With Means For Sliding Jaw Actuation Patents (Class 81/355)
  • Patent number: 11460129
    Abstract: A method and system are described for a refrigerant distributor, and for attaching the distributor tubes to an evaporator coil. A short tube can inserted into the bell end of a tube and the hell end can be crimped around the short tube to lock it into place. The short tube preferably has a bead or widened shaft around which to crimp the bell. The disclosure is particularly beneficial for aluminum based components because aluminum is more susceptible to blockages or leaking due to problems from brazing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Advanced Distributor Products LLC
    Inventors: Dae-Hyun Jin, Timothy Orr, James Timbs
  • Patent number: 10792790
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a ratchet clamp comprising a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm which are pivotally connected with each other via a connecting shaft so as to be opened and closed relative to each other, a ratchet assembly, a swing assembly and a control assembly provided between the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm; the ratchet toothed assembly has a plurality of first ratchet teeth and a plurality of second ratchet teeth which are juxtaposed and are misaligned with each other; the swing assembly and the ratchet toothed assembly are moved away from or towards each other with the connecting shaft as the axial center of rotation; a latch member of the control assembly has at least a first pawl and at least a second pawl, a wrench member of the control assembly is used for toggling the latch member to be moved, the first pawls and the second pawls are respectively engaged with the corresponding first ratchet teeth and second ratchet teeth when the latch member is moved to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignees: Hangzhou Great Star Industrial Co., Ltd., Hangzhou Great Star Tools Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yueming Li
  • Patent number: 10272545
    Abstract: An example pair of locking pliers comprises a first gripping head, a second gripping head, a first handle and a second handle, the first gripping head being mounted to the first handle, the second gripping head being pivotably mounted to the first handle and pivotably mounted to the second handle via a first joint. The pair further comprises a single connecting rod, a sliding mechanism and a locking mechanism, one end of the connecting rod mechanism being pivotably mounted to the second handle via a second joint, the other end being pivotably mounted to the sliding mechanism via a third joint, the sliding mechanism and the locking mechanism being slidably mounted to the first handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: HANGZHOU GREAT STAR TOOLS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Min Wang
  • Patent number: 8882800
    Abstract: A medical instrument with a shank consisting of pivotable jaw parts and a handle, the two jaw parts of the tool are pivotable relative to each other independently via the handle and each of the pivotable jaw parts is actuated via a separate drive. One drive is designed as a grip part mounted pivotably on the handle and is connected to one jaw part via a first push/pull element mounted in an axially displaceable manner in the shank, and the other drive is an adjusting wheel rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the shank and is connected to the other jaw part of the tool via a second push/pull element mounted in an axially displaceable manner in the shank. The push/pull element is designed as a push/pull rod, and the push/pull element which is coupled to the adjusting wheel is designed as a push/pull tube coaxially surrounding the push/pull rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: University of Dundee
    Inventor: Timothy Graham Frank
  • Patent number: 8832911
    Abstract: A lace tightening apparatus including a handle and a gripping platform. The gripping platform is adapted to travel up into the interior of the handle upon a compression force being applied thereto. An anvil is rigidly attached to the handle projecting downward from the underside. One or more springs are disposed within the interior, with the first end of the spring anchored to the handle within the interior and the second end connected to the gripping portion. A stylus is attached to the gripping portion having a post and an L-shaped portion including a lip. The lip is exposed outside of the anvil and projects downward away from the anvil. Therefore, when the compression force is applied to the gripping platform, the lip travels upward toward the bottom surface of the anvil such that a lace can be pinched between the lip and the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: James L. Strong
  • Patent number: 8677865
