Tool frame member including spring

• US 7,406,896 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2007
• Issued: 08/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Leatherman Tool Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Leatherman Tool Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Rivera, Benjamin C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shakeri; Hadi
• Application Number:
  US11/710,669
• Publication Number:
  US 20070157771A1
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 811/244, 814/40, 811/774, 814/275, 716/8, 712/8, 30155-162, 301/52, 301/53, D81/07, D8/55
• US Class Current: 81/177.4
• 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

Abstract

A frame member for the handle of a folding knife or multipurpose tool includes an integral flange with an integral leaf spring. An internal frame member has an upper flange and an oppositely facing lower flange. Each flange includes an integral leaf spring. The leaf springs bear upon the base portions of folding tool blades that are pivotably pinned to the frame. Attaching side scales to the frame creates upwardly and downwardly facing tool pockets. Other frames are shown in the form of a channel with an integral external flange extending outwardly from the top of a channel wall in a direction away from the channel. Pivot pins extending through the channel and out the channel wall carry pivoting tool blades. An integral leaf spring on the external flange bears against the base of a blade pivotably connected to the frame outside of the channel. Other tool blades are carried inside the channel and pivot about the pivot pin.

Claims

1. A folding multipurpose tool comprising a pair of crossed and pivotally interconnected tool members each having a base;

and a pair of handles each connected pivotally to said base of a respective one of said tool members, each of said handles having;

(a) a frame having an internal tool pocket defined by opposed first and second side walls and a channel floor, said frame further including first and second external flanges integral with said first and second side walls, respectively;

(b) said first and second external flanges extending outwardly from said first and second side walls in opposite lateral directions away from the channel floor to respective lateral terminal ends, said first and second external flanges each including at least one leaf spring defined by only a single cut;

(c) a first side scale adjacent to the lateral terminal end of the first external flange such that the single cut defining the leaf spring is positioned inboard of the first side scale in a first lateral direction, said first side scale, said first external flange and said first side wall defining a first external tool pocket, said first side scale and said first external flange being separate pieces fixed relative to one another to thereby define a visible demarcation extending longitudinally along the first external flange beyond the leaf spring and between said first external flange and said first side scale;

(d) a second side scale adjacent to the lateral terminal end of the second external flange such that the single cut defining the leaf spring is positioned inboard of the second side scale in a second lateral direction, opposite the first lateral direction, said second side scale, said second external flange and said second side wall defining a second external tool pocket, said second side scale and said second external flange being separate pieces fixed relative to one another to thereby define a visible demarcation extending longitudinally along the second external flange beyond the leaf spring and between said second external flange and said second side scale;

(e) said internal tool pocket interposing said first and second external tool pockets but facing in a direction opposite therefrom such that respective internal tool pockets of said pair of handles will face each other when said folding multipurpose tool is in a folded condition to contain said tool members; and

(f) at least one tool bit pivotally received in each of said first and second external tool pockets such that a base thereof engages a corresponding one of said leaf springs.

2. A folding multipurpose tool according to claim 1 further comprising an independent spring, separate from and not an integral part of said frame, arranged in said internal tool pocket of each of said handles.

3. A folding multipurpose tool according to claim 2 wherein each independent spring has a free end positioned in the respective internal tool pocket so as to bear against said base of said tool member.

4. A folding multipurpose tool according to claim 3 wherein said independent spring rests against the respective channel floor of said frame.

5. A folding multipurpose tool according to claim 1 wherein the single cut is at least partially located in a corresponding one of said first and second side walls.

6. A folding multipurpose tool according to claim 1 wherein at least that portion of each leaf spring that contacts the base of the respective tool bit is substantially flat.

7. A folding multipurpose tool according to claim 1 wherein said first and second external flanges extend longitudinally along said first and second side walls, respectively, wherein each of said first and second external flanges includes an elongate longitudinal outer edge that is substantially parallel to the respective side wall, and wherein each of said first and second leaf springs also includes an elongate longitudinal outer edge that extends collinearly with the outer edge of a remainder of the respective external flange.

8. A folding multipurpose tool according to claim 1 wherein said first and second external flanges extend along substantially an entire length of said first and second side walls, respectively.

9. A folding multipurpose tool according to claim 1 wherein, when said folding multipurpose tool is in the folded condition, each of said first and second leaf springs is angled into the respective external tool pocket relative to a remainder of the respective external flange.

10. A folding multipurpose tool according to claim 1 wherein said frame of each of said handles is formed from one piece of integral material.

11. A folding multipurpose tool according to claim 10 wherein said one piece of integral material is sheet metal.