Straight Stock Having Side Driving Gear Patents (Class 81/34)
  • Patent number: 11772244
    Abstract: A ratcheting screwdriver assembly includes a handle and a lever that is pivotally disposed on the handle. The lever is urgeable into an engaged position and the lever is biased into a disengaged movement. A shaft is rotatably disposed in the handle. A plurality of bits is provided and a respective one of the bits is insertable into the shaft to engage a respective type of fastener. A direction selector is movably integrated into the lever and the direction selector is in mechanical communication when the shaft. The direction selector is positionable in a tightening condition to tighten the fastener when the lever is urged into the engaged position. The direction selector is positionable in a loosening condition to loosen the fastener when the lever is urged into the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventors: Aram Sherwani, Rebaz Hameed
  • Patent number: 11376719
    Abstract: A multi-tool assembly includes a grip and a receiver that is extendable through the grip. The receiver has a first half pivotally coupled to a second half thereby facilitating the receiver to be bent into a plurality of angles. A plurality of bits is provided and each of the bits is insertable into a respective one of the first wells or the second wells for storage. Each of the bits is positionable into the receiver to tighten or loosen a fastener. A ratchet is integrated into the grip and the ratchet engages the receiver when the receiver is extended through the grip. The ratchet facilitates the grip to ratchet around the receiver in either a first direction or a second direction. In this way the grip can be rotated back and forth around the receiver for tightening or loosening the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel Thomas, Kevin Duhaime
  • Patent number: 10390842
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a geared instrument. The geared instrument is configured to translate rotation about a first axis to rotation about a second axis. The geared instrument comprises a handle configured to rotate about the first axis. A translation gear is configured to couple to the handle. A stem is coupled to the translation gear and rotates in unison with the translation gear. The translation gear is configured to translate the rotation of the handle about the first axis to rotation of the stem about the second axis. The stem is configured to couple to a modular head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: WRIGHT MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Elizabeth J. Sander
  • Patent number: 9192393
    Abstract: A surgical, manually operated, hand-held MRI-compatible drill for drilling though target bone of a patient includes: a housing; a ring gear held in the housing; a hand crank attached to ring gear and the housing; a pinion gear held in the housing in cooperating alignment with the ring gear; an elongate shaft attached to the pinion on one end portion and to a chuck support on an opposing end portion; a chuck attached to the chuck support held; and jaws attached to the chuck support and residing in the chuck adapted to hold a drill bit. The drill is light-weight. The components can all be polymeric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: MRI Interventions, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Piferi, Daniele Ghidoli
  • Patent number: 6105468
    Abstract: A multi-purpose closure opener for use with a variety of containers including twist-top bottles, vacuum-sealed jars and tab-top cans. A rigid elongated main body supports a twist-top opening section, a jar lid opening section and a tab-top can closure opening section for convenient opening of a selected one of these several containers in a single unitary construction. The twist-top opening section allows engagement of at least two bottle cap types, while the tab-top can closure opening section is designed to engage a variety of different sized and shaped tabs. The jar lid opening section permits easy jar lid seal-breaking convenience on the same opener. A magnet secured to the elongated body allows the opener to be mounted for storage on a kitchen appliance, such as a refrigerator, having a metal surface, or other suitable metal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: The Pampered Chef, Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott R. Fohrman, Kevin M. Hess
  • Patent number: 6098497
    Abstract: A bottle opening device worn on the user's hand or wrist. The bottle opener includes a round member having interior ridges and grooves for mating with a twist-off bottle cap, a slidable hook for removing a pry-off bottle cap, and a magnet for retaining the bottle cap. The bottle opener may include a watch, a sound emitter such as an alarm, and a light, possibly to assist with reading the watch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventor: Chantale Larose
  • Patent number: 6089124
