A hand tool assembly in one embodiment includes a pair of pivotable jaws, a first jaw mounted component, and a second jaw mounted component. The first jaw mounted component includes a first mounting portion that removably mounts the first jaw mounted component on a first of the pair of pivotable jaws. The second jaw mounted component includes second mounting portion that removably mounts the second jaw mounted component on a second of the pair of pivotable jaws. A first working surface of the first jaw mounted component and a second working surface of the second jaw mounted component define a channel when the first working surface is placed in direct opposition to the second working surface. The channel is complementary to the outer surface of a tubular work-piece and is configured to hold or work the work-piece when the pivotable jaws are pivoted to a clamped position.
B25B 7/12 - TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING - Details applicable generally to pivoted-limb hand tools involving special transmission means between the handles and the jaws, e.g. toggle levers, gears
B25B 27/10 - Hand tools or bench devices, specially adapted for fitting together or separating parts or objects whether or not involving some deformation, not otherwise provided for for connecting objects by press fit or detaching same inserting fittings into hoses
B25B 27/14 - Hand tools or bench devices, specially adapted for fitting together or separating parts or objects whether or not involving some deformation, not otherwise provided for for assembling objects other than by press fit or detaching same
A measuring system including a sensor positioned to a belt to measure an oscillation or vibration of the belt based at least in part on a trigger threshold. Also, the measuring system may include a diagnostic tool coupled the sensor to receive a plurality of measurements of the oscillation or vibration of the belt, wherein the diagnostic tool may determine a tension of the belt based at least in part on an average of the plurality of measurements of the oscillation or vibration of the belt.
A tire mounting tool configured to maintain a tire with respect to a wheel during a tire mounting process includes a wheel holding portion configured to be affirmatively held with respect to a rim of a wheel. The tire mounting tool further includes a handle portion configured to connect to and hold, at least in part, the wheel holding portion, and a tire holding portion configured to limit movement of the tire with respect to the rim of the wheel.
A valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly includes: a body structure including a proximal inlet tube and a distal outlet tube separated by a valve cylinder portion; a flow control valve situated in the valve cylinder portion, the flow control valve including a valve plug and an actuator shaft; and an actuation control pivotally mounted to the body structure, wherein rotational movement of the actuation control exerts an axial force against the actuator shaft to move the valve plug through the valve cylinder portion and open fluid communication between the proximal inlet tube and the distal outlet tube. A method of providing a bead system may also be provided.
An extendable handled tool may include: a shaft; a hollow shaft extension encompassing the shaft and configured to move axially on the shaft so that the shaft moves in and out of the hollow space in the shaft extension; a locking collar attached to the shaft extension, the locking collar configured to rotate on the shaft; a tooth connected to the locking collar such that the tooth rotates with the locking collar; and a locking ring mounted on the shaft, the locking ring configured to fit with the tooth to rotate between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position prevents the shaft extension from moving axially with respect to the shaft and the unlocked position permits the shaft extension to move axially with respect to the shaft. A method of extending a handle on a tool may also be provided.
A tire spoon holder is provided. The tire spoon holder may include: a first and second handle; a first and second jaw, each jaw connected to at least one of the handles wherein the jaws are configured to come together when the handles are moved toward each other; and a loop attached to at least one jaw or handle. A method of attaching a tire spoon to a wheel rim may be provided. The method may include: attaching a tire spoon holder to a wheel rim; slipping a tire spoon through a loop in the tire spoon holder; and inserting a flat portion of the tire spoon between a tire and the wheel rim.
A tablet support is provided. In some embodiments the tablet support includes: legs; hook supports located at an end of each leg; a support strap configured to form a loop over a support member; and a fastener attaching the support strap to the legs. A method of assembling a tablet support may be provided. The method may include: providing a support loop; equipping a support strap with the support loop; attaching support legs to the support strap; terminating the support legs with hooks; and attaching a fastening structure on the support strap.
B60R 7/04 - Stowing or holding appliances inside of vehicle primarily intended for personal property smaller than suit-cases, e.g. travelling articles, or maps in driver or passenger space
B60R 11/02 - Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
F16M 13/02 - Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
8.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRACKING, SCHEDULING, AND REMINDING ABOUT MAINTENANCE STATUS
An apparatus and method for tracking, scheduling, and reminding about maintenance status are provided. The apparatus connects to a vehicle and retrieves state information from the vehicle. The apparatus analyzes at least the state information to determine a maintenance status of the system, and creates an alert based on at least the maintenance status of the vehicle. The alert is provided to a user, and the user can instruct the apparatus to respond to the maintenance status through selection of options provided by the alert. Through the options, the apparatus may provide the user with options for maintenance service, schedule the service, and remind the user of the scheduled service.
