Abstract: A spreading forceps (9) which has, at its front end on each spreading jaw (10, 11), an essentially U-shaped recess surrounding one stop plate on three sides and gripping the edge, the thickness of the spreading jaws (10, 11) in the spreading direction being essentially identical to the thickness of the stop plates (FIG. 1). The spreading forceps is useful for the insertion of intervertebral endoprostheses.

Abstract: A pair of removable jaws interchangeable between internal and external retaining ring tools, each of the tools including a tool body having a pair of handles pivotally connected together, with bores or openings in the ends of the handles for receipt of stepped cylindrical extensions on the jaws. Preferably, the jaws are made of premium steel, whereas the tool bodies may be either forged using a lesser quality steel or made of even less expensive standard thin wall tubing. Tolerance rings frictionally retain the cylindrical extensions in the bores. The jaws and tool bodies have suitable indicia to index (orient) the jaws relative to the tool handles for both internal and external use.

Abstract: A manually operated latch for a gate closure is disclosed herein having a resilient helical coil with extended end portions secured to the ends of a pair of hand grips. The end portions are disposed to extend at an angle with respect to each other so that the normal bias of the coil forcibly urges the hand grips away from each other. A keeper loosely secured between the end portions holds the hand grips from separating beyond a predetermined set position and permits yieldable closing or drawing of the hand grips together against the expanding bias of the coil. A pair of latch members are rigidly carried on the end portions and extend towards each other in a normally biased condition to draw overlapping latch elements together.

Abstract: A hand tool for use in adjusting caliper type bicycle brakes. Said tool consists of a brake clamping device and a pivotal lever to first remove slack cable and then apply and hold cable tension against the brake suspension plate while the brake cable lock nut is tightened. Thereby obtaining correct brake adjustment. Said tool may then be used to trim excess cable length.

Abstract: A hand tool including a pair of levers each including a handle portion, a jaw portion and a boss portion interconnecting the handle and jaw portions, with the levers being pivotally interconnected for normally permanently intended but relatively movable relationship. The lever sections are pivotally interconnected together for manipulation between internal and external tool operating positions. Movement between the internal and external positions is provided by work position selection structure positioned on the levers, and including guiding and stopping structure for selectively guiding the tool between operating positions and stopping tool movement in the proper operating position.

Abstract: An apparatus wherein a pivoted jaw structure is provided, with spaced relatively pivotal mounted support pins for securing a locking type ring in a fixed relationship, the tool includes a fixed lever with a pivoted jaw mounted thereto, wherein the pivot jaw includes a locking and release lever arrangement associated with the pivoted jaw to lock the spaced support pins in a fixed relationship.

Abstract: A hand tool including a pair of levers each including a handle portion, a jaw portion and a boss portion interconnecting the handle and jaw portions, with the levers being pivotally interconnected for normally permanently intended but relatively movable relationship. The lever sections are pivotally interconnected together along the boss portions for manipulation between internal and external tool operating positions. Movement between the internal and external positions is provided by work position selection structure positioned on the levers, and including guiding and stopping structure for selectively moving the tool between operating positions and stopping tool movement in the proper operating position.

Abstract: A tool for repairing out-of-round coupling members on a garden hose. A pair of essentially identical levers are pivoted together. Each of the levers is configured as a partially cylindrical nose, a curved jaw and an elongated handle. The noses can be inserted in the coupling swivel (female coupling member) or the nipple (male coupling member) can be inserted in openings in the jaws when the handles are moved apart. The coupling swivel or nipple, as applicable, can be partially reshaped with the tool by moving the handles together.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for removing a lamp base from the socket into which it has been installed, after its bulb has been broken.

Abstract: A disc brake caliper tool is set forth wherein a plurality of generally "L" shaped offset jaws are provided with confronting surfaces to impinge on a respective individual of a pair of disc brake pads within a caliper of an automotive disc brake assembly. The offset jaws are actuated by a toggling actuation mechanism in turn actuated by a plier-type plurality of force application handles wherein an individual of said handles is provided pivotally thereto with an adapter bar pivotal from a first position adjacent and parallel to said handle to a second position parallel to but coextensive to said handle for deflecting a disc brake caliper without removal of said caliper from association with a rotor.

