Abstract: A hand-held groover for forming grooves, bevels, etc. in architectural insulation board comprises a resistive cutting blade, a 25 KHz. oscillator, operated by full-wave rectified line current and connected to the cutting blade through a light-weight transformer. The oscillator delivers to the heating element a sequence of electrical pulses synchronized with the line current frequency, each having a duration of 1/120 second. Each pulse consists of plural oscillations at 25 KHz., so that the heating current in the blade is essentially an amplitude-modulated 25 KHz. current. The modulating pulses are selected from the continuous train of 120 Hz. pulses by an adjustable triggering circuit, to adjust the time interval between pulses and thereby control the temperature of the heating element.

Abstract: In a temperature regulator for soldering and unsoldering equipment having a heating device fed by a controllable electric source of heating current, the heating output of which is transmitted to a spot to be soldered by a heating output transmission device, a signal that is proportional to the temperature of the heating device is generated and compared in a comparator of a control circuit to a set value. The control circuit derives from the output signal of the comparator a control signal for controlling the source of heating current. In addition, a temperature sensor (5) is arranged in the area adjacent to the spot to be soldered of the heating output transmission device (3), the output signal of which is compared in another comparator (23) of another control circuit (23, 27, 28) to another set value (7). The second control circuit supplies another control signal for controlling the source (11) of heating current.

Abstract: An electric iron has a printed circuit board mounted to a rear wall in the iron's housing. An operating switch is mounted on the circuit board. The operating switch connects the iron to a source of electrical power when moved by a first manual force and disconnects the iron from the source of electrical power when moved by a second manual force or moved responsive to energization of a solenoid winding.

Abstract: An original equipment type seal for recharged toner cartridges can be installed without splitting the cartridge itself, by screening a border of "hot-melt" type adhesive, preferably wax-based, onto a strip of polyester, the adhesive being capable of softening or melting at a temperature above the softening or coagulating point of the toner powder itself, but below the softening points of the plastic components of the cartridge. The polyester seal is inserted into the cartridge with the aid of a room temperature or even cold, metallic insertion tool, preferably made of a high magnetic permeability steel. Heating this cold tool, or subsequently inserting a hot tool, will cause the adhesive to melt and seal the cartridge.

Abstract: An original equipment type seal for recharged toner cartridges can be installed without splitting the cartridge itself, by screening a border of "hot-melt" type adhesive, preferably wax-based, onto a strip of polyester, the adhesive being capable of softening or melting at a temperature above the softening or coagulating point of the toner powder itself, but below the softening points of the plastic components of the cartridge. The polyester seal is inserted into the cartridge with the aid of a room temperature or even cold, metallic insertion tool, preferably made of a high magnetic permeability steel. Heating this cold tool, or subsequently inserting a hot tool, will cause the adhesive to melt and seal the cartridge.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in a gun-like device (often referred to as a "heat gun") emitting heated air at a variable temperature which can be selected by the user. The potentiometer used to set the desired air temperature is connected to an integrated circuit (rather than to an amplifier used as a variable gain element) and is used in such a way that the percentage of total potentiometer resistance in a portion of the circuit, rather than the actual potentiometer resistance value, regulates temperature. Low-cost, smaller potentiometers having a relatively "loose" tolerance can thereby be used. The new regulator also includes a novel circuit for shutting down the heat gun in the event of an open thermocouple and a novel circuit for essentially eliminating the undesirable subtractive effect of cold junction circuit board voltages on the hot junction voltage produced by the thermocouple.

Abstract: An electrically-heated spoon including a flat heating device made of a plate-like positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistor having a periphery side wall of the spoon mounted to the periphery and a handle of the spoon extending from the side wall. A pair of conductive wires in electrical connection with the heating device are embedded in the handle and extend out of a remote end of the handle to define an external connector for connection to an external power source. The plate-like positive temperature coefficient resistor is sandwiched between two insulating plates and then encased by two opposite metal casing members with the conductive wires, which are connected to the resistor, extending through openings formed on the casing members for connection to a power source.

