Abstract: A retractable latch hook shroud assembly includes a base plate, a first post, a second post, a shroud, and a spring biasing mechanism. The first post extends from the base plate in a first direction. The second post extends from the base plate in the first direction, and the second post is spaced away from the first post in a direction orthogonal to the first direction. A shroud has an end wall and a side wall that extends away from the end wall. The side wall defines a latch hook recess. The end wall has a first hole and a second hole. The first hole is configured to slidably receive the first post and the second hole is configured to slidably receive the second post. The spring biasing mechanism is interposed between the base plate and the end wall of the shroud.

Abstract: A storage attachment system can be configured to attach multiple storage containers as one overall storage system. The attachment system can be configured to add smaller, portable tool containers to a larger tool workstation. The attachment system allows a user to retain the same space blueprint of a large tool workstation but also provides a user additional storage when desired.

Abstract: An ergonomic tape measure having a side which has a protruding surface that fills at least a part of the gripping cavity of an operator's hand and provides a comfortable and secure feeling grip when holding the tape measure. The tape measure can have a grip swell surface which fills part or all of the gripping cavity of an operator's hand. The tape measure can have a grip swell side center region which protrudes from a grip swell plane and into the gripping cavity of an operator's hand.

Abstract: A laser level including a control mechanism housing which houses a control mechanism, the control mechanism including at least a top surface and a bottom surface. A protective structure extends from the control mechanism housing configured to protect the control mechanism from impact and including an upper structure which extends from a top surface of the control mechanism housing and a lower structure which extends from a bottom surface of the control mechanism housing.

Abstract: A tape rule assembly includes differential spring-drive systems for rotating a reel of tape through an angular distance different from the angular distance traveled by a hub carrying a wound spring, relative to the tape rule housing. The differential spring drive systems include planetary and cycloidal drive systems. The tape rules of the present invention are thus made more compact than conventional tape rules.

Abstract: A tape rule assembly includes a linear optical encoder for sensing human-readable graduations of length disposed on a surface of a tape, without requiring any other machine-readable indicia to be present on the tape. The optical encoder includes two optical sensors disposed in a sensor holder pivotably disposed in the tape rule housing and configured to be displaced relative to one another in the housing along both the “x” axis and the “z” axis, a set of intersecting “x”, “y” and “z” axes being defined relative to a tape exit in the tape rule housing.

Abstract: An output shaft of a hydraulic motor is enclosed within a sealed housing and coupled to an input shaft of an electric generator using non-contact couplings. Tool electrical components are electrically coupled to the electric generator. A high pressure hydraulic tool circuit includes a hydraulic tool load and the hydraulic motor of the electric power generation assembly coupleable between a hydraulic boom inlet line and a hydraulic boom return line. Both the hydraulic tool load and the hydraulic motor of the electric power generation assembly can be designed to input hydraulic fluid up to the full rated pressure of the tool. The sealed housing of the hydraulic motor of the electric power generation assembly can be designed to retain hydraulic fluid within the interior up to the full rated pressure of the tool so that no case drain or separate low pressure return line for the hydraulic motor is necessary.

Abstract: A safety device for tackers includes a safety slide slidably connected to the outlet of the tacker and the safety slide has a stop protruding from the inside thereof. The rod has one end contacts the stop and the other end of the rod has a plastic tip connected thereto. An ignition spring is connected between the plastic tip and a safety switch. A recovery spring is connected to another position of the rod to position the rod. The safety slide is slidably connected to grooves of the tacker. When the safety slide contacts against an object to be stapled, the rod is pushed by the stop and activates the ignition spring to activate the safety switch so as to reduce the impact of the rod and the safety switch.

Abstract: A tool and cradle assembly coupleable to a carrier, the assembly including a backplate coupleable to the carrier; a pair of ears coupleable to and forwardly extending from a first side of the backplate; and at least one plate laterally coupleable to each ear. The ears each have a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an angle portion therebetween. The proximal portions are substantially parallel and spaced laterally at a first distance. The distal portions are substantially parallel and spaced laterally at a second distance. The first distance is larger than the second distance. Each angle portion is sloped inwards towards the other and is coupled to the corresponding distal and proximal portions. A sideplate is mounted to opposite sides of the tool. A pivot pin couples the distal portion of each ear to the tool substantially at center-mass. A boom-pin couples together the proximal portions and the sideplates.

Abstract: An ergonomic tape measure having a side which has a protruding surface that fills at least a part of the gripping cavity of an operator's hand and provides a comfortable and secure feeling grip when holding the tape measure. The tape measure can have a grip swell surface which fills part or all of the gripping cavity of an operator's hand. The tape measure can have a grip swell side center region which protrudes from a grip swell plane and into the gripping cavity of an operator's hand.

Abstract: A hammer tacker includes an outer housing comprising a handle portion and a head portion, the outer housing formed from a fiber reinforced polymer material. The hammer tacker also includes an elongated staple holder carried at least partially within the outer housing, the elongated staple holder being slideable between a use position and a refill position. The outer housing having the fiber reinforced polymer material defines a channel extending through the handle portion and into the head portion, the channel configured to receive the staple holder. The staple holder is slidable along the channel of the outer housing between the use position and the refill position. The hammer tacker further includes a staple driver assembly operable to drive a staple from the staple holder into a workpiece.

Abstract: A tool includes a housing, a blade receptacle within the housing configured to receive a removable saw blade having a lock engaging region, and a blade release actuator adjacent to the blade receptacle, the blade release actuator being rotatable about an axis associated therewith and configured to selectively move a lock member into the lock engaging region. The blade release actuator comprises a ramp on which the lock member rests. Rotation of the blade release actuator rotates the ramp under the lock member from a blade locked position where the lock member is pushed by the ramp into the lock engaging region of the removable saw blade to a blade release position where the ramp is rotated to create a gap between the lock engaging region and the blade release actuator such that the saw blade is removable from the tool.