Abstract: A system for absorbing shock including a resilient member positioned between a portion of the head and a portion of the shaft of the tool. The resilient member dampens and absorbs vibration travelling from the head to the shaft and reverberations travelling through the tool. The system also includes a shock-absorbing member having an internal portion positioned within a cavity in the head of the tool and an external portion positioned on an upper surface of the head that dampens and absorbs vibration travelling within the head and reverberations travelling through the tool. The system further includes a bonding material filling spaces with the cavity and a channel within the head that further dampens and absorbs vibration travelling from the head to the shaft and reverberations travelling through the tool. The system includes a handle portion that has a soft elastomeric outer coating that provides a comfortable grip to the user and hinders vibration from travelling from the shaft to the hand of the user.

Abstract: A utility knife handle including a housing with an interior cavity that houses a locking mechanism, a blade storage area, and a blade carriage mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a biased locking member that is slidably provided within a first housing portion and an engagement member provided on a second housing portion pivotally connected to the first housing portion. The housing has a closed position in which the locking member is engaged with the engagement member and an open position in which the locking member is slid out of engagement with the engagement member and the first and second housing portions are rotated to allow access to the interior cavity of the housing. The blade storage area includes a blade receiving portion with a magnet therein for holding stored blade within the blade storage area. The blade carriage mechanism has a blade carriage slidably disposed within the interior cavity of the housing and adjustable to a plurality of distinct locked positions.

Abstract: A tape measure having a housing that encloses a coiled tape rule retractably mounted therein. The housing is constructed with an outer coating of a generally soft, resilient, pliant material that extends over a substantial portion of the housing. The tape measure further provides a locking button that is slidably attached to the housing and is adapted to selectively prevent the tape rule from moving with respect to the opening in the housing. The locking button generally includes a central portion that is located adjacent to the peripheral wall and at least one side portion located adjacent to a side wall of the housing. The locking button further includes an outer surface with an outer coating thereon of a relatively soft, skid-resistant material. The tape measure further provides a tape clip attached to a terminal end of the tape rule that includes a friction member made of a generally soft, non-skid material attached to a clip portion of the tape clip.

Abstract: A system for absorbing shock including a resilient member positioned between a portion of the head and a portion of the shaft of the tool. The resilient member dampens and absorbs vibration travelling from the head to the shaft and reverberations travelling through the tool. The system also includes a shock-absorbing member having an internal portion positioned within a cavity in the head of the tool and an external portion positioned on an upper surface of the head that dampens and absorbs vibration travelling within the head and reverberations travelling through the tool. The system further includes a bonding material filling spaces with the cavity and a channel within the head that further dampens and absorbs vibration travelling from the head to the shaft and reverberations travelling through the tool. The system includes a handle portion that has a soft elastomeric outer coating that provides a comfortable grip to the user and hinders vibration from travelling from the shaft to the hand of the user.

Abstract: A microwave cooking utensil useful for assuring destruction of Salmonella or other harmful bacteria present in cooking liquids during the cooking of poultry including an outer container made of microwave reflective material, a microwave transmissive steam-confining cover enclosing the outer container, and an apertured rack for supporting, essentially in contact thereon, a food product. The rack is made of heat-conductive, microwave-reflective material and includes a support to hold the rack above the bottom surface of the container so that the rack and the bottom surface define a chamber to receive cooking liquids. The rack has a first set of apertures proximate to its periphery large enough, and with a total area large enough, to permit passage therethrough, during the normal poultry cooking cycle, of sufficient microwave energy to pasteurize any Salmonella bacteria present in the cooking liquids.

Abstract: A cooking kit which is useful in cooking food in a microwave oven chamber and also can be employed in thermal ovens and on a cooking range. The kit includes an imperforate outer metal pot, a perforated inner metal pot which nests in the outer metal pot. The perforated bottom surface of the inner metal pot is spaced apart from the bottom surface of the outer metal pot to provide a metal shielded drainage collection chamber between the two pots. A microwave transmissive cover fits on the nested metal pots and forms a cooking chamber which includes at least the perforated inner metal pot. The outer metal pot is preferably coated with porcelain enamel which functions as a thermal and electrical insulator.

Abstract: A microwave cooking utensil useful for assuring destruction of Salmonella or other harmful bacteria present in cooking liquids during the cooking of poultry including an outer container made of microwave reflective material, a microwave transmissive steam-confining cover enclosing the outer container, and an apertured rack for supporting, essentially in contact thereon, a food product. The rack is made of heat-conductive, microwave-reflective material and includes a support to hold the rack above the bottom surface of the container so that the rack and the bottom surface define a chamber to receive cooking liquids. The rack has a first set of apertures proximate to its periphery large enough, and with a total area large enough, to permit passage therethrough, during the normal poultry cooking cycle, of sufficient microwave energy to pasteurize any Salmonella bacteria present in the cooking liquids.