Abstract: A paint brush having a ferrule telescopically receiving a handle at one end and the bristles at the other is disclosed with supporting and prying means on one side thereof for adapting the brush to hang from the rim of a paint can, in spaced relation from the walls of the can, and to pry off the lid of the can. The supporting and prying device includes a prying portion which projects outwardly of the ferrule and a hook portion located between the prying portion and the end of the ferrule that receives the handle. An adapter member for adapting a conventional paint brush to hang from the rim of a paint can and to adapt the brush to provide a tool for prying open the can is also disclosed as including a base portion, a prying portion and a hook portion. The base portion is mountable to one side of the ferrule whereby the prying portion and the hook portion project outwardly from the base portion and the ferrule.

Abstract: A multiple stroke hand tool comprises a ram slidably mounted to a support member. A compact rotatable ratchet member is connected to the ram and pivotally mounted to the support member such that as a drive pawl engages the ratchet member, it is rotated causing the ram to move between an open position and a closed position. A resilient member is attached to the ratchet member and exerts a force on the ratchet member opposing rotation thereof. A latching means, pivotally mounted to the support member, cooperates with the ratchet member to prevent unwanted backward rotation of the ratchet member. The latching means disengages from the ratchet member at the end of a cycle which in turn causes the drive pawl to disengage from the ratchet member, allowing automatic return of the ram to the open position. A manual override is also provided such that the latching means may be disengaged as required. A fast take-up is also positioned on the hand tool such that quick, easy, one-handed operation is effected.

Abstract: A pull tab opener for use on pop-top cans such as are used for beverages having a mounting with fingers gripping the edge of the can opposite the pull tab and a lever arm hinged to the mounting for rotation downward and over the pull tab. The arm has a lip which falls below the periphery of the tab, when the tab is pushed down. When the arm is raised, the lip raises the pull tab above its yield point, but less than that which would break the seal at the opening. Thereafter the can is storable and can be readily opened by the fingers. A yieldably resilient portion of the lever arm is held against the opening in the can by an extension releasably engaging the edge of the can opposite the edge gripped by the fingers.

Abstract: A microcentrifuge tube opener adapted to open a microcentrifuge tube comprising a container with an opening, and a lid for the container, the lid having a lip projection extending past the outer perimeter of the opening and an inner portion shaped to sealing fit inside the opening. The opener comprises a base, having a recess shaped to accept the lip projection, comprising a lower projection below and adjacent the recess; and an upper projection above and adjacent the recess. Both the lower projection and the upper projection are positioned to touch the lid, but the base cannot touch the inner portion of the lid when the lid is removed from the cup and the lip is positioned in the recess. The lid can be moved from the cup by positioning the lip in the recess and causing the lower projection to apply pressure to the lip away from the cup and, at the same time, causing the upper projection to apply pressure to the tube at a position distant from the lip, in a direction towards the cup.

Abstract: A hand-operated device for removing tight fitting removable container pail lids having a continuous, skirt-like flange downwardly depending from the annular portion to circumscribe the container pail when in position. The device has a body section of uniform cross-section with a rear handle end, an upper edge, a lower edge, a main fulcrum surface at the front end, and a notch in the upper edge of the body section. A flange-engaging member which is a plate having an aperture within which the main body section is received, is moveably seated in the notch. The plate has a forwardly and upwardly angled lower, flange-engaging lip which in operation engages the flange of the lid and when an upward movement is effected at the handle end, an outward distortion of the flange of the lid is effected thereby permitting the removal of the lid without having to cut its flange.

Abstract: A combination of a cigarette lighter and a bottle opener which provides a compact apparatus having two components which are commonly used in similar social situations. The apparatus has a body to provide a fuel tank, and a cigarette lighter and bottle opener cooperate with the body at positions spaced sufficiently apart on the body to provide an elongated handle of sufficient length for grip and leverage to operate the bottle opener.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for opening a container (42) comprises a cord (22) looped at one end of a cylindrical member (24) and having a free end (28) that extends through the member and a transverse gripper (26). One end (36) of the cord is anchored to the wall of the cylindrical member (24), and the free end is saddled within a notch (38) formed in the gripper. The cord (22) is formed of a nylon wrap or other material that has a "rebound" characteristic, that is, wherein the cord has a diameter that reduces as the cord is stretched and rebounds as the cord is released. In use, the cord loop (44) is wrapped around the gap formed between the lid (40) and container (42). The cord (22) is manually twisted, and as the cord stretches, its diameter reduces until the cord slips into the gap. As the cord (22) is further twisted within the gap, it tends to flatten against the neck of the lid ( 40) thereby imparting an axial separating force to the lid and container.

Abstract: A one-piece, hand-operated opener for plastic cork or cap removal. A frame of generally rigid material surrounds a keyhole shaped opening, the circular portion of said opening fitting over the head portion of a plastic cap press-fitted into the neck of a champagne bottle. The slot portion of the opening has a smaller lateral dimension permitting it to be forced between the downward edges of the cap head portion and a flange adjacent to the bottle neck extremity. The frame shape on either side of the slot section of the opening forms a ramp, the thickness of the frame thereat increasing in the direction of a butt portion extending from said frame at the end opposite the opening circular portion. Integral thumb and finger ears extend laterally opposite from the frame adjacent the circular opening portion.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed which has a variable tool stroke useful for inserting a wire conductor into and along a conductor terminating slot of an electrical terminal of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,141,618.