Abstract: A flameless portable cigarette lighter includes a hollow housing containing a pair of batteries and having a front wall with an opening sized to allow only the insertion of a cigarette therethrough for contact with a vertically oriented electric resistance heating filament in the housing for igniting the cigarette. A flexible closure is formed integrally with a switch actuator slidabaly mounted on the housing front wall and movable therewith from a first position closing the opening to a second position allowing access therethrough of a cigarette. A switch is provided in the housing for selectively connecting the batteries to the filament for energization thereof and includes a flexible resilient conductor having a free end movable into electrical contact with a pole of one of the batteries by engagement with a protuberance at the upper end of the closure when the closure is in its second position.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a hair styling appliance having heat conductive portion for applying heat to the hair and an electrically energizable heater element located in thermal relationship with the heat conductive portion for causing it to be heated upon application of energy. A temperature sensor is located in thermal relationship with the heat conductive portion. The temperature sensor is electrically connected to the heater element and has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance. A pulse switching device is operatively coupled to the heater and responsively coupled to the temperature sensor for controlling energization of the heater with temperature. A selectable temperature setting circuit is coupled to the pulse switching device for varying energization of the heater in accordance with a selected temperature operation.

Abstract: A battery-powered dispenser for hot melt adhesive includes an elongated housing supporting a battery power source therein. A heat exchanger is supported within the housing interior and includes an elongated heat exchanger and a resilient support guide sleeve for receiving a to-be-melted low temperature stick. The heat exchanger includes a discharge nozzle and a recess for receiving and supporting an escott heating element which is operatively coupled to the battery power source.

Abstract: An electric iron includes a handle having first and second members. Electronic components are mounted in a first one of the handle members. An electrostatic protection carrier is mounted in the second of the handle members. The electrostatic discharge protection carrier includes a first electrically conductive track extending parallel to and lying adjacent a first section of a seam formed by joining said first and second handle members. A second electrically conductive track extends parallel to and is spaced from said first track and extends parallel to and lies adjacent a second section of the seam. A third electrically conductive track interconnects the first and second tracks. An electrical conductor is connected to a selected one of the first or second tracks and to a portion of the iron normally held at a relatively low potential for transmitting any electrostatic discharge voltage collected by said electrostatic discharge protection carrier to said low potential iron portion.

Abstract: An electric hot air blower has a casing having a discharge portion containing a heating element and variable speed motor driven air blower and provided with a pistol grip handle for manipulation of hot air blower. A pair of pivotally mounted triggers frontally positioned in vertically spaced relationship in the center of the pistol grip handle selectively operate respective ones of a pair of spring-biased open incremental switches disposed in the handle for variably controlling the air blower motor speed in concert with the intensity of the heating element. The triggers are lockable in a selected position between an off and the maximum position of the incremental switch actuated thereby by a releasable locking button engageable with locking teeth on the trigger.

Abstract: A testing device for fire detectors comprises a resistance heating coil disposed outwardly of a clear central area and a collar located to one side of and about the resistance heating element for locating of a fire detector relative to the heating element. The heating element is of a low thermal mass and is quickly activated when connected to a power source thereby radiating heat directly to the housing of the detector. The collar is sized to position the resistance heating coil immediately adjacent the surface of the fire detector and spaced from the heat collection fin to thereby cause a rate of temperature rise within the pressure chamber of the fire detector while maintaining the heat collection fin below its activation point.

Abstract: A waterproof body for an electric cautery containing cautery parts, comprising a cautery tip assembly, a first hollow half body with a button hole in its side and a receptacle in one end so as to receive the cautery tip assembly, a second hollow half body with a receptacle in on end to receive the cautery tip assembly, a waterproof flexible membrane fastened to the inside of the first half body so as to seal the button hole in a waterproof manner, and an electrical switch button fastened in the button hole of the first half body. The first and second half bodies are joined together in a waterproof manner by ultrasonic welding. The electrical switch button slides in an axial manner relative to the body.

Abstract: A time-based electrical appliance multi-mode control circuit and indicator arrangement which is connected to a power supply and an on and off switch. Upon turning the switch on, power is simultaneously supplied to the electrical appliance load and to a dual timer circuit. A first timer in the circuit is immediately energized causing a first indicator to represent an on state to the user. After a predetermined length of time, the first timer causes one output to go low, turning off the on state indicator and respectively turning on a ready state indicator. A second timer is then activated for a second predetermined period. At the end of the second period, the ready state indicator is turned off and the standby state indicator is turned on. At the same time, a triac connected to the electrical appliance load is turned off causing the power to the load to be automatically switched off.

