Abstract: A hand tool includes first and second lever members which intersect and have aligned openings therethrough in which is received a flexural pivot assembly, including a pair of cylindrical members respectively disposed in the lever member openings and respectively fixed to the lever members for movement therewith. In one embodiment the cylindrical members of the pivot assembly are press fitted directly in the openings of the lever members. In another embodiment, bushings are press-fitted in the openings between the lever members and the cylindrical members. A spacer is disposed between the cylindrical members to prevent their axial movement toward each other, and the spacer may extend between the lever members and has a very low coefficient friction so as not to impede pivotal movement of the levers.

Abstract: A tool chest includes a lidded base defining a storage compartment therein and a pegboard-type tool pallet adapted to carry tools on an obverse side thereof and shiftable between a first position overlying and covering the storage compartment with the obverse side up, and a second position upstanding from the rear end of the base with the obverse side forward and supported against the open lid for uncovering and providing access to the storage compartment. In one embodiment the pallet is pivotally connected to the base with a link arm and has handles for lifting the pallet between its first and second position. In a second embodiment the pallet is pivotally connected to the lid so that when the lid is opened it pulls the pallet up to its second position. The front end of the pallet has pins or rollers supported on guide rails for guiding movement between the first and second positions.

Abstract: The tool includes a housing having two substantially semi-cylindrical members. An air motor in the housing has motor end members located adjacent each end thereof. Two O-rings, respectively disposed between the motor and the end members, are squeezable axially so as to be forced radially outwardly to abut the housing. A manifold includes a chamber of a size that dampens Helmholtz frequencies in the exhaust air. A bearing block includes an outer surface configured to transfer operating loads from a crank shaft extending through the bearing block to the housing. Each of the members of the housing has an arm with a cylindrical opening for receiving a rotatable drive body. The drive body has a knob including a shaft having an ear cooperating with an O-ring in the drive body for preventing the knob from inadvertently rotating between operating positions while the tool is in use. An O-ring between the knob and the drive body isolates the housing from shock to the knob resulting when the tool is dropped.

Abstract: A digital engine analyzer has an oscilloscope display and is controlled by microprocessors operating under menu-driven stored program control. The analyzer receives analog input signals from an engine being analyzed and calculates and display spark plug burn time information derived from a single analog input signal, the data being displayed in both numerical and bar graph form. The measured burn time is the time that the ignition voltage signal is above a predetermined threshold level which is greater than the amplitude of the ringing portion of the ignition voltage signal.

Abstract: A polygonal bit is frictionally retained in a mating socket opening of a drive socket by the provision of recesses in the flat surfaces of the bit, the formation of each recess creating a raised ridge of material displaced from the recess and projecting from the flat surface around the perimeter of the recess for frictional engagement with the corresponding drive surface of the drive socket. Recesses may be formed in flat surfaces on opposite sides of the bit, with one or two recesses being formed in each such surface. Various shapes of recess are disclosed.

Abstract: A latch mechanism includes a trim member secured to a drawer pull at the front of a drawer. An actuator plate is located under the drawer pull and is disposed in a slot of a trim member on the drawer pull. A keeper is located on a side wall of the cabinet adjacent the hook. A hook is attached to one end of the actuator plate and is arranged to engage the keeper when the drawer is closed. The hook is releasable from the keeper by pivoting the actuator plate toward the drawer pull to open the drawer.

Abstract: The portable socket holder comprises a corrugated base plate, a plurality of rails attached to raised sections, a handle attached to the center of the plate, and a plurality of socket-receiving clips frictionally and slidably carried by the rails.

Abstract: A device includes a member having an axis and a socket recess formed axially therein. The recess is polygonal in shape at its open outer end and has planar drive surfaces parallel to the axis alternating with retaining surfaces disposed at the corners of the polygonal shape and sloping inwardly of the recess toward the axis. Each of the retaining surfaces is substantially triangular in shape, having one apex at the adjacent corner at the outer end of the recess and having the other apices in adjacent drive surfaces at the inner end of the recess. The device may be a rotatably drivable device, wherein the axis is the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A totally non-metallic wrench formed entirely of fiber-reinforced plastic material includes a core of random discontinuous glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material and a band of unidirectional continuous glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material extending around the periphery of the core which are subjected to compression molding to form a composite wrench structure.