Abstract: A spring actuated clamping device is disclosed for woodworking applications and the like. The device is applicable to those situations where it is desired to exert clamping forces in opposite directions against two surfaces facing one another. The device comprises two arms which are pivotally attached to each other. The distal ends of the arms are urged to pivot outwardly by a spring. Pivotable pads at the distal end of each arm provide a flat contacting surface regardless to the extent the arms are pivoted.

Abstract: A latch hook rug holder for use in the construction and completion of latch-hook rugs whereby the work-piece can be releasedly attached to a table for ease of completion.

Abstract: An improved combination retaining ring fitting tool comprising a pair of handles pivoted together at the joint center and having studs on both sides, and a pair of removable jaws pivoted together at the joint center and having stud holes, and connected by a pivot bolt so that when the handles are pressed together, the jaws will open or close to expand or pinch a retaining ring as an expander or pincher.

Abstract: A readjustable pair of pliers for mounting circlips has a handle which with the aid of a sidewardly bent attachment part is pivotally connected to an intermediate member carrying a jaw with an engagement pin. A second jaw carrying an engagement pin is rigidly connected with a second handle defining therewith a rigid unit to which said intermediate member is pivotally attached. The attachment part is defined by a parallelepipedic block tightly fitting in a corresponding groove in the intermediate member. By swinging the second handle through 180.degree. relative the intermediate member the mode of operation of the pair of pliers is altered in dependence on if a circlip for inner or for outer mounting has to be served.

Abstract: Opposing jaws of a retractor are pivoted together and extend oppositely from handles manually swingable to move the jaws relatively toward and away from each other. Generally rectangular blades extend downward from the swinging ends of the jaws and have planar leading bottom portions continguously engageable for fitting between closely adjacent bone such as metatarsals. The trailing portions of the blades are flared outward and rearward from the planar contiguously engageable portions for wedging the adjacent bones apart and have concave depressions for receiving the bones. With the bones received in the concave depressions, the jaws are swung apart to spread the bones and maintain them in spread-apart condition for convenient access to the facing surfaces of the bones, such as to excise a neuroma.

Abstract: An automotive parking brake cable and lever removing tool includes a prying device secured to one of the handle members of a locking pliers. The prying device has a lever arm that pivots with respect to the locking plier handle member to cause movement of a bifurcated blade-like end portion of the lever arm away from the clamping jaws of the locking pliers. In one embodiment the lever arm of the prying device is coextensive with the locking plier handle members. In another embodiment the prying device includes a fixed arm immovably secured to the locking pliers intermediate the locking plier handle member and the movable lever arm. The lever arm and fixed arm of the prying device extend a predetermined amount beyond the end portions of the locking plier handle members. In another embodiment, a cavity or recess is provided in the spring-engaging face of the bifurcated blade-like end portion of the prying device to securely engage a parking brake cable spring during use of the tool.

Abstract: A tool specifically designed for use in removing headed clips having threaded shanks used to fasten panels. The tool includes a pair of pivotally connected members having thin, elongate proximal jaw portions adapted to be inserted between the clip head and underlying structure and having distal handle portions for separating the jaw portions to pull on the clip. Preferably, the handles are spring biased apart, and the proximal jaw portions have specially shaped recesses and surfaces enabling them to be disposed in coplanar relation to permit desirable forces to be applied to the clip when the handles are squeezed together.

Abstract: A pliers type tool useful for removing and replacing bearings of a Rzeppa or constant velocity type universal joint includes a pair of separable jaws connected with translatable links of a hand tool. The jaws are inserted into the hub of the joint, spread and then the entire hub assembly is pivoted in order to expose the bearings sequentially for removal thereof or replacement thereof in the joint.

Abstract: A wire stripper comprising a pair of symmetric arms pivotally connected together, a pair of supporting pieces respectively secured to the arms, a stationary cutting member being secured to one of the supporting pieces, a pivotal cutting member pivotally attached thereto cooperating with the stationary cutting member to be served as a stripper, a stationary clamping member being secured to the other supporting piece, a pivotal clamping member pivotally connected thereto associated with the stationary clamping member to be served as a clamp. In use, and electrical wire can be fixedly clamped by the clamp and the coating of the electric wire can be simultaneously stripper off by the stripping. Thus, this invention can complete the stripping action in one single operation.

