Abstract: An improved screw holding and driving device having a sleeve positioned on a shank of a screwdriver in surrounding relation. The interior diameter of the sleeve being sized to permit slidable rotation of the sleeve with respect to the shank. The sleeve having a ball detent device for cooperating with a groove located on the screwdriver shank to hold the sleeve in a position on the shank where the sleeve does not extend beyond the screwdriver bit. The ball detent device when engaging the groove enables the sleeve to be held in the position where the sleeve will not be used to hold a screw and at the same time permit the sleeve to be freely rotatable on the shank of the screwdriver.

Abstract: An adjusting tool for use with an adjustable tangent assembly in a diaphragm gas meter includes a pair of coaxial tubes each having a face gear at one end, with operator manipulatable handles directly on the tubes so that an in-line configuration is attained.

Abstract: A screw starter device for temporarily holding a screw while starting it into a substrate is a truncated conical rigid tubular member that tapers downwardly from its proximal end portion to the distal end portion. A first arcuate concentric opening in its side is defined by a first proximal transverse edge, a first distal transverse edge and a first pair of longitudinal edges and there is a second arcuate concentric opening similar to, but smaller than and distal of the first opening. A first longitudinal slot through the side of the member extends from the first opening to the second and a second longitudinal slot smaller in width than the first extends from the second opening to the distal end of the member.

Abstract: A device for setting a screw comprises a driver holder for receiving an end of a driver, a screw holder integral with the driver holder for retaining a head of a screw, and a pair of elastic pawls projecting inwardly from the peripheral wall of the driver holder for clamping the driver end, whereby the screw can be temporarily coupled to the driver end via the device.

Abstract: A locknut key including a key body, a key shroud mounted on the key body and a key member mounted on the key body within the shroud, the shroud extending for a substantial distance beyond the key to guide the key over the outer surface of a locknut which is to be turned by the key. A wrench-locknut key combination including a wrench having a shank, a U-shaped spring clip secured to the shank, a groove on the locknut key for receiving the U-shaped spring clip, and an elongated tie member for attaching the locknut key to the spring member.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to the method of addition, in a fixed and inexpensive way, of a cylindrical sleeve to a key for an anti-theft wheel lug nut having a complementary key pattern formed on a surface thereof, and to the resulting key. The cylindrical sleeve of the key is formed separately from the key and then rigidly attached onto a groove formed in the key itself. The sleeve acts as a guide for the key and prevents the dismounting thereof during the torquing and untorquing of the complementary patterned lug nut.

Abstract: A combination of a locknut and key therefor, the locknut including a body portion having a face thereon and a curvilinear groove of predetermined configuration in the face, a thread on the body portion, the thread including a frustoconical lead-in portion terminating at an extremely short cylindrical helical thread portion, a key housing having an internally threaded end portion which can be centered on the lead-in portion and thereafter threaded onto the cylindrical threaded portion of the locknut, the key having a key head with a flange of curvilinear configuration for mating engagement with the groove in the locknut, the key head being mounted on a shank on which the housing is rectilinearly slidable, a spring in the housing for biasing the key head toward the locknut when the housing is centered on the the locknut and which forces the flange into the groove as the housing is threaded onto the locknut, and a wrench-receiving head on the shank for turning the key head after the housing is securely mounted o

Abstract: A locknut having a body portion with an outer surface and first and second ends, a thread extending inwardly into the body portion from the first end, a depression in the second end, an inwardly tapered lobed curvilinear surface defining the periphery of the depression for receiving a mating key, and an external thread extending from the second end onto the outer surface for receiving the internally threaded surface of a sleeve mounted on a key for attaching the key to the locknut. The locknut as described above including a rotatable sleeve mounted thereon with a shroud located radially outwardly of the external thread. A locknut as described above wherein the outer surface extending from the first end is frustoconical and terminates at an annular shoulder which is located radially outwardly of the external thread.

