Abstract: A cam shaft manipulating tool for removing and installing a cam shaft within the block of an internal combustion engine. The tool has a shaft threaded at one end for receiving a flange thereon, and a handle is mounted at the opposed end of the tool shaft. The flange is adjustably positioned respective to the tool shaft and to the face of the cam shaft so that part of the threaded end of the tool shaft extends through the flange and beyond the face of the flange that is opposed to the handle. An adaptor is threadedly received on the threaded end of the tool shaft. The adaptor slidably engages a central passageway found in the prior art cam shaft. A bolt circle formed in the flange is used to removably fasten one end of the tool to the end of a cam shaft. The tool enables the cam shaft to be removed and replaced into an engine block within inadvertently contaminating or injuring the cam shaft.

Abstract: A hand held tool for rotating and twisting as it is forced into the turf and ground over and around a part of a watering system such as a sprinkler head, and employing a ridge at least partially around its inside periphery which traps and compresses the ground in the tool, causing the tool to interlock with the sprinkler head so that the sprinkler head can be threadedly removed from a riser pipe by rotation of the tool.

Abstract: A hand tool for assisting in the manual closure of integrated circuit (IC) storage and shipping cartridges, includes a base and a shank extending normal from one end of the base and terminating at a grip or stop formation. A pair of tines extends normal from another end of the base, along a direction of the shank. A hinged flap is mounted next to the second end such that it is rotatable to assume a position spaced parallel and extending along the tines. In use, the tines are inserted into an open end of a cartridge full of ICs, with the shank lying along the outer edge of the cartridge and thereafter pressure is manually applied via the tines against an IC to clear a pair of holes in the cartridge and permit insertion of a closure pin through the holes and between the tines. The flap is positioned against the pin to assist in driving the pin into an interference fit. After the pin is inserted the ICs are firmly retained in the cartridge in the well known and desired manner.

Abstract: A duct assembly tool is disclosed including an elongated frame member; a member pivotally secured to the frame member, and a pair of wheels rotatably secured on the tool. One of the wheels is rotatably secured to the frame member and the other wheel is rotatably secured to the member. In use, the tool is in a first position such that the wheels are behind the assembly flanges of adjacent ducts. The frame member is pivoted, with respect to the pivot member, to a second position where the duct flanges are drawn together to enable positioning of a cleat over the flanges to secure adjacent ducts together.

Abstract: A carpet laying tool is disclosed comprising an angular member connected at one end to a carpet wedging, rotatable circular wheel, and at the other end to a carpet compressing, swivelable block member. The tool is used to wedge the carpeting being laid into the juncture of walls and floors, while simultaneously pressing it onto carpeting tack strips or an adhesive, whichever is being used to retain the carpet in place. The tool is used by holding it by the angular member and placing it horizontally on the carpeting, adjacent and at a slight angle to a wall, so that the wheel and block are both in contact with the carpeting. A downward force is then applied in the direction of the angle of tool disposition, and the tool is moved along the juncture in the direction of the wheel, simultaneously forcing the carpeting into the area of the juncture, and onto the tack strip or adhesive.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for burping a watermattress and for tucking a sheet under the mattress of a waterbed consisting of a tool and its use for such purpose. The tool is a flat, rectangular member made of a self-lubricating plastic material and about 1/4 inch in thickness with rounded edges to prevent damage to the mattress. The tool is used by inserted a corner under the mattress and sliding the tool along the edge of the mattress to tuck the sheet under.

Abstract: A tool is described for installing carpet around a projection such as the nose of a stair tread projecting outwardly from an underlying riser. The tool is constructed from a body having a plurality of teeth for engaging the carpet and a lower terminal end adapted for forcing the carpet into the corner formed by the intersection of the nose and underlying riser. The tool permits the installation of a continuous length of carpet over a plurality of stairs without the necessity of having to cut the carpet into multiple segments. Four embodiments of a tool constructed in accordance with the present invention are described.

Abstract: A tamper-proof cover for the operating nut of a hydrant. The cover includes a housing adapted to be positioned above the operating nut for covering the operating nut, the housing having an opening, a housing mounting device securable to the hydrant and engagable with the housing for securing the housing to the hydrant, and a locking device for removably securing the housing to the mounting device which includes a pin positionable in the opening in the housing and engagable with a recess defined in the mounting device, a locking member engagable with the pin and the recess in the housing, a frangible shoulder within the recess in the mounting device against which the locking member seats and which must be broken to remove the pin. Other forms of the tamper-proof cover and a tool for removing the cover are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hand-held tool having an elongated rod-like body with an arcuately-shaped head tapered to a rounded point for use in removing insulated wires from the end of a braided shielded cable. The tip is intentionally rounded to prevent puncturing the insulation or catching on the braided wires when the tip is inserted between the wire insulation and the shield. The outer 1/2 of the tapered head portion has a substantially elliptical cross section, as opposed to simply circular, to distribute the load bearing forces across a greater surface area on the wire insulation when the wire is pulled out of the shield. The other 1/2 of the tapered head portion is a transition to the cylindrical body from the curved ellipsoidal section. In a preferred embodiment, the tool is constructed of a polycarbonate plastic with a smoothed surface on the tapered head portion to facilitate the insulated wires sliding across the surface during use.

