Abstract: A tool is provided and includes a hook member which is attached to an extendable and retractable pole member, and a retainer which can retain the pole member in a collapsed position. The hook member is used to twist a short portion of a workpiece around a long portion of a workpiece in order to secure the short portion to the long portion when the workpiece is hung from an overhead support member. The retainer retains an inner pole of the pole member within an outer pole of the pole member when the pole member is in a collapsed position.

Abstract: A tool is provided and includes a hook member which is attached to an extendable and retractable pole member, and a retainer which can retain the pole member in a collapsed position. The hook member is used to twist a short portion of a workpiece around a long portion of a workpiece in order to secure the short portion to the long portion when the workpiece is hung from an overhead support member. The retainer retains an inner pole of the pole member within an outer pole of the pole member when the pole member is in a collapsed position.

Abstract: A tool for cutting/crimping a workpiece, such as a cable, includes an automatic rapid blade advance such that a blade on a movable jaw of the tool advances toward cutting the cable every time the handles of the tool are closed. The automatic rapid blade advance also advances the blade on the movable jaw toward cutting the cable every time the handles of the tool are opened up until the blade on the movable jaw first encounters a resistive force from the cable. The tool also includes an automatic blade return such that the blade on the movable jaw will automatically return to its original position after the blade has cut through or crimped the cable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel stud punch tool for punching a stud. The tool includes a first member, a second member, a third member pivotally connected to the first and second members, and a punch assembly. The first member has an opening for receiving the stud and a bore that is in communication with the opening and which allows the punch assembly to move through the bore and the opening to punch the stud. The second member has slots therein to allow the punching assembly to be slidably mounted therein such that a portion of the punch assembly is capable of being positioned at a first end of the slot when the second member is parallel to the first member and such that the portion is capable of being positioned at a second end of the slots when the second member is angled from the first member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a post driver which includes various post adaptors having different cross-sections. The post adaptors can be attached to, and detached from, a head portion of the post driver. An adaptor is attached to the head portion by retracting a pin in the head portion, sliding the adaptor into slots on the head portion, and releasing the pin such that the pin extends through an aperture of the adaptor. A post having a cross-section comparable to that of the adaptor can then be inserted into the adaptor, allowing the post driver to drive the post into the ground. The adaptor can be removed from the head portion by retracting the pin and sliding the adaptor out of the slots. If another type of post is to be driven into the ground, a corresponding adaptor can be attached to the head portion.

Abstract: A cable testing system for testing individual lines of a cable. The cable testing system includes a main unit having an input jack and a plurality of identifying lights connected to the input jack, and at least one remote module including an input jack and an output jack, a power source in communication with the output jack, and a plurality of identifying lights connected to the input jack. Preferably, the output jack of the remote module is configured to receive one end of a multiple line cable and the input jacks of both the main unit and remote module are configured to receive the other end of the multiple line cable. The remote module preferably includes a test signal generator configured to send test signals sequentially along each line of the cable, and includes an identifying signal generator which is configured to send an identifying signal along a line of the cable.

Abstract: A device for cutting a welded wire structure is provided. The welded wire structure includes a first wire and a second wire which are joined together and are offset relative to each other. The device includes a first arm pivotally connected to a second arm. The first arm includes a handle and a jaw connected thereto. The second arm includes a handle and a jaw connected thereto. The jaws are offset from each other. The jaw of the first arm includes a U-shaped portion into which the first wire is capable of being positioned during cutting. The jaw of the second arm includes a notch provided in a surface thereof which faces the jaw of the first arm. The second wire is capable of being positioned within the notch during cutting.

Abstract: A deep socket which has two ends, where each end is configured to engage a pair of different sized nuts. Preferably, one end of the deep socket is configured to engage either a ¾ inch or {fraction (13/16)} inch square nut, and the other end of the deep socket is configured to engage either a 1 inch or 1-and-⅛ inch square nut. Preferably, the deep socket is configured such that the deep socket can be used to turn a nut fully down on a threaded rod which extends up to eight inches including a nut on the threaded rod. Preferably, the socket includes a body that provides a bore that is configured to accept the threaded rod when the socket is used to turn the nut down on the threaded rod. Preferably, each end of the socket is configured to be engaged with a ¾ inch square adapter. Ideally, each end is configured to engage a spring pin locking mechanism which is provided on the adapter such that the socket tends to remain engaged with the adapter.

