Abstract: A variable nut driver includes a multi-fingered collet with individual jaw faces at the free ends of the fingers and a ring connecting together all of the fingers at their other ends. The collet is contained within a tubular member secured to a handle. A flat thread follower within the collet has projections which extend between the fingers and through opposing elongated slots in the tubular member. The projections engage the inner thread of a rotatable sleeve surrounding the tubular member and collet at axially displaced positions. Rotation of the sleeve moves the thread follower and collet axially forward or back. As the collet is moved back the jaw faces extending past the open end of the tubular member are cammed toward each other. Conversely, as the collet is moved forward, the jaw faces move away from each other. Rearward movement of the sleeve is restricted by the position of the handle relative to the tubular member. This prevents the sleeve from becoming disengaged from the thread follower.

Abstract: A tool handle for securing a plurality of tool bits and allowing for individual selection of a desired tool bit without accessing any others. The handle is comprised of an elongated, rounded body rotatably affixed to a cylindrically-shaped cap. The body has cylindrically-shaped cavities located on its periphery that slidingly secure a plurality of tool bits yet allow for visual selection of the desired tool bit. The body has a shaft end and a free cap end having an integral hub of smaller diameter than the body, the hub has a snap fit relationship with an inner rim of the cap member. The cap is substantially cylindrically-shaped having an open end and a covered end. The cap has a cylindrically-shaped inner rim for engaging the hub of the body member in a snap fit arrangement. The covered end of the cap, on its outside surface, has an access door integrally hinged to the circumference of the cap.

Abstract: A ladder including a lower step section and a strut pivotally connected together at their upper ends for swinging movement between a collapsed position toward each other and a downwardly divergent erected position, an upper step section pivoted to the upper end of the lower step section for swinging movement between a folded position along the lower step section and an erected position inclining as an extension of the lower step section, and a catch pivotally connected to the upper step section for swinging movement between a gravitationally depending retracted position along the upper step section when the ladder is folded to a gravitationally depending position from the upper step section to hooked engagement with a lug on the lower step section when the upper step section is extended.

Abstract: A coolant nozzle of adjustably variable width stream for a grinding wheel or the like, the nozzle including a hollow housing extending laterally across the working face of the grinding wheel having a coolant inlet in an upper region and a coolant outlet extending laterally in a lower region, a tubular formation extending laterally across the interior of the housing having a coolant receiving opening on its upper side adjacent to one end of the tubular formation and a coolant discharging port configuration on its lower side extending the length of the tubular formation. A control element or closure extends across the tubular formation and is shiftable longitudinally along the tubular formation to communicate the upper receiving port with a selected length of lower discharging port.

Abstract: A ladder including a lower step section and a strut pivotally connected at their upper ends for swinging movement between a collapsed position one within the other and a downwardly divergent erected position, and an upper section pivoted to the upper end of the lower step section for swinging movement between a folded position closely overlying the lower step section and an erected position inclining as an extension of the lower step section.

Abstract: A work holder comprising a work engaging member having a work engaging face, a shaft generally normal to the work engaging face and a loose sleeve about the shaft carrying an outstanding arm and end jaw, the sleeve being contractible about the shaft for clamping a work piece between the jaw and work engaging member.

Abstract: A work holding table wherein a generally U-shaped yoke receives in its opening or throat the edge margin of a table top for selective positioning of the yoke about the table margin. An arm is carried by the yoke and extends over the table for downward pressing engagement with a work piece on the table to clamp the latter and cock or jam the yoke in position with respect to the table.

Abstract: A work hold-down for use with a drill press and like machine tools including a sleeve loosely slidable along a column and contractible for clamping to the column, an arm extending from the sleeve over a work table, and a presser depending from the arm remote from the sleeve for downward pressing engagement for a work piece on the table when the sleeve is contracted.

Abstract: A powering device for the tailstock of a lathe, wherein a cylinder and piston assembly is mounted on the tailstock for fluid actuation of the piston relative to the cylinder, and the piston is associated with the handwheel shaft to feed and retract the latter as desired, by fluid operating means, while the manually actuable tailstock operating means remains connected for manual actuation, as desired.

Abstract: A work hold-down including a sleeve engaged about a column for free slidability and tiltability relative to the column, the sleeve being contractible for urgence from a tilted position toward a longitudinal position on the column, and an arm extending from the sleeve for movement therewith, the arm being downwardly engageable with a resting workpiece with the arm swung at least partially upwardly to releasably clamp the workpiece in position.