Multi-purpose, multi-functional tool

• US 6,314,652 B1
• Filed: 05/10/1999
• Issued: 11/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Versa Technologies Incorporated (Enerpac Tool Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Versa Technologies Incorporated (Enerpac Tool Group Corp.)
• Inventors: English, John T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gutierrez, Diego
• Assistant Examiner(s): VERBITSKY, GAIL KAPLAN
• Application Number:
  US09/309,044
• Time in Patent Office: 918 Days
• Field of Search: 334/18, 334/19, 334/20--26, 334/15, 334/17, 334/51, 334/52, 334/65, 334/68, 334/69, 334/71, 334/73, 335/62--66, 334/16, 334/27, 334/64, 334/70, 334/72
• US Class Current: 33/421
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/24 for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/26 Details

Abstract

A multi-purpose, multi-function tool of compact design made up of a plurality of components having levels thereon which interact together to provide a single tool which can perform a number of various functions or purposes within the design or construction industry. The tool having a support of predetermined thickness and being of a substantially triangular-shaped configuration defining a pair of legs and a hypotenuse. An edge member is situated on one of the legs of said support structure, the edge member being of a predetermined thickness greater than the predetermined thickness of the support structure for supporting the support structure on a surface. A rotatable member is pivotally mounted on the support structure for selective rotational movement with respect thereto and a curved extension protruding from the rotatable member having degree and rise markings thereon. A locking mechanism is operably interconnected with the curved extension to hold the curved extension and rotatable member in a selected position with respect to the support structure.

Claims

1. A multi-purpose, multi-functional tool comprising:

a support structure;

said support structure being of a substantially triangular-shaped configuration defining a pair of legs and a hypotenuse;

at least one means for determining level located on said support structure;

a rotatable member pivotally mounted on said support structure for selective rotational movement with respect to said support structure;

said rotatable member having means for determining level located thereon;

a curved extension protruding from said rotatable member for movement therewith, said curved extension having degree and rise markings thereon, said support structure including a cut-out portion for receiving said curved extension therein and grooved slots adjacent said cut-out portion for receiving edges of said curved extension to prevent any unwanted sideward movement of said rotatable member and curved extension to take place with respect to said support structure;

a locking mechanism operably interconnected with said curved extension to hold said rotatable member in a selected position with respect to said support structure;

means on said support structure for providing a reference for said markings located on said curved extension;

said support structure being made of a predetermined thickness; and

an edge member being on one of said legs of said support structure, said edge member being of a predetermined width, said predetermined width of said edge member being greater than said predetermined thickness of said support structure, with said predetermined width of said edge member being of sufficient size to support said tool on a surface.

2. A multi-purpose, multi-functional tool as defined in claim 1 wherein said pivotal mounting of said rotatable member to said support structure is defined by a pivot point, said pivot point being used to define a radius of curvature for said curved extension.

3. A multi-purpose, multi-functional tool as defined in claim 1 further comprising a first and a second means for determining level located on said support structure adjacent each of said legs, respectively.

4. A multi-purpose, multi-functional tool as defined in claim 3 wherein said support structure further comprises openings therein to act in conjunction with said enlarged portion of said cut-out to lighten the weight of said tool.

5. A multi-purpose, multi-functional tool as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for providing a reference comprises a viewing portion having a reference segment to be used in conjunction with said degree and rise markings.

6. A multi-purpose, multi-functional tool as defined in claim 1 wherein said support structure has a slot with at least one notch therein in order to accommodate a tip of an instrument.

7. A multi-purpose, multi-functional tool as defined in claim 1 wherein said cut-out portion for receiving the curved extension includes said slot.

8. A multi-purpose, multi-functional tool as defined in claim 6 wherein at least one of said legs of said support structure includes at least one notch therein in order to accommodate the tip of an instrument.

9. A multi-purpose, multi-functional tool as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for providing a reference comprises a transparent member having a reference line thereon to be used in conjunction with said degree and rise markings, said transparent member passing over said cut-out to add to the stability of said support structure.

10. A multi-purpose, multi-functional tool as defined in claim 9 wherein said reference line also acts as a means for providing a conversion between said degree and rise markings.

11. A multi-purpose, multi-functional tool as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for providing a reference comprises a viewing portion having a reference segment to be used in conjunction with said degree and rise markings.

12. A multi-purpose, multi-functional tool as defined in claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism is connected between said support structure and said curved extension and includes a releasable locking screw.

13. A multi-purpose, multi-functional tool as defined in claim 1 wherein at an intersection between one of said legs and said hypotenuse of said support structure, one of said legs has a tapered portion, and said rotatable member also has a tapered portion thereon to matingly engage with said tapered portion of said one of said legs.

14. A multi-purpose, multi-functional tool as defined in claim 1 wherein:

at least one of said legs of said support structure has at least one notch therein in order to accommodate a tip of an instrument;

said cut-out portion including a slot, said support structure adjacent said slot having at least one notch therein in order to accommodate a tip of an instrument; and

said at least one of said legs and said rotatable member having measuring markings thereon.

15. A multi-purpose, multi-functional tool as defined in claim 14 wherein one end of said rotatable member is angled in order to mate with an end of one of said legs of said support structure in order to define an angle of 0 or 90 degrees.

16. A multi-purpose, multi-functional tool as defined in claim 1 wherein one end of said rotatable member extends beyond one of said legs upon the rotation of said rotatable member.

17. A multi-purpose, multi-functional tool comprising:

a support structure;

said support structure being of a predetermined thickness and of a substantially triangular-shaped configuration defining a pair of legs and a hypotenuse;

an edge member situated on one of said legs of said support structure, said edge member being of a predetermined width, said predetermined width being greater than said predetermined thickness of said support structure for supporting said support structure on a surface;

a first and second means for determining level located on said support structure adjacent each of said legs, respectively;

a rotatable member pivotally mounted on said support structure for selective rotational movement with respect thereto;

said rotatable member having means for determining level located thereon;

a curved extension protruding from said rotatable member, said curved extension having degree and rise markings thereon;

a locking mechanism operably interconnected with said curved extension to hold said rotatable member in a selected position with respect to said support structure;

means associated with said support structure for providing a reference for said markings located on said curved extension; and

one end of said rotatable member extends beyond said edge member when being rotated such that when said rotatable member is rotated it can be fully used as a straight edge.

18. A multi-purpose, multi-functional tool as defined in claim 17 wherein said edge member extends beyond at least one of said legs, and one end of said rotational member extends beyond said edge member through a slot in said edge member.