Author: claimsbot

1. An input circuit of a television tuner, comprising:
a first input terminal to which a television signal is input;
a second input terminal to which an FM broadcasting signal is input;
an input tuning circuit tuned to the television signal and the FM broadcasting signal,
wherein the first input terminal is connected to an input end of the input tuning circuit; first and second diodes serially connected between the second input terminal and the input end of the input tuning circuit and simultaneously switched on or off,
wherein the first diode is input to the input end of the input tuning circuit, and
wherein the second diode is provided at a side of the second input terminal;
an inductance element interposed between the second input terminal and the second diode;
a first capacitance element that forms a low pass filter together with the inductance element when the second diode is switched on and is connected between a connection point of the first diode and the second diode and a ground;
an FM trap circuit provided between the first input terminal and the input end of the input tuning circuit for attenuating an FM broadcasting band; and
a fourth diode connected between the connection point of the first diode and the second diode and an input end of the FM trap circuit, wherein the fourth diode is switched on or off simultaneously with the first, second, and third diodes.
2. The input circuit of the television tuner according to claim 1, further comprising
a third diode that is switched on or off simultaneously with first and second switches and is interposed between the inductance element and the second diode; and
a second capacitance element that forms a low pass filter together with the inductance element and the first capacitance element when the second and third diodes are switched on and is connected between a connection point of the second diode and the third diode and the ground.
3. The input circuit of the television tuner according to claim 1, further comprising a transistor whose emitter is grounded and whose collector is pulled up to a power supply voltage by a feed resistor,
wherein cathodes of the first, second, and fourth diodes are connected to each other,
wherein anodes of the, second, and third diodes are connected to each other,
wherein a bias voltage lower than the power supply voltage is supplied to the anodes of the first, second, third and fourth diodes,
wherein the cathodes of the first, second, and fourth diodes are connected to the collector of the transistor through a common first resistor,
wherein a cathode of the third diode is connected to the collector of the transistor through a second resistor, and
wherein the transistor is switched on or off.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A hand-held tool, for grasping items located at a distance from the operator comprising:
a tool body, including a handle extending therefrom, for holding by the operator, and a moveable trigger operably arranged with said handle;
a first movable, pickup finger, for aid in grasping an item in response to squeezing said trigger;
a second movable pickup finger for aiding in grasping an item in response to squeezing said trigger;
a first, elongated, rigid member, attached between said tool body and said a first moveable finger and said second moveable pickup finger, for holding said tool body and said a first moveable and said second movable pickup finger, in a spaced-apart arrangement;
a second pair of flexible members attached between said trigger and said a first moveable finger, for moving said finger in response to movement of said trigger;
a lockable element wherein said movable, pickup finger may be locked in a plurality of positions between a fully closed position and a fully open position;
a loosely-arranged binding plate, moveable by the thumb of the hand holding said handle, arranged for movement against said lockable element for permitting infinite locking positions of said a first movable finger against the item grasped by said finger; and,
a socket means in said tool body for receiving said first, rigid, elongated member, said first, elongated, rigid member being adapted to be pulled out of said socket means and be turned in any arrangement about said elongated, rigid member’s central axis, for operating said attached a first moveable finger, in a plurality of axes in relation to the plane of said handle.
2. The hand-held tool of claim 1 wherein said tool body is hollow.
3. The hand-held tool of claim 1 wherein said a first moveable, pickup finger is spring-loaded to move for picking up and releasing the item, said a first moveable, pickup finger is attached to said first, elongated, rigid member.
4. The hand-held tool of claim 1 wherein said tool further includes:
said first pickup finger and said second pickup finger arranged to be spring-loaded to move toward and apart from each other for picking up and releasing the item;
wherein said first pickup finger and said second pickup finger are attached to said first, elongated, rigid member.
5. The hand-held tool of claim 1 wherein said tool further includes:
said pair of flexible members attached between said trigger and said first pickup finger and said second pickup finger;
said pair of flexible members biased apart by said first pickup finger and said second pickup finger.