Abstract: A tool for reforming a male, externally threaded, gardenhose fitting is disclosed. The plier-like tool includes pivoted lever arms which carry transversely extending swaging lobes that can be inserted inside a deformed hose fitting. The lobes are notched to receive an inwardly extending annular end flange commonly present on such fittings, and expansion of the lobes and relative rotation of the fitting and the lobes swages and reforms, not only the length of the fitting, but the end flange. The tool also includes recesses that can be used to initially open the fitting and to finish-up the reforming process.

Abstract: A tool for installing and removing snap rings (40) of the type which includes a pliers-like implement (10) whose jaws (12b,14b) are separated when handgrip members (12a,14a) are urged together, includes a narrow projection (36) mounted on one jaw (12b) for extending into a snap-ring hole (38) on one side of a snap-ring break (46), and a slot (42) on the other jaw (14b) into which a break edge (44) of the snap ring (40), on the other side of the break (46), fits. The narrow projection (36) is angled away from the opposite jaw (14b) and the slot (42) is narrower at one end than the other. The pliers-like implement (10) basically includes two arms (12,14) each forming a handgrip and a jaw, a circular-shaped fulcrum member (16) about which the two arms (12,14) pivot, and at least one circular spring (18,20) for biasing the two arms (13,14) together on the fulcrum member (16) and for preventing the fulcrum member (16) from migrating away from its desired fulcrum position.

Abstract: A tool having two elongate members journaled at a central point. Each of the elongate members has certain plugs and flanges which can be brought to bear upon the horseshoe positioned within the tool, such that the shape of the horseshoe can be modified in the way typically needed by a farrier in shaping a horseshoe to fit precisely the hoof of the horse to be shod.

Abstract: An improved tool for the removal of flexible tubing from pipe includes pivotally connected members which operate in the fashion of a pliers with the active end of the tool including V-shaped notches that are designed to engage and fit over metal tubing with one of the jaw members gripping the tubing while the other is designed to slide along the tubing and remove flexible tubing from the pipe.

Abstract: The invention to which this specification pertains represents a new design in cotter-pin extracting pliers, in that the toothed end of this invention is recessed down into the forked end, and the toothed end and forked end are flush with each other, the combination of which characteristics facilitate removal of deeply set pins from shafts and nuts. Another improvement is found in the fact that the pin to be removed is surrounded by the forked end of this invention to prevent slippage. We believe that the extended and upwardly curved upper jaw, unique to our invention, will make possible a tool which will better perform the job of extracting cotter-pins; at the same time, the compact design and the placement of the pivot point make possible a tool requiring a very small amount of space in which to perate, because compression of the handles is the only movement required.

Abstract: A device is described for cutting and extracting packing from around a shaft such as a valve stem whereby compression of the handles of the device causes an elongated cutter to penetrate and cut the packing material. The device is characterized by having a cutting head which partially encircles the shaft and which can be exchanged for other, similar shaped cutting heads having elongated cutters of different dimensions for use in cutting and removing packing of varying size.

Abstract: A pair of disposable plastic forceps includes elongeated arms, each having a proximal end portion providing a handle and a distal end portion for attachment of a contacting member to each of the arms, and a hinge for movably connecting the arms to one another to provide adjustment of the forceps, the hinge joining the arms intermediate their ends. The hinge selectively rotatably engages the intermediate portion of each arm to hold the arms in selected rotational positions relative to the hinge.

Abstract: A convertible retaining ring pliers includes a pair of jaws and a pair of handles all rotatable independently about a common pivot. Each jaw includes a transverse bore spaced from and parallel to the pivot axis for receiving an elongated cylindrical latching pin. Each handle has an associated end plate disposed on one side of the jaws, the end plates having holes to selectively receive an end of a latching pin to selectively latch a jaw to a respective handle. The latching pin bores have elongated grooves and the latching pins have associated friction springs with projecting tabs coacting with those grooves to retain the pins within the assembled pliers. Elongated retaining ring tips have hexagonal shanks received in multi-sided jaw recesses to retain the tips against rotation and to enable selected rotational orientation of the tips.

