Means Comprising Hand Manipulatable Tool Patents (Class 29/270)
  • Patent number: 8297594
    Abstract: A tool for disconnecting the air and electrical connections between a motor vehicle and a trailer or a utility hookup station includes a handle and a forked member. The trailer connection includes an electrical socket with pins covered by a hinged cover plate; the motor vehicle connection includes a plug member. The forked member of the tool includes a pair of parallel hooks, one at the end of each of two linear elements of the forked member. A sloped interface portion on the forked member of the tool lifts the hinged cover plate away from the trailer's socket. The forked member is placed around the electrical connection adjacent the plug member and is pushed forward to lift the hinged cover plate. Once the hinged cover plate is lifted, the handle is pushed towards the motor vehicle, where the hooks engage lugs on the plug member, thus causing the plug member to separate from the electrical socket. Gripping grooves on the linear elements help to facilitate engagement between the tool and the lugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Steve Ontiveros
  • Publication number: 20120266441
    Abstract: A wedge installation and seating tool and associated method of operation that permits a worker to single handedly and expeditiously install and seat wedges in an anchor assembly of a post tensioned concrete member, thereby improving worker safety and productivity. In a preferred embodiment, the tool is an elongated member comprised of two body portions hingedly attached to one another for substantially surrounding the circumference of a reinforcing cable used in an anchor assembly of a post tensioned concrete member, and a wedge retention means for temporarily attaching the wedges to the tool. The tool and method of the present invention effectively eliminates the need for a separate seating tool, and the tool is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and is easy to use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Ralph A. Parente, Neil Casto
  • Patent number: 8286316
    Abstract: A tool for removing a chisel, in particular from a chisel holder, having a base element which receives an actuating member, wherein the actuating member has an expeller mandrel. The actuating member is adjustable along a displacement direction. In order to be able to perform the removal simply and rapidly, the actuating member of this invention is indirectly or directly coupled to a piston of a fluid-charged cylinder, or to an electric motor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Lehnert, Martin Lenz, Bernd Holl, Günter Hähn
  • Patent number: 8276261
    Abstract: In a state where the expanded protruding portion of the heat-exchanging tube, which has been expanded inside a grip portion of a chucking sleeve whose diameter has been reduced by a clamp bushing, is gripped by the grip portion, a tube expanding billet is inserted into a yet-unexpanded part of the heat-exchanging tube to cause tube expansion. When doing so, a guide portion, which is formed on a flare punch and has the same diameter as the maximum outer diameter of the tube expanding billet, is inserted inside the expanded protruding portion of the heat-exchanging tube gripped by the grip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Hidaka Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Baba
  • Patent number: 8272113
    Abstract: A grommet and/or plug installation device and associated installation method. The device includes a head portion that is adapted to releasably retain a grommet and/or plug. The head is preferably connected to a handle that is grasped by a user during the grommet/plug installation process. The grommet or plug is retained on the head with less of a retention force than will be exhibited between the grommet or plug and an associated opening to which the grommet or plug is inserted. As such, a grommet or plug will remain in an associated opening after insertion thereto, and the device of the present invention used to install the grommet or plug may be withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Charles C. Marks
  • Patent number: 8261433
    Abstract: An electrical device removal tool, such as for circuit breakers, that is lightweight, portable, and rugged for providing electrically operated controlled insertion and removal of electrical equipment by an operator from a remote location using a coupling device for engagement with the electrical equipment housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventors: Finley Lee Ledbetter, Ashley Sue Ledbetter
  • Patent number: 8261420
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus of reducing stress during stent manufacture. Particularly, the invention is directed to a method and apparatus for expanding a stent using primarily radial loads thereby reducing the stresses that are generated due to the axial loads applied during loading of the stent onto a mandrel or other expansion device. The method of the invention provides for the stepwise expansion of shape memory stents, while reducing the overall stresses that the stent encounters, and thereby improving manufacturing yields due to fractured struts during expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Randolf Von Oepen, Travis Richard Yribarren, Richard Roy Newhauser, Rainer Bregulla
  • Patent number: 8256083