Abstract: An improved high torque fastener is provided of the type having a screw head with a generally bow-tie shaped driving slot formed with undercut side walls and an arcuately concave bottom wall for reception of an arcuately convex blade of a driving tool for relatively high torque transfer therebetween. The improved fastener includes a conical recess positioned centrally along the driving slot with a base diameter substantially greater than the width of the slot thereat and an apex disposed substantially below the slot bottom wall. The improved driving tool includes a conical tip formed centrally on an arcuately convex blade with a substantially pointed end projecting beyond the blade, wherein the blade and tip provide geometric surfaces for facilitated and aligned centering and coaxial substantial mating reception into the fastener driving slot and conical recess. Apparatus for forming the improved fastener is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is intended for use with threaded fasteners, screws, bolts and similar devices, in their almost limitless applications to assembling objects and structures. These fasteners exist in many types, each requiring a special tool bit.On many occasions screws or other fasteners must be installed or removed in locations difficult of access and of which clear view may not be obtained, also where use of two hands is not possible. This invention is particularly intended for these situations.The invention comprises basically a combination of a barrel (11 or 811) and collar (20 or 201), preferably made of stiff but flexible plastic, which fit over and enclose a tool for threaded fasteners, either with a fixed bit or one which can accept insertable bits. The barrel (11) provides at its working or tip end a set of flexible elements (31) which act to grip screw heads and hold them registered with the tool.

Abstract: An interlocking lock screw and screwdriver which prevents the specially designed screwdriver blade with guide dimples from slipping out of a specially designed screw head with a screwdriver guide channel and guide dimple entry apertures. The screwdriver may be used in any position including sideways and directly overhead. A rotational locking system is provided which allows a user to drive a staple or brad through the screw head locking it in place or a decorative locking cap may be used. A decorative non-locking cap is also provided which is easy to install yet easily stays in place.

Abstract: The adapter for the torquing tool includes an elongated body having a bore in at least one end to accommodate a driver bit and a coupling means for detachably attaching the body to the tool. A depth adjustment bushing is threadably engaged within said bore, with the bushing being externally threaded to engage the bore. The bushing includes a body section and a shank section. An axial passageway extends through the shank section and an axial slot extending through the wall of the shank in communication with the passageway. A screw extends through a radial threaded opening in the body and into the axial passageway through the slot so when the driver bit is housed within the body section and extends into the passageway, it is held in place by tightening the screw. In a preferred form, the passageway has a hexagonal cross section for mating engagement with a hexagonal end section of the driving bit.

Abstract: A screw driving apparatus including a cylindrical tube having a plurality of radial bristles attached to the inner cylinder wall for receiving a driver and a screw to assist in driving the screw and to assist in removing a screw which has been driven.

Abstract: A tool in the nature of a screwdriver engageable with the end of a screw or other type of fastener, the implement and fastener being so arranged that, when engaged for use the hazard of inadvertent disengagement is reliably precluded.

Abstract: The invention is a tool 50 for a clamp assembly used to secure wire harnesses 12 and the like to appropriate structure 14. The clamp is of the type having apertured end members 22 and 24 which are secured by means of a screw 34 and nut 46 assembly which extend through the apertures. The tool 50 comprises a guide member 52 having first and second ends with a pair of legs 56A and 56B extending from the first end in a spaced relationship. The spacing of the ends is slightly greater than the width of the ends of the clamp. The guide member 52 further incorporates an aperture 60 therethrough exiting the first end between the legs. A drive member 66 is rotatably mounted in the aperture 60 and incorporates a socket 76 facing the first end which is adapted to contain and drive the nut 46. A retaining assembly 70 and 74 is provided which is adapted to prevent the drive member from withdrawing from the aperture.

Abstract: An improved high torque fastener is provided of the type having a screw head with a generally bow-tie shaped driving slot formed with undercut side walls and an arcuately concave bottom wall for reception of an arcuately convex blade of a driving tool for relatively high torque transfer therebetween. The improved fastener includes a conical recess positioned centrally along the driving slot with a base diameter substantially greater than the width of the slot thereat and an apex disposed substantially below the slot bottom wall. The improved driving tool includes a conical tip formed centrally on an arcuately convex blade with a substantially pointed end projecting beyond the blade, wherein the blade and tip provide geometric surfaces for facilitated and aligned centering and coaxial mating reception into the fastener driving slot and conical recess. Apparatus for forming the improved fastener is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fastener comprising a head, a shank, and a cap. The head has a recess in its top surface dimensioned to accommodate an appropriate tool for installing the fastener. The cap covers a substantial portion of the head and conforms closely to the head, extending into the recess in spaced relation to a substantial portion of the inner surfaces of the recess and cooperating with those surfaces during insertion of the installation tool into the recess to present appropriate dimensions to the tool to resiliently grip the tool and accommodate the tool for proper installation of the fastener. The cap is made of resilient material preferably stainless steel to provide corrosion resistance of the fastener once the fastener is fully inserted into the workpiece.

