Abstract: A quick connect tool assembly including a tool head having a socket therein, and an elongated pole for insertion into the socket tool head to lock the tool head and the pole together. The assembly includes a detent fixed to an end of the pole and teeth projecting into the interior of the socket on the tool head, such that the teeth engage the tool head detent to lock the pole to the tool head.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing elongate wooden handles for floor mops and the like comprises (a) splitting a green bamboo cane lengthwise and then spreading it into the shape of a sheet, (b) planing both surfaces of the sheet to give it a substantially uniform thickness, (c) cutting the bamboo sheet into an elongate section of selected width, (d) drying that bamboo section, (e) providing an assembly comprising a pair of dowels, at least one elongate core member, said bamboo sections and an adhesive, with the bamboo section wrapped around the dowels and the core member and the adhesive disposed between the bamboo section and the dowels and core member, (f) heating that assembly under pressure so the adhesive will bond the dowels and core member to the surrounding bamboo section and thereby form an elongate pole, and (g) turning the elongate pole to a selected outer diameter.

Abstract: A reliable quick connection mechanism is provided for attaching a pole-like handle to a rake or other tool head. The mechanism comprises a socket that is part of the rake or other tool head and a detent attached to the pole-like handle for interlocking engagement with teeth that form part of the socket.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing elongate wooden handles for floor mops and the like comprises (a) splitting a green bamboo cane lengthwise and then spreading it into the shape of a sheet, (b) planing both surfaces of the sheet to give it a substantially uniform thickness, (c) cutting the bamboo sheet into an elongate section of selected width, (d) drying that bamboo section, (e) providing an assembly comprising a pair of dowels, at least one elongate core member, said bamboo sections and an adhesive, with the bamboo section wrapped around the dowels and the core member and the adhesive disposed between the bamboo section and the dowels and core member, (f) heating that assembly under pressure so the adhesive will bond the dowels and core member to the surrounding bamboo section and thereby form an elongate pole, and (g) turning the elongate pole to a selected outer diameter.

Abstract: A bench that is adjustable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. The bench includes a frame, a leg, and a pivot member coupled between the frame and the leg. The leg and the frame are configured to pivot about the pivot member. The bench also includes a slidable member coupled to the frame and configured to prevent relative movement between the frame and the leg when the slidable member is in a locked position. The slidable member is configured to disengage the frame to allow relative movement between the leg and the frame when the slidable member is in an unlocked position. The bench also includes a biasing mechanism positioned between the slidable member and the pivot member. The biasing mechanism is coupled to the slidable bar and configured to maintain the slidable bar at the locked position when the bench is in the unfolded configuration.

Abstract: A tool assembly includes a handle, a main tube and an implement. The main tube has a slot at one end and a detent proximate to the slot. The detent is movable between an extended position and a retracted position and is biased toward the extended position. The handle has a handle tube. The implement includes an implement tube. Both the handle tube and the implement have a hole and a crossmember fixed onto the inner surface of the implement tube or the handle tube. The handle tube, the main tube, and the implement tube are so configured that when the main tube is inserted into the implement tube or the handle tube, the detent is secured within the hole of the implement tube or the handle tube and the crossmember of the implement tube or the handle tube rests against the slots of the main tube.

Abstract: A gardening tool for loosening soil includes a shaft having an upper and a lower end, a longitudinal axis, and a tine having a wavy profile along its length. The tine is connected to the bottom end of the shaft and initially projects outward from the longitudinal axis of the shaft and thereafter extends in a direction that points away from the upper end of the shaft and is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The gardening tool includes a handle having a unique design which improves ease of use.

Abstract: The invention features a tool having a structure which rigidly secures the implement portion of a manual tool to its handle. The tool includes a handle having a first bore extending along a longitudinal axis and distal end of the handle, a washer having an aperture concentric with the first bore and disposed at the distal end of the, a ferrule disposed over the distal end of the handle and the washer, an implement including a shaft portion disposed through the aperture of the washer and within the first bore of said handle, and a fastening element cooperating between the ferrule and shaft portion to secure the implement to the wooden handle.

Abstract: An uniaxial adhesive for connecting a circuit member having a plurality of laterally spaced conductive terminals to a substrate including a mounting space having a plurality of laterally spaced conductive paths contains at least 10 percent by weight of compressible hollow conductive particles and a nonconductive polymeric resin. Magnetic field and pressure are applied to the adhesive to gather, concentrate and deform the hollow conductive particles between the conductive terminals and the conductive paths so as to assure excellent electrical connections therebetween.

Abstract: An extension handle for a tree pruner consisted of an inner sleeve movably retained inside a connecting socket to hold a handle tube and a shear holder tube, wherein the inner sleeve has an inward flange to stop the handle tube, a plurality of raised portions adjacent to the bottom end thereof engaged into respective recessed holes on the handle tube to hold the handle tube in place, a plurality of steel balls in respective recessed holes adjacent to the top end thereof engaged into respective recessed holes on the shear holder tube to hold the shear holder tube in place. A constraining ring is mounted on a top flange on the connecting socket and retained in place by hooks to constrain the steel balls inside the respective recessed holes on the inner sleeve. The shear holder tube has a tightening up screw for fastening a tree pruner.