This invention relates generally to tools and fixtures and, more specifically, to a Shipboard Multi-tool.
Large ocean-going vessels are a complex maze of piping, fittings, watertight closures and hatches. In addition to these components providing the infrastructure to the numerous operational systems aboard the ship, they have another important purpose—watertight integrity. In particular, during drills, repairs or actual onboard emergencies, shipboard personnel frequently are required to operate valves, secure (“dog down”) hatches and doors, attach and detach firehoses at virtually all locations throughout the ship. In order to operate many of these components, the Damage Controlmen and other shipboard personnel will require a specialized wrench or tool.
Historically, operators have kept the proper specialized tool staged in pre-set locations throughout the ship so that the tools are conveniently at hand in the event of an urgent need for them. There are two problems with this approach—first, the high number of individual compartments (i.e. rooms) aboard a ship prevents there being a full set of tools in each compartment. As a result, most of the time, the technician must still leave the immediate area in order to get the proper tool. Second, because it is not feasible to lock all of the distributed storage cabinets, it is common that the storage cabinet tool inventories are not complete—either due to pilferage, wear, losses or failure to return the tools to their proper storage location. While it would be much more convenient for Damage Controlmen and other personnel operating these mechanical systems to have a full set of tools with them at all times, the sheer size and number of these tools has made it too bulky and inconvenient to be possible. What is needed is a single multi-function tool that can be conveniently carried at all times so that it is always available on a moments notice.
In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices and systems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Shipboard Multi-tool. The Multi-tool should have a pair of groups of tools that are individually-extendable from the handle in order to allow the Multi-tool to operate a plurality of different shipboard mechanisms with a single assembly. One group of extendable tools should include spanner and box wrenches. Another group of extendable tools should include key-type wrenches. The individual extendable wrenches should be lockable in a variety of angular positions relative to the handle to provide the user with several configurations with which to use the wrenches. The locking mechanisms should be operable by depressing a spring-loaded push-button.
The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which:
The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a Shipboard Multi-tool.
The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of
A first tool group 20 is extendable from the proximal end 14 of the outer frame 12. The preferred tools that comprise this first group 20 are a first key wrench 20A (a medium-sized square head), a second key wrench 20B (a large-sized square head), and a third key wrench 20C (a small-sized square head). These square headed wrenches are intended to operate deck drains (the small-sized square head 20C) as well as remote valve operators (20A and 20B) and quick-acting water-tight scuttles (medium-sized wrench 20A). The tools of the first tool group 20 are all of the type that are suitable to be used with the tool extending at a 90 degree angle to the outer frame 12 (i.e. using the frame 12 and socket 18 as a T-wrench relative to the extended tool of the group 20). Generally, only a single tool in the group 20 would be in use at a time. The tool socket 18 has another purpose as well—it can be used to provide additional leverage when operating “dogs” on watertight hatches by slipping the socket 18 over the dog to tighten or loosen the dog.
A second tool group 22 is extendable from the distal end 16 of the outer frame 12. The group 22 is preferably comprised of a first spanner wrench 22A (a large-sized spanner wrench), a second spanner wrench 22B (a large box wrench), and a third spanner wrench 22C (a small-sized spanner wrench). The wrenches in this group 22 are located at the distal end 16 of the frame 12 so that they are not confined to only being used in the T-shaped configuration of the tools in the first group 20. If we now turn to
Another improvement in the alternate version 10A is that the notched plates [30A, etc.] have been incorporated within the pivot end of each tool. These alternate notched plates (e.g. 30A1) are recessed notches formed around all or a portion of the circumference of the hubs of each tool. This improvement provides for the indexed rotation of each tool to a variety of discrete rotational positions, at which each tool is locked into place until the respective release button (32A, 34A) is depressed. Each notch of each notched plate (e.g. 30A1) is engageable by a corresponding locking ring 25 formed around the release shaft (e.g. 38A, 36B). The locked tool is then unlocked by depressing the release button (34A or 32A) such that the release shaft (36A, 38A) slides towards its respective biasing element 27 (i.e. compressing the biasing element 27). The unlocked tool can then be rotated until the release button (32A, 34A) is released and the corresponding locking ring 25 engages another one of said notches in the notched plate (e.g. 30A1).
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.
This application is filed within one year of, and claims priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/872,123, filed Jul. 9, 2019. This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 29/689,619, filed Apr. 30, 2019, now pending.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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6182541 | Anderson | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6868760 | Johnson | Mar 2005 | B1 |
7146889 | Kang | Dec 2006 | B2 |
8490523 | Tsai | Jul 2013 | B2 |
9457460 | Hermansen | Oct 2016 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20210023687 A1 | Jan 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62872123 | Jul 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 29689619 | Apr 2019 | US |
Child | 16925156 | US |