Multi-function tool with removable head

• US 5,916,277 A
• Filed: 07/08/1997
• Issued: 06/29/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Altra Holdings Incorporated (Regal Rexnord Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Fiskars Corporation (Fiskars Oyj Abp)
• Inventors: Dallas, Edgar A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, James G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCDONALD, SHANTESE L
• Application Number:
  US08/889,241
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 7/106, 7/128, 7/168, 30/143, 81/177
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 11/00 Hand knives combined with other implements, e.g. with corkscrew, with scissors, with writing implement combined table-ware A47G21/06
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 11/008 comprising electronic or electrical features, e.g. illuminating means, computing devices or sensors

Abstract

A multi-function tool includes a caddy and a cover pivotally connected to the caddy. The tool includes a primary implement attached to a first end of the caddy, and a plurality of secondary implements pivotally attached about a second end of the caddy. The secondary implements may be held in an extended position by a locking mechanism, a portion of which extending from a longitudinal slot formed in at least one side of the caddy. The cover may also include a light disposed about an end thereof.

Claims

1. A multi-function tool comprising:

a caddy having first and second ends and an internal channel; and

a cover pivotally connected to the caddy and rotatable between an open position in which the internal channel is exposed and a closed position in which the internal channel is covered, the cover including a light disposed about an end thereof, said cover including a button for activating the light;

said internal channel including spaced apart side walls joined by an intermediate web, one of said cover and said side walls including a pin mounted to permit rotation of said cover relative to said channel, and the other including means for detachably grasping the pin whereby said cover may be detached from and attached to said channel.

2. The multi-function tool of claim 1, wherein the cover includes an internal compartment formed therein and a hatch for closing the internal compartment.

3. The multi-function tool of claim 1, wherein the caddy includes an aperture formed in the first end, a web, and a pair of side walls extending from the web to form the internal channel.

4. The multi-function tool of claim 3, further comprising a primary implement attached to the first end.

5. The multi-function tool of claim 4, wherein the primary implement is removably attached to the first end and includes a tang having a post slidably received in the aperture.

6. The multi-function tool of claim 5, further comprising a locking mechanism for securing the primary implement to the caddy, the locking mechanism including a lock spring having an opening for engaging the post.

7. The multi-function tool of claim 4, wherein the primary implement is a pair of pliers.

8. The multi-function tool of claim 7, wherein the pliers includes a lock for securing the pliers in a closed position.

9. The multi-function tool of claim 4, wherein the primary implement is a wrench.

10. The multi-function tool of claim 1, wherein the cover includes an internal compartment formed therein and a hatch for closing the internal compartment.

11. The multi-function tool of claim 1 further comprising an axle extending transversely between the pair of side walls, and a plurality of implements pivotally connected to the axle for rotation from a retracted position within the internal channel to an extended position outside of the internal channel, the plurality of implements being covered by the cover when the of implements are in the retracted position and the cover is in the closed position.

12. The multi-function tool of claim 1, wherein the means for detachably grasping the pin includes resilient ears formed in each of the side walls, and means in each of said ears for receiving the terminal ends of said pin.

13. A multi-function tool comprising:

a caddy having first and second ends and an internal channel; and

a cover pivotally connected to the caddy and rotatable between an open position in which the internal channel is exposed and a closed position in which internal channel is covered, the cover including a light disposed about an end thereof;

the caddy including an aperture formed in the first end, a web, and a pair of side walls extending from the web to form the internal channel;

a primary implement attached to the first end, wherein the primary implement is removably attached to the first end and includes a tang having a post slidably received in the aperture;

a locking mechanism for securing the primary implement to the caddy, the locking mechanism including a lock spring having an opening for engaging the post; and

wherein the lock spring includes a base and a tang receiving portions, the base portion being connected to the web, the tang receiving portion being biased towards the cover and extending transversely between the pair of side walls, the opening being formed in the tang receiving portion.

14. The multi-function tool of claim 13, wherein the cover includes a light disposed about an end thereof.

15. The multi-function tool of claim 14, wherein the cover is detachable from the caddy.

16. A multi-function tool comprising:

a caddy including first and second ends, a web, and a pair of side walls extending from the web and forming an internal channel therewith;

a cover pivotally connected to the caddy and rotatable between an open position in which the internal channel is exposed and a closed position in which the internal channel is covered;

a primary implement attached to the first end of the caddy;

the caddy having an aperture formed in the first end, the primary implement being removably attached to the first end and including a tang having a post slidably received in the aperture;

a locking mechanism for securing the primary implement to the caddy, the locking mechanism including a lock spring having an opening for engaging the tang post;

wherein, the lock spring includes a base and a tang receiving portions, the base portion being connected to the web, the tang receiving portion being biased towards the cover and extending transversely between the side walls, the opening being formed in the tang receiving portion.

17. The multi-function tool of claim 16, wherein the primary implement is a pair of pliers.

18. The multi-function tool of claim 17, wherein the pliers includes a lock for securing the pliers in a closed position, the lock including a post slidable between a secured and a released position.

19. The multi-function tool of claim 16, wherein the primary implement is a wrench.

20. The multi-function tool of claim 16, wherein the cover includes a light disposed about an end thereof and a button for activating the light.

21. The multi-function tool of claim 20, wherein the cover is detachable from the caddy.

22. A multi-function tool comprising:

a caddy having first and second ends, a web and a pair of side walls extending from the web between the first and second ends and forming an internal channel, at least one side wall having a longitudinal slot proximate the second end, the caddy including an axle extending transversely between the pair of side walls proximate the second end;

a cover pivotally connected to the caddy and rotatable between an open position in which the internal channel is exposed and a closed position in which the internal channel is covered;

a primary implement removably attached to the first end of the caddy;

a plurality of secondary implements pivotally connected to the axle of the caddy, each secondary implement having a working portion and an opposed tang portion provided with a locking surface;

a first locking mechanism for locking each secondary implement in an extended position, a portion of the locking mechanism extending through the longitudinal slot;

the caddy including an aperture formed in the first end, and the primary implement including a tang having a post slidably received in the aperture; and

a second locking mechanism for securing the primary implement to the caddy, the second locking mechanism including a lock spring mounted to the web and having an opening for engaging the post.