Abstract: A damaged screw remover comprises a handle and a shank terminating in a relatively wide blade, all resembling a standard screwdriver, the blade having a modified working end adapting it for engaging and rotating damaged screws. The working end includes an axially-disposed blunt tip of square cross-section, with two surfaces coplanar with the blade faces. Flanking the tip are bevelled end surfaces, each disposed at an acute angle (45.degree.) with respect to the blade faces, to form sharp leading edges which dig into the screw, providing good engagement as the screw is removed.

Abstract: An improved screwdriver that will not slip out of a screw head, having a screw head receiving element secured to a screwdriver shank. The screw head receiving element is provided with a screwdriver blade and is adapted to receive at least a portion of a screw head of an appropriately sized screw such that the blade can slide in a screw head slot only until said screw head rests against a surface of the screw head receiving element. Preferably, the blade utilized has parallel faces instead of the normally tapered faces of a standard screwdriver so that the inside edges of the screw head slot are not damaged during use of the screwdriver.

Abstract: An accessory for use with a screw driver and screw to prevent the screw driver from accidentally sliding off the screw head. The accessory is a sleeve having a bore to accept freely the screw driver bit and screw therein to permit rotation of the screw driver and screw relative to the bore. A releasable securing structure is mounted on the sleeve so as to engage the surface to receive the screw when an inner end of the sleeve is adjacent the surface, so as to releasably secure the sleeve to the surface. One embodiment of the releasable securing structure includes suction cups mounted adjacent the inner end of the sleeve and positioned so that there is a clearance between the end of the sleeve and the cups to permit the cups to be deformed elastically from an inactive condition prior to attachment to the surface.

Abstract: A screwdriver and screw adapted so that at least one of them has a bore extending into it for receiving a pin held by the other so that in use the pin engages in the bore to hold the screwdriver and screw against lateral movement relative to one another.

Abstract: A screw driver has a handle, shaft and blade with the bottom edge of the blade being flat and having flat sides which incline inwardly from the bottom edge. To turn the screw, the screw driver is placed with its bottom edge in the gap between protruding (raised) quadrant sectors of the screw head and turned 45.degree.. The flat inwardly inclined sides of the screw driver act against cut-back flat sides of the protruding sectors to cam the screw driver toward the screw head and rotate the screw.

Abstract: A remotely-controlled tightener for selectively tightening and loosening electrical connectors between electrolytic cells.

Abstract: The installation tool barrel assembly includes an outer sleeve adapted for connection to the driving tool, an inner sleeve retractably attached within the outer sleeve and a barrel retractably attached to the inner sleeve. A fastener entrant comprises an elongated slot in the inner sleeve wall which increases in depth along its length from a starting point and terminates in an enlarged clear through opening in registry with the inner sleeve bore. The barrel includes a clear through notch in alignment with the slot to receive the fastener in the bore of the barrel. A workpiece pad is positioned at the end of the barrel and includes a jaw assembly having spring bias jaws mounted for slidable engagement on a wear plate. A footpad is provided for holding the workpiece pad against the workpiece during installation.

Abstract: A safety screwdriver having a handle and a shank portion which includes an axially extending tubular extension surrounding a substantially rectangular blade recessed within. In the preferred embodiment the blade and tubular extension are a unitary construction with opposite side edges of the blade integrally cast to the side walls of the tube.

Abstract: A chuck for holding and driving fasteners such as screws or nails comprises a spring-loaded bearing sleeve with fastener-clamping balls and a spring-loaded clamping sleeve tapered to constrict the balls around the shank of a fastener inserted into the chuck, the clamping sleeve having a space to receive the balls during insertion of the fastener and for releasing the fastener, after completion of the driving operation.