Hand Gripper For Direct Push Or Pull Patents (Class 29/278)
  • Publication number: 20140150234
    Abstract: A hand held tool for safely inserting a canal hearing device into the ear canal having a medial end configured to simultaneously cradle the lateral end of the canal hearing device and constrain a knob element laterally positioned on the canal hearing device. In a preferred embodiment, the insertion tool comprises a C-shaped cavity for self-centering engagement with a D-shaped lateral end of a CIC device, providing ease of use for hearing impaired individuals. In a preferred embodiment, the insertion tool is substantially formed of a single monolithic structure for improved durability and lower cost of fabrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: IHEAR MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Adnan Shennib, Victor Valenzuela, Patrick Contioso
  • Patent number: 8739376
    Abstract: The CV joint removal tool's clamps surround an axle proximal to the CV joint to be separated from the axle. The tool clamps onto the axle and applies a constant axial force to separate the two CV joint components via the push plate and push rods. Removal of the entire axle assembly is negated, saving parts cost and labor costs. The tool does not require complete drive axle removal, as do other devices attempting the same function. The CV joint removal tool pushes the CV joint and the axle apart, further differentiating from previous methods and devices. The tool utilizes Newton's law of equal and opposite reactions. The key challenge that the CV joint removal tool overcomes is that when CV joints are installed, neither end of the drive axle is accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Vidmar
  • Patent number: 8732926
    Abstract: A device (100) for assembling a pneumatic booster (200). A cover (203) of the booster is housed in a support (101). A cylindrical cap (104) whose internal volume (107) is greater than a volume of a cylinder (206) of the booster, covers the cylinder placed on the cover. A gearing element (110) of the device rotates two sets of rollers (109A and 109B) about the booster. An eccentric (118) controlled by the gearing element allows an oscillating movement of the rollers against a wall of the booster. The swaging is achieved by alternately applying the rollers (109A) and (109B). An angle of attack (114A) of the first rollers is greater than an angle of attack (114B) of the second rollers. The invention also relates to a method of swaging a booster and such a booster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Juan Simon Bacardit
  • Publication number: 20140137406
    Abstract: A cylinder liner installation tool for seating a cylinder liner into an engine block includes a body having a handle mount section at a proximal end and a head bolt mounting section at a distal end, a press rod attached to the body toward the distal end by a hinge mount, a press plate attached to the press rod, and a handle extension removably attached to the handle mount section, wherein the head bolt mounting section is configured to receive a head bolt mounted to the engine block so that application of an applied force to the handle extension results in a translation of the force down the press rod to the press plate. A method of installing a cylinder liner into a cylinder bore in an engine block includes using a cylinder liner installation tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Service Solutions U.S. LLC
    Inventor: Tim FIRZLAFF
  • Patent number: 8727317
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable rescue cylinder (1) having a hydraulic cylinder (2) which is operated hydraulically and which can extend, said hydraulic cylinder having a first end and a second end opposite the same, wherein a force is generated by means of enlargement of the distance between the first and the second ends, having a hydraulic tank (3), having a pump (4) for driving the hydraulic cylinder (2), having a power source for supplying the pump (4) with power, and having a switch device (6) for the operation of the hydraulic cylinder (2). In order to provide a device which is as comfortable as possible and has small dimensions, it is suggested that the hydraulic tank and the pump should be integrated components of the rescue cylinder. Particularly, the hydraulic tank (3) and the pump (4) are located in a housing (7) which is located directly on the rescue cylinder (1) and/or the hydraulic cylinder (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Lukas Hydraulik GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Lindner, Carsten Sauerbier
  • Patent number: 8713773
    Abstract: A tool, method and system are provided adapted to remove a gasket from a glad hand fitting, and also to vent pressurized air from between two coupled glad hand fittings. A tool is provided with an angled tool head, adapted to be received in a glad hand fitting and to be positioned against a surface of the guard arm of the glad hand. The tip of the tool head is positioned against the gasket and the tool is pivoted against the glad hand to bias the gasket out of the recess in the glad hand fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Strato, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Foxx, Edgardo Jimenez
