Abstract: The self-adjusting locking pliers include a fixed assembly having a fixed jaw supported at one end. A moveable jaw is pivotably supported on the fixed assembly at a slidable pivot connection. The slidable pivot connection includes a pawl provided with teeth. A rack of teeth includes first and second sets of teeth offset from one another by 1/2 of the pitch that may each be engaged by the teeth formed on pawl. A lever is attached to the fixed assembly and a linkage transmits a force applied to the lever to the jaws and locks the jaws in the clamping position. The linkage allows the angle between the links to be preset to thereby control the clamping force applied to the work piece. The movable jaw is selectively attached to the linkage in one two positions such that the jaw span may be adjusted without affecting the geometry of the linkage.

Abstract: A composite utility blade and method of making such a blade involves butt joining a high speed or tool steel wire to a front edge of an alloy steel backing strip. The wire defines a predetermined cross-sectional shape that substantially corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the cutting edge of the blade. The wire is electron beam welded to the backing strip to form a composite strip defining a first metal portion formed by the alloy steel backing strip, a second metal portion formed by the high speed or tool steel wire, and a weld region joining the first and second metal portions. The composite strip is then annealed, and the annealed strip is straightened to eliminate any camber therein. The annealed composite strip is then hardened such that the first metal portion defines a first surface hardness and the second metal portion defines a second surface hardness greater than the first surface hardness.

Abstract: In a hard metal plate for insertion in to a seat formed at one end of a drill shaft of a rock drill, comprising a substantially rectangular base shape having two opposed long sides extending in the axial direction of the drill shaft which are at least partially covered by the seat, two opposed, substantially axial free short sides, a radial bottom side facing towards the seat and a cutting face facing away from the seat, both short sides are formed by an axial section having a purely axial direction component and a conical section inclined towards the axial direction, so that at the short side, the substantially rectangular plate tapers towards the bottom side.

Abstract: The drill bit comprises a cutting blade formed at one end of a shank. The cutting blade has a pair of cutting shoulders that extend inwardly from the outer sides of the blade toward the bit axis. A tip having converging sides that create a point extends from the shoulders. The cutting edge of each shoulder is beveled with respect to the plane of the face of the blade. A flute is provided on the leading portion of each blade face adjacent the cutting edges. Each flute is a smooth curve that creates a substantially uninterrupted recess on each face of the blade that facilitates chip removal, increases the drill rate and lowers the power required to drill a hole. A non-stick coating may be applied to the blade to further facilitate chip removal.

Abstract: A method of operating a clamp (100) that includes a first clamping jaw (102), a support element (104) to which the first clamping jaw is attached and a trigger handle (118) pivotably mounted to a clamp body (112). The method includes actuating the trigger handle causing the first clamping jaw to experience incremental motion and varying the incremental motion as a function of a load encountered by the support element by varying an effective lever arm of the trigger handle by moving a fulcrum point into contact or out of contact with the trigger handle based on the load.

Abstract: A clamping and/or spreading tool comprises a drive for displacement of a push or pull rod to which a movable jaw is fixed with respect to a support carrying a stationary jaw in longitudinal direction of the push and pull rod, said drive comprising a torsion spring and being adapted to enter torque transmitting engagement with the push or pull rod for displacement of the same.

Abstract: A package for a saw blade comprises a housing defining a space for receiving a saw blade. A first cover is attached to the housing at a hinge, and is pivoted at the hinge so as to overlay the saw blade and retain the saw blade in the housing. The cover is dimensioned to extend over less than the entire saw blade. A compartment may be attached to the housing where a security device is located in the compartment. A second cover seals the security element in the compartment. A second cover may be attached to the housing at a second hinge, and pivoted at the second hinge so as to overlay the saw blade and retain the saw blade in the housing. The second cover is dimensioned so as to extend over less than the entire saw blade.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a chalk line device having a helical gear and an improved locking assembly. The locking assembly comprises a first lock member having a lock button. The locking assembly also comprises a second lock member including an opening to lockingly engage the first lock member and having a plurality of teeth at one end disposed adjacent one of the helical gears used in this embodiment. The second lock member engages with the helical gear in response to a movement of the lock button member.

Abstract: A composite utility knife blade and method of making such a blade involves butt joining a tool steel wire to a front edge of an alloy steel backing strip. The wire is electron beam welded to the backing strip to form a composite strip defining a first metal portion formed by the alloy steel backing strip, a second metal portion formed by the tool steel wire, and a weld region joining the first and second metal portions. The composite strip is then annealed, and the annealed strip is straightened to eliminate any camber therein. The annealed composite strip is then hardened such that the first metal portion defines a surface hardness within the range of approximately 38 Rc to approximately 52 Rc, and the second metal portion defines a surface hardness within the range of approximately 60 Rc to approximately 57 Rc.

