn into the syringe through the single bore needle until an end point is reached.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for determining at least one of a plurality of particle physical characteristics. The particle physical characteristics include particle size, shape, magnetic susceptibility, magnetic label density, charge separation, dielectric constant, and derivatives thereof. The method includes generating a region of space having a substantially constant force field, determining the velocity of at least one particle within the region by identifying and locating the particle and its coordinates in at least two temporally defined digital images, and determining the particle physical characteristics from the determined velocity and a predetermined force field magnitude and direction.

Abstract: A motor having gears which transmit rotations of a rotor to an output shaft through a gear mechanism made of gear trains, comprises a gear mechanism provided with an intermittent rotation mechanism including a primary gear which rotates upon receiving rotations of the rotor and a secondary gear which meshes with the primary gear and rotates intermittently. The primary gear has a tooth unit for driving the secondary gear, a tooth-shaped hole, which is provided adjacent to one side of the tooth unit and with which a meshing tooth of the secondary gear meshes, and a control unit which is provided adjacent to the other side of the tooth unit so as to stop the secondary gear for a given period such that the primary gear is asymmetric around the tooth unit. When the primary gear rotates in a predetermined direction, the meshing tooth meshes with the tooth-shaped hole to intermittently rotate the secondary gear.

Abstract: A loaded vertically operating ball screw and nut actuator system, including methods of constructing it, for synchronously moving load systems connected to it in opposite vertical directions has a vertically disposed rotatably driven ball screw device with screw sections of opposite hand. A complemental recirculating ball nut discretely connected to each of the load systems is threaded on each screw section to form ball receiving raceways for trains of load bearing balls which cause the ball nuts to move in opposing directions upon rotation of the screw in either direction. The load systems move in counterbalanced relation under the influence of gravity. A mount system for the upper and lower ends of the screw permits an off-axis adjustment in axial orientation of the screw to compensate for load misalignment problems.

Abstract: A process for forming complex microelectromechanical (MEM) devices having five layers or levels of polysilicon, including four structural polysilicon layers wherein mechanical elements can be formed, and an underlying polysilicon layer forming a voltage reference plane. A particular type of MEM device that can be formed with the five-level polysilicon process is a MEM transmission for controlling or interlocking mechanical power transfer between an electrostatic motor and a self-assembling structure (e.g. a hinged pop-up mirror for use with an incident laser beam). The MEM transmission is based on an incomplete gear train and a bridging set of gears that can be moved into place to complete the gear train to enable power transfer. The MEM transmission has particular applications as a safety component for surety, and for this purpose can incorporate a pin-in-maze discriminator responsive to a coded input signal.

Abstract: A ball screw includes a screw shaft 2 having an external ball-screw thread 2a, at least one ball nut 3 having an internal ball-screw thread which is opposite to the external ball-screw thread 2a of the screw shaft 2, a spiral raceway formed by combination of the internal ball-screw thread of the ball nut 3 and the external ball-screw thread 2a of the screw shaft 2, a plurality of balls which are circulated through the spiral raceway, and ball return paths 5, 6, and 7 for the plurality of balls. The ball screw also includes three or more circulation circuits X, Y, Z made by the spiral raceway and the ball return paths 5, 6, and 7 formed in the ball nut 3. Of the three or more three circulation circuits X, Y, Z, at least two circulation circuits are arranged so as to be in phase with each other in the circumferential direction of the ball screw 3, and the remaining circulation circuit is positioned so as to be 180 degree out of phase with the two circulation circuits in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A ball connecting body in which a multiplicity of balls are arranged in a line at a predetermined interval and in a freely rotating manner. The ball connecting body is installed and used in a ball endless track of a ball screw apparatus in which a screw shaft and a nut member are meshed with each other through a multiplicity of balls. The ball connecting body is constituted by a multiplicity of balls circulating on a substantially circular ring-like ball endless track provided in a bearing apparatus, and a flexible connecting body belt arranging the balls in a line at a predetermined interval and holding each of the balls in a freely rotating manner.

