Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing having a wall defining an internal cavity and a tape port, a coilable measuring tape disposed within the internal housing and having a first end extendable out of the housing, and an end hook member including an attachment portion and a hook portion. The attachment portion is arranged to engage the first end of the tape to attach the end hook member to the tape. The hook portion extends in a direction normal to the attachment portion and includes a first face and a second face arranged to engage the workpiece. A finger guard extends from the housing, and is configured to engage the hook member, and a finger space is defined between the tape port and the finger guard and is arranged to receive a user's finger during operation of the tape measure such that the user's finger engages the measuring tape.

Abstract: A tape measure including a housing arranged to enclose an internal cavity, where the housing defines a front wall. A port is formed in the housing and spaced a non-zero distance from the front wall. A measuring tape is at least partially disposed within the internal cavity of the housing and extends through the port. The measuring tape is rotatably coupled to the housing. A finger guard assembly is positioned adjacent the front wall, such that the finger guard assembly cooperates with the port to define a space therebetween. The measuring tape passes through the space outside of the housing to facilitate the control of the retraction and extension of the measuring tape through contact within the space.

Abstract: A power distribution box and method of communicating via the power distribution box are provided. A power input in the power distribution box is coupled to a power output to provide power to external devices. A gateway device supported by the housing of the power distribution box includes a wireless network module for communicating with power tools and a cellular module for communicating via a cellular network with a power tool monitoring system. The gateway may be removable from the power distribution box. A translation controller in the gateway enables communication between the wireless network module and the external network using the cellular module. The translation controller translates messages between the power tools and external network. The messages may include location data or operational data associated with the power tool.

Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing having a wall defining an internal cavity and a tape port, a coilable measuring tape disposed within the internal housing and having a first end extendable out of the housing, and an end hook member including an attachment portion and a hook portion. The attachment portion is arranged to engage the first end of the tape to attach the end hook member to the tape. The hook portion extends in a direction normal to the attachment portion and includes a first face and a second face arranged to engage the workpiece. A finger guard extends from the housing, and is configured to engage the hook member, and a finger space is defined between the tape port and the finger guard and is arranged to receive a user's finger during operation of the tape measure such that the user's finger engages the measuring tape.

Abstract: A method of communicating with at least one power tool device using a power distribution box. The power distribution box includes a power-line adapter, a gateway device, and alternating current (AC) power outlets. The method includes receiving alternating current from an external power source and distributing the AC power received from the external power source to the AC power outlets. The method also includes receiving from the gateway device wireless communication from a power tool, transmitting by the power-line adapter the data from the wireless communication to an external network, and receiving information regarding the power tool device.

Abstract: Systems and methods including a wireless device in communication with, controlling, and providing streaming media to a worksite audio device. The worksite audio device, such as a radio, includes a rugged structure enabling its use on construction sites. The worksite audio device is powerable via a power tool battery pack or AC source, and includes a charger circuit to charge an inserted power tool battery using power from the AC source. The worksite audio device is in communication with an external wireless device, such as a smart phone. The worksite audio device outputs to the smart phone battery status information, such as temperature and state of charge, as well as other information about the audio device. The smart phone displays the status information received from the audio device. Additionally, a user may control the audio device via a graphical user interface of the smart phone.

Abstract: A stapler includes a main body having a front side and a bottom side extending from the front side. A staple discharge opening is defined on the bottom side proximate the front side. The stapler further includes a magazine movable between a received position within the main body and a withdrawn position, and a latch mechanism including an actuator movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. When the magazine is in the received position and the actuator is in the latched position the magazine is retained from movement toward the withdrawn position, and when the actuator is in the unlatched position the magazine is movable relative to the main body from the received position to the withdrawn position. The actuator is positioned within a recess defined by the main body when the magazine is in the received position.

Abstract: A tool storage device and a tool box. The device may include flexible walls cooperating to define a storage area, and a rigid frame supported in the storage area and including a central portion extending in a direction from a bottom wall toward a top wall, one base portion extending from one side of the central portion, along the bottom wall and toward one side wall, and another base portion extending from an opposite side of the central portion, along the bottom wall and toward an opposite side wall. The tool box may include a body defining a storage compartment; a lid defining a groove in its outer surface to support an elongated work piece; and a handle engageable with a work piece supported in the groove. The lid may be attachable to the top of the body in a closed position and to the bottom in a stowed position.

Abstract: A tool storage device and a tool box. The device may include flexible walls cooperating to define a storage area, and a rigid frame supported in the storage area and including a central portion extending in a direction from a bottom wall toward a top wall, one base portion extending from one side of the central portion, along the bottom wall and toward one side wall, and another base portion extending from an opposite side of the central portion, along the bottom wall and toward an opposite side wall. The tool box may include a body defining a storage compartment; a lid defining a groove in its outer surface to support an elongated work piece; and a handle engageable with a work piece supported in the groove. The lid may be attachable to the top of the body in a closed position and to the bottom in a stowed position.

Abstract: A method of communicating with at least one power tool device using a power distribution box. The power distribution box includes a power-line adapter, a gateway device, and alternating current (AC) power outlets. The method includes receiving alternating current from an external power source and distributing the AC power received from the external power source to the AC power outlets. The method also includes receiving from the gateway device wireless communication from a power tool, transmitting by the power-line adapter the data from the wireless communication to an external network, and receiving information regarding the power tool device.

