Axially Shiftable Element Located Between And Wedging Against Components Patents (Class 81/444)
  • Patent number: 10864618
    Abstract: A driver for non-magnetic gripping of a socketed fastener head. The driver includes a shank and two cantilever beams. Each cantilever beam has an end and a basal segment adjacent the shank opposite the end. The driver also includes a gap defined by the two cantilever beams in resting positions. The gap extends between the two cantilever beams from an open end toward the shank. The ends of the two cantilever beams are configured to bend into the gap from the resting positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Michael Schnitzler, Donald Conrad Branson
  • Patent number: 9801667
    Abstract: Instruments, tools, and methods assist in assembling components of a surgical construct, for example, a press-on rod to a pedicle screw. A includes an elongate driving rod having a distal tip adapted to engage and transfer a rotational force to a surgical screw and a driver connection at a proximate end thereof, a first elongate shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, and a generally U-shaped channel adapted to receive the elongate driving rod therein, and a retention mechanism to retain the elongate driving rod in the generally U-shaped channel. A tool includes an elongate hollow rod having a collapsible distal tip, an elongate shaft slidingly disposed within the elongate hollow rod, the elongate shaft having a distal end comprising a driving feature, and a locking mechanism to prevent the distal end of the elongate shaft from being inadvertently removed from the distal tip of the elongate hollow rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Nexus Spine, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Hawkes, Quentin Aten
  • Patent number: 8371191
    Abstract: A wrenching device includes a driving member, a hole and at a slit defined therein, and defines an engaging portion. The slit communicates with the hole. The wrenching device further includes an actuating member moveably disposed in the hole of the driving member, and a control member including a connecting end pivotally joining to the actuating member and including first and second engaging sides selectively abutting against a wall defined on the driving member in response to first and second operating positions thereof, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: New Way Tools Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ping-Wen Huang
  • Patent number: 8343165
    Abstract: A driver apparatus for implanting spinal rod fixation devices including an anchor member and a coupling member pivotable relative to the anchor member is disclosed. The driver apparatus generally immobilizes the anchor member and coupling member relative to each other and to the driver apparatus during insertion to minimize interference between the coupling member and tissues surrounding the implantation site, as well as to minimize the clearance required for implantation. The driver apparatus includes a driver portion engageable with the anchor member for effecting seating of the anchor member, such as by threadably driving the anchor member in the bone. The driver portion is closely fit between portions such as upstanding walls of the coupling member to prevent relative rotation therebetween. The driver apparatus further includes locking portions shiftable to secure the coupling member with the driver apparatus when the driver is engaged with the anchor member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Berrevoets
  • Patent number: 8231635
    Abstract: A polyaxial screwdriver for inserting a bone screw in a vertebra. A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a coupling element. When a screw engaging end of the polyaxial screwdriver is lowered on the head of the bone screw, the complimentary surfaces of the screw engaging end of the screwdriver and the head of the screw self-align. A ratchet mechanism formed in the screwdriver provides progressive and automatic locking of the polyaxial screwdriver to the coupling element and prevents the accidental unthreading from the coupling element. In another embodiment of the polyaxial screwdriver, a collet slides over the outside surface of the upper end of the coupling element and locks on to the coupling element. In yet another embodiment of a polyaxial screwdriver, the outer sleeve of the polyaxial screwdriver has a split end that securely engages the coupling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Stryker Spine
    Inventors: Amir Ali Sharifi-Mehr, Ernie Corrao, Andy Wonyong Choi
  • Patent number: 8156847
    Abstract: A driver including a handle, lever, swivel cap, shaft, and a tip mechanically connected to the lever configured to engage a screw. Engaging the lever causes the tip to either compress or expand so as to lock the screw to the driver. According to one exemplary embodiment, the cap can be translated releasing the lever, thereby releasing the screw from the tip. According to one embodiment, the cap is a swivel cap allowing for jeweler style use. Advantages of the present system and method, according to various embodiments, include a tip compressing a feature that is within an outer diameter of the screw allowing a driver, or a portion thereof, to have a maximum diameter equal to or smaller than the maximum diameter of a screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Alphatec Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Hawkes, Michael D. Ensign
  • Publication number: 20110132154
    Abstract: A wrenching device includes a driving member, a hole and at a slit defined therein, and defines an engaging portion. The slit communicates with the hole. The wrenching device further includes an actuating member moveably disposed in the hole of the driving member, and a control member including a connecting end pivotally joining to the actuating member and including first and second engaging sides selectively abutting against a wall defined on the driving member in response to first and second operating positions thereof, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Ping-Wen Huang
  • Patent number: 7921753