6. The hand-held tool of claim 1 wherein said first, elongated, rigid member, is a hollow shaft.
7. The hand-held tool of claim 1 wherein the pair of flexible members are flat, flexible, metal ribbons.
8. The hand-held tool of claim 1 wherein said lockable element is attached to said trigger within said tool body, said lockable element is curved to present a non-symmetrical, curvilinear surface having a first contact surface for providing variable, lockable, interacting positions to said binding plate, said lockable, interacting positions of said lockable element further permitting infinite, variable, locking positions of said first pickup finger and said second pickup finger against the item grasped by said fingers.
9. The hand-held tool of claim 8 wherein said at least one contact surface of said lockable element having formed therein at least one roughened surface for frictional engagement with the edges of a plurality of apertures in said binding plate to provide multiple locking positions of said first and second movable, pickup fingers against the item grasped by said fingers.
10. The hand-held tool of claim 9 wherein a non-symmetrical, curvilinear surface of said lockable element has two contact surfaces, wherein said at least one roughened surface contains a plurality of small, serrated teeth formed therealong.
11. The hand-held tool of claim 1 wherein said socket means includes a socket having the same shape and size as the external shape and size of said first, elongated, rigid member.
12. A hand-held tool, for grasping items located at a distance from the operator, comprising:
a hollow tool body, including a handle extending therefrom, for holding by the operator, and a pivotally-mounted, finger-actuated trigger in biased relationship with said handle; two moveable, pickup fingers for aid in grasping an item under bias pressure, in response to squeezing said trigger;
an elongated, rigid, hollow member having a first terminal end, said rigid, hollow member being attached between said hollow tool body and said two moveable, pickup fingers for holding said tool body and said two, moveable, pickup fingers in spaced-apart arrangement;
two, elongated, flexible members extending within said hollow member, said flexible members being attached to said trigger and said two moveable, pickup fingers for moving said fingers in response to movement of said trigger;
a lockable element housed within said hollow tool body and attached to said trigger to pivotally move when said trigger is squeezed and further wherein said lockable element has a plurality of lockable positions within the hollow tool body;
an actuator means pivotally-mounted within said hollow tool body;
a loosely-arranged binding plate attached within said hollow tool body by a pivotal means, said binding plate having formed therein an aperture surrounded in part by one or more contact surfaces arranged to be placed by said actuator means in temporary, lockable, interacting positions with said lockable element for permitting multiple, variable, locking positions of said two movable pickup fingers against the item grasped by said fingers;
a socket means in said tool body for receiving said first terminal end of said rigid, elongated, hollow member in a removable relationship therewith, said elongated, rigid, hollow member being adapted to be pulled out of said socket means and be turned in any position about said member’s central axis for operating said moveable fingers in any plane with the plane of said elongated, rigid, hollow member; and,
a bias spring means arranged in said tool body for aiding said actuator means to move pivotally within said tool body.
13. The hand-held tool of claim 12 wherein said two, moveable, pickup fingers are oppositely mounted to said elongated, rigid, hollow member, said moveable, pickup fingers further being arranged in a plane parallel with the plane of said handle.
14. The hand-held tool of claim 12 wherein said two, moveable, pickup fingers are arranged in a plane perpendicular with the plane of said handle.
15. The hand-held tool of claim 12 wherein said two, moveable, pickup fingers are spring-loaded to move together to grip the item to be picked up, said spring-loaded fingers moving apart to release the picked-up item.
16. The hand-held tool of claim 12 wherein said two, flexible members are flat, flexible, metal ribbons.
17. The hand-held tool of claim 12 wherein said flexible members are ribbons attached to said trigger through a rotator means, said rotator means including a ball, housed within a spherical socket within said trigger, a central shaft, and a connector, having slots formed there through for receiving said ends of said ribbons, said connector further housed within said terminal end of said shaft in a slidable relationship therewith.
18. The hand-held tool of claim 17 wherein said at least one contact surface has formed therein a plurality of serrated indentations for receiving said binding plate to provide infinite locking positions of said pair of movable, pickup fingers against the item grasped by said fingers.
19. The hand-held tool of claim 17 wherein a non-symmetrical, curvilinear surface of said lockable element has two contact surfaces, each having formed crossways therealong a plurality of small, serrated teeth for mating contact with one or more surfaces formed about said aperture in said binding plate.
