A push button release mechanism for coupling together two portions of a tool, such as pliers. The push button release mechanism can include a push button and one or more balls pushed in a radially-outward direction by geometry of the push button to pivotally couple the two portions together. The balls are normally pushed outward by an engagement portion. Depressing a push button head axially downward causes the balls to align with a receiving portion, which allows the balls to descend into the interior of the mechanism. The push button release mechanism is also threadably coupled with a threaded opening of one of the portions. The threaded opening can have deformed threads to increase the retention torque required to rotate the push button release mechanism.

A push button release mechanism for coupling together two portions of a tool, such as pliers. The push button release mechanism can include a push button and one or more balls pushed in a radially-outward direction by geometry of the push button to pivotally couple the two portions together. The balls are normally pushed outward by an engagement portion. Depressing a push button head axially downward causes the balls to align with a receiving portion, which allows the balls to descend into the interior of the mechanism. The push button release mechanism is also threadably coupled with a threaded opening of one of the portions. The threaded opening can have deformed threads to increase the retention torque required to rotate the push button release mechanism.

A hose clamp includes a clamp body formed by bending a plate spring into an annular shape while two ends of the plate spring are caused to cross, grip tabs formed to be raised radially outward from both ends of the clamp body, respectively and an expanded-diameter state retainer formed integrally on the clamp body or the tabs and capable of retaining an expanded-diameter state of the clamp body and releasing the clamp body from the expanded-diameter state by relative movement of both tabs in an axial direction of the clamp body with a gripping operation applied to both tabs. The tabs have respective distal ends, one of which has a larger width than the other. The distal ends are bent circumferentially outward into bent portions spaced from each other. The bent portions are insertable into positioning recesses formed in opposite surfaces of a gripping tool, respectively.

A snap ring manipulation tool for installation and removal of snap rings includes a frame that comprises a pair of members. The members are opposing, such that a first end of one member opposes a second end of the other. Each of a pair of first holes is positioned through a respective member proximate to the first end. Each of a pair of rods is fixedly coupled to a respective member proximate to the second end. The rod is slidably positionable through an opposing first hole. A biaser is operationally coupled to each member. Each of a pair of first tips is coupled to and extends from a first side of the frame. The frame positions the first tips for insertion into the complementary orifices of the snap ring. The biaser is positioned to diverge and converge the members to respectively widen and narrow the snap ring.

A snap ring manipulation tool for installation and removal of snap rings includes a frame that comprises a pair of members. The members are opposing, such that a first end of one member opposes a second end of the other. Each of a pair of first holes is positioned through a respective member proximate to the first end. Each of a pair of rods is fixedly coupled to a respective member proximate to the second end. The rod is slidably positionable through an opposing first hole. A biaser is operationally coupled to each member. Each of a pair of first tips is coupled to and extends from a first side of the frame. The frame positions the first tips for insertion into the complementary orifices of the snap ring. The biaser is positioned to diverge and converge the members to respectively widen and narrow the snap ring.

A pin assist device that eliminates the need to use a separate tool to insert and/or extract a cotter, or other fastening, pin. The pin assist device allows the user to easily insert or extract a pin in locations that are difficult to reach, in all types of weather and virtually all conditions. Related pin assist devices, hitch pins, and hitch pin assemblies are also disclosed.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a tool may include a main body and a plurality of fingers extending from one side of the main body, the fingers arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns such that in each of the plurality of rows, each pair of adjacent fingers in a row may have a gap formed in between such pair of adjacent fingers such that each gap may receive a component for insertion or removal from a system and such that the adjacent fingers apply a force to the component to retain the component within the tool. The tool may also include a receptacle formed at one end of the main body and configured to receive a removable arm, and wherein the removable arm is configured to receive a plurality of removable fingers.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a tool may include a main body and a plurality of fingers extending from one side of the main body, the fingers arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns such that in each of the plurality of rows, each pair of adjacent fingers in a row may have a gap formed in between such pair of adjacent fingers such that each gap may receive a component for insertion or removal from a system and such that the adjacent fingers apply a force to the component to retain the component within the tool. The tool may also include a receptacle formed at one end of the main body and configured to receive a removable arm, and wherein the removable arm is configured to receive a plurality of removable fingers.

A locking pliers for enhanced control of Adel clamps during installation, inspection, and removal of Adel clamps. The locking pliers is made from high-carbon steel, and includes a first plier arm having a first bifurcated grasping portion, a first pivot portion, and a first handle portion ending in a series of ridges. The locking pliers also includes a second plier arm having a second bifurcated grasping portion, a second pivot portion pivotably connected to the first pivot portion, and a second handle portion ending in a wedge that is cooperative with the series of ridges serving as an adjustable locking mechanism. The handle portion includes cushioning grip material. The locking pliers also include a leaf spring to resiliently resist bringing the two handle portions together. In some embodiments, each bifurcated grasping portion includes a slot of a width to partially surround a screw and a hole that accepts the screw.

A tool, such as pliers, is configured to permit two modes or configurations of operation, such as for use in manipulating internal and external retaining rings. In one mode of operation, tool tips are moved towards one another when handles of the pliers are compressed towards one another, and in a second mode of operation, the tool tips are moved away from one another when the handles of the pliers are compressed towards one another. The modes of operation may be selected, such as by rotating a rotatable selector which controls connection of first and second handles of the pliers with first and second tool bodies.