    Abstract: A hand operated gripping tool includes a movable jaw, a fixed jaw, a first cam associated with the movable jaw, a pivotal handle connected with the movable jaw and a second cam associated with the pivotal handle. The first cam is spaced from the fixed jaw by a first variable distance, and the second cam is spaced from the fixed jaw by a second variable distance, with the first distance maintained greater than the second distance. The jaws are cooperable to define a variable size space for receiving a workpiece and the cams are operable to cause the jaws to grip the workpiece positioned in the variable size space. The cams are arranged such that rotational movement of the second cam caused by operation of the pivotal handle causes the movable jaw to pivot on the first cam to grip the workpiece that is positioned in the variable size space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventors: Nigel A. Buchanan, Seamus Duffy
  • Patent number: 8534168
    Abstract: A pliers is adjustable between at least two distinct selectable size ranges. A movable pivot pin is held stable in a selected recess of a slot in both loaded and unloaded conditions. A lower jaw is adjustable between a small and a large size range. A multifunction spring is movably attached to a body to both firmly bias a lower jaw and handle to an open position and to retain the pin in a constant selected pivot position of the body for normally used conditions. The pliers include a familiar function and compact shape without additional bulk from the structures of the improved features. Only a simple wire form is required to provide the improvement of the invention in a preferred locking pliers embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventors: Joel S. Marks, Paul Janson
  • Patent number: 8434391
    Abstract: A hand operated gripping tool includes a first jaw fixedly connected with a first jaw handle, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw such that the first and second jaws cooperably define a variable size space therebetween for receiving a part to be gripped, a second jaw handle pivotally connected with the second jaw for moving the second jaw relative to the first jaw, a link system pivotally connected to the second jaw handle and having a guided portion selectively engageable with a plurality of guide portions provided on the first jaw handle. The guided portion being engageable with a first of the guide portions to define a first range of movement of the second jaw towards the first jaw and a second of the guide portions to define a second range of movement of the second jaw towards the first jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: American Grease Stick Company
    Inventor: Nigel A. Buchanan
  • Patent number: 8302512
    Abstract: A locking pliers includes a slide bar mounted in both second handle unit and locking unit and comprising a wavy edge facing bottom of the second handle unit, the wavy edge including a rear slot member and a forward hook; and a movable jaw at a forward end of the second handle unit and comprising two intermediate opposite stop members each having an inclined edge, a channel between the stop members with a forward end of the slide bar movably received therein, and a rear stop bar interconnected two sidewalls of a rear portion of the movable jaw, the inclined edges being stopped by bending members on sidewalls of the second handle unit for retaining the stop members in an inoperative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Shin-An Shih
  • Patent number: 8132323
    Abstract: A tool for installing an end of a cable into a connector generally includes a front jaw assembly adapted to retain the cable connector and a back jaw assembly movably coupled to the front jaw assembly. The cable connector includes a connector body and a compression sleeve and the back jaw assembly is adapted to insert an end of the cable into the cable connector upon movement of the back jaw assembly toward the front jaw assembly and subsequently press the compression sleeve into the connector body upon further movement of the back jaw assembly toward the front jaw assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Belden Inc.
    Inventor: Julio Rodrigues
  • Publication number: 20110271502
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission mechanism for a drive system, having at least one tensioning device and acting in two directions. For force transmission, the tractive device runs between a drive roll and an output roll, which are carried by a frame. A spring coupling is connected in the force transmission section between the drive roll and the output roll and has a nonlinear force-distance characteristic curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicants: REHAU AG & CO., RENNSTEIG WERKZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Legler, Horst Hofmann, Georg Holland-Moritz, Thomas Wagner
  • Publication number: 20100192735
    Abstract: A release auto-grip locking tool designed for single hand use while maximizing safety and ease of use by way of isolating the release auto-grip feature from the leveraged power-gripping feature thus maximizing power to the jaws. The release auto-grip feature wherein the tool by design constantly applies a limited closing pressure to the jaws and where releasing the tool closes the tool jaws on any size work piece within the capability of said tool. The locking feature also works independently of the other features making possible a ratcheting locking feature that allows a user to increase locked gripping force to a work-piece without removing the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Ara Don Kelly
  • Patent number: 7726217