Abstract: A housing supports a pair of insulating posts carrying electrical conductors connected a battery set located in the housing. A nonconductive base carries an exposed electric heating wire on the upper surface thereof, opposite ends of the heating wire being connected to electrically conductive side plates connected on the base, a spring biases the base upwardly so that the side plates are normally spaced from the conductors and the upper part of the base carrying the exposed heating wire extends through a hole in a cover supported by the housing. A press bar is pivoted to the housing and can be moved downwardly to engage an object to be sealed supported on the upper part of the base in contact with the exposed heating wire to urge the base downwardly and cause the side plates to engage the conductors and heat the heating wire.

Abstract: An apparatus including a housing, wherein the housing defines a top wall formed with a series of aligned bores therethrough, each of the bores receiving a rechargeable battery powered hair salon utensil such as, a hair dryer, large diameter hair curling iron, small diameter hair curling iron, electric razor, etc., therewithin. A recharging plug is provided within each bore for providing recharging of each utensil. Optionally, the organization includes replacement battery packs selectively mounted to each utensil to ensure continuous use of each utensil. Further, a mirror structure is mounted rearwardly of a forward wall of the housing and nested therewithin and selectively retracted therefrom, wherein the mirror is heated by proximity to the recharging cells of the organization minimizing fogging of the mirror in use.

Abstract: A hair treating implement which has an electrical heating wire, a slidably removable support which the heating wire under tension, and a hand grip which can be connected with the support. The support is detachably connected to the hand grip by a longitudinally slidable tongue--and--groove interfit, and when connected, is engaged with electrical contacts in the hand grip. Electrical power is supplied to the heating wire through either an internal power source or an external power source, and hair is cut by the heating wire which is heated by the electrical power.

Abstract: A modular soldering station is disclosed which includes a base unit containing a soldering instrument power supply and having a plurality of holding fixtures to which may be attached novel modular desoldering tools, component pick up tools, vacuum fume removal apparatus, and cradling means for each. Different combinations of such implements may be used to make up a particularly desired soldering station for a given soldering/desoldering task or set of tasks.

Abstract: A portable thermal wire stripper has a pair of heatable stripping blades which are electrically attached to an electrical power and control system. The electrical system converts a direct current output from a battery which is housed in the wire stripper into a variable alternating current power which is used for controlling the surface temperature of the heated blades.

Abstract: A soldering iron holder for holding an electric. Soldering iron having a large square tip at the end of a barrel, such as an iron that is used with surface mounted integrated circuits, has a base with a shield attached to a depressible mounting rod that extends through the upper surface of the base. The shield has a large frontal opening and mounted inside the shield, offset to one side, is a bracket with a side facing slot. The large opening allows a soldering iron with a large tip to be inserted into the shield, then moved sideways to insert the barrel of the iron into the slot of the bracket. When the iron is inserted into the slot, it depresses the shield which activates a weight switch connected to the base of the mounting rod. Activating the weight switch starts a timer that removes power from the iron if the iron remains in the holder for a long period of time. Also disclosed is a spring clip that may be attached to the slot in the bracket to aid in inserting the barrel of the iron into the slot.

Abstract: A soldering apparatus comprises at least one soldering iron (19) with a heating element (21) and a regulating circuit including a temperature sensor (22) for regulating the working temperature of the soldering iron (19) to a predeterminable desired value (51). The apparatus is characterized by a circuit (45) connected to the soldering unit (19) which at least temporarily stores values corresponding to a time-dependent temperature plot for the soldering iron (19), and also by a monitoring circuit (14) which is connected to the memory circuit. The monitoring circuit monitors during the operation of the soldering iron, from the stored values for the temperature plot, determines whether the temperature undergoes an excursion beneath or above predeterminable upper and lower temperature limits (52, 53) and initiates an alarm signal when the duration of the excursion exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A portable branding device which uses a high current/low voltage power source such as a twelve volt tractor battery, for heat branding of livestock. The device includes a hollow body having first and second ends and a handle portion. A plurality of brand elements are detachable mounted to the second end and spaced from the second end. The branding device has an insulating panel. A plurality of legs is connected to the insulating panel for supporting the brand element. A series of terminals extend through the insulating panel and the brand element is attached to the terminals. Electrical connecting devices connect the brand element in spaced relation to the second end of the main body and a high current relay switching means, such as a solenoid switch is mounted within the main body for transmitting electricity to the brand element. A low current finger actuated switch is connected to the handle for actuating the high current relay switching means.