  • Patent number: 8713776
    Abstract: An installation tool and method are disclosed for installing a combustion liner within a combustor. The installation tool comprises a frame and a pusher block. The frame includes a substantially horizontal member and a plurality of side members. The pusher block is disposed between the side members and may be configured to push against the combustion liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John William Herbold
  • Patent number: 8707533
    Abstract: A brake drum spring release tool includes a straight elongate rod member with a laterally projecting lever arm extending from one side and an extended hook member from the end of the rod member. The lever arm acts as a fulcrum when positioned on a drum brake spring simultaneously engaged by a hook member. Placing a generally lateral force on the grip end of the tool will cause rotational force imparted by the hook member on the spring typically with a mechanical advantage associated with the fulcrum of the lever arm to thereby release the spring from a drum brake shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Lisle Corporation
    Inventors: Ken D. Livingston, Randall J. Ploeger
  • Patent number: 8695189
    Abstract: A cutting tool key is suitable for mounting and extracting a cutting insert into and from an insert receiving slot of a cutting tool holder blade. The key includes an elongated protrusion having first and second engagement portions with a pivot axis formed in the first engagement portion. The insert receiving slot has a holder axis extending in a forward-to-rearward direction, and a clamping-jaw surface facing a base-jaw surface. The base jaw surface has a holder-passage opening out to the holder's side surfaces, and the insert has an insert-passage opening out to the insert's lateral surfaces. The first and second engagement portions engage the holder-passage and insert-passage, respectively, with the pivot axis in the holder-passage. Rotating the key in an extraction direction about the pivot axis applies extraction-force on the insert. Rotating the key in a mounting direction, opposite to the extraction direction, applies a mounting-force on the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Iscar, Ltd.
    Inventor: Gil Hecht
  • Patent number: 8671534
    Abstract: An universal clutch alignment tool is provided. A tool rod is assembled with a connecting mechanism, and the connecting mechanism is then assembled with a positioning pipe, thereby forming a tool for assembling/disassembling a clutch. The connecting mechanism includes a sleeve, a driving rod, and connecting blocks. The sleeve is made into a hollow pipe in which a driving head at one end of the driving rod is disposed. The surface of the sleeve is formed with slots respectively arranged at an angular interval in which the connecting blocks are received. The outer surface of the driving head is formed with a conical driving slope. The middle section of each driving block is provided with a V-shaped notch. The inner walls on both sides of the notch are formed with two connecting slopes symmetrical to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Poul Chang Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Hao Huang
  • Patent number: 8667659
    Abstract: A system and method for releasably coupling an extendable element to an actuator. Such a system may include an actuator housing with a specially adapted integral connecting end having a cavity therein. An extendable element may extend into the cavity through an opening in the connecting end of the housing and be coupled to a motive element of the actuator by a rotatable collar that resides in the cavity. A cover plate forms a part of the actuator housing connecting end. The cover plate compliments the integral portion of the connecting end and, in conjunction therewith, encloses the collar and the coupled portion of the extendable element. A substantially hollow end cap is passed over the extendable element and releasably attached to the actuator housing to enclose the distal connecting end thereof. In some embodiments, the coupled extendable element may reciprocate within an outer tube that is also releasably attached to the actuator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Peter Alfred Blacklin
  • Patent number: 8661639
    Abstract: Manual tool for application of a tile laying device to tiles to coat, including a working head having a support surface that is arranged next to a face of a portion of the device. The working head has a side opening through which the band member, connected to a portion of the device and protruding from the second portion through the tiles, is arranged. The tool includes a tensioning device means that is adapted to engage with the band member and to apply on the band member a tension T1 to arrange the device between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Mollificio Apuano S.R.L.