20. The hand-held tool of claim 17 wherein said actuator means includes:
a pivotal means;
a cross-plate;
a pair of actuator plates; and,
a button, formed on each of said actuator plates, said button extending outwardly from said body, and accessible from each side of said handle, of which one is moved by the thumb of the hand holding said handle, into a locking position with said lockable element.
21. The hand-held tool of claim 12 wherein said binding plate is shaped in an A-frame having a top portion and a pair of leg members, said pivotal means of said binding plate including an open recess for loosely receiving said top portion of said binding plate, said leg members being loosely attached to said cross-plate of said actuator means.
22. The hand-held tool of claim 12 wherein said handle having a wrist support means for aiding a user in holding said tool that pivots into upright position against the handle of said tool for storage when not in use.
23. The hand-held tool of claim 12 wherein said movable, pickup fingers each further terminates by a pair of suction cups for aiding in picking up of the item.
24. The hand-held tool of claim 12 wherein said bias spring means includes a torque spring having a first leg and a second leg extending outward at an angle to each other from a center torque-twist wherein said second leg terminates in a bent portion that encompasses a portion of said actuator means for permitting an operable, bias relationship therebetween.
25. A hand held tool, for grasping items located at a distance from the operator comprising:
a tool body, including a handle extending therefrom, for holding by the operator, and a moveable trigger operably arranged with said handle;
a pair of moveable pickup fingers, for aid in grasping an item in response to squeezing said trigger;
a first, elongated, rigid member, attached between said tool body and said a pair of moveable pickup fingers, for holding said tool body and said a pair of moveable pickup fingers, in a spaced-apart arrangement;
a second, flexible member attached between said trigger and said a pair of moveable fingers, for moving said fingers in response to movement of said trigger;
a lockable element wherein said movable, pickup fingers may be locked in a plurality of positions between a fully closed position and a fully open position;
a loosely-arranged binding plate, moveable by the thumb of the hand holding said handle, arranged for movement against said lockable element for permitting infinite locking positions of said a pair of moveable pickup fingers against the item grasped by said fingers;
a socket means in said tool body for receiving said first, rigid, elongated member, said first, elongated, rigid member being adapted to be pulled out of said socket means and be turned in any arrangement about said elongated, rigid member’s central axis, for operating the a pair of moveable pickup fingers, in a plurality of axes in relation to the plane of said handle;
said pair of moveable, pickup fingers arranged to be spring-loaded to move toward and apart from each other for picking up and releasing the item; and
wherein said pair of moveable, pickup fingers are attached to said first, elongated, rigid member.
26. A hand held tool, for grasping items located at a distance from the operator comprising:
a tool body, including a handle extending therefrom, for holding by the operator, and a moveable trigger operably arranged with said handle;
at least one movable, pickup finger, for aid in grasping an item in response to squeezing said trigger;
a first, elongated, rigid member, attached between said tool body and said at least one moveable finger, for holding said tool body and said at least one moveable finger, in a spaced-apart arrangement;
a second pair of flexible members attached between said trigger and said at least one moveable finger, for moving said finger in response to movement of said trigger;
a lockable element wherein said movable, pickup finger may be locked in a plurality of positions between a fully closed position and a fully open position;
a loosely-arranged binding plate, moveable by the thumb of the hand holding said handle, arranged for movement against said lockable element for permitting infinite locking positions of said at least one movable finger against the item grasped by said finger;
a socket means in said tool body for receiving said first, rigid, elongated member, said first, elongated, rigid member being adapted to be pulled out of said socket means and be turned in any arrangement about said elongated, rigid member’s central axis, for operating the at least one moveable finger, in a plurality of axes in relation to the plane of said handle;
said pair of flexible members attached between said trigger and said at least one moveable, pickup finger; and
said pair of flexible members biased apart by said at least one moveable, pickup finger.
