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 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.

Abstract: An automatic shutoff mechanism is designed for a pneumatic tool having an air motor, a pressurized airflow path to the motor and a torquing mechanism driven by the motor. The shutoff mechanism includes a valve member moveable between open and closed positions relative to the airflow path and biased to the open position. A trip apparatus is responsive to application of a predetermined torque for moving the valve member to a trip position disposed in the airflow path sufficiently to expose the valve member to the pressurized airflow for driving the valve member from the trip position to the closed position. Mechanical and electromechanical embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A drive tool is shiftable between locking and releasing configurations relative to an associated tool, the drive tool including a lock member moveable between a locking position and a release position relative to the associated tool, an actuator member moveable between a locking condition and a releasing condition, and coupling structure interconnecting the actuator member and the lock member. The lock member is tiltable to a latching condition which prevents its movement to its release position. In one embodiment the coupling structure is substantially rigid so that the lock member and the actuator move in substantially the same direction, and in another embodiment the coupling structure is flexible and resilient. The coupling structure may be fixedly coupled to the actuator member or may be loosely coupled thereto and biased to a rest condition.

Abstract: An automatic shutoff mechanism for a pneumatic tool having an air motor, a pressurized airflow path to the motor and a torquing mechanism driven by the motor, includes a valve member moveable between open and closed positions relative to the airflow path and biased to the open position, and a trip apparatus responsive to application of a predetermined torque for moving the valve member to a trip position disposed in the airflow path sufficiently to expose the valve member to the pressurized airflow for driving the valve member from the trip position to the closed position. Mechanical and electromechanical embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A device includes a body having a plurality of alternating drive regions and corner regions arranged about a central axis for cooperation to define a socket recess having an open outer end and an inner end. Each drive region has a drive surface disposed thereon and confined thereto. At least one drive surface slopes toward the central axis in a first direction generally parallel to the central axis and in a second direction generally traverse to the central axis. The device may be a rotatably driveable device for driving fasteners and the like, wherein the axis is the axis of rotation. The device can be used for retaining and driving a drive member. In one form, a drive member, comprising alternating flats and corners is inserted into the device. The flats of the drive member frictionally engage with at least two of the drive regions, thereby releaseably retaining the drive member in the body. The drive member can be rotated by rotating the body in one of the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions.

Abstract: A drive tool is shiftable between locking and releasing configurations relative to an associated tool, the drive tool including a lock member moveable between a locking position and a release position relative to the associated tool, an actuator member moveable between a locking condition and a releasing condition, and coupling structure interconnecting the actuator member and the lock member. The lock member is tiltable to a latching condition which prevents its movement to its release position. In one embodiment the coupling structure is substantially rigid so that the lock member and the actuator move in substantially the same direction, and in another embodiment the coupling structure is flexible and resilient. The coupling structure may be fixedly coupled to the actuator member or may be loosely coupled thereto and biased to a rest condition.

Abstract: A composite pliers has crossed levers, each including a non-metallic body with an exposed metal cutter blade. The pliers includes strengthening and/or retaining structure around a pivot joint which does not extend into handle portions of the levers. This structure strengthens the pivot joint and can help confine the pliers parts in the event of failure. In one embodiment, each lever has a pivot joint strengthening structure insert molded therein, the structure extending into a jaw portion of each lever and protruding from the non-metallic body to form a workpiece engagement surface, such as a cutting blade. In one form, the jaws have more than one row of teeth with adjacent rows offset from each other. When the pliers is assembled from two identical lever members, each row of teeth on one lever will face the offset row of teeth on the other lever so that the peaks of the teeth on one lever fall within the grooves between the teeth on the opposing row.

Abstract: Insulating lineman's pliers have composite, electrically insulating handles including a core having an inner body formed of a glass-fiber-reinforced polyester pultrusion and over-braided with glass-fiber-reinforced epoxy braided layers, the core being overmolded with an elastomeric grip. The core inner bodies of the handles have axial bores in one end thereof in which are press-fitted first ends of knurled coupling pins, the other ends of which are press-fitted in bores in the ends of the metal heads, which are pivotally interconnected and respectively define plier jaws.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench is provided which includes a handle having an exterior surface, a head coupled to the handle, a rotatable gear disposed in the head and having ratchet teeth, and a rotatable pawl moveable between a first pawl position in which the pawl is engaged with the gear to allow rotation of the gear in a first direction and substantially prevent rotation of the gear in a second direction and a second pawl position in which the pawl is engaged with the gear to allow rotation of the gear in the second direction and substantially prevent rotation of the gear in the first direction. The wrench includes an elongated rotatable rod disposed in the handle having an actuator disposed at a first end of the rod and inclined with respect to the axis of the rod, the rod being rotatable from a first rod position wherein the actuator biases the pawl to the first pawl position and to a second rod position wherein the actuator biases the pawl to the second pawl position.