    Inventor: Mauro Bondielli
  • Patent number: 8661642
    Abstract: A tool for installing a retainer ring onto the lower portion of a loosely inserted drain fitting for engaging a mounting flange thereto includes a generally resilient cup structure provided with a plurality of axially aligned and resiliently cantilevered peripherally adjacent strips within which the retaining ring is received in a compressed engagement seated on a helical interior shoulder. A threaded rod extends through a centering plug received in the drain fitting and then through the cup interior to axially advance the axially aligned ring carried by the strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Kenneth Heaton
  • Patent number: 8656570
    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. In one embodiment, the forward jaws of the tool have concave curved gripping surfaces. In one embodiment, the rearward jaws have non-complementary surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventor: Michael J. Foley
  • Patent number: 8627557
    Abstract: A pin puller includes a coupler to connect a pull rod to an end of a pin. A follower attaches to a tail end of the pin. The coupler may comprise a pair of mating shells having features to engage the pin and pull rod. An actuator is configured to apply tension to the pull rod. The pin puller may be used to remove and install pins and associated bushings in truck suspensions and other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Tiger Tool International Incorporated
    Inventors: Kirk Kenneth Jansen, Patrick James Roberts
  • Patent number: 8627561
    Abstract: A lamp socket assembly tool includes an engaging end configured to engage a lamp socket inserted in an opening of a lamp housing, which may be a vehicle lamp housing. The tool includes a driving end operatively connected to the engaging end and configured to receive and transmit an axial and rotating force to the engaging end to assemble or disassembly a socket engaged by the tool relative to the housing. The tool includes a passage for receiving a connector portion of the socket such that the tool is not in contact with a connector interface. The passage may define an aperture through which a connector wire attached to the socket may exit or move freely during rotation of the socket by the tool. The engaging interface may substantially conform to a socket interface defined by a standardized filament lamp, such as an ECE H9 or H11 socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jay H. Ovenshire
  • Patent number: 8621735
    Abstract: An applicator for applying a dielectric tubular conductor cover to a cable, the conductor cover being split longitudinally to define a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, the applicator comprising: a head having a separator shaped to contact, in operation of the applicator, an interior surface of the conductor cover to spread open the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge along a portion of the conductor cover to allow the portion of the conductor cover to be applied to a cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Cantega Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Martin S. Niles, Leo Morin, Keith I. Yeats, Robert A. Nissen
  • Patent number: 8615863
    Abstract: An insertion tool for inserting a fitting into a hose including a handle with a trigger parallelly disposed relative to an elongated translation rod movable in one direction including a fitting holder releasably mounted on the translation rod. A bell crank and linkage system connects the trigger to the translation rod for longitudinal movement and enhances the mechanical advantage to facilitate the insertion of the fitting into the hose. The hose holder is adjustable to accommodate different diameter hoses and the fitting holder can be changed to accommodate different shaped and sized fittings. The insertion tool can be used to insert the fitting into the hose while these units are in the ground or it can be oriented and changed to accommodate insertions at various attitudes. A knife is attached to the translation rod to allow the translation rod to be positioned to remove the hose from its fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Donald A. Hope
  • Patent number: 8601661
    Abstract: An hydraulic tool for spreading and aligning flanges that may be used practically at any location where the flange is located, even at places where there is little maneuvering space and does not require a previous opening in order to attack the flange. The tool of the present invention doesn't require peripheral equipments such as hoses and pressure pumps; therefore it is an autonomous tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Antonio Cami Riestra
  • Patent number: 8601662
