Abstract: A writing implement for generating a pair of lines which will vary in spacing depending upon the down pressure applied includes a handle, a pair of elongated blades of flexible material which are secured at one end to the handle and which project therebeyond. The blades have their minor axes intersecting at an angle of approximately 45.degree. to 135.degree., and marking elements are secured to the free ends of the blades and project therefrom with the points thereof being closely spaced in the unflexed condition of the blades. When the user applies downward pressure to the writing implement, the blades flex along their longitudinal axes, and this moves the points of the marking elements apart to generate a pair of spaced lines. Various types of marking elements may be replaceably seated in barrel portions at the free ends of the blades.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coilable extensible rules or the like. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a new and improved optical sensing system for extensible tape rules of the type that provide a visual display of the measurment readings, such as the digital tape rule described in the Hildebrandt et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,161,781, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Abstract: A tape measure reel lock with a locking slide reciprocably mounted for selectively engaging internal V-shaped, angularly spaced abutments of a reel drum, each abutment having a latching shoulder for locking the reel with the slide against unwinding rotation and a camming shoulder for automatically retracting the slide when the reel is rotated to rewind the measuring tape.

Abstract: A tape measure having a molded plastic hook with a hook member pivotally mounted on a base member between a folded detented position underlying the base member and an unfolded detented position perpendicular to the base member, and a casing with a hook storage compartment for protectively storing the hook in a folded condition within the profile of the casing and having side slots for manually grasping and withdrawing the hook.

Abstract: In a measuring device such as a coilable tape rule, the movable elongated measuring element or blade is provided with a series of optical markings to indicate passage of distance. Photoelectric sensing means in the form of a pair of sensors carried by the stationary element such as the tape rule housing detects shifts in light level or transitions provided by the markings when the blade is illuminated and moved to traverse a distance being measured. A phase relationship of the sensors and the markings is utilized by logic circuitry to provide signals indicative of both amount and direction of movement. The logic signals are counted to indicate net distance traversed by the blade which indication is converted to units of measure and visually displayed. The blade can include conventional graduations and related indicia along with the optical markings so as to be both human readable and machine readable.

Abstract: A shears includes a pair of blade portions with opposed convexly curvilinear cutting edges extending longitudinally thereof assembled for pivotal movement between closed and open positions. The curves defined by the cutting edges are mirror images and, in the open position, intersect at a point spaced from the pivot means towards the outer end of the cutting edges. The cutting angle defined by tangents to the curves at the points of intersection over substantially the entire length of the cutting edges during closing movement is substantially constant and within the range of 12.degree.-30.degree.. The preferred shears have a rake angle of 4.degree.-14.degree. and have blade portions which are inclined towards each other to provide wiping action at the point of intersection along substantially the entire length of the cutting edges.

Abstract: A saw buck bracket includes a pair of bracket elements disposed with their web portions in abutting surface contact and having parallel sidewall portions extending perpendicularly to their web portions along two opposite sides thereof. The web portions of the bracket elements have an arcuate slot with the slots of the cooperating bracket elements being disposed at opposite ends of the sidewall portions. Between the arcuate slots is a large diameter pivot provided by a circular aperture in one web portion and a circular lip on the other web portion which extends through and is secured behind the one web portion. Rivets seated in one web portion are slidable in the arcuate slot of the other to define the limits of pivoting of the bracketelements and to assist in maintaining the bracket elements in assembly.

Abstract: A releasable latch is provided upon the handles of a pair of relatively pivotable operating members which are normally biased apart by spring means. The latch comprises opposed arm members on the handles which in part overlie each other with one of the arm members having a latch aperture and the other having a latch post extending into the latch aperture. One arm member is provided with an integral hinge portion, and the latch post has a shoulder thereon which engages with a cooperating shoulder surface on the other arm member about the latch aperture therein. The spring means biases the handles apart so as to maintain the cooperating shoulders in engagement in the closed position. One or both of the latch post and latch aperture is desirably provided with a cam surface to move the latch post within the latch aperture into a position wherein the cooperating shoulder surfaces will engage.

Abstract: A power boring bit is made by steps including the forming of an elongated shaft member so as to provide a shaft portion and a pointed tip portion at one end which has cutting surfaces which extend along a portion of the axial length thereof and a generally axially extending planar shoulder portion spaced from the point of the tip portion which has a radial distance less than the circle of rotation of maximum radius of the tip portion. A disc is provided with a coaxial aperture and a channel extending from the circumference to the aperture with a portion of the disc being bent upwardly to provide the cutting lip. The disc is seated on the shaft member so that the cutting lip terminates closely adjacent the shoulder portion and intermediate the width thereof and thus lies inwardly of the circle of rotation of maximum radius.The disc may be formed by stamping and punching and may also be formed so as to provide a spur at the periphery thereof.

Abstract: A power boring bit is fabricated from a shaft member and a disc which has a channel extending from the circumference thereof to a coaxial aperture through which the shaft extends. The shaft has a pointed tip portion at one end which provides cutting surfaces extending from the point of the tip portion and circumscribing a circle of rotation of maximum radius. A generally axially extending planar shoulder portion is provided on the tip portion with the radial distance to the shoulder portion being less than the maximum radius. One edge portion of the disc bounding the channel is bent to extend from the plane of the body of the disc towards the point and thereby define a cutting lip portion which has a free end providing a cutting edge extending from the periphery of the disc to closely adjacent the axial shoulder portion intermediate the width thereof and inwardly of the circle of rotation of maximum radius.

Abstract: An integrally molded synthetic resin mitre box has an elongated base portion, rigid post members spaced along one side thereof and a rigid guide member on the opposite side thereof. The guide member and posts have aligned vertical channels therein opening at the top surface thereof and providing guide channels for a saw blade at varous angular orientations relative to the longitudinal axis of the mitre box. The post members and guide member are of generally hollow construction with inverted columnar portions providing the channels. The base portion is provided with apertures, and a depending lip is provided along one side for secure placement against a worktable or the like.