    Abstract: The self-adjusting locking pliers include a fixed assembly having a fixed jaw supported at one end. A moveable jaw is pivotably supported on the fixed assembly at a slidable pivot connection. The slidable pivot connection includes a pawl provided with teeth. A rack of teeth includes first and second sets of teeth offset from one another by 1/2 of the pitch that may each be engaged by the teeth formed on pawl. A lever is attached to the fixed assembly and a linkage transmits a force applied to the lever to the jaws and locks the jaws in the clamping position. The linkage allows the angle between the links to be preset to thereby control the clamping force applied to the work piece. The movable jaw is selectively attached to the linkage in one two positions such that the jaw span may be adjusted without affecting the geometry of the linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company
    Inventors: David P. Engvall, Thomas M. Chervenak
  • Publication number: 20090308132
    Abstract: A terminal pliers includes a first handle pivotally and relatively connected to a second handle. The first handle has a first working end formed on one end thereof. The second handle has a second working end formed on one end thereof and facially corresponding to the first working end. The first working end and the second working end respectively have a working unit mounted thereto. Two jaws are detachably mounted to a corresponding one of the two working units. The two jaws complementally abut against each other for deforming a terminal. The two jaws are detachable and replaceable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: CHANG-KENG LAI, Chia-Mao Lai
  • Publication number: 20090277311
    Abstract: An adjustable plier device includes a handle having a stationary jaw member and a number of teeth extended into a groove of the handle, a movable jaw member slidably attached to the handle and having a curved recess for pivotally engaging with a follower which includes a toothed pawl for engaging with the teeth of the handle and having a curved depression for pivotally engaging with one end of a lever, and an actuating member pivotally coupled to the handle and the lever for actuating the lever to quickly force the movable jaw member to grasp the work piece, and to force the toothed pawl to engage with the teeth of the handle and to retain the work piece between the jaw members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventor: Larry Alford
  • Patent number: 7614324
    Abstract: An interengaged multiple-grip set of pliers includes an interengaging arm, an interengaged arm, and an articulation joint. One arm includes an elongated opening which is provided with a first engagement means having a pitch p, and the joint is arranged on the other arm and has a second engagement means. The joint is axially movable between a first position blocking any translation between the arms, and a second axial position allowing translation. The first engagement means and the second engagement means are arranged such that, starting from a first engagement position between the first engagement means and second engagement means, the joint is axially movable beyond the second axial position as far as a third axial position, and can then be moved in rotation about the axis thereof in order to bring the first and second engagement means into engagement in a second engagement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Bost Garnache Industries
    Inventors: Frédéric Bocquet, Guy Siruguet
  • Patent number: 7596982
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) or repairing dented bearing cages (50) comprises: a first contact surface (122) for contacting an outer diameter of the bearing cage (50); a second contact surface (126) for contacting an inner diameter of the bearing cage (50); a first handle (102); a second handle (104) operatively connected to the first handle (102) via a pivot mechanism (106); a retraction element (108) connected to the second contact surface (126); and an adjustment mechanism (116). The retraction element (108) retracts upon movement of the second handle (104) relative to the first handle (102) to move the second contact surface (126) towards the first contact surface (122) so as to impart a force against a dented region of the bearing cage (50) located between the second contact surface (126) and the first contact surface (122).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery J. Clark
  • Publication number: 20090106971
    Abstract: A compression assembly hand tool for attaching a connector to a coaxial cable tool includes a sliding carriage driven by handles through multiple stages of mechanical advantage to provide a very high level of compression assembly force in order to compress large diameter connectors. The middle and the back of a connector are engaged between relatively closely spaced, parallel, and opposed compression surfaces on the front of the tool and on the sliding carriage. Adapter inserts that slide into openings in the compression surfaces allow different connector sizes to be compressed. the tool allows the cable to extend outward from either end so that splice connectors may be attached. In the preferred design, a ratcheting system using two pawls provides the very highest level of compression force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: CAPEWELL COMPONENTS COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Tarpill, Tadeusz Zagula