    Abstract: A bit extracting tool, used to pull rotatable cutting bits from bit pocket holders. The bit extractor tool comprises two concentric pipe sleeves: an inner tension sleeve with fingers to slide over and hook the rotatable cutting bit's exposed annular ring at the bit end, and a threaded hole at the pulling end which receives the tension bolt; a tension bolt which, when tightened, pulls the tension sleeve away from the pocket and pushes on the capped pulling end of the outer compression sleeve; and, a compression sleeve, open on the bit end which pushes on the face of the pocket holder surface, is capped on the pulling end to bear the force of the tension bolt as it pulls the inner sleeve, and locks the finger hooks into the annular bit ring, which tow the bit out of the bit pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Hollis Edwin Rankin
  • Patent number: 8601660
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing rail tie clips comprises an elongated handle end section and a grasping end section extending from the outboard end of the elongated handle end section. The grasping end section terminates in a tooth oriented generally perpendicularly to the handle end section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Leo Duty
  • Patent number: 8596453
    Abstract: The present invention is a scalpel blade removal device comprising an opening in a wall defining a first blade guide, extending to a narrowing upward ramp bounded by left and right guide walls. A horizontal top ramp extends from the distal end of the upward ramp, bounded by left and right guide towers. A spring loaded notch device is adapted to lock behind a proximal end of a scalpel blade seated on a scalpel, where the scalpel is inserted in the opening and the blade edge is driven up the ramp to the top ramp. When the notch device is locked behind that end of the scalpel blade, the scalpel is pulled back, causing the scalpel blade to slide off the scalpel handle. A sharps container incorporates the removal device, a reinforced latch, a scalpel resting location, and needle cover removers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventors: Mike Hoftman, William Baer
  • Patent number: 8590133
    Abstract: A tool for placing a shim between a housing and a component biased towards the housing is provided. The tool can include a handle and a pair of spaced-apart tongs extending outwardly from the handle. In addition, a shim support surface can be located between the pair of spaced-apart tongs. The spaced-apart tongs and the shim support surface can be dimensioned for a shim to nest between the tongs on the shim support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Ivor McGuire, Juan Manuel Molina, Christopher Alton Gipson
  • Patent number: 8590129
    Abstract: An alignment tool affords a safe and economical way to install surface casing, eliminating the need to align or delay the installation in speedhead or multibowl well drilling applications. The alignment tool includes two split halves that may clamp onto an existing surface casing. A top plate of the alignment tool may overlay the top flat surface edge of the surface casing, eliminating the possibility of the surface casing coupling to strike the flat edge and obstructing passage. The top plate may include a beveled edge to further help align the surface casing into the conductor pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Noel E. Garces
  • Patent number: 8579270
    Abstract: A body jewelry tool to aid in the application and removal of body piercing retaining fasteners comprises a tubular body of non-corroding stainless steel for a long life and ease of cleaning for sanitary use. The outer surface comprises a rubberized grip. An operational end of the device comprises an internal grasping mechanism that readily adapts to all sizes of threaded ball fasteners used as retainers on body piercings. In such a manner, the user or wearer can hold the jewelry in one hand while the tool is used to grasp and hold the retaining ball with the other hand. The device is then easily turned to remove or install the ball as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventors: Elisha M. Hansen, Mark Steves
  • Patent number: 8567029
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing a knockout region from a saw blade includes an elongate body having a center axis. A distal end of the elongate body can include a head, having a concave region, wherein the concave region has a fulcrum section. A slot includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the second surface. The first surface and the second surface preferably are separated be a width greater than the thickness of the saw blade. The slot is positioned rearward of the concave region and is angled at a substantially acute angle relative to the center axis. The concave region is sized and shaped such that the fulcrum section contacts a first face of the saw blade and the slot is sized and shaped such that the first surface of the slot contacts a second face of the saw blade. Preferably, the fulcrum region engages the first region and the slot engages the second portion at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: J.A.O. Tool, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Oymaian
  • Patent number: 8568034