    Abstract: An electric bottle or jar lid opener which loosens threaded lids from jars or similar containers having screw-type lids. A base member supports a vertical support which supports a travel arm, which in turn supports an electric motor. The motor 38 is positioned over the base such that a bottle may be manually positioned below the motor, which is provided with a direct drive mechanism which transfers torque through a shaft to a gripping member affixed thereon. The gripping member, made of a non-slip material, such as rubber, is placed onto the lid of a bottle. The travel arm has height adjustment knobs allowing the user to position the opener on various sized bottles. The motor is controlled by a variable power button which torques the gripping member in turn loosening the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Gary Murphy
  • Patent number: 6070497
    Abstract: A multipurpose implement for opening containers for foodstuffs and other products has one end with a ring and tab for removing lift-off bottle caps, an opposite end with an outer edge having a hook, a lug and serrations for opening cans, and an intermediate portion having an oval aperture with additional serrations, for twisting off caps and lids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Cesare Farelli
  • Patent number: 6052892
    Abstract: An adaptor tool for mounting components on printed circuit boards. The adaptor tool has two capture members that define an opening sized to receive the component. The capture members are linked together such that the application of torque to the adaptor tool by a torque tool via a connector results in the two capture members frictionally engaging the component and transferring the torque to the component. This allows the component to be mounted to the printed circuit board to a desired degree of torque. The adaptor tool can be sized so as to be able to mount a cylindrical heat sink to a bracket on a printed circuit board to a desired degree of torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig L. Boe
  • Patent number: 6035508
    Abstract: A vacuum releaser including a pair of pivotally attached, biasing pliers, the pliers normally being biased in a tip end closed position, the tip end of the first plier member terminating in a point, the tip of the second plier member terminating in a point shaped with a recess to receive the tip end of the first plier member when the pliers are in the closed position and the method of use including the steps of providing a vacuum seal in a lidded container, mating tip ends of the closed vacuum releaser, positioning the tip ends between the rim of the lid and the side of the container, spreading the tip ends, urging the lid away from the container and allowing air to enter the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Gary Smith
  • Patent number: 5967000
    Abstract: A plug remover for extracting a plug from a marker bottle or the like slips laterally over and entraps the plug. The plug remover includes a handle making it easy to grasp, which in the preferred embodiment has a flat top surface and can be inverted and placed on a table top or other surface, with the plug still in the plug remover, while the bottle is refilled. In the preferred embodiment the plug remover includes a bottom cam which, after the plug has been entrapped by the remover, can be turned along the thread of the bottle neck and rides up the thread to provide additional leverage for overcoming the "stiction" between the plug and the neck of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Leonard L. Davis
  • Patent number: 5924342
    Abstract: An oil filter wrench for easily unscrew an oil filter from a vehicle or machinery includes a hollow wrench body which has a receiving opening provided at a top end thereof, an inner round base wall provided above a bottom end thereof, and a supporting base provided at the bottom end thereof, so as to define an interior chamber between the top end and the bottom end of the wrench body for receiving a lower portion of an oil filter therein through the receiving opening. The oil filter wrench further includes a locking device provided on the base wall for interlocking with a circular bottom edge of the oil filter when the oil filter wrench is turned in a unscrewing direction, a holding device mounted on the top end for gripping on a round body of the oil filter so as to ensure the oil filter wrench mounting on the oil filter, and a driving device integrally provided on the supporting base for driving the wrench body to rotate, in order to unlock and unscrew the oil filter by means of the locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Inventor: Joseph M. Chou
  • Patent number: 5896785
    Abstract: Automobile gas cap removal tool, formed of plastic or aluminum and the tool has a bell shape with channels formed by wall segments on the inside of the bell shaped segment and a pillar or shaft extending from the top of the bell segment to a handle mounted on the opposite end of the pillar extending from the bell segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventors: Richard J. Shaw, Mark R. Shaw
  • Patent number: 5862721