27. A hand held tool, for grasping items located at a distance from the operator comprising:
a tool body, including a handle extending therefrom, for holding by the operator, and a moveable trigger operably arranged with said handle;
at least one movable, pickup finger, for aid in grasping an item in response to squeezing said trigger;
a first, elongated, rigid member, attached between said tool body and said at least one moveable finger, for holding said tool body and said at least one moveable finger, in a spaced-apart arrangement;
a second pair of flexible members attached between said trigger and said at least one moveable finger, for moving said finger in response to movement of said trigger;
a lockable element wherein said movable, pickup finger may be locked in a plurality of positions between a fully closed position and a fully open position;
a loosely-arranged binding plate, moveable by the thumb of the hand holding said handle, arranged for movement against said lockable element for permitting infinite locking positions of said at least one movable finger against the item grasped by said finger;
a socket means in said tool body for receiving said first, rigid, elongated member, said first, elongated, rigid member being adapted to be pulled out of said socket means and be turned in any arrangement about said elongated, rigid member’s central axis, for operating the at least one moveable finger, in a plurality of axes in relation to the plane of said handle; and

the second pair of flexible members are flat, flexible, metal ribbons.
28. A hand held tool, for grasping items located at a distance from the operator comprising:
a tool body, including a handle extending therefrom, for holding by the operator, and a moveable trigger operably arranged with said handle;
at least one movable, pickup finger, for aid in grasping an item in response to squeezing said trigger;
a first, elongated, rigid member, attached between said tool body and said at least one moveable finger, for holding said tool body and said at least one moveable finger, in a spaced-apart arrangement;
a second, flexible member attached between said trigger and said at least one moveable finger, for moving said finger in response to movement of said trigger;
a lockable element wherein said movable, pickup finger may be locked in a plurality of positions between a fully closed position and a fully open position;
a loosely-arranged binding plate, moveable by the thumb of the hand holding said handle, arranged for movement against said lockable element for permitting infinite locking positions of said at least one movable finger against the item grasped by said finger;
a socket means in said tool body for receiving said first, rigid, elongated member, said first, elongated, rigid member being adapted to be pulled out of said socket means and be turned in any arrangement about said elongated, rigid member’s central axis, for operating the at least one moveable finger, in a plurality of axes in relation to the plane of said handle; and
said lockable element is attached to said trigger within said tool body, said lockable element is curved to present a non-symmetrical, curvilinear surface having at least one contact surface for providing variable, lockable, interacting positions to said binding plate, said lockable, interacting positions of said lockable element further permitting infinite, variable, locking positions of said at least one moveable, pickup finger against the item grasped by said fingers.
29. A hand held tool, for grasping items located at a distance from the operator comprising:
a tool body, including a handle extending therefrom, for holding by the operator, and a moveable trigger operably arranged with said handle;
at least one movable, pickup finger, for aid in grasping an item in response to squeezing said trigger;
a first, elongated, rigid member, attached between said tool body and said at least one moveable finger, for holding said tool body and said at least one moveable finger, in a spaced-apart arrangement;
a second, flexible member attached between said trigger and said at least one moveable finger, for moving said finger in response to movement of said trigger;
a lockable element wherein said movable, pickup finger may be locked in a plurality of positions between a fully closed position and a fully open position;
a loosely-arranged binding plate, moveable by the thumb of the hand holding said handle, arranged for movement against said lockable element for permitting infinite locking positions of said at least one movable finger against the item grasped by said finger;
a socket means in said tool body for receiving said first, rigid, elongated member, said first, elongated, rigid member being adapted to be pulled out of said socket means and be turned in any arrangement about said elongated, rigid member’s central axis, for operating the at least one moveable finger, in a plurality of axes in relation to the plane of said handle; and
said at least one contact surface of said lockable element having formed therein at least one roughened surface for frictional engagement with the edges of a plurality of apertures in said binding plate to provide multiple locking positions of said at least one moveable, pickup finger against the item grasped by said fingers.
