Radial foldout tool

• US 20090183609A1
• Filed: 01/17/2008
• Published: 07/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wagic, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Wagic, Inc.
• Inventors: Colton, Eric M., Hudson, Anders Scot, Wilson, Howard Allen, Gallegos, Robert J., Escobar, Steven Simas, Lockhart, Yugen Patrick, Ruiz, Idriss Mansouri-Chafik, Johnson, Ronald L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,925,429 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 81/436
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 13/06 of socket type
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 15/005 with cross- or star-shaped cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 15/007 with blade of flat or substantially flat cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 15/008 Allen-type keys
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 1/04 wherein the elements are brought into working positions by a pivoting or sliding movement
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/066 the grip itself being angularly adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/08 with provision for storing tool elements
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/085 for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 11/001 of the Swiss-knife type

Abstract

A radial foldout tool includes a body with opposing ends and one or more sets of tool drivers. A first set of tool drivers are positioned on/near a first end and a second set of tool drivers are positioned on/near a second end. The tool drivers are contained within channels of the body when in a closed position. The tool drivers are also contained in a plurality of planes. The tool drivers open by rotating/moving in a direction at least perpendicular to a neighboring tool driver. When they are in an open position, each of the tool drivers are in/near the center of the end of the body. By being positioned in/near the center of the end, the radial foldout tool is able to be gripped and turned in a fashion similar to a standard screwdriver.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a. a body having a center, a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end are positioned on opposite ends of the body; and

b. a first set of tool drivers positioned within the body in a plurality of planes, wherein each tool driver of the first set of tool drivers is configured to be positioned generally in the center out of the first end in an open position.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a second set of tool drivers positioned within the body in the plurality of planes, wherein the second set of tool drivers are configured to be positioned out of the second end.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the first set of tool drivers and the second set of tool drivers are positioned within the body in a closed position.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein each tool driver of the second set of tool drivers is positioned out of the second end in an open position.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein each tool driver of the second set of tool drivers is positioned generally in the center of the second end in an open position.

6. The device of claim 2 wherein a first tool driver of the first set of tool drivers is in the same plane as a second tool driver of the second set of tool drivers.

7. The device of claim 3 wherein the body includes a set of channels for the first set of tool drivers and the second set of tool drivers to be positioned in the closed position.

8. The device of claim 2 wherein each tool driver of the first set of tool drivers is positioned at least 90°

around the circumference of the first end away from a neighboring tool driver and each tool driver of the second set of tool drivers is positioned at least 90°

around the circumference of the second end away from a neighboring tool driver.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the body is generally cylindrical.

10. The device of claim 2 wherein the first set of tool drivers and the second set of tool drivers are selected from the group consisting of hexagonal wrenches, screwdrivers, socket wrenches and star-shaped drivers.

11. The device of claim 2 wherein the first set of tool drivers are hexagonal wrenches and the second set of tool drivers are screwdrivers.

12. The device of claim 1 further comprising a stop within the body for preventing each of the first set of tool drivers from opening further.

13. A device comprising:

a. a body having a center, the body including;

i. a plurality of faces;

ii. a first end; and

iii. a second end, wherein the first end and the second end are positioned on opposite ends of the body;

b. a first set of tool drivers, each tool driver of the first set of tool drivers positioned within the body on a face of the plurality of faces, wherein the first set of tool drivers are configured to be positioned generally in the center out of the first end in an open position; and

c. a second set of tool drivers, each tool driver of the second set of tool drivers positioned on a face of the plurality of faces within the body, wherein the first set of tool drivers are configured to be positioned generally in the center out of the second end in an open position.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the first set of tool drivers and the second set of tool drivers are positioned within the body in a closed position.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein a first tool driver of the first set of tool drivers is in the same plane as a second tool driver of the second set of tool drivers.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein the body includes a set of channels for the first set of tool drivers and the second set of tool drivers to be positioned in the closed position.

17. The device of claim 15 wherein each tool driver of the first set of tool drivers and the second set of tool drivers is positioned in the open position by rotation in a substantially perpendicular direction away from the face.

18. The device of claim 13 wherein the body is generally cylindrical.

19. The device of claim 13 wherein the first set of tool drivers and the second set of tool drivers are selected from the group consisting of hexagonal wrenches, screwdrivers, socket wrenches and star-shaped drivers.

20. The device of claim 13 wherein the first set of tool drivers are hexagonal wrenches and the second set of tool drivers are screwdrivers.

21. The device of claim 13 further comprising a stop within the body for preventing each of the first set of tool drivers and the second set of tool drivers from opening further.

22. A generally cylindrical tool handle having a body with a center, a first end and a second end and a generally cylindrical surface, the handle including a plurality of tool drivers each of a differing size in a plurality of planes, wherein each of the plurality of tool drivers includes an elongated rod coupled with the tool handle having a bend through a predetermined angle and including a proximal end for engaging an object, and a mounting end between the bend and a distal end, further wherein each tool driver of the set of tool drivers is positioned generally in the center of one of the first end and the second end in an open position.

23. The tool handle of claim 22 wherein the set of tool drivers are positioned within the body in a closed position.

24. The tool handle of claim 22 wherein each tool driver of the set of tool drivers is positioned at least 90°

around the circumference of one of the first end and the second end away from a neighboring tool driver.

25. The tool handle of claim 22 further comprising a stop within the body for preventing each tool driver of the set of tool drivers from opening further.