    Abstract: A faucet handle turning tool having a cylindrically-shaped body member with a cavity in one end. The cavity has sidewalls which taper inwardly to engage a faucet handle. There is a hexagonal head on one end of the cylindrical body to receive a wrench which provides the turning movement to turn the body member. A square bore is disposed within the hexagonal head to receive a ratchet drive which can provide the rotating driving movement to the hexagonal head. By utilizing separately provided ratchet or wrench drive means, the faucet handle tool requires only a minimum amount of storage space within a tool box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Henry A. Kowats
  • Patent number: 5846489
    Abstract: System for the automatic operation of reactions using several vessels which can be closed by individual closures using a device for automatically opening the closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Bienhaus, Hans Lange
  • Patent number: 5836221
    Abstract: A new Pill Bottle Cap Removal Device for offering a device that facilitates an easier opening of child proof pill bottles. The inventive device includes a structure mountable, a support surface, a cone like tool, and a handle. In use, for people having problems with the dexterity of their fingers, the structure mountable 12 is mounted to the underside of a support surface 14 and the cone like tool 20 can be used to open child proof pill bottles from this location or the cone like tool 20 can be removed from the structure mountable 12 and used in one hand to remove the cap of a child proof pill bottle held in another hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Jeff Hystead
  • Patent number: 5833285
    Abstract: A device that spaces fingers away from lids of the type having sharp metallic edges when such lids are removed from cans of the pull-top lid type. The device further prevents movement of the can during the lid-removing process. The device includes a flat base having at least one opening configured and sized to receive the rim of a can. The opening is lined with a liner having a vertical surface that is gripped by the fingers during the can-opening process. Thus, the fingers are spaced apart from the edges of the lid when the lid is removed from the can. The palm of one hand rests atop the base and prevents it and hence the can from lifting during the opening process. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of openings of differing sizes are formed in the base, with the openings overlapping to reduce the length of the device. The shape of the opening can be any shape to accommodate differing shapes of cans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: J. William Venezia
  • Patent number: 5735181
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing a safety cap from a safety container is provided for a prescription bottle or other safety container system. A tapered surface wedgingly engages the periphery of the safety cap when pressed into pressure engagement with the tapered surface. The tapered surface includes prongs for guiding the safety cap into pressure engagement with the tapered surface. A suction cup is disposed on the tapered surface for detaching the safety cap from the safety container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventor: Arthur G. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5699928
    Abstract: The present invention is a disposable device which is attached to the tab of a conventional aluminum beverage can at the time of manufacture. When a consumer pulls the device upward, the tab is likewise pulled upward to a position in which the consumer can easily grasp the tab and consequently open the can. Two embodiments of the present invention are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventors: Sung I. Chung, Katalina Park
  • Patent number: 5699701
    Abstract: A tool for removing a vehicle gas tank cap having a cradle for engaging the lug on a conventional gas tank cap. One end of an extension is fixedly connected to the cradle, and a handle is pivotally connected to the other end of the extension. The handle is pivotal from a wholly contained, stored position within the extension member to various angular positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the extension member to accommodate the strength of the particular user. The tool is particularly useful for the elderly and physically handicapped, and it can be folded for storage in the glove compartment or under the front seat of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventor: David L. Cotten, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5667513
    Abstract: A soft tissue anchor delivery apparatus includes a gripping device having fingers at the distal end and configured such that they can hold a soft tissue anchor about the head portion of the anchor. An actuating tube slides over the gripper and the fingers, thus holding the fingers and the contained soft tissue anchor within the bore of the actuating tube. A pushrod is placed within the bore of the gripper. The pushrod has a countersunk head that is shaped such that it is a close fit for the head of the soft tissue anchor. The pushrod is connected to a tube having a bore so that the actuating pin of the soft tissue anchor can be pushed down into the head of the anchor. The pushrod is spring loaded so as to allow the pushrod to be driven distally upon retraction of the actuating tube, thus driving the anchor free of the deployed fingers and hence of the entire delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew Dyonics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Torrie, Graham Smith