  • Patent number: 7509895
    Abstract: The self-adjusting locking pliers include a body having a fixed jaw supported at one end. A moveable jaw is pivotably supported on the body at a slidable pivot connection. A linkage transmits a force applied to the handles of the pliers to the jaws and locks the jaws in the clamping position. The linkage allows the angle between the links to be preset to thereby control the clamping force applied to the work piece. The movable jaw is selectively attached to the linkage in one of two positions such that the jaw span may be adjusted without affecting the geometry of the linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company
    Inventors: David P. Engvall, Thomas M. Chervenak
  • Publication number: 20090056510
    Abstract: A hand operated gripping tool includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a first cam associated with said first jaw, a pivotal handle associated with said first jaw and a second cam associated with said pivotal handle, said first and second jaws being cooperable to define a variable size space for receiving a workpiece and said first and second cams being operable to cause said first and second jaws to grip a said workpiece that is positioned in said variable size space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: AMERICAN GREASE STICK COMPANY
    Inventors: Nigel Alexander Buchanan, Seamus Duffy
  • Patent number: 7313989
    Abstract: A hand tool embodying a wrench or pliers having: a fixed upper jaw being in parallel relationship to a movable lower jaw; the upper jaw integrally constructed to a rectangular support member; the support member integrally formed to a horizontal fixed lower handle; the lower jaw slidable in and contiguous to the support member; the lower jaw made attachable to a rotatable upper handle; the upper handle being opposed over the lower handle; a spring mechanism tensioned to urge the lower jaw, the upper handle, a toggle mechanism and a release lever mechanism away from and backwards of the upper jaw; an adjustment screw or toggle screw mechanism rotatable for an adjustment angle of the toggle; the release lever made rotatable in the upper handle; the release lever levered off of the toggle; and a compound toggle link mechanism levered off of the toggle as an alternate release lever design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Inventor: Kenneth Guy Tortolani, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7146888
    Abstract: An adjustable pliers having first and second elongated members, each elongated member comprising a handle, a jaw, and a intermediate portion between the jaw and the handle. The intermediate portion of one of the elongated members includes an elongated slot, while the intermediate portion of the other elongated member includes a pivot pin that is slidingly captured in the elongated slot. A spring is captured in the elongated slot and engages the pivot pin so as to bias the jaw of one of the elongated members toward the jaw of the other elongated member. One of the handle members also includes a stop pin in its intermediate portion that abuts the intermediate portion of the other elongated member to limit the degree to which the elongated members can pivot with respect to each other about the pivot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Adjustable Clamp Company
    Inventor: Charles Martinka
  • Patent number: 7086312
    Abstract: “Parallel Jaw Locking Toggle Wrench/Pliers with Economic/Ergonomic Handles” comprising: a fixed jaw member being in parallel relationship to a slidable jaw member; the fixed jaw member constructed (by riveting or welding means) to support member - the support members being formed integral to a lower handle; the slidable jaw member slidably contiguous to said support member; the slidable jaw member pivotably attachable (by riveting) to a rotatable upper handle opposing said lower handle; a spring tensioned to said slidable jaw member - with the spring attachable to said lower handle; the spring allowing for the operation of said slidable jaw member, a toggle, said upper handle, and an adjustment screw; the toggle pivotably attachable (by riveting) to said upper handle; the toggle pivotably contacting said adjustment screw; the adjustment screw rotatably mounted in said lower handle; a release lever levered off of said toggle; the release lever pivotably attachable (housed) in said upper handle; and a compound
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Inventor: Kenneth Guy Tortolani
  • Patent number: 6862961
    Abstract: A locking pliers tool which combines a self-locking, frictional brake, gap setting means to set jaw gap size automatically when clamping onto a workpiece, and an over-center linkage clamping means to securely clamp the workpiece in between the opposing tool jaws, and an adjustment means for setting the clamping force to be exerted onto the gripped workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: John Andrew Winkler
  • Patent number: 6862962
