Abstract: A quick action, cam operated hand tool holder, such as a tap wrench. The cam is moveable between at least one released and one locked positions, preferably by a conventional T-handle. A third position may also be provided which may be either a second locked or a second released position. An adjustable nut, or similar, retains a collet within the wrench and adjusts the wrench to different sizes of tools (i.e. taps) and adjusts the gripping force applied when the cam is locked. The collet is preferably reversible, accommodating different tool sizes on each end, but may also be single ended.

Abstract: A utility knife using segmented, snap-off blades, or snap knife, incorporating an improved means for snapping off the dull segments. A two part handle is pivotally interconnected so that when closed, a standard handle is formed. When open, the two parts of the handle are aligned opposite each other. The blade, contained in one part can be advanced to enter a slot in the other part. With the segment line of the blade aligned in the gap between the two parts, the blade can be snapped by closing the handles. The snapped segment is preferably retained within the handle for later disposal.

Abstract: A self adjusting closure mechanism for a locking plier or similar device. Central to the invention is a set of one or more friction pawls which slide along a support rod, moved by a push link working against a spring. The push link is free to rotate between two positions relative to the rod as it slides. In the first position, and in between the positions, the push link bears against the center of the friction pawls and they remain free to slide along the rod. When the push link rotates to the second position, it presses on the edge of the pawls, causing them to tilt, coupling to the rod and preventing movement along the rod. In a typical locking plier, the support rod is mounted to the frame and the opposite end of the push link connects to the handle. As the handle closes, the push link rotates towards its second position and optionally slides along the support rod. When the friction pawls lock, the plier begins to grip and lock on to the work piece.

Abstract: A self adjusting closure mechanism for a locking plier or similar device. Central to the invention is a set of one or more friction pawls which slide along a support rod, moved by a push link working against a spring. The push link is free to rotate between two positions relative to the rod as it slides. In the first position, and in between the positions, the push link bears against the center of the friction pawls and they remain free to slide along the rod. When the push link rotates to the second position, it presses on the edge of the pawls, causing them to tilt, coupling to the rod and preventing movement along the rod. In a typical locking plier, the support rod is mounted to the frame and the opposite end of the push link connects to the handle. As the handle closes, the push link rotates towards its second position and optionally slides along the support rod. When the friction pawls lock, the plier begins to grip and lock on to the work piece.

Abstract: A self adjusting closure mechanism for a locking plier or similar device. Central to the invention is a set of one or more friction pawls which slide along a support rod, moved by a push link working against a spring. The push link is free to rotate between two positions relative to the rod as it slides. In the first position, and in between the positions, the push link bears against the center of the friction pawls and they remain free to slide along the rod. When the push link rotates to the second position, it presses on the edge of the pawls, causing them to tilt, coupling to the rod and preventing movement along the rod. In a typical locking plier, the support rod is mounted to the frame and the opposite end of the push link connects to the handle. As the handle closes, the push link rotates towards its second position and optionally slides along the support rod. When the friction paws lock, the plier begins to grip and lock on to the work piece.

Abstract: A self adjusting closure mechanism for a locking plier or similar device. Central to the invention is a set of one or more friction pawls which slide along a support rod, moved by a push link working against a spring. The push link is free to rotate between two positions relative to the rod as it slides. In the first position, and in between the positions, the push link bears against the center of the friction pawls and they remain free to slide along the rod. When the push link rotates to the second position, it presses on the edge of the pawls, causing them to tilt, coupling to the rod and preventing movement along the rod. In a typical locking plier, the support rod is mounted to the frame and the opposite end of the push link connects to the handle. As the handle closes, the push link rotates towards its second position and optionally slides along the support rod. When the friction pawls lock, the plier begins to grip and lock on to the work piece.

Abstract: A multi-functional hand tool assembly includes a handle with tool attachments. The handle has opposite ends with opposite holes extending therethrough. The tool attachments are removably, interchangeably and reversibly insertable into the handle ends and each has a middle section and end tool sections connected to and extending in opposite directions from opposite ends of the middle section. Each middle section is identical to one another and has a continuous exterior surface which matches a continuous interior end surface defining each hole in a handle end such that the middle sections can snugly fit through the hole in either handle end so as to mount the tool attachments in non-rotatable relationships with the handle ends such that the tool attachments will turn with turning of the handle.

