Abstract: A compact clamp design includes an upper and a lower arm fitted with gripping pads at respective front ends and hinged together at respective back ends. The rearward positioned hinge enables the clamp to open very wide since the hinge and the gripping pads are relatively very far apart. An operating handle integrated as part of an upper arm. When the clamp is closed there are no protruding members. The clamp is very compact and minimally obtrusive.

Abstract: A bar clamp operates by squeezing a handle to close a jaw. The improvements of the present invention include: A rigid locking wedge geometry wherein the wedges are parallel to each other, a simplified wire form release element, a structure for retaining a jaw locking knob upon the jaw, and a snap fitted gripping pad.

Abstract: A slide switch adjustable wrench uses a laminated steel construction method that includes a stepped surface to form a guide for the worm gear driven moving jaw. A molded or similarly formed body is sandwiched between the steel housing sides to form a sturdy structure. The body provides cavities, bearings and other features to support and guide moving parts within. A rack and pinion drive system uses simple molded gears to amplify about 2 inches of switch travel into about 6 turns of the worm gear. An overmolded rubber edge grip bonds to the body to create a recess in the body; this recess seamlessly fits the steel sides to form a smooth continuously contoured grip surface.

Abstract: A bar clamp operates by squeezing a handle to close a jaw. The improvements of the present invention include: low actuation force, two speed action to provide both high speed closing and high force clamping, a removable bar to allow different length bars to be installed into one body, a side mounted bar release button which allows easy access and an increased handle stroke, and reinforced wedge elements.

Abstract: A portable cooling device includes an elongated chamber supported on a surface at an angle. The preferably cylindrical chamber holds a cylindrical bottle where an annular air space surrounds the bottle. The high efficiency design provides for adjusting the air direction with a one-piece pivotable outlet vent. A clamshell chamber made from two half-tubes allows easy plastic molding and access to the chamber interior for cleaning and for removal of the condensate tray. The integrated monolithic shape of the device fully encloses the working parts for a clean sanitary look.

Abstract: An improved trigger to activate a switch for power actuated devices is disclosed. A one piece molded part provides a return spring and a trigger lock as an element of the trigger. Both the return spring and the lock include extended resilient portions to allow motion of the return spring and the lock in relation to the body of the trigger. Either one or both of the lock and the return spring may be a part of the trigger of the invention.

Abstract: A compact simplified staple gun mechanism is disclosed. The invention provides an improvement to conventional staple guns and particularly to a forward action type staple gun. A compact high efficiency reset spring applies force in selected directions depending on the position of an actuating lever in the reset cycle. The lever and power spring engage a plunger through multiple proximate openings in the plunger while retaining a strong compact configuration. The lever and power spring are partially nested in each other and pivot about a common post of the housing. The above combined features provide a high efficiency compact staple gun tool.

Abstract: A reversible, stepless one way clutch mechanism which is suited for use in screwdriver type hand tools according to one embodiment. The improvements comprising: a simplified torque transmitting friction element which is direction selectable by a slide switch, the friction element being a flat plate substantially surrounding, the friction element contacting smooth walls inside of a metal cylinder which is formed from a single thickness metal sheet through a deep drawing process.