Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a retractable tape rule assembly locking system. The system comprises an elongated tape rule blade, a reel, a biasing spring, a stop assembly, a stop surface, a stop assembly locking device, a housing assembly, and/or other components. The stop assembly is configured to selectively engage the elongated tape rule blade to maintain the elongated tape rule blade in the extended position. The stop assembly is configured to be moveable between a default position and an open position by a user. While in the default position, the stop assembly engages the elongated tape rule blade to prevent retraction of the elongated tape rule blade. The stop surface is associated with the reel and configured to engage the stop assembly to prevent rotation of the reel to retract the elongated tape rule blade.

Abstract: A measuring tape rule device includes a tape rule housing, the housing having a connection portion. The device also includes an axle within the housing, the axle configured to rotate about an axis of rotation. The device also includes a reel within the housing, the reel configured to rotate about the axis of rotation and the axle. The device additionally includes an elongated tape having gradations thereon and wound on the reel. The device further includes a first spring coupled between the axle and the connection portion of the housing, and a second spring coupled between the axle and the reel. Rotation of the reel relative to the housing in a direction tending to tension the second spring transmits rotational movement to the axle through the tensioning of the second spring. Such rotational movement of the axle is applied to the first spring to tension the first spring.

Abstract: A hammer that includes a handle and a head is provided. The handle has a bottom end, an upper portion, and a longitudinal axis extending in a swing plane of the hammer. The head is disposed on the upper portion of the handle. The head has a strike face, and the strike face has a longitudinal axis extending in the swing plane of the hammer. A majority of the longitudinal length of the handle has a longitudinal projection on a first side of the handle and a longitudinal recess on a second side of the handle opposite the first side. The first side of the handle and the second side of the handle generally face opposite directions that are perpendicular to the swing plane.

Abstract: A multi-tool saw assembly includes a saw assembly and a utility tool. The saw assembly includes a frame having a first end and a second end. The saw assembly also includes a first handle fixed relative to the frame. The saw assembly further includes a saw blade, selectively coupled to the frame and extending between the first end and the second end. The saw blade includes a first connection portion connected to the first end and a second connection portion connected to the second end. The utility tool includes a second handle and a work portion. The second handle forms a portion of the frame and/or the first handle. The utility tool is separable from the saw assembly. The saw blade remains connected to the first end and the second end, and the first handle remains connected to the frame, when the utility tool is separated from the saw assembly.

Abstract: A level vial is provided that includes an outer structure disposed over the outer surface of an inner structure. The inner structure has an outer surface and interior surface. An internal cavity is defined by the interior surface. Laser markings are present in the inner structure on the outer surface and/or between the outer surface and interior surface of the inner structure. A liquid is sealed within the internal cavity. A method for manufacturing a level vial is also provided. The method includes providing an inner structure and molding a second structure over the outer surface of the inner structure. Radiation is transmitted through the second structure to form a marking on the inner structure. A liquid is sealed within the internal cavity.

Abstract: A hammer that includes a handle and a head is provided. The head disposed on an upper end of the handle. The handle includes a core member; a rigid material layer molded on the core member; and a grip member molded on at least a portion of the rigid material layer. The grip member includes a first elastomeric material layer molded on the rigid material layer and a second elastomeric material molded on the first elastomeric material layer. The head has an eye portion extending through the head. The handle has at least a portion of its upper end extending into the eye portion. An epoxy resin material is positioned within the eye portion and is at least partially disposed between the handle and the head to secure the handle to the head. An elastomeric portion is at least partially disposed between the handle and the head.

Abstract: A pulling tool includes a housing and a tube disposed within the housing, the tube configured to supply hydraulic fluid. The spike puller further includes a piston rod connected to a piston. The piston rod has a hollow axial bore, and the piston and the piston rod are axially moveable relative to the tube. The spike puller has a passage communicating fluid from the tube to the piston. The passage is contained within the housing. The passage is variable between a first configuration in which hydraulic fluid flows at a first restricted flow so as to provide a slower retraction of the piston rod and a second configuration in which hydraulic fluid flows at a second less restricted flow so as to provide a faster retraction of the piston rod.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for attaching an electronic identification device to bits, such as drill bits and driver bits. A bit identification assembly is configured to attach to a bit. The bit identification assembly may include a core having a bit receptacle where a bit is retained. An electronic identification device may be attached to the core to facilitate identifying and tracking the bit to which the bit identification assembly is attached.