    Abstract: A hand tool having a first hand tool member assembly having a jaw portion, a tension assembly, and a cam assembly and a second hand tool member assembly having a jaw portion. The hand tool further has a jaw portion first pivot point coupling the first hand tool member assembly to the second hand tool member assembly and a jaw portion second pivot point coupling the first hand tool member assembly to the second member assembly. The jaw portion second pivot point located closer to the first member and second member jaw portions than the jaw portion first pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Oberg Industries
    Inventors: Gerald Vincent Delbrugge, Jr., Eric Colburn
  • Publication number: 20040163505
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a tool for gripping, which may include a first member and a second member pivotally coupled at a joint. The joint may at least partially house a first element, a second element, or both the first and second elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: LOGICOR, LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Durham, Scott Thompson, Steve Christoffersen
  • Patent number: 6658971
    Abstract: A pair of pliers having a first plier member assembly having a jaw portion, a tension assembly, and a cam assembly and a second plier member assembly having a jaw portion. The pliers further has a jaw portion first pivot point coupling the first plier member assembly to the second plier member assembly and a jaw portion second pivot point coupling the first plier member assembly to the second member assembly. The jaw portion second pivot point located closer to the first member and second member jaw portions than the jaw portion first pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Oberg Industries
    Inventors: Gerald Vincent Delbrugge, Jr., Eric Richard Colburn
  • Patent number: 6652277
    Abstract: A hand operated dentist's instrument having two adjacent tines that spread apart when the instrument handles are squeezed. The tines are used to press against a matrix band surrounding a molar and press the matrix band and adjacent teeth away from a central molar being repaired. The handles are spring-load to return to an open-handle and closed-tine position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Duane Kent Godfrey
  • Publication number: 20030136235
    Abstract: The invention concerns a tool comprising: a fixed part (2) extending along a longitudinal direction and comprising a fixed rigid subassembly (3) rigidly linked at the front to a fixed jaw (4) and linked at the rear to a first handle (5) by a linkage which is rigid at least for actuating the opening of the jaws; a mobile part (6) comprising a rigid mobile assembly (7) articulated by a pivot (8) on the fixed subassembly (3), and a mobile jaw (10) linked to the front part of said mobile subassembly; means (5, 9) for opening the jaws (4, 10); a locking member (29) adapted, in each relative position of the two jaws, to prevent the jaws from being spaced apart; means (31, 33, 37) for releasing the locking member capable of being actuated by the operator; a pre-clamping spring (18) acting between the fixed subassembly (3) of the fixed part (2) and the mobile part (6); and a mechanism (12) for applying a clamping force acting between the mobile jaw (10) and the mobile subassembly (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Flavigny
  • Patent number: 6578452
    Abstract: A vise grip locking tool which contains jaws that are capable of opening with a flick of the user's wrist. The tool comprises a first handle member, a second handle member, a lower jaw, and an upper jaw. The first handle member is pivotally attached to the lower jaw. The first end of the lower jaw is made up of four mutually interconnected sides having a guided slot extending through it. The upper jaw has an elongated shank that may slide along the guided slot of the lower jaw. A stop is present on the bottom of the shank preventing the upper jaw from escaping the guided slot. The second handle member is pivotally mounted to the lower jaw and includes a releasable lock which is made up of a spring-operated detent which engages teeth on the elongated shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas F. Duffy
  • Patent number: 6378404
    Abstract: Self adjusting pliers for grasping a workpiece include first and second plier members each including a handle portion, a jaw portion, and an intermediate portion therebetween. The self-adjusting pliers include a first pivot pin about which the first and second plier members pivot permitting the jaw portions to converge on a workpiece and grasp the workpiece in response to initial movement of the handle portions toward each other. The self adjusting pliers further include a second pivot pin about which the pliers pivot once pivoting has been terminated about the first pivot pin so as to permit a further grasping force to be applied to the workpiece in response to continued movement of the handle portions toward each other. The second pivot pin is closer to the jaw portions than the first pivot pin to allow for a greater mechanical advantage to be obtained. The self adjusting pliers also include a biasing spring for biasing the handle portions away from each other and the jaw portions away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Big Ventures, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Alexander Bally, Eric R. Colburn
  • Patent number: 6314843
