Folding knife and interchangeable bit screwdriver

• US 5,711,194 A
• Filed: 05/26/1995
• Issued: 01/27/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anderson Family LLC
• Original Assignee: Paolo Cassutti, Wayne Anderson
• Inventors: Anderson, Wayne, Cassutti, Paolo
• Primary Examiner(s): MEISLIN, DEBRA S
• Application Number:
  US08/451,398
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 7/118, 7/165, 7/168, 81/437-439, 81/440, 30/123, 30/151, 30/164, 30/155, 30/161
• US Class Current: 81/440
• 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 1/02 with interchangeable or adjustable tool elements
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 1/04 wherein the elements are brought into working positions by a pivoting or sliding movement
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/085 for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners

Abstract

Folding pocket-style knife and screwdriver having interchangeable bits in which a hinged sleeve folds integrally into the knife handle and unfolds to and locks in 90 and 180 degree angles with the handle to provide angled and straight screwdrivers. The sleeve is a retainer for interchangeable screwdriver bits, retained by ball, C-clip or magnetic retainers.

Claims

1. A combination folding tool and screwdriver, comprising:

handle means;

folding tool means, said folding tool means comprising at least one tool hingedly secured to said handle means;

interchangeable bit screwdriver means, said interchangeable bit screwdriver means being secured to said handles means;

said interchangeable bit screwdriver means comprises interchangeable bits and sleeve means;

said sleeve means being hinged to said handle means and comprising receiving means adapted to receive said interchangeable bits and to prevent relative rotation therebetween;

said sleeve means comprises retaining means to removably retain said interchangeable bits in said sleeve means, and

said sleeve means additionally comprises inner sleeve means and outer tube means, said inner sleeve means being removably secured in said outer tube meansagainst rotational movement therebetween, said interchangeable bits being removably secured in said inner sleeve means against rotational movement therebetween,

whereby said sleeve means removably retains said interchangeable bits in hinged relationship to said handle means.

2. A combination folding tool and screwdriver in accordance with claim 1, wherein said folding tool and screwdriver including at least one knife blade.

3. A combination folding tool and screwdriver in accordance with claim 1, wherein said interchangeable bits are reversible in said sleeve means.

4. A combination folding tool and screwdriver in accordance with claim 1, including cross-hole means comprising at least one non-circular hold extending substantially perpendicularly to said handle means.

5. A combination folding tool and screwdriver, comprising:

handle means;

folding tool means, said folding tool means comprising at least one tool hingedly secured to said handle means;

interchangeable bit screwdriver means, said interchangeable bit screwdriver means being secured to said handle means;

said interchangeable bit screwdriver means comprises interchangeable bits and sleeve means;

said sleeve means being hinged to said handle means and comprising receiving means adapted to receive said interchangeable bits and to prevent relative rotation therebetween;

said sleeve means comprises retaining means to removably retain said interchangeable bits in said sleeve means, and

said sleeve means additionally comprises inner sleeve means and outer tube means, said inner sleeve means being removably secured in said outer tube means against rotational movement therebetween, said interchangeable bits being removably secured in said inner sleeve means against rotational movement therebetween, and

said inner sleeve means being hexagonal in cross-section to mate with said shoulders,

whereby said sleeve means removably retains said interchangeable bits in hinged relationship to said handle means.

6. A combination folding tool and screwdriver in accordance with claim 5, wherein said folding tool and screwdriver including at least one knife blade.

7. A combination folding tool and screwdriver in accordance with claim 5, wherein said interchangeable bits are reversible in said sleeve means.