By Applying Force Patents (Class 29/426.5)
  • Patent number: 7272886
    Abstract: A support adaptor assembly for a bearing press comprising a rectangular shaped header plate (1), a pair of adjustable support rods (4) each with an adaptor (9) on one end for providing a means of supporting an object (50) to be worked on with a bearing press either above or below the support members of the bearing press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Inventor: David John Thomson
  • Patent number: 7234219
    Abstract: An arrow extractor particularly useful for removing a broadhead or field head arrow embedded in a tree stump, three-dimensional target or other solid object and further designed to pull directly on the arrow shaft whereby such pulling force can be applied evenly and linearly and in parallel with the shaft of the arrow such that the likelihood of damage to the arrow is diminished. The arrow extractor includes two opposed hollowed out arrow grippers attached to pivoted lever arms through which gripping force is applied to the arrow shaft. A further benefit of the invention is that harmful forces are minimized upon the wrists and arms of the person using the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventor: Brian S. Deiter
  • Patent number: 7228609
    Abstract: To extract a bushing from a housing, a number of cylindrical engaging elements are inserted in the bore of the bushing. The elements are clipped together by clips and have a lip which bears on the bushing end surface. An extractor head pushes on the elements to force the bushing from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventor: John A. Smith
  • Patent number: 7194800
    Abstract: The invention is related to a tube extracting device for removing a tube from a conventional drum of a boiler or heat exchanger. The device is positioned inside the drum. The device includes a hollow cylindrical wedge which cylindrically collapses a tube inwardly upon driving the wedge between the tube hole and outer tube wall. The wedge has longitudinal ridges on its inner surface and inwardly tapered edges at its end which is driven into the tube hole such that the tube may be readily inwardly collapsed. Upon retracting the wedge from the tube hole, the wedge engages the tube and the tube is removed from the drum inside the wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Babcick & Wilcox Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Luke G. M. Gray
  • Patent number: 7188405
    Abstract: A pin removal structure used in printed circuit board drilling machine comprised of a main body, a first driving member, a first driving rod, a collet member, a lower mounting cover, a socket, a second driving member, a plurality of second driving rods, and an air pressure control valve member. The collet member is sleeved vertically onto the locating pin, and through articulation of the air pressure control valve member, the first driving member and the first driving rod having the collet member positioned at its anterior extremity are impelled by air pressure into upward and forward movement, the collet member then guided by the socket fastened to a lower mounting cover to firmly clamp onto the locating pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Inventor: Shiun Hwang-Jyh
  • Patent number: 7174616
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for removing a rotor of a rotary machine, such as a rotary combine harvester. The method comprises the steps of exposing one end of the rotor while ensuring that the rotor remains safely anchored within the machine, securing to the exposed end of the rotor a plate that is mounted on a support block carried on the lifting platform of a movable lifting device, disconnecting the rotor from all remaining components of the machine to permit the rotor to be slid out of the machine, and moving the lifting device away from the machine while simultaneously controlling the height of its lifting platform to cause the end of the rotor to move along a path parallel to the axis of the rotor and thereby extract the rotor from the machine while supporting the weight of the portion of the rotor projecting from the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Georges Landschoot, Rik Vackier
  • Patent number: 7162786
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically feeding an oil filter(s) into a crushing zone to shear a canister from a connector plate. The apparatus feed the oil filters into the crushing zone one at a time for the crushing by a movable wall against a fixed wall (211) to flatten the canister while blade shears the canister from the connector plate. The apparatus enables capture of oil and recycling of the canister and connector plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventors: Edwin E. Rice, Charles H. Franklin
  • Patent number: 7155795
    Abstract: A surgical blade package facilitates the mounting of a surgical blade on to the forwardly-projecting cleat on a scalpel handle; and following use in the O.R., the surgical blade package facilitates stripping the used blade off the scalpel for disposal in a sharps container. The cleat is inserted beneath the rear end portion of the blade, and between the blade and the bottom wall of the blade package; and forward and upward movement of the scalpel snaps the blade on to the scalpel in a continuous movement. The opposite procedure is used to demount the used blade from the scalpel and encase it in the original blade package for disposal in a sharps container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventors: Michael R. Abidin, Steven P. Lehmbeck, Paul Varga
  • Patent number: 7146716
    Abstract: The invention is related to a tube extracting device for removing a tube from a conventional drum of a boiler or heat exchanger. The device includes a wedge which is driven into a tube hole between the tube outer wall and the hole in the drum that the tube is in. The wedge has longitudinal ridges on its internal surface and inwardly tapered edges at its end which is driven into the zone between the tube hole and the outer wall of the tube such that the tube may be readily inwardly collapsed. Upon retracting the wedge from the tube hole, the tube is removed from the drum inside the wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Canada Ltd.
