Abstract: A bar clamp operates by squeezing a handle to close a jaw. The improvements of the present invention include: A rigid locking wedge geometry wherein the wedges are parallel to each other, a simplified wire form release element, a structure for retaining a jaw locking knob upon the jaw, and a snap fitted gripping pad.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a clamping device, system, and method for clamping a workpiece. The clamping device comprises a slide bar having a fixed jaw and a selectively movable member slidingly coupled to the slide bar. The movable member comprises a housing having a cylinder coupled thereto, wherein an inlet port associated with the with a first end cap of the cylinder is in selective fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source. The pressurized fluid source is operable to linearly translate a piston within the cylinder, therein selectively translating a rod and movable jaw to selectively clamp the workpiece between the fixed jaw and the movable jaw based upon an application of fluid pressure to the inlet port. A locking mechanism operable to selectively engage the slide bar is further coupled to the housing, therein selectively preventing a movement of the housing away from the fixed jaw.

Abstract: In order to increase the utility of an arm clamp having a guide rail, on which a fixed transverse arm is seated, having a sliding arm which is displaceable on the guide rail and which can be tilted with the latter, and having a pressure application spindle with a pressure piece, which pressure application spindle is displaceably arranged on the sliding arm so that a compressive force can be exerted on a workpiece between transverse arm and sliding arm, a box-like attachment member is provided for the sliding arm, which provides a substantially flat abutment surface for a workpiece, and is so constructed that it can be pushed on the pressure piece of the sliding arm so that the attachment member is held on the sliding arm and a compressive force can be exerted by the attachment member on a workpiece via the pressure application spindle, and wherein the attachment member comprises at least two mutually spaced guide recesses via which it is displaceably mounted on the guide rail.

Abstract: A bar clamp includes a spring that serves to prevent rearward displacement of the jaw in reaction to the application of clamping force, and a bar-engaging element that allows free descent of the adjustable jaw under the force of gravity.

Abstract: A suction-cup device has a cup-shaped support body having a cup opening and a hole. A suction diaphragm is positioned in the cup opening of the cup-shaped support body. A rod extends through the hole and is connected to the suction diaphragm. A clamp has first and second arms pivotally connected together at an articulation pin, the first and second arms each having a clamping jaw at one end and an actuating section at another end. The clamping jaws are biased toward each other. The clamp has a clamping member pivotally connected to the rod by a pivot pin which extends in a direction transverse to a direction of the articulation pin. The clamping member operatively contacts the cup-shaped support body and moves the rod and actuates the suction diaphragm when the clamping member is pivoted to a suction position. The clamping member moves the rod and releases the suction diaphragm when the clamping member is pivoted to a release suction position.

Abstract: A tool system for inserting temple screws in eyeglass frames includes first and second scissor arms, with each scissor arm having proximal and distal ends, the arms pivotally connected so that the ends can be moved towards and away from one another when the arms are pivotally moved using finger-receiving devices at the distal ends of the scissor arms. A clamp locking mechanism is an extended ratchet device for providing stepwise engagement of the first and second scissor arms in a position where the finger receiving devices are moved closer together and prevented from moving further apart. Clamping and gripping surfaces at the proximal ends of the arms grip the spring hinge eyeglass frames, with an elongated projection extending away from the clamping surface on one arm to engage the eyeglass temples to temporarily secure the spring hinge in a state of extension.

Abstract: An interior c-clamp's holding-device (10), for repairing cracks in violins without removing the soundboard (18) (top of the violin), comprising a housing (15) located at the bottom-end of a c-clamp (21). The housing (15) has both a horizontal and a vertical passage bored through the housing (15) creating an intersection inside the housing (15) where the two bores meet.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a liquid cooled compressor stator bar bottle clip having a groove extending around an outer surface of the bottle clip is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the repair apparatus includes a first body portion that includes a plurality of threaded fastener openings in a first end section and a second end section of the first body portion, a second body portion that includes a plurality of threaded fastener openings in a first end section and a second end section of the second body portion, and a plurality of threaded fasteners extending through corresponding fastener openings in the first and second body portions. The fasteners connect the first and second body portions such that an elliptical opening is defined between the first and second body portions. The elliptical opening extends through the repair apparatus.

Abstract: A tool for stabilizing slack fiber cable that has been withdrawn from a cable duct includes an inner sleeve portion for stabilizing the end portion of the cable remaining in the duct and a collar that is coupled to the sleeve and attaches to the exterior periphery of the duct. A set of cable-locking rollers is coupled to the collar and used to engage the slack portion of the cable and hold it in place as various fibers within the cable are repaired.