Abstract: A battery powered electric curling brush/iron includes an elongated cylindrical electrically heated wand detachably connected to the end of a hollow handle by a pair of separable electrical connector terminals. The handle houses rechargeable batteries for supplying electrical power to the wand through the connector terminals and a charging circuit for recharging the batteries from an external AC household source through a connector plug movable from a retracted position in the handle to an extended position projecting through an opening in a wall thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a cartridge soldering iron having a hollow cylindrical handle, incorporating an internal coaxial socket assembly, a connection to a power supply, and a cartridge housing support, and a soldering tip bearing cartridge incorporating a tip, a heater assembly, a tubular housing and a coaxial socket assembly adapted to mate with the handle socket assembly in a wiping electrically conductive manner.

Abstract: An electric iron for heating and releasing the adhesive of a bonding tape used to join fiberglass panels for insulating heating and air conditioning ducts includes a generally S-shaped resistance heating element disposed in a recess on the upper side of a planar sole plate of the iron. A body section is secured over the upper side of the sole plate and covers a layer of refractory material continguously covering the sole plate and heating element to prevent heat dissipation upwardly therefrom. Additional thermal insulation in the form of planar gaskets and layer of spun fibrous material is provided above the refractory layer and the body section is vented by openings through the walls thereof. The heating element is thermostatically controlled and is protected by a high temperature limit fuse as well as an excess current fuse. The sole plate may be made V-shaped so as to engage inside or outside corners formed by abutting panels being joined.

Abstract: A temperature controlled soldering iron wherein the same pair of dissimilar conductors, joined together, unitarily provides a soldering tip, a heating element for heating the soldering tip and a thermocouple for sensing the temperature of the soldering tip. When current is supplied to the conductors, a temperature effect is produced which is in addition to the normal heating of the conductors and results in a corresponding voltage which varies directly with the temperature of the conductors. The voltage is applied to a control circuit where it is amplified, compared against a reference voltage, corresponding to a pre-selected soldering temperature, and the voltage derived from said comparison is applied to regulating the current used for heating the dissimilar conductors. The dissimilar conductors are formed from wires of dissimilar metals and mounted in a generally cylindrical handle by a means which minimizes handle temperatures.

Abstract: A hair appliance has a hair winding portion extending axially from the end of a handle covered by a flexible sleeve member adapted to be depressed in order to activate a movable part of the hair appliance. The hair appliance is of relatively uniform cross-section along its length and in the case of a curling iron provided with a hair retaining clip biased adjacent the barrel of the curling iron, the clip is provided with a longitudinal extension aligned with the body of the clip, with the extension overlying a recess in the handle and under the flexible sleeve member. The clip is opened by squeezing or depressing the flexible sleeve member to move the extension into the recess. In the case of a curling brush having a rotatable barrel, a similar construction results in the barrel locking mechanism being situated under the flexible sleeve member so that depression of the latter operates the locking mechanism.

Abstract: An electrically heated tool for appyling an anchoring device having a forwardly protruding nose carrying a hot melt adhesive and a rear recess surrounded by a circular rim has a housing having a head portion and a handle. The head portion has a planar front wall provided with a front recess dimensioned to receive the anchoring device. An electric heater in the head portion has a platen, dimensioned to extend into the rear recess of the anchoring device, protruding into the front recess. The dimensions of the front recess and platen are such that the nose of an anchoring device received in the front recess with the platen extending into the rear recess of the device and in contact with the rear of the nose thereof protrudes slightly forwardly beyond the plane of the front wall so that the nose of the device can be firmly pressed against a surface to obtain secure bonding of the device after the heater has been energized to melt the adhesive.

