US7178430B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Volume damper adjustment tool
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2005-03-29
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Granted: 2007-02-20
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Expires: 2025-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A tool adjusts a damper assembly having a pivot arm and an arm fastener. The tool comprises an inner elongate member, an outer elongate member, and bushing collars. The inner member is telescopically received in the outer member. The inner and outer members each comprise a first member end, a second inner member end, and a member axis. The first inner member end comprises a fastener adjuster and the first outer member end comprises a pivot arm adjuster. The bushing collars are cooperatively associated with the first outer member end, the second outer member end, and an outer member surface of the inner member for maintaining the inner and outer member axes in collinear relation for forming a reach axis. The inner and outer members are each rotatable about the reach axis. The fastener adjuster adjusts the arm fastener and the pivot arm adjuster adjusts the pivot arm.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruno Butz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:05
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B13/00; B25B13/48; B25B13/481; B25G; B25G1/00; B25G1/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
A damper adjustment tool, the damper adjustment tool for enabling a user to adjust at least one remote damper assembly, the damper assembly comprising inner duct damper structure and an outer duct pivot arm, the outer duct pivot arm comprising arm fastening structure, the outer duct pivot arm for adjusting the inner duct damper structure, the arm fastening structure for selectively fastening the outer duct pivot arm, the damper adjustment tool comprising: a rotatable inner elongate member, the inner elongate member comprising a first inner member end, a second inner member end, an inner member length, an inner member axis, and an outer member surface, the first inner member end comprising first fastener adjustment means for adjusting the arm fastening structure; a rotatable outer elongate member, the outer elongate member comprising a first outer member end, a second outer member end, an outer member length, an outer member axis, and an inner member surface, the first outer member end comprising pivot arm adjustment means for adjusting the outer duct pivot arm; and bushing means, the bushing means being cooperatively associated with the first outer member end, the second outer member end, and the outer member surface for enabling the outer member surface to move relative to the inner member surface and for maintaining the inner and outer member axes in substantially collinear relation thus forming a reach axis, the inner and outer elongate members each being selectively rotatable about the reach axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
242 words
A damper adjustment tool, the damper adjustment tool for enabling a user to adjust at least one remote damper assembly, the damper assembly comprising inner duct damper structure and an outer duct pivot arm, the outer duct pivot arm comprising arm fastening structure, the outer duct pivot arm for adjusting the inner duct damper structure, the arm fastening structure for selectively fastening the outer duct pivot arm, the damper adjustment tool comprising: a rotatable inner elongate member, the inner elongate member comprising a first inner member end, a second inner member end, an inner member length, an inner member axis, and an outer member surface, the first inner member end comprising first fastener adjustment means for adjusting the arm fastening structure; a rotatable outer elongate member, the outer elongate member comprising a first outer member end, a second outer member end, an outer member length, an outer member axis, and an inner member surface, the first outer member end comprising pivot arm adjustment means for adjusting the outer duct pivot arm; and bushing means, the bushing means being cooperatively associated with the first outer member end, the second outer member end, and the outer member surface for enabling the outer member surface to move relative to the inner member surface and for maintaining the inner and outer member axes in substantially collinear relation thus forming a reach axis, the inner and outer elongate members each being selectively rotatable about the reach axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The damper adjustment tool of claim 1 wherein the inner member length is greater in magnitude than the outer member length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The damper adjustment tool of claim 2 wherein the second inner member end and the second outer member end comprise grip means, the grip means for enhancing the user's ability to selectively rotate the inner elongate member and the outer elongate member about the reach axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The damper adjustment tool of claim 2 comprising a select elongate member, the select elongate member being selected from the group consisting of the inner elongate member and the outer elongate member, the select elongate member comprising torque-increase means, the torque-increase means for enhancing the user's ability to selectively rotate the select elongate member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The damper adjustment tool of claim 4 wherein the select elongate member comprises a select member end, the select member end being selected from the group consisting of the second inner member end and the second outer member end, the torque-increase means being defined by a torque arm, the torque arm being cooperatively associated with the select member end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The damper adjustment tool of claim 5 wherein the torque arm is interchangeable with the second inner member end and the second outer member end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The damper adjustment tool of claim 1 wherein the pivot arm adjustment means is defined by a torque fork, the torque fork comprising an arm-engaging prong end and a member-engaging end, the member-engaging end being fixedly attached to the first outer