    Abstract: Pliers contain two parallel operating jaws (3, 7) and two handles (1, 16) which can be pivoted relative to one another and one of which (1), in order to form a first plier unit (Z1 ), is connected fixedly to a first (3) of the operating jaws and another (16), in order to form a second plier unit (Z2), is connected in an articulated manner to a second (7) of the operating jaws, via a drive device (14), in order, during pivoting of the handles (1, 16), for the operating jaws (3, 7) to be moved towards one another or away from one another in an operating direction (A). It is possible to preset a rest position of the second plier unit (Z2) relative to the first plier unit (Z1 ) in the operating direction (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Ulrich Wiebe, Armin Ulbrich, Helmut Thiele
  • Patent number: 6279431
    Abstract: A self-adjusting pliers is operable to grasp a workpiece between an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The pliers includes an upper arm having the upper jaw and a lower arm, with the lower jaw linked to the lower arm but not integral with the lower arm. A control arm has a first end and a second end. The first end of the control arm has a first pivotable connection to the upper arm adjacent to an end of the upper arm remote from the upper jaw, and the second end of the control arm has a second pivotable connection to the lower arm at an intermediate location along the length of the lower arm. An upper control arm pivot pin provides the pivotable connection between the first end of the control arm and the upper arm, and a spring biases the control arm so as to resist rotation of the control arm about the upper control arm pivot pin. A support extends downwardly from the upper arm toward the lower arm and has a guide thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventors: Brett P. Seber, Eric B. Carmichael
  • Patent number: 6227081
    Abstract: Pliers with self-adjustment capability for applying a grasping force to a workpiece and for augmenting the grasping force applied to the workpiece which include a first plier member, a second plier member, a first pivot, a second pivot and a first biasing spring. The first plier member includes a handle portion, a jaw portion, an intermediate portion, a coupling interconnecting the handle portion of the first plier member to the intermediate portion of the first plier member, and locking device. The second plier member includes a handle portion, a jaw portion, and an intermediate portion disposed therebetween. The first pivot includes a shifting slot portion, a transitional portion, and a positioning slot portion with a generally arcuate portion formed in said intermediate portion of the first plier member. The first pivot also includes at least one pivot member extending into, and movable within, the shifting slot portion, transitional portion, and positioning slot portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: B!G Ventures, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Alexander Bally, Eric R. Colburn
  • Patent number: 6178855
    Abstract: Self adjusting pliers for grasping a workpiece include first and second plier members each including a handle portion, a jaw portion, and an intermediate portion therebetween. The self-adjusting pliers include a first pivot pin about which the first and second plier members pivot permitting the jaw portions to converge on a workpiece and grasp the workpiece in response to initial movement of the handle portions toward each other. The self adjusting pliers further include a second pivot pin about which the pliers pivot once pivoting has been terminated about the first pivot pin so as to permit a further grasping force to be applied to the workpiece in response to continued movement of the handle portions toward each other. The second pivot pin is closer to the jaw portions than the first pivot pin to allow for a greater mechanical advantage to be obtained. The self adjusting pliers also include a biasing spring for biasing the handle portions away from each other and the jaw portions away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: B!G Ventures, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Alexander Bally, Eric R. Colburn
  • Patent number: 6149023
    Abstract: A wide-mouth recloseable container and cover device with a pair of two-position bails used for holding liquids, powders and like substances. The device includes a container and a cover which are cylindrical in shape. The container has a lower portion and an upper portion. The upper portion has a wide-mouth opening with a top flange disposed around the opening. The top flange has a diameter approximately the same as the diameter of the lower portion of the container. The upper portion is "necked down" to provide room for six longitudinally oriented ribs. Four of the ribs are used for supporting opposite ends of two "U" shaped bails. The two bails are used for engaging opposite sides of an upper surface of the cover for holding a lower surface of the cover against the top flange of the container. The cover has an annular recess for receiving the top flange therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Kenneth S. Palmer
  • Patent number: 6116116