    Abstract: A bushing kit and a method of installing the same with a mandrel having a tapered region. The bushing kit includes an inner member and an outer bushing. The inner member may include an inner surface having an engagement portion, such as a coating, plating, and/or lining, such as a self-lubricating coating. The method of installing the bushing kit includes passing the tapered portion of the mandrel through the outer bushing to radially expand the outer bushing into the structural workpiece and possibly induce some amount of residual compressive stress in the structural workpiece. Contemporaneously, the inner member is passed into the radially-expanded outer bushing before the outer bushing is permitted to radially inwardly rebound or spring back. The outer bushing is then permitted to radially contract onto the inner member to form an interference fit therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8567367
    Abstract: This disclosure provides crankshaft damper and tone wheel assembly having a low noise characteristic. The crankshaft damper and tone wheel assembly can provides both damping of vibrations excited in a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and an indication of the rotational speed or position of the crankshaft. The crankshaft damper including a hub portion and a ring-shaped portion connected to the hub portion by plural spokes, and the ring-shaped portion has an inner circumference that surrounds an area including the hub portion and the plural spokes. The tone wheel includes an annular-shaped portion connected to the crankshaft damper and having an inner diameter, an outer diameter, plural teeth arranged at an equal pitch along the outer diameter, and a same rotational axis as the crankshaft damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Hayes, Matt Reeves, Dhanesh Purekar
  • Patent number: 8544926
    Abstract: The shaft removal devices described herein include an elongated gripping portion that allows a shaft, e.g., the shaft of an arrow, to be securely gripped and a force applied in a direction parallel to the long axis of the shaft to be distributed over at least part of the length of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Robert Braswell
  • Patent number: 8533922
    Abstract: A holding device for holding a stud, which includes a radially projecting flange in a securing position, comprises a collet component including a hollow tubular insertion section defining an insertion axis, and a clamping section operable to exert a radially inwardly directed clamping force for clamping the stud. A securing device is arranged on the insertion section and includes a securing sleeve formed of plurality of separate securing-sleeve sections that are radially movable relative to one another. A clearance space is defined between a bottom end of the securing-sleeve sections and a top end of the clamping section, and the clearance space is operable for holding a flange of a stud in the securing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Jochen Hain, Alexander Schug, Karl-Heinz Briel, Markus Feierabend, Michael Schneider, Frank Rosemann, Wolfgang Werner, Harald Knetsch
  • Patent number: 8528176
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for removing a centrifugal compressor diffuser case from a turbofan gas turbine engine case which may be used while the engine is installed on an aircraft or when the engine has been removed from the aircraft. The tool includes movable gripping members at least one force member for exerting a pushing action on the engine structure on which the diffuser case is mounted the method includes gripping a peripheral portion of the diffuser case and applying an axial pushing force on the case relative to the engine case to thereby overcome an interference fit between the diffuser case and the engine case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Enzo Macchia, Robin Hardstaff, Ian Chandler, Tim Bedard, Geoffrey Henriksen
  • Patent number: 8528177
    Abstract: A mandrel extraction tool includes an actuator assembly and a first mandrel interface arm operably associated with the actuator assembly and adapted to engage a first mandrel. The mandrel extraction tool further includes a second mandrel interface arm operably associated with the actuator assembly and adapted to engage a second mandrel, the second mandrel interface arm being slidingly coupled with the first mandrel interface arm, such that the first mandrel interface arm moves generally linearly with respect to second interface arm when the actuator assembly is actuated. A method for extracting a mandrel includes providing a mandrel extraction tool, engaging the mandrel extraction tool with a mandrel, and applying a force to the mandrel to linearly extract the mandrel from a first portion of a structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Paul C. Morin, Michael Greene
  • Patent number: 8528913
    Abstract: A dressing roll mounting device for mounting a dressing roll to a dresser shaft of a grinding wheel dressing unit is provided. The dressing roll mounting device includes a mounting sleeve to be positioned at a free end of the dresser shaft, the outer face of the mounting sleeve being provided with a conical mounting region serving as a centering and pushing-on aid during mounting of the dressing roll to the dresser shaft. The maximum outside diameter of the conical mounting region is smaller than or corresponding to a dressing roll reception diameter of the dresser shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dirk Eggert, Jan-Marc Lischka