Abstract: A socket tool is formed primarily from non-metallic composite material. The socket tool body is compression molded of high-strength, glass-reinforced vinyl ester sheet molding compound. Metal inserts are respectively received in the driven and driving ends of the tool body, the inserts respectively defining openings for respectively mateably receiving associated driving and driven members, the inserts being disposed in the body so that no portion of the inserts projects outwardly beyond the exterior surface of the body. The inserts are preferably insert molded in the body, but may also be fixedly secured in pre-existing recesses in the ends of the body, as by press-fitting or bonding. In the latter case, the inserts are provided with anti-rotation outer surfaces which are non-circular in transverse cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A socket tool is formed primarily from non-metallic composite material. The socket tool body is compression molded of high-strength, glass-reinforced vinyl ester sheet molding compound. Metal inserts are respectively received in the driven and driving ends of the tool body, the inserts respectively defining openings for respectively mateably receiving associated driving and driven members, the inserts being disposed in the body so that no portion of the inserts projects outwardly beyond the exterior surface of the body. The inserts are preferably insert molded in the body, but may also be fixedly secured in pre-existing recesses in the ends of the body, as by press-fitting or bonding. In the latter case, the inserts are provided with anti-rotation outer surfaces which are non-circular in transverse cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A rotary impulse tool has a motor-driven drive shaft and an output shaft. The drive shaft is threadedly coupled to a flywheel sleeve, which is spring-biased forwardly and is splined to a rotatable race structure of a wrap spring clutch assembly, which includes a wrap spring disposed in clearance fit coaxially between cylindrical surfaces of the race structure, the wrap spring having a front end fixed to the output shaft and a rear end coupled to a first conical control member. A second conical control member is axially movable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the first control member for, respectively, shifting the clutch assembly to an engaged condition for transmitting torque between the drive and output shafts and a disengaged condition for decoupling those shafts.

Abstract: A rotary impulse tool has a motor-driven drive shaft and an output shaft. The drive shaft is threadedly coupled to a flywheel sleeve, which is spring-biased forwardly and is splined to a rotatable race structure of a wrap spring clutch assembly, which includes a wrap spring disposed in clearance fit coaxially between cylindrical surfaces of the race structure, the wrap spring having a front end fixed to the output shaft and a rear end coupled to a first conical control member. A second conical control member is axially movable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the first control member for, respectively, shifting the clutch assembly to an engaged condition for transmitting torque between the drive and output shafts and a disengaged condition for decoupling those shafts.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench includes a body formed entirely of glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material with a gear insert molded therein and a ratchet mechanism mounted on the insert and retained in place by retaining rings. The body includes layers of random discontinuous glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material and a band of unidirectional continuous glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material which are subjected to compression molding around the insert to form a composite wrench structure. Several insert configurations are disclosed.

Abstract: A reversible rotary wrench includes an impact mechanism for applying intermittent torque impulses to a load. The mechanism includes a rotatable shaft having an axis and adapted to be coupled to a motive source, a rotatable anvil for coupling to the load and having a pair of anvil ears, a tubular hammer substantially coaxial with the shaft and having a pair of hammer ears engageable with the anvil ears and a rotatable tubular drive coupling member substantially coaxial with the shaft. The mechanism also includes a first helical cam structure coupling the drive coupling member to the shaft, a second helical cam structure coupling the drive coupling member to the hammer, and a spring biasing the hammer axially toward the anvil to engage the hammer ears with the anvil ears.

Abstract: A hand tool is provided having a handle which includes a generally triangular body having first, second and third vertices and first, second and third sides and is adapted to fit readily in the hand of a user. The handle also includes three tubular tool holding arms for respectively holding three tool units. The tool holding arms project laterally outwardly from the sides and are spaced from adjacent vertices. In one embodiment, the tool units have L-shaped attachment portions enclosed in the handle body. In another embodiment, the tool units are socketed in a hub around which the handle is molded.

Abstract: A double-ended ratcheting box end wrench includes a body formed entirely of glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material with box-type ratcheting inserts molded at opposite ends of the body. The body includes layers of random discontinuous glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material and a band of unidirectional continuous glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material. The body is subjected to a compression molding process embedded within which are the ratcheting inserts to form a composite wrench structure. Each insert includes a two-part housing in which are disposed a ratchet gear, a pawl and a bias spring.

Abstract: A torque-angle wrench is provided with a handle for applying torque, such as to a fastener or bolt, through a tightening angle, at a rotational angular velocity. A piezoelectric gyroscopic sensor device including circuitry for vibrating an oscillating body is coupled to the wrench. As the wrench is rotated through the tightening angle, its rotational angular velocity causes the vibrating body to alter its direction of vibration. The new vibrating pattern is sensed and converted, by appropriate sensing circuitry, into an electrical signal proportional in intensity to the rotational angular velocity of the wrench. The electrical signal can be electronically processed by appropriate conversion and display circuitry to provide a visual indication of the tightening angle. Such conversion and display circuitry can be integral with the wrench or as part of an adaptably coupled meter non-integrally connected to the sensor device.

Abstract: A generally T-shaped ratchet tool includes an oblong handle containing ratchet mechanism and a shaft engageable with the ratchet mechanism and extending axially therefrom transversely of the handle for coupling to a driven member. The handle housing is formed of two identical plastic halves ultrasonically welded together for cooperation to define therein a cavity formation in which is disposed a ratchet wheel and a pawl, with the ratchet wheel being rotatable relative to the housing in only one direction about an axis. In a first embodiment a shaft is matingly engaged in a passage through the ratchet wheel and is retained therein for axial movement between first and second use positions, respectively projecting through openings at opposite sides of the housing. Detent means holds the shaft in each of its use positions and retains the shaft in engagement with the driven member.