  • Patent number: 5664466
    Abstract: The household appliance is for receiving the cap of a screw-top jar, and for gripping the cap so firmly that a person can bring all available force to bear to crack open the cap. The appliance includes flanges (one of which is toothed) which are bent up from a flat panel. The flanges are rigid and strong, whereby they do not deflect under the gripping forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Inventor: Jame Leslie Miller
  • Patent number: 5621936
    Abstract: A utensil is adapted to be held by a user and manipulated by the user's hand to operate on a workpiece. One feature of the utensil enables the user to gain mechanical advantage when locking and unlocking key-operated locking mechanisms by displacing a key from its stowed state to its extended state. Other features include a letter opener, a cap remover, and an abrasive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Inventors: Janet L. Penaligon, Jerry L. Smith
  • Patent number: 5560269
    Abstract: A wrench for use with a seized engine oil filter typically employed in a mechanical environment in which a conventional threaded oil filter cannot be removed from an oil lubricated engine. The oil filter wrench comprises a cap-shaped housing including a planar top surface and a wall formed orthogonal to the perimeter of the top surface. A plurality of flat keyed edges formed on an interior surface of the wall are provided for engaging a housing of the oil filter. Several threaded shaft and nut assemblies are mounted to the wall for piercing said oil filter housing. The threaded shaft and nut assemblies lock the cap-shaped housing to the oil filter for maximizing the torque on the oil filter when the cap-shaped housing is rotated. A socket receptacle formed in the planar top surface enables rotation of the cap-shaped housing. In a preferred embodiment, the flat keyed edges formed on the interior surface of the wall enable the cap-shaped housing to be fitted over the edges of a conventional oil filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Inventor: Jerry L. Zelenka
  • Patent number: 5517881
    Abstract: A flat elastic membrane is fixed to an inelastic edge surrounding a cavity on a coupling element. The elastic membrane can be pressed onto twist closures of different types and sizes to permit transmission of torsional force from the coupling element to the twist closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Dr. Schleuniger Pharmatron AG
    Inventor: William C. Burns
  • Patent number: 5483854
    Abstract: The invention herein provides an apparatus and method for effectively removing the cork and its stoppering elements from a bottle containing a pressurized beverage such as champagne and/or sparkling wine. The apparatus has a support structure configured to be grasped by the operator. The support structure supports at least three blades made of a metal material which extend obliquely upwardly and convergingly inwardly into a space in the apparatus. Due to the relative positioning of the blades, the apparatus screwingly crimps the structure of the stoppering elements in the apparatus when it is applied and rotated. The cork and stoppering elements can then be pulled from the bottle in a controlled fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: K2 Development Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy P. King, Stacy Walsh
  • Patent number: 5449027
    Abstract: A fitment device is disclosed to be used with a "bag-in-a-box" packaging system. The fitment connects the bag with a valve system and optionally contains a removable diaphragm. The diaphragm is opened by operating a tool which separates and pulls out the diaphragm. A method of assembling the device with the entire system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred F. Mueller
  • Patent number: 5440957
    Abstract: An improved filter wrench is shown for applying torque to a canister-type oil filter to engage and disengage the threaded end thereof from an engine block. The tool includes a wrench body having a larger and smaller aperture for reversibly receiving smaller and larger relatively sized filter canisters. A separate driver adapter engages the exterior surface of opposite extents of the wrench body when different sized filters are being engaged within the larger and smaller apertures of the wrench body respectively, so that a variety of sizes of filters can be driven by the wrench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventor: James F. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5438892
