Claims
- 1. A multi-function tool, comprising:
a head having a first jaw and a second jaw joined at an axis; the first jaw having a working portion and a tang; the second jaw having a working portion and a tang; a first handle coupled to the first jaw, the first handle having a first channel; a second handle coupled to the second jaw, the second handle having a second channel; a first tool cartridge captured in the first channel, the first tool cartridge having a first cartridge axle and a plurality of ancillary tools pivotally coupled to the first cartridge axle; and a wedge lock releasably locking one or more of the ancillary tools into an open position.
- 2. The multi-function tool of claim 1, further comprising:
a second tool cartridge captured in the second channel, the second tool cartridge having a second cartridge axle and a plurality of ancillary tools pivotally coupled to the second cartridge axle.
- 3. The multi-function tool of claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of washers, non-rotatably coupled to the first cartridge axle, the washers disposed between the ancillary tools.
- 4. The multi-function tool of claim 3, further comprising:
a slot in the tool cartridge, wherein the washers each have a washer finger disposed in the slot.
- 5. The multi-function tool of claim 1, further comprising:
a nub located on at least one of the ancillary tools; and a notch in one of the handles, wherein when the at least one of the ancillary tools is closed, the nub fits into the notch.
- 6. The multi-function tool of claim 1, wherein the wedge lock comprises a spring-biased wedge plate.
- 7. The multi-function tool of claim 6, wherein the wedge lock biases one or more of the tools into a folded position when no ancillary tools are in the fully opened position.
- 8. The multi-function tool of claim 6, wherein the wedge lock biases one or more of the tools into a partially closed position when one or more of the ancillary tools is in the fully opened position.
- 9. A multi-function tool, comprising:
a head having a first jaw and a second jaw joined at an axis; a first handle coupled to the first jaw, the first handle having a channel; a second handle coupled to the second jaw; a first scissors piece pivotally coupled to the first handle; a second scissors piece pivotally coupled to the first scissors piece at a scissors axle, the second scissors piece having a working portion and a tang; wherein the two scissors pieces have a first configuration suitable for storage in the channel, and a second configuration suitable for operation, wherein the tang is positioned above the channel in the second configuration.
- 10. A method of operating a multi-function tool, the tool having a scissors tool including a first piece and a second piece, comprising the steps of:
unfolding the scissors tool by rotating the scissors tool in a first direction of rotation; placing the scissors tool in an operative configuration by rotating the second piece relative to the first piece in a second direction of rotation that is opposite to the first direction of rotation.
- 11. A multi-function tool, comprising:
a head having a first jaw and a second jaw joined at an axis; the first jaw having a working portion and a tang; the second jaw having a working portion and a tang; a first handle coupled to the first jaw; a second handle coupled to the second jaw, the handles having a folded configuration, and an unfolded configuration; and a spring in the head biasing the working portions apart from one another, wherein the handles are biased in an open position when the handles are in the unfolded configuration and the handles are biased in a closed position when the handles are in the folded configuration.
- 12. A multi-function tool, comprising:
a head having a first jaw and a second jaw joined at an axis; the first jaw having a working portion and a tang; the second jaw having a working portion and a tang; a first handle coupled to the first jaw; a second handle coupled to the second jaw; and a replaceable cutting insert coupled to the head, the cutting insert comprising two pieces, one coupled to each of the jaws, wherein the pieces each have a notch.
- 13. The multi-function tool of claim 12, wherein the replaceable cutting insert is coupled to the head with a plurality of screws.
- 14. A multi-function tool, comprising:
a head having a first jaw and a second jaw joined at an axis; a first handle coupled to the first jaw, the first handle having a first channel; a second handle coupled to the second jaw, the second handle having a second channel, wherein the first and second handles each have a first side and a second side; the first side of each handle having a tongue; and the second side of each handle having a groove configured to receive the tongue.
- 15. A multi-function tool, comprising:
a head having a first jaw and a second jaw joined at an axis; the first jaw having a working portion and a tang; the second jaw having a working portion and a tang; a first handle coupled to the first jaw, the first handle having a first channel; a second handle coupled to the second jaw, the second handle having a second channel, wherein the handles have a folded configuration, and an unfolded configuration; a cam surface on each of the tangs; and a spring arm coupled to each handle, each spring arm configured to engage one of the cam surfaces, wherein the handles snap into the folded configuration due to the interaction between the spring arm and the cam surface, and wherein the handles snap into the unfolded configuration due to the interaction between the spring arm and the cam surface.
