A construction tool and method of using the tool. The tool includes a handle connected with a claw by a pivot near the bottom of the handle. The claw engages with a workpiece by penetrating the workpiece with a tooth point that is angled back from the claw toward the pivot. An anchor on the handle may engage with the floor. Pulling the handle away from the workpiece pivots the handle away from the claw at the top of the handle and toward the claw at the bottom. With the claw engaged with the workpiece and the anchor engaged with the floor, pulling the handle pulls the claw toward the handle, pulling the workpiece toward the user. Where the workpiece is a wall frame, the tool may facilitate securing the wall frame with an exterior surface that is flush against a lower-level structure located below the wall frame.

This invention provides hand operated portable devices for grasping and manipulation of objects as well as methods of their use. Embodiments of the devices of the invention comprise two opposing angled jaw members that are operated by a user-controlled trigger through a hinged linkage lever as well as devices that optionally comprise a locking mechanism allowing locking of the jaw members.

This invention provides hand operated portable devices for grasping and manipulation of objects as well as methods of their use. Embodiments of the devices of the invention comprise two opposing angled jaw members that are operated by a user-controlled trigger through a hinged linkage lever as well as devices that optionally comprise a locking mechanism allowing locking of the jaw members.

A device for swabbing a surface and collecting a substance therefrom comprises a handle and a sponge releasably mounted to the handle. The handle includes at least one gripping member adapted to engage the sponge and retain the sponge mounted to the handle in a first position of the gripping member, the gripping member being adapted upon pressure exerted on an actuator to move the gripping member to a sponge-release position thereof for releasing the sponge from the handle. Typically, there are provided two opposed gripping members, wherein the pressure is exerted by a user's fingers on each gripping member and towards one another. The gripping members are actuated to the sponge-release position without requiring that the user substantially moves his/her hand and fingers longitudinally along the handle.

A device for swabbing a surface and collecting a substance therefrom comprises a handle and a sponge releasably mounted to the handle. The handle includes at least one gripping member adapted to engage the sponge and retain the sponge mounted to the handle in a first position of the gripping member, the gripping member being adapted upon pressure exerted on an actuator to move the gripping member to a sponge-release position thereof for releasing the sponge from the handle. Typically, there are provided two opposed gripping members, wherein the pressure is exerted by a user's fingers on each gripping member and towards one another. The gripping members are actuated to the sponge-release position without requiring that the user substantially moves his/her hand and fingers longitudinally along the handle.

Metal and other magnetized objects are often dropped into hard-to-reach, magnetic-rich places where a retrieval tool will often latch onto the surrounding metal, all but the target object. This makes the retrieval of the target object with an ordinary magnet very difficult or sometimes even impossible. The invention relates to a magnetic retrieval tool with a selectively on/off component, allowing the magnetic force to be exerted only when the target becomes localized. Said magnetic force or field, will be encapsulated either by shielding, or by a second magnet that will neutralize the magnetic field turning the magnet off until the object is reached.

A reaching and grabbing tool is provided that has gripping head with at least one jaw operatively connected to a trigger for movement with respect to a gripping axis. The gripping head defines at least one region configured to provide a plurality of gripping states. The gripping head can have more than one jaw that each move with respect to the gripping axis. The plurality of gripping states can include three different gripping states.

A device for pulling a hose and nozzle assembly comprises a laterally-extending grip manually engageable by one or both hands to grip the device and pull a hose and nozzle assembly attached thereto. A lock is spaced below the grip and is releasably engageable with the hose and nozzle assembly. The lock or hose and nozzle assembly is movable relative to the other between (i) a locked position, wherein the hose and nozzle assembly is secured by the lock to the device and the hose and nozzle assembly is supported therefrom, and (ii) an unlocked position, wherein the hose and nozzle assembly is released from the lock and detached from the device. In the locked position, the laterally-extending grip is manually engageable to pull the device, including in a position behind the back, and thereby pull the hose and nozzle assembly secured thereto.

An apparatus for positioning a strap around an object includes a handle for being grasped by a user of the apparatus. The apparatus further includes an arm portion having a first end coupled to the handle portion and an opposite second end having a coupling mechanism coupled at or nearby for selectively coupling a portion of the strap to the second end of the arm portion. When the handle portion is grasped by the user of the apparatus adjacent a side of the object the arm portion is sized and configured to be movable among: a first positioning wherein the arm portion extends outward from the handle and the user such that the second end of the arm portion extends a distance beyond a far side of the object, and a second positioning wherein the arm portion wraps at least partially around the object.

An apparatus for positioning a strap around an object includes a handle for being grasped by a user of the apparatus. The apparatus further includes an arm portion having a first end coupled to the handle portion and an opposite second end having a coupling mechanism coupled at or nearby for selectively coupling a portion of the strap to the second end of the arm portion. When the handle portion is grasped by the user of the apparatus adjacent a side of the object the arm portion is sized and configured to be movable among: a first positioning wherein the arm portion extends outward from the handle and the user such that the second end of the arm portion extends a distance beyond a far side of the object, and a second positioning wherein the arm portion wraps at least partially around the object.