Abstract: A wrench includes a handle having a head and a gear disposed in the head. A pawl is pivotally secured in the handle and has two ends selectively actuated to act onto the gear. A knob has a spring-biased projection for selectively actuating either of the ends of the pawl to engage with the gear. An indicator device may be used for indicating the active direction of the wrench by indicating the position of the knob. The pawl may be disposed outside of the gear or may be disposed in a cartridge that is rotatably received in an internal gear.

Abstract: An adjustable wrench provides a fixed number of positions between fixed and movable torque applying jaws, the positions corresponding to nominal wrench sizes. One scale in English units provides means to position the jaws in a series of positions corresponding to English unit wrenches. A second scale in metric units provides means to position the jaws in a series of positions corresponding to metric wrenches. A pair of operators or discs have a pointer which is used to select the desired wrench size.

Abstract: An adjustable wrench having a handle with two handle sections himgeably joined end to end with a jaw section mounted on one free end of one section. A clip is provided for locking orientation of the two sections with respect to one another for turning fasteners that are located in awkwardly accessible locations. Indicia on the jaws of the wrench indicate spacing of the jaws for standard sizes. The gripping surfaces of the moveable jaw has an area that is parallel to an area of the fixed jaw for quick accessibility of the wrench. The gripping surfaces of the fixed and moveable jaws also have areas that are contoured to present broad areas of contact to either a hexagonal fastener or a square fastener.

Abstract: A handle for tools such as screwdrivers where an end region is shaped as a smooth rounded surface and made by injection molding in multiple steps from at least two differently colored plastic materials, which are tactilely indistinct, to form a visible marking for identification of the tool.

Abstract: A hand tool of the type having a variable torque-limiting in-line drive with a handle having a cavity and a drive bit disposed in the cavity. Over-ride drive members are disposed in the cavity and a spring exerts a force on the drive members for transmitting only a maximum force to a bit in the tool. A variable control adjustment is on the tool and is used to apply a varying force to the spring and thus control the amount of maximum torque to be transmitted.

Abstract: A novel system for visually coding tools as to their size comprises a maximum of two sets of differently colored bands which are placed on the surface of the tool. Each band of each color represents a portion of the size of the tool. Thus, when the number of bands of each color is counted, the size of the tool is indicated. Different colors are used to indicate metric tools versus English tools. Different color schemes may be used to represent the ownership of the tools.

Abstract: Improved sockets for driving nuts and the like, the sockets having improved markings so that the proper size and type of each socket can be easily identified and selected, even under adverse conditions, and so that each socket can be readily returned to its proper location after use. This is accomplished by placing size markings on four (4) differing sides of a cylindrical socket, the size markings being spaced about 90.degree. apart. In addition, each of the sockets is color coded to facilitate reassembling the socket sets at the completion of work. In one example, colored plugs will be provided on each of the sockets either above or below the size markings. The sequence of colored plugs may repeat after three separate colors have been used if there is an obvious size difference between two sockets which are three sizes apart. In addition, the socket caddy is also be color coded.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for identifying a set of tool sockets. In one embodiment of the invention, the device includes a body that is adapted to be mated with a tool socket, and an identifier disposed on the body to identify the tool socket. The body includes a first portion that is adapted to be inserted into the tool socket, and a second portion that is adapted to protrude from the tool socket when the first portion is inserted into the tool socket. The identifier is disposed on the second portion and is viewable when the first portion is inserted into the tool socket. A plurality of socket plugs of various sizes can be provided for identifying each tool socket in a set of tool sockets. A socket plug corresponding in size to each tool socket is selected and inserted into the tool socket to identify the particular socket.

Abstract: An adjustable wrench has a slotted body member and a handle threaded into a bore in a body member stem and protruding into one end of the slot. A movable jaw piece is rotatably mounted to the protruding handle end and slidable in the slot. A pair of angled fixed jaw faces is formed at the far end of the slot, while corresponding jaw faces are formed on the movable jaw piece. Relative rotation of the handle and body member causes relative advance or retraction of the movable jaw piece in the slot to adjust the spacing between the sets of jaw faces to fit the wrench to bolt heads or nuts of various sizes. The structural support afforded by the handle-movable jaw piece connection enables low cost construction and compact structure allowing greater accessibility to recessed bolt heads and nuts. A locking rod extends within the handle in some embodiments, with a locking knob at the remote handle able to be tightened to hold an adjusted position.

Abstract: An identification insert for a socket for a ratchet wrench. The insert is a member which is adapted to be received in the opening in the socket and to be retained therein. The identification insert provides color differentiation and has other indicia thereon to provide further identification. A set of sockets having indicia are held on a socket holder.

