The question from the analyst on Thursday was delicate enough. In agreeing to buy the Craftsman tool brand from Sears Holdings, how would Stanley Black & Decker protect itself from legal issues that could arise at the seller down the line?

But the response from Stanley Black & Decker’s chief executive, James M. Loree, acknowledged a concern that many on the conference call were likely to have harbored: that Sears could be forced to file for bankruptcy protection someday.

“We expect to get this approved before there is any indication whatsoever that there would be any restructuring of that nature from Sears,” Mr. Loree said, adding that he believed such a move was not imminent.

The sale of Craftsman, valued at more than $775 million, was meant to prevent that day of reckoning by raising much-needed cash for Sears.