Abstract: A desoldering method and apparatus for removal of molten solder from joined parts including a desoldering tool; a vacuum pump connected to the desoldering tool for applying vacuum thereto for removing the solder; a motor for energizing the pump; and circuitry for providing an initial, relatively high, voltage to the motor and for thereafter providing a relatively lower voltage to the motor so that, during the application of the high voltage to the motor, a relatively large pulse of the vacuum is applied to the joined parts to (a) effect removal of substantially all of the molten solder into the desoldering tool and (b) initiate cooldown of the parts and, during the application of the lower voltage to the motor, a relatively lower vacuum is continuously applied to maintain the cooldown of the parts.

Abstract: Automatic switching apparatus for a hand held electrically operated appliance such as a pressing iron. A motion sensor and an electronic timer cooperate to automatically shut off the iron if the iron remains stationary for a predetermined period of time. A simplified mechanism is manually operable in the event the user desires to reactivate the iron. A circuit board mounting simplified electronic circuitry is located within the handle of the iron. An appropriate indicator informs the user whether the iron is in the active mode or in the inactive mode.

Abstract: A portable electric battery operated hair curler having a handle detachable from a curling barrel provided with an electric heating element. The handle contains rechargeable batteries and a recharger, and has a first set of electrical connectors at its front end for mating with a set of electrical connectors at the back end of the curling barrel. The handle further includes a second pivotally mounted electrical connection means in the front end of the handle connected to the battery charger for connecting the charger to an external power source. The pivoted second connection is accessible for use only when the barrel is detached from the handle and is then movable from a stored position in the handle to a position projecting from one side of the handle for connection to the external power source.

Abstract: A hand held, electronically controlled soldering instrument in which the electronic control module is placed several feet along the power cord away from the tool utilizes the power cord leads to measure the resistance of the heater element during each inflection point of the AC input power. The resistance magnitude is used to provide a signal which is a function of the temperature of the heater element. This signal, in turn, is used to control the electric current to the heater element. This arrangement thermally isolates the heater element and the sensitive electronic control circuit and also removes the heat generating circuitry from the handle of the soldering tool. The handle is further cooled by minimizing the heat flow from the heater element to the handle and by using conductors in the power cord as heat sinks to remove heat from the base end of the heater element shaft.

Abstract: An electric curling iron operative to provide uniform heating at both domestic (120 v) and foreign (240 v) voltages includes first and second rope-type electric heaters disposed side by side in the heatable barrel of the curling iron. The heaters are of the same configuration, coextensive in length with each other and the length of the barrel and are separated from each other by a sheet of electrical insulating material dividing the barrel longitudinally into two compartments each containing one of the heaters. A double throw switch on the curling iron enables energization of the first heater alone at the domestic voltage and both heaters in series at the foreign voltage, the relative resistances of the heaters being selected to produce the same output wattage whether the first heater alone or both heaters are energized.

Abstract: A device and method for covering pilings of piers and the like includes a plastic cover or sheet which is wrapped around the piling for protecting the piling against rot, weather and wear. The plastic sheet ends overlap as they wrap around the pile. The ends are sealed and secured by a heatable strip extending between the overlapped ends of the sheet and which forms a fused plastic seam between the overlapped ends as the sheet is held tightly about the pile. A strap and a bar which presses over the heatable strip is provided for temporarily cinching the plastic sheet tightly about the pile and holding it while the heat fusing occurs.

Abstract: An electroceramic heater including a pair of metallized electrodes disposed upon the sides of an electroceramic body and a pair of lead wires gap is welded to said heater. A specially sized copper pad is disposed between the lead wires and the electrodes.

Abstract: A pilot light arrangement for a hand-held appliance such as a curling and styling iron is disclosed, wherein the arrangement facilitates convenient visual inspection to see if the appliance is operating. The arrangement includes a pilot light mounted within a housing portion of the appliance, and a fiber optic bundle which extends through a swivel cord mount of the appliance. The fiber optic bundle is positioned in light-transmitting relation with the pilot light, with the end of the fiber optic bundle positioned at the exterior of the appliance being readily visible irrespective of the orientation of the swivel cord mount with respect to the appliance housing.