Abstract: An adjustable socket includes a drive member, a plurality of jaw members supported by the drive member and selectively movable between fixed lateral positions, each fixed lateral position corresponding to a selected socket size, and a drive coupling operatively coupled to the drive member and manually movable to different positions corresponding to the selected socket size openings. The drive coupling has a substantially flat cam surface with spirally configured guide elements thereon that engage cam followers on the jaw members to move the jaw members laterally. There are a plurality indexing slots in the drive member and an indexing and locking element that selectively engages and locks into an indexing slot upon a socket size openings being selected. The number of indexing slots correspond to the number of selectable socket size openings available. There are visible indicia associated with each selectable position to indicate the selected socket size openings.

Abstract: A crescent wrench in which the fixed jaw and the movable jaw have a respective corrugated work face at an inner side facing each other for grasping nuts and bolts, and a respective linear measure mark, for example, inch mark or centimeter mark for linear measurement, the corrugated work face formed into smoothly curved transverse projections and transverse grooves alternatively arranged.

Abstract: A screw-on electrical connector is employed to connect a plurality of wires using an apparatus that includes a tool bit driver with an electric motor powered by a battery. A torque limiting device transfers torque from the electric motor to a chuck. A mechanism permits adjustment of the maximum level of torque applied to the chuck and indicia is provided indicating torque settings for different combinations of wire sizes and numbers to be connected. A tool is coupled to the chuck and has a member for engaging a screw-on electrical connector in order to twist the screw-on electrical connector onto a plurality of wires.

Abstract: A fastener component, such as a nut, has size indicia thereon. The size indicia is used to identify the size of the tool to be used in attaching, adjusting or removing the fastener, a dimensional size of the fastener, or both.

Abstract: A wrench including an operation arm having an operation head at one end for turning a workpiece, a calibration handle connected to one end of the operation arm and turned relative to the operation arm to set the desired index number of torsion, and a lock controlled to lock the calibration handle when the desired index number is set, wherein a transparent socket is mounted around the calibration handle adjacent to the operation arm, having a lens, which magnifies the index number of torsion for accurate calibration.

Abstract: A reversible ratchet wrench has a wrench handle with a circular ratchet head having a cylindrical array of ratchet teeth and receiving coaxially rotatably therein a drive body. A pawl is carried by the drive body for movement between forward and reverse conditions of engagement with the ratchet teeth, being retained in each of these positions by an over-center spring engageable with a pin on a reversing lever disposed coaxially with the drive body and retained thereon by a bushing and a screw for rotation relative to the drive body and the ratchet head for shifting the pawl between its forward and reverse conditions. Indicia on the bushing and the reversing lever cooperate to indicate the condition of the pawl.

Abstract: Head indicia to indicate tool type which is integrally formed on the handle portion of the tool. The indicia is a symbol which emulates the configuration of the tool head and which indicates the orientation of the tool head. The indicia can be recessed into or raised from the surface of the handle to provide tactile identity of the configuration and orientation of the tool head. The indicia provides the user with an efficient way to select the correct tool and tool head type from a group of tools or from a set of tools held in a tool belt or pouch.

Abstract: Head indicia to indicate tool type which is integrally formed on the handle portion of the tool. The indicia is a symbol which emulates the configuration of the tool head and which indicates the orientation of the tool head. The indicia can be recessed into or raised from the surface of the handle to provide tactile identity of the configuration and orientation of the tool head. The indicia provides the user with an efficient way to select the correct tool and tool head type from a group of tools or from a set of tools held in a tool belt or pouch.

Abstract: A kit for identifying individually sized objects or implements, such as socket sets and wrenches of all types thereby facilitating visual identification of the individual objects, the kit including a substrate which supports a legend and a predetermined number of bands or strips, each having a particular color. The colored bands or strips are adhesively affixed on particular objects. The color of each band correlates with an object size which is expressed on the legend.

Abstract: A turn-counting setting screwdriver, on the stem of the blade of which there is movably mounted a tubular part which can move in the recess in the handle accommodating the stem of the blade. The handle is graduated over its periphery at the inlet to the recess and the movable part bears double graduations over at least part of its length, each graduation extending in the opposite direction relative to the other.

Abstract: Described is a combination of fasteners and tools which visually communicate their respective sizes to the user so clearly that by merely glancing at these objects a tool matching the fastener or a fastener that matches the tool can readily be selected for use. This beneficial result is achieved by visually coding the fasteners of different sizes either by a pattern or preferably by color so that all fasteners of a given size bear one distinguishing visual appearance, all fasteners of another given size bear another distinguishing visual appearance, and so on.

Abstract: A novel combination of two sets of wrenches and sockets, each identifiable for size, with each set calibrated according to a different measuring system and both housed in a common container, and a novel process for identifying said size and said measuring systems by indicia specific to each size and to each system of measurement.

Abstract: A pair of removable jaws interchangeable between internal and external retaining ring tools, each of the tools including a tool body having a pair of handles pivotally connected together, with bores or openings in the ends of the handles for receipt of stepped cylindrical extensions on the jaws. Preferably, the jaws are made of premium steel, whereas the tool bodies may be either forged using a lesser quality steel or made of even less expensive standard thin wall tubing. Tolerance rings frictionally retain the cylindrical extensions in the bores. The jaws and tool bodies have suitable indicia to index (orient) the jaws relative to the tool handles for both internal and external use.