    Abstract: A screw locking tool includes a main body composed of a shank to be combined with a hand tool and a sleeve. The shank has front end continually connected with the sleeve having its surface disposed with an annular recess with an O-shaped ring fitted therein and bored with insert holes communicating with an accommodating cavity of the sleeve for receiving positioning steel balls, with an elastic element fixed in the accommodating cavity. A screwing element secured with the accommodating cavity has a shank with a minor-diameter and a medium-diameter annular recess for receiving steel balls to prevent the screwing element from slipping off. A receiving groove at the front end of the screwing element is bored with insert holes respectively for fitting a positioning steel ball and has an annular recess fitted therein with an O-shaped ring for positioning the steel balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventor: Ho-Tien Chen
  • Publication number: 20090038445
    Abstract: A pipe extraction tool grips the inside of a pipe or other such conduit to facilitate removal of a pipe which can not otherwise be removed. The extraction tool uses expandable jaws to grip the inside of the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Ryan V. Sweat, Douglas R. Allred
  • Patent number: 7448303
    Abstract: A pipe extraction tool grips the inside of a pipe or other such conduit to facilitate removal of a pipe which can not otherwise be removed. The extraction tool uses expandable jaws to grip the inside of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventors: Ryan V. Sweat, Douglas R. Allred
  • Publication number: 20080115633
    Abstract: A pipe extraction tool grips the inside of a pipe or other such conduit to facilitate removal of a pipe which can not otherwise be removed. The extraction tool uses expandable jaws to grip the inside of the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Ryan V. Sweat, Douglas R. Allred
  • Patent number: 6904836
    Abstract: A screw holding screwdriver adapter includes first and second elongated mating elements held together by a mounting member. The mounting member engages the elongated mating elements in an opposed relationship so as to define a screwdriver shank engaging portion between the first ends with the second ends cooperating to define a screw engaging portion. The first and second elongated mating elements and the mounting member further define a screwdriver blade and shank receiving opening therein. The screw engaging portion is formed to fit easily in the slot of a screw and to expand, when the blade of a screwdriver is inserted between the second ends, to grip the screw until the screw can be partially engaged in a desired opening. The adapter can then be slid up the screwdriver shank or removed from the screwdriver and the screw is mounted in a normal fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Inventor: Petru Andrei
  • Publication number: 20020166420
    Abstract: A notch-forming extraction tool for helically coiled wire inserts according to the invention includes a mandrel with a second end having a tooth adapted to form and be received by a notch of the insert. A first end opposite the second end is received in a bushing of a handle portion for connecting the mandrel to the handle. Left-hand rotation of the handle contracts the insert about the second end of the mandrel to facilitate removal of the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: William Giannakakos, Roger L. Zitnay
  • Patent number: 6378405
    Abstract: The present invention is a tool (40) for use with anti-tampering devices. The tool resists jamming, simplifies use and has less complicated parts to produce. The tool includes a handle, shaft, spring, activation plunger and ball. The shaft extends from the handle. The shaft includes a cavity in the shaft having an open end at the bottom end of the shaft. The shaft includes a ball hole on the shaft within an area of the cavity. The spring is located in the cavity. The activation plunger extends from the bottom end of the shaft. The ball is located in the cavity, whereby the ball is positioned to be extendible out the ball hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: LEMCO Tool Corp.
    Inventors: Glenn G. Miller, Roger M. Losinger
  • Patent number: 5669404
    Abstract: The invention herein disclosed is directed to a series of tools for repairing and replacing diverter valves. The tools are capable of functioning in many phases of diverter valve repair and replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Inventor: Pedro M. Guillermo
  • Patent number: 5480056
    Abstract: A plunger for attachment to a drum reseal cap, the plunger having opposed ends with a handle alone end, resilient fingers at the other end and a sliding cylinder for forcing the resilient fingers in an outward direction to engage the reseal cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Russell-Stanley Corporation
    Inventors: William Lima, Earl V. Lind, Philip D. Bartlett
  • Patent number: 5025688
    Abstract: A fastener drive tool for applying a rotational torque to a threaded fastener for driving the fastener into or out of a workpiece. The drive tool has an elongated shaft portion with a free end which is selectively controllably engageable with a recess formed in the fastener. The free end is formed with a fastener engaging expansion portion. The expansion portion is operated by a draw shaft being selectively lockable in a bit retaining position. The expansion portion of the bit portion creates substantial fastener retaining forces on the opposing internal surfaces of the fastener recess in which it is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignees: Ryder International Corp., Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Richard M. Davis
  • Patent number: 4867018