Abstract: A rear hitch is provided on the rear of a transmission casing. Rear axle casings, disposed at each side of the transmission casing, are provided with brackets. A hinge pin is spanned between rear hitch and each side bracket. A lower link and a check chain are pivotally supported on each hinge pin. A collar is provided on each hinge pin so as to be interposed between the lower link and the check chain.

Abstract: A handle mounted generally horizontally on a fork lift truck for controlling forward and reverse speed of movement of the truck and raising and lowering forks is carried by a control device. The control device includes a shaft with a centrally positioned spherical section contained in a socket in a support member. The shaft is therefore free to rotate about the center of the sphere. A ramp cam is mounted on the support member surrounding the shaft. A slider mounted on the shaft is pressed against the cam by action of a spring. This arrangement assures that the shaft and control handle remain centered until acted upon by an operator of the truck. Two linear potentiometers provide electrical output signals representing the X (horizontal) and Y (vertical) positions of the end of the shaft opposite the control handle. The cam is provided with four distinct compound surfaces. For vertical movement of the handle, the slopes of the two lower surfaces are greater than the slopes of the two upper surfaces.

Abstract: Control device includes a control lever and a control bracket provided with a first pivotable hinge by which the lever is pivotally arranged in relation to the control bracket for displacement between a plurality of control positions. The control positions of the control lever about the pivotable hinge are converted into corresponding operating conditions of a device which is intended to be operated. In this regard, the control lever is adjustable to assume a second control movement. The control lever is caused to perform its control movement by pivoting of the lever with a second pivotable hinge operating as a pivot center. The control device includes a locking device which, during adjustment to the second control movement, locks the pivoting motion of the control lever about its first pivotable hinge. In this manner, the pivot center can be relocated to the second pivotable hinge.

Abstract: A bolt (11) associated to a lever articulation fixed structure. The bolt (11), supported on an axially moveable tube (12) relative to a lever (10), is displaceable for surpassing an inhibitor lock (21) allowing a reverse gear to be shifted and the gear lever (10) displaceable in three shift planes (P1-P2-P3). In order to improve the gear lever (10) movement capacity, the inhibitor lock (21) is rotatably secured to the fixed structure (22) and is subjected to the action of an elastic mechanism (23) which generates a force tending to distance the lock itself (21) from the path traveled by the bolt (11) during the lever (10) handling in the first and second shift planes (P1-P2).

Abstract: A top cover assembly for a manual transmission having a plurality of gears and a reverse gear is provided. The top cover assembly comprises a shift rail assembly, a reverse biasing assembly, and a shift housing assembly. The shift rail assembly includes a sensing device that interacts with a contoured surface for producing a first electronic signal in response to the shift rail being in a neutral position for range shifting. Another contoured surface acts to center the shift rail and an operatively connected shift lever. For reverse biasing, the shift lever has a first lower shift force when moved to shift at least one of the forward gears. An interlock supported by the shift rail and shift sleeve rotates with the shift rail and acts to lock out other gears during a gear shift. In one aspect of the invention, the interlock is also used for reverse biasing. A detent engages the interlock for creating a higher shift force than the first lower shift force when the shift lever is moved to shift the reverse gear.

Abstract: A shift lever gripped by a driver for operating the transmission of a vehicle is inserted into a hole of a lever holder. The lever holder is axially supported to the vehicle so as to transmit the operation of the shift lever to the transmission. A plurality of ribs are projected into the holes and when a heavy load acts in the axial direction of the shift lever, the shift lever moves to break the rib. Accordingly, the axial direction load of the shift lever is absorbed.