Abstract: This invention is for a hand tool comprising a body or a shank having a first end and also a second end. The first end may be a curved end having a circular passageway. The curved end with the circular passageway can be positioned around the upper end of the valve housing so as to allow a wrench to be placed on the hexagonal cap or hexagonal nut to rotate the same. The second end is in the form of a finger and can be positioned between the valve housing and an upright pipe so as to be able to use a wrench for rotating a connecting between a pipe and the valve.

Abstract: A self-securing ball-and-socket joint which has a ball head integrally formed on a rod, an outer structural part having a bore that pivotably receives the ball head and a radially elastic CIRCLIP brand retaining ring as well as a separate auxiliary assembly tool for the retaining ring. In the outer structural part beside the center of the ball head, there is a circumferential groove having a support face for the retaining ring. When the ball-and-socket joint is assembled, the retaining ring is first inserted into the circumferential groove. Then the auxiliary assembly tool is inserted into the bore. At its initial end the auxiliary assembly tool is embodied in the manner of a centering and expansion tool, so that it aligns the retaining ring with respect to the circumferential groove and finally forces it into this groove. Upon further displacement of the auxiliary assembly tool, the retaining ring snaps home into a detent notch provided on the circumference of the auxiliary assembly tool.

Abstract: A method of extracting a portion of one or more insulated wires from within a shielded cable with a minimum of damage to the wire insulation. A predetermined length of outer insulation covering one end of the shielded cable is removed, exposing a portion of the braided wire shield beneath which is then pushed back against the edge of remaining outer insulation causing a portion of the braided wires to distend and loosen. The loosened wires are separated to form an aperture in the shield thereby exposing a section of the insulated wires. The shielded cable is bent back at the aperture to further expose the insulated wires. Then the rounded tip of an elongated tool is inserted between the insulated wires and the shield causing the insulated wires to separate from the shield. Preferably the elongated tool has an arcuately-shaped tapered head with a substantially elliptical tip portion to distribute the load bearing forces on the insulation.

Abstract: A tool is provided having a back wall, two spaced bottom walls extending from the bottom end of the back wall and two spaced front walls extending upwardly from the ends of the bottom walls which form a generally "U"-shaped channel that is suitable to be used as a retaining clamp for disc brake pistons during the replacement of the disc brake pads in heavy duty, multiple piston brake systems.

Abstract: A tool set and a method of opening and decoding a side bar lock employing wafer type tumblers. A spring compressor tool configured for insertion into the lock mechanism keyway raises all the tumblers to a radially outward position and compresses the springs that normally bias the tumblers inwardly. A spring retainer tool inserted into the keyway with the spring compressor tool engages the tumbler springs to retain the springs in a compressed position but frees the tumblers for movement. A tumbler adjusting tool is inserted to grasp the tumblers, and move the tumblers to a position where the lock mechanism can be opened. A decoding tool is inserted to measure the radial position of each tumbler and provide a number which can be used to make a new key. A dust cover holding tool is provided to hold open the spring actuated dust cover.

Abstract: A tool for use in the lubrication of a slip joint formed by a spline connection between a shaft and a sliding yoke in a two piece vehicle driveline. The tool includes a pair of spring brackets having legs which grip the yoke. An L-shaped spring arm has one end connected to a rigid plate secured to the brackets. The other end of the spring arm carries a plug having a conical tip which plugs a vent hole in the yoke when lubricant is applied to the slip joint. The spring arm holds the plug in the vent hole to assure a complete fill of the slip joint with lubricant and yields if necessary to relieve excessive pressure which could damage the slip joint seal.

Abstract: A construction tool for metal framing elements having a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration comprising a main body portion having a pair of opposite end surfaces adapted to abut the opposite side walls of the framing element, and a handle which is fixed to the main body portion and extends laterally therefrom. Each end surface of the main body portion has a recess.

Abstract: A tool for removing split pin remnants which remain in anchor bores in the upper core plate of a nuclear reactor vessel after removal of guide tube assemblies therefrom, includes an elongated mast having parallel tubular members with handle apparatus at the upper end thereof and carrying at the lower end thereof a ram platform having an upstanding pin removal member. The ram platform is dimensioned to be lowered through any one of the guide tube seating apertures in the upper core plate. A locating plate mounted on the mast above the ram platform seats in the seating aperture and accurately positions the ram platform below the upper core plate with the pin driving member in registry with the pin bore. A hydraulic cylinder is mounted on the mast above the locating plate and has a piston rod extending through the locating plate and fixedly secured to the ram platform for moving it up and down to drive the pin from the bore. Hydraulic fluid is carried to and from the cylinder through the mast tubes.

