Abstract: A fixing device includes a sleeve portion and an engagement portion which are spaced apart but which are interconnected by two flexible strut members, each of which includes short and long arms. A screw can be inserted through a central bore in the sleeve portion so that its end engages a bore in the engagement portion to initially hold the engagement portion in a fixed position relative to the sleeve portion and thereby resist flexing movement of the strut members. Upon subsequent tightening of the screw, the sleeve and engagement portions are caused to move together, thereby flexing the strut members outwardly.

Abstract: A tile 14 to be parted along a pre scored parting line is grasped between a pair of elements 36 which contact one surface of the tile on either side of the line, and a further element 30 which contacts the opposite surface of the tile on the line itself. Downward pressure on a handle member 26 then causes a jaw member 28 on which the element 30 is mounted to pivot about a fixed axis 18 to apply a parting pressure to the tile. In order to adjust the starting position of the element 30 to suit different thicknesses of tile, the member 28 is carried on a cam member 20 so that it can be rotated about a second axis which is eccentrically disposed relative to the axis 18.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for stripping an insulation sheath from an end portion of a cable. The device comprises two manually graspable handles (10,11) which are capable of relative movement towards and away from one another, a pair of jaws (14,17) which move towards one another during a first, rotary, part of relative movement of the handles towards each other to grip a cable (C) placed in use between said jaws and a pair of cutter blades (24) disposed adjacent to the jaws and which move towards one another during said first, rotary, part of the handle movement thereby to cut through an outer insulating sheath of said cable, the cutter blades (24) during a second, rectilinear, part of said relative movement of the handles (10,11), moving away from the jaws (14,17) to strip the outer sheath from the cable.It has been found particularly advantageous that the second part of the movement is approximately parallel in direction to the longitudinal center line of the cutter blades.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for parting tiles, particularly ceramic tiles, along a predetermined path. The device includes measuring means having a caliper arrangement to measure the width of an area to be covered by a tile, a tile-receiving region including a fixed point and a slidable member, said member having an elongate slot in which is engageable a cutting edge of a combined scoring and parting means, also provided with tile parting jaws. The caliper arrangement may be arranged to allow for a grouting gap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blade holder of the hacksaw type which comprises a C-shaped portion spanned by a blade having a conventional pair of projections being receivable in a slot having a cruciform or T-slot in one arm of the C-shape and the other pair in a similar slot formed in a lever pivotted to the other arm. Movement of the lever from a loading position to an operative position imparts tension to the blade and in the example shown, involves movement into an over-center condition of the lever with respect to its pivotal mounting. The lever has an abutment surface projecting outwardly from its end portion adjacent the pivotal mounting so as to contact the second arm member when the lever is in its loading position to thereby act as an end stop.

Abstract: The invention relates to hand knives of the type comprising a hand grip which houses a strip steel blade with snap-off ends, which when worn can be removed to reveal a fresh operative blade tip. The hand grip comprises an elongated body with a longitudinal slot along which a blade-shifting element of stiffly flexible construction may be moved between a variety of adjustable positions.