    Abstract: An improved corkscrew having a main body or lever (1), whose intermediate section has a shaft (2) on which a helicoidal thread (3) swings and in whose end there is another shaft (7) by which a second ribbed arm (8) swings, having on its two sides two grooves (12) opposite to each other, along which the two extensions of the shaft (7) run, with several locking points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventors: Ramon Brucart Puig, Marta Bonich Linares
  • Patent number: 6109139
    Abstract: A tool for use in removing a plurality of spaced apart caps while said caps are in locked engagement with a plurality of corresponding tubes comprises a body have a first portion adapted to be engaged by the user and a second portion having a plurality of spaced apart pegs extending from the body, the pegs being of such size, shape and relative spacing as to be closely received within a corresponding hollow in the cap, whereby, upon insertion of the pegs into the caps and application of a rocking force to the tool, the tubes are uncapped nearly simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Qualicon
    Inventors: David J. Regester, W. Mark Barbour
  • 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: 6098830
    Abstract: A resealable flip-top beverage can lid has a lid having a rim disposed on the periphery thereof; a swinging seal positioned to seal an opening in the lid; and a tab rotatably attached to the lid with a rivet. The tab has a hole punching lip and an extended lifting section on opposite sides of the rivet. The extended lifting section extending at least to the rim and is shaped to cover and substantially seal the opening in the lid. While it is preferred that the seal be strong enough to maintain any carbonation within the beverage can, a weaker seal is also beneficial in excluding insects and preventing or limiting spills. The extended lifting section preferably further includes a rim locking section to locks onto the rim of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventor: Michael Jamieson
  • 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: 6065376
    Abstract: An auto-adjusting plier includes a first elongate member having a fixed jaw at one end, first elongate handle at the other end and a first neck portion. A second elongate handle has one end pivotally connected on the fixed jaw for pivotal movements. A second elongate member has a movable jaw at one end arranged in substantial opposition to the fixed jaw and another end mounted on the second elongate handle. An elongate link has one end pivotally mounted on a second neck portion of the second elongate member and the other end mounted for both pivotal and linear movements on the first elongate handle. Slots or channels are provided on the first neck portion for selectively guiding a stop pin mounted on the second neck portion and for selectively guiding the other end of the link generally linearly along a first predetermined length of the first handle. A third guide slot selectively guides the other end of the second elongate member generally linearly along a second predetermined length of said second handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Olympia Industrial, Inc.
    Inventor: Zareh Khachatoorian
  • Patent number: 6062107
    Abstract: A bottle opener especially devised for removing corks from champagne bottles includes two levers pivotally connected together at their proximal ends and having distal end portions for engagement respectively with the tapered neck of the bottle and under the shoulder on the cork. The lever engaging the neck of the bottle provides a fulcrum from which a significant mechanical advantage can be generated through the compound action of the levers to readily eject the cork from the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Cover Co. Inc.
    Inventor: Breck N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6058808
    Abstract: A safety web and elongated pry bar for retaining the lid of a drum during opening of the lid. Safety web 10 is adapted to form a secure containment volume 22 in which lid 14 can be manipulated, and that prevents lid 14 from becoming a projectile. Safety web 10 includes a belt 20 for securing the safety web to the drum. The ends of belt 20 are secured to a ratcheting turnbuckle 25 that allows adjustment of the length of belt 20 providing for universal fit of a given safety web on a variety of different sizes of drums. Safety web 10 further includes a plurality of radial straps 30 that are radially disposed about belt 20. The ends 32 of radial straps 30 are fixedly secured to belt 20. Radial straps 30 are further fixedly secured to each other at a central point 35 defined by the midpoint of each radial strap 30. An annular strap 40 is provided on safety web 10 between belt 20 and central point 35. Annular strap 40 is fixedly secured to each radial strap 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: EET Tennessee Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Williams, Jacky L. Franklin, Alois F. Sferrazza
  • Patent number: 6032817