Abstract: A tool for selectively compressing and expanding work, the tool comprising a handle including bar holders and at least two slidable bars having work engaging surfaces at ends thereof both of which are slidably received in a separate one of the bar holders and both being adapted to be selectively fixed therein whereby at least one of the slidable bars is adapted to be reversibly received in one of the bar holders of the handle.

Abstract: A remotely operable opening mechanism for potentially booby-trapped latched panels has a clamp member for clampable engagement with a fixed structure on the panel. A displaceable actuator is mounted on the clamp member. The displaceable actuator has a protruding element engageable with a latch on the latched panel and a coupling element for connection to a line to permit remote activation of the actuator to release the latch member and thereby permit the latched panel to be opened from a safe distance.

Abstract: A multi-clamp is illustrated which operates in the manner of a traditional “c”-clamp, but which also operates cooperatively with a support such as a pipe or bar clamp to apply forces normal to otherwise difficult or impossible to reach large sheet materials. A pair of nested u-shaped members are coupled together with a threaded rod. A knob is used to actuate the threaded rod and provide motive force or actuation between the nested u-shaped members. Two alternative embodiments are also illustrated.

Abstract: A printed circuit board support including a first member having a planar upper surface for supporting a printed circuit board. At least one second member is movably coupled to a first side of the first member and movable toward and away from the side of the movable member, and a bias source biases the second member in a direction away from the first member. The support is readily compressed to allow placement into or onto a space defined by surfaces of a positioning device, and the support expands upon its release to fill the space. When the support is left in the positioning device during a change over to a different circuit board, the support will automatically adjust to any width-wise adjustment in the space between the surfaces of the positioning device.

Abstract: A C-clamp including a two-member back with a first member telescoping from a second member to a selective position where it is releasably secured. A securing mechanism, such as a cross pin or a ratchet a pawl in a rack on the first member, releasably secures the members together at a preferred position. In the preferred embodiment, the second member comprises a channel with the first member passing into the channel. Thus, the cross pin at the channel entry end engages one of a plurality of grooves in the top of the first member. To adjust the extent of the inner member from the outer member, it rotates out of the channel to separate the pin from the selective groove, allowing the inner and out members to adjust their relative position. Equivalently, the cross pin may remove from a groove of a nonrotating inner member.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a clamp assembly having a pair of clamp handles and a clipping member or a poking member, and the clamp handles use an extendible clamp wire set to control the clipping member or the poking member, so that the tool can be extended into a small narrow operating space for its application.

Abstract: An apparatus for removal of a windshield wiper arm or bracket and blade assembly from a threaded stud or shaft includes gripping jaws which are held in position by a cam that engages and pivots the arms into a desired gripping position. The apparatus further includes a central or axial shaft which may be rotated to drive a specially formed cup against the exposed wiper blade mounting shaft to thereby cause the jaws to move in a manner which will effect axial movement of the jaws and pulling of the wiper arm assembly from the mounting shaft or stud.

Abstract: Apparatus for rapid insertion of hose fittings into the ends of hoses, having a hand-controlled fitting installation mechanism movable along a travel bar, the mechanism having a vertical paid used to push the hose fitting into the end of the hose; a separate attached hose mounting platform for holding the hose end above and parallel to the bar holding the hand-controlled mechanism; and a hose locking lever attached to the top of the hose mounting platform.

Abstract: In order to provide a lever clamp which is straightforward and cost-effective to produce and comprises a slide rail, a fixed arm, which is arranged on the slide arm, and a slide arm, which can be displaced on the slide rail and on which a lever element is mounted in a pivotable manner and a pressure plate is mounted such that it can be displaced transversely to the slide arm, it being possible for the closing movement of the pressure plate in relation to the fixed jaw to be actuated by a pivoting movement of the lever element, so that a workpiece can be clamped between the fixed jaw and pressure plate, it is provided that, in order to form a pivot bearing for the pivotability between the lever element and slide arm, a pivoting-shaft element is arranged on the lever element or the slide arm and the slide arm or the lever element has a pivoting-shaft mount, in which the pivoting-shaft element can be inserted and by means of which the pivoting-shaft element and the pivoting-shaft mount can be rotated relative to

Abstract: A quick-action bar clamp comprises a body, a slide bar, clamp mechanism, a drive assembly and a pawl assembly. The slide bar has a series of teeth along one edge and is movably mounted in the body. The clamp mechanism includes a stationary jaw mounted on the body and a movable jaw opposing the stationary jaw connected to one end of the slide bar. The drive assembly includes a trigger, a drive lever and a spring. A push pin mounted in the trigger presses the drive lever and moves the slide bar when the trigger is squeezed. The pawl assembly includes a pawl, a release tab, a biasing element and a plastic tag. The pawl engages the teeth on the slide bar to positively hold the slide bar in position when the trigger is released.