  • Patent number: 8522412
    Abstract: An extraction tool lifting apparatus having a load bearing coupling capable of being removably connected to an extraction tool; an hydraulic cylinder assembly being operatively connected at a first end to the load bearing coupling; a mounting bracket being operatively connected to the second end of the hydraulic cylinder assembly; three legs, each operatively connected at a first end to the mounting bracket; the load bearing coupling being adapted to be removably connected to an extraction tool having, an elongated base member having first and second ends, and a drill bit being removably attachable to a socket in the first end, the base member having a threaded portion being disposed approximate the first end, the second end being adapted to be removably connected to the load bearing coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Line Walker, LLC
    Inventor: William A. Walker
  • Patent number: 8522413
    Abstract: A system for fluidic coupling and uncoupling of fluidic conduits and a microfluidic chip, wherein the fluidic conduits are connected mechanically to a first structural part and the microfluidic chip is carried by a second structural part. The structural parts are moved perpendicularly toward and away from each other by means of a mechanism provided for this purpose. Outer ends of the fluidic conduits can thus be moved over a determined distance substantially perpendicularly to the outer surface of the microfluidic chip and connecting openings in the outer surface of the microfluidic chip. This enables accurate realization of fluidic coupling and uncoupling without the occurrence of undesirable moments of force and with minimal risk of damage to the fluidic conduits or the connecting openings. With such system requirements which can be set in respect of convenience, speed, temperature resistance, sealing, chemical resistance, reproducibility and so forth, can be fulfilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Micronit Microfluids B.V.
    Inventors: Ronny Van't Oever, Marko Theodoor Blom, Wilfred Buesink
  • Publication number: 20130205557
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to an apparatus for installing a looped pin in an associated bracket. An exemplary apparatus generally comprises a body having a pin-receiving slot formed therein for receiving a closed end of the pin therein, and a resiliently-biased pin-retaining mechanism within the slot for releasably engaging and retaining the closed end portion within the pin-receiving slot during installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Benjamin B. MacArthur, Dennis Breedon
  • Patent number: 8505264
    Abstract: A tool connects a stud in place to a longitudinal track in a metal stud wall system installation. The tool includes a tool head having an upright slot in which a track flange is received and a pair of rams mounted on the tool head for linear movement transversely of the track. The rams are spaced apart and straddle opposite sides of the stud. The rams have leading tips with cutting edges. An actuator moves the rams into cutting engagement with the track flange in the upright slot to cut hinged tabs in the track flange, and to bend the hinged tabs into frictional engagement with the opposite sides of the upright stud to connect the upright stud in place to the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventor: Eyal Glisko
  • Patent number: 8496238
    Abstract: A tubular gripping apparatus has a jaw assembly that has a tubular-contacting surface at an end thereof, a drive yoke that has a tubular-contacting surface at an end thereof, an actuator connected to the drive yoke, and a locking mechanism interconnected to the drive yoke. The drive yoke is connected to the jaw assembly. The actuator moves the jaw assembly and the drive yoke such that the tubular-contacting surfaces thereof move radially inwardly for a substantially identical distance. The locking mechanism directs a load away from the actuator while the jaw assembly and the drive yoke grip the tubular. The locking mechanism has a cylinder yoke positioned around the piston-and-cylinder assembly, and a wedge assembly positioned adjacent the bearing bar and the cylinder yoke. The wedge assembly is suitable for contacting the cylinder yoke so as to prevent a movement of the cylinder yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: T&T Engineering Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith J. Orgeron
  • Patent number: 8490264
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a holding unit configured to hold a fuel injector for disassembly, a removal unit and an actuating unit. The removal unit comprises a first removal tool for removing a circlip and ferrule ring from the fuel injector, a second removal tool for removing a cone nut from the fuel injector, and a third removal tool for removing a screw from the fuel injector. The actuating unit comprises a first actuator configured to operate the holding unit, a second actuator configured to move the removal unit, and a third actuator configured to operate the third removal tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua Kyle Dalrymple