Abstract: A unique connector and insertion tool are disclosed. The connector is hollow with screw-type threads on its outer surface, an enlarged head at one end and a non-sharp configuration at the other end. The insertion tool has a non-sharp elongated shaft or piercer attached to a handle; the end of the piercer is adapted to allow piercing and passage through the materials being secured together. The connector slides over the piercing shaft, is held in secure non-rotating relation thereto, and is configured to penetrate the materials and be screwed into place by the insertion tool. The entire piercing and connection operation may be conducted in a twisting motion with just one hand.

Abstract: A caster adjustment tool is used to adjust the caster angle on a McPherson front end suspension system having a strut arm connected to an upper bearing assembly which, in turn, is adjustably connected to a strut mounting plate affixed to the frame of a vehicle. The upper end of the strut arm is connected to the bearing assembly by a strut fastener exposed in an opening in the strut mounting plate. The caster adjustment tool includes a ring for fitting around the upper strut fastener, a lever arm, and a force arm of adjustable length extending between the ring and a lower portion of the lever arm. The force arm pivots on the lower portion of the lever arm. A connector on the lever arm below the pivot engages an edge of the strut mounting plate as the ring fits around the strut fastener.

Abstract: A portable, electrically powered carpet laying hand tool. Preferably the tool includes a gun-like member including a hand grip and a trigger which imparts reciprocal motion to a forwardly outwardly projecting terminal shaft. A carpet forcing blade assembly coupled to the muzzle of the gun member includes a pair of converging blade guards which terminate in a longitudinal, rectangular mouth through which a rigid, rather dull blade of appreciable width is reciprocated. This blade is operationally coupled to the output shaft of the gun, and it is operationally disposed within the protective blade guide assembly. Suitably angled wing guides preferably integrally associated with the blade guard portions facilitate the guiding of the reciprocating blade along and upon adjoining carpet portions while orienting the blade at approximately 45 degrees.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tool for holding a lawnmower blade for installation and removal thereof. The tool comprises an elongate lever having a handle at one end, a blade engaging section about the other end, and a channel therebetween for accommodating the housing of a lawnmower. The blade engaging section comprises a pair of spaced-apart adjustably mounted stop pins for preventing rotational movement of a lawnmower blade placed therebetween. The stop pins have inwardly-facing retaining heads for preventing the lawnmower blade from slipping off said stop pins.

Abstract: A tool for operating the bolt mechanism of a cylinder lock without the use of a key. The tool comprises a slender steel rod provided on its end with at least one hingedly pivotable knuckle member or portion constantly urged by spring bias means to a pivoted position at a right angle to the axis of the shank. The tool is inserted through the plug key slot until the jointed knuckle member or portion projects beyond the end of the key slot and is automatically extended to a 90.degree.-angle such as to operate the bolt mechanism in the same manner as the conventional lock cam.

Abstract: An attachment for a split ring type of key ring to facilitate separating of an end of the split ring from the remaining portion of the key ring permitting ease of insertion of a key on the key ring. The attachment comprises a sheet material member which is formed into an enlarged body section from which integrally extends a rounded protrusion. A necked down area connects between the protrusion and the body section. The outer end of the protrusion is sharpened. This sharpened outer end is to be inserted between abutting ring shaped members of the key ring and twisted ninety degrees with the key ring then being located within the necked down area which results in the end of the key ring being spaced from the remaining portion of the key ring facilitating locating of the end of the ring shaped member through the opening formed within the bow of a key.

Abstract: A hand tool usable to remove kinks and bends from flat jewelry chain consists of a roller of glass or similar material and a handle bonded to the roller along one side thereof.

Abstract: A water bed apparatus (10) comprising an elongated cylindrical unit (11) having a support surface (12) and a contact surface (14) formed on opposite ends, wherein the apparatus is designed to assist a user in placing a bed sheet (23) around and under the bladder (25) of a water bed (20).

Abstract: Improved manually operable and remotely controlled tool for selectively rving or installing connector ends of a clustered arrangement of interconnected cables of an electric terminal assembly. The tool is generally made up of hub means and opposed jaw means. One end of elongated sleeve means is affixed to the hub means while the other end is connected to first handle means. Shaft means is rotatably disposed in the sleeve means with one end of the shaft means affixed to cam means and the other end to second handle means that is freely disposed in an aperture of the first handle means. During tool use, the user normally grips both handle means and maneuvers the hub and jaw means between a series of cables on one side of an electric terminal assembly having a plurality of interconnected cables until the jaw means are disposed about a selected cable of the series of cables.