Abstract: A liquid-containing member is insert molded into a body. The liquid-containing member may be in the form of a level vial, which can be insert molded in a mold cavity having a shape corresponding to a vial retainer or corresponding to a level. The mold cavity is defined by a pair of mold sections which are configured to form an opening in the body, and the level vial is positioned to extend across the areas of the mold sections defining the opening. The ends of the level vial extend into an area of the mold cavity adapted to receive moldable material, such that injection of moldable material into the mold cavity surrounds and encapsulates the ends of the level vial. The vial is thus mounted to the body by means of the moldable material surrounding and encapsulating the ends of the vial, to securely engage the vial with the body and to eliminate a previously-required assembly step of mounting a vial to a body such as a vial retainer or a level.

Abstract: A liquid-containing member is insert molded into a body. The liquid-containing member may be in the form of a level vial, which can be insert molded in a mold cavity having a shape corresponding to a vial retainer or corresponding to a level. The mold cavity is defined by a pair of mold sections which are configured to form an opening in the body, and the level vial is positioned to extend across the areas of the mold sections defining the opening. The ends of the level vial extend into an area of the mold cavity adapted to receive moldable material, such that injection of moldable material into the mold cavity surrounds and encapsulates the ends of the level vial. The vial is thus mounted to the body by means of the moldable material surrounding and encapsulating the ends of the vial, to securely engage the vial with the body and to eliminate a previously-required assembly step of mounting a vial to a body such as a vial retainer or a level.

Abstract: An apparatus for marking and scoring sheet material having a side edge includes a base having an upper surface and a contact edge adapted to engage a side edge of the sheet material. A trans-base is secured perpendicularly to the base and is adapted to rest on the upper surface of the sheet material. The base and the trans-base are susceptible to rocking movement about a fulcrum defined by the trans-base as the contact edge of the base is drawn along the side edge of the sheet material. Stabilizing wing structure on the base is constructed and arranged to prevent any such rocking movement of the base and the trans-base as the contact edge is drawn along the side edge of the sheet material. The stabilizing wing structure includes an upturned side edge maintained out of engagement with the sheet material upper surface, to prevent the wing structure from engaging irregularities in the sheet material upper surface as the base contact edge is drawn along the sheet material side edge.

Abstract: A pocket level provided with magnet includes a housing having a sight opening formed therein. A liquid level indicator, in the form of a bubble vial having a pair of closed end walls, is slidably received within the open end portion of the housing and is observable through the sight opening. At least one of the closed end walls of the liquid level indicator is engageable with the housing. A cap is slidably inserted into the open end portion of the housing and a clip which is adapted to hold the level in one's pocket is secured thereto.

Abstract: An inclinometer for providing two different, direct readings corresponding to the angle of inclination of a worksurface includes a pair of parallel gauging surfaces engageable with the worksurfaces in first and second distinct positions. The inclinometer includes a body which defines the gauging surfaces, and a pointer is mounted to the body and is biased toward a predetermined orientation when either gauging surface is placed on the worksurface. The body carries two differently calibrated scales, one of which is oriented so as to interact with the pointer when a first one of the gauging surfaces rests on the worksurface and the other of which interacts with the pointer to provide a second reading when a second one of the gauging surfaces is placed on the worksurface. The scales may be calibrated to provide an angle reading and a pitch reading, and are preferably applied to a cover plate which overlies a cavity defined by the body within which the pointer is pivotably mounted.

Abstract: A line reel includes a housing, a spool rotatably mounted in the housing, a crank and crown gear assembly rotatably disposed in the housing and a pinion located in the housing in meshed engagement with the crank and crown assembly for rotation therewith. A release button movable into and out of meshed engagement with the spool is slidably mounted on the pinion and keyed thereto for rotation therewith. A spring is disposed between the pinion and the release button for selectively allowing locking and unlocking of the spool without movement of the crank and crown gear assembly.

Abstract: A line level comprises a hollow housing having a pair of end portions and a sight opening formed therein. A liquid level indicator has a pair of closed end walls and is observable through the sight opening is slidably received in the housing. A line engaging retainer arrangement is slidable into an interference fit in each of the open end portions of the housing and is engageable with each of the closed end walls of the liquid level indicator for maintaining the position of the liquid level indicator relative to the sight opening in the housing.