    Abstract: A device for assembling and disassembling a bicycle chain comprises a mounting seat, an actuating member, an assembling member, a rod member, a spring, and a pulling member. The rod member, the pulling member and the spring are connected to one another to guide a positioning member to be assembled into the assembling holes in a balance manner, so that the device for assembling and disassembling a bicycle chain makes the assembly of the chain more convenient and simple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Hung-Chen Huang
  • Patent number: 8256080
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing a forceps is disclosed. The system includes a forceps having first and second opposing jaw members. A compression mechanism is coupled to the pair of opposing jaw members and configured to provide and maintain a compression force between the opposing jaw members. The system also includes a load cell configured to measure an initial compression force between the opposing jaw members and a controller coupled to the load cell and configured to adjust the compression force based on a comparison between the initial compression force and a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: James S. Cunningham, Douglas A. Higley
  • Patent number: 8256082
    Abstract: A multi-part pin remover for removing a pin from a hole of a component is provided. A holder of the pin remover that is supported on the component is equipped with a projection that aligns the pin remover with respect to the component in order to reliably prevent any twisting of the pin when removing the pin from the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Björn Bilstein, Peter Schröder
  • Patent number: 8256079
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a swaging apparatus. The swaging apparatus comprises a housing, a holding unit, and a moveable member. The holding unit on the housing is capable of receiving and holding an inflexible tube and a swage fitting. The moveable member is capable of moving axially along the housing with respect to an axis for the inflexible tube and the swage fitting to connect the swage fitting to the inflexible tube and create a seal between the swage fitting and the inflexible tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Peter K. Hwang
  • Patent number: 8256081
    Abstract: A bearing remover is configured to cooperate with a puller to remove a bearing from an axle. The bearing remover includes a claw that has an opening to receive a portion of the axle, and a lip that can be inserted between the bearing and the wall. The bearing remover also includes a centering component that fits about the axle. The claw and centering component are mechanically coupled to assist in maintaining the claw about the bearing, and to transmit a force to the claw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Gideon Fridman
  • Publication number: 20120216330
    Abstract: A bayonet-connection-undoing device includes a projection configured for attachment to a hand so as to extend therefrom for depressing a pin to undo a bayonet connection. The device may have a finger ring to which the projection is attached, in which case the attachment to the hand can be made by wearing the ring on the hand, optionally the ring being disposed inside a hand glove, with the projection emerging from the glove. Alternatively or in addition, the device may further include sections of a pipe cleaner, the connection, and the pin which is configured for mutually fixing one of the sections to another. In this case, the depressing is down into a position at which the pin is retracted out of the connection and maintained, without need for the depressing, in a contracted state by relative movement of the sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventor: Steven Ray
  • Publication number: 20120216381
    Abstract: The conveyor fastening tool is used for fastening first and second conveyor loop fasteners to each other and comprises first and second channels extending through a main body through which the first and second conveyor loop fasteners will pass. First and second lateral openings in the first and second channels allow the conveyor belt extremity sections to extend therethrough, outwardly of the first and second channels. First and second loop retaining members peripherally spaced about the first and second channels limit movement of the first and second conveyor loop fasteners orthogonally away from the first and second channels including preventing movement of the first and second conveyor loop fasteners out through the first and second lateral openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Yves Boucher, Andre Corriveau, Richard Drapeau
  • Patent number: 8240017
    Abstract: An apparatus for releasably attaching a pushing tool to one work piece such that a pushing force can be applied to a second work piece and allow alignment of the two work pieces for joining the work pieces together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: ROMAR/MEC, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald L. Dasbach, Will Harris
  • Patent number: 8240018
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for pulling out a terminal clamp with a fastening section for fastening the device to the terminal clamp and a grip section. The fastening section and the grip section are connected by a pivotable connection. A second fastening device for detachable fastening of the grip section to the terminal clamp is provided on this grip section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: MC Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Walter, Hermann Stadler
