Wedge Patents (Class 81/116)
  • Patent number: 11052512
    Abstract: A clamping apparatus has first and second clamping members extending in an opposed, spaced-apart relation along a central axis from proximal end portions to distal end portions with inside surfaces of the clamping members facing each other. A gap between the proximal end portions is adjustable to releasably secure an object between the distal end portions. A clamp actuator has a handle and a wedge, moving the handle to a first handle position moves the wedge linearly along the clamp central axis in engagement with the inside surfaces of the proximal end portions to increase the gap. Moving the handle to the second handle position moves the wedge in an opposite direction along the central clamp axis, thereby permitting the gap to decrease. In embodiments, the clamping force is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventor: Clay A. Allison
  • Patent number: 9622810
    Abstract: A surgical forceps includes a first shaft member including a proximal portion having a handle at a proximal end thereof and a distal portion having a jaw member at a distal end thereof. The proximal and distal portions are pivotable between an aligned position and an angled position. A second shaft member includes a jaw member at a distal end thereof and a handle at a proximal end thereof. The shaft members are pivotable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for moving the jaw members relative to one another between an open position and a closed position to grasp tissue therebetween. The proximal portion of the first shaft member is pivoted relative to the distal portion of the first shaft member from the aligned position to the angled position upon movement of the first and second shaft members towards the spaced-apart position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Keir Hart, Mark J. Huseman
  • Patent number: 9222598
    Abstract: A valve wrench and method to rotate a valve. The valve wrench includes a handle extension, an insert configured to adjustably receive the handle extension, a sleeve configured to adjustable receive the insert, and a locking mechanism configured to interlock the insert relative to the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventor: Peter Smith
  • Publication number: 20150059535
    Abstract: The locking V hinge tool of this invention comprises three or more pieces. The first two pieces are fundamentally identical and reversed, comprised of three main sections in optional order of, a jaw end, a common axle, and a arc-like cam, assembled together and rotate through the common axle, allowing the jaw ends to open and close. A third pin holding piece holds a pin that rides in and moves, the criss-crossing arc-like slots in the other pieces, at or near an angle aimed at the corners of a diamond like opening where the two arc-like slots intersect. Any external force exerted on the jaw ends, attempt to force the pin in the arc-like slots to rise to an upright position but are blocked by the walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Vernon James Ford, JR.
  • 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: 7219581
    Abstract: An adjustment tool, having a body with a bore extending between a first end and a second end. A shaft is positioned within the bore having a plurality of outward spreading spring fingers coupled to a tool end. A spring biases the shaft towards the second end of the body. A collet coupled to a first end of the body has an inner surface which restricts the spring fingers to a closed position as movement of the shaft towards the second end of the body retracts the spring fingers into the collet. A bubble ring may be coupled to the body. Graduated indicia associated with the bubble ring indicates rotation of the tool for entry of precise rotational adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventors: Tommy Tulloch, Steve Buchan, Richard Dempster, Ralph Brooker
  • Patent number: 6666113
    Abstract: A valve wrench for tightening a male adaptor onto a valve. The valve wrench includes a base member having a pair of opposing ends. Each of the ends of the base member has a bore. The bore of each of the ends extends through the base member whereby the bore of each of the ends is designed for receiving the male adaptor. The base member is designed for being gripped by a hand of the user. Each of the ends of the base member has plurality of angled teeth. The angled teeth inwardly extend from an interior surface of an associated one of the ends of the base member whereby the angled teeth are designed for engaging the male adaptor to preventing slipping of the base member with respect to the male adaptor when the base member is being used to rotate the male adaptor with respect to the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Gabriel Bravo
  • Patent number: 6134992
    Abstract: A fastener removing tool including a driver having a head positioned within a housing which is movable along a longitudinal axis of the housing. Several levers are pivotally mounted within the housing, which each include a fastener-engaging first end extending from the housing and a driver head-engaging second end disposed within the housing and biased toward the driver head. The driver head includes a cone-shaped wedge which engages the second ends of the levers, a thread body that engages the housing, and a shaft which extends from the body for connection to a power tool. Movement of the driver head in the first direction pivots the levers to move the fastener-engaging first ends toward the longitudinal axis and thus onto the fastener, and movement of the driver head in the second direction pivots the levers to move the fastener-engaging first ends away from the longitudinal axis and fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Leland M. Perkins
  • Patent number: 5218890
    Abstract: A keyless adjustable driver, attachable to a chuck on a drill, having a plurality of adjustable settings for holding and driving bolts with flat sides. The keyless adjustable driver includes a cylindrical body having an axial hole, a central shaft, passing through the axial hole, for attaching the driver to the chuck, a plurality of gripper arms pivotally mounted on the cylinder body for pivoting and holding the flat sides of the bolts in response to movement of the head of the central shaft engaging the gripper arms, and a wheel having a threaded axial hole for engaging screw-like threads on the central shaft to move the central shaft to close and lock the gripper arms to hold the bolt as the device rotates on the drill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Inventor: William H. Christ, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4022086
    Abstract: A longitudinally split socket member is connected to an end of an elongated drive shank having throughout a part of its length a generally square cross-section and threaded corners. An adjustment cone is threadably received on said threads and when rotated travels along said shank and axially into or out from a longitudinally split conical socket formed in lever portions of the socket member halves. Axial movement of said cone adjusts the spread of the lever portions of the socket member. This results in pivotal movement of the two socket member halves about a transverse pivotal axis and also results in a corresponding change in the spread of wrench jaws which extend endwise of the socket member from the pivotal axis, oppositely from the lever portions. A drive member is movable axially along the drive shaft and carries a plurality of drive keys which extend from said drive member axially into key sockets formed therefor in the lever portions of the socket member halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1977
    Inventor: Merlin G. Ramsey