    Inventor: Luke G. M. Gray
  • Patent number: 7131175
    Abstract: An extraction tool (20) for extracting spiral threaded inserts includes an elongated basic body (23, . . . , 26), on the one end of which an extracting tip (28) narrowing toward the front and intended for being inserted with a cutting action into the threaded insert to be extracted is provided, and on the other end of which a device (23) for turning the extraction tool (20) about the tool longitudinal axis is provided. In the case of such an extraction tool, extraction of the threaded inserts through inspection ports is made possible in a simple and reliable manner by virtue of the fact that at least a section of the extracting tip (28) has the shape of a steep-angle truncated pyramid (28.1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Graham Cristopher Young
  • Patent number: 7114234
    Abstract: A conductor torquing system is provided for large diameter threaded conductor casing which comprises a lower chain vise or fixed grip head adapted to grip a first joint of conductor casing, a plurality of movable arms operable to apply a retaining force to a second joint of conductor casing to maintain the latter in rotational contact with a spinning means. The spinning means is operable to rotationally make-up the second joint of conductor casing to the first joint of conductor casing to an initial make-up torque valve. The apparatus also includes an upper chain vise or rotary grip head for gripping the second joint of conductor casing and applying a final make-up torque to the threaded connection. The apparatus will allow a conductor connection to be made-up in a safe and efficient manner and generally assist in reaching the final torque stage more rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Andrew Robert Penman, Peter John Lovegrove
  • Patent number: 7114233
    Abstract: A device for facilitating the separation and removal of an engine cover from a sealing surface on an engine. The engine cover puller may reduce or eliminate the deformation of an engine cover during its removal and allows for its potential reuse. In addition, the engine cover puller may reduce or eliminate the damage to the sealing surfaces between the engine cover and the engine that may occur during an engine cover removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Barry Lynn Wyrick, Billy Wayne Overman, Bruce Moore
  • Patent number: 7101457
    Abstract: A repair method for a plastic pipe network allows a damaged pipe to be disconnected from a fixture carrying it in the network without damage to or removal of the fixture carrying the pipe to be removed or the disruption of connections of other pipes connected to that fixture. The tool system used with my method provides a heating tool having an elongate heating head powered by an electrical powering source for insertion in the channel of the end portion of a thermoplastic pipe adhered in a thermoplastic fixture for removal without damage to the fixture. The tool system further provides a pipe removal tool having adjacently spaced prongs to be twisted about the periphery of a heated pipe portion for removal from the fixture at a temperature that causes no damage the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Inventor: James W. Huffman
  • Patent number: 7082662
    Abstract: A sectional flooring installation device allows carpet installation teams to quickly remove and install sectional carpeting in locations that have multitudes of the bookshelf assemblies, for example, libraries. The sectional flooring installation device includes a bridge assembly, a lifting device, a bearing plate, and a transfer unit to raise supports for bookshelf assemblies. The bridge assembly spans the tile, the transfer unit engages a vertical support, and the lifting device displaces the transfer unit relative to the bridge assembly to free pinned tiles or broad loom carpet sections. Once a pinned tile or carpet section is removed, a replacement tile may be installed. Use of the sectional flooring installation device essentially eliminates the requirement of removing bookshelf assemblies, reinstalling the bookshelf assemblies, and realigning the bookshelf assemblies after installation of the carpet. Accordingly, installation cost will decrease when using the sectional flooring installation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce V. C. Gauntt, Cristino Alvarez
  • Patent number: 7076852
    Abstract: A conductor torquing system is provided for large diameter threaded conductor casing which comprises a lower chain vise adapted to grip a first joint of conductor casing, a plurality of movable arms operable to apply a retaining force to a second joint of conductor casing to maintain the latter in rotational contact with a spinning means. The spinning means is operable to rotationally make-up the second joint of conductor casing to the first joint of conductor casing to an initial make-up torque value. The apparatus also includes an upper chain vise for gripping the second joint of conductor casing and applying a final make-up torque to the threaded connection. The apparatus will allow a conductor connection to be made-up in a safe and efficient manner and generally assist in reaching the final torque stage more rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Andrew Robert Penman, Peter John Lovegrove
  • Patent number: 7062833
    Abstract: The method includes the step of positioning the device on a sheath (94) having, for each latching tab (7), a portion adapted to be housed between this tab and a cylindrical wall of the device; the step of making the sheath enter between each tab and the cylindrical wall until means preventing the withdrawal of the tabs are released; and the step of moving the two bodies (2,3) away from each other. The instrument has, in addition to the sheath (94), a guidance slide (77).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Schann, Gerard Muller, Frédéric Reynes, Christian Clauss