    Abstract: An easily attachable/detachable lid mounted container includes a container body, a lid for covering the container body, and an easy attach/detach mechanism for reliably securing the lid to the container body and for easily detaching the lid from the container body. The easy attach/detach mechanism includes: an engagement plate provided on the lid and extending toward the container body, the engagement plate being resilient and bendable; an object engagement portion, provided on the container body, for engaging, when the lid is pressed toward the container body, with the engagement plate so as to secure the lid to the container body; and separation means, provided between the engagement plate and the object engagement portion, for separating the engagement plate from the object engagement portion when the separation means is pressed toward the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignees: Sumitomo Sitix Corporation, Kakizaki Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Ejima, Yukihiro Hyobu
  • Patent number: 6016721
    Abstract: Device for opening bottles with natural corks. The device may include a bottle rest to be laterally positioned around a neck of the bottle to encircle a mouth of the bottle on three sides and from above and below the mouth, a holding tongue downwardly extending from the bottle rest adapted to be positioned adjacent the bottle neck, and a cork holder to hold a head of the cork on three sides and from above and below the head of the cork. The cork holder may be movably mounted in the bottle rest, and a lever may be rotatably mounted to the bottle rest, such that rotational movement of the lever provides relative movement between the bottle rest and the cork holder. The cork holder may be pivotably mounted around a rotational axis of the bottle rest at an upper end of a lifting motion, such that the rotational axis runs perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bottle and is positioned eccentrically at a level of a bottle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: Dieter Braun
  • Patent number: 6014917
    Abstract: Self adjusting pliers for grasping a workpiece include first and second plier members each including a handle portion, a jaw portion, and an intermediate portion therebetween. The self-adjusting pliers include a first pivot pin about which the first and second plier members pivot permitting the jaw portions to converge on a workpiece and grasp the workpiece in response to initial movement of the handle portions toward each other. The self adjusting pliers further include a second pivot pin about which the pliers pivot once pivoting has been terminated about the first pivot pin so as to permit a further grasping force to be applied to the workpiece in response to continued movement of the handle portions toward each other. The second pivot pin is closer to the jaw portions than the first pivot pin to allow for a greater mechanical advantage to be obtained. The self adjusting pliers also include a biasing spring for biasing the handle portions away from each other and the jaw portions away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: B!G Ventures, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Alexander Bally, Eric R. Colburn
  • Patent number: 5988017
    Abstract: A safety web for retaining the lid of a waste drum during opening of the lid. Safety web 10 is adapted to form a secure containment volume 22 that prevents lid 14 from becoming an airborne safety hazard. Safety web 10 includes a belt 20 for securing the safety web to the drum. The ends of belt 20 are secured to a ratcheting turnbuckle 25 that allows adjustment of the length of belt 20. Safety web 10 further includes a plurality of radial straps 30 radially disposed about belt 20. The ends 32 of radial straps 30 are fixedly secured to belt 20. Radial straps 30 are further fixedly secured to each other at a central point 35 defined by the midpoint of each radial strap 30. An annular strap 40 is provided on safety web 10 between belt 20 and central point 35. In order to allow an operator to vent pressure off of the drum with safety web 10 in place on drum 12, a steel elongated pry bar 50 is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: EET TN Corporation
    Inventors: Jacky L. Franklin, Michael E. Williams
  • Patent number: 5983489
    Abstract: A terminal coupling pliers comprises a guiding block, a primary molding portion, and a secondary molding portion on the front side of a primary hand-grip, and cone-shaped grooves on the adjacent surface of the primary molding portion and the secondary molding portion, a secondary hand-grip pivoted on the central portion of the primary hand-grip, and a pushing block pivoted on the front side of the secondary hand-grip and being arranged within the guiding block wherein the pushing block having a terminal insertion hole on front side thereof. The pushing block can move toward the cone-shaped grooves as the primary and secondary hand-grips are pushed closely. During its application, the junction of the terminal coupled with the signal line is enclosed with a ring and inserted into the terminal insertion hole. By closing the primary hand-grip and the secondary hand-grip, the ring will be pushed, deformatively by the pushing block, against the molding hole to lock the terminal and the signal line firmly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Hanlong Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Beam-Chi Jee
  • Patent number: D433298
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventor: James Samuel Wysopal