Abstract: A two-piece planet carrier for use in a power hand tool, the carrier comprising a drive portion mountable to a rotor of the tool and a pinned portion having a crank pin. The crank pin operatively connectable to a drive shaft of the tool to provide rotation and torque to the drive shaft. The pinned portion rotatably engaged with the drive portion such that rotation of the rotor will cause the drive portion and the pinned portion to rotate relative to each other as a function of a load applied to the drive shaft such that an offset between a crank pin center axis and a drive portion axis of rotation is variable as a function of the load, wherein the variance of the offset will vary a rotational speed and an amount of torque delivered to the drive shaft as a function of the load.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rule assembly having a housing, a reel rotatably mounted in the housing, an elongated blade wound on the reel and extendable through an opening in the housing, and a permanent end hook member attached to the elongated blade with a first hook portion. The rule assembly further has another or second end hook member that is removably attachable to the elongated blade with a second hook portion. Each of the permanent end hook member and second end hook member are capable of limited movement relative to the blade between an extended position and a retracted position. The second hook portion can extend in a direction opposite to that of the first hook portion. A forward surface of the second hook portion can be aligned with a forward surface of the first hook portion to form a larger surface area for engagement with a workpiece.

Abstract: Pliers include upper structure including an upper jaw and handle extending therefrom, and lower structure including a lower jaw and handle. The lower jaw may pivot relative to the upper jaw, and the lower handle may pivot relative to the lower jaw. An overcenter linkage operatively connects between the upper and lower structure, biasing the lower handle and jaw away from the upper handle and jaw, respectively, when in a jaw-opening position, and enabling the lower jaw and handle to be retained in a closed configuration when the linkage is in a jaw-closing position. A lock member is movable between a locking configuration preventing pivoting of the lower handle from the closed configuration and retaining the jaws in a closed position, and a release configuration enabling the lower handle to be moved away from the closed configuration, allowing the jaws to move to an open position.

Abstract: A torque applying system includes a torque applying tool having a motor and rotating output spindle, a torque sensor that measures an instantaneous torque exerted by the output spindle during a fastening cycle, and a controller operatively connected to the tool to control the tool's rotational speed during the fastening cycle. The controller is programmed to control the tool's rotational speed to be [(?F??C)/t]/r, wherein t is a time constant of speed control, ?F is a target final torque for the fastening cycle, and r is a torque rate.

Abstract: A display package includes a first package portion configured to contain an article therein, a second package portion, and a coupling between the first package portion and the second package portion. The first package portion and the second package portion are movable via the coupling, between a retail configuration and a gift presentation configuration. Information describing the article is visible on an exterior of the display package when the first package portion and the second package portion are in the retail configuration. The information describing the article is obscured from the exterior of the display package when the first package portion and the second package portion are in the gift presentation configuration. The display package also includes a securement structure configured to releasably retain the first and second package portions in the retail configuration. Other embodiments, and methods for presenting display packages, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Three different families of mobile utility cart accessories may be quickly and easily attached to a mobile utility cart of the present invention using the inexpensive, but flexible modular accessory attachment system of the present invention. This is accomplished by releasably slidably attaching the accessories to vertical rails mounted adjacent corner edges of the utility cart. The rails share fundamentally the same cross-section, and are continuous and uninterrupted, so that the accessories may be positioned at any vertical location on the rails, and consequently, on the utility cart. No complicated rail clamps are necessary. Instead, just two types of fastener subassemblies are needed to attach the accessories to slots in the rails. These accessories may include, for example, a tool holster of the present invention capable of snugly retaining up to three power tools on the cart.

Abstract: A door system includes two bi-parting, center-opening, bi-directional door panels disposed for counter-rotating swinging movement in a doorway. An operator is coupled to the door panels via a synchronizing system such that the door panels may be selectively opened in either direction relative to the doorway, and closed in the opposite direction, and such that the door panels swing through substantially equal angular distances. The synchronizing system may include a linkage, among other systems, and the operator may include an electro-mechanical operator, a mechanical door closer with spring, or a hybrid of both. A person may effect an emergency breakout by manually using a single-motion, low-force push against one of the door panels to simultaneously open both door panels.

Abstract: A hammer that includes a handle and a head is provided. The handle has a bottom end, an upper portion, and a longitudinal axis extending in a swing plane of the hammer. The head is disposed on the upper portion of the handle. The head has a strike face, and the strike face has a longitudinal axis extending in the swing plane of the hammer. A majority of the longitudinal length of the handle has a longitudinal projection on a first side of the handle and a longitudinal recess on a second side of the handle opposite the first side. The first side of the handle and the second side of the handle generally face opposite directions that are perpendicular to the swing plane.

Abstract: A chisel includes a blade and a first handle and second handle that are each rotatably coupled to the blade. The first handle forms a first channel adapted to receive a first side of the blade and the second handle forms a second channel adapted to receive a second side of the blade opposite the first side. The two handles are rotatable between an open and a closed position. In some cases, the two handles comprise a rotatable coupling such that the first handle and the second handle rotate with one another in opposite directions between the closed and open positions. The chisel further can have an over-center structure configured to impede rotation of the two handles from the closed toward the open position. In some cases, the two handles each form an interlocking component adapted to releasably couple the two handles when they are rotated to the open position.