Abstract: A clamping tool having a first jaw connected to a pull/push rod and a fixed second jaw connected to a housing which includes a handle disposed opposite the second jaw and arranged along side a grip provided on the housing. Displacement of the handle towards the grip moves the first jaw towards the second jaw and towards a clamping position in a stepwise manner while reverse movement of the rod and jaws is blocked by a detent member. Release of the detent member is provided by a release lever. The release lever can also be utilized, in conjunction with the detent member, to move the rod and first jaw in a release direction. Movement of the rod and first jaw in the clamping direction is caused by engagement of the rod by a carry-along member. The carry-along member, in turn, is engaged by an operating arm which, in turn, is engaged by the handle. The operating arm is slidably connected to the housing thereby enabling the overall length of the operating arm and handle to be varied.

Abstract: A bar clamp of the type operated with one hand to advance a movable jaw toward a fixed jaw to clamp workpieces and having a holding brake with release mechanism is modified according to the invention to provide a quick set up apparatus. The modified bar clamp adds a spring and adjustable stop to allow opening the clamp to a wide position. The release mechanism then is triggered to close the jaws on the work before operating the advancing mechanism in the usual manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an accessory for use with bar clamps, and more specifically, to a bar clamp attachment for extending a bar clamp to a plurality of working lengths. The bar clamp extension of the present invention generally comprises an extension bar and a coupler that releasably attaches the extension bar to a primary bar of a bar clamp.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping an object includes a clamp with a first gripping element and a second gripping element that is connected by a pivot rod and includes a resilient element to maintain the clamp in closed position in the absence of applied pressure, and a release mechanism. An arm with a cable encased by a plurality of tubular, cone shaped segments is attached to the release mechanism, which is in turn attached to the clamp and includes either coil springs or bow springs for maintaining tension in the cable when the clamp is in a closed position, and for releasing tension in the cable when the clamp is opened.

Abstract: A driving mechanism for plank clamp includes a gear set and a rack mounted on a clamp main body to mesh with each other, a first sleeve tightly mounted on a rotary shaft of the gear set, and a coupling arm mounted on a shank of the first sleeve. When the coupling arm is pivotally turned about the rotary shaft toward the clamp main body, the first sleeve and the gear set are caused to rotate at the same time, and the rack meshing with the gear set is caused to move backward toward the clamp main body. A movable jaw fixedly connected to a free end of the rack is therefore moved toward the clamp main body, which also function as a fixed jaw of the plank clamp, to a desired position to tightly clamp a plank between it and the clamp main body.

Abstract: A wire gripper device has upper and lower gripper members. The upper gripper member is movably engaged to the lower gripper member to alternate between closed and open positions. Moreover, the lower gripper member has a lower gripper section. A lower notch is formed on the lower gripper section, wherein the lower notch is sized and configured to support a wire therein. In addition, a biasing member is engaged between the upper and lower gripper members.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing coil springs having a first upright handle member terminating on its upper end with a threaded drive block for accommodating a steel screw threadable through the drive block and movable along the threaded shaft. There is provided a first spring block secured to the upper face of the drive block for accommodating a first end of a coil spring. There is a second spring block on an end portion of the steel drive screw for accommodating the second end of the coil spring, so that rotation of the drive screw expands or retracts the distance between the first and second spring blocks, and would expand or retract the spring in sufficient distance to remove or replace the spring. There is further provided a guide plate below the second spring block, having a slot for accommodating a first bar for pushing or pulling a spring out of engagement and for accommodating a second bar having a member for pushing or pulling a spring out of engagement or pulling a cotter pin out of engagement.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting sheet material includes clamping means (16) having opposed jaws (60, 62) arranged to releaseably clamp sheet material therebetween and handle means (14) located, in use, below the clamping means (16) for use in manual lifting of the apparatus and sheet material clamped between the jaws (60, 62).

