Abstract: A trowel and related method of manufacture in which residual stresses are intentionally imposed upon the bottom working surface and/or the top mounting surface of a trowel blade. Stresses can be imposed, for example, by glass bead peening, shot peening, rolling, and/or brushing the metal trowel blade. Stresses are built up to a working stress level that remains substantially constant with further use of the trowel against abrasive, spreadable surfaces. Imposed stresses on the top and bottom surfaces can also be used to vary the resulting curvature of the blade.

Abstract: A method for insulating hand tools includes the application of a first and a second coating of protective insulating material along the handle of the tool. Inserting the end of the handle into a heat shrinkable end cap and providing heat to the cap to shrink it and thus seal the end of the tool. The added protection this end cap provides is both as an additional insulation as well as an increase in the impact strength of the tool.

Abstract: A trowel and related method of manufacture in which residual stresses are intentionally imposed upon the bottom working surface and/or the top mounting surface of a trowel blade. Stresses can be imposed, for example, by glass bead peening, shot peening, rolling, and/or brushing the metal trowel blade. Stresses are built up to a working stess level that remains substantially constant with further use of the trowel against abrasive, spreadable surfaces. Imposed stresses on the top and bottom surfaces can also be used to vary the resulting curvature of the blade.

Abstract: A trowel and related method of manufacture in which residual stresses are intentionally imposed upon the bottom working surface and/or the top mounting surface of a trowel blade. Stresses can be imposed, for example, by glass bead peening, shot peening, rolling, and/or brushing the metal trowel blade. Stresses are built up to a working stess level that remains substantially constant with further use of the trowel against abrasive, spreadable surfaces. Imposed stresses on the top and bottom surfaces can also be used to vary the resulting curvature of the blade.

Abstract: A cutting tool adapted to be reciprocated by a manually manipulated air hammer or similar device while being used to separate laminated materials. The cutting tool comprises a blade of thin resiliently flexible metal having a sharpened edge and an opposite driven edge, and an adapter comprising a blade holder portion which may include polymeric material permanently molded around a portion of the blade adjacent its driven edge, and a shank portion shaped for engagement by the air hammer attached to the blade holder that has an end shaped for engagement by the air hammer or similar device. The majority of or all of the adapter can be formed of the polymeric material to provide a low mass for the cutting tool and an average specific gravity for the adapter that is significantly less than the specific gravity of metal.

Abstract: Corrosion resistant instruments such as those used in medicine and dentistry are efficiently made from raw materials that are difficult to machine. Round bar stock is rolled or otherwise deformed to have flat sides and rounded edges. The parts of the instrument are cut from the flattened bar, by combinations of transverse and longitudinal cuts, so that the rounded edges of the bar define the shape of convexly curved finish surfaces of the instrument. Expensive machining steps are eliminated. An orthodontic pliers is particularly disclosed, made according to the method, by making one or more Z-shaped cuts that preserve the rounded sides to define the outer surfaces of a handle and opposing jaw on each of two plier parts, pivotally joined together.

Abstract: A cutting tool adapted to be reciprocated by a manually manipulated air hammer or similar device while being used to separate laminated materials. The cutting tool comprises a blade of thin resiliently flexible metal having a sharpened edge and an opposite driven edge, and an adapter comprising a blade holder portion which may include polymeric material permanently molded around a portion of the blade adjacent its driven edge, and a shank portion shaped for engagement by the air hammer attached to the blade holder that has an end shaped for engagement by the air hammer or similar device. The majority of or all of the adapter can be formed of the polymeric material to provide a low mass for the cutting tool and an average specific gravity for the adapter that is significantly less than the specific gravity of metal.

Abstract: In the case of a process for producing, in particular, two-part surgical instruments, a blank is separated into two parts by means of cutting equipment. Contours are formed in the blank simultaneously during the separation by means of the cutting equipment.

Abstract: A screwdriver includes an enlarged blade and a straight bit with parallel opposing surfaces. The surfaces apply torque to a screw slot over an increased area and reduce the tendency of the bit to slip out of the slot as compared to conventional commercially available screwdrivers. The screwdrivers are preferably made of hardened high quality steel so that they will be strong enough to withstand a substantial amount of torque.

Abstract: To improve the method for fixing protective strands to a razor head, the razor head is provided with a plastic body having an upper side that defines a surface for engaging the skin of the user, with the plastic body also having a front side and a back side. A razor blade unit is disposed in the plastic body. A series of strands are spaced along the length of the blade unit and are fixedly attached directly to said blade unit.

Abstract: A method of making a jaw for a biopsy forceps in which a flat strip is formed with a sharpened edge and a tang with a pointed end. The strip is bent to form an open loop, and the tang is bent to extend upwardly into the loop.

Abstract: Plier-type cutters for cutting metal objects having a pair of plier halves which are each of one piece construction and made of a hardenable stainless steel. Each plier half has a cutting edge hardened to a cutting hardness suitable for cutting the metal object, such as an orthodontic metal appliance, without fracturing during normal use. Each plier half has at least one fracture sensitive portion, excluding its cutting edge, which would be susceptible to fracturing during normal use if hardened to the cutting hardness. Each fracture sensitive portion has a working hardness which is sufficiently lower than the cutting hardness to substantially limit, if not eliminate, the likelihood of fracture during normal use.

Abstract: A totally non-metallic wrench formed entirely of fiber-reinforced plastic material includes a core of random discontinuous glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material and a band of unidirectional continuous glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material extending around the periphery of the core which are subjected to compression molding to form a composite wrench structure.