Abstract: A transmission selector mechanism (16) in a vehicle (10) having a transmission (20), a braking system (14), and a gear selector mechanism (22) is used to prevent the transmission selector mechanism (16) from moving out of a Park position (24) unless a brake pedal (18) has been depressed. A brake pedal (18) remotely controls the braking system (14) and is moveable between a rest position and an applied position. The gear selector mechanism (22) is moveable between a Park position (24) and a plurality of drive positions (26) for remotely controlling the transmission (20). The gear selector mechanism (22) includes an axially movable rod (42) having a bottom end (60) and a detent (62) extending laterally from the rod (42) for disposition in any one of the Park (24) and drive (26) positions. An interlock system (70) initially restrains the detent (62) in the Park position (24) until the brake pedal (18) is moved to the applied position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a passenger compartment, a floor pan, a cable-actuated component (such as a transmission) located outside the passenger compartment, and a telescopeable cable assembly (such as a transmission cable) operably connected to the cable-actuated component. The telescopeable cable assembly includes an end (such as a sheath on a sleeve of the cable assembly) attached to the floor pan via a bracket and a telescopeable cable having a first connector on an end of the telescopeable cable. A control assembly (such as a transmission shifter assembly) is provided for connection to the cable-actuated component. The control assembly includes a base configured for attachment to the vehicle in the passenger compartment, a lever pivoted to the base, and a second connector operably attached to the lever.

Abstract: An improved pedal arrangement is provided in a foot space of a motor vehicle. Under a load applied during a frontal impact, it is known to uncouple a brake pedal from a brake operating unit when the brake pedal is fixedly disposed in the interior of a vehicle body. At least one pedal in the improved pedal arrangement has a lever extension which projects beyond a swivelling shaft. A dimensionally stable transmitting rod, which is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, is linked to the lever extension in a force-transmitting manner. The transmitting rod is operatively connected by various elements with a vehicle operating unit.

Abstract: A power transmission 14 for an engine 10 is structured such that a mounting surface 16A of a gear case (a front cover 16) with respect to a crank case 19, is line symmetrical with respect to a crank shaft 20 and that mounting holes 61A-61H of the gear case (the front cover 16) with respect to the crank case 19 are disposed in a point symmetrical position with respect to the crank shaft 20.

Abstract: A two-piece housing is provided with several bores (3, 4) which extend through the two housing sections (1, 2). Each bore (3, 4) is concentrically surrounded by a centering in each housing section (1, 2), which is in the shape of an internal centering in one housing section and an external centering in the other housing section. These bores (3, 4) are manufactured in each housing section (1, 2) together with the respective concentrically surrounding centering and in one process step with a drilling tool which includes two cutters (8, 9, 10) adapted to the diameters of the bore and the centering respectively. Subsequently, the housing sections (1, 2) provided with the bores (3, 4) and centerings are assembled in such a way that the centerings fittingly interengage. (FIG.

Abstract: A rigid internal gear of a wave gear drive is comprise by a tooth-formed member having inner teeth and a circular gear body member, these two members being integrally connected with each other. The tooth-formed member is made of ferrous or copper material having a high strength and wear resistance, while the gear body member is made of lightweight material such as aluminum alloy and the like. These members are connected integrally with each other in a manner that one of these members is formed with baffle means and the other member is made by enveloped casting, or that the member having baffle means is pressed into the other member. These members are therefore surely connected with each other, so that a high torque can be transferred between these members. Also, the lightweight of the rigid internal gear can be achieved without deteriorating strength, wear resistance or the like thereof.

Abstract: A diamond cutting element for use on an earth boring drill bit, such as a rotary drag bit. The cutting element is predominately comprised of a diamond cutting structure attached to either a reduced-volume substrate or directly to a bit body, optionally using a carrier structure mounted to the bit body. With such a configuration, stress between dissimilar materials, such as the substrate and the cutting structure, is reduced or entirely eliminated. Moreover, only the diamond cutting structure contacts the formation during drilling, resulting in lower friction, lower temperatures and lower wear rates of the cutting elements. The diamond cutting structure may also be polished and include one or more internal passageways that extend into the diamond through which fluids may be passed to transfer heat from the cutting element during drilling.