Abstract: An expander tool such as for use in removing tubing from barbed fittings. The tool includes a pair of handle members having a pivotal connection therebetween. A pair of channel-shaped jaw members are operatively connected to the handle members for spreading movement in a generally parallel direction when the handle members are moved toward each other. The channel-shaped jaw members are nested with the bight portions thereof being thin and flat and in generally parallel confronting relation. The legs of the channel-shaped jaw members therefore are in overlapped relation whereby the opposite side of the thin flat bight portion of one jaw member can be positioned in close proximity to a workpiece such as the flange or elbow of a barbed fitting. The thin flat bight portions of the jaw members have slots opening outwardly of the tool, the slots each having a stepped configuration for embracing different sizes of workpieces, such as different diameters of tubing and barbed fittings.

Abstract: A pliers for handling disks and other flat and thin objects. The pliers are substantially comprised of jaws (4) provided with claws (5), biased against each other by an adjustable tension spring (3), arranged between the arms (1). The jaws (4) are made into a single part, of flexible material, and folded in two portions to form a hinge (6) acting as a penetration limiter, distinct from that (2) of the arms (1). The claws (5) are fixed on the jaws (4) by a turned down edge (10) thicker than the protuberance (12) located at the junction of the arms (1) with the jaws (4). The ends of the claws (5) are tapered and offset so as to facilitate the insertion of the jaws (4) between the object and the handling of the object with the pliers.

Abstract: A tool (10) for extracting a tubing segment (52) from a member (50) in which the tubing segment is inserted includes first and second handles (12, 14) terminating at adjacent ends in respective first and second jaws (16, 18). The handles are pivotally coupled and are configured so that, as the handles are swung toward each other, the jaw portions are separated. The jaws have mutually aligned apertures (30, 32) through which extends a rod or needle (44) having a first end (44a) extending beyond one of the jaws and a second end (44b) extending beyond the other of the jaws. The second end of the rod is externally threaded. A knob (46) is affixed to the first end of the rod for the purpose of threading the threaded end of the rod into the tubing segment and for bearing against the surface of the jaw adjacent the first end of the rod so that, as the jaws are separated, the threaded end of the rod is drawn through the aperture, drawing with it the tubing segment to be removed.

Abstract: Hydraulic pliers useful for mounting and dismounting snap rings (otherwise called C-shaped stop rings) of large nominal diameter. They comprise a hand-holdable plier main body having working fluid contained therein, a hydraulic piston mechanism contained in the plier main body and adapted to be moved by hydraulic forces exerted by manual pumping operation effected by gripping action applied from outside, and a working-pin opening and closing mechanism mounted on a plier head for operative connection to the hydraulic piston and adapted to be opened or closed in the same plane and at right angles to the directon of movement of the hydraulic piston as the latter advances. The hydraulic pliers do not require any accessory equipment and are handy to carry. Thus, they are designed to expand or contract snap rings of large diameter lightly and efficiently by their hydraulic force.

Abstract: An expansion tool for spreading the side walls of a partitioning track comprises first and second members each having a handle portion and a jaw portion. These members are coupled together so as to cause the jaw portions to compress when the handles are compressed. Coupled to each jaw portion is a spreading member each of which includes a contact or spreading surface. As the jaws are compressed, the contact surfaces move apart.

Abstract: Retaining ring pliers having coplanar jaws independently and movably secured and handles independently and rotatably secured about the pivot. Fulcrum pins slideably disposed in each of the jaws being equal distance from the pivot. The pins may alternately engage first handle and first jaw and second handle and second jaw and be reversed such that the first handle engage the second jaw and the second handle engage the first jaw.

Abstract: This invention relates to an appliance for correction of spinal curvatures, performed in course of treatment by means of surgical struts.The appliance has a form of a double-arm lever making possible to extend the effective length of the strut placed in the patient's body, whereby one arm of said lever is ended with a holder for clamping the hook of the strut, the other arm being provided with a screw adjusting the spacing of the arms and the displacement of the hook along the strut. This arm is cut longitudinally, one part whereof being provided with a tapped hole wherein said adjusting screw operates, whereas the other part is provided with a port and with a pivot whereon the link mechanism and the pointer of a dynamometer are mounted. The side surface of said arm carries a scale whereover the tip of said pointer travels indicating the value of the force being applied to the operator.

