Abstract: A compact simplified staple gun mechanism is disclosed. The invention provides an improvement to conventional staple guns and particularly to a forward action type staple gun. A compact high efficiency reset spring applies force in selected directions depending on the position of an actuating lever in the reset cycle. The lever and power spring engage a plunger through multiple proximate openings in the plunger while retaining a strong compact configuration. The lever and power spring are partially nested in each other and pivot about a common post of the housing. The above combined features provide a high efficiency compact staple gun tool.

Abstract: A device to improve attaching wires to a substrateby with a staple gun is disclosed. An elongated nose piece extends down from the front of the tool body and locks in position to hold the tool bottom a preset distance away from the substrate. The nose piece includes a recess to provide clearance for the wire as the nose piece is pressed against the substrate. The wire guide improves the operation of stapling wires by preventing the staple from crushing the wire and by aligning the tool over the wire so that the staple points are inserted a safe distance to each side of the wire. The present invention is an improvement over the prior art staple gun wire guides since it is a permanent part of the tool. It is slidably fixed to a vertical track at the front end of the tool. It does not increase the bulk of the tool front end and cannot be misplaced. In one embodiment the wire guide is internal to the tool in sliding contact with the plunger.

Abstract: An adapter for adapting use of a universal socket tool or wrench to a tool bit is disclosed. The universal socket contains a plurality of spring biased pins closely packed in parallel to apply torque to bolts, nuts, and similar fasteners. To broaden the utility of such a universal socket, the adapter holds a hex shanked screwdriver bit into the socket so that the pins can apply torque to the screwdriver shank. The adapter further stabilizes the bit drive end so that the bit does not wobble. The adapter has a body with a hole at one end to receive a bit and a recess at the opposite end to receive the socket. The adapter is made of an elastomeric material so that the bit can easily be forced into the hole and the socket can be forced into the recess. The recess has a minimum inside width or diameter at its open end so that a lip of the recess contacts the socket exterior away from the socket end.

Abstract: A stepless ratchet one way clutch mechanism as applied to an improved screwdriver tool is disclosed. A wheel is rotationally fixed to a drive shaft. Two couplings are rotatably mounted about the drive shaft and extend away from the drive shaft. The wheel is between the couplings. A lever is pivotably attached to the couplings at a pivot pin between the couplings. The pivot pin is beyond the wheel outer diameter. When the lever is rotated in relation to the couplings an engaging edge of the lever presses the outer diameter surface of the wheel. The interface between the lever and wheel is of high friction. The interface has a "V" groove on one of the lever or wheel, and a "V" chamfer rib on the other of the lever or wheel. An elongated resilient spring biases the pivot pin either directly or through the lever or coupling to cause the lever to rotate in relation to the couplings. When the lever is held at a distal end while the pin is biased, the wheel is prevented from rotating in one or the other direction.

Abstract: A self-forming socket having a plurality of retractable pins bundled in parallel within a housing. The bundled pins may displace longitudinally and are biased by spring force away from a frame onto which the pins are slidably held. A spacer pin may be positioned at the center of the socket and is similarly biased away from the frame under spring force. When the socket is forced over a fastener, nut, or bolt head, groups of pins are pushed inward toward the frame and into the housing thereby conforming the pins to the contours of the fastener. Applying a torque to the socket transfers the torque through the bundled pins to the fastener. Each pin has a circular cross-section and an enlarged head and the interior walls of the housing containing the bundled pins has a hexagonal shape and may not contain any right angles. Grooves can be formed in the sides of the hexagonal shape to receive therein circular sides of adjacent ones of the enlarged heads. The pins are packed in a hexagonal arrangement.

Abstract: A reversible, stepless one way clutch mechanism which is suited for use in screwdriver type hand tools according to one embodiment. The improvements comprising: a simplified torque transmitting friction element which is direction selectable by a slide switch, the friction element being a flat plate substantially surrounding, the friction element contacting smooth walls inside of a metal cylinder which is formed from a single thickness metal sheet through a deep drawing process.

Abstract: An adjustable garment hanger comprising of a frame depending from a hook is disclosed. The frame is comprised of two inclined arms intersected by an optional cross bar. Within each inclined arm is an integrally formed locking bar that extends from the integral base to a free distal end. Each locking bar includes notches and a pushbutton at the distal end. Ribs that form channels and that may form ramps are disposed on the sides of the inclined arms. Movable covers having internal ribs slide onto each inclined arm while the internal ribs engage the ramps, channels, and notches. The ribs when supported by the ramp causes the outer ends of the covers to be tilted upwards. Other ribs located on the covers engage the notches of the locking arms thereby fixing the relative extended or retracted position of the covers to the inclined arms. The locking arms are biased outward away from the frame thereby placing the notches into engagement with the ribs of the cover.

