Abstract: A retrofit handle attachment for scissors. The attachment includes a contoured attachment body adapted for being secured to a handle portion of the scissors and held in a palm of a user. The attachment body defines an enlarged surface area for being gripped by the user. Fasteners are provided for securing the attachment body to the handle portion of the scissors, whereby the handle attachment increases the comfort of the scissors in the palm of the user to reduce fatigue and the incidence of repetitive motion injury.

Abstract: A portable light assembly includes a ballast, a bulb having a base and at least one electrode for being connected to the ballast, and an elongate light-transmitting protective shield surrounding the bulb. A shock-absorbing bulb socket is located adjacent to the base of the bulb to protect the bulb against impact damage. The bulb socket includes a top and bottom, and integrally formed side walls engaging an inside wall of the protective shield. A plurality of openings extend longitudinally through the socket from the top to the bottom for receiving from the bottom a plurality of electrical wires connected to the ballast, and for receiving from the top a plurality of external pins connected to the electrode and extending outwardly from the base of the bulb. The top of the bulb socket defines a contoured recess adapted for receiving and holding the base of the bulb.

Abstract: A hand-held fluorescent light includes a handle to be gripped by the user for carrying the light. An electronic ballast is contained in the handle for providing starting voltage and for limiting electric current through the circuit elements of the light. A replaceable, phosphor-coated, sealed bulb is connected to the handle and includes at least one electrode located in the bulb for receiving an electric current from the ballast. A shock absorbing bulb socket serves to electrically connect the electrode and the ballast together.

Abstract: A hand-held fluorescent light includes a handle to be gripped by the user for carring the light. An electronic ballast is contained in the handle for providing starting voltage and for limiting electric current through the circuit elements of the light. A replaceable, phosphor-coated, sealed bulb is connected to the handle and includes at least one electrode located in the bulb for receiving an electric current from the ballast. A shock absorbing bulb socket serves to electrically connect the electrode and the ballast together.

Abstract: A fish tape reel is formed by mating first and second hollow reel segments together, thus defining a fish tape enclosure for receiving a length of fish tape with a fitting on one end thereof. A fish tape access port is formed in at least one of the reel segments for permitting extension and retraction therethrough of a length of fish tape contained in the fish tape enclosure. A detachable storage compartment for containing tools, accessories, and fittings is releasably attached the fish tape reel.

Abstract: A fish tape reel which includes first and second hollow annular reel segments mated together to define a fish tape reel having an enclosed annular fish tape compartment for receiving a lenth of coiled fish tape. The reel defines first and second spaced-apart and opposing side walls and inner and outer spaced-apart and opposing peripheral walls. The inner peripheral wall defines a through void in the reel. A port is provided in the inner peripheral wall of the reel for extending and retracting therethrough a length of fish tape contained in the compartment.

Abstract: A fish tape reel which includes first and second hollow annular reel segments mated together to define a fish tape reel having an enclosed annular fish tape compartment for receiving a length of coiled fish tape. The reel defines first and second spaced-apart and opposing side walls and inner and outer spaced-apart and opposing peripheral walls. The inner peripheral wall defines a through void in the reel. A port is provided in the inner peripheral wall of the reel for extending and retracting therethrough a length of fish tape contained in the compartment.

Abstract: A portable work light including an elongate fluorescent bulb for emitting light when powered from an electrical current source, an elongate, transparent, relatively thick protective shield, a shock absorber within the shield mounting the bulb within the shield in spaced-apart relation thereto against breakage of the bulb from shock or impact. In addition, an elongate, transparent, relatively thin disposable scuff guard is positioned over the shield to protect the shield from scratching and scuffing and which can be replaced when scratched and scuffed to restore full light transmission to the work light.

Abstract: An umbrella and a temporary shelter comprised of a plurality of the connected together umbrellas includes a protective sheet having at least three straight sides. An elongate pole is attached to the center of the protective sheet for spacing the sheet in a predetermined spaced-apart relation above a surface. Ribs are attached to the sheet and means are provided for opening and closing the umbrella. Connecting means cooperate with the protective sheet for connecting together a plurality of like umbrellas along adjacent sheet edges to form a relatively large temporary protective shelter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lock for a splice joint used to releasably join two poles together end to end. The lock prevents the inadvertent withdrawal of the leaf spring finger from the superimposed holes of the splice joint. The lock comprises a ring rotatably positioned on one of the poles astride the leaf spring and having an inner surface comprised of a first, relatively large diameter segment which, when rotated into radial alignment with the leaf spring, permits withdrawal and a second, relatively smaller diameter segment which, when rotated into radial alignment with the leaf spring, frictionally engages and clamps the leaf spring to the pole and prevents withdrawal of the leaf spring finger.