Abstract: A disengageable clip is provided which has a first configuration to permit an item to be securely gripped and a second configuration that permits the item to be disengaged. Once disengaged, the clip may be removed from the item and/or may be repositioned and then reattached to the item. The clip may include a clip member having an engagement portion defining an open loop and a clip portion extending therefrom. The clip may also include a sleeve slidably positioned upon the clip portion and at least one stop having a width greater than the sleeve. The sleeve may be configured to translate along the clip portion between first and second positions. The first position is proximate the engagement portion and may cause the engagement portion to grip the item. Conversely, the second position is spaced from the engagement portion by the stop to permit disengagement from the item.

Abstract: A tool and an associated bit driver are provided. The tool includes a handle and a bit driver carried by the handle. The bit driver can include a body defining a cavity for receiving a bit and a pivotable lock configured to move between a locked position in which the lock engages the bit and an unlocked position in which the lock is spaced and thereby disengaged from the bit. The pivotable lock can include a pivot pin, an engagement member for engaging the bit and an actuation member with the engagement and actuation members extending along the body in opposite directions from the pivot pin.

Abstract: A folding hand tool with an open-assist mechanism that is not mechanically linked to a folding knife blade is disclosed. The open-assist mechanism is allowed to rotate around the same pivot used by the blade, and includes a lug that interacts with the kick of the blade when rotated. Because the open-assist mechanism is not mechanically linked to the blade, it has a range of free motion that promotes safety, and allows the mechanism to rotate into the blade cavity when the blade is extended. The folding knife also may have a carabiner that shares the blade cavity with the blade, with the blade nesting into the carabiner to save space, thereby giving the folding knife a smaller profile.

Abstract: A hand tool is provided that includes both a fixed implement and a folding or rotatable implement, thereby taking advantage of the security and reliability of a fixed hand tool while also providing an additional implement in order to increase the utility of the resulting hand tool. In order to facilitate use of both fixed and rotatable implements, also provided are a locking mechanism, such as for individually locking the rotatable implement and the handle relative to the fixed implement, and a compound tool that can serve as the rotatable implement in order to mate with and receive at least a portion of the fixed implement, such as in instances in which both the fixed and rotatable implements are deployed.

Abstract: A folding multipurpose hand tool including a pivoted latch that engages side walls of a handle and a base of a folding tool member to hold the folding tool member in a selected position. A separate safety interlock latch keeps a folding blade stowed in a handle when another tool is moved from a first position with respect to the handle. A tool bit holder securely holds and drives reduced thickness tool bits that can also be engaged in and driven by conventional sockets having a regular hexagonal shape.

Abstract: A hand tool, a handle of a hand tool and associated methods for fabricating the handle of a hand tool are provided in order to reduce the weight and thickness of the resulting hand tool. The handle generally includes a composite portion fabricated of fibers embedded in a matrix material in such a manner such that the composite portion meaningfully contributes to the strength of the handle and, in turn, the hand tool. In this regard, the composite portion may include a relatively high percentage of fibers, relatively long fibers and/or fibers that are generally aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle. For example, the composite portion may include fibers that constitute at least 50% by volume, fibers that are at least 30 mm in length on average and/or fibers that are within 15° of being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle.

Abstract: A multipurpose tool includes bypass shears with handles that fold around the shears into a compact configuration in which the blades of the shears are hidden. A sharp-edged cutter is removable from the shears for resharpening or replacement, in one version of the tool. A blade safety lock holds the blades closed and is automatically engaged as the handles are folded. The handles are comfortably shaped and may include overmolded elastomeric cushioning portions.

Abstract: A multipurpose tool includes bypass shears with handles that fold around the shears into a compact configuration in which the blades of the shears are hidden. A sharp-edged cutter is removable from the shears for resharpening or replacement. A blade safety lock holds the blades closed and is automatically engaged as the handles are folded. The handles are comfortably shaped and may include overmolded elastomeric cushioning portions.

Abstract: A folding multipurpose hand tool including a pivoted latch that engages side walls of a handle and a base of a folding tool member to hold the folding tool member in a selection position. Pliers include a non-circular hub. A separate safety interlock latch keeps a folding blade stowed in a handle when another tool is moved from a first position with respect to the handle. A tool bit holder securely holds and drives reduced thickness tool bits that can also be engaged in and driven by conventional sockets having a regular hexagonal shape.