Multipurpose folding tool including corkscrew

• US 6,289,768 B1
• Filed: 01/29/1999
• Issued: 09/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Leatherman Tool Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Leatherman Tool Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Anderson, Craig J., Rivera, Benjamin C.
• Primary Examiner(s): MEISLIN, DEBRA S
• Application Number:
  US09/240,372
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 81/34.8, 81/30.9, 81/33.6, 81/32.9, 81/35.5, 81/34.7, 81/35.7, 81/33.5, 81/34.5, 712/7-1-9, 713/2, 715/1-1-2, 715/4-1-6, 304/29, 304/09, 304/35, 304/50
• US Class Current: 81/3.09
• 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 11/003 having folding handles
• CPC Class Codes: B67B 7/44 Combination tools, e.g. comprising cork-screws, can piercers, crowncap removers combinations of opening devices with cutting tools B26; with devices serving other purposes, see appropriate subclasses, e.g. B25F; B43K29/00

Abstract

A multipurpose folding tool, for use by picnickers and travelers, including a corkscrew, a crown cap remover, and a can opener, as well as a small fork and a small butter knife. Both the corkscrew and a brace for use together with it fit close to the handles of the tool when the tool is in a compact, folded configuration. A spring in one handle keeps the corkscrew safely folded when not in use, and a spring on the brace keeps it in a desired position relative to the handles. The tool also includes folding pliers and may include folding screwdrivers, knife blades, and scissors.

Claims

1. A multipurpose folding tool, comprising:

(a) an elongate handle having a length and including an elongate channel defined partially by a first side wall and a back of said elongate handle, said channel defining a blade-receiving cavity;

(b) at least one tool blade attached to said handle by a first pivot and movable with respect to said handle about said first pivot, between an extended position and a folded position in said cavity;

(c) a corkscrew having a base attached to said handle and movable with respect to said handle, about a second pivot spaced apart from said first pivot along said length of said handle, between respective folded and operative positions; and

(d) a spring located in said cavity and having a base attached to said handle by said first pivot, said base being located alongside and parallel with said first side wall, said back defining a flange having a rear end, and a margin of said base of said spring extending along said flange and abutting against said rear end, said flange thereby preventing said base of said spring from rotating about said first pivot with respect to said first side wall, and said spring extending from said base thereof to said base of said corkscrew.

2. The multipurpose folding tool of claim 1 wherein said handle has a pair of opposite ends and wherein said first pivot is located adjacent one of said opposite ends.

3. The multipurpose folding tool of claim 1 wherein said base of said corkscrew has a flat side and a portion of said spring extends along said flat side and is biased elastically toward said flat side, thereby holding said corkscrew in said folded position.

5. The multipurpose folding tool of claim 1, further including a folding corkscrew brace having the form of a channel including a pair of sides and a back member, said folding corkscrew brace being attached to said handle by said first pivot and being movable with respect to said handle about said first pivot between an extended, bracing, position and a folded position wherein said brace extends along said back of said handle.

8. The multipurpose folding tool of claim 1, further including a folding bottle opener having the form of a channel including a pair of sides and a back member, said folding bottle opener being attached to said handle by said first pivot and being movable with respect to said handle about said first pivot, between an extended position and a folded position wherein said bottle opener extends along said back of said handle.

10. The multipurpose folding tool of claim 1, further including a folding can opener having the form of a channel including a side and a back member, said folding can opener being attached to said handle by said first pivot and being movable with respect to said handle about said first pivot, between an extended position and a folded position wherein said can opener extends along said back of said handle.

4. A multipurpose folding tool, comprising:

(a) an elongate handle including an elongate channel and having a first side wall and a back, said handle defining a blade-receiving cavity and having a length;

(b) at least one tool blade attached to said handle and movable with respect to said handle about a first pivot, between an extended position and a folded position in said cavity;

(c) a corkscrew having a base attached to said handle and movable with respect to said handle, about a second pivot spaced apart from said first pivot along said length of said handle, between respective folded and operative positions; and

(d) a spring located in said cavity and having a base attached to said handle adjacent said first pivot and alongside and parallel with said first side wall, said back defining a flange extending along a margin of said base of said spring, thereby preventing said base of said spring from rotating with respect to said first side wall, and said spring extending from said base thereof to said base of said corkscrew and wherein said back defines a spring biased toward said tool blade, said spring extending alongside said flange and being separated therefrom by a slit defined in said back.