Abstract: A dual temperature curling iron has a plastic handle and a metal barrel connected thereto. An electric heater positioned within the metal barrel and is arranged to rapidly heat the barrel and is selectively controlled by either a low temperature thermostat or a high temperature thermostat located within the barrel to provide heat to the metal barrel. A hair clamp is pivotally mounted on the metal barrel, and when opened, causes a switch to generate an in-use signal which is fed to a safety timing circuit. The timing circuit is reset each time it receives the in-use signal. In the event that no further in-use signals are received, the timing circuit, after a preselected interval, provides a signal to a silicon controlled rectifier which is connected to the electric heater causing the silicon controlled rectifier to interrupt electric power to the electric heater. The curling iron is provided with a visual signal for indicating that has reached the selected temperature and is ready for use.

Abstract: A wirestripper for thermal stripping a length of insulated wire includes a "V"-shaped flat metal strip of nickel chrome alloy 0.2 mm thick and having first and second arms 1 mm wide and 3.2 cm long extending from a vertex. The "V"-shaped strip is supported between a support post at the vertex and a respective electrode post at the end of each of the arms, with the electrode posts and support post being parallel and biased apart to tension the "V"-shaped strip. The electrode posts are spaced apart a sufficient distance to permit the length of wire to be stripped to be passed laterally therebetween and between the first and second arms into the vertex for stripping. The serial resistance of the "V"-shaped strip between the electrode posts sufficient for energization of the strip by a 1.2 volt battery connected to the electrode posts.

Abstract: A portable hairsetter appliance for heating a single hair roller. The hairsetter comprises a cylindrical housing having an axially aligned and longitudinally extending high voltage electric resistance heating element encapsulated in a quartz envelope for heating a single hair roller inserted into the cylindrical housing. The weight of the roller closes an electrical circuit and the roller is heated to a predetermined temperature whereupon a thermoplastic bimetallic disc changes its concavity to open the electrical circuit. A safety means is provided to automatically open the electrical circuit if the roller is pressed into the housing with a force greater than its own weight.

Abstract: The electric heating element in an apparatus for sterilely cutting and welding together a pair of thermoplastic tubes incorporates within the heating element a fusible signal means connected in parallel electrical circuit with the resistor of the heating element for indicating previous use of the heating element. The fusible signal means is capable when intact of providing a signal to a microprocessor controlling operation of the apparatus indicative of previous nonuse of the heating element and is automatically destructed upon energization of the heating element resistor during the first use of the heating element so as to be incapable of providing such nonuse signal upon a subsequent energization. If the nonuse signal is not generated, e.g., the heating element has been previously used, the microprocessor is programmed to reject the heating element, thereby eliminating risks resulting from reusing the heating element.

Abstract: An electric hair curler comprises a handle and a barrel connected thereto for winding thereabout the hair. The barrel is provided with an electric heater for curling the hair wound on the barrel. The heater includes a plurality of resistor elements in the form of strips extending along the length of the barrel in generally parallel relationship with one another and being electrically connected in series by a corresponding number of bridging segments. The heater thus constructed is mounted on the barrel with the resistor elements thereof being exposed on the outer surface of the barrel in circumferentially spaced relationship with one another around the barrel, so that each of the resistor elements is in direct heat transfer contact with the hair to be wound on the barrel, thus greatly reducing the heat loss to assure effective heat transfer from the heater to the hair.

Abstract: A desoldering tool for removing soldered electronic components from printed circuit boards includes a plurality of electric heater bars disposed in spaced apart, opposed relationship so as to grasp the component to be removed. The heater bars are shaped to contact the solder terminations to be desoldered and are composed of an alloy of high electrical resistivity, such as Nichrome. The heater bars are each removably attached to a pair of cantilever spring plates carried by the enlarged end of the handle of the desoldering tool by a different pair of bus bars enclosed in a molded plastic housing providing support and electrical insulation. One bus bar of each pair is rigidly attached to one spring plate while the other bus bar is attached to the other spring plate so that the cantilever spring plates urge the heater bars against the solder terminations and retain the component for physical removal.

Abstract: An electrically heated handle, particularly for fishing rods, has an elongated thermally conductive shell enclosing an interior chamber in which is located a solid body of a material having high electrical resistance, such as Steatite, defining a heater core having its entire outer surface in heat transfer engagement with the shell. An elongated electric heating coil, e.g., of Nichrome, extends longitudinally through the interior of the heater core and is connected to an external power source through a switch and power supply conductors extending through the rear end portion of the handle. The front end portion of the handle is formed with an elongated socket chamber thermally insulated from the interior chamber and adapted to receive and fit over the butt end of a fishing rod. Once the heater core of the handle is initially heated, the heat is stored for slow dissipation to the handle and hand of the holder, requiring infrequent replenishing of electric current to the electric heating coil.

