Abstract: The invention provides an improved system for masking the free edge of a window gasket in preparation for repainting or refinishing a vehicle. The system includes a method of painting a vehicle which comprises introducing a flexible plastic strip (10) beneath a window sealing gasket (12) in the vicinity of a part of the vehicle to be painted, the plastic strip (10) having a tapered profile in cross section so that as the strip (10) is pressed beneath the gasket (12), the latter is lifted and held in the raised position, masking the edge of the raised gasket (12) and applying paint to the vehicle so that paint reaches the area normally covered by the edge of the gasket. Generally, the strip (10) is a plasticised polymer in the form of a triangular cross section having one side (14) longer than the other two (15, 18).

Abstract: A combination pliers including a first pliers body consisted of two pivoted blades with insulated grips, a second pliers body consisted of two pivoted blades attached to the pivot joint of the first pliers body, wherein the jaws of the first pliers body move apart from each other and the jaws of the second pliers body come together as the two insulated grips of the first pliers body are squeezed toward each other; the insulated grips of the first pliers body are returned to their former positions by a torsional spring as the inward pressure is released, causing the jaws of the first pliers body to come together and the jaws of the second pliers body to move apart from each other.

Abstract: A tool for spreading high tension springs used in the brakes of heavy equipment is provided. This tool spreads at least a portion of a high tension spring by squeezing the handles together by hand thereby separating the arms. This is the opposite of what happens when the handles of standard pliers are squeezed together.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) is provided to enable a single operator to effect a controlled release of an elevator hoist brake (32) thus allowing "drifting" of the elevator car to the nearest floor and quick safe rescue of trapped passengers during an electrical outage. Other apparatus (120, 130) is provided which may be combined with elements of the apparatus 20 to release brakes on special types of elevators. An additional arrangement (20') of the apparatus 20 is provided to release brakes on still other special types of elevators. An observer having the elevator car in view may communicate (e.g. by hand held transceiver) desired car movements to the operator who is typically located in the machine room atop the elevator shaft.

Abstract: A vicing tool for internally gripping hollow bodies, in particular, those of a tubular nature, which comprises a body (1) created in two halves (1a, 1b) having two mating faces (2a, 2b) and angularly displaceable with respect to one another about a rotational axis (X) coincident with a common edge (4) of said faces as well as means (8) for imparting to said two halves of said body said angular displacement. From at least one side of said body a nose (12) extends formed by two elongated members (12a, 12b) having substantially semicylindrical lateral surfaces, extending from said two halves of said body and connected coplanarly to said faces. The nose (12) is composed of longitudinal concentric portions (13a, 13b, 13c 13d), of increasing diameter starting from its free end, and the rotational axis (X) is parallel and eccentric with respect to the longitudinal axis of said nose.

Abstract: A spreader tool for the individual coupling and decoupling of heald shafts to or from the respective drive rods or shaft pulls of a heald loom is constructed to be inserted into a gap between two connecting spring sections from above the loom healds for spreading the connecting spring sections apart. The tool has two jaws that are normally biased into their closed position by a spring for insertion into the gap and are then spread apart by a cam drive or the like. The assembly and disassembly is thus greatly facilitated and the time previously required for this type of work has been substantially reduced.

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 a rotatable eccentric knob. The knob carries a spring biased lock for securing the levers in a selected one of its operating positions.

Abstract: An opener for a videotape cassette case of the type having a body and a cover hinged to the body, the body and cover presenting two parallel spaced-apart flanges when the case is closed. The opener includes a rigid element, which may be a flat plate, having a shoulder portion wider than the spacing between the case flanges when the case is closed, the shoulder portion tapering toward a nose portion which is narrower than the spacing between the case flanges when the case is closed. A closed videotape cassette case is opened by inserting the nose portion of the opener into one end of the space between the flanges and moving the case with respect to the opener so as to bring the shoulder portion between the flanges to urge the flanges apart. Continued movement of the case with respect to the shoulder portion of the opener causes the flanges to progressively separate from each other so as to pry the cover from the body and thereby open the case.

Abstract: A tool for moving first and second mechanical pieces away from each other comprises a first arm with a handgrip portion, a second arm having a proximate end pivotally connected to the first arm, a first notch formed on a free end of the first arm opposite to the handgrip portion, and a second notch formed on the distal free end of the second arm. At least one notch is oriented in a direction defining an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the corresponding arm, to enable the first and second notches to fully engage generally facing edges of the mechanical pieces before the first and second arms are pivoted manually about the pivotal connection and through the handgrip portion to move the mechanical pieces away from each other.

Abstract: A tool for removing a split washer, such as a brake lever "C" clamp, from a groove in a projection, such as would be found on a brake lever pivot is provided. The tool includes a first lever member; a second lever member pivotally interconnected to the first lever member at a pivotal axis; a gripping component manipulatable by the first lever member; and a cooperating component manipulatable by the second lever member. The distal end of the gripping component and the distal end of the cooperating component are located an equal distance from the pivotal axis to facilitate the gripping component to grip a portion of the washer. The cooperating component may be viewed as a wedge component as it is shaped to progressively increase the distance between the washer legs in correlation to the position of the first lever member relative to the second lever member until the inner geometery of the washer is sufficient to remove the washer from the projection.