Abstract: A line reel includes a housing, a spool rotatably mounted in the housing, a crank and crown gear assembly rotatably disposed in the housing and a pinion located in the housing in meshed engagement with the crank and crown assembly for rotation therewith. A release button movable into and out of meshed engagement with the spool is slidably mounted on the pinion and keyed thereto for rotation therewith. A spring is disposed between the pinion and the release button for selectively allowing locking and unlocking of the spool without movement of the crank and crown gear assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for packaging articles includes a tray having a cavity adapted to receive the one or more articles therein. The cavity is defined by a pair of upstanding side walls, which extend slightly above the upper surface of the one or more articles when placed within the cavity. A retainer is adapted for securement to the upstanding side walls, and retains the one or more articles within the cavity. The retainer prevents outward movement of the articles from the cavity, and leaves a major portion of the articles exposed after packaging for viewing by a potential consumer.

Abstract: A nail starter/shield is adapted for use in combination with a nail set and a hammer for driving fasteners such as nails into boards. The nail starter/shield includes a body and a head. The head is provided with nail retaining structure for retaining one or more nails in position relative to the workpiece, for starting the nails into the workpiece. After the nails are started, the head is disengaged from the nails. The body is provided with a slot, and the nail starter/shield is repositioned such that the nails are located within the slot. The nails are then driven into the board while the nails are disposed within the slot, with the body functioning to prevent the hammer from striking the board during driving of the nails. After the nail heads are driven in close proximity to the upper surface of the body, the nail starter/shield is withdrawn and a nail set is used to complete driving of the nails and to embed the nail heads into the board.

Abstract: A case for an elongated tool such as a level or the like includes outer walls which cooperate to define an internal cavity into which the tool is placed. Spaced indentations are provided along the length of the case, with the indentations extending around the entire periphery of the case. Each indentation provides a supporting surface adapted for placement closely adjacent an outer surface of the tool, for maintaining the tool out of contact with the outer walls of the case. An end cap encloses the open end of the case for securing the level therein, and indentations are formed in the end cap and in the end of the case for spacing the ends of the level inwardly from the end walls. The level is cushioned by an air space between the outer surfaces of the level and the inner surfaces of the outer walls.

Abstract: An assembled and prepackaged kit of tools for use in constructing a deck or the like includes a post level, a conventional frame-type level, a square, a chalk line reel and chalk, a line level and a carpenter's pencil. These tools are placed against the front surface of a card or panel, and are shrink wrapped onto the panel to assemble the tools into a package. The tools are adapted to be used in constructing a deck or other such structure.

Abstract: A post level is defined by a pair of right-angle walls. A horizontal bubble vial is mounted in each wall, and a vertical bubble vial is mounted at the intersection of the walls. The vials are mounted in the interior of a pair of spaced protrusions formed in each wall, which define internal structure engaging and cradling an end of the vial without positively retaining the vial within the protrusion. The protrusions open onto the inner surface of the walls, and a retainer plate is positioned over the opening of the protrusions to retain the vials within the interior of the protrusions. The retainer plate is light-reflective to enhance visibility of the vial bubble.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for packaging articles includes a tray having a cavity adapted to receive the one or more articles therein. The cavity is defined by a pair of upstanding side walls, which extend slightly above the upper surface of the one or more articles when placed within the cavity. A retainer is adapted for securement to the upstanding side walls, and retains the one or more articles within the cavity. The retainer prevents outward movement of the articles from the cavity, and leaves a major portion of the articles exposed after packaging for viewing by a potential consumer.

Abstract: A stud finder includes a magnetic subassembly for detecting the presence of a ferrous metal object, such as the head of a nail or screw, in a wall, with the magnetic subassembly being mounted at one end of a base member. A level vial is mounted at the other end of the base member, and a slot is formed in the base member between the magnetic subassembly and the level vial. When the base member is placed against a wall and the presence of a stud is detected by the magnetic subassembly, the base member is moved to a position in which the level vial indicates level. The slot has its longitudinal axis oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the level vial, so that the user can place a vertical mark on the wall through the slot. The slot is oriented so as to be in vertical alignment with the nail or screw head, when the base member is moved such that the magnetic subassembly is directly over the nail or screw head.