Abstract: An electric soldering gun of the type having a resistance heating element defining a soldering tip and extending outwardly from a pair of cylindrical terminal posts projecting from the front end of a cylindrical housing and further having a handle extending downwardly from the housing is provided at the upper front end with a trigger operated switch for selectively energizing the heating element and a light at the front end of the housing for illuminating the soldering tip. A clamping device cooperative with the soldering tip is provided for clamping the work being soldered during use of the soldering gun. The clamping device includes a clamping member pivotally supported on one of the terminal posts and having a clamping tip movable toward and away from the soldering tip.

Abstract: Electric heater assembly for use typically with hand-held soldering or desoldering devices includes an elongated resistance element formed from a thin flat metal foil having three connected areas of different resistance, the differing resistance being caused by the different widths of the areas. The first area, to which terminals are attached, is the widest and acts as a heat sink. The second area decreases in width to the first area and acts as a transition area between the first and third areas. The first and second areas include first and second separated portions for providing electrical current to the first area and returning it therefrom. The first area includes first and second strips respectively connected to the first and second portions of the second area. The strips extend adjacent a first side edge of the third area in a side-by-side relationship to the distal end of the resistance element and then back towards the second area to a position where they are connected to one another.

Abstract: A battery operated cautery includes a cylindrical housing configured to retain a voltage source, such as a plurality of batteries, and an electrically heated cautery tip carried by the front end of the housing and adapted to be selectively energized from the power source by a manually operable switch on the housing. The switch includes a contact element having rear end connected to a terminal of the power source and a front end movable into and out of engagement with a terminal electrode of the electrically heated tip to make and break the circuit between the tip and the power source by a operation of a depressible switch actuator on housing. A removable safety cover configured to mount on the front of the housing encloses the switch actuator and heating tip to prevent inadvertent switch actuation and to protect the tip when the cautery is being stored or transported.

Abstract: A manually operated pincer-gun utilizing electric current for heating metal hinges of a thermoplastic eyeglass frame during a repair operation includes a pair of electrically insulative hand grips, each operatively connected to an arm having an electrically conductive extremity. The hand grips are pivotally connected together such that the hand grips and the respective arms and extremities are movable toward each other. An electrically conductive heating tip and an electrically conductive picking-up tip are provided on the extremity of each arm and the secondary of a step-down transformer controlled by a pedal switch is connected to the respective extremities to supply heating current to the heating and picking-up tips. The heating tips form a pair of pins extending substantially parallel to each other to be able to be placed on the base of the hinge to apply electric heating current thereto to soften the eyeglass frame around the hinge for insertion or extraction of the hinge.

Abstract: In a device for melting and dispensing measured amounts of a thermoplastic adhesive, the adhesive is melted in a housing having a handle with a pistol-like grip. Two separate heating stages are provided in the housing, a higher temperature heating stage for use during operation and a lower temperature heating stage effective when the operation of the device is temporarily interrupted. A control member, such as a sensor, is provided in the handle so that when it is gripped by an operator, and the device is connected to a power supply, the sensor switches over to the higher temperature heating stage. With the device connected to the power supply, but the handle and the sensor not gripped by the operator, only the lower temperture heating stage is effected. If there is a temporary interruption in use, and the handle is released, the sensor effects a changeover from the higher temperature heating stage to the lower temperature heating stage.

Abstract: An electrically heated excising or cutting tool for cutting rubber, plastic, and the like includes a handle carrying at one end a cutting blade of flat resistive material through which current flows to produce heat. The blade is substantially U-shaped with limbs having free ends clamped to contact pieces on the handle connected to the poles of a power supply. The blade is bent at right angles to the plane of the flat material in the region between the free ends of the limbs and the bight portion of the U-shaped blade to define a cutting region having a first limb disposed in a cutting direction from the second limb. The first limb is reduced in cross-sectional area at the bend to increase the production and concentration of heat in the cutting region to counteract the increased heat dissipation in the cutting region caused by the accumulation of excised material thereat.