  • Patent number: 8490263
    Abstract: A tool for removing an injector sleeve from the cylinder head of a diesel engine between the rocker arms while the head remains mounted to the engine block within the vehicle. The devices includes a tap having a longitudinal body and a thread cutting head at one end. A drive member comprises a bolt having a head at one distal end. An extraction nut is threaded onto the threaded shaft of the drive member followed by a bearing surface member such as a spacer. A hollow cylinder or support sleeve having an internal diameter greater than the injector sleeve to be removed and an external diameter less than the diameter of the sleeve bore includes a shoulder member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Whitaker Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Tony Whitaker
  • Patent number: 8484818
    Abstract: System(s), method(s), and device(s) that facilitate efficient removal of a nut(s) from a wheel stud or bolt are presented. A nut removal facilitator device comprises a first arm with a holder component, wherein the first arm is attached to a lever component and a second arm, which includes a force applicator component. A socket of a wrench is placed on a desired nut, with the wrench handle portion near the socket held within the holder component and an end portion of the wrench handle in contact with the force applicator component. A force can be received at the top portion of the lever component is leveraged based on the length of the lever component. The leveraged force is transferred to the force applicator component which applies the transferred force to the wrench handle to move the handle and socket in the desired direction to loosen and remove the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: B & H Worldwide, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas Ritorto, Jr., Christopher Robert Lattanzio
  • Patent number: 8474806
    Abstract: A pipe gripping apparatus has a first jaw with a pipe-contacting surface at one end thereof, a second jaw having a pipe-contacting surface at one end thereof, a tongue having a pipe-contacting surface at one end thereof, and an actuator connected to the first and second jaws and to the tongue. The actuator serves to move the first and second jaws and the tongue such that the pipe-contacting surfaces thereof move radially inwardly simultaneously for a substantially identical distance. A first link pivotally connects the tongue with the first jaw. A second link pivotally connects the tongue with the second jaw. The first and second links extend angularly outwardly from the tongue. The first and second pivot points of each jaw have a distance unequal to a distance between the first pivot point and pipe-contacting surface of each jaw. The pipe-contacting surfaces can be elastomeric pads, toothed dies, or rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: T&T Engineering Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith J. Orgeron
  • Publication number: 20130160264
    Abstract: A spud tool for use by a plumber to install and to remove plumbing feed water spuds includes an elongate tubular socket-like body internally recessed and provided with wrenching flats; and a captive coaxial stem having a cruciform head disposed both axially-movably and relatively-rotationally within the recess of the socket-like body. The stem at an end opposite to the cruciform head carries a handle portion for application of manual torque, and the handle portion is slidably movable from side-to-side of the stem in order to allow a wrench head to be slipped along the handle portion and onto the stem in order to achieve driving engage with the socket-like body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventor: Wayne Reyes
  • Patent number: 8464412
    Abstract: A clutching jig includes a first holding bar, a second holding bar, and a fixing means. The first holding bar has a first inner surface, a first end portion and a second end, an engaging portion projected from the first inner surface of the first end portion, and a first recess formed on the second end portion. The second holding bar includes a second inner surface, a third end portion, a fourth end portion, and a second recess formed on the fourth end portion. The fixing means fixes the first end portion with the third end portion. While the clutching jig is assembled, the first inner surface faces the second inner surface, and the engaging portion engages the second inner surface of the third end portion by the fixing means to form a gap between the first inner surface and the second inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Qiang Huang, Bing-Tao Yang, Yin-Lung Wu, Ming-Chiang Chen
  • Patent number: 8443504