Abstract: An automatic nutplate die (70) that is used to align a plurality of rivet punches (116, 118) with rivets (24) being used to secure a nutplate (22) to a part (26) by a rivet squeezer (62). The nutplate die (70) includes a nutplate platen (74) and a punch platen (76) secured to each other by a pair of stripper bolts (78, 80). The stripper bolts (78, 80) included threaded portions (104,108) that are threaded into the punch platen (76), and heads (96, 100) that are positioned within counter-sunk bores (98, 102) in the nutplate platen (74). A spring (84, 90) is positioned on the shaft (86, 92) of each of the bolts (78, 80). The rivet punches (116, 118) are rigidly secured to the punch platen (76) and are slidably engaged within opposing bores (120, 122) in the nutplate platen (74). The nutplate platen (74) includes a cavity (124) that accepts the nutplate (22) so that holes in the nutplate (22) are aligned with the punches (116, 118).

Abstract: A method of attaching a clamping jaw to a support element comprising a stop element having the steps of positioning a stop element within a channel formed in the clamping jaw and blocking a first end of the channel and a second end of the channel so that the stop element is trapped between the first and second ends of the channel.

Abstract: A combination tool system, comprising a hand-held, valve keeper remove/install tool and an engine head clamping support device. Both the hand-held tool and the clamping support device are used together, and include special extraction and installation mechanisms and support parts that enable the easy and safe removal and installation of the segmental valve keepers of an internal combustion engine having cylinder heads with four valves per cylinder, and having recessed valve springs. Removal or installation of a segmental valve keeper typically takes less than a minute. Using the invention tools together avoids the usual risks of causing damage to valves and possible loss of parts. The tools are efficient to use and inexpensive.

Abstract: A printed circuit board support including a first member having a planar upper surface for supporting a printed circuit board. At least one second member is movably coupled to a first side of the first member and movable toward and away from the side of the movable member, and a bias source biases the second member in a direction away from the first member.

Abstract: A clamp squeeze apparatus and method for squeezing a pair of handles of a hand clamp to open a jaw of the hand clamp, is provided. The clamp squeeze apparatus includes a body, a handle, a pair of squeeze jaws and a fluid pressure device. The handle is connected to the body. The pair of squeeze jaws are slidably mounted on the body and slidable in a closing direction and an opening direction. The closing direction advances the jaws together and the opening direction retracts the jaws apart. The fluid pressure device is connected to a fluid pressure supply and is operable to slide the pair of squeeze jaws in the closing direction so as to squeeze a pair of handles of the hand clamp and open the jaws of the hand clamp. The clamp squeeze apparatus and method eliminates the risk of hand and wrist injuries by automating clamping processes.

Abstract: A hanger installing tool includes a pair of slidably mounted posts and an impact member for the driving of prongs of a joist hanger into a header. Arm members of the tool position the tool vertically on a header side with retainers on the arm members confining the tool in header engagement. Limit stops on the tool position an inserted hanger into place on the tool. A bracket attachable to the tool provides one of multiple limit stops for hangers of various lengths. A shoulder on the tool is abutted by the upper end of a hanger to contribute to proper hanger installation. Opposed surface of the tool are engaged in a biased manner by angular flanges of the hanger providing hanger retention during header attachment. Threaded sockets permit selective attachment of a tool handle to best serve convenient use of the tool.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a riveting device. The riveting device is provided with a body defined by a body longitudinal axis and having a pressure port formed therein. The riveting device is further provided with a jaw defined by a jaw plane. The jaw has first and second jaw extensions with the first jaw extension having a jaw plunger orifice extending therethrough. The riveting device is further provided with an angular attachment having an attachment plunger orifice extending therethrough. The angular attachment is attached to the first jaw extension with the attachment plunger orifice being axially aligned with the jaw plunger orifice. The angular attachment is further attached to the body and formed to maintain the jaw plane at an angular orientation relative to the body longitudinal axis. The riveting device is further provided with a rivet plunger having opposing rivet and base ends.

Abstract: A dynamic self-adjusting dual-action clamp comprising a first clamping component defining a plane and generating clamping force along a first clamping axis in that plane, and a second clamping component generating force in a second clamping axis substantially perpendicular to the first clamping axis, but within the same plane as the first clamping axis. The invention further includes elements used to adapt a standard spring actuated pliers-type clamp to convert such clamp to the dual-action clamp described above.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tool for installing silt fences. The tool comprises a belt that is worn by a person installing silt fences. The belt comprises a leg harness that attaches to the installer's leg and a hook connected to the leg harness which can be attached, or hooked, around a stake. To install a silt fence, the installer first hammers the first stake of the silt fence into the ground. The installer then places the bottom end of the next adjacent stake of the fence into the ground at the appropriate location and distance away from the first stake. The installer then places the hook around the stake such that the hook passes through an opening between the stake and the fabric material. The installer then moves the leg positioned in the leg harness in a direction away from the stake to be installed, thereby causing the upper portion of the stake to be pulled in a direction away from the first stake, which causes the fence to be pulled tautly toward the installer.

