Multiple purpose automobile tool

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6341423
  • Patent Number
    6,341,423
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, June 23, 1999
    25 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, January 29, 2002
    22 years ago
Abstract
A multi-purpose tool including a plurality of tools useful to have available in an automobile, such as a flashlight, a tire pressure gauge, a scraper, and a fuse puller. The scraper preferably is pivotably mounted to a handle of the multi-purpose tool in a manner which permits the scraper to be positioned substantially perpendicular to the tool handles to permit scraping force to be applied to the scraper in an efficient manner. The multi-purpose tool preferably also includes a tool with pivotable jaws, such as a pair of foldable pliers, as well as a variety of pivotably mounted tools such as a cutting blade, a screwdriver, and a cap lifter. The tool preferably has two handles, each handle having storage channels for the tools coupled thereto. The tool jaws are pivotably mounted to the handles for selective movement between a storage position in the handles and a working position in which the jaws work together. Preferably, when the jaws are in a working position, the other tools coupled to the handles are in a storage channel facing another handle so that the exterior of the handles in this configuration of the multi-purpose tool is substantially smooth without tools positioned along the gripping surface, thereby increasing user comfort during use of the jawed tool.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Technical Field of the Invention




The present invention relates to multiple purpose tools. More particularly, the invention relates to a multiple purpose tool having tools useful to have available in an automobile.




2. Description of Related Art




Multiple purpose (“multi-purpose”), compact tools providing a variety of other tools, such as a tool with moveable jaws as well as pivotably mounted tools which may be pivoted into and out of a channel within the handle of the tool for selective use are known in the art. However, the known multi-purpose tools typically do not contain those tools which are commonly useful to have available in an automobile, and do not contain tools specific to automobiles. Moreover, such multi-purpose tools do not include an efficient scraper tool which can be selectively retracted into a handle and extended into an appropriate orientation for effective use, such as with the scraping edge perpendicular to the longitudinal, major axes of the tool handles. While foldable tools, such as knives, can conceivably be used for scraping purposes (such as scraping ice from a windshield), the blade of these tools generally extend from the pivot point along the longitudinal, major axis of the tool handle, rather than perpendicular to the handle, as in conventional scrapers with fixed scraping blades. This orientation results in an inefficient application of scraping force to the scraping edge. Further, since the back of the scraper is supported only by the user's hand, the majority of the exerted force is applied through the pivot point, increasing the risk of tool breakage and user injury.




Compound, multi-purpose tools having foldable handles and at least one tool with moveable jaws, such as pliers, foldable into the handles typically have handles with a U-shaped channel into which the remaining pivotably tools may be stored. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,238,862, entitled “Pocket Multiple Tool”, discloses foldable pliers with each handle having a single U-shaped channel that houses the plier jaws and several other pivoting tools. The channels are arranged to face inward when the pliers are closed so that they surround the jaws. However, this arrangement prevents use of the pivoting tools when the pliers are folded. Further, access to a tool other than the pliers requires more than the single step of extending the desired tool, since the pliers must also be unfolded.




Reversing the direction of the channel on the handles allows the pivoting tools to be used without opening the pliers members. However, the structural integrity of the U-channel must be compromised to accommodate the plier jaws when the tool is folded. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,114, entitled “Folding Multi-Tool”, discloses folding pliers with U-channels in the handles configured to open outward when the pliers are folded. As shown in

FIGS. 4 and 5

of that patent, a hole must be cut through the bottom wall of the channel to accommodate the folded plier jaws. The hole not only makes the handle less comfortable to grasp when using the pliers, but also may reduce the structural integrity and strength of the handle. The hole further exposes the pivoting tools stored in the channel, including the cutting surface of knife blades, and thus increases the risk of injury when the pliers are used.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




In accordance with the principles of the present invention a compact, foldable, multiple purpose (“multi-purpose”) tool is provided with a plurality of tools for use in or with an automobile. Preferably, the multi-purpose tool includes jaw members retractable into a first storage area of the handles and a plurality of different tools positioned in a second storage area of the foldable handles and accessible when the jaws are retracted.




The jaw members preferably have a jaw pivot axis and tangs extending from the jaw pivot axis away from the jaw members. Preferably, the handles are pivotable along an axis through the tangs substantially parallel to the jaw pivot axis. The jaw members are stored within first channels in the handles, the outside surfaces of the jaw members being nested within the channels. The jaw members together form a jawed tool, such as pliers or scissors.




A second channel is provided in each handle of the tool opposite the first channel in which the jaw members are stored. In one embodiment, the first and second channels are side by side such that the channels have an S-shaped cross-section in a region of the handles where the first and second channels are coextensive. A variety of other tools useful to have available in an automobile may be stored within the second channels in the handles. The other tools are accessible for use when the jaw members are in their retracted, stored position. Thus, the handles may be in a folded position when these other tools are used, so that the handles, together, form a single handle for these other tools. When the multi-purpose tool is unfolded to use the jawed tool, the second channels cover the other tools to provide a safe and comfortable gripping surface for the handles of the jawed tool.




At least some of the additional tools are pivotable along a pivot axis substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the jaw members and the tangs. The pivoting tools may be connected either to an end of a handle adjacent the connection point of the jaw members, on an axis separate from or combined with a pivot axis of a jaw member, or to an end of the handles opposite the connection point of the jaw members. Other tools may be fixedly mounted to a handle.




The multi-purpose tool of the present invention preferably include at least one of the following tools: a scraper, a Phillips head screwdriver, a flathead screwdriver, a flashlight, a cutting blade, a tire pressure gauge, and a fuse puller. Any or all of such tools may be pivotably coupled to a handle of the multi-purpose tool of the present inventions for selective retraction into the second channel of the handle for storage or extraction to a working position. Others of such tools may be fixedly coupled to one of the handles of the multi-purpose tool.




Preferably a scraper is pivotably mounted to one of the handles to permit the scraper to pivot out of the second channel of the handle in excess of 180° to a working position in which the scraping edge is substantially perpendicular to the major, or longitudinal axes of the handles at an end of the handles. Such orientation of the scraper with respect to the handles allows force to be applied to the scraper along the longitudinal axes of the handles, normal to the scraping edge, thus improving both efficiency and safety.




