Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.

Robert Boschgmbh

Spx Corporation

Service Solutions U.S. LLC

Services Solutions U.S. LLC

Robert Jensen

Robert Kochie

Michael White

Larry W Betcher

Jose Barrios

Jacob Hanson

Scott Peder Opsahl

Dennis Hanson

Garret Miller

Surender K Makhija

Dirk Charles Skogerboe

Mike Kawell

Daniel Newkirk

Kevin Rich

Michael H Kawell

Larry Betcher

A jack stand having a rack-and-pinion gearing mechanism to extend a support member. The jack stand further comprises a latching mechanism suitable to provide a static force operable to sustain elevation of a vehicle. The jack stand further comprises a number of sleeves configured to receive a detachable handle operable to utilize the functions of the jack stand from a distance away from the underside of the vehicle.

Jack stand with gearing adjustment

A puller tool comprises a cross bar with a central portion having a through hole defining a first axis; a forcing screw configured to extend through the through hole; and an adapter detachably attached to the cross bar and having a threaded hole defining a second axis for the forcing screw, and wherein the first axis and second axis are substantially aligned. The adapter comprises a threaded hole configured to receive the forcing screw and defining a second axis, wherein the first axis and second axis are substantially aligned; a base portion containing the threaded hole and arrangeable adjacent a first axial side of the cross bar; at least a first wall portion extending away from the base portion and arrangeable adjacent to a first lateral side of the central portion of the cross bar, and wherein the adapter is detachably attachable to the cross bar.

Puller tool and adapter

A ball joint press tool having at least one spring-plunger engageable with at least one adapter to releasably couple the adapter to the tool allowing for single handed placement of the tool regardless of orientation of the tool. The ball joint press tool has at least one adapter-receiving aperture and the spring-plunger has an adapter-engagement head, such as a ball, spring biased to at least partially extend into the adapter-receiving aperture on the tool. An adapter having a connecting projection defining a spring-plunger engaging detent, such as a groove, is insertable into the adapter-receiving aperture wherein the adapter-engagement head of the spring-plunger engages with the spring-plunger engaging detent.

Ball joint press tool with coupleable adapters

A pry bar attachment operable to receive to a pry bar to provide a fulcrum point during use of the associated pry bar. The pry bar attachment may comprise a fulcrum coupled to a sleeve, the sleeve operable to receive a pry bar. The pry bar attachment may be an adjustable pry bar attachment having one or more adjustable features, such as fulcrum height, sleeve dimensions, or friction adjustment.

Pry bar attachment having adjustable fulcrum

Tire bead holding pliers includes a first jaw having a lipped plate configured to engage an outboard side of a wheel rim to locate the pliers, and a second jaw defined by a first and second hook and configured to curve around the wheel rim, move toward the first jaw, and engage an inboard side of the wheel rim as the pliers are tightened. The first hook has a first concave portion facing away from the first jaw and configured to receive a bead. The second hook extends from the first hook opposite the first concave portion, has a second concave portion facing the first jaw, and clamps the wheel rim therebetween. During tire installation or removal, the bead is hooked onto the second jaw, which holds the bead in place during the operation in a hands-free fashion.

Tire bead holding pliers

A vehicle lift adapter system in one embodiment includes a central support bar including a mounting portion configured to be removably mounted on a jack arm of a floor jack, a first outer support arm supported by the central support bar, a first wheel capture base with a first middle portion located between a first and a second base end portion, the first wheel capture base operably connected to the first outer support arm, a first wheel capture arm configured to be supported by the first end portion, and a second wheel capture arm configured to be supported by the second end portion, wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are arranged such that a weight applied to the first wheel capture arm and the second wheel capture arm is substantially centered on the longitudinal axis.

Vehicle lift adapter system

A system for flaring an end of a fluid line includes a first and second adapter mountable on a first and second jaw of the gripping tool, respectively, and an arbor. Once mounted, the first and second adapters each have a working surface facing toward each other defining a channel half-profile. In a closed position, the working surfaces together form a channel from the half-profiles having a flare shape portion and a linear portion for receiving a fluid line in a non-slip fit. The working surface of one adapter has a U-shaped profile, and the other adapter is configured to be received therein. Each sidewall of the U-shaped profile defines a port opening into the channel. The arbor includes a die head that forms a flared end on a fluid line received in the channel as the arbor is inserted therein via the port.

Flairing pliar jaws

A wheel hub removal tool is provided that allows a single technician to readily remove the hub using the vehicle steering. The tool is a generally U-shaped bracket that is seated on the ball-joint to support a pair of arms on opposite sides of the U-joint assembly. The arms carry corresponding blocks that are sized to seat between the drive axle housing and a component of the U-joint that is coupled to the wheel hub. The tool maintains a block on either side of the U-joint assembly so that pressure may be applied alternatively between the blocks to gradually dislodge the wheel hub from the axle. The tool is adjustable to accommodate different axle hub and bearing assembly configurations for different vehicles.

Tool and method for removing a wheel hub assembly

A tire spoon may be provided. The tire spoon may include: a bar; and a spoon portion at one end of the bar, the spoon portion having two outer side edges and a middle portion located between the two outer side edges, and at a given cross section of the spoon portion, the middle portion cross sectional thickness is greater than a cross sectional thickness of the two outer side edges. A method of forming a tire spoon is provided. The method may include: providing a spoon portion on an end of a bar; and forming the spoon portion to have middle section that has a thicker cross section than either side portion of the spoon portion.

Tire spoon surface profile and method of making

A wheel lifter and tipper includes a hook end with a plurality of notches that are each configured for different wheel manipulations and/or for different types of wheels. Each of the plurality of notches is configured to tip wheels into an upright position without deflating or breaking a bead of a tire of the wheel. The device further includes a u-shaped bend configured to support a wheel during a wheel loading manipulation, and a pad end rotationally mounted to a body of the device. During the loading manipulation, the pad end remains stationary and acts as a fulcrum and the body with the u-shaped bend acts as a lever arm. The device is passed through a center of the wheel, and the lever arm is raised or lowered in order to raise or lower the wheel to or from a raised surface, respectively.

Wheel lifter and tipper

Tire service hammer

A tire service hammer includes a handle portion and a head portion having a sledge portion, a wedge portion, and a body portion connecting the sledge portion and the wedge portion, wherein the wedge portion includes a bead breaking wedge and a hook extension. A method of manufacturing a tire service hammer includes providing a handle portion and providing a head portion that includes a sledge portion, a wedge portion, and a body portion connecting the sledge portion and the wedge portion, wherein the wedge portion includes a bead breaking wedge and a hook extension. A tire servicing system for repositioning a wheel having a tire mounted on a rim includes a first grasping portion for securing a portion of the rim while repositioning the wheel, and a breaking portion for breaking a tire bead formed between the tire and the rim.

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 exting a handle on a tool may also be provided.

Extendable handle for a tire spoon and method of operation

A puller tool and method for pulling a component from another component are provided. The puller tool can include a cross bar, a pair of puller legs that are movable along the length of the cross bar and a forcing screw. The puller legs can be quickly positioned anywhere along the length of the cross bar through a quick release mechanism. The cross bar can include notches on its outer surface to ensure that the puller legs are equidistant from each other during use.

Puller tool

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 is provided.

Growing community of inventors

Clarks Grove, MN, United States of America

Robert Jensen