30. A hand held tool, for grasping items located at a distance from the operator comprising:
a tool body, including a handle extending therefrom, for holding by the operator, and a moveable trigger operably arranged with said handle;
at least one movable, pickup finger, for aid in grasping an item in response to squeezing said trigger; a first, elongated, rigid member, attached between said tool body and said at least one moveable finger, for holding said tool body and said at least one moveable finger, in a spaced-apart arrangement;
a second, flexible member attached between said trigger and said at least one moveable finger, for moving said finger in response to movement of said trigger;
a lockable element wherein said movable, pickup finger may be locked in a plurality of positions between a fully closed position and a fully open position;
a loosely-arranged binding plate, moveable by the thumb of the hand holding said handle, arranged for movement against said lockable element for permitting infinite locking positions of said at least one movable finger against the item grasped by said finger;
a socket means in said tool body for receiving said first, rigid, elongated member, said first, elongated, rigid member being adapted to be pulled out of said socket means and be turned in any arrangement about said elongated, rigid member’s central axis, for operating the at least one moveable finger, in a plurality of axes in relation to the plane of said handle; and
a non-symmetrical, curvilinear surface of said lockable element has two contact surfaces, wherein at least one roughened surface contains a plurality of small, serrated teeth formed therealong.

1. A method for determining a minimum cost maintenance plan for correcting a casualty in a complex machine, comprising:
receiving ambiguity group information comprising a plurality of failure modes of an ambiguity group associated with the casualty, their related probabilities of resolution and related corrective actions for each failure mode of the plurality, wherein a corrective action is one of a repair procedure and an isolation procedure;
determining the lowest cost corrective action within the ambiguity group;
if the lowest cost corrective action is a repair procedure, then sequencing the repair procedure into a maintenance plan sequence of corrective actions;
if the lowest cost corrective action is an isolation procedure, then:
determining if any combination and permutation of all unsequenced repair procedures associated with the ambiguity group have a lower cost than a combined cost of the isolation procedure and its associated repair procedure,
if one of a combination and permutation of all unsequenced repair procedures has the lower cost, then sequencing a first repair procedure in the sequence of the one of a combination and permutation into the maintenance plan sequence of corrective actions,
if no combination and permutation of all unsequenced repair procedures has the lower cost, then sequencing the isolation procedure in the maintenance plan sequence of the one of a combination and permutation into the maintenance plan sequence of corrective actions; and

repeating the determining the lowest cost corrective action step until all failure mode corrective actions have been sequenced into the maintenance plan sequence.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the failure mode related probabilities are normalized probabilities.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the lowest cost corrective action is determined after adjusting a cost of the corrective action by dividing the cost of the corrective action by the normalized related probability of its associated failure mode.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsequenced repair procedures are associated with failure modes that are addressed by the isolation procedure but which have been previously unaddressed.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining failure modes addressed by the last corrective action sequenced that have been previously unaddressed.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising recalculating the probabilities of resolution related to failure modes that are yet unaddressed.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein a corrective action may resolve multiple failure modes.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein after being sequenced into the maintenance plan sequence, the corrective action remains related to an unaddressed failure mode but with a new probability of resolution that is equal to 100% minus the original probability of resolution of the associated failure mode.
9. A computer readable medium containing instruction recorded thereon that when executed by a computing device carry out acts for determining a minimum cost maintenance plan for correcting a casualty in a complex machine, comprising:
receive ambiguity group information comprising a plurality of failure modes of an ambiguity group associated with the casualty, their related probabilities of resolution and related corrective actions for each failure mode of the plurality, wherein a corrective action is one of a repair procedure and an isolation procedure;
determine the lowest cost corrective action within the ambiguity group;
if the lowest cost corrective action is a repair procedure, then sequence the repair procedure into a maintenance plan sequence of corrective actions;
if the lowest cost corrective action is an isolation procedure, then:
determine if any combination and permutation of all unsequenced repair procedures associated with the ambiguity group have a lower cost than the combined cost of the isolation procedure and its associated repair procedure,
if one of a combination and permutation of all unsequenced repair procedures has the lower cost, then sequence a first repair procedure in the sequence of the one of a combination and permutation into the maintenance plan sequence of corrective actions,
if no combination and permutation of all unsequenced repair procedures has the lower cost, then sequence the isolation procedure in the maintenance plan sequence of the one of a combination and permutation into the maintenance plan sequence of corrective actions; and

repeat the determining step until all failure mode corrective actions have been sequenced into the maintenance plan sequence.
10. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the failure mode related probabilities are normalized probabilities.
