Abstract: A clamp includes a bar having top and bottom surfaces, a fixed jaw fixed to the bar, and a movable assembly movable along the bar. The movable assembly includes a movable jaw, an actuator that incrementally moves the movable assembly to apply a clamp force to a clamp load, a release lever to disengage the movable assembly to release a clamp force and permit free sliding of the movable assembly along the bar. The movable assembly may support a bearing surface formed of a low-friction material, positioned to prevent the movable assembly from binding to the bar when a clamp load is released. The release lever may be movable between a position engaging the bar, a position where the release lever disengages the bar, and another position engaging the bar, the third position being opposite the first position with the second position therebetween.

Abstract: A lifting and lowering tool includes a foot configured to be supported on a surface, a bar extending therefrom, and a movable assembly including a housing, a movable platform shaped to support a load that extends from the housing, a lifting actuator configured to incrementally move the movable assembly along the bar away from the foot, a lowering actuator configured to incrementally move the movable assembly along the bar towards the foot, and a release actuator configured to disengage the movable assembly from the bar to allow free movement of the movable assembly along the bar. In embodiments, the movable assembly engages the bar through locking plates that extend through a flange of the movable assembly. In embodiments the release actuator is spaced from the lifting actuator and the lowering actuator to prevent inadvertent actuation of the release actuator. In embodiments a flange of the movable assembly surrounds the bar.

Abstract: A lifting and lowering tool includes a foot configured to be supported on a surface, a bar extending therefrom, and a movable assembly including a housing, a movable platform shaped to support a load that extends from the housing, a lifting actuator configured to incrementally move the movable assembly along the bar away from the foot, a lowering actuator configured to incrementally move the movable assembly along the bar towards the foot, and a release actuator configured to disengage the movable assembly from the bar to allow free movement of the movable assembly along the bar. In embodiments, the movable assembly engages the bar through locking plates that extend through a flange of the movable assembly. In embodiments the release actuator is spaced from the lifting actuator and the lowering actuator to prevent inadvertent actuation of the release actuator. In embodiments a flange of the movable assembly surrounds the bar.

Abstract: A chalk reel has a housing defining a chalk chamber and an opening for accessing the chamber. A door is movable between an open position for allowing access through the opening to the chalk chamber and a closed position preventing access to the chamber. A lock assembly is provided on the door and is movable with the door. The lock assembly rotates relative to the door between a locked position and an unlocked position and reciprocates to secure and release a lock member.

Abstract: A chalk reel has a housing defining a chalk chamber and an opening for accessing the chamber. A door is movable between an open position for allowing access through the opening to the chalk chamber and a closed position preventing access to the chamber. A lock assembly is provided on the door and is movable with the door. The lock assembly rotates relative to the door between a locked position and an unlocked position and reciprocates to secure and release a lock member.

Abstract: A paint roller including a roller cover retainer that is releasable to permit a roller cover to be easily removed. The device includes a locking lever pivotable relative to the frame which actuates retainers located within the roller assembly. The locking lever also exerts an axial force adapted to disengage the roller cover from the roller assembly when the retainer is disengaged. A used roller cover can be removed without the need to grasp the used roller cover. Installation of a roller cover onto the roller assembly automatically engages the retainers and shifts the locking lever into the locked position.

Abstract: A coating applicator comprising a substrate removably mounted to a frame, where the frame includes an actuator repositionable between an engaging position and a disengaging position, where the engaging position is operative to maintain the substrate in mounting engagement with the frame, where the disengaging position is operative to discontinue the substrate in mounting engagement with the frame, and where the substrate includes a receptor for retaining a coating composition for application.

Abstract: A hanger locator for identifying the proper location for a hanger on a wall may include a first arm and a second arm extending from a central body. The central body may include a marker and/or a hook for engaging a suspension device. In some exemplary embodiments, the arms may include elastic bands. In some exemplary embodiments, the arms may include cords, and the central body may include a retractor coupled to the cords.

Abstract: A paint roller including a roller cover retainer that is releasable to permit a roller cover to be easily removed. The device includes a locking lever pivotable relative to the frame which actuates retainers located within the roller assembly. The locking lever also exerts an axial force adapted to disengage the roller cover from the roller assembly when the retainer is disengaged. A used roller cover can be removed without the need to grasp the used roller cover. Installation of a roller cover onto the roller assembly automatically engages the retainers and shifts the locking lever into the locked position.

Abstract: A paint loading system including a pump and a tray that are releasably mounted on a paint container. The pump is used to discharge paint into the tray, where the paint can be loaded onto an applicator. The tray drains excess paint into the container. The loading system may include a removable tray having surface features aiding in the transfer of paint to the applicator. The loading system includes a spout allowing paint to be poured from the paint container without necessitating the removal of the loading system from the paint container.