Abstract: A support for wearing on the torso and supporting and raising a ceiling panel. The support includes a harness that engages the torso and a frame that is operatively connected to the harness and supports and raises the ceiling panel. The frame includes a pair of rods that extend upwardly and aligningly along the harness and an H-pipe that has a pair of uprights. Termination ends of the pair of rods extend snugly through lower restricted bores in the H-pipe. The frame further includes a pair of coil springs that are captured in the pair of uprights of the H-pipe and sit on the termination ends of the pair of rods. Upper ends of the uprights of the H-pipe contain ball sockets. The frame further includes a pair of balls that are rollingly received in the ball sockets in the H-pipe so as to form ball joints. The pair of balls have necks that extend freely through upper restricted bores in the H-pipe and supporting portions that diverge from the necks.

Abstract: A solder clamp having a common base and first and second clamp levers or jaws that are capable of independent operation. Positioning slots are preferably provided in the common base and the first and second clamp levers to properly align two wires or similar articles to be joined. The common base and clamp levers are formed of a durable plastic or similar lightweight, durable and inexpensive material. Torsion, coil or flat springs or similar mechanisms are provided to bias the first and second clamp lever towards the common base.

Abstract: The present invention is a tool that quickly and accurately places joist hangers on headers to prepare the headers for the installation of joists. The tool has a lower flange which includes a transverse slot. An upper flange on the tool has two recesses spaced apart along a forward face of the upper flange. The recesses and the transverse slot cooperate to engage and constrain the joist hanger during installation. The tool also includes a handle member with a grip portion located remotely from the main body of the tool. The handle member allows an installer to position and install the joist hanger without exposing his hand to the area of installation.

Abstract: A clamping tool, in particular a screw clamp (1) having a fixed bracket (3), which provides a clamping surface (4) and is fixedly connected to a slide rail (2) on which a sliding bracket (5) is seated such that it can be displaced and secured, and having a counter clamping surface (8) which, by a clamping element (7), can be braced against a workpiece which can be clamped between the clamping surface (4) and the counter clamping surface (8), the eyelet (6) of the sliding bracket (5) being secured against slipping with respect to the profiled slide rail (2). A latching body (13) which is associated with the sliding bracket (5), projects into the eyelet (6), and is capable of yielding resiliently for cooperation with a latching profiling (10) of the slide rail (2).

Abstract: An elastomeric compressor mount has a hollow convex cylindrical head portion which must be passed upwardly through a substantially smaller diameter circular opening in a support foot portion of the compressor. To facilitate the passage of the mount head portion through the support foot opening a specially designed clamping tool is provided which has an arcuate support portion and a clamping portion that may be pivoted toward and away from a concave side surface of the support portion. With these two tool portions pivoted toward each other they are inserted downwardly through the compressor foot opening, opened, and then clamped exteriorly onto the mount head portion in a manner deforming it to a generally U-shaped configuration as viewed along the axis of the mount.

Abstract: A hand tool or clamp, capable of clamping a work-piece of any size within a wide range of sizes, includes a fixed jaw secured to one end of a slide bar, the other end of which is received in an elongate hollow sleeve and supported for back and forth movement relative to the sleeve. A movable jaw is supported on said sleeve at a selected one of plural mounting locations spaced along the length of the sleeve, each defined by a transverse pin extending through the sleeve. Once the fixed jaw has been advanced by hand toward the movable jaw sufficiently to clamp the work-piece, the sleeve and slide bar are releasably locked together by a pawl and ratchet mechanism. The clamping pressure is increased over that provided by hand by a screw mechanism associated with the fixed jaw.

Abstract: A device for fixing an object to the edge of a flat support, the support having a top face on which the object is to be fixed and a lower face. A vertical section piece, positionable close to the edge of the support, is perpendicular to the plane of the support. The upper end of the section piece has an element which engages and holds the object on the top face of the support, e.g. rods projecting into a cavity in the object. An arm extending perpendicular to the section piece supports at one end thereof a cam for being selectively moved to press against and released from pressing against the lower face of the support. The section piece passes through an opening in the arm and the arm with the cam thereon is tiltable with reference to the section piece for locking the arm along the section piece. A lever then rotates the cam to press against the lower face of the support.

