Abstract: A totally non-metallic wrench formed entirely of fiber-reinforced plastic material includes a core of random discontinuous glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material and a band of unidirectional continuous glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material extending around the periphery of the core which are subjected to compression molding to form a composite wrench structure.

Abstract: A tool with improved impact and torque capabilities and having ergonomic handle. The tool may be a screwdriver, chisel, or the like. For example, the tool shank has a hex shaped portion integral to the two part ergonomic handle, which, with the dual molded handle composition, provides these increased tool capabilities. The ergonomic handle has a polypropylene core molded about the shank and a thermoplastic rubber cushion grip molded about the polypropylene core.

Abstract: A lightweight self-insulating composite hand tool such as a screwdriver has a tool shank of electrically insulative material molded to and about a tip shank of a tool tip, having a working end and an integral tip shank. A mechanical interlock coupling is molded into the tip shank to resist axial tensile and compressive stress and torsional stress. A premolded replaceable elastomeric cover is slipped onto the hand tool and about the periphery of the molded tool shank. The working end of the tool tip includes a circumferential groove which receives a snap fitting bead of the replaceable elastomeric cover. The molded tool shank may be a braided composite of non-electrically conducting reinforcing filaments embedded within a settable matrix such as resin or epoxy. The tip shank is provided with an annular recess which flares rearwardly at a slight retention angle to retain the braided filaments and the settable matrix end of the composite tool shank on the tool tip shank.

Abstract: A totally non-metallic wrench formed entirely of fiber-reinforced plastic material includes a core of random discontinuous glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material and a band of unidirectional continuous glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material extending around the periphery of the core which are subjected to compression molding to form a composite wrench structure.

Abstract: A floating marine propeller wrench (18) is provided for removing a marine propeller nut (16), and comprises a floating member composed of a material selected to have a specific gravity less than or equal to 1.0, to enable floatation, yet strong enough to apply torque of at least 50 lb.ft. to the nut. The floating member is composed of chemically coupled long glass fiber reinforced polypropylene, particularly ten percent glass by weight, one percent foaming agent by weight, and the balance polypropylene. The material is also selected to provide a user detectable slight deflection (70) of a handle portion (24) when approximately 50 lb.ft. is applied to the nut by a socket portion (22), to provide a combined floating marine propeller wrench and torque meter.

Abstract: An insulating hand tool has an elongated composite shank including a pultruded polyester/glass core overbraided with an epoxy/glass outer layer. One end of the shank is received in an axial bore in a plastic handle and the other end thereof is received in one end of a braided glass/epoxy sleeve, which receives in the other end thereof a bit holder which carries a permanent magnet for magnetically retaining an associated working bit. The shank is adhesively secured to the handle and to the sleeve and the sleeve is adhesively secured to the bit holder. The handle may have a bit storage cavity therein closed by a threaded cap.

Abstract: A invention relates to tool having working surfaces (5) which transmit torque by application against a workpiece and are provided with particles of friction material (8) consisting of metallic or mineral material, such as quartz and/or diamond chips, attached by metallic embedment, and for optimal development of the working surface for the transmission of torque there is an electroplated metallic base layer (7) for solely surface application of the particles of friction material (8) of an embedment layer (9) for the particles of friction material which is then also electroplated, the thickness (x) of the base layer (7) being less than that of the embedment layer (9) and the thickness (y) of the latter being less than the particle size of the particles of friction material (8).

Abstract: A slot screwdriver with convex wide-side surfaces of the blade (3, 19) on its working end (8, 20) and, in order to optimize the use thereof, it proposes that the convexity be formed of two convex arcs (10, 21) present on each wide-side surface and lying symmetrically on both sides of the transverse center plane (A--A) of the blade (3, 19).

Abstract: A hand tool includes an electrically-conductive work engaging portion. The electrically-conductive work engaging portion is connected in series with a fuse which, in turn, is connected in series with the tool handle. Small electrical charges are allowed to flow through the tool and dissipated through a charge dissipation system. If a large charge passes through the tool, the fuse blows, thus preventing injury to the tool user.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a handtool for crimping electrical connectors onto the ends of cables or similar operations, which handtool has major portions thereof constructed of a polymeric material. A metal structural insert is provided within the polymeric material to contain substantially all of the stresses developed by the crimping operations.

Abstract: A composition including ethylene glycol and friction particles mixed together in predetermined proportions. The composition is used to aid in the removal of headed fasteners. The composition may also be used in place of a lock washer. The composition is most effective when used with fasteners made of soft metals.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing a coarse surface on a plastic article, comprising preparing a dispersion of fine crystalline material in a solution of a polymer from which the plastic article is made. The article is immersed into the dispersion, causing a partial solvation and softening of the surface layer coated by the dispersion. Upon removal of the solvent component of the dispersion from the article surface, the fine crystalline material is embedded into the surface of the article so as to create a textured surface suitable for gripping and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for removing a lamp base from the socket into which it has been installed, after its bulb has been broken.

Abstract: The working surface of a tool such as the tip of a screwdriver is provided with a non-slip coating by means of hard abrasive particles which are bonded to the tool with a brazing alloy.

Abstract: A wrench construction wherein the wrench can be formed from an injection molded plastic material, and includes a handle and respective first and second head members extending from the ends of the handle. One of the head members is larger than the other, and each head member defines at least a part of a regular polygon adapted to be drivingly engageable and disengageable with a fastener element, such as a nut or bolt. Each of the head members and the handle is of generally U-shaped cross-section and includes a plurality of transverse stiffner members that extend from the base of the U and across the legs thereof to provide desired strength and rigidity of the structure at light weight.

Abstract: A cassette tape winding device 10 comprising: a scored, tapered conical portion (12); a generally cylindrical intermediate shaft portion (13), and a toothed driving portion (14) having a plurality of elongated driving teeth (16) spaced from one another and arranged in a circular pattern on the bottom surface of the intermediate shaft portion.