OUTDOOR TOOL SYSTEM WITH INTERCHANGEABLE MODULAR HEADS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A hand tool comprising:
- a first shaft segment;
a second shaft segment;
a first coupling means for connecting the first shaft segment and the second shaft segment end-to-end to form a handle assembly; and
a tool head connected to the handle assembly.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multipurpose tool system that can be assembled into multiple configurations by a user. The tool system may comprise a plurality of components, including tool heads, shaft segments, and handle ends. The components of the tool system can be combined in various configurations to provide different functions, at different lengths. Connectors may be utilized to connect the various components of the system using a twist lock mechanism. The connectors may include a tubular sleeve member having a biased locking shaft that interacts with a locking groove.
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Citations
62 Claims
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1. A hand tool comprising:
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a first shaft segment; a second shaft segment; a first coupling means for connecting the first shaft segment and the second shaft segment end-to-end to form a handle assembly; and a tool head connected to the handle assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A hand tool comprising:
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a tubular sleeve member defining a first socket and a second socket; a first shaft segment having a tip installed into the first socket of the tubular sleeve member; a second shaft segment having a tip configured for insertion into the second socket of the tubular sleeve member, said second shaft segment rotatable about a longitudinal axis between a locked position and an unlocked position in the tubular sleeve member; a cam mechanism linking the second shaft member to the tubular sleeve member, the cam mechanism operable to move the tip of the second shaft segment deeper into the second socket of the tubular sleeve member as the second shaft segment rotates from the unlocked position to the locked position; wherein the first shaft segment and the second shaft segment are positioned end-to-end to define a handle assembly when the second shaft member is in the locked position in the tubular sleeve member; a tool head connected to the handle assembly. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A hand tool comprising:
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a tubular sleeve member defining a first socket and a second socket; a pair of elongated slots formed in the tubular sleeve member; a locking shaft disposed in the elongated slots; a biasing member biasing said locking shaft; a first shaft segment having a tip installed into the first socket of the tubular sleeve member; a second shaft segment having an insertion tip configured for insertion into the second socket of the tubular sleeve member, said second shaft segment rotatable about a longitudinal axis between a locked position and an unlocked position in the tubular sleeve member; a locking groove formed in the tip of the second shaft segment; wherein said locking shaft engages the locking groove when the second shaft segment is rotated to the locked position; wherein the first shaft segment and the second shaft segment are positioned end-to-end to define a handle assembly when the second shaft member is in the locked position; and a tool head connected to the handle assembly. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A hand tool kit comprising:
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a plurality of tool heads; a plurality of shaft segments; each of the plurality of shaft segments having an insertion tip at a first end, a connector at a second end, and a locking groove; wherein each connector is adapted to connect its shaft segment to any other one of the shaft segments; wherein each connector comprises; a tubular sleeve member defining a first socket adapted to receive the insertion tip of any other one of the plurality of shaft segments, a pair of elongated slots formed in the tubular sleeve member, a locking shaft disposed in the pair of elongated slots and extending laterally across the first socket, the locking shaft adapted to engage the locking groove of any other one of the shaft segments, and a resilient member operable to bias said locking shaft against the locking groove; wherein any one of the plurality of tool heads is selectively attachable to a handle assembly formed from one or more of the plurality of shaft segments. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A hand tool kit comprising:
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a carrying case having a first set of storage locations and a second set of storage locations; the first set of storage locations having stored therein a plurality of tool heads; the second set of storage locations having stored therein a plurality of shaft segments; wherein each of the plurality of shaft segments comprises an insertion tip at a first end, a connector at a second end, and a locking groove; wherein each connector is adapted to connect its shaft segment to any other one of the shaft segments; wherein each connector comprises; a tubular sleeve member defining a first socket adapted to receive the insertion tip of any other one of the other shaft segments, a pair of elongated slots formed in the tubular sleeve member, a locking shaft disposed in the pair of elongated slots and extending laterally across the first socket, the locking shaft adapted to engage the locking groove of any other one of the other shaft segments, and a resilient member operable to bias said locking shaft in the locking groove; wherein any one of the plurality of tool heads is selectively attachable to a handle assembly formed from one or more of the plurality of shaft segments. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A method of performing work with a tool, said method comprising:
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providing a modular tool assembly having a plurality of components, the plurality of components comprising a plurality of tool heads and at least one shaft segment, said shaft segment having an insertion tip at a first end, a connector at a second end, and a locking groove, wherein said connector comprises (i) a tubular sleeve member defining a first socket adapted to receive the insertion tip of any other one of the plurality of shaft segments, (ii) a pair of elongated slots formed in the tubular sleeve member, (iii) a locking shaft disposed in the pair of elongated slots and extending laterally across the first socket, and (iv) a resilient member operable to bias said locking shaft; connecting one of the plurality of tools heads to the handle assembly to thereby define a tool; and using the tool to perform the work. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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61. An apparatus comprising:
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a tubular sleeve member defining a first socket; a pair of elongated slots formed in the tubular sleeve member; a locking shaft disposed in the elongated slots; a biasing member biasing said locking shaft; a first component having an insertion tip configured for insertion into the first socket of the tubular sleeve member, said first component rotatable about a longitudinal axis between a locked position and an unlocked position in the tubular sleeve member; and a locking groove formed in the insertion tip of the first component; wherein said locking shaft engages the locking groove when the first component is rotated to the locked position.
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62. A hand tool kit comprising:
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a plurality of tool heads, each of the plurality of tool heads comprising an insertion tip, a locking groove, and a pin extending laterally therefrom, wherein the plurality of tool heads comprises a spade shovel, a square shovel, a rake, and a broom; a plurality of handle ends, each of the handle ends having a grip at a first end and a connector at a second end, wherein the plurality of handle ends comprises a straight grip and a D grip; a plurality of shaft segments, each of the plurality of shaft segments having an insertion tip at a first end, a connector at a second end, a locking groove, and a pin extending laterally therefrom; wherein the plurality of shaft segments comprises a first shaft segment and a second shaft segment, wherein the first shaft segment and the second shaft segment differ in length; wherein each of the plurality of shaft segments comprises wood; wherein each connector of the handle ends and the plurality of shaft segments is adapted to connect its handle end or shaft segment to any other one of the shaft segments or any one of the tool heads; wherein each connector comprises; a tubular sleeve member defining a first socket adapted to receive an insertion tip, a cam surface formed in the tubular sleeve member, the cam surface interacting with a pin to translate a rotation of the insertion tip into a linear movement, a pair of elongated slots formed in the tubular sleeve member, a locking shaft disposed in the pair of elongated slots and extending laterally across the first socket, the locking shaft adapted to engage a locking groove, a manual release button operable to disengage the locking shaft from the locking groove, and a resilient member operable to bias said locking shaft against the locking groove.
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Specification