An apparatus for cleaning a bolt having a threaded portion with a longitudinal axis of rotation. The apparatus includes a bolt receiving portion and a cleaning member. The bolt receiving portion has a throughway configured to receive the threaded portion of the bolt when the threaded portion is rotating about the longitudinal axis of rotation. The cleaning member is coupled to the bolt receiving portion and has a plurality of cleaning projections positioned to contact and clean the threaded portion of the bolt as the rotating threaded portion of the bolt passes through the throughway. The projections may be bristles or pins. Optionally, the bolt receiving portion may include a plurality of throughways each configured to receive a threaded portion having a different outer diameter. Optionally, the apparatus may include a handle portion that may be selectively couplable to the bolt receiving portion.

An abrasive article comprising a nonwoven substrate material impregnated with a first and second formulation. The first and second formulations have broad spectrum antimicrobial effectiveness against one or more microbial organisms. The first and second formulations include the same or different polymer compositions, which include one or more antimicrobial agents and abrasive particles uniformly dispersed in the polymer compositions.

A sharpening apparatus that may be used by a relatively unskilled person to simultaneously sharpen the two opposed cutting edges of a knife blade by hand and to maintain a sharpened cutting edge along the blade with minimal effort and training is provided by the invention. The apparatus comprises a panel member with a slot partially extending from its top edge, and a pair of sharpening steels that are pivotably mounted to the panel member to swing downwards in a crossed relation across the slot. A pair of leaf spring bias the sharpening steels in their standby position. When the knife blade is moved down through the slot, it comes into contact with crossed sharpening steels to bow them outwards under tension applied by the leaf springs. The cutting edges of the knife blade are drawn along and against the sharpening steels to automatically sharpen their cutting edges at the proper angle without any need to match angles between the cutting edges of the knife and the sharpening steels, and without any counterweights applied to the sharpening steels. Such a sharpening apparatus can be used to maintain an extremely sharp cutting edge for precise cutting of a material without crushing or other damage with significantly reduced physical force and strain upon the user.

A sharpening apparatus that may be used by a relatively unskilled person to simultaneously sharpen the two opposed cutting edges of a knife blade by hand and to maintain a sharpened cutting edge along the blade with minimal effort and training is provided by the invention. The apparatus comprises a panel member with a slot partially extending from its top edge, and a pair of sharpening steels that are pivotably mounted to the panel member to swing downwards in a crossed relation across the slot. A pair of leaf spring bias the sharpening steels in their standby position. When the knife blade is moved down through the slot, it comes into contact with crossed sharpening steels to bow them outwards under tension applied by the leaf springs. The cutting edges of the knife blade are drawn along and against the sharpening steels to automatically sharpen their cutting edges at the proper angle without any need to match angles between the cutting edges of the knife and the sharpening steels, and without any counterweights applied to the sharpening steels. Such a sharpening apparatus can be used to maintain an extremely sharp cutting edge for precise cutting of a material without crushing or other damage with significantly reduced physical force and strain upon the user.

A tool for steeling a knife includes a frame and first and second steeling components. Each of the components is shiftably mounted relative to the frame for movement between a first position and a second position. The steeling components cooperatively define a knife interface configured to engage and thereby steel the knife. The steeling components are resiliently biased into the first position, with the knife interface moving as the steeling components shift between the first and second positions.

A tool for steeling a knife includes a frame and first and second steeling components. Each of the components is shiftably mounted relative to the frame for movement between a first position and a second position. The steeling components cooperatively define a knife interface configured to engage and thereby steel the knife. The steeling components are resiliently biased into the first position, with the knife interface moving as the steeling components shift between the first and second positions.

A sanding block adapted to fit on the handle of a tool to aid in preparation of a surface.

A sanding block adapted to fit on the handle of a tool to aid in preparation of a surface.

As an example, a hand-held sanding apparatus has flexibility to enable a user to sand relatively straight surfaces as well as curved surfaces. A flexible base is attached to a lower surface of a flexible handle and includes a smooth bottom surface configured for attachment to an abrasive material, such as sandpaper or another similar material. The flexible base may comprise a polycarbonate material. The flexible handle may comprise a rubber-based material. A user applying pressure to opposite ends of the flexible handle is able to curve the hand-held sanding apparatus to enable the abrasive material to conform to a curvature of a surface that is to be sanded.

As an example, a hand-held sanding apparatus has flexibility to enable a user to sand relatively straight surfaces as well as curved surfaces. A flexible base is attached to a lower surface of a flexible handle and includes a smooth bottom surface configured for attachment to an abrasive material, such as sandpaper or another similar material. The flexible base may comprise a polycarbonate material. The flexible handle may comprise a rubber-based material. A user applying pressure to opposite ends of the flexible handle is able to curve the hand-held sanding apparatus to enable the abrasive material to conform to a curvature of a surface that is to be sanded.