Abstract: According to an embodiment, a fireplace grate is disclosed. The fireplace grate includes a plurality of cross bars, a plurality of support bars, and a plurality of fasteners. The plurality of support bars and the plurality of cross bars can be nested together in a disassembled configuration. Each fastener is configured to extend through a hole in one of the cross bars and engage a corresponding threaded hole in one of the support bars so that each cross bar can be fastened to the plurality of support bars in an assembled configuration with each cross bar spanning the plurality of support bars. A width of the fireplace grate in the disassembled configuration is less than 50% of a width of the fireplace grate in the assembled configuration.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a fireplace grate is disclosed. The fireplace grate includes a plurality of cross bars, a plurality of support bars, and a plurality of fasteners. The plurality of support bars and the plurality of cross bars can be nested together in a disassembled configuration. Each fastener is configured to extend through a hole in one of the cross bars and engage a corresponding threaded hole in one of the support bars so that each cross bar can be fastened to the plurality of support bars in an assembled configuration with each cross bar spanning the plurality of support bars. A width of the fireplace grate in the disassembled configuration is less than 50% of a width of the fireplace grate in the assembled configuration.

Abstract: A modular storage system includes a unit body having a first lateral end, a second lateral end opposite the first lateral end, and an upper surface extending between the first and second lateral ends. The unit body includes a first groove formed in the upper surface at the first lateral end and a first groove connector in the first groove. The system includes a tongue piece having a first and second side. Each of the first and second sides of the tongue piece has a shape corresponding to the first groove and a tongue connector configured to releasably engage the first groove connector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing or uninstalling supply lines or retaining nuts. A wrench includes a body having first and second sections rotatably coupled to each other. The body includes a first portion having a plurality of castellations, wherein a plurality of radial slots are formed between lateral surfaces of adjacent castellations, each radial slot being engageable to a wing of a retaining nut, wherein the first portion includes a plurality of first inner surfaces engageable to a first pipe fitting in the closed position. The body includes a second portion spaced away from the first portion, the second portion including a hinge for rotating the first and second sections relative to each other. The body includes a third portion located between the first and second portions, the third portion including a plurality of second inner surfaces engageable to a second pipe fitting in the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for locating a midpoint between surfaces is disclosed herein. A laser distance measurer includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, and first and second side surfaces intersecting the top and bottom surfaces, a first laser and a first sensor disposed along the first side surface, and a second laser and a second sensor disposed along the second side surface. The laser distance measurer includes a processor disposed in the housing configured to determine a first distance from the laser distance measurer to the first surface, determine a second distance from the laser distance measurer to the second surface, and indicate a position of the laser distance measurer relative to the midpoint between the first and second surfaces based on the first and second distances.

Abstract: A pipe cutting tool includes a tool body having a handle portion and a blade carrying portion with a tool body hole extending through the blade carrying portion. The pipe cutting tool includes a blade carriage coupled to the tool body and rotatable around the tool body hole and a blade which engages with the blade carriage. The pipe cutting tool includes at least one retaining plate coupled to the blade carriage and rotatable about the tool body hole. The pipe cutting tool includes a pin which is configured to removably extend through the tool body hole and a hole formed through the blade carriage. The tool body includes a boss feature which engages with the retaining plate to hold the blade carriage when the pin is removed from the pipe cutting tool.

Abstract: A modular storage system includes a unit body having a first lateral end, a second lateral end opposite the first lateral end, and an upper surface extending between the first and second lateral ends. The unit body includes a first groove formed in the upper surface at the first lateral end and a first groove connector in the first groove. The system includes a tongue piece having a first and second side. Each of the first and second sides of the tongue piece has a shape corresponding to the first groove and a tongue connector configured to releasably engage the first groove connector.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating water meter valves is disclosed herein. A water meter tool includes a body extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end. The body includes a water meter valve key at the first end and a hole formed through the body between the first and second ends, where a center line of the hole is in a transverse plane of the body. The water meter tool includes a movable cross arm disposed through the hole, where the movable cross arm extends along a longitudinal axis from a first arm end to a second arm end, and where the movable cross arm includes a first box key proximate the first arm end.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for locating a midpoint between surfaces is disclosed herein. A laser distance measurer includes a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, and first and second side surfaces intersecting the top and bottom surfaces, a first laser and a first sensor disposed along the first side surface, and a second laser and a second sensor disposed along the second side surface. The laser distance measurer includes a processor disposed in the housing configured to determine a first distance from the laser distance measurer to the first surface, determine a second distance from the laser distance measurer to the second surface, and indicate a position of the laser distance measurer relative to the midpoint between the first and second surfaces based on the first and second distances.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating water meter valves is disclosed herein. A water meter tool includes a body extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end. The body includes a water meter valve key at the first end and a hole formed through the body between the first and second ends, where a center line of the hole is in a transverse plane of the body. The water meter tool includes a movable cross arm disposed through the hole, where the movable cross arm extends along a longitudinal axis from a first arm end to a second arm end, and where the movable cross arm includes a first box key proximate the first arm end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing or uninstalling supply lines or retaining nuts. A wrench includes a body having first and second sections rotatably coupled to each other. The body includes a first portion having a plurality of castellations, wherein a plurality of radial slots are formed between lateral surfaces of adjacent castellations, each radial slot being engageable to a wing of a retaining nut, wherein the first portion includes a plurality of first inner surfaces engageable to a first pipe fitting in the closed position. The body includes a second portion spaced away from the first portion, the second portion including a hinge for rotating the first and second sections relative to each other. The body includes a third portion located between the first and second portions, the third portion including a plurality of second inner surfaces engageable to a second pipe fitting in the closed position.

Abstract: A ratcheting tool has a drive tang with a socket retaining detent and a linkage to engage the detent. A locking element is disposed movably between a first position wherein the locking element engages the linkage when a first actuator is in a first position so that the locking element blocks movement of the linkage so that the detent remains in a socket-retaining position and a second position in which the locking element disengages the linkage. A storage device for retaining sockets has a frame and one or more docks attached to the frame, each dock having a first retainer member, a second retainer member, and a third retainer member, at least one of which is selectively movable with respect to a socket receiving space so that a socket is removable from the socket receiving space.

Abstract: A tape measure is described that has a finger recess in a housing, with at least a portion of the underside of a tape blade exposed in the finger recess. Pressing a finger against the underside of the tape allows the user to create a drag brake that acts against the retraction spring to slow and/or stop the retraction of the tape blade. The lateral edges of the tape blade, for that portion of the tape blade disposed in the finger recess, are protected by the housing. This arrangement results in a compact yet versatile and safe overall tape measure with good tactile feedback during finger-braking.

Abstract: A ratcheting tool has a drive tang with a socket retaining detent and a linkage to engage the detent. A locking element is disposed movably between a first position wherein the locking element engages the linkage when a first actuator is in a first position so that the locking element blocks movement of the linkage so that the detent remains in a socket-retaining position and a second position in which the locking element disengages the linkage. A storage device for retaining sockets has a frame and one or more docks attached to the frame, each dock having a first retainer member, a second retainer member, and a third retainer member, at least one of which is selectively movable with respect to a socket receiving space so that a socket is removable from the socket receiving space.