    Abstract: A screwdriver for alternative use with Phillip head screws and slotted head screws is disclosed comprising a handle and a shank extending therefrom, the leading end of the shank terminating in a Phillips head screw engaging bit. The leading end portion of the shank is bifurcated by a rearwardly extending slot, and an elongated blade tipped with a slotted head screw bit is slidingly disposed along the slot. The blade is provided with a series of gear teeth along each edge and a nut is mounted around the shank for engagement with the blade teeth. The nut maintains the blade within the slot, and rotation of the nut controls the axial positioning of the blade to positions either forwardly or rearwardly of the Phillips bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Inventor: Samuel Spector
  • Patent number: 4779494
    Abstract: A screw-gripping screwdriver includes a handle, a shaft composed of two blade members, a sleeve which is disposed coaxially about the blade members, and a tip. The blade members have inclined surfaces which cooperate with the sleeve so that, during movement of the sleeve along the blade members, a camming action occurs so that a relatively large movement of the sleeve causes a relatively small movement of the blade tips. In a preferred embodiment, each blade tip is an L-shaped portion, which in a first position of the sleeve adjacent to the handle, cooperates with the other one of the L-shaped portions to form a generally cruciform shape suitable for use with a Phillips head screw. In a second position, the sleeve has cammed the blade members toward one another so that the L-shaped portions are in frictional engagement with the interior walls of a cruciform opening in a Phillips head screw. In another embodiment, the blade tips are generally rectangular members suitable for use with a slot head screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: New Concepts
    Inventor: Jonathan Quach
  • Patent number: 4724608
    Abstract: A puller for spherical bushings comprises an inner puller body having a cylindrical outer surface so that it can be inserted into the bore of the bushing with a lip at one end for engaging behind the bushing. A wedge member actuated by an elongate bolt forces the lip outwardly into engagement. A screw threaded portion of the outer surface of the puller body carries a nut which can drive a sleeve shaped outer puller axially along the inner puller body to engage an outer member carrying the bushing. An installing tool is also provided including a cylindrical portion for insertion into the bore of a bushing and a shoulder at the end of that portion for engaging the end surface of the bushing so that hammer blows applied to one end of the tool force the bushing into place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Inventor: Ronald J. W. Parrott
  • Patent number: 4696102
    Abstract: Apparatus (16) for gripping the inner surface of a plug (14) so that it can be removed from a tube (12). The apparatus includes a shaft (18) having an enlarged frustoconical head (20) with a collar member (24) surrounding the shaft. The collar has a plurality of flexible fingers (22) extending up therefrom, which are forced radially outwardly into contact with the inner wall of the plug when the head is moved longitudinally outwardly from the plug. Each finger has an end portion which is tapered and forms first (10 degrees) and second (5 degrees) angles on its inner (32) and outer (30) surfaces, respectively; and the frustoconical surface (34) of the enlarged head forms a third angle (15 degrees), with the sum of the first and second angles being equal to the third angle. The end portions of the fingers are thus moved radially outwardly, such that their outer surface lies parallel with the inner surface of the plug and thus, the plug is gripped over a large surface area by the gripping mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Overbay
  • Patent number: 4563922
    Abstract: A torque transmitting device characterized by a shaft (14) having a horizontal axis (17), a first end, a second end, said first end being arranged to be inserted foremost into a bore in a workpiece, wherein the shaft (14) is formed with at least one groove (16) extending longitudinally of the shaft (14), a workpiece engaging jaw (19) is mounted in each groove (16), slotted annular collar (13) is provided for retaining each jaw (19) in its respective groove (16). Each groove (16) may be angled with respect to the longitudinal axis (17) of the shaft (14) so that each jaw is non-aligned with the longitudinal axis (17) of the shaft (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Inventor: Daryl Wheeler
  • Patent number: 4377956
    Abstract: A pipe extractor tool has been devised for use in removal of broken pipe sections, such as, the riser in a sprinkler system and includes cams formed at the lower end of a hollow shank through which a push rod is inserted, the cams being movable under the urging of the push rod in a generally radially outward direction into firm gripping engagement with the inner wall of the pipe section to be removed so that a twist or torque can be applied to the tool to unthread and remove the broken pipe section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1983
    Inventor: Dennis Cooper
  • Patent number: 4291599
    Abstract: An improved key for driving tamper-proof bolts includes a plastic key handle molded onto one end of a tubular sleeve. The tubular sleeve has a transverse aperture near an end opposite the key handle, and a ball is captively held by the tubular sleeve adjacent the transverse aperture. Molded into the key handle are a chamber providing access to one end of the tubular sleeve and a channel extending transversely through the chamber. The key also includes a plastic plunger handle molded onto an end of a plunger rod axially slidable within the tubular sleeve. A camming surface is located on the end of the plunger rod opposite the plunger handle for camming the ball into the transverse aperture of the tubular sleeve. Molded into the plunger handle is a flattened surface and a flange. A pin is press-fit into the channel adjacent and parallel to the flattened surface of the plunger handle for preventing the plunger handle from rotating and for retaining the flange within the chamber of the key handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Assignee: Morlock Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Heckrotte, Sr.