Abstract: The ultrasonic instrument includes a shaft having an integral sheath of PTFE encompassing the shaft and attached solely to the shaft. At the proximal end of the shaft, wrench flats are exposed through openings in the sheath and grooves cooperate with complementary ribs on the sheath, to prevent relative longitudinal and rotational displacement of the sheath and shaft. The sheath is in contact with the shaft at the nodes along the shaft. The diameter of the sheath is about 5 mm whereby the instrument may be used with a 5 mm trocar port. To manufacture the instrument, the sheath is initially formed to a diameter equal to or less than the diameter of the shaft and then mechanically expanded. Subsequently, the sheath is heat-shrunk about the shaft and rolled continuously along the shaft, except at regions corresponding to the nodes along the shaft, to expand the sheath to a larger diameter to space the sheath from the shaft except at the nodes of the shaft.

Abstract: A tool element subassembly, such as an abrasive disc subassembly, for mounting to the spindle of a grinder. The subassembly includes an abrasive disc, a collar nut and, optionally, a backing flange. The central bore in the abrasive disc as well as the hub portion of the collar nut which fits into the bore are both hexagonally shaped to provide a positive drive connection therebetween. The collar nut is either press fit onto the disc or, alternatively, placed directly into the mold for the disc so that the formed abrasive disc is molded directly to the hub portion of the collar nut. In certain embodiments the collar nut includes an integrally formed, enlarged head portion that is adapted to engage the bottom surface of the abrasive disc and is configured to receive a wrench for tightening the subassembly onto, or loosening the subassembly for removal from, the spindle.

Abstract: A hand operated tool is provided having a working head and a pair of handles. The handles are operably connected to each other and to the working head. The handles are each made of a one-piece polymer member which can indicate wear of the handles at their connection to each other.

Abstract: A strip of heat activated structural adhesive film is sandwiched between two thin strips of tempered steel shim stock, and the combined strips are placed into a semi-cylindrical cavity defined by a female mold member or block. A mating male mold member or metal bar presses the strips into the cavity while the parts are heated within a heated platen hydraulic press to form a laminated curved shoe body. After the shoe body is cooled, a semi-cylindrical collar is attached by another strip of the adhesive to one end portion of the laminated shoe body and with similar mold members heated within the press. The attached collar seats within a mating recess formed within a semi-circular mounting member and is removably secured by screws to provide for conveniently replacing the shoe body.

Abstract: A hammer including a body, a handle formed integral with the body and perpendicular to the body, a hole formed in the body, and a head including a stub for engagement in the hole of the body, and the head being welded to the body such that the hammer is formed. An annular groove is formed between the head and the body for accommodating the weld metal such that the weld metal will not be protruded.

Abstract: Tweezers or forceps, in particular coagulation forceps, comprising two forcep arms which each have a free gripping end and which delimit a slit-like space, preferably tapering from the gripping ends in the rest position, and which can be moved resiliently towards each other and which extend from a common closed zone, and a gripping element, is to be produced in a simple and inexpensive manner and is to provide a variety of uses. For that purpose the forceps comprise at least two shaped parts which subdivide the closed zone in the longitudinal direction and which are connected together with their inside surfaces bearing against each other. In addition the forceps are to be divided on their longitudinal axis and each of the shaped parts which are preferably of the same configuration comprise one half of both forcep arms.

Abstract: A method of forming a jaw for biopsy forceps with a very sharp edge. An initially flat metal plate is first relieved to form a recessed area extending along an edge. The edge is then honed sharp. Finally the plate is folded to bring the relieved areas into facing relationship to form a cup whose sharp edge extends along the edge of the cup, including around the bight formed by the bend.

Abstract: A co-aptive surgical instrument has a pair of opposite facing co-aptive surfaces for grasping tissue. The co-aptive surfaces are formed with a matrix layer which is preferably of a metal such as nickel with a plurality of hard crystalline particles which are preferably a diamond grit which is captured in the matrix. To insure sufficient capture of the particles in the matrix so as to avoid loss of particles while at the same time providing the maximum possible protrusion of the particles and maximum coverage of the surface by such particles, the particles are oriented in juxtaposition to evenly cover the surface and the matrix is made to have a depth which is at least fifty percent of the average diameter of the particles.

Abstract: The invention diamond-tipped bit that is used with a jeweler's hammer. The bit has a shaft portion that has formed on one end a threaded portion for screwing the bit into the threaded receiving portion of a jeweler's hammer. On the other end of the shaft is formed a bore. A diamond is placed within the bore so that the rear flat portion of the diamond is flush against the rear surface of the bore. The annular rim of the bore is circumferentially pressure-folded back into the diamond, leaving the working portion of the diamond protruding from the shaft and the folded rim.

Abstract: Razors for care of hair are improved by providing the razor with a cutting edge having a series of uniformly spaced imperfections or dents extending across said cutting edge, the dents dulling from 20 to 75 percent of the normal cutting edge of the razor. The normal razor cutting edge is transformed into the edge of this invention by use of a dulling tool. The dented edge razor permits the user, e.g., barber or beautician, to more effectively sculpture a head of hair with greater safety to the user and patron.

Abstract: A tool for rotatably driving a fastening member includes a hollow tubular shank closed at one end by a handle fixed thereto and having coupled to the other end thereof in communication therewith a socket for receiving an associated rotatable fastening member. A helical compression spring is disposed coaxially within the shank, having the inner end thereof embedded in a body of adhesive material and having the outer end thereof fixed to the keeper of a magnet disposed for magnetic engagement with a fastening member received in the socket. In assembly, the adhesive material is inserted in the shank in a fluid state, the inner end of the spring is immersed in the fluid, and the adhesive is then cured to a solid state.