Abstract: An electronic torque wrench with a battery receptacle adapted to receive either a unitary battery pack or a battery tray containing separate batteries inside. The battery tray can receive conventional batteries such as AA, AAA, C, D or 9-volt sized batteries, and the battery tray and unitary battery can be constructed of a similar geometry to fit within the battery receptacle. The battery tray and unitary pack can include an outwardly-extending protrusion that is received within a groove of the battery receptacle. In this manner, only the specially-designed battery tray and pack are capable of coupling with the receptacle.

Abstract: A hammer head with an internal cavity including weights that are sized to restrict the weights from escaping from a crack in the hammer or are easily collected and accounted for should the hammer separate to ensure foreign objects and debris do not contaminate sensitive work spaces. The weights are shaped to allow the weights to longitudinally move in the internal cavity. The weights may take the form of a number of different shapes.

Abstract: A hammer head with an internal cavity including weights that are sized to restrict the weights from escaping from a crack in the hammer or are easily collected and accounted for should the hammer separate to ensure foreign objects and debris do not contaminate sensitive work spaces. The weights are shaped to allow the weights to longitudinally move in the internal cavity. The weights may take the form of a number of different shapes.

Abstract: A ball joint press for installation/removal of ball joints or bushings into/from suspension components of vehicles. In general, the press includes first and second frame portions, a spine/shaft coupling the first and second frame portions together, and actuators coupled to one of the first and second frame portions. The actuators are sized and spaced such that combined forces of the actuators minimize a bending moment (and bending stress) about the shaft. The actuators may also share a feed line that provides for equal pressure across both actuators. This reduces an axis of bending of the shaft, and causes the first and second frame portions to remain substantially parallel and the force in line with an axis of motion to install or remove the ball joint.

Abstract: Disclosed is a release mechanism for locking pliers. The mechanism includes a center link and release link that work together to form an over-center lock with a release lever that acts sequentially on the center link and release link. The release lever can first contact the center link at a protrusion, and then contact a release link connected to the center link to release the over-center lock. User experience is therefore improved by a sequential unlocking operation that reduces the amount of leverage required to unlock the pliers.

Abstract: A hammer head with an internal cavity including weights that are sized to restrict the weights from escaping from a crack in the hammer or are easily collected and accounted for should the hammer separate to ensure foreign objects and debris do not contaminate sensitive work spaces. The weights are shaped to allow the weights to longitudinally move in the internal cavity. The weights may take the form of a number of different shapes.

Abstract: A dead blow hammer head with end caps coupled to a central body through an interference fit. The ends of the body can be flared axially and radially outward and interference fit with the recesses to maximize the surface area overlap between the ends of the body and the recesses. By maximizing the surface area overlap, stress concentrations and failure are reduced. The hammer head can also include a shot or other mass that is unobstructed by screws or pins due to the interference fit of the hammer head components. The interference fit can become stronger during use with each impact further solidifying the surface area overlap between the ends and central portion of the hammer head.

Abstract: An electronic torque wrench with a battery receptacle adapted to receive either a unitary battery pack or a battery tray containing separate batteries inside. The battery tray can receive conventional batteries such as AA, AAA, C, D or 9-volt sized batteries, and the battery tray and unitary battery can be constructed of a similar geometry to fit within the battery receptacle. The battery tray and unitary pack can include an outwardly-extending protrusion that is received within a groove of the battery receptacle. In this manner, only the specially-designed battery tray and pack are capable of coupling with the receptacle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a release mechanism for locking pliers. The mechanism includes a center link and release link that work together to form an over-center lock with a release lever that acts sequentially on the center link and release link. The release lever can first contact the center link at a protrusion, and then contact a release link connected to the center link to release the over-center lock. User experience is therefore improved by a sequential unlocking operation that reduces the amount of leverage required to unlock the pliers.

Abstract: A tool, such as a tire lever, with a bead holder having a rounded head and a receiving area. In an embodiment, the tool has a first end that includes a tapered tip and a second end that is coupled to the bead holder. The receiving area of the bead holder fits over a flange of a rim such that the rounded head pushes a bead of a tire toward a drop center of the rim while using the flange as a fulcrum.

Abstract: A dead blow hammer head with end caps coupled to a central body through an interference fit. The ends of the body can be flared axially and radially outward and interference fit with the recesses to maximize the surface area overlap between the ends of the body and the recesses. By maximizing the surface area overlap, stress concentrations and failure are reduced. The hammer head can also include a shot or other mass that is unobstructed by screws or pins due to the interference fit of the hammer head components. The interference fit can become stronger during use with each impact further solidifying the surface area overlap between the ends and central portion of the hammer head.

Abstract: A tool, such as a tire lever, with a bead holder having a rounded head and a receiving area. In an embodiment, the tool has a first end that includes a tapered tip and a second end that is coupled to the bead holder. The receiving area of the bead holder fits over a flange of a rim such that the rounded head pushes a bead of a tire toward a drop center of the rim while using the flange as a fulcrum.