Claims
- 1. A multi-function tool, comprising:
a pair of handles; an implement slidably coupled to the handles, the implement configured to slide in a linear fashion between a stowed position and a deployed position; and a bias mechanism coupled to the implement, wherein the bias mechanism biases the implement in the direction of the deployed position.
- 2. The multi-function tool of claim 1, wherein the implement is a pair of pliers.
- 3. The multi-function tool of claim 1, wherein the bias mechanism pushes the implement into the deployed position.
- 4. The multi-function tool of claim 1, wherein the bias mechanism comprises a pair of coil springs.
- 5. The multi-function tool of claim 1, further comprising:
a lock configured to lock the implement in the stowed position, wherein when the lock is disengaged, the bias mechanism slides the implement into the deployed position.
- 6. The multi-function tool of claim 5, wherein the lock comprises a pin extending into a pin slot in the implement, the pin slot having an enlarged aperture configured to receive an enlarged portion of the pin, the enlarged portion of the pin being unable to slide within the pin slot, whereby the implement is locked into position when the enlarged portion of the pin extends into the enlarged aperture.
- 7. The multi-function tool of claim 6, wherein the pin is biased into the locked position by a spring.
- 8. The multi-function tool of claim 6, wherein the lock is disengaged by depressing a head of the pin.
- 9. The multi-function tool of claim 5, further comprising a lock safety button rotatably coupled to one of the handles, wherein the lock safety button is configured to prevent accidental disengagement of the lock.
- 10. The multi-function tool of claim 1, wherein the lock further locks the implement into the deployed position.
- 11. The multi-function tool of claim 10, further comprising a second enlarged aperture in the pin slot, the second enlarged aperture configured to receive the enlarged portion of the pin when the implement is in the deployed position, thereby locking the implement in the deployed position
- 12. A multi-function tool, comprising:
a first handle and a second handle; a pair of pliers having a first tang and a second tang, the first tang slidably coupled to the first handle and the second tang slidably coupled to the second handle; a spring coupled between at least one of the handles and the pliers, wherein the spring slides the pliers from a stowed position into a deployed position.
- 13. The multi-function tool of claim 12, wherein the spring pushes the implement into the deployed position.
- 14. The multi-function tool of claim 12, further comprising a second spring coupled between the other of the handles and the pliers.
- 15. The multi-function tool of claim 12, further comprising:
a lock configured to lock the pliers in the stowed position, wherein when the lock is disengaged, the spring slides the pliers into the deployed position.
- 16. The multi-function tool of claim 15, wherein the lock comprises a pin extending into a pin slot in the first tang, the pin slot having an enlarged aperture configured to receive an enlarged portion of the pin, the enlarged portion of the pin being unable to slide within the pin slot, whereby the pliers are locked into position when the enlarged portion of the pin extends into the enlarged aperture.
- 17. The multi-function tool of claim 16, wherein the pin is biased into the locked position by a lock spring.
- 18. The multi-function tool of claim 16, wherein the lock is disengaged by depressing a head of the pin.
- 19. The multi-function tool of claim 15, further comprising a lock safety button coupled to one of the handles, wherein the lock safety button is configured to prevent accidental disengagement of the lock.
- 20. The multi-function tool of claim 12, wherein the lock further locks the implement into the deployed position.
- 21. The multi-function tool of claim 20, further comprising a second enlarged aperture in the pin slot, the second enlarged aperture configured to receive the enlarged portion of the pin when the pliers are in the deployed position, thereby locking the pliers in the deployed position.
- 22. A multi-function tool, comprising:
a pair of handles pivotally coupled to one another; an implement slidably attached to the pair of handles, the implement having an extended deployed position and a retracted stowed position; a pair of springs coupled between the implement and the handles and biasing the implement into the deployed position; and a lock configured to maintain the tool in at least one of the stowed position and the deployed position.
- 23. The multi-function tool of claim 22, wherein the implement is a pair of pliers.
- 24. The multi-function tool of claim 22, wherein the pair of springs push the implement into the deployed position.
- 25. The multi-function tool of claim 22, wherein when the lock is disengaged, the springs slide the implement into the deployed position.
- 26. The multi-function tool of claim 22, wherein the lock comprises a pin coupled to the implement, the pin having a locked position wherein the pin interferes with travel of the implement.
- 27. The multi-function tool of claim 26, wherein the pin is biased into the locked position by a lock spring.
- 28. The multi-function tool of claim 27, wherein the lock is disengaged by depressing a head of the pin.
- 29. The multi-function tool of claim 26, further comprising a lock safety button coupled to the pin, wherein the lock safety button is configured to prevent release of the pin from the locked position.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/353,830, filed Jan. 31, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/414,824, filed Sep. 30, 2002, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Provisional Applications (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60353830 |
Jan 2002 |
US |
|
60414824 |
Sep 2002 |
US |