Abstract: A tool-carrying assembly to be secured by a waist-encircking belt, and, additionally, by straps encircling the legs of a workman using the belt assembly. The assembly is thus stabilized, and enhanced weight distribution is achieved. Elements of the belt assembly include a waist-encircling band supporting a pair of laterally spaced, depending panels each carrying tool-accepting pockets. The pockets preferably carry visual markings and coding as well as other indicia identifying clearly the specific tools to be “housed” or carried in and to be returned to each pocket after use. Inventory control of the tools is thereby significantly enhanced. Pivotal flaps depending from the band-carried panels serve to cover the tools when not in use, and to prevent the tools from scratching or otherwise marring any article, or fixture, or “workpiece” requiring the workman's attention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ratchet wrench having a drive head and a handle, the latter defining an elongate body. The body of the wrench is formed with a series of through cavities which are sized in steps for releasibly holding a series of correspondingly sized sockets. The sockets are retained in place frictionally by means of elastomeric inserts carried by and positioned to project inwardly of exposed annular side walls which define the cavities. Conveniently, the stored sockets may be forcibly expelled from the cavities in either of two opposed axial directions. For ready visual identification, markings are provided on the body of the wrench indicating the specific size of each socket-receiving cavity. The described features of the ratchet wrench also enable one quickly to verify the socket size, and allow socket placement over a fastener without requiring that the socket itself be first removed from the tool handle.

Abstract: A pipe clamp includes a clamp body which supports a screw. A jaw is mounted at one end of the screw and an actuator is used to advance the screw with respect to the clamp body in order to clamp or spread a workpiece with respect to a workpiece-engaging element. The clamp body is movable along the length of the pipe, and the screw is inclined with respect to the pipe to increase clearance for the actuator.

Abstract: A chalk line reel includes an opening in the housing that permits access to a powdered chalk storage area. A movable door is mounted on the housing, and the door is movable to a closed position in which the door obstructs the opening. A first element on the door releasably couples the chalk line clip to the door, and a second element on the housing releasably couples the chalk line clip to the housing. The first and second elements are positioned such that clip resists movement of the door away from the closed position when the clip is coupled to the first and second elements.

Abstract: A locking pliers includes first and second handles. The first handle includes two spaced, parallel plates and a jaw received therebetween. The plates and at least a portion of the jaw are surrounded by a molded plastic element that defines the hand engaging surface of a handle. A similar construction can be used for the second handle. The plates provide rigidity to the handle, while the molded plastic element provides an ergonomically shaped hand engaging surface. The disclosed handles can be adapted for use in other hand tools, including pliers, wire cutters, snips, and the like.

Abstract: A pair of locking pliers includes a body having a fixed jaw that supports a fixed extension. A movable jaw is pivotably mounted to the body by a hinge pin, and the movable jaw includes a movable extension. An operating lever is pivotably mounted to the movable jaw to close the movable jaw, and the movable jaw is shaped such that the movable extension slides along the fixed extension as the movable jaw is pivoted closed with the operating lever in order to provide an axial clamping action.

Abstract: A locking plier hand tool contains first and second jaw elements, wherein each jaw element has a forward end and a rear end. The first jaw element has a main recess formed by first and second contacting portions positioned at an angle to each other and a third contacting portion interconnecting the first and second contacting portions. Each first and second contacting portions has one end connected to the third contacting portion and a free end. The second jaw element is provided with an arc shaped protuberant extending outwardly in the direction of the main recess. A substantially flat member contains at least a rear part and extends between the free end of the second contacting portion of the main recess and the rear part. A substantially flat surface extends rearwardly from the protuberant. A wall is situated remotely to the protuberant. The wall has a free end substantially in engagement with the rear part of the substantially flat member when the hand tool is in the closed position.

Abstract: A hand screw clamp includes first and second jaws and a pair of threaded rods, each having a handle for manual rotation. Two first couplers are mounted to the first jaw and coupled to the threaded rods, and two releasable couplers are mounted to the second jaw and coupled to the threaded rods. The releasable couplers each include a threaded portion engageable with the threaded rods and a slidable portion sized to accommodate sliding movement of the threaded rods. A push plate is movably mounted to the second jaw and engaged with both of the releasable couplers. This push plate is movable between a first position, in which both of the threaded portions are engaged with the rods and manual rotation of the handles moves the second jaw along the threaded rods, and a second position, in which both of the threaded portions are disengaged from the threaded rods and the threaded rods are free to slide past the slidable portions without rotation of the threaded rods.

Abstract: A hand tool consists of a movable jaw, a slide bar wherein the movable jaw is mounted to the slide bar. A support assembly is provided for supporting the slide bar. A stationary jaw is spaced away from the support assembly and is provided with at least a front portion. A one-way drive arrangement is designed having at least a driving lever. A cam having a longitudinally extending handle is pivotally mounted at the support assembly and contacts the driving lever. The cam disengages the driving lever when the one-way drive arrangement is released from the slide bar, and the cam engages the driving lever when the one-way drive arrangement engages the slide bar.

Abstract: A hand tool comprising two cooperating members each having a handle and interconnecting arrangement for interconnecting the members in mutually overlapping relationship so as to permit movement of the members relative to one another by the handles.At least one of the cooperating members is provided with a receiving unit adapted to movably receive a blade. The receiving unit is defined by at least an interior part thereof.The blade comprises an elongated body having first and second cutting portions spaced from each other by a central portion. The first cutting portion is defined by at least a first cutting edge and a first rear portion. The second cutting portion is defined by at least a second cutting edge and a second rear portion.The blade is positioned within the receiving unit of the cooperating member in such a manner that the first cutting edge faces the other cooperating member and the second cutting edge faces the interior part of the receiving unit.