Abstract: A manually powered fastening tool that stores and instantly releases the energy of a spring such that it forces a staple or other fastener into an object by an impact blow, wherein the operating handle is hinged near the end of the tool body opposite the end from which the staples exit. A staple ejecting plunger is unstably linked to spring actuating levers such that with the removal of a light holding force, the plunger and actuating levers are de-linked. The tool housing comprises a cantilevered rear profile.

Abstract: A manually powered fastening tool that stores and instantly releases the energy of a spring such that it forces a staple or other fastener into an object by an impact blow, wherein the operating handle is hinged near the end of the tool body opposite the end from which the staples exit. A staple ejecting plunger is unstably linked to spring actuating levers such that with the removal of a light holding force, the plunger and actuating levers are de-linked. The tool housing comprises a cantilevered rear profile.

Abstract: A manually powered fastening tool which stores and instantly releases the energy of a spring such that it may force a staple or other fastener into an object by an impact blow in which the operating handle is hinged near the end of the tool body opposite the end from which the staples exit. A staple ejecting plunger is unstably linked to spring actuating levers such that with the removal of a light holding force, the plunger and actuating levers are delinked. The tool housing comprises a cantilevered rear profile.

Abstract: A manually powered fastening tool which stores and instantly releases the energy of a spring such that it may force a staple type fastener into an object by an impact blow. In the present invention the squeeze handle is hinged near the end of the tool body opposite the end from which the staples exit. The user grips the tool near the staple exit end and pushes the squeeze handle toward the intended staple impact point. This novel arrangement causes the user to force the staple into the receiving object with the same hand that pushes the squeeze handle toward the tool body, while the prior art typically requires use of a second hand to hold the tool firmly upon the staple impact point. Improving from the prior art, the present design ensures that the staple exit end of the tool body will not lift away from the receiving object. The energy storage spring and handle engagement linkage are located remotely from the plunger in the present design.

Abstract: A manually powered fastening tool which stores and instantly releases the energy of a spring such that it may force a staple type fastener into an object by an impact blow. In the present invention the squeeze handle is hinged near the end of the tool body opposite the end from which the staples exit. The user grips the tool near the staple exit end and pushes the squeeze handle toward the intended staple impact point. This novel arrangement causes the user to force the staple into the receiving object with the same hand that pushes the squeeze handle toward the tool body, while the prior art typically requires use of a second hand to hold the tool firmly upon the staple impact point. Improving from the prior art, the present design ensures that the staple exit end of the tool body will not lift away from the receiving object. The energy storage spring and handle engagement linkage are located remotely from the plunger in the present design.

Abstract: A hand-squeeze driver tool which serves to convert squeezing motion into rotary motion on a variable torque basis, with the torque being inversely related to the driving speed. The torque versus driving speed relationship is determined by the position of a squeeze lever as it is displaced from its most extended position. Two distinct zones are provided as the squeeze lever is so displaced, namely a high torque low speed zone, and a low torque high speed zone. The provision of the high torque low speed initial zone, followed by the low torque high speed zone permits the operator intuitively to take advantage of the variable torque feature of the invention, which is provided by a traveling fulcrum mechanism incorporating two interacting levers. The tool of the invention may be constructed to receive standard format driver bits, permitting it to be used in a wide variety of different applications.

Abstract: A two-part tool assembly comprising a squeeze wrench section and a ratchet wrench section adapted to be fitted into one another. The squeeze wrench section serves to convert squeezing motion into rotary motion on a variable torque basis, and the ratchet wrench section transmits the rotary motion to the screw or bolt which is being tightened or loosened. In one embodiment, a curved lever is included in the squeeze wrench section in conjunction with a handle to provide a traveling fulcrum, so that when the handle is squeezed maximum torque is generated at the beginning of the stroke and maximum speed is realized at the end of the stroke. In a second embodiment, the variable torque is provided by changing the angle of spiral cuts along a drive shaft in the squeeze wrench section, so that the spiral cuts become more axial towards the front end of the section, and by directly coupling a slider on the shaft to the squeeze handle.