Abstract: A cam shaft is disclosed having an asymmetric chamfer for guiding a ball bearing deeper into a cam shaft groove to avoid ball loss when an immediate deceleration force is applied. The chamfer spaces the ball from an opening in the front face of a hammer that moves axially relative to the cam shaft when a tool having the cam shaft and hammer is dropped. The ball is therefore less likely to escape through the front opening of the hammer when the impact wrench is dropped.

Abstract: A cam shaft is disclosed having an asymmetric chamfer for guiding a ball bearing deeper into a cam shaft groove to avoid ball loss when an immediate deceleration force is applied. The chamfer spaces the ball from an opening in the front face of a hammer that moves axially relative to the cam shaft when a tool having the cam shaft and hammer is dropped. The ball is therefore less likely to escape through the front opening of the hammer when the impact wrench is dropped.

Abstract: A tool for torquing threaded fasteners includes a socket body having formed therein a fastener-receiving receptacle with an axis of rotation, the receptacle having a plurality of interior faces arranged in a generally polygonal configuration and substantially parallel to the axis, with each of the interior faces having projecting laterally inwardly therefrom a pair of fastener-engaging surfaces with inner and outer ends spaced apart in use substantially axially, each fastener-engaging surface being arcuate and sloping away from the axis from a closed end toward an open end of the socket.

Abstract: An axial pawl ratcheting mechanism is provided that may be used for a wrench and comprises a first disc including axial gear teeth on a first side providing for ratcheting in a first direction. A second disc is provided having axial gear teeth and peripheral gear teeth. The second disc is mounted to the first side of the first disc so that the first disc axial gear teeth engage the second disc axial gear teeth and provide an axial pawl ratchet assembly. A ratchet head is provided having an internally toothed opening for receiving the axial pawl ratchet assembly therein so that the peripheral gear teeth of the second disc engage the internal diameter teeth of the ratchet head in order to transfer torque between the ratchet head and the axial pawl ratchet assembly. An actuator is provided for adjusting the positioning of the axial pawl ratchet assembly between a first engagement position and a second engagement position.

Abstract: A tool for torquing threaded fasteners includes a socket body having formed therein a fastener-receiving receptacle with an axis of rotation, the receptacle having a plurality of interior faces arranged in a generally polygonal configuration and substantially parallel to the axis, with each of the interior faces having projecting laterally inwardly therefrom a pair of fastener-engaging surfaces with inner and outer ends spaced apart in use substantially axially, each fastener-engaging surface being arcuate and sloping away from the axis from a closed end toward an open end of the socket.

Abstract: A tool for torquing threaded fasteners includes a socket body having formed therein a fastener-receiving receptacle with an axis of rotation, the receptacle having a plurality of interior faces arranged in a generally polygonal configuration and substantially parallel to the axis, with each of the interior faces having projecting laterally inwardly therefrom a pair of fastener-engaging surfaces with inner and outer ends spaced apart in use substantially axially, each fastener-engaging surface being arcuate and sloping away from the axis from a closed end toward an open end of the socket.

Abstract: A tool for torquing threaded fasteners includes a socket body having formed therein a fastener-receiving receptacle with an axis of rotation, the receptacle having a plurality of interior faces arranged in a generally polygonal configuration and substantially parallel to the axis, with each of the interior faces having projecting laterally inwardly therefrom a pair of fastener-engaging surfaces with inner and outer ends spaced apart in use substantially axially, each fastener-engaging surface being arcuate and sloping away from the axis from a closed end toward an open end of the socket.