Abstract: A clamp is provided that has a pair of clamp bodies which each have an inner surface. The inner surfaces of each clamp body are oriented to face one another in a spaced parallel relationship. A pair of parallel scissors linkages are coupled to the device that operate to move the clamp bodies in parallel relation relative to one another. Each scissors linkage extends from one side surface of one clamp body to a corresponding side surface of the other clamp body. A threaded rod is coupled to the pair of scissors linkages between the clamp bodies and is oriented with its axis of rotation parallel to the inner surfaces of the clamp bodies. The threaded rod is operable to move the clamp bodies either towards one another or away from one another in spaced parallel relation by rotation of the rod. By operation of the rod, the device may be used as either a clamping device or an expansion device.

Abstract: A hand tool for installing retainer rings includes a frame element, a pair of swing arms and a threaded drive shaft. The frame is an axially elongated post element having a pair of pivot joints symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of a post axis along a line substantially normal to the post axis. A pair of swing arms attached to the pivot joints for partial rotation about respective pivot joint axes, extend together along the post axes away from a handle portion of the post length. Retainer ring engagement nibs are secured to extension arms that project from distal ends of the swing arms. Threaded follower blocks pivotally secured to each of the swing arms receive respectively threaded opposite ends of the drive shaft. A midposition of the drive shaft is secured to the post element with rotational freedom and axial restraint. Thread leads of the two follower blocks are oppositely turned to produce oppositely directed movement of the retainer ring nibs when the drive shaft is rotated.

Abstract: A self aligning clamp for fixturing two items of unequal thickness together in a stationary relationship in a vice device prior to joining the items together by welding or the like is disclosed. The self aligning clamping device has a fixed rigid lower jaw adapted to receive an underside of the two items of unequal thickness together in a stationary co-planar relationship, the lower jaw being disposed transversely to the vice device and further having a lower region adapted for releasable communication with a lower extent of the vice device, each jaw still further having a solid cylindrical shape for urging continuous, rigid, unbending contact communication with the upper side of each item.

Abstract: To improve a strap clamping device comprising a clamping strap forming an outer loop to wrap around one or several workpieces, and a tightening device for tightening the outer loop to clamp the workpiece or workpieces, such that it is operable in as convenient a way as possible, it is proposed that the tightening device comprise a base element supported on the loop with a guide opening through which the loop is guided, that the tightening device include a pull element, that the pull element and the base element be moveable relative to each other by means of an adjusting device, and that the loop run between the base element and the pull element and engage the pull element such that upon relative movement of the base element and the pull element, the outer loop is tightenable under the effect of a double pulley.

Abstract: The present invention is a hand-held cutting board to be used when slicing bagels or other small food articles. This invention is made up of a circular base having a thumb hole and a finger slot cut out of the base. The thumb hole and finger slot are placed over the thumb and fingers of the receiving hand of the user, so that the circular base comes to rest at the bottom of the thumb and fingers. The thumb and fingers are able to move freely in order to pick up a bagel or the like to be sliced. Pressure is applied by the thumb and fingers so that the bagel is held securely in place above the circular base. The opposite hand using a knife slices through the bagel down to the circular base, which protects the receiving hand of the user from the sharp knife.

Abstract: A method for holding elements, such as wires, during assembly of a wire harness is for use with a device which includes a partially longitudinally extending slot. The width of the slot is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical elements, so that the elements can be dropped into the slot. However, the width of the slot is small enough, such that upon loading the cylindrical elements into the slot the elements lie in substantially a row. The method includes dropping the elements into the slot, so that the elements are aligned in substantially a row.

Abstract: A tool for supporting a rain gutter during its installation on a fascia board. The tool has a height-adjustable bracket and locking pliers with jaws having wide, flat working faces. Once several such tools are temporarily locked onto the lower edge of the fascia board, not only can they be used to support an elongated gutter but also each of the tools can be moved vertically without disturbing the pliers clamping it to the board, thereby making these tools especially handy for setting the height and slope of the gutter. For holding the adjustable bracket in position, each tool includes a mounting block which is rigidly attached to the back of a fixed jaw of the locking pliers and defines a pair of holes which extend parallel to the plane of the working face of the fixed jaw. The bracket is formed from an elongated rod bent to form an angular structure which terminates in a pair of parallel branches slideably insertable into the holes formed in the block.