Abstract: A color coding system primarily for implements, including tools, instruments or other hand-manipulated devices, whereby individual colors are applied to tools of a series having diverse sizes, such diversity of size following an orderly scheme.

Abstract: The present invention provides a color code tool identification method for the instant determination of the size of various types of hand tools and small cutting tools such as drill bits.A color chart is provided showing a range of ten colors. Each color indicates a particular numeral. The sequence of the indicated numerals providing a size designation for the tool. The method provides fractional inch size determination and also metric size determination. The method may be used alone or in conjunction with conventional marking methods.

Abstract: A molded elastomeric sleeve is carried by the rearward portion of a wrench socket. The sleeve has size indicia molded directly thereon (and may also be color coded) thereby facilitating a quick and convenient identification and selection of the respective socket from a tool box or kit. Suitable knurls on the outer diameter of the sleeve facilitate a manual rotation of the socket for seating a nut or bolt, prior to torquing with a conventional ratchet wrench. The knurls also prevent the socket from rolling, if placed sideways on a flat surface. Preferably, the rearward portion of the socket has a reduced diameter, thereby forming an annular shoulder between the forward and rearward portions of the socket, and the sleeve abuts against the annular shoulder. In an alternate embodiment, the sleeve is keyed to the socket, preferably by a "double dee" configuration, to prevent slippage or relative rotation between the socket and sleeve.

Abstract: A color coding system primarily for implements including tools or other hand-manipulated devices, whereby individual colors are applied to tools of a series having diverse sizes, such diversity of size following an orderly scheme, such as having like denominators with incremental numerator differences.

Abstract: A molded elastomeric sleeve is carried on a conventional wrench socket. The sleeve has a radially extending boss, a recess formed in the boss and a peripheral rim formed about the boss defining the recess therein. The sleeve has an internal annular groove formed therein as well as a radial passageway which extends from the groove to the recess. Adhesive is injected into the annular groove via the radial passageway, whereby the sleeve is secured to the socket. A size indicia label is provided having adhesive thereon. This label is positioned in the recess below the rim of the boss covering the radial passageway, where it is secured by the adhesive. The sleeve further has suitable knurls formed on the outer diameter of the sleeve. The knurls and the boss prevent the socket from rolling, if placed sideways on a flat surface. The knurls and the boss also facilitate manual rotation of the socket. After forming, the sleeve is axially oriented and slidably positioned on a portion of the socket.

Abstract: A molded elastomeric sleeve is carried on a conventional wrench socket. The sleeve has a radially extending boss, a recess formed in the boss and a peripheral rim formed about the boss defining the recess therein. The sleeve has an internal annular groove formed therein as well as a radial passageway which extends from the groove to the recess. Adhesive is injected into the annular groove via the radial passageway, whereby the sleeve is secured to the socket. A size indicia label is provided having adhesive thereon. This label is positioned in the recess below the rim of the boss covering the radial passageway, where it is secured by the adhesive. The sleeve further has suitable knurls formed on the outer diameter of the sleeve. The knurls and the boss prevent the socket from rolling, if placed sideways on a flat surface. The knurls and the boss also facilitate manual rotation of the socket. After forming, the sleeve is axially oriented and slidably positioned on a portion of the socket.

Abstract: A molded elastomeric sleeve is secured on the rear portion of a conventional socket for a hand ratchet wrench. Size indicia are carried by the sleeve for ready identification of the socket, and knurls on the sleeve facilitate a manual gripping of the socket for rotation thereof, whenever desired. In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve has a readily-projecting boss provided with a rim and a recess therein. A pressure-sensitive adhesive label, which carries the size indicia, is disposed within the recess below the rim on the boss. An internal annular groove is formed in the sleeve adjacent to the socket, and an adhesive is injected into the internal annular groove via at least one passageway formed in the sleeve. The passageway opens into the recess in the boss on the socket, and the passageway is subsequently covered by the pressure-sensitive adhesive label.

Abstract: A combination gauge-socket wrench for use in removing, gapping and installing spark plugs, the gauge extending circumferentially about the upper end and increasing uniformly in thickness along its length, indicia adjacent the gauge to indicate the thickness through a selected portion of the gauge, the socket wrench being adapted to fit a conventional spark plug.

Abstract: An adjustable flat wrench such as a Crescent wrench having tactile indicating surfaces adjacent the adjustment screw to denote to a user the direction of adjustment screw rotation for closing or opening of the wrench jaws.

Abstract: An improved wrench includes a wrench head having a fixed jaw and a sliding jaw. The head includes a square hole for receiving a mating projection on a wrench handle. The wrench handle may include a ratcheting mechanism. Means are provided to retain the sliding jaw in a desired position on the wrench head and to indicate the size of the jaw opening.