Abstract: The present invention is a one-piece hand-held gardening tool comprising a rigid, high strength tool portion to be used as an implement in gardening activities and a rigid, high strength annular handle portion to be manually grasped when the tool portion is used as an implement in gardening activities. The handle portion and the tool portion are molded integrally together from a molten material which provides the rigid, high strength tool portion and the rigid, high strength annular handle portion with suitable strength and rigidity for use in gardening activities when solidified. The handle portion has a hollow cavity surrounded by an annular, outer wall. The hollow cavity is formed in the handle portion by injecting pressurized gas into the molten material from which the rigid, high strength tool portion and the rigid, high strength annular handle portion are integrally molded before the solidification thereof.

Abstract: A utility cart having a tool handle holding device for firmly holding the handle of a long handled lawn or garden tool to the side of the utility cart is disclosed. The device comprises one or more clips that are disposed below the rim of the bin of the utility cart. The cart and the clip(s) may be integrally molded from a suitable plastic material, such as high density polyethylene. Each clip is deformable within its elastic limit so that a tool handle may be insertingly forced into the clip wherein it is held within the clip, upon elastic contraction of the clip, by a tool retaining flange and a tool retaining lip. Removal of the tool handle from the clip is effected by removingly forcing the handle out of the clip whereupon the clip deforms sufficiently to allow the tool handle to pass between the tool retaining flange and the tool retaining lip. Upon removal of the handle from the clip, the clip then contracts to its pre-insertion, nondeformed condition.

Abstract: A top reading power return rule has a shock-absorbing rib adjacent the spool, to prevent kinking upon retraction of the blade. The rib is positioned so as to be normally out of contact with the blade, but to intercept the blade when engagement of the hook member upon the casing causes it to abruptly stop and snap inwardly. The rib functions by decreasing the deflection of the taut blade about the small roller closest to the spool; excessive deflection is also avoided by providing a contact surface portion on the rib that is of relatively large area.

Abstract: A power returnable coilable rule employs a cartridge having a hub rotatably seated and trapped in apertures in the end walls of the spool. The hub has a multiplicity of tabs at each of its ends which interlock with bosses on the inside surfaces of the outer casing end walls so as to prevent relative rotation thereof. The power spring is attached at its inner end to the hub and at its outer end to the inner end of the coiled measuring blade. Prior to assembly in the rule casing, a retainer clip secures the blade and spring in predetermined condition on the spool. This clip has an arm overlying a spool end wall with means adjacent its inner end interengaged with the tabs of the hub, and a flange at its outer end which depends along the outer coil of the blade and interengages with the tape hook so that the opposing forces on its ends produced by the coiled spring maintain the retainer clip in assembly.

Abstract: A mounting spool for the measuring blade and recoil spring of a coilable rule is designed to minimize blade friction and to absorb the shock of impact when the blade is retracted and abruptly stopped. The spool comprises a circular rim having a pair of upstanding side flanges for receiving the coiled measuring blade and a side wall portion formed on one side of the rim and adapted to rotatably support the spool on the center post. The recoil spring is received inside the rim with its inner end anchored to the center post and its free end extending through an opening formed in the rim for connection to the measuring blade. A slit is formed in the flange on the side of the rim opposite to the side wall portion which extends completely through the flange and joins the opening in the rim.