11. The computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the lowest cost corrective action is determined after adjusting the cost of the corrective action by dividing the cost of the corrective action by the normalized related probability of its associated failure mode.
12. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the unsequenced repair procedures are associated with failure modes that are addressed by the isolation procedure but which have been previously unaddressed.
13. The computer readable medium of claim 9, further comprising instructions to determine failure modes addressed by the last corrective action sequenced that have been previously unaddressed.
14. The computer readable medium of claim 13, further comprising instructions to recalculate the probabilities of resolution related to failure modes that are yet unaddressed.
15. The computer readable medium of claim 9 wherein a corrective action may resolve multiple failure modes.
16. The computer readable medium of claim 14 wherein after being sequenced into the maintenance plan sequence, the corrective action remains related to an unaddressed failure mode but with a new probability of resolution that is equal to 100% minus the original probability of resolution of the associated failure mode.
17. A system for determining a minimum cost maintenance plan for correcting a casualty in a complex machine, comprising:
a database containing ambiguity group information comprising a plurality of failure modes associated with the casualty, their related probabilities of resolution and related corrective actions for each failure mode of the plurality, wherein a corrective action is one of a repair procedure and an isolation procedure; and
a processor in operable communication with the database, the processor executing instructions to:
receive ambiguity group information from the database;
determine the lowest cost corrective action within the ambiguity group;
if the lowest cost corrective action is a repair procedure, then sequence the repair procedure into a maintenance plan sequence of corrective actions;
if the lowest cost corrective action is an isolation procedure, then:
determine if any combination and permutation of all unsequenced repair procedures associated with the ambiguity group have a lower cost than the combined cost of the isolation procedure and its associated repair procedure,
if one of a combination and permutation of all unsequenced repair procedures has the lower cost, then sequence a first repair procedure in the sequence of the one of a combination and permutation into the maintenance plan sequence of corrective actions,
if no combination and permutation of all unsequenced repair procedures has the lower cost, then sequence the isolation procedure in the maintenance plan sequence of the one of a combination and permutation into the maintenance plan sequence of corrective actions; and

repeat the determine step until all failure mode corrective actions have been sequenced into the maintenance plan sequence.
18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a network interface.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein the database is a distributed database located on a network.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A pressure gauge with a valve cap wrench comprising:
a housing;
a bore defined in said housing, said bore adapted to accommodate a valve stem cap associated with a body containing a fluid;
a collet adapted to selectively engage and disengage a valve stem cap associated with a body containing a fluid and accommodated in said bore;
a user-operable switch adapted to cause said collet to selectively engage and disengage a valve stem cap associated with a body containing a fluid;
a port defined in said housing, said port adapted to engage and open a needle valve on a valve stem;
a pressure sensor associated with said housing and adapted to measure the pressure of a fluid in said body when said port engages and opens a needle valve on the valve stem.
2. The pressure gauge of claim 1, wherein said pressure gauge is a tire pressure gauge and wherein the body containing the fluid comprises a tire.
3. The pressure gauge of claim 1, wherein said pressure sensor is positioned within said housing.
4. The pressure gauge of claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises:
a display on said housing; said display displaying a numerical value indicative of the measured pressure.
5. The pressure gauge of claim 1, wherein said collet further comprises:
a plurality of arms; and
a ramp,
wherein an inward depression of said ramp causes said plurality of arms to contract concentrically, and
wherein an outward release of said ramp causes said plurality of arms to expand concentrically.
6. The pressure gauge of claim 5, wherein said collet is positioned within said bore.
7. The pressure gauge of claim 5, wherein said ramp comprises a taper which narrows towards said plurality of arms.
8. The pressure gauge of claim 5, wherein said ramp comprises a taper which widens towards said plurality of arms.
9. The pressure gauge of claim 7, further comprising a collar mechanically coupled with said switch, said collar comprising:
a generally cylindrical interior surface having a constant diameter; and
an inwardly protruding circumferential lip, said lip adapted to engage said ramp and to inwardly depress said ramp or to disengage said ramp and outwardly release said ramp.