Abstract: A compact multi-function installer's tool which combines a linear compression tool for type F fittings with at least one of a security wrench, a trap wrench, and a hex socket wrench. The wrenches are preferably aligned with the central axis of the compression tool and the compression tool handle can be extended substantially perpendicular to the tool so that it operates as a single sided T handle for the wrenches, increasing the amount of torque which can be applied. Ideally at least two of the wrenches are included in the tool. The seat for the compression tool is preferably combined with one of the wrenches, sharing the end of the tool and the clearance slot therein. In one embodiment, the body of the tool is generally cylindrical and the compression tool handle recesses at least slightly into the body, so that the body functions similarly to a conventional nut driver handle, for ease of use.

Abstract: A tool for reducing the diameter of the center conductor of a coaxial cable allowing it to mate with a smaller receptacle without the necessity of a reducer. The tool uses plural rollers within a housing to roll form the conductor as they rotate about it. Preferably the rollers are caged for alignment but bear on the inner surface of the housing. The housing thus resists the axial loads on the rollers and transmits the rotational drive force directly to the rollers allowing the roller cage to serve solely alignment purposes. The roller cage incorporates an extended nose designed to contact the dielectric portion of the cable, serving as a depth stop. An optional indicator sleeve is visible through openings in the housing and indicates the position of the roller cage within the housing. A small lead angle on the rollers causes them to self feed onto the conductor and to crawl rearward within the chamber which provide the indication of the length of conductor reduced.

Abstract: A multi-functional hand tool assembly includes a handle with tool attachments. The handle has opposite ends with opposite holes extending therethrough. The tool attachments are removably, interchangeably and reversibly insertable into the handle ends and each has a middle section and end tool sections connected to and extending in opposite directions from opposite ends of the middle section. Each middle section is identical to one another and has a continuous exterior surface which matches a continuous interior end surface defining each hole in a handle end such that the middle sections can snugly fit through the hole in either handle end so as to mount the tool attachments in non-rotatable relationships with the handle ends such that the tool attachments will turn with turning of the handle.

Abstract: A shock absorbing post assembly includes an outer tube, inner shaft, guide elements, and spring member. The outer tube has an exterior surface with circumferential portions along an outer cylinder encompassing the outer tube and outer races formed longitudinally between opposite ends of and spaced apart circumferentially about the outer tube. The outer races are within the outer cylinder between and inwardly of the circumferential portions of exterior surface. The inner shaft is received in and partially extends above the outer tube and has an exterior surface with circumferential portions along an inner cylinder encompassing the inner shaft and inner races formed longitudinally between opposite ends of and spaced apart circumferentially about the inner shaft in alignment with outer races of the outer tube so as to provide pairs of aligned outer and inner races. The inner races are within the inner cylinder between and inwardly of the circumferential portions of the exterior surface of the inner shaft.

Abstract: A cable connection crimping machine for applying female sleeve ends of connectors over male ends of cables in repetitive one at a time manner includes a connector feeder mechanism operable to collect and feed connectors in a row to a transfer location, a connector transfer mechanism operable in a repetitive one at a time manner to receive connectors at the transfer location and arrange connectors with their sleeve ends projecting forwardly in alignment with ends of cables that are inserted in a repetitive one at a time manner to an insertion location, a cable transfer mechanism operable in a repetitive one at a time manner to grip and advance cable ends into the sleeve ends of the connectors, and a crimper die mechanism operable in a repetitive one at a time manner to crimp sleeve ends of the connectors onto the inserted cable ends to form substantially uniform round sealed connections with the cable ends.

Abstract: A bicycle seat employs a suspension platform that provides yieldable flexible support of the weight of a bicyclist through contact primarily with the buttocks rather than the crotch of the bicyclist. The suspension platform is formed by a triangular-shaped flexible membrane attached to and extending over and between rigid rear cross and front nose support members mounted respectively to a front end and a pair of rear ends of a U-shaped frame member such that the membrane is held in a taut flat condition under tension so as to provide the flexible support of the bicyclist's buttocks. The membrane is constructed of an inelastic fabric material having a pair of opposite side wing sheets and a longitudinal central band all made of longitudinal strands extending parallel to one another and held together by cross strands interwoven with the longitudinal strands.