Abstract: An attachment for an impact hammer for translating the hammer's typical forwardly directed impact force into a rearwardly directed pulling force while still allowing the user to maintain a conventional orientation of the hammer relative to the work piece intended to be pulled. The attachment comprises a housing defining a cavity with a hammer bit axially movable therein and having an impacting head urged rearwardly by a bias structure which responds to a forward impact force by the impact hammer to cause the hammer bit head to exert impact force on the work piece in a rearward direction.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench is provided having a flexible ring forming the head where the flexible ring may have serrations on its inner surface and forms a free end having a pawl thereon. The flexible ring is formed as one piece with the handle of the wrench. Upon tightening, the flexible ring will tighten down on a fastener and upon a non-tightening rotation, the pawl will ratchet against the corners of the fastener according to the self energizing geometry of the wrench where an arc is provided on a shoe of the handle which is eccentric to the arc of the flexible ring. In an embodiment, a gear insert is provided within the flexible ring for engagement with the fastener, torquing and ratcheting of the flexible ring being relative to the gear insert. In an embodiment, the a insert may be provided that has a substantially smooth outer surface including circumferential engagement features for engaging a substantially smooth facing surface of the flexible ring.

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 axial pawl ratcheting mechanism is provided that may be used for a wrench and comprises a first disc including axial gear teeth on a first side providing for ratcheting in a first direction. A second disc is provided having axial gear teeth and peripheral gear teeth. The second disc is mounted to the first side of the first disc so that the first disc axial gear teeth engage the second disc axial gear teeth and provide an axial pawl ratchet assembly. A ratchet head is provided having an internally toothed opening for receiving the axial pawl ratchet assembly therein so that the peripheral gear teeth of the second disc engage the internal diameter teeth of the ratchet head in order to transfer torque between the ratchet head and the axial pawl ratchet assembly. An actuator is provided for adjusting the positioning of the axial pawl ratchet assembly between a first engagement position and a second engagement position.

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 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 torque indicating wrench has a resilient beam with a handle end and a work-engaging end carrying a ratchet mechanism. The resilient beam is generally channel-shaped in transverse cross section and is tapered in thickness from the work-engaging end to the handle end. A reference beam is disposed in the channel and has first and second ends respectively pivotally coupled to the work-engaging and handle ends of the resilient beam. The reference beam has openings adjacent to its first and second ends to facilitate pivotal coupling to the resilient beam while substantially eliminating non-pivotal relative movement in use. A handle housing encloses the beams along substantially their entire lengths and is fixed to the resilient beam only adjacent to its handle end.

Abstract: A storage riser for mounting atop a work surface has an open-front wall structure including rear, side and top walls and a bifold door assembly for closing the front opening. The door assembly has an upper panel hingedly connected to the front of the top wall and a lower panel hingedly connected to the bottom of the upper panel for pivotal movement between a vertical, unfolded, closed position and a non-vertical, folded, open position disposed in the storage compartment adjacent to the top wall. Coupling brackets respectively project inwardly of the compartment from the opposite sides of the lower panel adjacent to its upper end, the brackets respectively carrying guide rollers which respectively roll in channel tracks on the side walls. Opening of the door assembly is assisted by gas springs, respectively disposed adjacent to the side walls and having cylinders pivotally coupled to the coupling brackets and rods pivotally coupled to the side walls adjacent to the lower end of the front opening.

Abstract: A protective housing for a jump-starting battery pack includes a flexible sheet of multi-layered, electrically insulating fabric material including inner and outer nylon layers and a foam padding layer sandwiched therebetween adapted to be folded around the case of a battery pack positioned in the middle of the sheet and held closed by Velcro-type closures. Retaining straps secure the battery pack in place, one of the straps having stacks of secured-together folds positioned on opposite sides of the case to provide supports on which the connector clamps of the battery pack jumper cables can be clamped, with the cables projecting from the open top of the housing to serve as handles.

Abstract: A power tool is provided which includes a motor assembly having a rotatable motor shaft mechanism, and a motor control coupled to the motor assembly and operable between a normal off condition de-energizing the motor and an on condition energizing the motor. The tool includes a rotatable tool shaft mechanism, and a clutch shiftable between a normal disengaged condition decoupling the motor shaft mechanism from the tool shaft mechanism and an engaged condition coupling the motor shaft mechanism to the tool shaft mechanism. A trigger member is engageable with both the motor control and the clutch and is moveable between a first position, wherein the motor control is in its off condition and the clutch is in its disengaged condition, and a second position holding the motor control in its on condition and the clutch in its engaged condition for driving the tool shaft mechanism. The trigger member is designed to prevent premature energization of the motor assembly.

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.