US 6,981,432 B2
Hose clamp tool
Richard Earl Williford, St Clair Shores, Mich. (US); George Frederick MacDonald, West Bloomfield, Mich. (US); Thomas Eric Pearson, Grosse Ile, Mich. (US); James Robert Panyard, Livonia, Mich. (US); and Christopher B. Trombetta, Commerce Township, Mich. (US)
Assigned to Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Mich. (US)
Filed on Apr. 26, 2005, as Appl. No. 10/908,044.
Application 10/908044 is a continuation of application No. 10/604955, filed on Aug. 28, 2003.
Prior Publication US 2005/0178242 A1, Aug. 18, 2005
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B25B 27/10 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 81—9.3 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hose clamp installation tool comprising:
a housing having a distal end;
an engagement feature disposed proximate the distal end for engaging a clamp;
a first rod disposed at least partially within the housing, the first rod having a first end disposed near the engagement feature for engaging the clamp to release the clamp from an open position and allow the clamp to shift to a closed position;
a trigger actuated by the clamp when the clamp shifts from the open position to the closed position;
a second rod that moves in response to actuation of the trigger; and
a sensor that detects movement of the second rod and indicates release of the clamp.