  • Patent number: 7043826
    Abstract: A hand-held power performs three operations, selectively. A first operation corrects the setting of an improperly set self-piercing rivet. A second operation removes a self-piercing rivet from workpieces. A third operation sets a solid rivet, which may replace a removed self-piercing rivet. For performing these operations, three interchangeable sets of components are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Nobuharu Naito
  • Patent number: 7040009
    Abstract: A heat sink hand placement tool for manually installing a heat sink to an integrated circuit (IC). The heat sink tool includes a heat sink interface block having a lower surface adapted to provide a force on a heat sink disposed over an IC. A force transducer interfaces with an upper surface of the heat sink interface block to produce an electrical signal, which is routed to a measurement circuit to measure the electrical signal. A chassis is disposed over the force transducer and the measurement circuit, wherein the chassis is adapted to receive a force from a user, such that the force is transmitted to the lower surface of the heat sink interface block. The measurement circuit then provides an indication of the force being applied within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael S. Baxter
  • Patent number: 7028394
    Abstract: An automatic thermal debonding system removes slider rows from a stainless steel processing fixture. The system uses a bimodal pitch adjustment and a mechanical row detainment mechanism to remove the rows from the fixture. The system allows full control of all critical process parameters such as accurate and repeatable row placement; controlled temperature and heat flow; controlled mechanical removal pressure; temporal control and variability; clean and contaminant-free working area; and full electrostatic discharge grounding and compatible materials. The bimodal pitch adjustment feature allows for continual, high-speed removal of the ceramic rows from the fixture after an automated heating cycle is complete. As the rows are removed, they are accurately placed into the detainment mechanism for the next process step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: John M. Borg, Sean M. Clemenza, Garrett T. Oakes, Katherine T. M. Tran
  • Patent number: 7028380
    Abstract: A device and method of removing a rivet which has been installed on a work piece. The method includes clamping a hand held device having springs onto the work piece, engaging a drill with a drill bit of the hand held device, the springs applying a pre-load force to the drill bit, operating the drill, thereby causing the springs to apply an increased load force to the drill bit and causing the drill bit to drill into a button of the rivet, unclamping and removing the hand held device from the work piece, and using a compression tool to remove the rivet from the work piece. The compression tool includes a push out portion configured to push out the rivet, and a recess is disposed generally opposite the push out portion for catching the rivet as the rivet is pushed out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Steven P. Donovan, David C. Gross, Richard A. Swedberg
  • Patent number: 7028396
    Abstract: A process and tooling for removing a semiconductor chip (31) from a handling tape (321) without damage to either the chip or tape by one or more horizontal beam type ejector tools (333) driven by a variable speed motor (332) applying uniform pressure to the tape and chip backside. Each tool (333) emerges from a rigid support surface through an aperture which also serves to supply vacuum to hold the chip in alignment prior to ejection, and in turn allows planar removal of the chip by a pick-up arm (351).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Iszharudin Hassan
  • Patent number: 7024745
    Abstract: A holding tool is adapted to be used in removing and replacing a fan clutch assembly threadably attached and detached relative to a shaft of a hub connected to a pulley on an internal combustion engine of a vehicle by a series of fasteners. The holding tool includes a flat holding plate in which a portion of the bottom edge is provided with arcuate edge adapted to surround a circumferential segment of the hub. The holding plate is formed with a plurality of spaced apart holes adapted to receive certain of the fasteners connecting the hub and pulley together so that the holding plate is attached to the hub. An elongated handle has a proximal end secured to the holding plate and a distal end adapted to rest upon a frame rail of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: A&E Incorporated
    Inventor: Shawn Mayer
  • Patent number: 7024761
    Abstract: A sharp cutting object disposal device provided with means for automatic unscrewing of venopuncture needles and the like, consisting of a tube to which a pair of motors or a gear wheel are fixed, the wheel which, actuated by a geared part that upon sliding on the gear wheel, will cause the rotation of the latter and in turn, this gear wheel will move several gears which will make two cylindrical and solid contacts turn, carrying out the disposal of the needle by means of friction plus the passing of electric current, provided with a conduit inside for exhaust of gases produced by melting the needle, without needing ventilators or any other forced air system, in addition to having another tube for separating the needle from the “screw-on” type syringe during the same needle disposal operation, the inside of the drawer having a housing recipient for the needle wastes, and another recipient incorporated inside the container for housing the plastic needleless syringes or non-sharp hospital wastes, and inside this
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Saraito, S.L.
    Inventor: Silverio Duenas Sanchez
  • Patent number: 7013554
    Abstract: The invention is a method to salvage suspensions from defective head gimbal assembly units. At present the hard disk industry is undergoing rapid product cycles. The products are being upgraded faster and faster, and the ability for sliders to meet higher density requirement becomes more urgent. Therefore, the performance of a slider becomes more sensitive to signals. As the wafer manufacturing process produces a lower yield, a suspension salvage method is developed to recycle a damaged head gimbal assembly in order to minimize material loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiao Ming Wong, Rock Feng Tao, Wei Yang, Di Peng, Ming Gao Yao
  • Patent number: 7003877
    Abstract: A novel apparatus and method to engage a liner in an cylinder of an engine is provided. A wedge and rod are utilized as part of a liner remover assembly to move at least one collet axially to engage the liner. In a preferred embodiment, a novel eyehook is provided at an end of the rod to assist in the pulling of the liner from the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony Reale
  • Patent number: 6994796
    Abstract: A filter assembly includes a filter cap having a filter chamber defined therein. The filter cap includes a side wall having an opening defined therein. A fluid filter is positioned in the filter chamber. A spring-loaded detent button is movably secured to the filter cap and extends into the filter chamber. When the detent button is depressed by a user, the end of the detent button positioned in the filter chamber contacts the fluid filter thereby releasing the fluid filter from the filter cap. An associated method for replacing a fluid filter is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Purolator Products NA, LLC
    Inventor: John W. Wall
  • Patent number: 6983523
    Abstract: A leveraging tool for disconnecting a control arm from the remainder of an automotive front wheel drive suspension system. The leveraging tool includes angularly disposed first and second portions, a pivot point located therebetween, and, optionally an anchoring member attachable to the automobile. A chain, cable, or hook member attaches the second portion to the control arm. The control arm is detached when an input force is applied to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Inventor: Kurt A. Seyfert
  • Patent number: 6973707
    Abstract: A method of removing stators from tubular stator housings involving subjecting a tubular stator housing having an interior surface to which a worn stator is adhered by adhesive to cryogenic refrigeration until the stator shrinks and pulls away from the interior surface of the tubular stator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventor: John Russell McKay
  • Patent number: 6951051
    Abstract: A tool is provided for removing a component from a fuel rail in an automotive fuel system. The tool has a pair of jaws connected to a pair of pivoting handles, which allow the jaws to be opened and closed. The jaws have an inner cavity shaped to conform to an outer surface of the component. A pair of release members are slidably mounted on an outer surface of the jaws. When the release members are moved relative to the jaws, rims on the release members contact a retention clip holding the component to the fuel rail. Contact between the rims and the clip causes the clip to disengage from a retention surface on the fuel rail, freeing the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: James Archie Wynn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6944926
    Abstract: A refrigerant gas is collected and a compressor is removed from a discarded refrigerator, a heat-insulating housing including a heat insulator is cut/processed and separated into a plurality of pieces, and the pieces are compressed/processed by compression rollers opposing each other so as to collect a gas contained in the heat insulator. In accordance with this method, substantially no gas contained in the heat insulator is diffused at the time of cutting the heat-insulating housing, and the gas can be collected at a high concentration because it is collected by being allowed to leak out at the time of compressing. Furthermore, by using the compression rollers, closed-cells in the heat insulator can be crushed easily, thereby collecting the gas completely and reliably. Thus, it is possible to collect a foaming gas contained in the heat insulator efficiently and disassemble a refrigerator at low cost without increasing the size of-equipment and an installation space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Yotsumoto, Yutaka Matsuda, Takayuki Gyoubu, Katsuya Sawada
  • Patent number: 6941633
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating two flanges, comprising a first prying grip having at least one flange contact member, a second prying grip having at least one flange contact member; and means for separating the flange contact members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Brooks, Matthew R. Rader
  • Patent number: 6922881
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method to install and remove continuous track drive units on vehicles, wherein the system contains two forcing discs connected hydraulically which mimic the shape of the vehicle end idlers. A hydraulically actuated telescopic separator is positioned between the forcing discs, such that the discs may be separated or brought together. The forcing discs are aligned with the vehicle idlers to allow the continuous track unit to be easily slipped onto the vehicle idlers from the forcing discs. Conversely, when removing continuous track drive units, the forcing discs are again aligned with the vehicle end idlers, and the track is slipped off the vehicle idlers and onto the forcing discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventor: Mark LaFevers
  • Patent number: 6912765
    Abstract: A clip is disclosed which is capable of applying significant retention force via a rotatable cam arm while being easily removable due to the cam arm and a separate removal arm. A method of using the clip is also disclosed which uses the advantages of the clip, particularly in the context of computer design and construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregory C. Franke, Donald J. Hall, Jeffrey A. Lambert
  • Patent number: 6904660
    Abstract: A puller (10) for removing a compression sleeve from a pipe (38) generally comprised of a cylindrical body (24) containing on one end an internal cavity (28) to receive the pipe (38) and an external double thread (30) to engage a compression nut (34) and on the opposite end a threaded through screw (14) entering the cavity (28). A disk (22) attached at one end of the screw (14) bears on the end of the pipe (38) and a torque handle (12) at the other end is used to supply increasing pressure against the end of the pipe (38). The puller (10) is threadably attached to the compression nut (34) placing the pipe (38) into the internal cavity (28) against the disk (22) while the compression sleeve (36) is contained between the compression nut (34) and the puller (10). Turning the torque handle (12) urges the compression nut (34) and the compression sleeve (36) toward the end of the pipe (38) until the compression nut (34) and compression sleeve (36) are freed from the pipe (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Inventor: Richard LeRoy English
  • Patent number: 6895648
    Abstract: A permanently mounted pneumatic jack (jacklift) system for motor vehicles, as well as an impact wrench for removing and installing lug nuts. The system provides a quick and safe means of lifting one or more tires off the ground for replacement of a spare or rotating the tires on a motor vehicle. The present invention comprises two or more (typically four) pneumatic jacks, a system ON/OFF switch, an air compressor, a 120-psi air tank, air lines (hoses), individual jack extend/retract switches, jack position-locking pins, safety-locking pins, and impact wrench. Each jack can be locked in a horizontal stowaway or vertical operational position. The jack is cylindrical shaped with a telescopic body that can be extended or retracted as needed to raise and lower the vehicle. A solid cylindrical lift rod slides inside a cylindrical outer housing with a high-pressure seal means used to maintain pressure on the support rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: Michael J. Willett
  • Patent number: 6886234
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and a method for removing a top cover from a disc drive. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus comprises a wedge configured to fit between the top cover and the base of the disc drive. The embodiment further comprises an actuator configured to drive the wedge with a sufficient driving force to separate the top cover from the base of the disc drive. The embodiment further comprises a crowder configured to support the disc drive, wherein the crowder is disposed to oppose the driving force imparted to the disc drive by the actuator. Finally, the embodiment comprises a top cover holder configured to remove the top cover. The present invention includes a method for implementing the steps performed by the embodiment of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Sham S. Nayar, James J. Stirn
  • Patent number: 6883221
    Abstract: A pin removal and placement tool (50) has a body member (52) made of plate steel having a contact surface (52b) and a rear edge (52c). Tool (50) also may have an anvil plate (54) mounted on a striking plate (56), a drive shaft (58), and a handle (70) projecting at a right angle from the body member (52). The striking plate (56) is fixedly mounted to the rear edge (52c) and anvil plate (54) is disposed at a selected angle to the drive shaft (58) to enhance the striking force of drive shaft (58) and to reduce the length of the tool (50) so as to facilitate its insertion between the teeth of buckets, etc. A shoe (62) may be mounted on tool (5) to adjust the clearance between contact surface (52b) and drive shaft (58). The handle (70) may be either removably or fixedly attached to the body member (52) and be dimensioned and mounted to selectively project from a selected side thereof, or from both sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Edward P. Hayes, III
  • Patent number: 6880218