6. A multipurpose folding tool, comprising:

(a) an elongate handle including an elongate channel and having a first side wall and a back, said handle defining a blade-receiving cavity and having a length;

(b) at least one tool blade attached to said handle and movable with respect to said handle about a first pivot, between an extended position and a folded position in said cavity;

(c) a corkscrew having a base attached to said handle and movable with respect to said handle, about a second pivot spaced apart from said first pivot along said length of said handle, between respective folded and operative positions, said corkscrew having a longitudinal central axis defining an imaginary plane as said corkscrew moves about said second pivot, one of said sides of said corkscrew brace being located in said imaginary plane;

(d) a spring located in said cavity and having a base attached to said handle adjacent said first pivot and alongside and parallel with said first side wall, said back defining a flange extending along a margin of said base of said spring, thereby preventing said base of said spring from rotating with respect to said first side wall, and said spring extending from said base thereof to said base of said corkscrew; and

(e) a folding corkscrew brace having the form of a channel including a pair of sides and a back member, said folding corkscrew brace being attached to said handle by said first pivot and being movable with respect to said handle about said first pivot between an extended, bracing, position and a folded position wherein said brace extends along said back of said handle.

7. A multipurpose folding tool, comprising:

(a) an elongate handle including an elongate channel and having a first side wall and a back, said handle defining a blade-receiving cavity and having a length;

(b) at least one tool blade attached to said handle and movable with respect to said handle about a first pivot, between an extended position and a folded position in said cavity;

(c) a corkscrew having a base attached to said handle and movable with respect to said handle, about a second pivot spaced apart from said first pivot along said length of said handle, between respective folded and operative positions;

(d) a spring located in said cavity and having a base attached to said handle adjacent said first pivot and alongside and parallel with said first side wall, said back defining a flange extending along a margin of said base of said spring, thereby preventing said base of said spring from rotating with respect to said first side wall, and said spring extending from said base thereof to said base of said corkscrew;

(e) a folding corkscrew brace having the form of a channel including a pair of sides and a back member, said folding corkscrew brace being attached to said handle by said first pivot and being movable with respect to said handle about said first pivot between an extended, bracing, position and a folded position wherein said brace extends along said back of said handle; and

(f) a cam located adjacent to said first pivot, said corkscrew brace having a rear end and including a finger-like spring projecting rearwardly from said rear end and engaging said cam.

9. A multipurpose folding tool, comprising:

(a) an elongate handle including an elongate channel and having a first side wall and a back, said handle defining a blade-receiving cavity and having a length;

(b) at least one tool blade attached to said handle and movable with respect to said handle about a first pivot, between an extended position and a folded position in said cavity;

(c) a corkscrew having a base attached to said handle and movable with respect to said handle, about a second pivot spaced apart from said first pivot along said length of said handle, between respective folded and operative positions;

(d) a spring located in said cavity and having a base attached to said handle adjacent said first pivot and alongside and parallel with said first side wall, said back defining a flange extending along a margin of said base of said spring, thereby preventing said base of said spring from rotating with respect to said first side wall, and said spring extending from said base thereof to said base of said corkscrew;

(e) a folding bottle opener having the form of a channel including a pair of sides and a back member, said folding bottle opener being attached to said handle by said first pivot and being movable with respect to said handle about said first pivot, between an extended position and a folded position wherein said bottle opener extends along said back of said handle; and

(f) a cam located adjacent to said first pivot, said bottle opener having a rear end and including a finger-like spring projecting rearwardly from said rear end and engaging said cam.

11. A multipurpose folding tool, comprising:

(a) an elongate handle including an elongate channel and having a first side wall and a back, said handle defining a blade-receiving cavity and having a length;

(b) at least one tool blade attached to said handle and movable with respect to said handle about a first pivot, between an extended position and a folded position in said cavity;

(c) a corkscrew having a base attached to said handle and movable with respect to said handle, about a second pivot spaced apart from said first pivot along said length of said handle, between respective folded and operative positions;

(d) a spring located in said cavity and having a base attached to said handle adjacent said first pivot and alongside and parallel with said first side wall, said back defining a flange extending along a margin of said base of said spring, thereby preventing said base of said spring from rotating with respect to said first side wall, and said spring extending from said base thereof to said base of said corkscrew;

(e) a folding can opener having the form of a channel including a side and a back member, said folding can opener being attached to said handle by said first pivot and being movable with respect to said handle about said first pivot, between an extended position and a folded position wherein said can opener extends along said back of said handle; and

(f) a cam located adjacent to said first pivot, said can opener having a rear end and including a finger-like spring projecting rearwardly from said rear end and engaging said cam.

12. A combined bottle opener and can opener for use in combination with a handle of a hand tool, comprising:

(a) a channel-shaped member including a central back portion and a pair of apart-spaced side portions, said side portions defining a transverse pivot axis adjacent a rear end of said channel-shaped member;

(b) each of said side portions including a forwardly-open hook located forward from said transverse pivot axis;

(c) a first one of said side portions including a can opener blade having a substantially straight cutting edge portion located spaced forwardly apart from said hook thereof, whereby said first one of said side portions functions as a can opener with said hook engaging a rim of a can and said can opener blade cutting a top of said can along said rim; and

(d) a second one of said side portions including a convexly arcuate rocker located spaced forwardly apart from said hook thereof and aligned laterally opposite said cutting edge portion of said can opener blade.

14. The combined bottle opener and can opener of claim 12 wherein said can opener blade includes an arcuate rear end.

15. The combined bottle opener and can opener of claim 12 wherein said can opener blade includes a piercing tip.

13. A combined bottle opener and can opener for use in combination with a handle of a hand tool, comprising:

(a) a channel-shaped member including a central back portion and a pair of apart-spaced side portions, said side portions defining a transverse pivot axis adjacent a rear end of said channel-shaped member, and said channel-shaped member including a finger-like spring projecting rearwardly and downwardly from said back portion in position to engage a cam associated with a handle of a hand tool to hold said combined bottle opener and can opener in a selected position of rotation about said pivot axis with respect to said handle;

(b) each of said side portions including a forwardly-open hook located forward from said transverse pivot axis;

(c) a first one of said side portions including a can opener blade located spaced forwardly apart from said hook thereof, whereby said first one of said side portions functions as a can opener with said hook engaging a rim of a can and said can opener blade cutting a top of said can along said rim; and

(d) a second one of said side portions including a rocker located spaced forwardly apart from said hook thereof.

16. A multipurpose folding tool, comprising:

(a) a handle having a length and including an elongate channel including a back and respective first and second sides, said back extending through a majority of said length and said first side being interconnected with said back along a longitudinally-extending angle portion of said handle, said first side and said back defining an elongate opening extending along said angle portion of said handle;

(b) a corkscrew having a base, said base being attached to said first side by a first pivot, and said corkscrew being movable through an angle with respect to said first side about a first pivot axis, between a folded position and an extended position, a portion of said corkscrew extending through said opening and being located inside said handle when said corkscrew is in said folded position; and

(c) a brace attached to said handle by a second pivot defining a second pivot axis spaced apart from said first pivot axis, said brace being rotatable about said second pivot axis, between a folded position and an extended position, and said brace including a foot spaced apart from said second pivot axis and located closely alongside said first side of said handle when said brace is in said folded position.

25. The folding tool of claim 16 wherein said corkscrew has a tip located within said handle when said corkscrew is in said folded position.

17. A multipurpose folding tool, comprising:

(a) a handle in the form of an elongate channel including a back and respective first and second sides, said first side being interconnected with said back along a longitudinally-extending angle portion of said handle, said side and said back defining an elongate opening extending along said angle portion of said handle;

(b) a corkscrew having a base, said base being attached to said first side by a first pivot, and said corkscrew being movable through an angle with respect to said first side about a first pivot axis, between a folded position and an extended position, a portion of said corkscrew extending through said opening and being located inside said handle when said corkscrew is in said folded position;

(c) a brace attached to said handle by a second pivot defining a second pivot axis spaced apart from said first pivot axis, said brace being rotatable about said second pivot axis, between a folded position and an extended position, and said brace including a foot spaced apart from said second pivot axis and located closely alongside said first side of said handle when said brace is in said folded position; and

(d) a cam located within said handle adjacent said second pivot axis, and wherein said brace has a rear end and includes a latch spring extending from said rear end and resting in contact with said cam.

18. The tool of claim 17 wherein said cam includes a detent and said latch spring rests on said detent when said brace is in said closed position.

19. The tool of claim 17 wherein said brace includes a bottle cap remover including a pair of hooks and a pair of rockers, and wherein said cam includes a limit stop and said latch spring rests against said limit stop when said brace is in said extended position.

20. The tool of claim 17 wherein said brace includes a can opener including a hook and a can opener blade and wherein said cam includes a limit stop and said latch spring rests against said limit stop when said brace is in said extended position.

21. The folding tool of claim 17 wherein said second pivot axis is defined by a tool pivot shaft mounted in said handle, and wherein said cam is mounted on said tool pivot shaft.

22. The folding tool of claim 20 wherein said cam is a part of a base of a spring extending alongside said first side of said handle and in contact with said base of said corkscrew.

23. A multipurpose folding tool, comprising:

(a) a handle in the form of an elongate channel including a back and respective first and second sides, said first side being interconnected with said back along a longitudinally-extending angle portion of said handle, said first side and said back defining an elongate opening extending along said angle portion of said handle;

(b) a corkscrew having a base, said base being attached to said first side by a first pivot, and said corkscrew being movable through an angle with respect to said first side about a first pivot axis, between a folded position and an extended position, a portion of said corkscrew extending through said opening and being located inside said handle when said corkscrew is in said folded position, and said corkscrew having a central longitudinal axis located outside said handle; and

(c) a brace attached to said handle by a second pivot defining a second pivot axis spaced apart from said first pivot axis, said brace being rotatable about said second pivot axis, between a folded position and an extended position, and said brace including a foot spaced apart from said second pivot axis and located closely alongside said first side of said handle when said brace is in said folded position.

24. The folding tool of claim 23 wherein said foot is located in a plane defined by said central axis as said corkscrew moves about said first pivot axis.