IP Library Granted Patent US 7,219,581
Granted Patent B2
US 7,219,581 · App. 11/161,632 · Granted May 22, 2007

Adjustment tool

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,219,581
App. No.
11/161,632
Granted
May 22, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

An adjustment tool, having a body with a bore extending between a first end and a second end. A shaft is positioned within the bore having a plurality of outward spreading spring fingers coupled to a tool end. A spring biases the shaft towards the second end of the body. A collet coupled to a first end of the body has an inner surface which restricts the spring fingers to a closed position as movement of the shaft towards the second end of the body retracts the spring fingers into the collet. A bubble ring may be coupled to the body. Graduated indicia associated with the bubble ring indicates rotation of the tool for entry of precise rotational adjustments.

Claims (36)

1. An adjustment tool, comprising:

a body having at least two finger lugs protruding from an exterior surface of the body;

a bore extending between a first end and a second end of the body;

a collet coupled to the first end of the body;

a shaft positioned within the bore having a plurality of outward spreading spring fingers coupled to a tool end of the shaft;

a bubble ring rotatably mounted upon an outer ring surface of the body, wherein the bubble ring is retained upon the outer ring surface of the body by a gasket seated upon an outer diameter of the collet;

a spring biasing the shaft towards the second end of the body; and

an inner surface of the collet restricting the spring fingers to a closed position as movement of the shaft towards the second end of the body retracts the spring fingers into the collet.

2. The adjustment tool of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the spring fingers has a groove formed in an outer surface; and the inner surface of the collet has at least one corresponding inward projecting tab dimensioned to fit in the groove; the groove and the tab together keying the spring finger to the collet.

3. The adjustment tool of claim 1 , wherein the spring fingers each have an inner face; the inner face(s) forming an hexagonal gripping surface.

4. The adjustment tool of claim 1 , wherein the collet has an interference fit with the first end of the body.

5. The adjustment tool of claim 1 , wherein the spring is a coil spring mounted upon the shaft abutting an internal shoulder of the bore proximate the tool end and an external shoulder of the shaft proximate an actuator end of the shaft.

6. The adjustment tool of claim 5 , further including an end cap coupled to the actuator end of the shaft, the end cap forming the external shoulder.

7. The adjustment tool of claim 1 , wherein the finger lugs are arranged on the body whereby a single hand can grasp the lugs and push upon the shaft proximate the actuator end in a syringe action to move the spring fingers to an outward spread open position.

8. The adjustment tool of claim 1 , wherein the bubble ring has a spiral bubble channel.

9. An adjustment tool, comprising:

a body having a bore extending between a first end and a second end of the body;

a bubble ring coupled to the body, wherein the bubble ring is retained upon an outer surface of the collet by a gasket;

a collet coupled to the first end;

a shaft positioned within the bore having a plurality of outward spreading spring fingers coupled to a tool end of the shaft;

a spring biasing the shaft towards the second end of the body;

an inner surface of the collet restricting the spring fingers to a closed position as movement of the shaft towards the second end of the body retracts the spring fingers towards the body.

10. The adjustment tool of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the spring fingers is keyed to the collet, whereby the spring fingers cannot rotate independent of the body.

11. The adjustment tool of claim 9 , wherein the spring fingers are formed extending from a spring finger ring; the spring finger ring coupled to the shaft.

12. The adjustment tool of claim 9 , wherein the bubble ring is positioned normal to and coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the shaft.

13. The adjustment tool of claim 12 , wherein the gasket comprises a lip edge biasing the bubble ring against the first end of the body.

14. The adjustment tool of claim 12 , wherein the bubble ring has a spiral channel, the spiral channel coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

15. The adjustment tool of claim 9 , further including a retaining ring coupled to and rotatable about the body.

16. An adjustment tool, comprising:

a body having a bore extending between a first end and a second end of the body;

a collet coupled to the first end;

a shaft positioned within the bore;

a plurality of spring fingers extending from a spring finger ring coupled to a tool end of the shaft; at least one of the spring fingers keyed to the collet;

a spring biasing the shaft towards the second end of the body;

an inner surface of the collet restricting the spring fingers to a closed position as the shaft moves towards the second end of the body; and

a bubble ring having a spiral channel coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the bubble ring rotatably retained upon the an outer ring surface of the body by a gasket, the gasket having a lip edge biasing the bubble ring against the body.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 2, 2008
From: ASC SIGNAL CORPORATION
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 021018/0816 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 2, 2008
From: ANDREW CORPORATION
To: ASC SIGNAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 020886/0407 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 10, 2005
From: TULLOCH, TOMMY; STEVE, BUCHAN; RICHARD, DEMPSTER; RALPH, BROOKER
To: ANDREW CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 016381/0842 →