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: 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 device for dilating and propping open a patient's jaws. The device includes a pair of outwardly-extending upper arms and a pair of outwardly extending lower arms. Each of the arms has a respective distal end which has a pad pivotally mounted thereon which contacts the patient's jaws during use thereof, and a respective proximal end which is pivotably secured to the housing. Means is provided for pivoting the distal ends of the upper arms towards and away from the distal end of the lower arms such that the distal ends move substantially arcuately between the open and closed positions. A worm and worm wheel arrangement is provided for pivoting the arms, such that the spacing therebetween is infinitely variable.

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: The Balloon Stretcher includes a molded base and a bottom bolt which adjusts to clamp the base to a countertop. Within the base and projecting from it is a stationary rod and an adjustable rod with a handle. This adjustable rod has a set screw which, when loosened allows the rod to be pulled out and away from the fixed rod and, when tightened, allows the adjustable rod to be held firmly in any one of various positions. By loosening the set screw the adjustable rod may be pushed back to its starting position, parallel to the stationary rod. The neck of a latex balloon in any size from five inches and larger is fitted over and up the ends of both rods. The rods are inside the balloon and the rod ends protrude into the body of the balloon. The set screw is then loosened and the adjustable rod is pulled out in a straight line away from the Balloon Stretcher base.

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 disc brake tool and kit is disclosed which is used for back seating disc brake pistons into the bores after old brake pads have been removed to make room for new brake pads. The disc brake tool includes a driven jaw with a first bearing surface and gudgeon socket, a driving jaw with second bearing surface and a centrally located threaded hole, and a threaded bolt which screws into the centrally located threaded hole and seats within the gudgeon socket to maintain the two bearing surface in parallel relation to each other. Turning the threaded bolt in one direction causes the bearing surfaces on the jaws to move away from each other thereby driving the disc brake piston back into its bore. Rotating the threaded bolt in the other direction loosens the jaws and bolts so that they can be removed from within the caliper of the disc brake. The kit further includes a U-shaped clip which may be placed over the jaws which are joined to form a compact container in which the threaded bolt is received for easy storage.

Abstract: The cover of a rigid sliding roof is sealed against the solid roof region around it by means of a peripheral hollow chamber seal, a bead of this seal being only locally in contact with protrusions which are formed at the front of a rail fixing the hollow chamber seal. So that an adjustment procedure can be carried out in the case of a lack of pressure effect or in the case of too much pressure effect by means of tools, one appropriate to each case, each protrusion is aligned with and at a distance from a penetration which can be plastically deformed so that in each case the protrusion is moved towards or away from the penetration.

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: An elongated extraction tool body slidably mounts a laterally extending abutment element closely spaced from a laterally extending jaw fixed to one end of the body. The abutment element is displaced from a limit position against a spring bias, by a thumb contact member, to a reaction establishing position enabling the jaw to exert a deforming force.

Abstract: A levered tool for spreading apart two interconnected semi-circular concentric brake drum shoes, to facilitate removal of the adjuster member which adjusts the minimum radius of the brake shoes. The semi-circular brake shoes are conventionally closed one toward the other at their inner ends as well as at their outer ends by coil springs, and are relatively pivotable about their inner ends. The adjuster member is usually an elongated spacer member, of adjustable length, extending in between the spaced inner ends of the brake shoes, against the bias of the corresponding coil springs. The outer circumferential faces of the brake shoes each comprises a transverse blade, the innermost edge of which projects inwardly relative to the main body of the brake shoes.

Abstract: A device for releasing conical coupling connections including a handle including opposing jaws which define wedge-shaped cross-sections. Preferably, the jaws define a central semi-circular portion adapted to engage the circumference of the conical connector and defining a cross-section of a truncated cone. The handle may include a scissor-like body or a unitary U-shaped body.

Abstract: A key ring device comprising a jointed ring which can be drawn apart to allow insertion of a key or other object and an accessory part hanging from the ring. The accessory part includes a tool component to separate the ring loops and a guard member surrounding the tool to protect the user from the tool.

Abstract: A self-securing ball-and-socket joint which has a ball head integrally formed on a rod, an outer structural part having a bore that pivotably receives the ball head and a radially elastic CIRCLIP brand retaining ring as well as a separate auxiliary assembly tool for the retaining ring. In the outer structural part beside the center of the ball head, there is a circumferential groove having a support face for the retaining ring. When the ball-and-socket joint is assembled, the retaining ring is first inserted into the circumferential groove. Then the auxiliary assembly tool is inserted into the bore. At its initial end the auxiliary assembly tool is embodied in the manner of a centering and expansion tool, so that it aligns the retaining ring with respect to the circumferential groove and finally forces it into this groove. Upon further displacement of the auxiliary assembly tool, the retaining ring snaps home into a detent notch provided on the circumference of the auxiliary assembly 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: An elongated panel member body is provided including opposite end hooks opening toward remote ends of the body and outwardly of a first longitudinal side edge of the body. A longitudinal midportion of the body includes a transverse first finger receiving bore formed therethrough and the opposite end portions of the other longitudinal edge of the body include thumb engageable abutment surfaces facing outwardly of the body and engageable by the thumb of the user. One end of the body extends endwise outwardly beyond the corresponding hook and has one end of an elongated flexible tension member anchored relative thereto, the other end of the tension member being equipped with a hook member.