    Abstract: A pin tool assembly for forcibly removing a first type of retaining pin from digging teeth arranged in side-by-side relation across a forward edge of a digging implement. The pin tool assembly includes a tool defining a blind recess laterally disposed to one side of the tool. The tool assembly further includes an elongated extractor pin having an enlarged head portion and a shank portion extending from the head portion. Cooperating instrumentalities maintain and position the extractor pin relative the tool such that, when a force is applied to the tool, the free end of the shank portion of the pin engages with and forcibly extracts the retaining pin from the digging tooth. Preferably, the tool further defines a plurality of openings for snugly accommodating a series of retaining pins therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: H&L Tooth Company
    Inventors: Charles Clendenning, Brian L. Launder, Russell N. Drake
  • Patent number: 8443500
    Abstract: A universal rubber bushing-extracting tool includes a threaded rod and two pushing units. Each of the pushing units includes a nut, a mount, a bearing and two pushers. The nut is engaged with the threaded rod. The mount includes at least two slots defined therein. The bearing bears the mount on the nut. Each of the pushers is movably located in a related one of the slots. The pushers of one of the pushing units push an internal ring of a rubber bushing and the pushers of the other pushing unit push an external ring of the rubber bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Poul Chang Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Hao Huang
  • Patent number: 8434206
    Abstract: A clutching jig includes a pair of clutching bars, a pair of clutching pieces and a protecting means. Each of the clutching bars includes a top end portion and a bottom end portion. The top end portions are connected to each other and the bottom end portion are separated from each other. Each of the clutching pieces is fixed to the bottom end portion of each of the clutching bars. The clutching pieces are covered by the protecting means and exposed from the protecting means via the protecting means moved relative to the clutching pieces. The protecting blocks will cover the clutching pieces if the clutching jig is unused. The protecting blocks will slide upwardly relative to the clutching bars to urge the clutching pieces to be exposed if the clutching jig is used. Hence, the protecting blocks can protect the clutching pieces to prevent the clutching pieces from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Cheng UEI Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sheng-Nan Yu
  • Patent number: 8407872
    Abstract: A rail fence retractor allowing removal of a fence rail engaged with a fence post comprising a blade having a first and second end. The first end of the blade is configured for insertion into a fence post slot having a rail inserted therein. The rail has self-locking tabs which must be depressed for removal of the rail from the fence post slot. The fence rail retractor also has a handle which is attached to the second end of the blade. The handle allows the application of force against handle to fix the position of the handle against the fence post during removal of the rail from the fence post slot. The handle is also useful in carrying the rail fence retractor when not in use. The handles may be also be configured to allow a pair of rail fence retractors to fit or snap together when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Tabmaster Rail Remover, Inc.
    Inventors: David Powell, Steven R. Watts
  • Patent number: 8375545
    Abstract: An automotive tool serving as a pinch bar and lever for gripping an automotive suspension workpiece between first and second tool elements and an extended handle for increasing force to free the workpiece from its fastened position. Alternately, the first and second tool elements can be positioned against opposing workpieces to free one from the other again using the extended handle to amplify the applied force causing separation. The tool is designed for the automotive repair industry in the removal and installation of suspension members, such as CV joints, ball joints, struts, etc that require the dismantling of parts that have bonded due to dirt, wear and electrolytic reactions, such as oxidation, resulting in time intensive and hazardous tasks depending on the inventiveness of the mechanic in performing the separation task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventor: Henry Sim
  • Patent number: 8375546
    Abstract: A fastener with a breakaway and methods of using the same. In one embodiment the fastener is a screw having a head and elongated stem, adapted to be easily manipulated by a user when using the screw as a fastener in a hinge or joint. A way of holding a screw by providing a breakaway tab or non-threaded portion of the elongated stem which can be used to align and insert the screw into a screw hole in the process of engaging threads in the screw hole with threads of the screw. After engaging the threads in the screw hole, such as after the screw has been essentially completely inserted into the screw hole, the breakaway tab or non-threaded portion of the elongated stem of the screw may be broken off at a breakaway and discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Eyeego, LLC
    Inventor: Nancy K. Tedeschi