Abstract: A molded plastic utility cart includes a one-piece hollow molded frame filled with a foamed plastic material, the frame being generally I-shaped in configuration and including an upstanding wall with a generally horizontal base at its lower end and a generally horizontal top at its upper end defining an open-top receptacle. A plastic cover is slidably mounted on the top for movement between a closed position covering the receptacle and an open position extending laterally from the top and uncovering the receptacle. The cover itself defines additional receptacle compartments. Accessory article supports may be mounted on any of the upstanding wall portion, the base or the top, and may be in the nature of additional receptacles, tool hangers or the like. A plurality of caster wheels are mounted on the underside of the base and handles are provided at both ends of the top.

Abstract: A power tool with a two-part housing has a drive motor with a pinion gear on the motor shaft. A plastic cylindrical ring gear is fixed to the motor in coaxial surrounding relationship with the pinion gear and has attachment lugs which fit between the two parts of the tool housing and are fixedly secured to each. A plastic gear carrier frame is insert molded on a splined end of a metal output shaft and is receivable within the ring gear and has radial slots for respectively receiving pins which respectively rotatably mount three planet gears in meshing engagement with the pinion gear and the ring gear. The carrier frame has a hollow stub shaft portion which receives the pinion gear therethrough, the stub shaft portion having an elastomeric O-ring seated in a circumferential groove therein for press-fitting a ball bearing thereon, the ball bearing being in turn press-fitted in a seat in the ring gear to support the planet gear assembly.

Abstract: An insulating hand tool has an elongated composite shank including a pultruded polyester/glass core overbraided with an epoxy/glass outer layer. One end of the shank is received in an axial bore in a plastic handle and the other end thereof is received in one end of a braided glass/epoxy sleeve, which receives in the other end thereof a bit holder which carries a permanent magnet for magnetically retaining an associated working bit. The shank is adhesively secured to the handle and to the sleeve and the sleeve is adhesively secured to the bit holder. The handle may have a bit storage cavity therein closed by a threaded cap.

Abstract: A cabinet has a plurality of drawers, each provided with a latch hook at its rear end which is receivable through a corresponding one of a plurality of apertures in a lock bar at the rear of the cabinet which vertically reciprocates between a lowered position interfering with the latch hooks to prevent opening of the drawers and a raised position accommodating free movement of the latch hooks through the apertures to permit opening of the drawers. A lock at the front of the cabinet rotates an elongated rod, the rear end of which engages a coupling bracket on the lock bar to lift it part way to its raised position, at the same time moving a sliding portion of the coupling bracket into position for engagement with a pivoting crank coupled to the rear end of a second spring-biased and push button-actuated rod. When the push button is depressed, the crank is pivoted to lift the lock bar the rest of the way to its raised position.

Abstract: A digital engine analyzer has an oscilloscope display and is controlled by microprocessors operating under menu-driven stored program control. The analyzer receives analog input signals from an engine being analyzed. The engine calculates and displays real-time cylinder time balance information by calculating for each cylinder the cylinder time period from the firing of that cylinder to the firing of the next cylinder, storing the cylinder time values for each cylinder for a number of successive engine cycles, averaging the time period values for each cylinder over that number of engine cycles, calculating an overall average of the cylinder averages, calculating the percentage difference between each cylinder average and the overall average and then displaying the percentage differences in both numerical and bar graph form along with the overall average value.

Abstract: A wheeled carriage has a chassis with a plurality of swivel casters, and a locking assembly actuated by a foot pedal located along the front of the carriage. Pushing down on the foot pedal rotates a cam that engages a cam follower on a "T" bar frame supporting two locking rings which respectively overlie two of the caster wheels to move the rings into a locking position in engagement with the wheels to lock the wheels and the casters in any position. The cam follower surface includes a ramp portion engageable by the cam for driving the rings to their locking position and a horizontal latch portion engageable by the cam in its "overcenter" position for holding the rings in their locking position. A lifter bar is engageable by the user's foot to rotate the cam back off the follower and permit the rings to resiliently return to their release position.