10. The pressure gauge of claim 9, further comprising a plunger coupled to said collar,
wherein, when said switch is pushed by a user in a first direction along said housing away from said bore, said switch causes said lip of said collar to engage and inwardly depress said ramp, thereby causing said plurality of arms to contract concentrically and establish a generally firm grip over a the valve stem cap accommodated in said bore, and
wherein, when said switch is pushed by a user in a second direction along said housing towards said bore, said switch causes said lip of said collar to disengage and outwardly release said ramp, thereby causing said plurality of arms to expand concentrically and release the generally firm grip over the valve stem cap accommodated in said bore and said switch simultaneously causes said plunger to move in the second direction towards said bore and to push the valve stem cap out from said bore.
11. The pressure gauge of claim 5, further comprising a sleeve positioned along an interior surface defined by said plurality of arms, wherein said sleeve contracts concentrically to establish a generally firm grip on a the valve stem cap accommodated in said bore when said plurality of arms contract concentrically and wherein said sleeve expands concentrically to release the generally firm grip on the valve stem cap accommodated in said bore when said plurality of arms expand concentrically.
12. The pressure gauge of claim 11, wherein said sleeve is made of an elastomeric material.
13. The pressure gauge of claim 11, wherein said sleeve further comprises a plurality of relatively inflexible pads on an interior surface of said sleeve, said plurality of relatively inflexible pads adapted to directly engage the valve stem cap accommodated in said bore and to establish the generally firm grip on the valve stem cap when said sleeve contracts concentrically.
14. The pressure gauge of claim 11, wherein said sleeve comprises a plurality of bending sections interspersed between a plurality of curved sections, wherein said plurality of bending sections is adapted to assist said sleeve regain its original shape when said plurality of arms expand concentrically.
15. The pressure gauge of claim 11, wherein each of said plurality of arms comprises a groove, and wherein said sleeve comprises a plurality of longitudinal tabs, each of said plurality of longitudinal tabs being adapted to engage said groove.
16. The pressure gauge of claim 1, further comprising:
an analog-to-digital converter, said converter receiving an analog signal from said pressure sensor and generating a digital signal indicative of the measured pressure;
a processor, said processor receiving said digital signal and causing a display to display a numerical value indicative of the measured pressure; and
a power source, said power source providing power to said processor and to said display.
17. The pressure gauge of claim 1, wherein said housing has a cross-section proximal to said bore larger than a cross-section proximal to said port.
18. A combined tire pressure gauge and a valve cap wrench comprising:
a housing having a bore and a port, wherein said port is adapted to engage and open a needle valve on a tire valve stem;
a collet, wherein said collet comprises:
a generally cylindrical section defining a plurality of longitudinal slits;
a ramp defined on said generally cylindrical section; and
a plurality of arms extending from said generally cylindrical section, wherein an inward depression of said ramp causes a concentric contraction of said plurality of arms, and an outward release of said ramp causes a concentric expansion of said plurality of arms,

a sleeve positioned along an interior surface defined by said plurality of arms, said sleeve adapted to contract and expand concentrically, responsive to concentric contraction and expansion of said plurality of arms respectively, thereby establishing and releasing a generally firm grip over a tire valve stem cap accommodated in said bore respectively;
a collar having an inwardly protruding circumferential lip, said collar positioned generally concentrically with said collet, and said lip adapted to engage said ramp to either inwardly depress said ramp or to outwardly release said ramp;
a user-operable switch coupled to said collar and disposed on the housing, said switch adapted to cause said collar to slide about said collet and cause said lip to inwardly depress or outwardly release said ramp, thereby selectively causing said plurality of arms and said sleeve to either concentrically contract and establish a generally firm grip over a tire valve stem cap accommodated in said bore or to concentrically expand and release a generally firm grip over a tire valve stem cap accommodated in said bore;
a pressure sensor, adapted to be in fluidic communication with a fluid in a tire when said port engages and opens the needle valve on the tire valve stem and to measure the pressure of the fluid in the tire.
19. The combined tire pressure gauge and cap wrench of claim 18, wherein said housing is an elongated housing, wherein said port is defined at a first end of said housing and wherein said bore is defined at a second end of said housing.
20. The combined tire pressure gauge and cap wrench of claim 19, further comprising an angled ball part disposed at said first end, wherein said port is defined by said angled ball part.