Abstract: A socket release assembly for a ratchet drive or ratchet wrench that includes a ratchet gear housing, a ratchet head connected to the ratchet gear housing, a push button disposed within the ratchet gear housing and the ratchet head with a portion extending through an opening in the ratchet gear housing, a channel lock disposed within the ratchet gear housing above the ratchet head, a ball lock disposed within the ratchet head and in mating contact with the push button, a ball bearing disposed within the ratchet head between the ball lock and a ball bearing opening in the ratchet head, a release pin within the ball lock and in mating contact with the channel lock where sliding of the release pin causes the channel lock to be slidably positioned allowing the push button to be depressed into ratchet gear housing.

Abstract: A slot member for a hard hat having a universal accessory slot includes a slot member body having a proximal body end portion and a distal body end portion, a front face, and a rear face. The slot member body includes a resilient tab protruding away from the front face of the slot member body and a lip extending away from the rear face of the slot member body and defining a catch surface facing towards the distal body end portion. The slot member body is plate-like and sized to be received through the universal accessory slot of the hard hat with the lip overlapping the slot rim. A latch plate adjoins and extends distally from the distal body end portion of the slot member body, where the latch plate has a latch opening defining an attachment handle.

Abstract: A hand-tool retractor cover includes a body portion and a handle portion attached to and extending from the body portion. The body portion has a first-side wall, a second-side wall spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first-side wall, and a perimeter wall extending transversely between and connecting the first-side wall to the second-side wall. The body portion defines a retractor compartment between the first-side wall, the second-side wall, and the perimeter wall. The body portion also defines an entrance into the retractor compartment and a retractor cable opening. The handle portion defines a handle opening and is made of a stretchable and resilient material. The stretchable and resilient material is adapted to increase a weight rating of a hand tool retractor when a hand tool retractor is placed within the hand tool retractor cover.

Abstract: A hand-tool retractor cover includes a body portion and a handle portion attached to and extending from the body portion. The body portion has a first-side wall, a second-side wall spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first-side wall, and a perimeter wall extending transversely between and connecting the first-side wall to the second-side wall. The body portion defines a retractor compartment between the first-side wall, the second-side wall, and the perimeter wall. The body portion also defines an entrance into the retractor compartment and a retractor cable opening. The handle portion defines a handle opening and is made of a stretchable and resilient material. The stretchable and resilient material is adapted to increase a weight rating of a hand tool retractor when a hand tool retractor is placed within the hand tool retractor cover.

Abstract: A lanyard end connector has a connector body and a connector holder. The connector body has a first body end with an enclosed opening adapted for receiving a lanyard end, a second body end having an attachment structure, a central portion defining a connector body frame that delineates a connector body chamber having at least one side window opening, and at least one lanyard tab connected to the connector body frame and adapted for rotatable movement into and away from the at least one side window opening. The connector holder has a holder body with first and second holder end openings and a circumferential holder body wall defining a holder body chamber where the connector body is disposed within the holder body chamber.

Abstract: A shrink-tubing measurement guide has a flexible strip with a measuring surface and a measurement indicator. Bands on the measuring surface form a tubing size indicator gauge, with each band having a band-specific indicium different from any adjacent band and associating a specific size of shrink tubing. The tubing size indicator gauge has a measuring surface layout based on a circumferential difference between a hand tool body and a hand tool end being compared to a predefined value, where the bands are either aligned end to end along the measuring surface or progressively-staggered with at least one end of each band extending beyond an adjacent band. The flexible strip is configured to be wrapped around a hand tool body of the hand tool with the measurement indicator aligning with at least one of the plurality of bands, where each band-specific indicium identifies a specific shrink tubing size.

Abstract: A tool holder has a sleeve member with a generally cylindrical sidewall, an open end and a closed end. The sleeve member is adapted to receive the non-working end of a tool inserted along a central longitudinal axis into the open end. A connector is coupled to the closed end of the sleeve member. The sleeve member has at least one tab extending axially away from an open end of the sidewall and/or at least one suction cup on an inside surface of the sidewall.

Abstract: A tethering method includes providing a tether clamp with a mouth portion and a throat portion, where the tether clamp is operable between an open position and a closed position; providing a wearable garment made of pliant material; providing a clamping body sized to pass through the mouth portion and remain disposed in the throat portion of the tether clamp when in the closed position; folding the pliant material of the wearable garment over the clamping body; installing the clamping body with folded material into the throat portion of the tether clamp with the clamping body extending axially through the throat portion and the folded material extending out through the mouth portion; and closing the tether clamp to capture the clamping body with folded material in the throat portion and engage at least two plies of the pliant material in the mouth portion.