  • Patent number: 8234764
    Abstract: A multi-purpose tool that makes prying possible without need of a lever point. The tool comprises a pair of handles pivotally connected at an intermediate pivot joint, each handle comprising a gripping section, an intermediate section and a front tip section all located on a same side of the pivot joint such that movement of the gripping sections towards each other spreads the front tip sections apart. The pivot joint, situated between intermediate handle sections, includes a substantially circular pivot pin on a substantially planar base and a protective cover for situating over the pivot pin and further rotationally joining both handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Daniel Wracker
  • Patent number: 8225477
    Abstract: A fairing removal tool and a method of using the tool provide for an improved method of removing a fairing from an engine inlet case. The fairing removal tool employs a hook and notch to engage the fairing and release the bonds joining the fairing to an inner structural element of the inlet case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Phillip Alexander
  • Patent number: 8225475
    Abstract: A non-conductive stabilizer bar device for aligning and stabilizing fine pitch electronic components, specifically a nanominiature connector, while these components are being mounted to a printed circuit board. The stabilizer bar device provides for alignment and stability in the all directions. The stabilizer bar device provides a series of grooves having detents that come into contact with fine pitch electronic leads and hold fast the fine pitch electronic leads providing stability by maintaining the true positioning of the terminal ends of the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Omnetics Connector Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Strange, Aaron Heitzman
  • Patent number: 8225474
    Abstract: A crimping fixture for crimping a stent onto a balloon of a catheter is disclosed. The crimping fixture includes a flexible elastomeric body having a crimping lumen and one or more inflation lumens extending through the flexible elastomeric body. The flexible elastomeric body is elastically stretched such that a pre-crimped stent may be placed in the crimping lumen. The inflation lumens are then pressurized with a fluid to impart an inward crimping force onto the stent to crimp the stent to a balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Arcand, Ryan Welty
  • Publication number: 20120181845
    Abstract: A plurality of differing horizontal pairs of slot shapes are positioned in the upper body portion of a quick change type bit holder to provide access to a bit extractor tool for removing the bit holder from its associated bit block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: THE SOLLAMI COMPANY
    Inventor: Phillip Sollami
  • Patent number: 8214988
    Abstract: A bearing handling tool is revealed. The bearing handling tool includes a tool body having a fixing member arranged at a middle part thereof. The fixing member is for fixing the tool body to a machine such as engines or transmissions of car models, ship models, airplane models, etc. The tool body further has a connection end on one end and a plurality of locking parts on the other end thereof. The connection end is to handle the bearing near a surface of the machine while the locking part is for handling the bearing in the machine. The handling tool is used depending on the condition and providing convenient assembling and disassembling. Moreover, the attaching and detaching of the bearing have no influence on the machine and with high industrial application value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Jyi Fu Tay Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Siang-Ting Lee, Jian-Fu Lin
  • Patent number: 8214989
    Abstract: A tool for installing a pitot tube cover on an elevated pitot tube of an aircraft includes an adjustable light weight support pole carrying a brace for carrying and guiding the cover during installation over the pitot tube, wherein the brace includes upwardly projecting pliable pins for engaging tabs on the cover and a cross shaft for guiding movement of the cover into alignment and registration with said pitot tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventors: Ernest T. Jefferson, James H. Van Dis
  • Patent number: 8209835
    Abstract: There is provided a splitting tool for use with a pipe defining a longitudinal pipe axis. The pipe includes an outer wall and an inner wall defining a pipe channel. A ferrule is circumferentially disposed about the outer wall. The splitting tool includes a pipe support member defining an outer periphery that is substantially complimentary in shape to the inner wall. The pipe support member is insertable within the pipe channel to extend at least through the ferrule and to provide radial support to the inner wall. The splitting tool additionally includes a splitter member operatively connected to the pipe support member. The splitter member defines a longitudinal splitting axis that is substantially perpendicular to the pipe axis when the pipe support member is inserted within the pipe channel. The splitter member is moveable along the splitting axis to radially engage with and pierce the ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventors: Brian J. Huffer, Emmett J. Ebner
