Abstract: A tool container, such as a toolbox or gift case, has at least one pivotable component holder pivotally mounted therein for pivoting movement between a storage position and an access position. The pivotable component holders are biased towards the access position when the lid is open. The tool container brings an element directly or indirectly into contact with at least one of the pivotable component holders to rotate it to the storage position when the lid closes, with no direct connection between the lid and the pivotable component holders. Where there are multiple pivotable component holders, they may be ganged together, for example via a gang bar. Instead of rotation of the pivotable component holders being triggered by lid closure, such rotation could be triggered by removal or storage of the tool for which the components are intended. Pivotable holder components may be manipulated manually between storage and access positions when the lid is open and movement may be independent of the lids position.

Abstract: An opening is defined within the bottom surface of the box portion of the tool case. A plastic panel recessed on the top and bottom faces to accommodate tools and components therefor is secured within the box portion. The top face of the panel is accessed in a conventional manner via a lid pivotably connected to the box portion, and the bottom face of the panel is accessed via a "butterfly" door pivotably connected to the bottom surface of the box portion. The butterfly door and the lid are secured to the box portion by a common securing means adapted to release one of either the butterfly door or the lid without releasing the other. The butterfly door is configured to pivot from a closed position where the butterfly door is flush with the bottom surface of the box portion, to an open position where the butterfly door is rotated away from the bottom surface of the box portion to provide access to the items stored within the bottom section of the tool case.

Abstract: A striking tool has an elongated metal core having a bottom end for contacting a workpiece and an upper end for receiving the impact of a hammer or the like, and a plastic overlay secured around a substantial portion of the core, with at least a portion of the upper end of the core extending beyond the plastic overlay. The plastic overlay includes a grip area and a deflector flange extending a substantial distance outwardly above the grip area so as to protect a user's hand. The deflector flange comprises, in a first embodiment, a first deflector tier and a second deflector tier positioned below the first tier. Preferably, there are several angled ribs spaced radially around the plastic overlay, extending from the first tier, and then downwardly and outwardly to an outer edge of the second tier, to aid in deflecting errant hammer blows away from the user's hand.

Abstract: The case has a box portion and a lid, with panel sections cooperatively configured to fit across the box portion, the panel sections being configured to accommodate articles such as tools and/or tool components, hobby items, craft kits, toys, etc. The panel sections may or may not be secured to each other, and may or may not be on the same level relative to each other. There may be two such panel sections, or a number of panel sections. The panel sections may include an opening to accommodate a storage compartment which projects upwardly from the bottom of the case and is accessible from the bottom of the case. In one embodiment, a lower one of the panel sections has above it at least one smaller panel section which is slidably mounted relative thereto.

Abstract: The hand tool has a shaft with a distal end which is configured to receive any one of a variety of different sized chisel or scraper blades or the like, via corresponding male and female dovetail connections, for example. Storage space for the extra blades, if desired, may be provided in the handle which is secured to the shaft, or may be provided via depressions in a panel of a tool case of the type commonly referred to as "gift cases". Where storage space is provided in the handle, preferably this is accomplished by virtue of a spring-loaded collar which overlies lower portions of elongated rotatable cover pieces, preventing rotation. When the spring-loaded collar is retracted, the cover pieces can be rotated, to reveal storage areas on either side of the handle.

Abstract: The fastener-driving tool has an locking insert which expands or displaces to more securely lock the tool in the fastener. The tool has a distal end configured to engage a driving recess in a fastener, and has an annular recess adjacent the distal end, with a reduced cross-section at the annular recess, other than an axial circular cross-section. A locking insert having a generally similar cross-section to that of the distal end is positioned in the annular recess closely around the reduced cross-section. The locking insert may have a split portion which permits expansion of the locking insert when acted upon by the reduced cross-section as a result of rotation of the distal end relative to the locking insert, or may provide locking simply by displacement resulting from being acted upon by the reduced cross-section.

