Abstract: Various designs for a ratchet mechanism and tools incorporating a ratchet mechanism are described. One embodiment relates to a ratchet with each layer of the gear stack includes teeth rotationally offset from each other increasing the number of circumferentially spaced gear tooth surfaces that are available to engage with the pawl teeth. Another embodiment relates to a ratchet with multiple pawls placed in series such that the pawls are spaced circumferentially around the gear.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a combination hand tool such as a wire stripper are provided. The wire stripper includes first jaw portion and a second jaw portion having a plurality of stripper apertures. In a specific embodiment, the first jaw and second jaw have a spring constant between 450 N/mm and 550 N/mm, measured when a force is applied in a direction parallel to the pivot axis to an associated jaw tip with a pivot member being held. In various embodiments the first jaw and/or the second jaw have a cutting recess. In such embodiments, the first and second jaws have a first hardness and the cutting recess has a second hardness that is greater than the first hardness.

Abstract: Various designs for a ratchet mechanism and tools incorporating a ratchet mechanism are described. One embodiment relates to a ratchet with each layer of the gear stack includes teeth rotationally offset from each other increasing the number of circumferentially spaced gear tooth surfaces that are available to engage with the pawl teeth. Another embodiment relates to a ratchet with multiple pawls placed in series such that the pawls are spaced circumferentially around the gear.

Abstract: A tool with a reversible ratchet mechanism is shown. The ratchet mechanism includes a gear structure, pawl structure, and a switching mechanism such that the ratchet mechanism allows tightening in the clockwise and counterclockwise direction. The ratchet mechanism further includes a biasing component for pawl movement and another biasing component engaged with the switching mechanism to provide tactile feedback.

Abstract: Various designs for a ratchet mechanism and tools incorporating a ratchet mechanism are described. One embodiment relates to a ratchet with each layer of the gear stack includes teeth rotationally offset from each other increasing the number of circumferentially spaced gear tooth surfaces that are available to engage with the pawl teeth. Another embodiment relates to a ratchet with multiple pawls placed in series such that the pawls are spaced circumferentially around the gear.

Abstract: A padlock configured to be locked and unlocked by a key can an internal biasing element that establishes a position of the locking mechanism within an internal cavity of the lock body of the padlock. The locking mechanism can be a linear lock configured to receive the key along an axial direction from the key-receiving axial end of the locking mechanism and internal cavity. The locking mechanism can include at least a lock cylinder (and sometimes other components) and having an axial length that is less than an axial distance between a pair of axial ends of the internal cavity. Notably, the padlock includes a biasing element received in the internal cavity of the lock body that biases the lock cylinder along the axial direction to maintain a key stop distance from a key stop on the lock cylinder to the key-receiving axial end of internal cavity.

Abstract: A padlock with an associated locking mechanism is configured for use in a lock configured to be locked and unlocked by a key. The locking mechanism includes a lock cylinder with a key-receiving end configured to interface with the key and further includes a cam positioned at an axial end of the lock cylinder opposite the key-receiving end thereof. The cam is integrally connected thereto thereby restricting axial and rotational motion of the cam with respect to the lock cylinder and can be used to retain components of the locking mechanism (such as tumblers and springs) in the lock cylinder.

Abstract: A padlock is configured to be locked and unlocked by a key and includes a lock body having an internal cavity with a locking mechanism and a keyway extending through the lock body into the internal cavity to provide access to the locking mechanism by the key. The locking mechanism is configured to be selectively moved over a range of positions when the key is received therein to lock and unlock the padlock. The keyway has an eccentric profile that permits the key to be removed from the locking mechanism in only a single position of the range of positions.

Abstract: A padlock configured to be locked and unlocked by a key can an internal biasing element that establishes a position of the locking mechanism within an internal cavity of the lock body of the padlock. The locking mechanism can be a linear lock configured to receive the key along an axial direction from the key-receiving axial end of the locking mechanism and internal cavity. The locking mechanism can include at least a lock cylinder (and sometimes other components) and having an axial length that is less than an axial distance between a pair of axial ends of the internal cavity. Notably, the padlock includes a biasing element received in the internal cavity of the lock body that biases the lock cylinder along the axial direction to maintain a key stop distance from a key stop on the lock cylinder to the key-receiving axial end of internal cavity.

Abstract: A padlock is configured to be locked and unlocked by a key and includes a lock body having an internal cavity with a locking mechanism and a keyway extending through the lock body into the internal cavity to provide access to the locking mechanism by the key. The locking mechanism is configured to be selectively moved over a range of positions when the key is received therein to lock and unlock the padlock. The keyway has an eccentric profile that permits the key to be removed from the locking mechanism in only a single position of the range of positions.

Abstract: A padlock with an associated locking mechanism is configured for use in a lock configured to be locked and unlocked by a key. The locking mechanism includes a lock cylinder with a key-receiving end configured to interface with the key and further includes a cam positioned at an axial end of the lock cylinder opposite the key-receiving end thereof. The cam is integrally connected thereto thereby restricting axial and rotational motion of the cam with respect to the lock cylinder and can be used to retain components of the locking mechanism (such as tumblers and springs) in the lock cylinder.