Abstract: A new power tong for rotating tubular members for make-up (connection) and break-out (disconnection) operations. In one aspect such a tong has at least one movable jaw with a smooth surface gripping element thereon and pre-load apparatus for applying a pre-load force to a movable jaw so that the jaw does not slip on a tubular to be rotated and so it does not mark or damage the tubular. In one aspect the pre-load apparatus includes a first pre-load device at one end of a movable jaw for breakout operations and a second pre-load device at another end of the jaw for make-up operations. In one aspect a power tong which has unique smooth surfaced jaw inserts made, e.g., of aluminum. In one aspect a single pivotable pre-load cylinder, fixed to rotary, pivots for pivotable connection to one jaw or the other. This can be done manually or a powered smaller piston/cylinder may be used to pivot the pre-load cylinder.

Abstract: A power tong wrench having an open slot to accommodate a range of pipe diameters capable of making and breaking pipe threads and spinning in or out the threads and in which hydraulic power is supplied with a pump disposed within a rotary assembly, which pump is powered through a non-mechanical coupling, preferably magnetic, to a motor disposed outside the rotary assembly.

Abstract: A ratchet tool includes a shaft and a handle to which a direction selection collar is mounted and a ratchet member is received in the handle. The ratchet member has inner toothed periphery and two pawl members engaged with the inner toothed periphery. The ratchet member has three dents defined in one of two ends thereof and the direction selection collar has a positioning member embedded therein which is movably received in one of the dents when rotating the collar. The collar has a rod extending between the two pawl members, the rod pivoting one of the pawl member to disengage from the inner toothed periphery by rotating the collar.

Abstract: A novel system for visually coding tools as to their size comprises a maximum of two sets of differently colored bands which are placed on the surface of the tool. Each band of each color represents a portion of the size of the tool. Thus, when the number of bands of each color is counted, the size of the tool is indicated. Different colors are used to indicate metric tools versus English tools. Different color schemes may be used to represent the ownership of the tools.

Abstract: An open end wrench head is described having four principle internal engaging surfaces arranged about an imaginary central axis with the first and second internal engaging surfaces positioned on a first jaw and the third and fourth internal engaging surfaces positioned on a second opposing jaw. The first and third internal engaging surfaces are substantially flat and parallel to the imaginary central axis. The second internal engaging surface diverges outward from the first internal engaging surface and fourth internal engaging surface diverges outward from the third internal engaging surface.

Abstract: A socket spanner is provided with a retaining device consisting of a socket and an elastic body. The socket has a driven end with a hexagonal hole which is provided in one of six inner side walls thereof with a receiving portion. The elastic body is securely fitted into the driven end such that a retaining side of the elastic body is securely retained in the receiving portion of the hexagonal hole of the driven end so as to prevent the elastic body from slipping out of the driven end, and that a protruded edge of the retaining side of the elastic body is capable of holding securely a nut which is engaged with the driven end of the socket.

Abstract: A tool having a base and legs, the ends of the legs each having a notch formed therein. The notch engages cooperating ribs formed in a fuel filter end cap such that a drive attached to the tool may rotate the cap for installation and removal.

Abstract: A pair of pliers includes a body, a movable handle, a movable jaw, a push block, and a pull element. The movable handle and the movable jaw are both connected pivotally to the body so that they can displace about an angle. When the movable handle turns in the direction of the body, it can bring the push block to displace therewith so that a U-shaped end push portion of the push block press against a curved rack portion at the bottom face of the lower portion of the movable jaw, causing the curved jaw teeth of the movable jaw to close in the direction of a fixed jaw. And when the movable handle and the end push portion disengage from the front acting teeth of the curved rack portion, they can press against the rear acting teeth of the curved rack portion to clamp pipes of a larger contact surface. When the movable handle is turned outwardly away from the fixed handle, the pull element is utilized to cause the movable jaw to pull and turn quickly to a desired angle.