Abstract: The case has a molded plastic card member, and a lid specifically configured to mate with the card member to define an enclosed area. The lid is connected to the card member by a hinge adjacent one edge thereof so as to be foldable between an open position away from the card member, and a closed position against the card member to define the enclosed area. The card member and the lid preferably each have tabs extending from side edges opposite the hinge, each tab having a hole generally alignable with a corresponding hole in the other tab, for the installing of a closure such as a thick plastic loop not generally severable without a tool. The card member and lid define between them a number of openings through the enclosed area particularly sized for portions of tool components and/or extra tool components to extend therethrough generally parallel to the card member, for visibility and preferably manipulation, without it being possible to remove them as long as the case is closed.

Abstract: A hollow handle accommodates a reversible shaft with a different functionality at each end. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, a first end of the shaft is configured with an integral telescoping magnetic pick up tool, and a second end of the shaft is adapted to receive modular double-ended screwdriver bits. The reversible shaft is retained within the handle by a conventional spring loaded ball configuration located at the mid-point of the shaft and is prevented from rotating within the handle by preferably two wings projecting radially outwardly from the shaft. The spring loaded ball and the two wings are retained within a corresponding recess and two co-operating slots, respectively. The recess and slots are defined in a metal sleeve molded into the handle.

Abstract: A tool case with a storage space which is accessed from the underside of the tool case. The storage space may be fitted with various pre-assembled snap-in storage modules to provide the user with the flexibility of storing a wide variety of items in a wide variety of ways, depending on the user's needs. For example, the compartment may be fitted with a snap-in module comprising a series of rotating storage containers according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. Alternatively, the snap-in modules can comprise a series of sliding drawers, or a single rotating storage container, or any other tool or component holder. In the invention, a rectangular opening is defined within the bottom surface of the box portion of the tool case. Interior walls project upwardly from the edge of the opening to preferably define a storage space which accommodates a snap-in module.

Abstract: The ratchet mechanism has a body which is secured to the tool's handle, and an output shaft which extends axially from the distal end of the body. The output shaft has a splined portion which is secured rotatably within a generally cylindrical axial cavity in the distal end of the body. Two pins are mounted to project through the body of the mechanism, on a rocker for example. Depending on the position of the rocker, one or the other or both of the pins extend(s) into the splines. The pins are configured such that one permits rotation of the splined portion in one direction and prevents rotation in the opposite direction, and the other pin permits rotation in the opposite direction and prevents rotation in the first direction. There are thus three operating positions, namely "left", "right" and "locked".

Abstract: In the invention, a hexagonal lid is pivotably connected to a generally flat body. A number of conventional hex keys of different sizes are secured within a plurality of plastic retaining members molded to the body such that both ends of the hex keys project out of the lid through notches in opposing sides of the lid to allow the consumer to touch the hex keys. The long ends of the hex keys project downwardly out of the lid generally parallel to the side edge of the body, and the short ends of the hex keys project out of the lid onto the top portion of the body parallel to the top edge of the body. Unauthorized removal of the hex keys at the point of sale is prevented by a block secured to the top portion of the body by a clip which penetrates a slit defined in the body.

Abstract: The tool case provides storage compartments which may be used by the purchaser to store additional items which might be employed in conjunction with the tools stored in the tool case. The underside of the box portion of the tool case is recessed and a number of containers are pivotably mounted within the recess to provide the user with multiple storage compartments. The containers are all connected to a gang bar to allow them to pivot in unison from a closed position to an open position. When the containers are in the closed position, their outer faces form a single plane which is flush with and parallel to the bottom of the box portion, allowing the user to place rest the bottom of the case securely on a work table or other flat surface. When the containers are in an open position, the outer face of each container projects outwardly exposing the opening and thus allowing the user to place items into or remove items from the containers.

Abstract: A tool box includes a base portion with two side walls, two sliding plates slidably disposed to the two side walls and a plurality of receiving members pivotally connected between the two side walls at two ends of a front side thereof. The receiving members further are pivotally connected to the two sliding plates at the two ends of a rear side thereof. An actuating member is pivotally connected between the two side walls at two ends of a front side thereof, and between the two sliding plates at the two ends of a rear side thereof so that when pivoting the actuating member about the two ends of the front side thereof, the two sliding plates and the rear side of each the receiving members are moved upwardly.