Abstract: An end effector assembly of a surgical instrument includes opposing first and second jaw members. A first sealing plate is positioned on the first jaw member. The first sealing plate defines a first surface facing the second jaw member. A second sealing plate is positioned on the second jaw member. The second sealing plate defines a second surface facing the first jaw member. A mesa is formed in the first sealing plate. The mesa protrudes from the first surface toward the second surface in the second position of the first and second jaw members. A material is disposed on the mesa. The mesa and the material define a stop member. The stop member maintains a gap distance between the first and second surfaces when the first and second jaw members are in the second position.

Abstract: Two-stage force multiplier tin snips are provided which have a pair of cutting blades and associated tangs, both being pivotable about a cutting axis. Each respective tang is coupled to a pair of handles by a pair of respective tang pins. The handles are pivotably attached to one another about an adjustable handle axis. The handle axis is adjustable between an upper position and a lower position to provide a mechanism for changing a force multiplier of the cutting blades. The handle axis may be a sliding axis disposed in longitudinal slots on the handles. The handle axis may also be upper and lower fixed pins that are slidable in lateral slots.

Abstract: Two-stage force multiplier tin snips are provided which have a pair of cutting blades and associated tangs, both being pivotable about a cutting axis. Each respective tang is coupled to a pair of handles by a pair of respective tang pins. The handles are pivotably attached to one another about an adjustable handle axis. The handle axis is adjustable between an upper position and a lower position to provide a mechanism for changing a force multiplier of the cutting blades. The handle axis may be a sliding axis disposed in longitudinal slots on the handles. The handle axis may also be upper and lower fixed pins that are slidable in lateral slots.

Abstract: Two-stage force multiplier tin snips are provided which have a pair of cutting blades and associated tangs, both being pivotable about a cutting axis. Each respective tang is coupled to a pair of handles by a pair of respective tang pins. The handles are pivotably attached to one another about a handle axis. The tin snips provide a mechanism for changing a force multiplier of the cutting blades by selectively adjusting relative longitudinal positioning of the cutting blade axis, the handle axis or the tang pins, relative to another of the cutting blade axis, the handle pins or the tang pins.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved hand tool for using one hand to grasp a workpiece between a first and a second jaw of the hand tool and adjust the force applied to the workpiece. The hand tool includes a first arm and a second arm, the second arm operably linked to the first arm so as to cause relative motion of the first and second jaws upon motion of the arms. The hand tool further includes a control arm having a first end pivotably linked to the first arm and a second end pivotably linked to the second arm at a moveable pivot location. Movement of a force adjustor located on the second arm in a first direction moves the moveable pivot location so as to increase the level of force required on the second arm to move the control arm into an overcenter lock position.

Abstract: The utility knife includes a handle and a replaceable blade having a lock retention notch. A blade lock mechanism includes a blade lock associated with the handle which automatically engages the lock retention notch on insertion of the blade into the handle. The blade lock mechanism further includes a means for manually disengaging the blade lock from the lock retention notch in order to remove the blade from the handle.

Abstract: Two-stage force multiplier tin snips are provided which have a pair of cutting blades and associated tangs, both being pivotable about a cutting axis. Each respective tang is coupled to a pair of handles by a pair of respective tang pins. The handles are pivotably attached to one another about a handle axis. The tin snips provide a mechanism for changing a force multiplier of the cutting blades by selectively adjusting relative longitudinal positioning of the cutting blade axis, the handle axis or the tang pins, relative to another of the cutting blade axis, the handle pins or the tang pins.

Abstract: A multiblade knife unit includes knife blades of different type normally stored within and adapted for deployment from a common end of a handle housing. A pivoting knife blade is supported for pivotal movement between a stored position nested substantially within one side edge of the handle housing, and a deployed position projecting from one end of the handle housing. A razor-type utility knife blade is supported by a slide clip for sliding displacement between a retracted position stored and concealed within the handle housing, and an advanced position projecting from said one end of the handle housing. A release button on the handle housing is depressed for releasing the utility knife blade from the slide clip for facilitating quick and easy slide-out blade removal and replacement. In one form, the knife unit may further include driver bits interchangeably mounted at an opposite end of the handle housing.

Abstract: A multiblade knife unit includes a first blade pivotally moveable between a folded position within a side edge of the handle, and an extended position projecting from one end of the handle. A second blade is supported by a carriage for sliding displacement between a contracted position stored within the handle, and an extended position projecting out from one end of the handle. The first and second blades being independently deployable out a common end of the handle. The knife unit includes a third blade slidably mounted to the handle housing, opposite the first and second blades, for sliding displacement between a retracted position within the handle and an extended position projecting generally out from a second end of the handle. The knife unit may further include a belt clip mounted to a housing for encasing a can opener.