Preferably, a locking mechanism is associated with the pivotably mounted tools to lock the tools either into the retracted storage position or in an extended working position so that the tool does not accidentally retract into its storage channel during use. A locking mechanism may be provided for each pivotably mounted tool for either or both such locking functions. Most preferably, each tool has its own locking mechanism for at least one locking function.




These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, features of the present invention.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters represent like elements, as follows:





FIG. 1

is a front elevational view, with certain hidden elements being illustrated in broken lines, of a first embodiment of a multi-purpose tool formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and in a folded configuration;





FIG. 2

is a front elevational view of the multi-purpose tool of

FIG. 1

shown in an unfolded position;





FIG. 3

is a front elevational view of another embodiment of a multi-purpose tool formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and in a folded position;





FIG. 4

is a cross-sectional view along line IV—IV of

FIG. 3

illustrating the S-channel region of the first handle;





FIGS. 5-7

are left, front, and right side elevational views, respectively, of the S-channel region in the first handle;





FIG. 8

is a cross-sectional view along line IV—IV of in

FIG. 3

illustrating the S-channel region of the second handle;





FIGS. 9-11

are left, front, and right side elevational views, respectively, of the S-channel region in the second handle;





FIG. 12

is a cross-sectional view along line XII—XII of

FIG. 3

, of the first handle;





FIG. 13

is a cross-sectional view along lines XII—XII of

FIG. 3

of the second handle;





FIG. 14

is a right side elevational view of the tool of

FIG. 3

;





FIG. 15

is a left side elevational view of the tool of

FIG. 3

;





FIG. 16

is a top view of the tool of

FIG. 3

;





FIG. 17

is a bottom view of the tool of

FIG. 3

;





FIG. 18

is a cross-sectional view along line XVIII—XVIII of

FIG. 16

, showing the tools in the second channel portions of the handles;





FIG. 19

is a cross-sectional view along line XIX—XIX of

FIG. 16

, showing the folded tool head and additional tools in the lower portion of the second channels;





FIG. 20

is a partial front elevational view of the multi-purpose tool of

FIG. 3

with the scraper locked in a working position;





FIG. 21

is a front elevational view of another multi-purpose tool formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, with several pivotably mounted tools pivoted towards a working position;





FIG. 22

is a left side elevational view of the multi-purpose tool of

FIG. 21

;





FIG. 23

is a right side elevational view of the multi-purpose tool of

FIG. 21

;





FIG. 24

is a bottom view of the multi-purpose tool of

FIG. 21

;





FIG. 25

is a front elevational view of the multi-purpose tool of

FIG. 21

in an unfolded position;





FIG. 26

is a perspective view of another multi-purpose tool formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, with several pivotably mounted tools pivoted towards a working position;





FIG. 27

is a front elevational view of the multi-purpose tool of

FIG. 26

in a folded configuration;





FIG. 28

is a left side elevational view of the multi-purpose tool of

FIG. 27

;





FIG. 29

is a right side elevational view of the multi-purpose tool of

FIG. 27

;





FIG. 30

is an exploded view of the multi-purpose tool of

FIG. 26

; and





FIG. 31

is a front elevational view of the scraper of the multi-purpose tool of FIG.


26


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)




Referring now to

FIGS. 1 and 2

, a multi-purpose tool


10


, formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, is illustrated. Multi-purpose tool


10


has a first handle


20


and a second handle


30


to which a variety of tools may be coupled. The specific arrangement of various tools within the handles


20


,


22


of the multi-purpose tool


10


will be discussed in detail below with reference to

FIGS. 2-11

. First handle


20


has a top end


22


, a bottom end


24


, a front side


26


, and a rear side


28


. First longitudinal axis


21


extends between top and bottom ends


22


,


24


of first handle


20


. Similarly, second handle


30


has a top end


32


, bottom end


34


, a front side


36


, and a rear side


38


, with a longitudinal axis


31


extending between top and bottom ends


32


,


34


.




Multi-purpose tool


10


preferably includes a tool head


40


with a pair of jaw members pivotably coupled for opposed movement, such as a set of pliers. Jaw members


42


and


44


of tool head


40


are preferably pivotably coupled along jaw pivot axis


46


. Jaw members


42


,


44


preferably are pivotably coupled to respective first and second handles


20


,


22


via respective tangs


48


,


50


at tang pivot axes


52


,


54


, respectively. Preferably, tool head


40


is coupled to top ends


22


,


32


of handles


20


,


30


, and tang pivot axes


52


,


54


are substantially parallel to pivot axis


46


. In a folded configuration, illustrated in

FIG. 1

, tool head


40


fits into the first and second handles


20


,


30


in a manner discussed below. In an unfolded configuration, illustrated in

FIG. 2

, the handles


20


,


30


may be used to apply force to jaws


42


and


44


.




A scraper tool


60


preferably is also incorporated into multi-purpose tool


10


. Most preferably, scraper


60


is pivotably coupled to one of handles


20


,


30


for pivoting between a retracted storage position and an extended working position. As shown in the embodiment of

FIG. 1

, scraper


60


of tool


10


is coupled to first handle


20


for extending into a working position adjacent top end


22


. Scraper


60


has an access edge


62


and a scraping edge


64


. Scraper


60


may be retracted into a storage position within a handle, such as first handle


20


of multi-purpose tool


10


, such that access edge


62


is accessible when tool


10


is in a folded configuration, as shown in FIG.


1


. Scraper


60


can be pivoted about pivot axis


70


, preferably through an arc of greater than 180°, and most preferably substantially 270°, to a working position, as illustrated in solid lines in FIG.


1


.