Abstract: A lockable pliers comprises a fixed assembly comprising a first handle supporting a first jaw. A second jaw is movable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed, locked position. A second handle is movable relative to the first handle and is connected to the second jaw at a fixed pivot. A toggle-link locking mechanism locks the second jaw in the closed, locked position. A movable pivot connects the second jaw to the fixed assembly such that the second jaw can move relative to the fixed assembly when the second jaw is in the closed, locked position and a torque is applied to the pliers.

Abstract: A first member defines an aperture between the jaw and the handle that is defined by a first side wall and a second side wall where the first side wall, second side wall and handle may be integrally formed as a unitary piece. The jaws may also be formed integrally with the handle and side walls. The second member includes an elongated slot and a row of teeth. A pivot member extends along the axis of rotation and includes a tooth engageable with the row of teeth. The pivot member moves between a first position where the teeth are engaged and movement of the first jaw away from the second jaw is prevented and a second position where the teeth are disengaged and movement of the first jaw away from the second jaw is permitted.

Abstract: The pliers comprise a fixed assembly and a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed, locked position. A movable pivot connects the second jaw to the fixed assembly such that the movable pivot can move relative to the fixed assembly when the second jaw is in the closed, locked position and a torque is applied to the pliers. The second jaw is configured such that a resultant force on the second jaw is inside of the fixed pivot, between the fixed pivot and the movable pivot.

Abstract: A lockable pliers comprises a fixed assembly comprising a first handle supporting a first jaw. A second jaw is movable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed, locked position. A second handle is movable relative to the first handle and is connected to the second jaw at a fixed pivot. A locking mechanism locks the jaws in the closed, locked position. A movable gripping member can move relative to the jaws when the jaws are in the closed, locked position and a torque is applied to the pliers.

Abstract: A clamping and/or spreading tool comprises a drive for displacement of a push or pull rod to which a movable jaw is fixed with respect to a support carrying a stationary jaw in longitudinal direction of the push and pull rod, said drive comprising a torsion spring and being adapted to enter torque transmitting engagement with the push or pull rod for displacement of the same.

Abstract: A clamp comprising a bar supporting a movable jaw having a first support surface. The bar is slidably received in a jaw body and the jaw body supports a fixed jaw. A support is slidably disposed on the bar and has a second support surface that is coplanar with the first support surface such that the clamp can be supported on the first support surface and the second support surface on a surface. In one method of operating the clamp a work piece is positioned directly on the bar. In another method of operating the clamp the movable jaw is moved relative to the fixed jaw and is stopped by the engagement of the support with the body.

Abstract: A jaw assembly for a clamp is provided that comprises a jaw body having a jaw rotatably mounted on the jaw body. A locking member is movable between a first position where the jaw is locked relative to the jaw body and a second position where the jaw is unlocked relative to the jaw body such that it can rotate relative thereto. A clamp is also provided that incorporates the jaw assembly. In the unlocked position the jaw can pivot such that it can orient itself relative to the workpiece and in the locked position the jaw is fixed such that it can clamp the edges of a workpiece. A method of operating a clamp is also set forth.

Abstract: The chalk line comprises a housing that supports the spool having a string or line wound thereon in a chalk chamber. The transmission for rewinding the spool is located in a separate compartment. The chalk filled chamber is isolated from the transmission such that the components located in the chamber are the spool, line and chalk. A door for allowing access to the chamber is opened by manually operating a latch. A safety interlock is also provided such that the latch cannot be inadvertently unlocked.

Abstract: A cutting head is formed at one end of the shank and comprises a cylindrical member having an annular wall defining a circular cutting edge. A cutting blade having a sharp cutting edge extends from adjacent a centering point to adjacent the cutting edge. The cutting head is formed of a first material and the cutting blade is formed of a second material. The cutting blade is brazed to the cutting head. A method of making a drill bit comprises investment casting a shank and a cutting head of a first material. A pocket is formed that extends to the cutting edge. A coupon of a second material is brazed in the pocket. A sharp edge is ground in the coupon.

Abstract: A clamp that includes a first clamping jaw, a support element to which the first clamping jaw is attached and a clamp body having a first slot through which the support element passes along a first direction and an opening that faces in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A handle grip attached to the clamp body, a braking lever and a brake actuator that contacts the braking lever and includes an engagement element that extends through the opening.