    Abstract: A tool for screwing medication vials (10) to IV-bags (28) comprises a socket (58) with a bowl-shaped hard shell (60) defining a mouth (86) with a resilient material insert (62) lining an interior surface thereof and being held therein by a removable retainer at a lip of the mouth. The lining material defines a cylindrically-shaped vial-receiving cavity (88) of a size for receiving a bottom-end portion (96) of a medication vial, with lining material engaging radially the received bottom-end portion for imparting movement thereto. The socket has an attachment device (66) positioned at an end of the socket opposite the mouth for attaching the socket to a rotary motor (54, 102) of a rotating tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Inventor: Margaret A. Bell
  • Patent number: 5438893
    Abstract: An improved filter wrench is shown for applying torque to a canister-type oil filter to engage and disengage the threaded end thereof from an engine block. The tool includes a wrench body having a larger and smaller aperture for reversibly receiving smaller and larger relatively sized filter canisters. A separate driver adapter engages the exterior of the wrench body when a filter canister is being received within the larger aperture and is itself received within the larger aperture when a filter canister is being received within the smaller aperture of the wrench body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Inventor: James F. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5425289
    Abstract: A bung tool has a cylindrical body with a four-armed drive portion projecting from one end thereof and a six-armed drive portion projecting from the opposite end thereof, respectively for engagement with different types of bungs. A drive member reciprocates in a square cross-section axial bore through the body, being manually moveable by a handle which projects radially through a slot in the body. The drive lug of an associated drive lever is receivable in the opposite ends of the bore for respectively driving the two drive portions. The drive member reciprocates among two recessed positions respectively spaced from the opposite ends of the bore to allow insertion of the drive lug therein and a drive position projecting from one of the drive portions for driving engagement with a bung cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventor: Dean J. Iwinski
  • Patent number: 5421223
    Abstract: An oil filter cover has a housing with a cylindrical sidewall, an open end, and an opposing closed end. A cavity in the housing extends through the open end and is adapted to receive an oil filter canister. An annular flange circumscribes the open end of the housing and extends inward from the sidewall to partially close around and seal against the oil filter canister. A piercing member extends into the cavity from the closed end to puncture the canister. The piercing member is mounted to a plate which is located in the cavity and abuts the closed end. Further, a series of longitudinal ridges extend into the cavity from the housing sidewall and are spaced circumferentially about the cavity. Each ridge extends at least partially between the open end and the closed end of the housing with some of the ridges extending to abut and hold the piercer mounting plate against the closed end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Inventor: Timothy J. Wawrzyniak
  • Patent number: 5373872
    Abstract: A fitment device is disclosed to be used with a "bag-in-a-box" packaging system. The fitment connects the bag with a valve system and contains a removable diaphragm. The diaphragm is opened by operating a snaring tool which pulls on a tab to tear out the diaphragm. A method of assembling the device with the entire system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred F. Mueller
  • Patent number: 5365806
    Abstract: The device is a three-in-one mechanical remover for bottle caps, bottle corks and jar caps of various sizes. The main frame metal structure has a vertical support post (6) with a pair of connected horizontal bars (8) and (9). The vertical post (6) and the upper T bar (8) are used to support the two different system for the different purposes. The shorter wing of the T bar (8) is installed with a vise system. The system has a vise screw (10) installed on the upper T bar and connects to a movable vise grip housing unit (16). The housing grip is affixed with a toothed rubber grip as an adjustable grip (24a). Another matching toothed grip at the foot of the post is installed as a stationary grip (24b). The vise grip system can be utilized to open jar caps of the various sizes. Whereas the other longer wing of the upper T bar is installed with a cork screw shaft rod (32) with a wing type cap opener (29) as a handle (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Inventor: Sam S. Paramest
  • Patent number: 5353666
    Abstract: An improved filter wrench is shown for applying torque to a canister-type oil filter to engage and disengage the threaded end thereof from an engine block. The tool includes a wrench body having a larger and smaller aperture for reversibly receiving smaller and larger relatively sized filter canisters. A separate driver adapter engages the exterior of the wrench body when a filter canister is being received within the larger aperture and is itself received within the larger aperture when a filter canister is being received within the smaller aperture of the wrench body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Inventor: James F. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5349755