In accordance with the principles of the present invention, force can be applied to scraper


60


along longitudinal axes


21


,


31


of handles


20


,


30


when scraper


60


is in a working position. The arrangement of scraper


60


with respect to handles


20


,


30


as shown in

FIG. 1

permits a substantial portion of the applied force to be normal to scraping edge


64


, thereby increasing the efficiency of scraper


60


in comparison with conventional folding tools which extend along the longitudinal axes of the tool handles, and thus require force to be applied through the pivot point about which the scraper is coupled to the handle. Further, because force is applied to scraper


60


of the present convention primarily through handles


20


,


30


along access edge


62


, and not through pivot axis


70


, pivot axis


70


does not need to be designed to withstand a great deal of force. This not only increases the life of the tool, but also permits the pivot connection between scraper


60


and first handle


20


to be designed with less mechanical strength. Therefore, the pivot connection for scraper


60


may be manufactured less expensively and lighter, as compared with other pivot connections such as pivot axes


48


,


50


for tool head


40


.




In accordance with the principles of the present invention, other tools which would be useful to have available in an automobile are also coupled to the handles


20


,


30


. For example, as shown in

FIG. 1

, a flashlight


72


is mounted, such as pivotably, near bottom end


24


of first handle


20


. Additionally, a pressure gauge


74


may be coupled to one of handles


20


,


30


as well. As shown in

FIG. 1

, pressure gauge


74


may be mounted within second handle


30


, opposite flashlight


72


in first handle


20


. Pressure gauge


74


includes a body portion


76


housed near bottom end


34


of handle


30


with a valve attachment


78


for receiving a tire valve


80


. The measured tire pressure is indicated along handle


30


. For example, a sliding gauge portion


82


may extend from body portion


76


towards top end


32


of second handle


30


. A pressure scale may be inscribed on sliding gauge portion


82


itself or on handle


30


adjacent pressure gauge


74


. Other pressure indicators, such as digital indicators, may be used instead.




Other tools, such as a blade


84


and a screwdriver


86


, may also be pivotably mounted within handles


20


,


30


, as illustrated. Such tools preferably are those typically useful in association with an automobile.




It will be appreciated that tool storage chambers are provided in handles


20


,


30


in any desired configuration permitting retraction of a tool therein. For example, the internal configuration of handles


20


,


30


and the arrangement of various tools within handles


20


,


30


of multi-purpose tool


10


may be similar to that of multi-purpose tool


100


of

FIGS. 3-20

, which will now be described.




A multi-purpose tool


110


, similar to multi-purpose tool


10


, is shown in a folded configuration in FIG.


3


. It will be appreciated that elements of multi-purpose tool


110


similar to elements of tool


10


have the same reference character increased by


100


. Tool


110


has first and second handles


120


,


130


to which a variety of tools are pivotably coupled for pivoting between a retracted storage position and an extended working position. Thus, handles


120


and


130


are formed with channels in which tools may be positioned. The storage channels may be formed in any desired manner, such as a side-by-side configuration as shown in

FIGS. 4-11

. The side-by-side configuration may be appreciated with reference to the cross-sectional view of first handle


120


, along line IV—IV of

FIG. 3

, with the enclosed tools omitted for the sake of clarity, as shown in FIG.


4


. First handle


120


has a first channel


190


along first side


191


and a second channel


192


along second side


193


. First and second channels


190


,


192


are coextensive near top end


122


of first handle


120


and, together with front side


126


, back side


128


, and common channel wall


127


of first handle


120


, impart first handle


120


with an S-shaped cross-section, as illustrated in FIG.


4


. Left, front, and right side elevational views of the S-channel region of first handle


120


, e.g., the region where the first and second channels


190


,


192


are coextensive, are shown in

FIGS. 5-7

, respectively.




A cross-sectional view of second handle


122


, along line IV—IV of

FIG. 3

, with the enclosed tools omitted for the sake clarity, is shown in FIG.


8


. Similar to first handle


120


, second handle


122


has a first channel


194


defined in first side


195


and a second channel


196


defined in second side


197


. Channels


194


,


196


are bounded by front side


136


, rear side


138


and common channel wall


137


of second handle


122


to impart second handle


122


with an S-shaped cross-section, as illustrated in FIG.


8


. Left, front, and right side elevational views of the S-channel region in second handle


122


, e.g., the region where the first and second channels


194


,


196


are coextensive, are shown in

FIGS. 9-11

, respectively.




Handles


120


,


130


may be configured to have an S-shaped configuration along substantially their entire length between respective top ends


122


,


132


and bottom ends


124


,


134


. However, in a preferred embodiment, first channels


190


,


194


only extend part way from top end


122


,


132


toward bottom ends


124


,


134


of handles


120


,


130


, respectively, up to a predetermined termination point T


1


, T


2


. Beyond termination points, only one channel, such as second channels


192


,


196


, is defined. It will be appreciated that the termination point for channels


190


,


192


in first handle


120


need not directly align with the termination point for channels


194


,


196


in second handle


130


. First and second handles


120


,


130


in the “non-coextensive” region between termination point T


1


, T


2


and bottom ends


124


,


134


of respective handles


120


,


130


preferably have a “U” shaped cross-section as may be appreciated with reference to

FIGS. 12 and 13

, illustrating cross-sectional views of first and second handles


120


,


130


, respectively, along line XII—XII of FIG.


3


. The enclosed tools are omitted from

FIGS. 12 and 13

for the sake of clarity.




When multi-purpose tool


110


is in a folded configuration, such as in

FIG. 3

, first channels


190


,


194


face each other and second channels


192


,


196


face away from each other. Thus tools within second channels


192


,


196


are accessible. Preferably, a tool head


140


with pivotably coupled jaw members, such as pliers, is stored in first channels


190


,


194


. Tang


148


of tool head


140


is mounted on pivot axis


152


in first channel


190


of first handle


120


as may be appreciated with reference to

FIG. 19

, described in further detail below. Similarly, tang


150


is mounted on pivot axis


154


in first channel


194


of second handle


130


, as may also be appreciated with reference to FIG.


19


. Tool head


140


is therefore mounted so that when the multi-purpose tool


110


is folded into a storage configuration, tool head


140


is nested in first channels


192


,


194


and substantially hidden from view, as shown in phantom in FIG.


3


.




When first and second handles


120


,


130


are pivoted about tang pivot axes


152


,


154


, to open multi-purpose tool


110


, tool head


140


is extended from its retracted position into a usable position, similar to the open configuration of multi-purpose tool


10


as shown in FIG.


2


. Sides


191


,


195


are thereby exposed to face outwardly, away from each other, and sides


193


,


197


are thereby positioned at the inside of multi-purpose the tool


110


, facing each other in this configuration for use of tool head


140


. It will be appreciated that when multi-purpose tool


110


is opened, channels


192


,


196


of handles


120


,


130


, respectively, face each other. Thus, any tools within channels


192


,


196


will be safely covered when multi-purpose tool


110


is open and tool head


140


is in a working position and configuration.




A variety of different pivoting and non-pivoting tools can be arranged within second channels


192


,


196


adjacent top ends


122


,


132


of handles


120


,


130


, respectively, or adjacent bottom ends


124


,


134


of handles


120


,


130


, respectively. Referring now to

FIGS. 14-20

, multi-purpose tool


110


may include such tools as a scraper


160


, flashlight


172


, and a pressure gauge


174


, as well as several tools conventionally provided in multi-purpose tools, such as a blade


184


and screwdriver


186


.




The right and left sides of multi-purpose tool


110


are shown respectively in

FIGS. 14 and 15

, incorporating each of the above-mentioned tools. Top and bottom views of multi-purpose tool


110


are shown in

FIGS. 16 and 17

, respectively. The position of tools in second channel portions


192


,


196


of handles


120


,


130


, respectively, maybe appreciated with reference to cross-sectional view illustrated in

FIG. 18

of multi-purpose tool


110


along line XVIII—XVIII of FIG.


16


. The position of tool head


140


stored within first channel portions


190


,


194


in the coextensive “S-channel” region (between top ends


122


,


132


and termination points T


1


and T


2


) as well as tools in the second channel portions


192


,


196


in the non-coextensive region of handles


120


,


130


(between termination points T


1


and T


2


and bottom ends


124


,


134


) may be appreciated with reference to the cross-sectional view of multi-purpose tool


110


along line XIX—XIX of

FIG. 16

, as illustrated in FIG.


19


.




As shown in

FIG. 18

, scraper


160


is preferably mounted at top end


122


of first handle


120


, preferably via pivot axis


170


, of multi-purpose tool


110


, and stored in second channel


192


in first handle


120


. Pivot axis


170


is positioned near the corner formed by top end


122


of first handle


120


and second side


193


. Placing pivot axis


170


near the corner permits scraper


160


to pivot to a working position in excess of 180° and preferably up to 270°, as discussed above. A variety of different blade composition for scraper


160


may be used. For example, scraper


160


may have a steel body


161


with a plastic scraping blade


164


fitted thereto. Alternatively, scraper


160


may be formed in its entirety from a material with sufficient strength for the desired scraping function, such as glass-filled nylon.




In addition, scraper


160


preferably has a finger portion


163


that extends outwardly from access edge


162


. Finger portion


163


facilitates grasping of scraper


160


for deployment. In addition, as shown in

FIG. 20

, when scraper


160


is in a working position, finger portion


163


extends into second channel


196


in second handle


130


top end


132


. A locking mechanism


166


preferably is provided within the top portion of second channel


196


to interact with finger portion


163


to lock scraper


160


in the working position shown in FIG.


20


. Locking mechanism


166


may be in any desired form, such as a spring, a magnetic clasp or a frictional interface. As shown in

FIG. 20

, locking mechanism


163


may be a locking pin located in second channel


196


of second handle


130


to engage notch


165


in finger portion


163


when scraper


160


is in the working position shown in FIG.


20


and handles


120


,


120


are held together. Most preferably, such a locking pin is coextensive with tang pivot axis


152


.




A retention mechanism


168


may also be provided to retain scraper


160


in its storage position when not in use. Preferably, retention mechanism


168


is in the form of a flexible retention finger


200


formed along front side


126


of first handle


120


, as shown in

FIG. 6

, or along common channel wall


127


. Retention finger


200


has an extension or protrusion


201


, such as a solder bead or a rivet, extending into second channel


192


, as shown in

FIG. 5. A

corresponding hole or depression


202


is formed in scraper


160


and positioned so that extension


201


will engage hole


202


when scraper


160


is in a storage position. Scraper


160


must be pulled with sufficient force to flex retention finger


200


and force extension


201


out of hole


202


in order to withdraw scraper


160


from channel


192


.




A flashlight


172


is provided in channel


192


of multi-purpose tool


110


, as shown in

FIGS. 18 and 19

. In a preferred embodiment, flashlight


172


encompasses the entire second channel


192


of first handle


120


below the termination point T


1


, as may be appreciated with reference to

FIGS. 15

,


18


and


19


. This configuration provides sufficient width for flashlight


172


to use batteries which provide sufficient power to provide a useful degree of illumination, such as size AA or N-type batteries. Flashlight


172


preferably includes conventional elements such as a bulb


171


and a reflector


173


as shown in

FIG. 17

, and a switch


175


, as shown in FIG.


15


. Flashlight


172


may be pivotably mounted to handle


120


, such as about a substantially centrally located pivot axis


177


, as shown in

FIGS. 18 and 19

, or may be fixedly positioned within channel


192


.




Preferably, multi-purpose tool


110


also includes a pressure gauge


174


. Pressure gauge


174


includes body portion


176


and valve attachment


178


, as discussed above with reference to pressure gauge


74


of multi-purpose tool


10


. Pressure gauge


174


is housed in the lower portion of second channel


196


in second handle


130


, as shown in FIG.


18


. Pressure gauge


174


may be a mechanical gauge with a sliding gauge portion


182


extending past termination point T


i


, and into the portion of second channel


196


coextensive with first channel


194


. A pressure scale


179


may be inscribed along sliding gauge portion


182


, or on handle


130


near sliding gauge portion


182


, for indicating the measured pressure. Alternatively, a battery operated pressure gauge may be provided with a digital (or analog) readout.




Preferably, pressure gauge


176


occupies only a portion of second channel


196


below termination point T


2


of first channel


194


, as may be appreciated with reference to FIG.


14


. The remaining area in second channel


196


preferably houses additional pivoting tools, such as blade


184


and screwdriver


186


(flat head, as shown, or Phillips head), preferably sharing a common pivot axis


185


, as shown in

FIGS. 14 and 19

. Other tools, such as various blades, scissors, cap lifters, etc. may also be provided. The pivotably mounted tools are preferably maintained in a working and/or storage position using a spring mechanism


187


, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. If desired, a locking mechanism configured to lock a desired tool into a desired position, such as a working position, may also be provided.




Yet another embodiment of a multi-purpose tool


210


formed in accordance with the principles of the invention is shown in

FIGS. 21-25

. It will be appreciated that elements of multi-purpose tool


210


similar to elements of multi-purpose tool


110


described above have the same reference character increased by


100


.




Multi-purpose tool


210


includes a scraper


260


similar to scraper


160


described above but without a finger portion


163


. As shown in

FIG. 22

when scraper


260


is in a working position, access edge


262


preferably engages a blocking mechanism


266


, such as a pin, to prevent scraper


260


from rotating beyond substantially 270° from its storage position.




Multi-purpose tool


210


preferably includes a variety of pivotably mounted tools. As shown in

FIGS. 21-24

, the pivotably mounted tools include a blade


284


(optionally serrated, as shown), a screwdriver


286


(Phillips head, as shown, or flat head), a cap lifter


288


, and a crate opener


289


. The tools are preferably maintained in a working and/or storage position using a spring mechanism


287


, as will be readily understood those skilled in the art. If desired, a locking mechanism having a sliding lock release switch


204


, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/874,959, filed Jun. 13, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,582 which application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.




As shown in FIG.


25


and as discussed above with respect to multi-purpose tools


10


and


110


, handles


220


and


230


are pivotably mounted at tang pivot axes


252


,


254


such that the multi-purpose tool


210


may be unfolded to expose tool head


240


for use. Also shown in

FIG. 25

, access edge


262


of scraper


260


may protrude somewhat from side


295


of handle


220


.




It will be appreciated that the tools coupled to the multi-purpose tools described thus far may be modified in a variety of manners without departing from the scope and principles of the present invention. Variations may include changes to the materials or sizes of individual tools described above. For example, the scraper may be formed from the same material, selected to provide the strength required for applying scraping forces, such as glass-filled nylon. If desired, the size and configuration of the flashlight may be altered to provide a larger reflector. Changes to the configuration of the tools, themselves, may be made as well. For example, the pressure gauge may be formed as a digital pressure gauge, and the handles need not have the S-shaped cross-section described above. Moreover, the manner in which the tools are coupled to the multi-purpose tool housing may be varied as desired. For instance, the pressure gauge may be pivotably mounted, instead of in a fixed position as described above, whereas the flashlight may be fixedly mounted without the pivotability described above. It will be appreciated that the scraper tool need not be mounted as described above, but may instead be mounted in any desired manner. Most preferably the scraper tool is mounted such that its scraping edge is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the multi-purpose tool handles to impart the greatest amount of force to the scraping edge in the most efficient manner, as described above.




The above and other modifications may be understood with reference to multi-purpose tool


310


of

FIGS. 26-32

. As may be appreciated with reference to

FIG. 26

, like above-described multi-purpose tools


10


,


110


, and


210


, multi-purpose tool


310


has first and second handles


320


,


330


to which a tool head


340


with jaw members


342


,


344


are pivotably coupled and to which a variety of additional tools are coupled. It will be appreciated that elements of multi-purpose tool


310


which are similar to elements of multi-purpose tool


110


are referenced with the same reference characters increased by


200


. As with the above-described multi-purpose tools, handles


320


,


330


of multi-purpose tool


310


may be reoriented from the position shown in

FIG. 26

to place multi-purpose tool


310


into a folded configuration as shown in FIG.


27


.




Multi-purpose tool


310


includes first channels


390


,


394


, partially defined by U-channels


406


,


408


(FIG.


26


), along first sides


391


,


395


. When multi-purpose tool


310


is reoriented into the folded configuration of

FIG. 27

, jaws


342


,


344


are moved into first channels


390


,


394


for storage, as may be appreciated with reference to the phantom illustration of tool head


340


in FIG.


27


. Tool head


340


is similar to the above-described tool heads


40


,


140


, and


240


, and therefore will not again be described in further detail, reference being made to the above descriptions of similar tool heads and corresponding coupling to the handles of a multi-purpose tool.




Multi-purpose tool


310


also includes second channels


392


,


396


along second sides


393


,


397


of handles


320


,


330


, respectively, in which a variety of tools may be positioned, as shown in

FIGS. 28 and 29

. If such tools are pivotably coupled to handles


320


,


330


, then such pivotable tools may be extracted from second channels


392


,


396


into a working position and later retracted into second channels


392


,


396


for storage. It will be appreciated that second channels


392


,


396


are readily accessible when multi-purpose tool


310


is in the folded configuration of

FIG. 27

but are not readily accessible when multi-purpose tool


310


is in the position shown in FIG.


26


. Accordingly, such tools generally are not intended to be extracted when multi-purpose tool


310


is in the position shown in

FIG. 26

, extraction of the pivotably mounted tools being shown in

FIG. 26

simply for the sake of illustration.




Reference will now be made to the exploded view of

FIG. 30

for further discussion of the tools coupled to multi-purpose tool


310


as well as the overall configuration and orientation of the elements forming multi-purpose tool


310


. First and second handles


320


,


330


may be formed in any desired manner. As shown in

FIG. 30

, first handle


320


may be formed from a single piece, such as a metal plate, formed (e.g., bent) into a U-shape to form a side wall


391


, a front wall


326


, and a rear wall


328


. Second handle


330


may be formed from a single piece as well. However, in the embodiment illustrated in

FIG. 30

, second handle


330


is formed from first and second pieces


330




a,




330




b


coupled together to form a U-shaped handle


330


. As shown, first handle piece


330




a


forms front wall


336


of handle


330


and second handle piece


330




b


is an L-shaped piece forming rear wall


338


and side wall


395


. It will be appreciated that first handle


320


may similarly be formed from more than one piece, and that the pieces forming either handle may include greater than two pieces or may have configurations other than the illustrated configurations. Preferably, a U-shaped channel


406


is positioned between front and rear side walls


326


,


328


of second handle


320


such that the base


407


forms a portion of second side


393


of first handle


320


. Similarly, a U-shaped channel


408


is positioned between front and rear side walls


336


,


338


of second handle


320


such that the base


409


forms a portion of second side


397


of second handle


330


.




Jaw member


342


is pivotably coupled to first handle


320


via pivot pin


352


and jaw member


344


is pivotably coupled to second handle


330


via pivot pin


354


. Upon pivoting jaw member


342


about pivot pin


352


into the storage position of

FIG. 27

, at least tang


348


of jaw member


342


may be stored within U-shaped channel


406


. Likewise, upon pivoting jaw member


344


about pivot pin


354


into the storage position, at least tang


350


of jaw member


344


may be stored within U-shaped channel


408


. Preferably, jaw members


342


,


344


function not only as pliers but also include surfaces useful for wire cutting, electrical crimping, wire stripping, and wire bending.




A variety of additional tools, preferably tools useful to have available in an automobile, may be coupled to handles


320


,


330


of multi-purpose tool


310


, as may be appreciated with reference to

FIGS. 26 and 30

. Such tools may either be fixedly coupled to one of handles


320


,


330


or pivotably mounted about a pivot axis.




As in the previously described multi-purpose tools, multi-purpose tool


310


preferably includes a scraper


360


which preferably is formed from a single piece of material, sufficiently strong for application of the desired scraping forces, formed into the desired shape. As may be appreciated with reference to

FIGS. 26 and 30

, scraper


360


is pivotably coupled to first handle


320


via pivot


370


. However, multi-purpose tool


310


may be configured such that scraper


360


is coupled to second handle


330


instead. A scraper retention mechanism


368


preferably is provided to retain scraper


360


in a storage position within handle


320


. Scraper retention mechanism


368


may be in any desired configuration, such as a retention finger


400


with an extension or protrusion


401


shaped to fit into a corresponding hole or depression


402


in scraper


360


, as shown in FIG.


31


. Release of such retention mechanism


368


is accomplished by pulling on access edge


362


of scraper


360


with sufficient force to overcome the friction fit between protrusion


401


and hole


402


.




Preferably, scraper


360


is configured to be extracted from its storage position within channel


392


and pivoted approximately 270° into a working position substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axes


321


,


331


of handles


320


,


330


, respectively. As may be appreciated with reference to

FIG. 31

, scraper


360


preferably includes a slot


410


by which scraper


360


is pivotably coupled to handle


320


. Once scraper


360


is withdrawn and pivoted approximately 180° from its storage position, scraper


360


is moved along its longitudinal axis


411


so that pivot


370


slides from first end


412


of slot


410


to second end


414


of slot


410


. Scraper


360


is ready to be further pivoted about pivot


370


until scraper


360


is substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axes


321


,


331


of handles


320


,


330


, respectively, in a working position.




Preferably, a locking mechanism


366


is provided to lock scraper


360


into the working position. As may be appreciated with reference to

FIG. 30

, locking mechanism


366


of multi-purpose


310


may be in the form of a scraper line lock spring


416


having a locking finger


418


extending away from the plane of the line lock spring body


417


and locking finger extension


420


. Upon mounting to handle


320


, scraper


360


and scraper lock spring


416


are positioned such that locking finger


418


will engage access edge


362


and locking finger extension


420


will insert into scraper notch


422


(

FIG. 31

) when scraper


360


is in the working position, thereby locking scraper


360


into the working position. It will be appreciated that the relative positions of scraper


360


and scraper line lock spring


416


shown in

FIG. 30

are reversed upon mounting, such that scraper


360


is positioned on the side on which locking finger


418


extends beyond the remaining portions of scraper line lock spring


416


.




Above-described scraper retention mechanism


368


is preferably formed in scraper line lock spring


416


. It will further be appreciated with reference to

FIG. 28

that scraper line lock spring


416


forms a separating wall in storage channel


392


, dividing channel


392


into a first channel section


392




a


and a second channel section


392




b.


The tools stored in first and second channel sections


392




a


and


392




b


may be divided, for example, based on the material (e.g., metal or a synthetic) from which the tool is formed.




Scraper line lock spring


416


may be in the form of a conventional line lock spring which substantially aligns with the tool to be locked, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, locking finger


418


is formed by providing a serpentine cut


424


along scraper line lock spring


416


, such as shown with reference to pressure gauge line lock spring


426


described below. Serpentine cut


424


has been found to provide a configuration for line lock springs, generally, which prevents the line lock springs from interlocking with each other, such as when transported or further processed (e.g., polished) in bulk.




As will be appreciated, movement of scraper locking finger


418


into alignment with the remainder of scraper line lock spring


416


will disengage locking finger


418


from notch


422


of scraper


360


and from against access edge


362


to permit pivoting of scraper


360


back to the storage position. It will be appreciated that other manners of extracting scraper


360


from its storage position and reorienting scraper


360


into its working position are within the scope of the present invention.




An additional tool may be provided in channel section


392




a


with scraper


360


. As shown in

FIGS. 26 and 28

, a fuse puller


430


may be pivotably coupled to bottom end


324


of handle


320


for storage within channel section


392




a.


Fuse puller


430


preferably is a conventional fuse puller formed from an insulating, non-conductive material and may be removably coupled to handle


320


via pivot


385


. If desired, fuse puller


430


may be mounted to pivot


385


via a bushing


432


.




A variety of pivotably mounted tools, preferably tools which are convenient to have available in an automobile, may be provided in channel section


392




b.


For example, as shown in

FIGS. 26 and 30

, pivotably mounted tools may include a blade


384


(serrated or straight), a cap lifter


388


, a screwdriver


386


(Phillips head or flathead), and a can opener


434


. It will be appreciated that a free end of either or both blade


384


and cap lifter


388


(or any additional tool) may shaped to function as flathead screwdrivers.




The pivotably mounted tools preferably are maintained in a working and/or storage position using a spring mechanism


387


, as will be readily understood those skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, spring mechanism


387


is in the form of a plurality of leaf springs


438


, preferably formed from a common leaf spring plate


440


, such that each pivotably mounted tool may be engaged by a separate leaf spring


438


, as may be appreciated with reference to FIG.


30


. Additionally, a locking mechanism


442


may be provided to lock each tool in its working position such that the tool does not accidentally retract into the storage position during use. As shown in

FIG. 30

, locking mechanism


442


may be in the form of a sliding lock release switch having a locking plate


444


biased by a spring


446


into engagement with a notch in one of the pivotably mounted tools to prevent retraction of the tool into the storage position. An actuator


448


preferably is provided to move locking plate


444


away from the locked tool to permit retraction of the tool when desired. Such a locking mechanism is described in above-incorporated copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/874,959.




A flashlight


372


preferably is provided in second handle


330


. Flashlight


372


preferably includes conventional elements such as a bulb


371


, a reflector


373


, and a switch


375


, as shown in FIG.


29


. Flashlight


372


is fixedly positioned within channel


396


with bulb


371


positioned to shine light outwardly from side


397


of multi-purpose tool


310


rather than from an end thereof, as common in commercially available pocket knifes. Preferably, flashlight


372


is configured to accept a standard replaceable battery, such as an N-type battery or size AA or AAA battery, providing sufficient power to provide the desired degree of illumination for potential uses of multi-purpose tool


310


.




A pressure gauge


374


preferably is also provided in second handle


330


. Pressure gauge


374


includes body portion


376


which is preferably pivotably mounted to second handle


330


to extract valve attachment


378


from channel


396


and into a convenient use position. The inwardly positioned face


450


of pressure gauge


374


may be shaped to provide a receiving channel for jaw member


342


upon folding multi-purpose tool


310


into the folded configuration of FIG.


27


. Preferably, pressure gauge


374


is a battery powered pressure gauge powered by a long-lasting battery, such as a lithium battery. The battery preferably should at least last for ten years providing at least fifty operational cycles per month. A preferably digital display


452


is provided to indicate the measured pressure. It will be appreciated that other types of displays, such as analog displays, and/or other types of pressure gauges may be used instead of the pressure gauge shown in the figures.




While a multi-purpose tool formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is particularly shown and described herein with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention may be used with many additions, substitutions, or modifications of form, structure, arrangement, proportions, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For instance, various other tools or other implements, such as an Allen wrench, a compass, or a clock device, may be provided. Moreover, although certain of the tools coupled to the above-described multi-purpose tools are shown protruding somewhat from the multi-purpose tool, it will be appreciated that such tools may instead be flush with the sides of multi-purpose tool. Conversely, other tools which are shown as being flush with the multi-purpose tool may somewhat protrude therefrom, instead. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, and not limited to the foregoing description.



Claims
  • 1. A multi-purpose tool comprising:at least one handle; a jawed tool having first and second jaws pivotably coupled together; and a plurality of additional tools coupled to said at least one handle, at least one of said tools selected from the group consisting of: a pressure gauge pivotably coupled to said at least one handle and a fuse puller.
  • 2. The multi-purpose tool of claim 1, wherein:said at least one handle comprises first and second handles; said first handle includes first and second channels having access openings facing in opposite directions; and said second handle includes first and second channels having access openings facing in opposite directions.
  • 3. The multi-purpose tool of claim 2, wherein:said first jaw is pivotably coupled to said first handle for positioning between a storage position in said first channel of said first handle and a working position in which said first handle is positioned to impart force to said first jaw; and said second jaw is pivotably coupled to said second handle for positioning between a storage position in said first channel of said second handle and a working position in which said second handle is positioned to impart force to said second jaw; whereby when said first and second jaws are in said working position, said first and second handles extend therefrom as handles of said jawed tool.
  • 4. The multi-purpose tool of claim 3, wherein:said additional tools are positioned in at least one of said second channels of said first and second channels; said first and second handles are pivotably coupled together for positioning said multi-purpose tool between a closed configuration in which said second channels face in opposite directions and said additional tools mounted therein are accessible and an open configuration in which said jaw members are in said working position and said second channels face each other.
  • 5. The multi-purpose tool of claim 2, wherein:said first and second handles each have a longitudinal axis; said additional tools comprise a scraper having an access edge and a scraping edge; and said scraper is pivotably coupled to one of said handles to permit pivotable movement between a storage position in said second channel of one of said first and second handles with said access edge being accessible and a working position substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axes of said first and second handles with said scraping edge substantially perpendicular to and facing away from at least said first handle.
  • 6. The multi-purpose tool of claim 1, further comprising a flashlight.
  • 7. The multi-purpose tool of claim 1, wherein said additional tools include a digital pressure gauge.
  • 8. A multi-purpose tool comprising:a first handle having a longitudinal axis, a first channel defined in a first side, and a channel base at a second side; a second handle coupled to said first handle and having a longitudinal axis; and a scraper having a longitudinal axis, an access edge along said longitudinal axis, and a scraping edge opposite said access edge and along said longitudinal axis; wherein said scraper is pivotably coupled to said first handle for pivoting between a storage position within said first channel of said first handle with said access edge being adjacent said first side and accessible through said first channel, and with said scraping edge facing into said first channel and being adjacent said channel base, and a working position in which said scraper longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to at least said first handle longitudinal axis, with said scraping edge facing away from said handle; and wherein in a folded configuration of said multi-purpose tool said first channel of said first handle faces outwardly away from said second handle such that said access edge of said scraper is accessible when said scraper is in said storage position and said multi-purpose tool is in said folded configuration.
  • 9. The multi-purpose tool of claim 8, further comprising a locking mechanism positioned to maintain said scraper in said working position.
  • 10. The multi-purpose tool of claim 9, wherein:said scraper is pivotably coupled to said first handle at a pivot end of said scraper; and said locking mechanism comprises a line lock spring including a locking finger biased into abutment with said pivot end of said scraper to prevent retraction of said scraper into said storage position when said scraper is in said working position.
  • 11. The multi-purpose tool of claim 10, wherein:said line lock spring is biased to abut said scraper access edge when said scraper is in said working position to lock said scraper into said working position; a notch is defined along said scraper access edge; and said line lock spring further includes a locking finger extension positioned to extend into said notch to lock said scraper into said working position.
  • 12. The multi-purpose tool of claim 8, further comprising a retention mechanism positioned to engage said scraper to maintain said scraper in said storage position.
  • 13. The multi-purpose tool of claim 12, wherein:said retention mechanism comprises a retention finger having a protrusion extending therefrom toward said scraper; and said scraper has a recessed area shaped to receive said retention mechanism protrusion.
  • 14. The multi-purpose tool of claim 8, wherein:a slot is defined in said scraper extending along said scraper longitudinal axis between said access edge and said scraping edge; and said scraper is pivotably coupled to said first handle via a pivot extending through said slot to permit both longitudinal and pivotable movement of said scraper with respect to said first handle to move said scraper between said storage position and said working position.
  • 15. The multi-purpose tool of claim 8, wherein:said first and second handles include top ends and bottom ends; said scraper is coupled to said first handle adjacent said top end; and said second handle further comprises a locking mechanism at said top end and positioned to engage said access edge and maintain said scraping tool in said working position substantially perpendicular to said handle longitudinal axes.
  • 16. The multi-purpose tool of claim 15, wherein:said access edge has an outwardly extending finger portion with a notch; and said locking mechanism is positioned to engage said notch when said scraper is pivoted into said working position to maintain said scraper in said working position.
  • 17. The multi-purpose tool of claim 8, wherein:said first handle further comprises a second channel defined in a second side opposite said first side; and said second handle includes a first channel defined in a first side and second channel defined in a second side opposite said first side.
  • 18. The multi-purpose tool of claim 17, further comprising additional tools coupled to at least one of said first and second handles for moving between a storage position in said second channel and a working position outside of said second channel.
  • 19. The multi-purpose tool of claim 18, further comprising at least one additional tool pivotably coupled to at least one of said first and second handles.
  • 20. The multi-purpose tool of claim 19, wherein:a plurality of said additional tools are pivotably coupled to one of said first and second handles; and a separate spring mechanism is provided for each of said pivotably coupled additional tools to individually maintain each said pivotably coupled additional tool in said second channel when said tool is in a storage position and in said working position when said tool is in said working position.
  • 21. The multi-purpose tool of claim 19, wherein a locking mechanism is provided to impede said pivotably coupled at least one additional tool from accidentally retracting from said working position into said storage position.
  • 22. The multi-purpose tool of claim 18, wherein said at least one additional tool includes a pressure gauge.
  • 23. The multi-purpose tool of claim 22, wherein said pressure gauge is a digital pressure gauge pivotably coupled to said one of said first and second handles.
  • 24. The multi-purpose tool of claim 18, wherein said at least one additional tool includes a flashlight.
  • 25. The multi-purpose tool of claim 18, wherein said at least one additional tool includes a fuse puller.
  • 26. The multi-purpose tool of claim 25, wherein said fuse puller is coupled to said multi-purpose tool for selective repeated coupling and decoupling to and from said multi-purpose tool.
  • 27. The multi-purpose tool of claim 17, wherein a first channel is defined in said second handle, said multi-purpose tool further comprising:a first jaw pivotably coupled to said first handle for positioning between a storage position in said first channel of said first handle and a working position in which said first handle is positioned to impart force to said first jaw; and a second jaw pivotably coupled to said second handle for positioning between a storage position in said first channel of said second handle and a working position in which said second handle is positioned to impart force to said second jaw; whereby when said first and second jaws are in said working positions, said first and second handles extend therefrom as handles of said jawed tool.
  • 28. The multi-purpose tool of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of additional tools is pivotably coupled to said at least one handle.
  • 29. The multi-purpose tool of claim 1, wherein:a storage channel is defined in said handle; and said pressure gauge is pivotably coupled for movement between a storage position in said storage channel and a working position outside said storage channel.
  • 30. The multi-purpose tool of claim 8, wherein in a folded configuration of said multi-purpose tool, said longitudinal axis of said first handle and said longitudinal axis of said second handle are substantially parallel.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/090,351, filed Jun. 23, 1998, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

US Referenced Citations (27)
Number Name Date Kind
716623 Brouillette Dec 1902 A
1407652 Hallverson Feb 1922 A
1485450 Baum Mar 1924 A
1728992 Frank Sep 1929 A
3852839 Blessing Dec 1974 A
4238862 Leatherman Dec 1980 A
4744272 Leatherman May 1988 A
4805303 Gibbs Feb 1989 A
4854045 Schaub Aug 1989 A
4888869 Leatherman Dec 1989 A
4918775 Leu Apr 1990 A
5062173 Collins et al. Nov 1991 A
5142721 Sessions et al. Sep 1992 A
D336415 Cheng Jun 1993 S
5251351 Klotz Oct 1993 A
5267366 Frazer Dec 1993 A
5313376 McIntosh May 1994 A
D368634 Frazer Apr 1996 S
D371498 Lai Jul 1996 S
D382182 Seber et al. Aug 1997 S
5664274 Collins Sep 1997 A
D385168 Rivera Oct 1997 S
5689886 Yeh Nov 1997 A
5692304 Campbell Dec 1997 A
5697114 McIntosh et al. Dec 1997 A
5809599 Frazer Sep 1998 A
5916277 Dallas Jun 1999 A
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/090351 Jun 1998 US