  • Patent number: 8209832
    Abstract: The transmission seal installation kit includes a forward drum seal driver, reverse drum seal driver, a snap ring removal tool, an axle seal installer, and a handle. The tool kit is used for installing and removing a retaining seal that is fitted inside of the forward drum, reverse drum, and axle seal of a transmission, or for the removal of a coast piston from a direct and coast drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventors: Alvin C. Anderson, Selena A. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20120152138
    Abstract: In a printing press having a transfer cylinder for transferring a freshly printed substrate, a method of preparing the printing press for printing. The method comprises placing a first edge of an assembly of flexible jackets over a hook type attachment structure coupled to a first edge of the transfer cylinder and pressing the assembly of flexible jackets into contact with the hook type attachment structure, wherein the pressing is performed by rolling surface contact between the assembly of flexible jackets and an attachment tool comprising a handle and a cylinder coupled to the handle, wherein the outer surface of the cylinder is irregular in texture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: PRINTING RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventors: Howard W. DeMoore, Joey V. Le, Ronald M. Rendleman
  • Publication number: 20120151729
    Abstract: A removal and replacement tool for vehicles contains a first body including a chamber, a second hole, and a third hole; a grip set including a second body and a push piece, the push piece including an arcuate notch; at least one first returning spring, one end of which is fixed in the chamber, and another end of which abuts against two sides of the second body; a shaft member disposed in the chamber, and its one end extending out of the first body from the first hole; a second spring, one end of which abuts against the chamber, another end of which is biased against the shaft member; an engaging member including a first side wall and a second side wall; a rotary knob including a rotating portion and a rod portion connecting with the rotating portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: JUN FAN CHEN
  • Publication number: 20120151742
    Abstract: An applicator tool is disclosed for applying a fastener between cooperating surfaces of a dielectric protector placed at least partially over a component of an electrical power transmission system, the applicator tool made at least in part of dielectric material and comprising: a structural frame element; a fastener mount connected to the structural frame element and moveable relative to the structural frame element between a first position and a second position to at least partially define a fastener drive path; and an actuator connected to drive the fastener mount from the first position to the second position to apply in use a fastener, mounted on the fastener mount, through cooperating surfaces positioned on the fastener drive path. A tool is also disclosed for holding together in alignment two mating surfaces with pre-drilled holes and applying a fastener to penetrate the holes and secure the mating surfaces together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: CANTEGA TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Leo Morin, Keith I. Yeats, Martin S. Niles, Casey Douglas Merrills
  • Publication number: 20120151735
    Abstract: A method and tooling for partial disassembly of a bypass turbofan engine wherein the longitudinal axis of the bypass turbofan engine remains generally horizontal during disassembly. The low pressure turbine module is removed with a low pressure turbine module horizontal removal tool. An extended bearing nut tool may be supported by a stabilization member and may remove a bearing nut. An extended high pressure turbine shaft stretching tool may stretch a high pressure turbine shaft to release a high pressure turbine shaft nut. An extended bearing pulling tool may be used to pull a bearing while the low pressure turbine shaft remains in place. A modified measurement bridge may be used to measure the position of certain components while the low pressure turbine shaft remains in place. A nozzle jig may be used to assemble nozzles and feather seals to create a nozzle module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: Erik C. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20120138594
    Abstract: A wax remover for removing solidified wax within a wax container of a scent-warmer device includes a base having a size and shape configured to fit within a wax container of a scent-warmer device, and at least one tab attached to and extending from the base for removing the base from a wax container of a scented warmer device. Such wax removers are used to remove wax from a wax container of a scent-warmer device. A scent-warmer assembly includes a scent-warmer device that comprises a base housing a heat source, and a wax container configured to be heated by the heat source during operation of the scent-warmer device. The assembly further includes a wax remover disposed within the wax container, and a wax disposed at least partially over the wax remover within the wax container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: SCENTSY, INC.
