Abstract: The ratcheting screwdriver comprises a handle with a working end and a reversible ratchet mechanism therein, the ratchet mechanism defining a bore which receives one end of an associated shank coaxially therein. A cup-shaped spinner is fixed to the shank and a cup-shaped reversing member is nested in the spinner and is coupled to the ratchet mechanism and has an annular flange engageable by a finger and/or thumb of a user's hand which is gripping the handle for shifting the ratchet mechanism among forward ratcheting, reversing ratcheting and non-ratcheting modes. The outer peripheral surface of the annular flange has circumferentially alternating arcuate recesses and serrated frictional griping regions.

Abstract: A pivoting lever hand tool is provided with an opening spring which clips onto one of the lever handles and resiliently engages the other to bias the handles open. The spring has a flexible and resilient coupling channel which clips onto one handle and includes a plurality of flat panel sections extending end-to-end of the channel. A bias leaf is unitary with one of the panel sections and projects from one end thereof out of the plane thereof to engage the other handle, and terminates at a distal end which engages the one handle. The bias leaf may be provided along all or part of its length with single or double over layers, either laminated or folded over. The bias leaf may extend either away from the coupling channel or back along its length.

Abstract: A hand tool has an elongated shank with a handle at one end and a bit holder at the other end, the bit holder including a cylindrical body having a distal end surface and an axis, the body having an axial bore formed in the end surface of non-circular transverse cross section and terminating at an inner end surface. A neodymium permanent magnet is freely received in the bore and retained against the inner end surface by a thin circular retainer, formed of metal or plastic, which is interference-fitted in the bore. Both flat, disk-like and concave, bowl-shaped retainers are disclosed. A shock-absorbing cushion may be disposed between the magnet and the inner end surface of the bore. A bit formed of magnetizable material is mateably received in a socket portion of the bore and retained in place by the magnet. The portion of the bore receiving the magnet may have a different cross section from the socket portion. The magnet may be disposed in an encapsulation which interference fits in the bore.

Abstract: A hand tool has an elongated shank with a handle at one end and a bit holder at the other end, the bit holder including a cylindrical body having a distal end surface and an axis, the body having an axial bore formed in the end surface of non-circular transverse cross section and terminating at an inner end surface. A neodymium permanent magnet is freely received in the bore and retained against the inner end surface by a thin circular retainer, formed of metal or plastic, which is interference-fitted in the bore. Both flat, disk-like and concave, bowl-shaped retainers are disclosed. A shock-absorbing cushion may be disposed between the magnet and the inner end surface of the bore. A bit formed of magnetizable material is mateably received in a socket portion of the bore and retained in place by the magnet. The portion of the bore receiving the magnet may have a different cross section from the socket portion. The magnet may be disposed in an encapsulation which interference fits in the bore.

Abstract: The ratcheting driver comprises an elongated handle having a main body portion and a cap portion rotatable relative to each other about a common longitudinal axis. Rachet mechanism is disposed in a cavity in the handle and engages the mounting end of an elongated shank receivable through a cylindrical axial bore in the cap. Diametrically opposed projections project radially outwardly from the shank so as to prevent free passage through the bore, the projections being harder than the cap to permanently deform the cap and permit passage of the shank through the bore for engagement with the ratchet mechanism, the projections being freely received in the cavity to retain the shank in the handle while permitting rotation of the shank relative to the cap. Either of two types of washers may be disposed between the projections and the cap to prevent the projections from rubbing against the deformations of the cap during rotation.

Abstract: A pivoting lever hand tool is provided with an opening spring which clips onto one of the lever handles and resiliently engages the other to bias the handles open. The spring has a flexible and resilient coupling channel which clips onto one handle and includes a plurality of flat panel sections extending end-to-end of the channel. A bias leaf is unitary with one of the panel sections and projects from one end thereof out of the plane thereof to engage the other handle, and terminates at a distal end which engages the one handle. The bias leaf may be provided along all or part of its length with single or double over layers, either laminated or folded over. The bias leaf may extend either away from the coupling channel or back along its length.

Abstract: The ratcheting screwdriver comprises a handle with a working end and a reversible ratchet mechanism therein, the ratchet mechanism defining a bore which receives one end of an associated shank coaxially therein. A cup-shaped reversing member is coupled to the handle for limited rotational movement relative thereto and has an annular flange projecting a slight distance radially therebeyond and engageable by a finger and/or thumb of a user's hand which is gripping the handle for shifting the ratchet mechanism between forward ratcheting, reverse ratcheting and non-ratcheting modes. A cup-shaped spinner is fixed to the shank, the reversing member being nested in the spinner with the shank extending through a hole in the reversing member and into the ratchet mechanism, the diameter of the spinner being approximately the same as that of the working end of the handle for easy engagement by the gripping hand of the user to spin the shank relative to the handle.

Abstract: A pivotal hand tool includes first and second lever members which intersect and have aligned openings therethrough in which is received a pivot pin having an enlarged head at one end adjacent to one of the lever members and having the other end thereof welded to the other lever member or to a flat washer which bears against the other lever member. The head and the flat washer may be received in complementary recesses in the lever members. A frustoconical washer may be disposed beneath the head of the pivot pin for resiliently urging the lever members together.

Abstract: Self-adjusting pliers for single-handed manual manipulation will automatically adjust to positions of positive gripping and holding of any size workpiece within the size range defined by the maximum opening between the jaw portions of the pliers, which jaw portions respectively extend parallel to jaw portion axes. Upon closure from the maximum opening, parts first undergo a sliding action along an axis until the workpiece is engaged and then a pivoting action. The plier handles have bearing surfaces inclined at angles in predetermined ranges to the sliding axis and to the jaw portion axes to facilitate shifting from the sliding action to the pivoting action.