member end, the arm-engaging prong end comprising two adjacent prongs and arm-receiving groove, the arm-receiving groove intermediate the prongs for receiving the outer duct pivot arm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The damper adjustment tool of claim 1 wherein the inner elongate member comprises a substantially uniform circular transverse inner cross-section and the outer elongate member comprises a substantially uniform circular transverse outer cross-section, the inner and outer cross-sections being concentric about the reach axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The damper adjustment tool of claim 1 wherein the bushing means is defined by first and second collar members, the first collar member extending from the inner member surface at the first outer member end to the outer member surface, the second collar member extending from the inner member surface at the second member end to the outer member surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The damper adjustment tool of claim 1 wherein the first fastener adjustment means is interchangeable with at least one second fastener adjustment means, the second fastener adjustment means for adjusting the arm fastening means, the damper adjustment tool thus being operable in combination with a plurality of remote damper assemblies.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
162 words
A tool assembly, the tool assembly for enabling a user to adjust a selectively fastenable pivot arm, the pivot arm comprising arm fastening structure, the arm fastening structure for selectively fastening the pivot arm, the tool assembly comprising: a rotatable inner member, the inner member comprising a first inner member end, a second inner member end, an inner member axis, and an outer member surface, the first inner member end comprising fastener adjustment means for adjusting the arm fastening structure; and a rotatable outer member, the outer member comprising a first outer member end, a second outer member end, an outer member axis, and an inner member surface, the first outer member end comprising pivot arm adjustment means for adjusting the pivot arm, the outer member surface being movable relative to the inner member surface, the inner and outer member axes being substantially collinear thus forming a reach axis, the inner and outer members each being selectively rotatable about the reach axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
162 words
A tool assembly, the tool assembly for enabling a user to adjust a selectively fastenable pivot arm, the pivot arm comprising arm fastening structure, the arm fastening structure for selectively fastening the pivot arm, the tool assembly comprising: a rotatable inner member, the inner member comprising a first inner member end, a second inner member end, an inner member axis, and an outer member surface, the first inner member end comprising fastener adjustment means for adjusting the arm fastening structure; and a rotatable outer member, the outer member comprising a first outer member end, a second outer member end, an outer member axis, and an inner member surface, the first outer member end comprising pivot arm adjustment means for adjusting the pivot arm, the outer member surface being movable relative to the inner member surface, the inner and outer member axes being substantially collinear thus forming a reach axis, the inner and outer members each being selectively rotatable about the reach axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The tool assembly of claim 11 comprising bushing means, the bushing means being cooperatively associated with the first outer member end, the second outer member end, and the inner member surface for maintaining the inner and outer member axes in substantially collinear relation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The tool assembly of claim 11 wherein the second inner member end and the second outer member end comprise grip means, the grip means for enhancing the user's ability to selectively rotate the inner member and the outer member about the reach axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The tool assembly of claim 11 comprising a select member, the select member being selected from the group consisting of the inner member and the outer member, the select member comprising torque-increase means, the torque-increase means for enhancing the user's ability to selectively rotate the select elongate member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
57 words
The tool assembly of claim 14 wherein the select member comprises a select member end, the select member end being selected from the group consisting of the second inner member end and the second outer member end, the torque-increase means being defined by a torque arm, the torque arm being cooperatively associated with the select member end.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tool assembly of claim 15 wherein the torque arm is interchangeable with the second inner member end and the second outer member end.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
The tool assembly of claim 11 wherein the pivot arm adjustment means is defined by a torque fork, the torque fork comprising an arm-engaging end, the arm-engaging end comprising two adjacent prongs and arm-receiving groove, the arm-receiving groove extending intermediate the prongs for receiving the pivot arm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
59 words
The tool assembly of claim 12 wherein the bushing means is defined by first and second collar members, the first collar member extending from the inner member surface at the first outer member end to the outer member surface, the second collar member extending from the inner member surface at the second member end to the outer member surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The tool assembly of claim 11 wherein the fastener adjustment means is adaptable for cooperatively associating with a plurality of arm fasteners, the tool assembly thus being operable in combination with a plurality of pivot arm assemblies.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2010-02-19 | 2010-08-21 | 2011-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-02-19 | 2014-08-21 | 2015-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-02-19 | 2018-08-21 | 2019-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |