Many forms of multi-use/multi-function tool and tool carrying devices exist. These include tool bags, tool belts and tool boxes along with screwdrivers with multiple tips; single unit tools with screwdrivers, knives, scissors, and files. Most multi-use tools are designed around pliers. None of the existing prior art includes a replaceable blade utility knife along with a tape measure in a single hand compatible unit.
This invention involves a new innovative compact tool unit including a utility knife and a tape measure. Numerous other tools such as hammer, square, level, writing surface, screwdriver(s), saw blade(s), file, and pry hook can be included.
1. Multiple tool unit
2. Knife compartment
3. Tape compartment
4. Blade carriage
5. Blade carriage track
6. Blade stop button
7. Knife access door hinge
8. Compartment divider
9. Pencil holder
10. Writable surface
11. Blade slide adjustor
12. Knife compartment latch
13. Tape spindle
14. Tape measure
15. Tape measure brake
16. Sub-compartment
17. Sub-compartment pin
18. Carbine saw
19. Flat head screwdriver
20. Philips head screwdriver
21. Multipurpose saw
22. Steel rule
23. Pencil sharpener
24. Pencil shavings chute
25. Hammer head(s)
26. Bubble vials
27. Scrapers
28. Pry hook
29. Belt Clip
30. Screws
31. Angle markings
32. Square corner
33. File
34. Knife resistance spring
35. Knife carriage notches
36. Blade Slide button
37. Wrench
38. Glass tile scoring wheel
As depicted on
This invention further includes a means to access the knife compartment (3) as depicted in
The knife compartment can also include a pencil holder (9), a surface allowing writing and erasing (10), and a blade slide adjustor (11) as depicted on
The tape measure compartment (3) is designed to incorporate numerous tools in addition to a retractable spring loaded tape measure. As depicted on
In addition such tools could be designed to be totally removable (i.e., no pin or removable from pin) from the sub-compartment (16) if desired.
Other tools which can be included in the design for the tape measure compartment (3) include: pencil sharpener (23) and associated shavings chute (24); hammer with two heads (25); bubble vials (26) for determining degree of plumb and level; pivoting scrapers (27) for scoring surfaces, removing grout, etc; pry hook (28); a belt clip (29), a multipurpose file (33), and a V-shaped wrench (37) on outer surface of compartment that flips out for use.
In another embodiment of this invention, a lamp is provided powered by battery (ies) located in the top compartment. The lamp can further be designed to swivel to point light where it is needed.
This multiple tool unit (1) is designed to be modified to suit an intended user. Thus one or both of the scrapers can be replaced with a glass/tile scoring wheel (38). Individual tools, in sub-compartment (16) can be replaced as desired. The entire multi-tool unit in sub-compartment (16) can be replaced by an entire new multiple tool sub-compartment unit as desired for a particular job.
The tape measure compartment as depicted in the drawings is designed with a removable panel/cover to access the compartment if needed. Screws (30) are one shown on the Figures to facilitate such access. The tape measure compartment can also be designed to allow writing and erasing by the user.
The entire multiple-tool unit a compact unit designed for easy comfortable hand use.
The above description and accompanying Figures are examples of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited by the exemplary embodiment. Other applications and variations of the present inventions will be obvious to a person skilled in the art. For example in lieu of the extendable V-shaped wrench, a magnifying glass, straight razor or small storage case could be included. The multiple-tool unit could also be designed to allow swapping one of these tools for another by including easy means for removal and replacement.