Abstract: An angled impact wrench includes a housing mounting a motor having an output shaft rotatable about a first axis, and an impact drive unit mounted in the housing for rotation about a second axis that is nonparallel to the first axis. The impact drive unit is configured to repeatedly cycle between an energy storing and energy release conditions in response to a drive torque supplied by the motor. The impact drive unit has a through passage extending along the second axis to allow a workpiece to extend completely through the impact wrench while the drive unit torques a threaded fastener onto the workpiece.

Abstract: A multiple strike fastener driver/holder is provided and includes a fastener drive assembly, a catch, and a feeder assembly. The drive assembly includes an anvil mounted in a frame to translate in an impact direction to drive a fastener into a work surface and to translate an opposite direction to allow another fastener to be positioned for driving into a work surface. The feeder assembly is configured to carry a plurality of fasteners and to sequentially position each fastener of the plurality of fasteners relative to the fastener drive assembly to be driven into a work surface. The catch includes a catch tab having a pair of spaced surfaces that engage an elongate shaft of the anvil with the catch in the first condition to restrict translation of the anvil in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A cable cutter includes stationary and moveable clamps, each comprising a respective pivot opening and a cutting edge spaced from the pivot opening. A pivot joint connects the clamps to allow the movable clamp to pivot about a pivot axis relative to the stationary clamp. The pivot joint includes a threaded connector having a head and a shank extending from the head along the pivot axis through the pivot openings in the clamps. A collar has opposing faces and an opening extending through the collar. A nut is threaded on the shank and the clamps are sandwiched between the head and the collar with the head adjacent one of the clamps. The collar is engaged to rotate with the shank the about the pivot axis.

Abstract: Electrically powered fastening devices configured to drive staples suited to multiple applications. The fastening device includes an adjustable feeder and depth gauge, a hammer device with a mechanism for translating rotary power to linear striking force, and a staple guide configured to drive staples with selected, specialized profiles and configured with inner radii sized and shaped to conform to particular wire and sheathing diameters.

Abstract: A fastener, such as a staple, includes a body having a bridge portion, a first leg, and a second leg. The body extends along an axial direction. Each of the first and second legs has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surfaces of the first and second legs are disposed in facing relation to define a distance therebetween. In one embodiment, the distance decreases along the axial direction in a direction towards the bridge portion.

Abstract: An impact device includes a drive assembly, a cam having a ramp and a fall-off, and a follower associated with the cam. During rotation of the cam, one of the cam or the follower axially displaces as the follower traverses the cam and falls off the fall-off to transform the rotary motion of the drive assembly to a reciprocating motion having a saw-tooth shape that includes a gradual retraction and a quick extension. The quick extension creates an impact loading, which can be used, for example, for driving a fastener into a work piece.

Abstract: A laser marking system for marking indicia onto fish tape that directs a laser beam towards a first print track and a second print track positioned within a laser marking zone, a first source of fish tape material and a second source of fish tape material, first and second fish tape guides for guiding the first and second fish tape materials onto the first and second print tracks, wherein the movement of the first and second fish tape materials over the first and second print tracks may be performed independently of each other, and first and second laser indicia may be marked on the first and second fish tapes.

Abstract: A system and method for control and maintenance units for utility treatment systems, having a start-up routine, an installation routine and a communication exchange between a user and the control unit of a utility treatment system. Communications from the control unit prompt the user for installation and maintenance information; communications from the user supply installation, set-ups, status, operation and maintenance information. The communication exchange allows a user to contact the system and request information regarding a particular treatment system and the system to display treatment system information. The system and method also include a control unit for a utility treatment system having an electronic controller, an input device connected to the controller, and a storage device connected to the controller, wherein historical repair codes may be inputted to the electronic controller and stored in said storage device.

Abstract: A method for producing an edible product in the form of an elongated sausage having first and second ends. The methodology involves: removing an inner core from the elongated sausage such that, after the inner core is removed therefrom, the sausage defines a blind bore extending along a major length of the sausage, with the blind bore having one end opening to an exterior of the elongated sausage. The process further involves: inserting a specialty filling into the open end of the blind bore until the specialty filling substantially fills the length of the blind bore and such that the filled meat sausage offers multistaged flavor along the length thereof and then, closing the open end of the blind bore with a lengthwise portion of the inner core removed from the sausage or from an inner core of a previously cored sausage.

Abstract: A mechanical timer to control multiple steps of a process comprising a first cam having a shaft, and a second cam having a shaft, wherein the shaft on the first cam extends into the shaft of the second cam. The rotational relationship between the first and second cams determines the length of time for at least one process step. First and second user adjustable elements are attached to the first and second cams. These user adjustable elements do not require any disassembly of the mechanical timer by the user or require any tools. A plurality of switches engage the cams to control various process steps.

Abstract: In one form of the present invention, the operation of reducing hard water to soft is controlled via integrated circuits and software. In combination as a computer control unit, the integrated circuits and software control a valve that supports the cycles used in softening water. The invention reduces the complexity of the setup and operation of a water softener using four simple keys in conjunction with the computer control unit. In addition to these four simple keys, a hidden key is also provided for internal use in manufacturing and servicing operations. The hidden key may have no graphic or identity on the interface panel of the computer control unit, or it may have some graphic not indicative of a key. When depressed along with other keys, this hidden key offers a way to access special operations such as data input and output.