Abstract: A guide structure for guiding rope into turns of a helically wound arrangement of the rope upon a generally cylindrical capstan rotating to receive helical turns of the rope thereon, includes a helically ramped guide surface upon which the rope travels in winding into said turns and a support base formed on said guide structure and spaced from said guide surface. The guide structure has a coupling structure arranged for adjustably fixed coupling to a support structure on which the capstan is rotatably mounted. Multiple coupling structures are arranged to enable adjustably fixing spacial orientation of the ramped surface in relation to the capstan, in order to directionally adjust feed of the rope from the ramped guide surface onto the capstan to induce orderly arrangement of the rope turns on the capstan. In one embodiment, an annular arrangement of coupling sockets are provided on a rear support surface of the guide structure.

Abstract: A device for removing a plurality of cables from a plurality of reels and thereafter feeding or advancing the cables to, for example, a conduit. The device includes a pair of rotary members positionable relative to each other such that the cables are frictionally retained therebetween. Each of the rotary members has a generally flexible peripheral surface which frictionally contacts the plurality of cables and generally at least partially conforms thereto. A motor is connected to at least one of the rotary members, and the motor rotates the rotary member thereby causing the rotary members to pull the cables from the reels and thereafter advance or feed the cables to, for example, a conduit.

Abstract: A novel adjustment assembly for use with a hydraulic control apparatus. The hydraulic control apparatus is attached to a hydraulically operated tool to provide a desired hydraulically powered function. The present invention allows the hydraulic control apparatus to be used with either a constant volume (open-center) hydraulic system or constant pressure (closed-center) hydraulic power system. The novel adjustment assembly of the present invention provides a structure which can be configured to force open shuttle spool valves in the control apparatus in a neutral condition for use with a constant volume power supply. The adjustment assembly can also be configured to be disengaged from the shuttle spool valves in a neutral condition for use with a constant pressure hydraulic power system. Operation of the adjustment assembly is made using standard tools and without disassembly of the control apparatus.

Abstract: A die structure for use in a tool which crimps or cuts a workpiece between relatively moveable jaws of the tool on which the die structure is securable is particularly structured for durability when used to severe high tensile strength cable such as guy wire and other multi-strand cable. A pair of die structures in accordance with the invention each has a cutting edge formed on a die body, and in a preferred embodiment, the cutting edges have aligned engagement surfaces which are flat and elongate to provide a pinching action which fractures or severs the workpiece usually before the cutting surfaces meet. The flat cutting surfaces provide improved durability over sharp cutting edges, and are preferably heat treated to promote further durability in severe cutting surface.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive tool such as a crimping apparatus which includes a crimp head assembly and a body portion which are arranged in an axially elongated configuration to balance a grip area of the apparatus along the center of gravity of the apparatus. The crimping apparatus includes a hydraulic drive assembly having a wobble plate. The hydraulic drive assembly has an axially oriented piston arrangement in a hydraulic head to position an axially arranged configuration of the hydraulic drive assembly along a central axis of the apparatus. The wobble plate is configured to provide axially displaced, non-rotational, generally linear movement of a wobble ring to transfer reciprocal movement to pistons retained in the hydraulic block. The apparatus is configured with the hydraulic drive assembly centrally positioned in the body portion with the crimping head assembly at one end and a battery power source at an opposite end.

Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for use with a hydraulically operated tool comprises a valve body operatively and having a valve bore defining an axis. The valve body also defines a pressure port and a return port for connecting the valve bore to a source of hydraulic fluid, and a cross port communicating between the valve bore and the hydraulic tool. A tubular conduit has one end in communication with the valve bore and an opposite end in communication with the hydraulic tool. A selector member is moveable between a first position for defining a passage communicating between the cross port and the opposite end of the tubular conduit to provide a return path for hydraulic fluid between the pressure port and the return port, and a second position for closing off this passage.