    Inventor: Julie Stewart
  • Patent number: 8186033
    Abstract: A hand-held tool has a leading edge which is inserted into a price channel and which has a tag exit port defined therein to be located in the price channel when in use and a trailing edge having a tag entrance port defined therein and into which a flexible tag is inserted. A bore connects the entrance port to the exit port and a flexible tag is forced through the entrance port, through the bore and out of the exit port to be positioned in the price channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Michelle Glick
  • Patent number: 8181323
    Abstract: A guide (2) for inserting a fold of fabric into the batten of a Roman blind comprising a leading end (12) and a trailing end (4). A slot (10) runs from trailing end (12) to leading end (4). The slot (10) has a T-section which opens into a countersunk central area (14) towards the leading end (12) and into a bore (6) towards the trailing end (4). The bore (6) is adapted to receive a leading end of the batten (8) and a screw (18) projects from the sidewall into the bore (6) in order to engage the batten (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: SPP Industries Holdings Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Donald Craig Hailes
  • Patent number: 8181322
    Abstract: A tool for removing a chisel, in particular from a chisel holder, having a base element which receives an actuating member, wherein the actuating member has an expeller mandrel. The actuating member is adjustable along a displacement direction. In order to be able to perform the removal simply and rapidly, the actuating member of this invention is indirectly or directly coupled to a piston of a fluid-charged cylinder, or to an electric motor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Lehnert, Martin Lenz, Bernd Holl, Günter Hähn
  • Patent number: 8182266
    Abstract: A dental tool for the removal of dental appliances or oral devices from a user's mouth comprises a universal handle which is substantially cylindrical. Interconnected thereto is an engagement head comprising a first engagement member extending upward and outward opposite the handle, and a second engagement member extending downward and outward opposite the handle. The first engagement member and second engagement member are disposed in angled relation to one another, each terminating in a broad distal tip having a curvilinear edge. The first and second engagement members further contain contact surfaces for contacting and engaging the dental appliance or oral device. The dental tool is comprised of a rigid material, with a resilient portion overlaid on at least the contact surfaces of the first and second engagement members and distal tips thereof. The dental tool may also be stored in a case to make a kit for removing oral devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventors: Susan M. Creasman, Deborah E. Creasman
  • Patent number: 8177206
    Abstract: A clamp is configured for compressing a section of a battery module. The clamp includes a body, an arm, a first jaw, and a second jaw. The first jaw is operatively connected to the body. The arm is operatively connected to the body. The second jaw is operatively connected to the arm. Each jaw is con figured to engage opposing ends of the battery module. The arm is slidably attached to the body to allow linear movement of the arm relative to the body along an axis. The second jaw moves with the arm a clamping distance between an extended position, for releasing the section of the battery module, and a compressed position, for holding the section of the battery module in compression between the jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Scheuerman, Rick F. Rourke
  • Patent number: 8166624
    Abstract: A linearly extendible impact anchor driving apparatus for positioning and setting a wedge anchor assembly in a pre-drilled hole extending inwardly through the ceiling or wall surface of a structure while at ground level and with a single tool. One embodiment of the apparatus has an extendible tubular housing with a coupling and anchor head at one end and a hemispherical end tip at the other. A slidable handle impacts a stop mounted to the body to impart linear force to the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventors: Jon Andreasen, Anthony Patsfield
  • Patent number: 8163001
    Abstract: An apparatus for loading an expandable intraluminal medical device into a delivery device has a flexible main body with first and second rolled ends that enable the main body to alternatively adopt a substantially flat configuration that exposes a portion of the inner surface and a helical configuration that defines an interior chamber adapted to receive said expandable intraluminal medical device. An expandable intraluminal medical device is prepared for loading into a delivery device by placing the device on the main body of the loading apparatus while in the substantially flat configuration and then transforming the main body into the helical configuration. The medical device can then be compressed and forced out of the loading apparatus—and into a delivery device—by applying rotational and translational force to one end of the loading apparatus. Related kits and methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Arman Valaie
