Abstract: A flashlight and tool combination comprises a flashlight having a body, an illumination member, a power source and a switch for switching the illumination member on and off. The flashlight body has on one portion thereof a tool connector. The combination further comprises a tool assembly comprising a tool component and a connector component, the connector component being received by the connector member on the body of the flashlight. A fastener for releasably securing the connector component to the connector member is provided.

Abstract: A foldable plier combination tool comprises a foldable plier having a working head portion and a handle portion having a pair of arms which are operable to manipulate the working head portion to open and close. At least one of the arms is pivotably connected to the foldable plier so as to move between an extended position where the plier is unfolded and a retracted position where the plier is folded. The arm receives at least a part of the working head portion when in the retracted position. The combination also includes an associated tool for connection to the foldable plier.

Abstract: A flashlight and tool combination comprises a flashlight having a body, an illumination member, a power source and a switch for switching the illumination member on and off. The flashlight body has on one portion thereof a tool connector. The combination further comprises a tool assembly comprising a tool component and a connector component, the connector component being received by the connector member on the body of the flashlight. A fastener for releasably securing the connector component to the connector member is provided.

Abstract: An articulated illumination device includes an elongated holding sleeve with one end threadably attached to a support body or base which communicates with an iron slug in an interior storage compartment for insertably receiving and magnetically holding the device. The storage compartment insertably receives a magnetic end of the illumination means that is releasably engageable with the iron slug and a battery-operated light is disposed at the other light or end. A universal joint includes a ball socket and joint formed in the support body or base for rotatably mounting a selected end of the illumination device. A magnet is intended to either attach to the support body or base by magnetic attraction to the iron slug when the illumination means is in the storage compartment or the magnet is employed for supporting the illumination means in a cantilevered position from a wall surface, a post or the like.

Abstract: A multipurpose tool in accordance with the present invention includes a hole punch and a stapler that are selectively engaged with a housing. The housing includes a recess defined by an inclined wall and an end wall that extend from a respective housing sidewall and bottom wall and merge into each other at a curved portion. The inclined wall, curved portion and end wall include opposing undercut slots which engage corresponding flanges on an actuating member of the stapler when the stapler is attached thereto. The housing includes a corner opening and opposing guide rails that extend from the housing front and rear walls into the corner opening. The guide rails engage corresponding grooves in a punch casing when the hole punch is inserted into the corner opening. This structure allows for the stapler/hole punch to be detached and used as a stand-alone implement, or used when fixed to the housing.

Abstract: A thin card-like housing that incorporates a retractable brush and other useful implements. The brush has a base with an outer edge from which bristles extend. The base includes a deflectable web portion having a rib extending through an actuation opening in the housing. Manual engagement of the rib is used to move the brush from an outwardly extended operative position to a retracted storage position within the housing. The web portion includes wedge parts that releasably engage detent structures inside the housing. The detent structures are positioned to correspond to the storage and operative positions of the brush. The housing interior also includes guide posts that extend through guide openings in the brush base to facilitate brush alignment and movement.

Abstract: A multi-purpose tool housing is provided having an implement that is rotatably stowable in an individual housing opening. The opening includes a separate lock plate that engages the end surfaces of a pivot plate that extends from an inner end portion of the implement. The end surfaces are angularly oriented to permit the lock plate to not only secure the implement in a storage mode, but also secure the implement in predetermined angular orientations for convenience of use. A spring biased plunger, flexible bands and spring members operate between the housing and implement to automatically move a portion of the implement out of the housing opening to a predetermined access orientation. Thereafter, a user may readily grasp the implement and rotate it to the desired use position. When scissors are being used with a flex strip between the scissors handles, a bumper part coacts with the lock plate to hold the handles together for storage against the flexural bias of the flex strip.

Abstract: A compact flashlight is provided having a base with an interior recess for permitting reciprocable movement of a disk battery. The base includes a bulb having a first lead that extends along the bottom of the interior recess. A second diverging lead extends from the bulb to an area along an upper side of the recess. The battery overlies the first lead so that electrical contact is made with the bottom portion of the battery. A carrier overlies the battery and includes a boss portion extending into an opening of a cover that encloses the base. Forward thumb pressure on the boss portion moves the battery from a bulb-off to a bulb-on position when the battery comes into electrical contact with the second diverging lead. This results in illumination of the bulb. The carrier is provided with resilient members extending outwardly from the back end of the carrier. The resilient members engage a corresponding detent in the housing and maintain the battery in an off position.