    Abstract: A tool for, and method of, removing a first component, such as a disc brake rotor, from an assembly, such as a disc brake assembly. The tool includes an elongated bar and a pressing device. The elongated bar has a pressing surface for pressing against the first component, and a backing surface opposite the pressing surface. The pressing device is connectable to the backing surface of the elongated bar. The pressing device is adjustable to engage a second component that is fixed to the assembly, in order to apply a force between the first component and the second component, to thereby remove the first component from the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventor: Mark J. Christopher
  • Patent number: 6880225
    Abstract: A tool for reattaching a leader pin assembly to the data tape of a data tape cartridge utilizes a base that snaps onto the cartridge body. The tool opens the door of the cartridge and the loose leader tape inside the cartridge is laid in an alignment channel. A leader pin is inserted into a set of receptacles over the tape, and a clip is inserted into a pocket within an arm on the tool. The tape is then folded and pulled down over the leader pin and held in the alignment channel with a finger of the user. The arm of the tool, which retains the clip, is then pivoted from a disengaged position to an engaged position. The clip snaps over a center section of the leader pin and the folded tape to form a leader pin assembly, thereby securing the tape in the leader pin assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. West
  • Patent number: 6877200
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a pneumatically actuated, hydraulic jack and an electric air compressor. The disclosed apparatus is self contained and portable and includes a pneumatically actuated hydraulic jack, an air compressor, at least one air supply line, and an electronic switch, for directing the air flow to either the jack or the air supply line. The air supply line can be used to inflate objects, such as tires, or used to power pneumatic tools. The air compressor is preferably powered by an automobile's electrical system and is thus adapted with a cigarette lighter adaptor. This apparatus is preferably used for changing vehicle tires and/or inflating the tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: Jesse Villarreal
  • Patent number: 6874223
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a device is attached to a support by positioning fasteners into the device at the leading and trailing edges of the device and then positioning the device with respect to the support such that the leading edge fastener(s) slide downward into a slot in a first bracket and the trailing edge fastener slides laterally downward into a slot in a second fastener causing both the first and second fasteners to be captured by lateral slots in the first and second brackets. In the embodiment, the first bracket has an L shaped slot while the slot in the second bracket includes a ramp. After the fasteners are captured by the brackets, the user, in one embodiment, may tighten the fasteners from the outside of a housing in which the support resides by inserting a tightening tool through openings in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Natalie Reilley
  • Patent number: 6865790
    Abstract: A method of removing an optical device contained within a device package from a circuit board, wherein the device package is secured to the circuit board using an adhesive pad. The method includes peeling a portion of the adhesive pad away from the circuit board, inserting an optical removal tool between the optical device and the circuit board, wherein the optical removal tool has a pair of fork portions and a cavity positioned between the fork portions, and the fork portions straddle one or more leads on the optical device during the inserting step, and prying the remainder of the adhesive pad away from the circuit board using the optical device removal tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Young, Duane S. Stackhouse
  • Patent number: 6857176
    Abstract: A device for assisting in the release of a tandem wheel locking pin from a locking rail of a semi-trailer is disclosed. In a basic embodiment, the device consists of a gripping plate which engages the locking pin release rod of the tandem unit, a helical spring, and a hook plate which engages a frame member of the tandem unit such that tension is maintained on the spring. By locking the brakes of the tandem unit and rocking the trailer, friction between the locking rail and the locking pin is released, and the tension of the spring can pull the pin, at least partially, from the locking rail. An alternate embodiment of the device includes a positioning assist pin which may be placed into the locking rail at the point at which the tandem unit is to be moved to aid in aligning the locking pins at a new location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventor: John Machado
  • Patent number: 6851168