  • Patent number: 8156639
    Abstract: A portable power motorized racking tool having a front plate and a back plate disposed opposite, a first and second handle on the front plate, a motor mount secured to the front plate with a motor mount extension protruding through a shaft hole, a motor with torque limiting clutch attached to the motor mount, a battery between the plates supported by 4 braces connected to the front and back plates containing the battery; a power cable connecting the battery to the motor, a start button with ignition wire connecting the start button to the battery secured to the front plate for actuating the motor, a rotatable shaft connected to the torque limiting clutch and contained by the motor mount extension, an install switch and a remove switch each connected to the motor for rotating the rotatable shaft, and a universal tool connected to the rotatable shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventors: Finley Lee Ledbetter, Ashley Sue Ledbetter
  • Patent number: 8156626
    Abstract: A tab removal device for efficiently and securely removing tabs from objects such as soda or beer cans. The tab removal device generally includes a handle and a trigger member which are pivotally secured to each other in a crossing manner by a pivot member. A bias member is provided which compresses when the trigger member is activated and will act to revert the trigger member to its original position absent force. A horizontal member is attached to the handle by a fastener and acts to house a clamp member, which includes teeth at its second end. The horizontal member will also include a frontal opening for insertion of the tab of a can. The trigger member will generally include teeth at its second end which, when activated, will compress and grip the tab of the can against the teeth of the clamp member and pull the tab off the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventor: Dale E. Doty
  • Patent number: 8151424
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for extracting surface components having an attachment and installed within a surface. In one embodiment, a tool includes a cross member located between a lifting device and a lift plate having an engagement for engaging the attachment. A lift member extends from the lift plate extending through the cross member so as to engage the lifting device so that the lift member is mounted for tilting displacement with respect to the cross member. In another embodiment, a tool for extracting a surface component includes a cross member engaged by supports extending to the surface, for supporting the ends of the cross member above the surface while supporting the cross member against rotation with respect to the surface. Methods are also disclosed for extracting surface components above a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventors: John Dimoff, Martin Halm
  • Patent number: 8146221
    Abstract: A hydraulic tool for assembling and disassembling components, such as gears, bearings, etc. of a shaft, is capable of performing an external-pulling or an internal-pulling operation as desired for an object to be assembled or disassembled. The hydraulic tool includes an oil pressure assembly having a hand-operated pump, an oil storage member, a control valve, an oil pressure tank, a set of external pulling type clamping jaws, internal pulling type clamping jaws, and a bolt for assembling purpose. The hydraulic tool has high mobility and portability, is capable of performing assembling or disassembling operations at any angle and position, and is considerably enhanced in applicability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Jung-Liang Hung
  • Publication number: 20120073463
    Abstract: In a printing press having a transfer cylinder for transferring a freshly printed substrate, a method of preparing the printing press for printing is provided. The method comprises placing a first edge of a flexible jacket over one of a hook type attachment structure or a loop type attachment structure coupled to a first edge of the transfer cylinder and pressing the flexible jacket into contact with the hook type attachment structure or the loop type attachment structure, wherein the pressing is performed by surface contact between the flexible jacket and a loop type material attached to a tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: PRINTING RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventor: Howard W. DeMoore
  • Patent number: 8141219
    Abstract: A tool for assisting in cutting the conductors of an electrical cable to a precise length includes a body, the body being pierced with a channel which is orthogonal to a reference face and which is equipped with a shoulder. The distance between the shoulder and the reference face is equal to the desired length of the end portions of the conductors of the electrical cable outside the outer insulating sheath thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Eddie Gambardella, Daniel Feral, Gilles Andre
  • Patent number: 8136230
