Abstract: A punch, such as a socket punch, with an angle on a portion of the punch and method of manufacturing a punch with an angle on a portion of the punch using wire EDM. A punch for a cold forming process includes a base portion adapted to be a structural backbone for the punch and a work portion extending from the base portion that performs a punching operation. In addition, grooves and a hex portion are formed in the working portion with an electric discharge machining (“EDM”) machine. Further, a cone point is machined on an end of the hex portion and a land area with an inwardly tapered angle formed between the hex portion and the cone point. The punch can be manufactured more quickly and from a CAD model, therefore removing the need for over-specialized equipment and improving manufacturing times.

Abstract: A tool including a bit including a detent portion in the form of a detent ball and a bias member adapted to provide a biasing force to the detent ball in an outward direction. The detent ball is adapted to engage a receiving portion in a socket to securely couple the bit to the socket. The biasing force may be sufficient to prevent the bit from being accidentally removed from coupling to the socket by hand after assembly. In one aspect, the bit may be removed from the socket upon application of an axial force of about 40 pounds or greater.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tool, such as pliers, with handle offsets and stop features. In an embodiment, the tool has a minimum of about 0.50 inches of clearance between handles in an area where a user's index finger contacts the handles. This is accomplished by offsetting upper and lower handles of the tool. For example, the lower handle may be offset about 1.10 inches from a pivot point between the handles. Similarly, an end of the upper handle may be offset by about 1.150 inches from the pivot point when jaws of the tool are adjusted to a closed position.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a punch, such as a socket punch, using wire EDM with at least six steps. The method involves forming a blank, holding the blank with an adapter, machining grooves in the blank, manufacturing a side relief of a working portion using wire EDM, milling the working portion to a final size, and forming a cone point on the end of the working portion. The method allows the punch to be manufactured more quickly and from a CAD model, therefore removing the need for over-specialized equipment and improving manufacturing times.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tool, such as pliers, with handle offsets and stop features. In an embodiment, the tool has a minimum of about 0.50 inches of clearance between handles in an area where a user's index finger contacts the handles. This is accomplished by offsetting upper and lower handles of the tool. For example, the lower handle may be offset about 1.10 inches from a pivot point between the handles. Similarly, an end of the upper handle may be offset by about 1.150 inches from the pivot point when jaws of the tool are adjusted to a closed position.

Abstract: A hydraulic power unit for a floor jack that includes an internally-adjustable relief valve that is inaccessible to an operator without removing the power unit from the jack assembly and disassembling the power unit. By placing the relief valve inside of the hydraulic assembly, hidden from operators, the relief valve is less likely to be accidently adjusted when using or servicing the jack.

Abstract: Sockets, for example, hexagon sockets, dodecagonal sockets, and splined sockets, that have inner surface geometries adapted to engage a flank of a fastener at a point away from a corner of the fastener. In general, the sockets engage the flank of the fastener at a distance of about 30 to 60 percent of half a length of the flank away from the corner of the fastener. This increases the strength and life of the socket, reduces a risk of the fastener becoming locked or stuck in the socket, and reduces the risk of the fastener being stripped or the socket slipping on the fastener.

Abstract: Sockets, for example, hexagon sockets, dodecagonal sockets, and splined sockets, that have inner surface geometries adapted to engage a flank of a fastener at a point away from a corner of the fastener. In general, the sockets engage the flank of the fastener at a distance of about 30 to 60 percent of half a length of the flank away from the corner of the fastener. This increases the strength and life of the socket, reduces a risk of the fastener becoming locked or stuck in the socket, and reduces the risk of the fastener being stripped or the socket slipping on the fastener.

Abstract: A tool having a relatively ductile working end for engaging workpieces and a relatively hard non-working portion for driving the tool is disclosed, and a process for making same. The tool is formed with the material in a first state, such as by cold-working, and then only the non-working portion is heat treated to a second state. The working end is thus maintained in the ductile state while the non-working portion is hardened, thus imparting different materials performance characteristics to working end and non-working portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tool, such as pliers, with handle offsets and stop features. In an embodiment, the tool has a minimum of about 0.50 inches of clearance between handles in an area where a user's index finger contacts the handles. This is accomplished by offsetting upper and lower handles of the tool. For example, the lower handle may be offset about 1.10 inches from a pivot point between the handles. Similarly, an end of the upper handle may be offset by about 1.150 inches from the pivot point when jaws of the tool are adjusted to a closed position.