Abstract: A self-adjusting pliers is operable to grasp a workpiece between an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The pliers includes an upper arm having a first end and a second end, with the upper jaw at the first end. A jaw arm has a first end and a second end. The second end of the jaw arm is pivotably connected to the upper arm at a main pivot adjacent to the second end of the upper arm, so that the first end of the jaw arm is movable in a circular arc relative to the main pivot. The lower jaw is at the first end of the jaw arm in movable facing relation to the upper jaw so that the workpiece may be grasped between the upper jaw and the lower jaw. An engagement mechanism releasably engages the jaw arm to the upper arm at an engagement position responsive to a movement of the jaw arm relative to the upper arm and responsive to a size of the workpiece grasped between the upper jaw and the lower jaw, to thereby prevent rotation of the jaw arm relative to the upper arm.

Abstract: A self-adjusting pliers is operable to grasp a workpiece between an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The pliers includes an upper arm having a first end and a second end, with the upper jaw at the first end. A jaw arm has a first end and a second end. The second end of the jaw arm is pivotably connected to the upper arm at a main pivot adjacent to the second end of the upper arm, so that the first end of the jaw arm is movable in a circular arc relative to the main pivot. The lower jaw is at the first end of the jaw arm in movable facing relation to the upper jaw so that the workpiece may be grasped between the upper jaw and the lower jaw. An engagement mechanism releasably engages the jaw arm to the upper arm at an engagement position responsive to a movement of the jaw arm relative to the upper arm and responsive to a size of the workpiece grasped between the upper jaw and the lower jaw, to thereby prevent rotation of the jaw arm relative to the upper arm.

Abstract: A self-adjusting pliers is operable to grasp a workpiece between an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The pliers includes an upper arm having the upper jaw and a lower arm, with the lower jaw linked to the lower arm but not integral with the lower arm. A control arm has a first end and a second end. The first end of the control arm has a first pivotable connection to the upper arm adjacent to an end of the upper arm remote from the upper jaw, and the second end of the control arm has a second pivotable connection to the lower arm at an intermediate location along the length of the lower arm. An upper control arm pivot pin provides the pivotable connection between the first end of the control arm and the upper arm, and a spring biases the control arm so as to resist rotation of the control arm about the upper control arm pivot pin. A support extends downwardly from the upper arm toward the lower arm and has a guide thereon.

Abstract: A self-adjusting pliers is operable to grasp a workpiece between an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The pliers includes an upper arm having a first end and a second end, with the upper jaw at the first end. A jaw arm has a first end and a second end. The second end of the jaw arm is pivotably connected to the upper arm at a main pivot adjacent to the second end of the upper arm, so that the first end of the jaw arm is movable in a circular arc relative to the main pivot. The lower jaw is at the first end of the jaw arm in movable facing relation to the upper jaw so that the workpiece may be grasped between the upper jaw and the lower jaw. An engagement mechanism releasably engages the jaw arm to the upper arm at an engagement position responsive to a movement of the jaw arm relative to the upper arm and responsive to a size of the workpiece grasped between the upper jaw and the lower jaw, to thereby prevent rotation of the jaw arm relative to the upper arm.

Abstract: A self-adjusting pliers is operable to grasp a workpiece between an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The pliers includes an upper arm having the upper jaw and a lower arm, with the lower jaw linked to the lower arm but not integral with the lower arm. A control arm has a first end and a second end. The first end of the control arm has a first pivotable connection to the upper arm adjacent to an end of the upper arm remote from the upper jaw, and the second end of the control arm has a second pivotable connection to the lower arm at an intermediate location along the length of the lower arm. An upper control arm pivot pin provides the pivotable connection between the first end of the control arm and the upper arm, and a spring biases the control arm so as to resist rotation of the control arm about the upper control arm pivot pin. A support extends downwardly from the upper arm toward the lower arm and has a guide thereon.

Abstract: A self-adjusting pliers is operable to grasp a workpiece between an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The pliers includes an upper arm having the upper jaw and a lower arm, with the lower jaw linked to the lower arm but not integral with the lower arm. A control arm has a first end and a second end. The first end of the control arm has a first pivotable connection to the upper arm adjacent to an end of the upper arm remote from the upper jaw, and the second end of the control arm has a second pivotable connection to the lower arm at an intermediate location along the length of the lower arm. An upper control arm pivot pin provides the pivotable connection between the first end of the control arm and the upper arm, and a spring biases the control arm so as to resist rotation of the control arm about the upper control arm pivot pin. A support extends downwardly from the upper arm toward the lower arm and has a guide thereon.

Abstract: A self-adjusting pliers has an upper arm with an upper jaw at a first end and an upper handle at a second end. A support extends downwardly from an intermediate location of the upper arm. The support has a first downwardly extending slot and a second downwardly extending slot that is parallel to the first downwardly extending slot and closer to the upper handle than the first downwardly extending slot. The second downwardly extending slot has a plurality of second-slot teeth on a side thereof adjacent to the first downwardly extending slot. A lower arm includes a first end, and a lower handle at a second end. A control arm is pivotably connected at a first end to the upper handle and at a second end to the lower arm at an intermediate location between the first end and the lower handle. A spring is affixed at a first end to the upper arm at a location adjacent to the first end thereof, and affixed at a second end to the control arm so as to resist rotation of the control arm.