    Abstract: For safely opening drums that may contain hazardous materials, a remotely controllable drum opener attachment is provided, which is powered by air or electricity from a distance by means of a long power cord. The attachment is clamped in position on the drum by an appropriate frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Inventor: Carl R. Haywood
  • Patent number: 5289743
    Abstract: A one-piece handle member provided with a bore and a tubular pinion gear fixed to and projecting from a forward end of the handle coaxially with the bore is rotatably mounted on the rearward portion of a single drive shaft against a driven gear fixed coaxially to an intermediate portion of the shaft. A lug member fixed to the intermediate portion of the shaft on the other side of the driven gear projects laterally therefrom and supports a pivot spaced parallel to the drive shaft. First and second transfer gears connected for rotation together are rotatably mounted on the pivot with the first transfer gear permanently meshed with the pinion gear and the second transfer gear permanently meshed with the driven gear. A planar lock member slidably mounted in a slot extending cross-sectionally through the handle has exposed ends used to position the lock member relative to a shaft segment passing through the lock member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Inventor: Salvatore Cirami
  • Patent number: 5277324
    Abstract: A bottle cover arranged for securement about an upper portion of a bottle member in a complementary relationship, wherein the bottle cover includes a body cavity and is formed of a fluid absorbing sponge material having a head portion to receive the bottle cap therewithin, with the head portion having a cylindrical cavity, including a cylindrical resilient insert arranged coextensively about an interior wall of the head portion for enhanced engagement of the bottle cap to permit rotation of the bottle cap relative to the associated bottle, with the sponge body arranged to absorb fluid in an overflow from the associated bottle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Inventor: Gary D. Cash
  • Patent number: 5253551
    Abstract: An ultracentrifuge with a snap can and a tool for removing or installing the snap cap. The tool also is formed for installing and removing screw caps from centrifuge tubes, test tubes or the like. The ultracentrifuge tube has a balanced positive securement structure with a support collar that supports the tube independently of the cap securement structure. The tool has manually grippable, elongated body constructed of a semi-rigid material, and one end of the tool body includes a slot and a tab protruding from the tool end directly above the slot. The tool tab is formed to engage the top of the snap cap when a pry lip of the snap cap is inserted into the slot. The user can swing the tool up to unsnap the cap from the tube. The opposite end of the tool includes an open ended socket dimensioned and tapered to grippably receive the outer circumferential perimeter of a screw cap for a centrifuge tube thereby facilitating easy removal or installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Bio-Pias, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald H. DeVaughn
  • Patent number: 5205194
    Abstract: An elongate shaft includes a top wall and bottom wall having a hook at the top wall, with a handle mounted diametrically through the shaft adjacent the bottom wall. A latch including a side wall rod having a head spaced from a side wall is arranged for receiving a looped can opening member to effect a rolling of the pop top to permit its spacing from an opening in a conventional pop top type container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Inventor: Fred W. Rodey
  • Patent number: 5193239
    Abstract: A tool for use with baby-feeding bottles of the type which consist of a hollow cylindrical shell having a flexible, plastic, bag-like liner suspended within the shell for holding milk or the like. More particularly, the present tool includes a one-piece plastic vertically-extending portion for expelling excess air from the plastic liner and a cooperative container-opening base portion for removing the metal covers used on jars containing solid foods for infants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Inventors: Cyrus R. Dolce, deceased, Theresa J. Dolce
  • Patent number: 5165310
    Abstract: A tool for rotating a conventional, medication bottle that is to coupled to a IV infusion bag. The tool has a main housing defining a hollow, frustro-conical shaped interior in which is mounted a flexible, high-friction, bottle-contacting member which surrounds and contacts a portion of the bottle, and a top cover/handle-member that retains the bottle-contacting member is place and also serves as a handle-element by which the tool may be rotated for screwing the bottle into the infusion bag. The top cover/handle-member may be rotated manually, or may be power-driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: The Cloverline, Inc.