Abstract: A tool that broadly includes a first drive end and a ratchet gear disposed in the first drive end. The ratchet gear includes a receiving portion adapted to engage a work piece for providing torque to the working piece. First and second pawls each including pawl teeth are selectively engageable with the ratchet gear. The first and second pawls each include a relief portion on a side opposite the pawl teeth. A first bias member is engaged with the relief portions and limits movement of the first and second pawls away from the ratchet gear during use of the tool, thereby reducing an amount of ratcheting arc of the tool.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tool head, such as a socket, having an annular groove that allows gripping of the tool head to remove the tool head from a tool having a lug, such as ratchet, torque or impact wrenches. The groove is spaced from the drive engagement end of the socket for improved gripping performance. The groove dimensions were determined to improve gripping performance as well. For example, the groove can have a depth of 0.020?-0.050?, preferably 0.020?-0.030?. More broadly, the groove can have a depth of 5.0%-15.0%, and preferably 5.0%-10.5%, of the drive end outer diameter. The groove can, either alone or in combination with the above ranges, have a width of 0.25-0.47?, preferably 0.29-0.43?. The groove can, either alone or in combination with the above ranges, begin at a distance of 0.070-0.160?, preferably 0.090-0.140?, and have an end of groove farthest from the end of the socket of 0.32-0.63?, preferably 0.38-0.57?.

Abstract: A tool including a wrench body having a first drive end at a first end of the wrench body, and an aperture in the first drive end that includes a shoulder or retaining web extending into the aperture. A ratchet gear including a receiving portion adapted to engage a work piece for providing torque to the work piece, and a ring groove is disposed in the aperture with the receiving portion and the ring groove on opposite sides of the shoulder. A retaining ring is disposed in the ring groove and adapted to retain the ratchet gear in the aperture. The retaining ring limits offset loading that may be applied to a cover plate and/or retention screws when the tool is being used.

Abstract: A retainer hoop of an elastic member to restrain the elastic member from moving off a hoop spring of a tool, or from moving off a designated portion of the hoop spring. The elastic member can be retained on a portion of the hoop spring by a tube surrounding a portion of the elastic member, or from a bend or combination of bends in the hoop spring itself. The elastic member is therefore restrained from moving to an area where failure can occur more likely if the tool is dropped or if the tool applies a larger load than is conventionally applied.

Abstract: Methods and systems for increasing the efficiency of a remote wrench. The remote wrench can include a flexible plate within the tool housing or as part of the housing that is more flexible than the rigid housing in conventional remote wrenches that has been shown to limit efficiency. Additionally, a fixed support and a base can be provided that are collectively capable of being coupled to the remote wrench, preferably at the flexible plate, to increase efficiency. The remote wrench operation is therefore improved by reducing inefficiencies and providing a maximum torque output.

Abstract: A tool having a relatively ductile working end for engaging workpieces and a relatively hard non-working portion for driving the tool is disclosed, and a process for making same. The tool is formed with the material in a first state, such as by cold-working, and then only the non-working portion is heat treated to a second state. The working end is thus maintained in the ductile state while the non-working portion is hardened, thus imparting different materials performance characteristics to working end and non-working portion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for increasing the efficiency of a remote wrench. The remote wrench can include a flexible plate within the tool housing or as part of the housing that is more flexible than the rigid housing in conventional remote wrenches that has been shown to limit efficiency. Additionally, a fixed support and a base can be provided that are collectively capable of being coupled to the remote wrench, preferably at the flexible plate, to increase efficiency. The remote wrench operation is therefore improved by reducing inefficiencies and providing a maximum torque output.

Abstract: A tool having a relatively ductile working end for engaging workpieces and a relatively hard non-working portion for driving the tool is disclosed, and a process for making same. The tool is formed with the material in a first state, such as by cold-working, and then only the non-working portion is heat treated to a second state. The working end is thus maintained in the ductile state while the non-working portion is hardened, thus imparting different materials performance characteristics to working end and non-working portion.

Abstract: Sockets, for example, hexagon sockets, dodecagonal sockets, and splined sockets, that have inner surface geometries adapted to engage a flank of a fastener at a point away from a corner of the fastener. In general, the sockets engage the flank of the fastener at a distance of about 30 to 60 percent of half a length of the flank away from the corner of the fastener. This increases the strength and life of the socket, reduces a risk of the fastener becoming locked or stuck in the socket, and reduces the risk of the fastener being stripped or the socket slipping on the fastener.