Abstract: A caster assembly having rattle-free operation is presented. The caster comprises an inverted U-shaped horn member carrying an axle (i.e., a shoulder bolt). A wheel rotating on a spanner is supported between leg portions of the horn by the axle. A brake support and treadle lever are mounted on the axle and provide for locking the caster wheel. A spring tab is formed integrally in the treadle lever. The spring tab is spring biased inwardly to force the brake support and the treadle lever apart. The maintenance of a constant tension separating the brake support and the treadle lever results in rattlefree operation of the caster assembly of the present invention.

Abstract: Shears are provided with a cutting mechanism for obtaining maximum leverage at the point in the cutting stroke corresponding to the maximum resistance. The cutting mechanism comprises cooperating first and second shearing members and a lever arm. The lever arm is pivotally connected to the first shearing member and a sliding connection is effected between the second shearing member and the lever arm.

Abstract: A shearing device capable of being articulated between open and closed positions for cutting material includes pairs of handle levers and shearing elements rotatably mounted on a pivot mechanism. A clutch assembly comprising plates with complimentary and fixed configurations biased in abutting and intermeshing relationship when in a predetermined rotary alignment is positioned between the pairs of handle levers and switching elements. The clutch assembly is responsible to a predetermined force generated when the handle levers are articulated towards a closed position and the shearing elements encounter cut resistant material for camming the plates out of meshing relationship and operatively disconnecting the handle levers.

Abstract: A hand tool of the scissors type includes two pivotally-movable operating members or jaws or blades and two pivotally-movable handle members which members are readily separable from each other and are interrelated by a single pivot bolt extendable through the four components so that relative movement between each operating member and its respective handle member is precluded. The components are readily replaceable without supporting rivets, pins, screws or the like. Novel locking means allow easy tool operation both in the opening stroke preparatory for use and in the closing operating stroke and for assuming the safe locked position when the tool is fully closed.

Abstract: The invention discloses pruning apparatus of the compound action hook and blade type. At the upper end of a longitudinally-extending handle, a stationary hook is fixed and extends upwardly therefrom in a plane parallel to and offset from the longitudinally-extending plane of the handle. It defines a downwardly-facing arcuately-shaped limb-engaging-surface for engagement with a limb. There is a movable blade which has a cutting edge and is operable to be reciprocated in an intersecting manner through cutting and return strokes with relation to the engaged limb and to the limb engaging surface of the fixed hook. A lever is pivotally mounted relative to the hook and a link pivotally interconnects to each of the lever and movable blade. The hook and movable blade and lever and link are each disposed contiguous to a common vertical plane.

Abstract: A shear has a first elongate blade having a generally convex work-engaging-cutting-edge and an elongate handle portion and a second elongate blade having a generally convex work-engaging-cutting-edge and an elongate handle portion and a pivot means for pivotally linking together the first and second blades. In closing stroke, the blades are swingable toward each other and their cutting edges oppose each other in facing relationship with the defined included angle between the blades at any point of their intersection having certain value in the order of 17.degree..+-.3.degree.. The combined included angles of the bevels of the cutting edges of the blades is in the order of not less than 80.degree. and not more than 120.degree..

Abstract: The invention discloses pruning apparatus of the compound action hook and blade type. At the upper end of a longitudinally-extending handle, a stationary hook is fixed and extends upwardly therefrom in a plane parallel to and offset from the longitudinally-extending plane of the handle. It defines a downwardly-facing arcuately-shaped limb-engaging-surface for engagement with a limb. There is a movable blade which has a cutting edge and is operable to be reciprocated in an intersecting manner through cutting and return strokes with relation to the engaged limb and to the limb engaging surface of the fixed hook. A lever is pivotally mounted relative to the hook and a link pivotally interconnects to each of the lever and movable blade. The hook and movable blade and lever and link are each disposed contiguous to a common vertical plane.

Abstract: An elongated pressure sensitive adhesive element for attachment within a recess on a component part of a shear, the upper side of the sheet carrying indicia for indicating the manufacturer or distributor or seller of the shear. The shear has pivoted crossed blades normally biased to opened position and is provided preferentially with a recess or inset in the spine or upper wall of the upper handle, into which an ornamental and/or information-bearing label may be inserted: (a) to impart a pleasing appearance to the tool; (b) to conceal an unsightly rivet which attaches the biasing spring to the handle; and (c) to carry information such as the manufacturer's or distributor's name, his trademark, tool model or number, or the like. The label and upper handle may be of contrasting colors to enhance tool attractiveness.

Abstract: A shear having pivoted crossed blades normally biased to opened position is provided with a modular type latch allowing the single handed locking of the handles in a locked position or releasing of the locked handles into an opened position. The latch is integrated as a functional unit for ready association with the other previously assembled shear components by the mere insertion of the unit in situ whereat the shear is immediately available for operational use, securement being obtained without the need for screws or springs or hooks or like supplementary securement means, the latch being self retaining, once inserted. The salient feature is that the latch, which in one key sense is not fixedly related, is an independent unit which is a part of the total structure and serves as the means for latching and unlatching the blades in desired relationships.

Abstract: A pruning shear of the hook style or pass-by type wherein the crossed levers are pivoted in combination with a power element for absorbing the impact generated upon the completion of the severing function as the shear is moving in shear closing direction. The shear has a cutting blade, a hook type blade, a yoke shaped upper handle straddling the two blades, a lower handle integral with the cutting blade, a leaf spring biasing the two handles to opened position, and a power element wherein a contained or restricted force producing material of rubber or like elastomeric form is deformable as a damping mechanism for absorbing the impact as momentarily sustained when the work engaged between the blades is finally and fully severed.