Abstract: A tape measure including a housing arranged to enclose an internal cavity, where the housing defines a front wall. A port is formed in the housing and spaced a non-zero distance from the front wall. A measuring tape is at least partially disposed within the internal cavity of the housing and extends through the port. The measuring tape is rotatably coupled to the housing. A finger guard assembly is positioned adjacent the front wall, such that the finger guard assembly cooperates with the port to define a space therebetween. The measuring tape passes through the space outside of the housing to facilitate the control of the retraction and extension of the measuring tape through contact within the space.

Abstract: A marking pen including a body having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis that extends centrally through the body and through the first end and the second end, and a pen adjacent the first end. The body is generally cylindrical from the first end to the second end. The marking pen further includes a fin that extends from the body between the first end and the second end. The fin is integrally formed with the body and has a height measured normal to the longitudinal axis. The height of the fin gradually increases in a direction from the second end toward the first end.

Abstract: A power distribution box includes a power input configured to receive power from an external power source, an alternating current (AC) output electrically coupled to the power input, a power-line adapter and a gateway device. The power-line adapter is coupled to the power input and configured to receive power via the power input and communicate with an external network. The gateway device is coupled to the power-line adapter and is configured to communicate with the external network. The gateway device includes a wireless network module configured to communicate with at least one power tool device in a wireless network, and a translation controller configured to enable communications between the wireless network module and the external network through the power-line adapter.

Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing arranged to substantially enclose an internal cavity, the housing defining a tape port, and a tape positioned partially within the housing, the tape including an end portion that extends through the tape port and out of the housing. A hook is coupled to the end portion and a finger guard assembly is coupled to the housing and spaced apart from the tape port. The end portion extends through an aperture in the finger guard assembly and is movable between a retracted position in which the hook abuts the finger guard assembly and an extended position in which the hook is spaced apart from the finger guard assembly.

Abstract: A marking pen including a body including a pen and a cap. The cap includes a clip including a first leg that extends from the cap body and away from the cap body in a first direction that is along a transverse axis of the cap body, a second leg that extends from the first leg and away from the first leg in a second direction to create a gap between the second leg and the cap body, and a third leg that extends from the second leg in a third direction along a longitudinal axis of the cap body and the third leg also extends toward the cap body along the transverse axis of the cap body. The clip is configured to attach the cap to an article of clothing in the gap between the second leg and the cap body.

Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing having a wall defining an internal cavity and a tape port, a coilable measuring tape disposed within the internal housing and having a first end extendable out of the housing, and an end hook member including an attachment portion and a hook portion. The attachment portion is arranged to engage the first end of the tape to attach the end hook member to the tape. The hook portion extends in a direction normal to the attachment portion and includes a first face and a second face arranged to engage the workpiece. A finger guard extends from the housing, and is configured to engage the hook member, and a finger space is defined between the tape port and the finger guard and is arranged to receive a user's finger during operation of the tape measure such that the user's finger engages the measuring tape.

Abstract: A portable light includes an elongated housing having a first end and a second end, and an opening formed in a side of the elongated housing between the first and second ends. The portable light also includes a light source positioned within the opening of the elongated housing, and an actuator positioned within the opening of the elongated housing and electrically coupled to the light source. The actuator is operable to control operation of the light source. The portable light further includes a faceplate removably coupled to the elongated housing over the opening. The faceplate includes a lens that covers the light source and a movable member that covers the actuator.

Abstract: A tape measure for measuring a workpiece includes a housing, a coilable measuring tape at least partially disposed within the housing and having a first end extendable out of the housing, and an end hook member including an attachment portion and a hook portion. The attachment portion is arranged to engage a first surface of the first end of the tape to attach the end hook member to the tape. The hook portion extends in a direction substantially normal to the attachment portion and includes a first face and a second face arranged to engage the workpiece. The second face faces outward from the end of the tape. A magnet housing is coupled to the end hook member, a first magnet is disposed within the magnet housing and arranged to magnetically engage the workpiece when the workpiece is positioned adjacent the second face, and a second magnet is disposed within the magnet housing and is arranged to magnetically engage the workpiece when the workpiece is positioned adjacent the first face.

Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing assembly having a first side wall, a second side wall, and a peripheral wall extending from the first side wall to the second side wall. The housing assembly defines a cavity, and the peripheral wall defines a bottom surface and a tape port. A measuring tape is rotatably supported by the housing. At least a portion of the measuring tape forms a spool disposed within the cavity. The measuring tape extends and retracts from the cavity through the tape port. A hook member is fixedly coupled to an end portion of the measuring tape. A first lamp is coupled to the housing assembly and is oriented to illuminate a portion of the measuring tape.

Abstract: A computer case for protecting a computer. The computer case comprising a front housing and a rear housing. The front housing including a first aperture operable to allow a user to operate the computer. The rear housing pivotally coupled to the front housing, the rear housing including a latch for securing the computer between the front housing and the rear housing, a battery receptacle for receiving a battery, an electrical interface for electrical communication with the computer, an electrical input, and a controller. Wherein the controller is operable to receive power from the battery, provide power to the computer via the electrical interface, receive an electrical signal from the electrical input, and output the electrical signal to the computer via the electrical interface.