    Inventor: William P. Heinrich
  • Patent number: 5154101
    Abstract: A combination jar or bottle cap remover and bag opener. This kitchen tool consists essentially of two side bars and a base. One side bar contains a gripping blade for removing caps and the other side bar contains a bag opening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Inventors: Dalton H. Wolford, Elinor B. Wolford
  • Patent number: 5134906
    Abstract: A cork removal device having a handle, a conventional corkscrew device (such as a spiral corkscrew), and a strap for removal of damaged and pushed-through corks. The strap is made from a resilient plastic material and is attached to the handle forming a loop. In a folded position used to push a cork through the neck of a wine bottle, the middle area of the strap is folded inwardly and upwardly thereby forming a roughly "W" shaped configuration with pre-formed creases forming the bottom of the legs of the "W". The strap is unfolded for retrieval operations and inserted into the bottle, guided by the creases which contact the sides of the bottle neck. The buoyant cork moves into a saddle formed in the bottom of the strap and is removed with the strap when the user pulls upwardly. The strap is patterned so that cork fragments adhere to the strap. A storage cover is povided for placement over the folded strap, or the strap may be attached to and stored within the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Inventor: Howard A. Sit
  • Patent number: 5123305
    Abstract: A wrench for use on the fill cap for a portable fire extinguisher, the cap being threadedly attached to the top of the fire extinguisher, and being generally cylindrical with an externally threaded lower portion and an upper portion characterized by a diametrically extending flat surface, and an upwardly projecting indicator element at the middle of the flat surface, and a pair of raised portions on each side of the flat surface that provide spaced-apart upright surfaces that form a slot at opposite ends of the flat surface, the wrench being adapted to loosen or tighten such a cap, and having a socket portion with an opening adapted to loosely receive therein the indicator element and a first generally flat elongated handle extending from one side of the socket element and a socket arm extending from the opposite side of the socket element whereby the first and second handles are adapted to engage the flat surface as the indicator element is received within the socket element, and whereby the wrench can be tu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Inventor: Garfield Williams
  • Patent number: 5107727
    Abstract: A device for removing a cap from a container. The main components include an upper disc, a lower disc and a means for removably attaching the lower disc to the cap of the container. The upper disc has an aperture centrally located therein and a first pin protruding therefrom, and the lower disc has a slot therein and a second pin centrally located protruding therefrom. When the second pin of the lower disc is inserted in the aperture of the upper disc, the first pin of the upper disc is inserted into and is capable of freely rotating through the slot in the lower disc. When the device is attached to a container cap and the upper disc is manually actuated, the first pin freely rotates through the slot until it reaches the end of the slot and contacts a portion of the lower disc and exerts a force on the lower disc. This force in turn exerts a force on the attachment means and on the cap, thus removing the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventor: Robert J. Klefbeck
  • Patent number: 5103695
    Abstract: An assembly of tools for the removal, handling, and replacement of light bulbs and light bulb bases from their mounting sockets. The assembly is made up of three components which each have two ends that function to either surround and grip a light bulb and insert or remove it from its socket, or to contact and grip a broken base of a light bulb so as to remove it from its socket. The three components of the assembly are configured so as to nest one within another and to be retained therein in a compact assemblage. The components are made of a durable elastic material that may deform to grip a bulb or a bulb base, and subsequently return to their original shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Inventors: Alvin J. Dolle, Warren G. Alston
  • Patent number: 5054337
    Abstract: A ring-puller tool for quickly and effectively removing a prophylactyic shroud having a flexible ring attached thereto and positioned on a vial containing medicament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company
    Inventor: Derito J. Bonicelli, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5054338
    Abstract: A combination cap remover and carton top opener tool is provided and consists of a twist-off cap remover portion, a bottle cap remover portion and a carton top opener portion. The twist-off cap remover portion will break the seal of a tamper proof zip strip from a twist-off cap on a container. The bottle cap remover portion will lift off a bottle cap from a bottle. The carton top opener portion will break the seal between a pair of tabs on a top of a carton and form a pouring spout from two flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Inventor: Jonathan C. Weis
  • Patent number: D390433
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: James M. Miller