Abstract: Self-adjusting pliers include first and second elongated members each having at one end a jaw portion and at the other end a handle portion, with the elongated members pivotally connected at a position intermediate the jaw and handle portions such that upon positioning the jaw portions on a workpiece and squeezing the handle portions toward each other, the jaws adjust to thickness of the workpiece as they grip the workpiece. The pliers further include a ratchet locking mechanism between the handle portions, the locking mechanism adapted to releasably secure the handle portions upon squeezing of the handle portions toward each other and gripping of the workpiece by the jaw portions to prevent the handle portions from moving apart. A cam operated adjustor is connected to the locking mechanism to increase pressure of the jaw portions about the workpiece, after securing, by hand pressure alone.

Abstract: Self-adjusting pliers include first and second elongated members each having at one end a jaw portion and at the other end a handle portion, with the elongated members pivotally connected at a position intermediate the jaw and handle portions such that upon positioning the jaw portions on a workpiece and squeezing the handle portions toward each other, the jaws adjust to thickness of the workpiece as they grip the workpiece. The pliers further include a ratchet locking mechanism between the handle portions, the locking mechanism adapted to releasably secure the handle portions upon squeezing of the handle portions toward each other and gripping of the workpiece by the jaw portions to prevent the handle portions from moving apart. A cam operated adjustor is connected to the locking mechanism to increase pressure of the jaw portions about the workpiece, after securing, by hand pressure alone.

Abstract: A combination tool is basically a carpenter's square in which an elongate blade is connected perpendicularly to an elongate handle. The blade has measuring scales on opposite edges each of which commence at the adjacent edge of the handle, and lines extend across the blade to permit easy visual alignment of both scales. Elongate apertures are formed along each line to facilitate use of the square as a scribing tool. The handle is a clear plastic hollow shell which is substantially filled with a liquid except for a small bubble so that the handle can function as a plumb level.

Abstract: A plane in which the cutting blade is fixedly mounted, and a portion of the sole plate is adjustable relative to another portion thereof in order to adjust the depth of cut of the plane. As distinguished from conventional planes in which the cutting blade is adjustably mounted for movement along the longitudinal axis of the blade in order to adjust the depth of cut of the plane, the cutting blade of the plane disclosed herein is fixedly mounted with the cutting edge coincident with the lower edge of the sole plate, and a forward portion of the sole plate is movable in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the rearward portion of the sole plate to adjust the depth of cut.

Abstract: A novel screwdriver is disclosed which incorporates both the features of a directionally oriented hand grip for achieving greater turning force and storage pockets for holding a plurality of interchangeable tool bits. The handle portion has an outer covering of resilient material with angled fingers which provide a high gripping force when the handle is turned against the direction of the angled fingers. Also both ends of the handle are provided with pockets for holding different turning tools which can be inserted into a shank attached to the handle.

Abstract: A solar reflecting panel for use with a variety of apparatus for concentrating solar radiation on a close range or distant receiver for producing high temperatures at the receiver in order to commercially utilize the heat energy thereby generated. The solar reflecting panel has a relatively large area, thin, flexible and highly reflective sheet member mounted on a tensioning frame which has an inner frame member capable of withstanding high compressive loads, an outer frame member, and several frame separating devices by which the outer frame member is forcibly urged outwardly relative to the inner frame member. By connecting the sheet reflecting member to the outer frame member, the tensioning frame imposes a high linear tensile strain on the reflecting member so that it is maintained in a substantially planar and highly tensioned condition.

Abstract: A double ended adjustable wrench for turning nuts, bolts, pipe and the like. The wrench is generally elongated in the manner of a conventional adjustable wrench, but the body of the wrench is made up of two substantially identical sections which are connected together for relative lateral movement toward and away from each other. The opposite ends of each section are appropriately shaped so that they cooperate with each other to define jaws which open and close as the two body sections move laterally. A mechanism is provided for movably connecting the two body sections together and for adjustably moving them relative to each other in order to open the jaws in a parallel manner a desired amount within predetermined limits. The jaws at one end are larger than the jaws at the other end, and at least one end of the wrench includes serrated jaws, so that a single wrench constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention replaces at least two if not three standard adjustable wrenches.

Abstract: A thermal and optical multi-mode window is disclosed in which a window panel can be converted from thermally insulating but optically diffuse to optically clear but thermally semi-insulating, or at least much less insulating. The window panel is made of a transparent plastic material such as Lucite acrylic and is constructed of a plurality of sheet-like layers with air cells interspersed therebetween. When the cells are empty, the panel is highly insulating but is not optically clear like ordinary window glass. However, when the cells are filled with a clear liquid which has the same index of refraction as that of the acrylic material, all of the interior surfaces of the acrylic material disappear from view and the panel is then as optically clear as ordinary window glass, but not as thermally insulating, as when the cells contain air.