A modular docking station for receiving a mobile device is disclosed. The docking station includes a base component having a plurality of modular apertures configured to receive hardware to perform a specific function. The docking station also includes a receiving component having a protective enclosure configured to receive and protect the mobile device in from environmental containment. The docking station further includes a coupler for coupling the receiving component to the base component.
The invention is directed to arrangement and process for housing a battery charger. The battery charger housing arrangement includes a battery charger configured to provide power to charge a vehicle battery, a reinforcement structure configured to hold the battery charger, and a housing configured to cover the reinforcement structure and the battery charger. The housing forms a waterproof covering to protect the battery charger from the environment, a charge cable extends from the housing and is configured to connect to and charge a vehicle, and a window is arranged in the housing so that a user may operate the battery charger. The reinforcement structure is configured to structurally locate the housing in a stable non-movable location.
H02J 7/02 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
11.
PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE SUPPLY EQUIPMENT WITH INDICATORS
A system for connecting an electric vehicle to a high voltage power source. The system including electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) having an electrical plug compatible with a high voltage power outlet, the plug connected to a power cord. The power cord is connected to a housing containing a number of electrical components configured to control the power flow to an electric vehicle to recharge the vehicle's batteries. The housing includes a plurality of light emitting diodes configured to indicate a status of the EVSE. The LEDs can flash, illuminate a solid color, not illuminate a solid color or a combination thereof.
An electric vehicle supply equipment may include a first cover element including a well portion to accommodate a first circuitry, wherein the first circuitry includes a chimney stack that couples to a venting hole. Also, the electric vehicle supply equipment may include a second cover element including a recess portion to accommodate a second circuitry, wherein the second circuitry includes a charcoal filter that couples to the chimney stack to absorb impurities generated by the first circuitry and the second circuitry. Further, the electric vehicle supply equipment may include a universal/serial connection port to couple to peripheral devices, wherein the universal/serial connection port is an optical coupled connection.
A refrigerant recovery unit is provided that is capable of communicating with a vehicle diagnostic tool. The diagnostic tool can retrieve vehicle information, such as vehicle identifying information or vehicle diagnostic information. The refrigerant recovery unit can diagnose the vehicle and provide fixes to the user using the database stored therein or from a remote location. The refrigerant recovery unit includes various hardware and software to communicate with electronic control units in the vehicle.
A diagnostic tool for testing the performance of a component of a vehicle may include a processor configured to process test information from an alternator of the vehicle and control and activate the alternator of the vehicle having identification information to be tested. The diagnostic tool may also include a memory configured to store the test information of the alternator and software that operates the alternator of the vehicle. The diagnostic tool may further comprise a removable modular component comprising an operational circuitry that allows for the diagnostic tool to operate, wherein the removable modular component is replaced based at least in part on a determination that the operational circuitry is faulty, wherein the memory and the removable modular component are in communication with the processor.
A system for connecting an electric vehicle to a high voltage power source is disclosed. The system including an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) having an electrical plug compatible with a high voltage power outlet, the plug connected to a power cord. The power cord is connected to a housing containing a number of electrical components configured to control the power flow to an electric vehicle to recharge the vehicle's batteries. The power cord extends from the housing and is connected to a standard electric vehicle connector compatible with battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). The EVSE further includes safety measures, such as a relay that controls the flow of power to the vehicle connector, a ground fault interrupter, and a circuit tester to protect users from high voltage electric shocks.
H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
H02J 7/14 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle
16.
A TIRE BEAD BREAKING TOOL AND METHOD FOR USING THE SAME
A tire bead breaking tool is provided. The tire bead breaking tool may include a handle portion and a breaker portion. The breaker portion may include a joint portion configured to couple to the handle portion, a curved portion configured to handle external impacts from a plurality of angles and a chisel portion configured to be driven between a tire and a wheel in order to break a tire bead.
