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A safety device for hand tools includes a casing having a first
clasp secured to the casing for mounting to the tool. A second clasp
is mounted to a retractable cable connected to a constant tension
cable reel mounted within the casing: The cable is payed out of
and retracted into the bottom of the housing in its normal use position,
and the second clasp is attached to a fixed support or "lock
point" located below the normal working height of the tool.
In use, when the tool is held by a worker and the housing is upright,
a lock plate is disengaged from a ratchet plate fixed to the retractable
reel so the tool is freely moveable relative to the lock point and
easily maneuvered. If the tool is dropped, the reel retracts the
cable as the tool begins to fall. The device is inverted as it falls
below the lock point. As the device turns over, the lock plate shifts
under gravity, and the weight of the tool places the cable in tension
and tries to counter-rotate the hub, thus causing the lock plate
to rapidly engage the ratchet plate and lock the reel, preventing
further cable pay out and securing the tool before it strikes the
floor or ground.
A method and apparatus are provided for constructing and operating
an adjustable guide rail for hand tools, by attaching an elongated
blade to a guide with a locking ratcheting apparatus. The locking
ratcheting apparatus is thumb-operable. The elongated blade includes
a first series of teeth. The guide includes the moveable thumb-operable
latch. The latch has a second series of teeth which are selectively
moveable into and out of engagement with the first series of teeth
on the elongated blade for selectively preventing and allowing sliding
movement of the elongated blade with respect to the guide. The teeth
allow incremental adjustment of the guide rail apparatus.
A retractable tether device for tools for attachment to hand tools,
including power tools includes a retractable tether or cord attached
to a reel for extension and retraction thereof the distal end of
the cord includes an attachment device for connecting the cord to
a hand tool or other implement. A cord retaining arrangement is
attached to the housing on the exterior thereof to selectively retain
the cord against tension from the reel and from the power tool.
Handles allow hand tools, implements or other utensils to operate
within their arc of natural use, motion and attack without requiring
extension, flexion, radial deviation, or lunar deviation of the
wrist from the neutral plane of the forearm. The preferred embodiments
further include a grip shaped to increase the effectiveness of the
tool and minimize antagonism between muscles and tendons of the
wrist, forearm and upper arm, while maximizing the effectiveness
of the gripping force delivered to it by the user. Maintaining the
wrist and forearm in a neutral position increases a tool user's
potential strength by increasing the synergy between large muscles
of the forearm and upper arm and shoulders. Ornamental tool designs,
manufacturing techniques, and packaging options are also disclosed.
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