Lock-bar foldable tool

• US 4,888,869 A
• Filed: 05/16/1988
• Issued: 12/26/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Leatherman Tool Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Leatherman Tool Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Leatherman, Timothy S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Meislin, D. S.
• Application Number:
  US07/194,394
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 30/151-155, 30/158-161, 30/164, 30/143
• US Class Current: 30/161
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 1/048 with a locking member being slidable or movable along the handle

Abstract

A lock-back foldable tool includes a folding locking channel which nests outside of the channel-shaped handle of the tool. The locking channel fits closely over a spring, integral with the web of the channel-shaped handle, which bears against a cam surface on the base of the tool blade. When the blade is in extended position with respect to the handle, pivoting of the blade with respect to the handle will cause deflection of the spring. When the locking channel is selectively positioned over the spring, it prevents deflection of the spring, thereby locking the blade into extended position.

Claims

1. A foldable tool comprising:

(a) an elongate handle having a length greater than its width and its depth;

(b) at least one tool blade pivotally connected to said handle and pivotable thereto between extended and retracted positions, said tool blade having a base approximate said handle;

(c) said handle including spring means resiliently bearing against said base for deflecting to permit said tool blade to be pivoted between said extended and retracted positions;

(d) operable locking means for selectively preventing said spring means from deflecting; and

(e) said locking means including an elongate channel having a length greater than its width and its depth pivoted to said handle to receive a portion of said handle in said channel when in a nested, locked position so that said length of said channel extends along said length of said handle so as to form therewith handle means for grasping said tool.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein said base of said blade includes stop means for limiting the pivotal movement of said blade with respect to said handle.

3. The tool of claim 1 wherein said handle includes abutment means for cooperating with said stop means to limit pivotal movement of said blade with respect to said handle.

4. The tool of claim 1 wherein said base of said blade includes a cam surface including one or more substantially flat portions.

5. The tool of claim 4 wherein said tool blade is substantially elongate, said cam surface including a substantially flat portion arranged substantially perpendicular to said tool blade.

6. The tool blade of claim 4 wherein said tool blade is substantially elongate, said cam surface including a substantially flat portion arranged substantially parallel to said tool blade.

7. The tool of claim 1 including safety shield means for safely pivoting said tool blade to an extended position with respect to said handle.

8. The tool of claim 7 wherein said blade is pivotally connected to said handle by a pin, said safety shield also pivotally connected to said handle by said pin.

9. The tool of claim 1 wherein said spring means and said base of said blade cooperate as means for enabling said blade to be locked into two or more extended positions with respect to said handle.

10. The tool of claim 1 wherein said handle has a first end, said tool blade pivotally connected to said first end, said tool including at least one additional tool blade pivotally connected to said first end.

11. The tool of claim 1 wherein said spring means and said base of said blade cooperate to limit pivotal movement of said blade with respect to said handle.

12. A foldable tool comprising:

(a) a handle;

(b) a tool blade pivotally connected to said handle and pivotable thereto between extended and retracted positions, said tool blade having a base proximate said handle;

(c) said handle including spring means resiliently bearing against said base for deflecting to permit said tool blade to be pivoted between said extended and retracted positions;

(d) operable locking means for selectively substantially preventing said spring means from deflecting;

(e) said base of said blade including stop means for limiting the pivotal movement of said blade with respect to said handle; and

(f) said locking means including abutment means for cooperating with said stop means to limit pivotable movement of said blade with respect to said handle.

13. A foldable tool comprising:

(a) a handle;

(b) a tool blade pivotally connected to said handle and pivotable thereto between extended and retracted positions, said tool blade having a base approximate said handle;

(c) said handle including spring means resiliently bearing against said base for deflecting to permit said tool blade to be pivoted between said extended and retracted positions;

(d) operable locking means for selectively preventing said spring means from deflecting; and

(e) said locking means including a channel-shaped member having an intermediate web portion, said channel-shaped member being pivotally connected to said handle by a pin, said locking means adapted to be pivoted into a locking position with said web portion of said locking means engaging said spring means, preventing said spring means from deflecting.

14. The tool of claim 13 wherein said tool blade is pivotally connected to said handle by said pin.