Abstract: A seat suspension system for a bicycle comprises an outer generally elongate hollow tube and an inner generally elongate hollow tube telescopingly received within the outer tube. Ball bearing races are provided as by metal forming in the inner and outer tubes, and ball bearings are disposed in the races. The inner tube has an inner end fitted with a bushing such that the bushing is slidingly engaged with the outer tube. A compression spring is disposed between the inner end of the inner tube and a stop pin extending through the outer tube. The bearings and bushing cooperate to permit longitudinal movement of the inner tube within the outer tube but prevent relative lateral and rotational movement of the tubes. By this construction, a seat suspension system can be constructed with standard readily available materials and without costly manufacturing procedures yet will provide a highly functional and reliable product.

Abstract: A shock vibration transmission reducing suspension device includes an outer tube for mounting to a bicycle frame, a lower guide element having a rectangular bore and stationarily secured in the outer tube between and spaced from an open top end and closed bottom end thereof, an upper guide element having a circular opening and fixedly secured in the outer tube adjacent to its open top end, an inner shaft disposed within the outer tube and extending upwardly through the open top end thereof to support a bicycle seat mounting assembly above the bicycle frame and being received through the lower and upper guide elements such that the inner shaft is disposed and guided to undergo sliding movement axially along the outer tube such that an upper portion of the inner shaft can progressively extend from and retract into the open top end of the outer tube, and a stack of resiliently compressible elastomeric elements disposed in the outer tube below a lower end of the inner shaft so as to support the inner shaft and ab

Abstract: A crimping tool for connecting a cable fitting to the end of a coaxial cable is made up of one or more die members having tapered die surfaces, a chuck which is axially spaced from the die surfaces to support the fitting in loosely assembled relation to the end of the cable, and a handle operates through a ratchet mechanism to cause axial movement of the chuck toward and away from the die surfaces and axially force the fitting into the die cavity so as to uniformly reduce the circumference of one end of the fitting into a generally conical configuration snugly engaging the cable.

Abstract: An apparatus for hanging one or more cables such as a coaxial cable and the like from a support bracket. The support bracket having a first clamp and a second clamp. The first clamp of the support bracket is attached to a suspension structure such as a pole, pipe, building structure, etc. The method for hanging the cable comprising the inserting of a portion of the cable inside a plastic removable and reusable guide sleeve. The guide sleeve placed inside the second clamp of the support bracket. Also, a guide roller may be used instead of the guide sleeve with the guide roller attached to the second clamp with the cable supported on the roller. The cable is than stretch to a desired tension and the guide sleeve or guide roller is removed from the second clamp and the cable. A rubber grommet is placed around a portion of the cable and the grommet and cable are inserted inside the second clamp of the support bracket. The second clamp is than tightened around the grommet with the cable secured thereon.

Abstract: A cable end compressor tool can handle RG59 and RG6 cable end assemblies. The fixed end of the tool acts as a brace. A plunger pushes a cable end assembly against the fixed end. A unique hinged spacer allows a single tool to switch from RG59 to RG6 cables instantly without any disassembly/re-assembly.

Abstract: A crimping tool for connecting a cable fitting to the end of a coaxial cable is made up of one or more die members having tapered die surfaces of circular configuration, a chuck which is axially spaced from the die surfaces to support the fitting in loosely assembled relation to the end of the cable, and a handle is pivotally mounted in such a way as to cause axial movement of the chuck toward and away from the die surfaces and specifically to axially force the fitting into the die cavity and uniformly reduce the circumference of one end of the fitting into a generally conical configuration snugly engaging the cable.

Abstract: A plant cover having a thermally responsive actuator for venting purposes. The actuator includes a hermetically sealed plyable bag containing an amount of vaporizable liquid that when vaporized expands the bag to effect actuator actuation. A method of growing plants using the plant cover of the invention including planting in an earthen trough and covering the trough with a plant cover of the invention.