Portable tool kit with auto-release clasp and expandable tools

• US 7,810,415 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2008
• Issued: 10/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: InterDesign Incorporated
• Original Assignee: InterDesign Incorporated
• Inventors: Rubin, Bennett S., Adamany, Richard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shakeri; Hadi
• Application Number:
  US12/120,670
• Publication Number:
  US 20090283428A1
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 814/40, 811/774, 81436-439, 814/90, 716/8, 716/5, 206/223, 206/372, 206/752, 206/234
• US Class Current: 81/440
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 27/0071 for bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 1/04 wherein the elements are brought into working positions by a pivoting or sliding movement

Abstract

A portable tool kit comprising a self-releasing clasp such that the clasp is released as a main body is rotated about a handle axle from a closed position to an open position with reference to a handle assembly. The main body and handle assembly cooperate to wholly enclose a set of tools when in the closed position. When in an open position, the tools of the main body are exposed to selection and rotation about a rivet of the main body cooperating with a biasing device of a biasing rivet of the main body to hold the tool in place. When fully extended, the main body and handle assembly permit the selection of a plurality of tools such as Phillips head and flat head screwdrivers of different sizes for extension from within the main body for use. Moreover, lamps may be provided on either end of the handle assembly for illuminating a work area.

Claims

1. A portable tool kit comprising a handle assembly and a main body having an indentation at its distal end, the handle assembly and main body for wholly covering a set of tools located within the main body in a closed position, the main body and the handle assembly adapted for rotation about a distal handle axle, the distal handle axle cooperating with a clasp locking element having a groove at a predetermined angle of rotation and a lip for locking a releasable clasp, the main body upon rotation to the predetermined angle of the groove of the clasp locking element releasing the clasp in cooperation with the distal indentation of the main body.

2. A portable tool kit as recited in claim 1, the main body having a front and a rear surface joined by rivets, the rivets for holding at least one of tools and one associated biasing device for holding the tool in an extended position.

3. A portable tool kit as recited in claim 2, the main body comprising a first rivet for mounting at least three Phillips screw drivers of different sizes and a second rivet for mounting at least three flat head screw drivers of different sizes.

4. A portable tool kit as recited in claim 1, the handle assembly further comprising a grip having an electric switch for electrically actuating a lamp at one of a front end or a distal end of the handle assembly.

5. A portable tool kit as recited in claim 4 comprising pairs of lamps at each of the frontal and distal ends of the handle assembly.

6. A portable tool kit as recited in claim 1, the handle assembly being elongated and having a left side and a right side, the handle assembly on one of the left and right sides of either a front or reverse side providing one of a millimeter or an inch scale.

7. A portable tool kit as recited in claim 1, the clasp comprising a key ring.

8. A portable tool kit comprising a handle assembly and a main body having an indentation at its distal end, the handle assembly and main body for wholly covering a set of tools located within the main body in a closed position, the main body and the handle assembly adapted for rotation about a distal handle axle, the distal handle axle cooperating with a clasp locking element having a groove at a predetermined angle of rotation and a lip for locking a releasable clasp, the main body upon rotation to the predetermined angle of the groove of the clasp locking element releasing the clasp in cooperation with the distal indentation of the main body, the main body and the handle assembly when rotated about the handle axle opening to expose the set of tools, the main body comprising a pair of tool rivets for mounting tools at one end and a pair of rivets for mounting biasing devices at the other end, the main body when opened from the handle assembly permitting selection of one of a plurality of tools for rotation about an associated tool rivet to an extended position to be locked in place by a biasing device of an associated biasing rivet.

9. A portable tool kit as recited in claim 8, the handle assembly further comprising a grip having an electric switch for electrically actuating a lamp at one of a front end or a distal end of the handle assembly.

10. A portable took kit as recited in claim 9 comprising pairs of lamps at each of the frontal and distal ends of the handle assembly.

11. A portable tool kit as recited in claim 8, the handle assembly being elongated and having a left side and a right side, the handle assembly on one of the left and right sides of either a front or reverse side providing one of a millimeter or an inch scale.

12. A portable tool kit as recited in claim 8, the main body comprising a first rivet for mounting at least three Phillips screw drivers of different sizes and a second rivet for mounting at least three flat head screw drivers of different sizes.

13. A portable tool kit as recited in claim 8, a plane of an angle of rotation of the main body with reference to the handle assembly being perpendicular to a plane of the angle of rotation of a tool about a tool rivet of the main body.