Abstract: An effective and inexpensive hackle clamp comprising a loop of flat spring wire having free ends extending from the loop, the free ends being flatly fastened together inwardly from the terminal ends thereof forming a clamp which is easily opened by squeezing the sides of the flat wire in the loop area.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an orthodontic O-ring assembly which comprises a plurality of orthodontic O-rings integrally molded to a core which can be readily wrapped about an orthodontist's hand and the respective O-rings being individually dispensed by a ligator. The ligator comprises a tool having relatively moveable jaws which are sized so as to be received within the internal diameter of the O-ring in the closed position and thereafter moved to an open or expanded position to effect the stretching of the O-ring to be dispensed, thereby causing the O-ring to separate from its core at a frangible point. In a modified form of the invention, the ligator may be provided with a lock to maintain the ligator in the open jaw position.

Abstract: A pair of disposable plastic forceps includes elongated arms, each having a proximal end portion providing a handle and a distal end portion for attachment of a contacting member to each of the arms, and a hinge for movably connecting the arms to one another to provide adjustment of the forceps, the hinge joining the arms intermediate their ends. Desirably, the hinge rotatably and frictionally receives the intermediate portion of each arm to hold the arms in position relative to the hinge after they are adjusted. The distal end of each arm is formed to provide a slot for removably receiving a contacting member. Contacting members of various sizes and shapes are provided, the size and shape selected being dependent in part upon the function to be performed by the forceps. The slot in each arm is defined by a pair of opposed walls. The contacting members include side walls which engage the opposed walls of the slot.

Abstract: An expander device, particularly for use in expanding springs, piston rings, circlips and similar objects, comprises a support member and an actuating member which are pivotally connected to one another and equipped with handgrip portions. A pair of expanding jaws is mounted on the support member for pivoting in a plane which is parallel to the axis of pivoting of the actuating member relative to the support member. A transmission converts the pivoting of the actuating member into spreading apart of the jaws, the transmission including a ratchet mechanism which includes a toothed rack mounted on a guide track for movement in the frontward direction of the device, a transporting pawl which is actuated by the actuating member so as to engage the teeth of the rack and to move the latter, and an arresting pawl which arrests the rack against movement in the rearward direction of the support member.

Abstract: An orthodontic O-ring dispenser comprising a magazine or housing for containing a supply of stacked O-rings that are progressively advanced toward a slotted discharge opening wherein the respective O-rings are individually dispensed by stretching the endmost O-ring with the aid of a ligator to permit the dispensing of the O-ring through the discharge opening. The O-ring dispenser may also comprise a plurality of O-rings integrally molded to a core and which are connected thereto in a manner to facilitate the independent removal of the respective O-rings from the attached core.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an installation tool for securing tapped plugs onto panels. In a preferred embodiment said tool includes a threaded rod slidably supported at one end of a first lever, a link pivotably connected at its lower end to said first lever the upper end of which including an opening through which said threaded rod extends and a second lever pivotably connected to said link, said second lever including a protrusion which can cooperate with said first lever to cause the respective ends of said first lever and of said link through which said threaded rod extends to move away from each other during a first movement of both levers toward each other, said link including a protrusion which can cooperate with said second lever after a predetermined rotation of said second lever relatively to said first lever to move said respective ends of said first lever and of said link supporting said rod further away from each other.

Abstract: Surgical instrument for applying tension to a metal cable secured to the spine in an operation for the correction of scoliosis.

Abstract: A hand manipulable device for removing bottle stoppers comprising upper and lower bifurcated jaws engageable about the neck of a bottle between the shoulder and mouth of the bottle for engagement of the upper jaw below the overhanging stopper head whereby a spreading of the jaws effects an upward withdrawal of the stopper. A retaining arm is fixed to the upper jaw and extends generally centrally thereover in outwardly spaced relation thereto for engagement over the head of the stopper in a manner so as to retain the stopper subsequent to release thereof from the bottle.

Abstract: Parallel action pliers for the manipulation of snap rings and the like. The jaws of the pliers carry a pair of parallel pins adapted to engage the snap ring, and the parallel relationship continues as the pins are moved away from or toward one another by actuation of the plier handles. The plier jaws are provided with two pairs of parallel bores in which the pins can be selectively mounted, and the pairs of bores are perpendicular to one another to enable the pliers to be either perpendicular or parallel to the plane of the snap ring being manipulated as available space may dictate.