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: 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 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: A tool that includes a wrench body a first drive end, and a ratchet gear disposed in an aperture in the first drive end. A first cavity is formed in the first drive end and in communication with the aperture. First and second pawls are disposed in the first cavity, and the first and second pawls each includes teeth adapted to engage the ratchet gear. A second cavity is formed in the first drive end and is in communication with the first cavity. The second cavity receives a reversing disc adapted to selectively engage the first and second pawls to cause engagement and dis-engagement of the first and second pawls with the ratchet gear. By orienting the pawls to allow the second cavity to have a minimum depth, the head of the wrench can be stiffened, thereby increasing fatigue strength and rigidity of the wrench.

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: 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: 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 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: An adjustable tool extender includes a sleeve defining a receptacle and an extension member having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end defines a cavity and is slidable within the receptacle of the sleeve. The extender also includes a bias member seated in the receptacle and an end disposed in the cavity for biasing the extension member outwardly from the sleeve to a fully extended position.

Abstract: An open end wrench head including first and second jaws that are adapted to engage a workpiece located in a hard-to-reach area. The jaws can include a chamfered portion on the end of the jaws that allows the wrench to be presented at an angle to the workpiece and still maximize the engagement area between the wrench and the workpiece.

Abstract: An open end wrench head including first and second jaws that are adapted to engage a workpiece located in a hard-to-reach area. The jaws can include a chamfered portion on the end of the jaws that allows the wrench to be presented at an angle to the workpiece and still maximize the engagement area between the wrench and the workpiece.

Abstract: A low clearance drive system includes a low clearance socket and/or a low clearance male driver (50). The socket has a reduced depth drive receptacle and a reduced-depth output fastener receiving receptacle. Each of the male driver and the socket drive receptacle has an axial length (L3) or depth which is less than its nominal transverse width (w). The male driver may have a detent ball (55) adapted to be engaged in a detent recess in the female drive receptacle, such that the ball diameter is less than half the nominal transverse drive width and may be either equal to or less than the diameter of the detent recess.

Abstract: A reversible ratchet device is provided as a low-torque application wrench in the form of an elongated body carrying a ratchet mechanism thereon, the ratchet mechanism being operable under low-torque conditions such as are present with initial driving or final loosening of a workpiece. The device includes the ratchet mechanism carried directly on the body, both being co-axially rotatable with each other and with the workpiece.

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: A reversible ratchet device is provided as a low-torque application wrench in the form of an elongated body carrying a ratchet mechanism thereon, the ratchet mechanism being operable under low-torque conditions such as are present with initial driving or final loosening of a workpiece. The device includes the ratchet mechanism carried directly on the body, both being co-axially rotatable with each other and with the workpiece.

Abstract: An adjustable tool extender includes a sleeve defining a receptacle and an extension member having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end defines a cavity and is slidable within the receptacle of the sleeve. The extender also includes a bias member seated in the receptacle and an end disposed in the cavity for biasing the extension member outwardly from the sleeve to a fully extended position.

Abstract: A tool for moving two members relative to each other, such as narrow and wide tangs of an elastic clamp, includes first and second bodies formed substantially identically and operably coupled to each other in spaced, opposing relation, each of the bodies have a substantially lateral channel defining inner back, bottom and front walls therein. Each back wall includes a recess sized and shaped to cooperatively engage the narrow tang of the elastic clamp, when the narrow tang is received in the channel, to substantially retain the lateral position of the narrow tang relative to the body. Each front wall includes an opening for engaging the outward projection of the wide tang when the wide tang is received in the channel, thereby substantially retaining the lateral position of the wide tang relative to the body.

Abstract: A socket for engaging a work piece having at least one wire. The socket includes a body having a closed peripheral side wall, first and second ends and a rotational axis extending between the first and second ends. The socket also includes a first receptacle formed in the first end and defining a drive structure configured for receiving a work piece for driving engagement therewith. A channel is formed in the side wall and opens at and extends laterally from the first end of the body for receiving the at least one wire.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a cabinet having a drawer slideably disposed therein and moveable between opened and closed positions. The drawer has an elongated drawer pull having an elongated latch member that is slideably disposed under the drawer pull for longitudinal sliding between latching and unlatching positions. A latch is integrally disposed on one end of the latch member and has a latch surface. A protrusion having a protrusion surface is coupled to the cabinet and disposed in a position to be in abutting relationship with the latch when the drawer is in the closed position and the latch member is in the latching position and being in non-abutting relationship when the latch member is in the unlatching position. A spring is integrally provided on the latch member and is connectable to the drawer for biasing the latch member to the latching position.