Abstract: A drop-prevention lanyard for rolled product includes a flexible strap having a first strap end portion with a first strap end, a second strap end portion with a second strap end, and a body portion between the first strap end portion and the second strap end portion. The first strap end portion is fixedly attached to the body portion at an attachment point, thereby defining a first loop at a first lanyard end portion. A connector on the flexible strap is operable between an open connector position and a closed connector position. The connector is positioned to selectively connect the second strap end to the body portion. A tubular member is installed over the second strap end portion of the flexible strap and is positioned between the attachment point and the second strap end.

Abstract: A tool holder has a pouch with a front panel, back panel, and a closure that opens and closes access to an enclosed pouch compartment. The pouch has an outer tether opening from the pouch compartment to outside of the pouch. The pouch has a retractor pocket with a pocket opening to the outside and an inner tether opening to the pouch compartment. A retractable tether assembly is disposed in the retractor pocket with a tether extending into the pouch compartment via the inner tether opening and attaching to a closed loop connector at the distal tether end. The closed loop connector can be selectively decoupled from the distal tether end and is larger than the tether openings. Each retractable tether may be selectively configured to extend through an outer tether opening for connection to a hand tool located outside of the pouch when the pouch is closed.

Abstract: A tool holder for T-shaped tools includes a holder body having left and right holder arms extending forward from a holder body in a spaced apart relation to support a tool by the tool head. Each holder arm generally defines a U shape. The left arm end and the right arm end are spaced apart from each other, defining a fixed gap for passage of a tether connected to the tool handle.

Abstract: A tool holder has a pouch with a front panel, back panel, and a closure that opens and closes access to an enclosed pouch compartment. The pouch has an outer tether opening from the pouch compartment to outside of the pouch. The pouch has a retractor pocket with a pocket opening to the outside and an inner tether opening to the pouch compartment. A retractable tether assembly is disposed in the retractor pocket with a tether extending into the pouch compartment via the inner tether opening and attaching to a closed loop connector at the distal tether end. The closed loop connector can be selectively decoupled from the distal tether end and is larger than the tether openings. Each retractable tether may be selectively configured to extend through an outer tether opening for connection to a hand tool located outside of the pouch when the pouch is closed.

Abstract: A pouch for a tablet computer includes a first panel and a second panel attached to the first panel along a lower pouch end, where the pouch is operable between open and closed pouch positions. In the closed pouch position the second panel aligns with the first panel and defines a pouch compartment sized to hold a tablet computer. A closure is installed between the first panel and the second panel. A quantity of padding is disposed on an inside face of the first panel and defines a retractor recess. A retractor pocket is defined within the retractor recess and has a retractor cable opening. A retractor is disposed in the retractor pocket and has a retractor cable operable through the retractor cable opening between a retracted position and an extended position. A connector on the distal cable end is constructed for attachment to the tablet computer.

Abstract: A tool tethering method includes the steps of providing a tool with a longitudinal portion, installing a base layer on the longitudinal portion, and providing a connector strap assembly. The connector strap assembly includes a closed-loop connector, a length of tubing, and a length of stretchable webbing secured to a connector and extending through the shrink tubing. A base layer is installed on the longitudinal portion of the tool. The length of stretchable webbing is aligned to extend along the base layer and the longitudinal portion is inserted into the tubing and substantially centered on the base layer. The tubing is caused to assume the reduced state to provide a snug fit on the hand tool, stretchable webbing, and base layer.

Abstract: A tool holder has a holder body with a generally cylindrical sidewall extending along a central longitudinal axis between an open first end and a second end portion. The second end portion defines a through-opening extending along the central longitudinal axis and having a through-opening radius. A flange member extends axially from the second end portion and has flange neck portion and a flange rim portion each extending radially about the through-opening. The flange rim portion is spaced apart from and connected at the flange neck portion to the second end portion of the holder body. A reinforcing member installed on the flange neck portion between the flange rim portion and the second end portion. The holder body is made of a resilient, pliable material and constructed to receive and frictionally engage a non-working end of a tool inserted into the holder body through the open first end.