Enhanced multi-function hand tool

• US 20080201861A1
• Filed: 03/21/2008
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leatherman Tool Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Leatherman Tool Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Poehlmann, Paul W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,921,752 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 7/128
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 1/003 of pliers'-, scissors'- or wrench-type with at least one movable jaw B25F1/006 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 1/04 wherein the elements are brought into working positions by a pivoting or sliding movement

Abstract

A multi-function hand tool with a pivotally collapsible jaw-type tool that has a jaw lock which mechanically prevents the jaw-type tool from collapse. The jaw lock mechanism is contained within the jaw pivot joint of the jaw-type tool, and may be partially extended as a push button to prevent unwanted handle collapse. A plurality of blades are pivotally attached to the opposite end of the multi-function tool, which has a blade locking mechanism wherein the blade lock is pivoted about an axis located distal to the blade fastener/pivot axis. Each handle of the multi-function tool may be made of two individual handle halves that unite to form the handle, but that provide very precise tensioning, or the handles may be of a single channel shape using an infinitely adjustable threaded fastener and sleeve to provide precise adjustment of the multiple blades.

Claims

1. A multi-function tool, comprising:

a jaw-type tool having two jaws in inter-connected with each other by a jaw pivot joint, at least one of the jaws being pivotally connected to a handle, and the at least one handle having a side wall and a spring connected thereto, said spring being capable of interacting with an opening stop on at least one of the jaws to prevent the jaw to which it is connected from pivoting around the handle.

2. The multi-function tool of claim 1, wherein at least one of the handles has side walls, a top portion and a bottom portion, and defines a cavity capable of receiving a portion of the jaw-type tool for storage therein when the one of the jaws is rotated around the handle pivot joint to a stowed position.

3. The multi-function tool of claim 2, wherein at least one handle comprises two handle halves, one said side wall, a top portion and a bottom portion, the handle halves being interconnected with each other on one of the top and bottom by male and female handle braces, and interconnected with each other on the other of the top and bottom by at least one half having a flange overlapping a portion of the other half, and a mechanical fastener fastening the flange to the other half.

4. The multi-function tool of claim 3, wherein the mechanical fastener is a rivet.

5. The multi-function tool of claim 1, wherein the spring is a leaf spring.

6. The multi-function tool of claim 5, wherein at least one side wall of the at least one handle defines the leaf spring.

7. The multi-function tool of claim 1, wherein the spring is biased to extend into the cavity to prevent at least one jaw from pivoting around the handle to which it is connected.

8. The multi-function tool of claim 1, wherein the jaw-type tool is scissors.

9. The multi-function tool of claim 1, wherein the jaw-type tool is pliers.

10. multi-function tool of claim 1, wherein the jaw-type tool is pruners.

11. The multi-function tool of claim 1, wherein the jaw-type tool is shears.

12. A multi-function tool, comprising:

a jaw-type tool having two jaws interconnected with each other by a jaw pivot joint, at least one of the jaws being pivotally connected to a handle, said at least one handle having a side wall and a jaw lock spring connected thereto and capable of interacting with an opening stop on a at least one jaw to prevent the jaw to which the handle is connected from pivoting around the handle, and at least one handle having a distal end, a top, a bottom, and two side walls, defining a blade cavity;

a fastener passing through said blade cavity adjacent said distal end of said at least one handle, the fastener acting as a pivot for at least one blade, the blade being rotatable into and out of the blade cavity; and

a blade lock mechanism adjacent said distal end of said at least one handle, the blade lock mechanism having a blade locking body capable of interacting with the at least one blade, the blade lock body being pivotally moveable with respect to the handle about a pivot located in the at least one handle between said fastener and said distal end.

13. The multi-function tool of claim 12, wherein the jaw lock spring is a leaf spring.

14. The multi-function tool of claim 13, wherein the side wall of at least one handle defines the leaf spring.

15. The multi-function tool of claim 12, wherein the jaw lock spring is biased to extend into the cavity to prevent at least one jaw from pivoting around the handle to which it is connected.

16. The multi-function tool of claim 12, wherein a spring urges the blade locking body toward a tang end of the at least one blade.

17. The multi-function tool of claim 16, wherein said spring is a torsion spring.

18. The multi-function tool of claim 16, wherein said spring is a leaf spring.

19. The multi-function tool of claim 16, wherein said spring is a serpentine spring.

20. The multi-function tool of claim 12, wherein at least one lock release accesses the lock mechanism through at least one side of the handle.

21. The multi-function tool of claim 20, wherein the lock release includes a release tab mounted movably in a side wall.

22. The multi-function tool of claim 20, wherein the lock release is a blade lock release arm.

23. The multi-function tool of claim 20, wherein the lock release is a slide release tab.

24. The multi-function tool of claim 12, wherein at least one lock release is located between the walls of the at least one handle and is accessible from at least one of the top and bottom of the handle.

25. The multi-function tool of claim 24, wherein the at least one lock release is a rocker release tab.

26. The multi-function tool of claim 12, wherein at least one handle comprises two handle halves, one said side wall, a top portion and a bottom portion, the handle halves being interconnected with each other on one of the top and bottom by male and female handle braces, and interconnected with each other on the other of the top and bottom by at least one half having a flange overlapping a portion of the other half, and a mechanical fastener fastening the flange to the other half.

27. The multi-function tool of claim 26, wherein the mechanical fastener is a rivet.