    Abstract: A valve loading system is provided that uses a valve loader to transfer a valve or other medical device from a storage cartridge into a deployment catheter. The valve or other medical device can be implanted or positioned within a patient using the catheter after the valve or other medical device has been compressed and loaded into the catheter using the valve loader. The process then can be repeated by using the valve loading system to load or introduce another valve or other medical device into the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Spiration, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Neal Adams, James Mark Kutsko, Desmond O'Connell
  • Patent number: 8132308
    Abstract: The hand tool is used to extract a fastener from a material by preferably gripping the fastener from a horizontal orientation. The hand tool has a head with two pivotally joined halves including at least one pair of gripping jaws. The tool head preferably includes tips that may be used to dig beneath a fastener head that is flush with or set below a surface. The tool includes a pair of handles operable to close the gripping jaws. The handles are preferably offset above the plane of the tool head such that they operate as a lever in cooperation with a fulcrum on the bottom of the tool head to extract the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventor: Michael J. Foley
  • Patent number: 8127416
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (11) for handling an article (13) such as a coil spring, and to an installation for handling an article. The device (11) comprises a body (10) having an internal housing (12) suitable for containing said article (13), said housing (12) presenting at least one open end (10A, 10B) and a constriction zone (14) that is suitable in a stable state, in which said constriction zone (14) presents a reduce dimensions (D14X) that is reduced in a first direction (X), for retaining said article (13) inside the body (10), and for being deformed to adopt a deformed configuration enabling said article (13) to be inserted into the housing (12) or enabling said article (13) to be extracted from the housing (12). The installation includes force-application means for acting on the device to change it between its stable state and its deformed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Tech Group Europe Limited
    Inventor: Stephane Chevallier
  • Publication number: 20120047703
    Abstract: A tool for removal of a motor vehicle tie rod from a knuckle assembly includes first and second spaced planar plates. The first plate has spaced tines that fit around the axial connecting pin or shaft located at one end of a tie rod and engaging a knuckle assembly. A stem projecting axially from the second plate enables the tool to be driven axially to cause disengagement of the tie rod from the knuckle assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Lisle Corporation
    Inventors: Scotty R. Kurtz, Dalles D. Beery
  • Patent number: 8099864
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reinforcing bar tie the enables the connection intersecting reinforcing bars. The invention houses a tie made of an elastic member in a reception space, and extrudes it with an extruding member. At this time, the curved portions provided on both ends of the tie advance while guiding portions of a guiding member push them open, and are guided to an intersecting position of two reinforcing bars. Further, by extruding with the extruding member the tie detaches from the guiding member and winds around the intersection of the two reinforcing bars with a force sufficient to couple the two reinforcing bars together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Fumoto Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Yamamoto, Ryouhei Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8099847
    Abstract: A tool for mounting a chisel on a chisel holder, having an actuating member, which has a push-off section, wherein the actuating member can be displaced along a displacement direction. It is possible to simplify changing the chisel if the actuating member can be shifted by an actuating unit. The actuating unit has a draw-in section, which is spaced apart from the push-off section and is arranged transversely with respect to the displacement direction of the actuating member. The actuating member can be power-operated bidirectionally in the displacement direction by the actuating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Hähn, Martin Lenz, Thomas Lehnert, Stefan Abresch
  • Patent number: RE43348
    Abstract: A tool for removing valve springs and seals from an engine's intake and exhaust valves includes a bracket having apertures spaced therealong and for receiving fastening members therethrough. The tool further includes a plurality of support pedestals provided with channels extending therethrough and for receiving the fastening members respectively so that the bracket is maintained at a substantially stable position. The tool also includes a mechanism for simultaneously compressing a valve spring by exerting pressure upon a valve head keeper and retainer, thereby releasing associated locks keepers so that a user can remove the valve springs and valve seals from the valve head. The compressing mechanism cooperates with the pedestals and the bracket and is rotatable about a fulcrum axis traversing the pedestals wherein the fulcrum axis extends along a horizontal plane subjacent the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventors: Richard K. Qualman, Karen A. Qualman