A method for converting a refrigerant recovery unit from use with a first refrigerant to use with a second refrigerant includes the steps of opening, with a controller, solenoids along a refrigerant path to remove residue of the first refrigerant into a holding vessel, operating a vacuum pump, as indicated by the controller, to further remove the residue of the first refrigerant from the refrigerant path, introducing, via the controller, an amount of the second refrigerant into the refrigerant path, determining, with a refrigerant identifier, a purity of the second refrigerant in the refrigerant path. A kit is also provided to convert the refrigerant recovery unit for use with the first refrigerant to the second refrigerant.
A tool for providing a user with information on a particular object related to a position and an orientation of the tool with respect to the object includes an image capturing device configured to capture an image of the object. The tool further includes a position and orientation sensor configured to determine the position of the tool with respect to the object, a processor configured to determine from the image the type of object, a display configured to display the image of the object, the display further configured to display additional information in addition to the image of the object in response to the determination of the type of object, and the processor further configured to determine a change in one of the position and the orientation of the sensor and the tool and further configured to modify the display.
A method of purging air from a tank includes opening, with a controller, a purging orifice on the tank to release a gas mixture contained within the tank, operating a timer to track multiple time intervals during which the purging orifice is open, each time interval having a beginning time and an ending time, determining an initial value of a system variable at each beginning time and a subsequent value of the system variable at each ending time, deriving a characteristic value of the gas mixture based on a change in the system variable from the initial value to the subsequent value measured over each time interval, and closing, with the controller, the purging orifice if a rate of change of the characteristic value over sequential time intervals is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold rate of change value.
F25B 43/04 - Arrangements for separating or purifying gases or liquids; Arrangements for vaporising the residuum of liquid refrigerant, e.g. by heat for withdrawing non-condensible gases
A system and method for an automotive diagnostic server can provide a portable vehicle diagnostic tool to identify a failed vehicle component. It may also provide a remote information device to serve as a connecting intermediary between devices, and to allow remote control of the devices and to provide information to a user. A remote diagnostic device to analyze data and interpret information to aid the user in making, using, maintaining, and fixing a piece of equipment or product may also be included. Web server functionality may be incorporated into the portable vehicle diagnostic tool to allow dissemination of the diagnostic information resulting from the diagnostic testing, and the web server may be accessed by a web browser of the remote information device.
The diagnostic tool for testing the performance of a component of a vehicle may include a processor configured to process test information from a component of the vehicle and control and activate the component of the vehicle having identification information to be tested. The diagnostic tool may also include a memory configured to store the test information of the component and software that operates the component of the vehicle. The diagnostic tool may further include an interface module configured to provide information in addition to that of the test information of the component, wherein the additional information is related to the performance of a different vehicle component from the component, and wherein the means for storing and the means for providing are in communication with the means for processing.
A wheel alignment apparatus is capable of automatically obtaining tire pressure information from a plurality of tire pressure monitor systems. The wheel alignment apparatus may include an alignment bay configured to receive a vehicle and an optical system located at an end of the alignment bay and configured to provide an image of wheels of the vehicle. The wheel alignment apparatus may also include a camera configured to receive the image of the wheels of the vehicle and a computer configured to display the image of the wheels of the vehicle and automatically display tire pressure information of the wheels of the vehicle when the vehicle is located within a predetermined proximity of the wheel alignment apparatus.
A wire holding device configured to hold two wires together to establishing a connection. The connection may be made through soldering the two wires together. The wire holding device is also configured to be adjustable so that the wires can be held at different angles. The wire holding device can also be used to isolate a wire from a wire loom.
A47D 15/00 - Accessories for children's furniture, e.g. safety belts, baby-bottle holders
B25B 1/20 - Vices for clamping work of special profile, e.g. pipes
A47B 96/00 - TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE - Details of cabinets, racks or shelf units not covered by a single one of groups ; General details of furniture
An apparatus for a circuit which allows a user to connect various adaptors to a common interface to provide a device with power and data signals. The circuit may provide a device, in which the circuit is incorporated, with the ability to discern whether a connected adaptor is providing power or data at any given time. If the adaptor is providing power at a particular moment, then the power/data circuit can identify that power is being provided and signal the device to accept power. When the adaptor is providing data at a particular moment, then the circuit can identify that power is being provided and signal the device to accept power. The circuit may include a power/data input, a vehicle connector, an internal power source connector, a reference voltage source, a comparator, and sensor.