Abstract: A paint roller including a roller cover retainer that is releasable to permit a roller cover to be easily removed. The device includes a locking lever pivotable relative to the frame which actuates retainers located within the roller assembly. The locking lever also exerts an axial force adapted to disengage the roller cover from the roller assembly when the retainer is disengaged. A used roller cover can be removed without the need to grasp the used roller cover. Installation of a roller cover onto the roller assembly automatically engages the retainers and shifts the locking lever into the locked position.

Abstract: A paint roller including a roller cover retainer that is releasable to permit a roller cover to be easily removed. The device includes a locking lever pivotable relative to the frame which actuates retainers located within the roller assembly. The locking lever also exerts an axial force adapted to disengage the roller cover from the roller assembly when the retainer is disengaged. A used roller cover can be removed without the need to grasp the used roller cover. Installation of a roller cover onto the roller assembly automatically engages the retainers and shifts the locking lever into the locked position.

Abstract: A coating applicator comprising a substrate removably mounted to a frame, where the frame includes an actuator repositionable between an engaging position and a disengaging position, where the engaging position is operative to maintain the substrate in mounting engagement with the frame, where the disengaging position is operative to discontinue the substrate in mounting engagement with the frame, and where the substrate includes a receptor for retaining a coating composition for application.

Abstract: The clamp light comprises an elongated body formed of a rigid material. The elongated body supports a light source that is protected by a transparent cover. A fixed jaw is formed at one end of the elongated body and has a clamp pad formed thereon. A movable jaw having a clamp pad formed thereon is supported on the elongated body such that it can be moved along the body towards and away from the fixed jaw. The movable jaw includes ratchet teeth that engage mating ratchet teeth formed on the elongated body such that the movable jaw can be selectively locked in position relative to the body to fix the distance between the movable jaw and the fixed jaw. The clamp light can be mounted to a support structure by clamping the support structure between the clamp pads of the movable and fixed jaws.

Abstract: A combination ratchet wrench having a standard open-type or box-type wrench at one end thereof and a ratcheting extraction box at the other end thereof. The ratchet extraction wrench box is connected by a ratcheting mechanism to the wrench that allows rotation of the ratchet extraction wrench box relative to the wrench only in one direction. The ratchet extraction wrench box is provided with a fastener extraction head that has an interior bore extending inwardly from a receiving end. The bore has a plurality of helically-shaped grooves, each extending from the receiving end and curve radially and inwardly towards the central axis of the bore to form sharp ridges that extend in a helical fashion inside the bore. When the fastener extraction is placed over a fastener head, the ridges “bite” into the material of the fastener. Because the extraction head is formed as an integral part of the wrench there is no need to have a separate turning tool.

Abstract: A modular/convertible toddler climb unit is disclosed. This unit can be used independently in a variety of different ways as well as combined with other units to form a dynamic and physical skill development structure for children. The unit includes a base with adjacent steps and a slide formed on an upper sloping surface. Upper fixed side fences are provided on opposite sides of the adjacent steps and slide with upstanding mountable side fences cooperating with at least one of the upstanding fixed side fences in order to serve as boundary around at least part of an upper generally horizontally directed upper surface of the base. The mountable side fences can be positioned on the base in a number of different ways as well as the generally horizontally directed upper surface of two adjacent bases for cooperative interaction between such adjacent bases. Other play units can be associated with the toddler climb and slide unit to provide various play experiences for children.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a nucleic acid molecule encoding, or complementary to a nucleic acid molecule encoding, a recombinant NAD+ dependent glucocorticoid dehydrogenase and more particularly to 11 .beta.-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-2 (11 .beta.HSD2). When expressed in a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell, the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention is used to assay for potential agonists or antagonists of glucocorticoid dehydrogenase activity. Further, the present invention relates to immunoreactive molecules to NAD+ dependent glucocorticoid dehydrogenase which provide the basis for a new range of diagnostic agents for use, such as in the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension and in predicting the potential outcome of in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer procedures.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a nucleic acid molecule encoding, or complementary to a nucleic acid molecule encoding, a recombinant NAD+ dependent glucocorticoid dehydrogenase and more particularly to 11 .beta.-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-2 (11 .beta.HSD2). When expressed in a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell, the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention is used to assay for potential agonists or antagonist of glucocorticoid dehydrogenase activity. Further, the present invention relates to inmmunoreactive molecules to NAD+ dependent glucocorticold dehydrogenase which provide the basis for a new range of diagnostic agents for use, such as in the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension and in predicting the potential outcome of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer procedures.