    Abstract: A clamp for quickly, effectively and safely removing a cathode collar from an HDP deposition chamber for routine maintenance, cleaning or replacement of the collar. The clamp includes a pair of clamp plates which are capable of pivoting movement on respective ends of a connecting rod. A clamp shoe for gripping a corresponding edge of the annular collar is provided on the bottom end of each clamp plate, and a turnbuckle is fitted with a pair of threaded shafts which engage the upper end portions of the respective clamp plates. By rotating the turnbuckle, the threaded shafts are advanced away from each other against the clamp plates, which pivot on the connecting rod and cause the clamp shoes to tightly engage respective edges of the collar. The clamp is grasped to lift the collar from the chamber and replace the collar in the chamber after cleaning or maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Wen-Shan Chang, Jung-Chang Chen, Shih-Chang Hsu, Li-Chung Wang, Cheng-Chia Kuo, Jong-Min Lin, Kuo-Ming Yu, Da-Hsiang Chou, Kuo-Chuan Chen, Ming-Te Chen
  • Patent number: 6848158
    Abstract: The device comprises a base for positioning a tire and a lever pivoted on a support and able to move and be fixed in position along a plane which is radial with respect to the center of the base. An active end of the lever, located on an L-shaped bend at an end of the lever, can be introduced internally of the opening to interact contactingly with the internal surface of a part of the support ring pre-inserted in the opening. By acting on the lever, the active end presses the ring against the inside of the tire with radial force. The support ring is of a type which when applied on a vehicle wheel enables the vehicle to continue moving for a considerable time even where tire pressure is suddenly lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Snap-On Equipment S.r.l.
    Inventor: Rino Spaggiari
  • Patent number: 6848157
    Abstract: A disposable syringe device auxiliary unit of the present invention for preventing iatrogenic infection through a needle includes a cap holding section for disposing and holding therein a cap which covers, when a medical treatment is performed, a needle positioned at the extreme end of a syringe barrel constituting a disposable syringe device; and a needle separating section for separating the needle, which is covered with the cap and fitted on an end of the syringe barrel, therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Inventor: Koichiro Abe
  • Patent number: 6842958
    Abstract: Method of, and apparatus for, fitting a resilient ring substantially circular in shape into a tire, and removing it therefrom, the method comprising the following steps in sequence: initial deforming of the resilient ring by slightly stretching it along one diameter thereof so as to cause it to change from a circular to an elliptical shape; fitting of the thus deformed ring lengthwise into the light of a tire in which the ring is to be assembled; first releasing of the ring whereby it tends to regain its initial circular shape while remaining engaged in the tire light; final deforming of the resilient ring by stretching it in a radial direction within the tire, and final releasing of the deformable ring whereby it regains its initial circular shape within the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Butler Engineering & Marketing SRL
    Inventor: Tullio Gonzaga
  • Patent number: 6836946
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing nails from a tape is provided. The apparatus comprises a guide that directs a path of movement of the tape through the apparatus. The guide has a transition end over which the tape passes as the tape moves through the apparatus. The guide transition end is adapted to form a bend in the tape thereby exposing a head of the nail from the tape as the tape passes over the guide transition end. The apparatus further comprises a claw that is adapted to engage the nail head as the nail head is exposed when the tape passes over the guide transition end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Inventor: Terry C. Ward
  • Publication number: 20040261261
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing attached die having a pivoting means, having a pivot point and first and second sides, the pivot point having a corresponding first y coordinate, the first and second sides positioned opposite to one another, said pivoting means capable of attaching to a die carrier. The apparatus also having a shaft attached to the first side of the pivoting means. The apparatus further having a counterweight attached to the second side of the pivoting means. The apparatus lastly having a clamping means capable of attaching to at least one die, the die having a corresponding second y coordinate, wherein the first y coordinate is greater than the second y coordinate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lannie R. Bolde, Christopher Wayne Whittaker
  • Patent number: 6832426
    Abstract: A device for decoupling an inner part and an outer part of a constant velocity joint from each other has a fastening element for gripping the inner part, an annular part placed in the end of the outer part of the joint and a nut that fits to the thread in the end of the outer part, which nut is wider than the hole in the annular part and the parts can be decoupled in a simple and safe way and without breaking the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Tuomas-Trading Oy
    Inventor: Asko Ojavuo