- 16. A method of manufacturing or repairing the handle of a multifunction tool, the handle having a first side and a second side, comprising the steps of:
providing an interchangeable component; inserting the interchangeable component between the two sides of the handle; and fastening the handle sides together using a plurality of fasteners, whereby the interchangeable component is captured between the first and second sides.
- 17. The method of manufacturing or repairing the handle of a multi-function tool of claim 16 wherein the interchangeable component is a tool cartridge having a plurality of ancillary tools.
- 18. The method of manufacturing or repairing the handle of a multi-function tool of claim 16 wherein the first side has a flange with a tongue, and the second side has a flange with a groove, further comprising the step of:
inserting the tongue into the groove.
- 19. A tool cartridge for a multi-function tool, comprising:
a first side; a second side; a bottom connecting the first and second sides; a cartridge axle disposed between the first and second sides; a plurality of ancillary tools pivotally connected to the cartridge axle; and a wedge lock releasably locking one or more of the ancillary tools into an open position.
- 20. The tool cartridge of claim 19, further comprising:
a retaining finger extending from the bottom.
- 21. The tool cartridge of claim 19, wherein the wedge lock comprises:
a wedge plate disposed between the bottom and the cartridge axle; and a spring biasing the wedge plate toward the cartridge axle.
- 22. The tool cartridge of claim 21, further comprising:
a pair of wings extending from the wedge plate; and a pair of cartridge slots in the first and second sides, wherein the pair of wings extends through the pair of cartridge slots.
- 23. The tool cartridge of claim 22, wherein each of the wings has a textured edge to facilitate grasping by the user.
- 24. The tool cartridge of claim 19, further comprising:
a plurality of washers disposed on the cartridge axle, wherein the washers are prevented from rotating on the axle.
- 25. The tool cartridge of claim 24, wherein the washers are prevented from rotating by a washer finger that extends through a slot in the bottom.
- 26. The tool cartridge of claim 19, wherein more than two ancillary tools are coupled to the cartridge axle.
- 27. The tool cartridge of claim 19, further comprising:
two threaded recesses in opposing ends of the cartridge axle, whereby a handle side may be attached to the cartridge axle by means of a threaded fastener.
- 28. A handle for a multi-function tool, comprising:
a first side having a first interior surface, the first side having a tongue; a second side having a second interior surface, the second side having a groove configured to receive the tongue; wherein the first side is coupled to the second side such that the first interior surface faces the second interior surface; and at least one recess disposed in each interior surface, shaped to receive and hold captive an additional component.
- 29. The handle of claim 28, wherein the additional component is a spring arm insert.
- 30. The handle of claim 28, wherein the additional component is a tool cartridge.
- 31. The handle of claim 28, wherein the additional component is an axle.
- 32. The handle of claim 30, further comprising:
a longitudinal slot in each of the sides, a wedge plate disposed within the tool cartridge; a pair of wings extending from the wedge plate; and a pair of cartridge slots in the tool cartridge substantially aligned with the longitudinal slots; wherein the wings extend through the cartridge slots and the longitudinal slots.
- 33. A multi-function tool, comprising:
a head having a first jaw and a second jaw joined at an axis; the first jaw having a working portion and a tang; the second jaw having a working portion and a tang; a first handle coupled to the first jaw; a second handle coupled to the second jaw; a plurality of ancillary tools pivotally coupled to one of the handles; and a wedge lock coupled to one of the handles, wherein the wedge lock is configured to selectively lock a plurality of the ancillary tools into a fully opened position or bias a plurality of the ancillary tools into a fully folded position.
- 34. The multi-function tool of claim 33, wherein the wedge lock is configured to simultaneously lock a plurality of the ancillary tools into the fully opened position and bias a plurality of the ancillary tools into a partially folded position.
- 35. The multi-function tool of claim 33, wherein the wedge lock comprises a spring-biased wedge plate.
- 36. A tool cartridge for a multi-function tool, comprising:
a first side having a first keyed aperture defined therein; a second side having a second aperture defined therein; a bottom connecting the first and second sides; a cartridge axle having a keyed head disposed between the first and second sides; and a plurality of ancillary tools pivotally connected to the cartridge axle wherein the keyed head is configured to travel through the first keyed aperture to clamp the plurality of ancillary tools together.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/518,325, filed Mar. 3, 2000, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/771,449, filed Dec. 20, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,860. This is also a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/368,781, filed Aug. 5, 1999.
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09518325 |
Mar 2000 |
US |
Child |
09756547 |
Jan 2001 |
US |