A slide hammer may be provided. The slide hammer may include: a body defining a through hole and a first attaching surface; an auxiliary weight having a second attaching surface configured to attach to the body at the first attaching surface, the auxiliary weight having a through hole located to align with the through hole in the body when the auxiliary weight is attached to the body; and a shaft located in the through holes in the body and auxiliary weight. A method of constructing a slide hammer may also be provided.
B25D 1/16 - Hand hammers; Hammer heads of special shape or materials having the impacting head in the form of a sleeve slidable on a shaft, e.g. hammers for driving a valve or draw-off tube into a barrel
26.
ALTERNATOR AND STARTER TESTER WITH WARRANTY CODE FUNCTIONALITY AND METHOD
An alternator and starter tester system capable of generating a warranty claim code. The warranty claim code can contain information regarding a diagnostic test and the tested components. The alternator and starter tester system can also encode and transmit the warranty claim code to a supplier or a manufacturer to verify warranty credit.
An apparatus and method are developed to improve accuracy of diagnostic tests for A/C systems. In particular, a refrigerant recovery unit may have its hoses pre-charged with a refrigerant to a predetermined pressure or amount before performing the diagnostic tests on the A/C system of the vehicle. For example, a predetermine amount of refrigerant may be injected into the hoses of the refrigerant recovery unit to pre-charge them. The pre-charged hoses of the refrigerant recovery unit may prevent a refrigerant flow from the A/C system to the hoses connected thereto before the diagnostic tests are implemented and thus, improve the accuracy of the diagnostic tests.
An active overvoltage protection process and device is disclosed to protect vehicle communication components, The overvoltage protection process and device includes determining an allowed low and high voltage threshold range- for a communication interface, monitoring the communication interface, and disconnecting the communication interface when a voltage of the communication outside a threshold range.
H02H 3/00 - Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition, with or without subsequent reconnection
29.
DEVICE AND PROCESS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST EXCESSIVE VOLTAGE AND/OR CURRENT IN SYSTEMS HAVING USB CONNECTIONS
An apparatus is provided to electrically protect a circuit for USB protection against excessive voltage and/or current such as ground loop damage. A circuit is connected between electrical components where at least one of the connections is a USB connection. There is a possibility for the ground points of the electrical components to be at different voltage potentials and can create a ground loop. The apparatus can include a voltage limiting circuit connected to circuit lines which connect to the USB connection and circuit breakers or resistors connected to the circuit lines between the USB connection and the connection to the other electrical component in some aspects, the connections at either end of the circuit can be USB connections. The apparatus protects the connected electrical components from receiving more power than they can tolerate and protect a user of the electrical components from injury caused by excess power connections.
A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein a faulty part and its part number is determined based on a retrieved DTC for a specific vehicle. The part number may include the original manufacturer's number and a generic equivalent manufacturer's number (if available). The diagnostic tool can search a parts database of various parts suppliers for their pricing and location. The diagnostic tool can also provide suggested fixes to the user based on the retrieved DTC.
A method and charging apparatus for adding refrigerant to an air conditioning system are provided. The method includes calculating a temperature differential by measuring a first temperature of a refrigerant inside of a refrigerant container and measuring a second temperature either at the air conditioning system or the ambient temperature. The method further includes using the temperature differential to calculate a compensation amount of refrigerant to add to a previously determined recommended amount of refrigerant based on the type of air conditioning system being charged.
A system and method for managing information between a diagnostic tool and a networked computing device are provided. The system made up of a diagnostic tool for retrieving information from a vehicle under test, a networked computing device for providing information concerning the vehicle under test, and an information management device for assisting communication between the diagnostic tool and the networked computing device. Information is gathered by the diagnostic tool and sent to the information management device which determines how to process the information, which may then be sent to the networked computing device for processing and returning relevant data to the information management device, and potentially to the diagnostic tool.
A system and method for remote control of and notification by an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). The system including a remote device, such as a smart phone, having a software configured to remotely control the EVSE and remotely retrieve and receive information from the EVSE. The smart phone may identify and connect to a communication network, automatically identify the EVSE, connect to the EVSE, and send the EVSE instructions for various functions of the EVSE, including charging, vehicle control, and reporting functions. The EVSE may execute the instructions received and return a confirmation to the remote device. The remote device may present the confirmation to a user.
B60L 9/00 - Electric propulsion with power supply external to the vehicle
B60L 11/00 - Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle (B60L 8/00, B60L 13/00 take precedence;arrangements or mounting of prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines for mutual or common propulsion B60K 6/20)
patents
