Bender bar speedwrench 4-in-1 multi-tool

• US 8,448,545 B1
• Filed: 03/02/2011
• Issued: 05/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Douglas B. Argyle
• Original Assignee: Douglas B. Argyle
• Inventors: Argyle, Douglas B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hail, Joseph J
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCDONALD, SHANTESE L
• Application Number:
  US13/039,149
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: 81/28, 811/776, 811/777, 811/778.5
• US Class Current: 81/28
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 13/56 Spanner sets
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/0007 Connections or joints between tool parts
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/0021 Prolongations interposed between handle and tool
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/0028 Angular adjustment means between tool head and handle
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/1427 by mechanical means

Abstract

A collapsible, multi-use tool for use in changing a flat tire includes a tool body having a first end including a curved chisel surface and a second end including a ratchet drive head. A central portion of the tool connects the two end portions, the ends of which are hingedly connected to the adjacent first and second ends. Sliding sleeves are disposed over the first and second ends and can be slid towards one another so as to cover the central portion of the tool and the hinged connections to keep the tool in a linear configuration that provides excellent leverage for breaking lug nuts loose. One of the sliding sleeves may be flared at one end so as to receive an end of the other sliding sleeve when coupled together.

Claims

1. A collapsible multi-tool for use in replacing a tire of a vehicle, comprising:

an elongate tool body including a first end including a curved chisel surface for use in removing a hubcap, an oppositely disposed second end including a ratchet drive head to which a selected socket is attachable for use in removing lug nuts, and a central portion disposed between the opposite first and second ends;

the central portion being hingedly connected to the first end of the tool body at one end of the central portion and an opposite end of the central portion also being hingedly connected to the second end of the tool body such that the first and second ends of the tool body may be folded so as to assume a compact configuration; and

first and second mating sliding sleeves disposed over the first and second ends of the tool body, respectively, such that the mating sliding sleeves may be slid matingly towards one another so that one sliding sleeve is received within a flared end of the other sliding sleeve such that the central portion of the tool body as well as at least portions of the first and second ends are covered by the sliding sleeves so as to aid in locking the tool body in a linear, non-collapsed configuration.

2. A collapsible multi-tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the mating sliding sleeves further comprise a protrusion on one sleeve and a corresponding receiving recess on the other sleeve for locking the sleeves together with the tool body in a linear, non-collapsed configuration.

3. A collapsible multi-tool as recited in claim 2, wherein the corresponding receiving recess is L-shaped.

4. A collapsible multi-tool as recited in claim 2, wherein the corresponding receiving recess is J-shaped.

5. A collapsible multi-tool as recited in claim 1, further comprising a retention ring disposed on the first end of the tool body for preventing the first sliding sleeve from sliding off the first end.

6. A collapsible multi-tool as recited in claim 1, further comprising a protrusion formed on the exterior surface of the first end configured to frictionally engage an interior surface of the sliding sleeve disposed over the first end so as to retain the sliding sleeve over the first end under force of gravity.

7. A collapsible multi-tool as recited in claim 1, further comprising a protrusion formed on the exterior surface of the second end configured to frictionally engage an interior surface of the sliding sleeve disposed over the second end so as to retain the sliding sleeve over the second end under force of gravity.

8. A collapsible multi-tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the curved chisel surface of the first end has a flared width.

9. A collapsible multi-tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the curved chisel surface of the first end is not flared, but has a substantially constant width over its length.

10. A collapsible multi-tool as recited in claim 1, wherein a hinge connecting the central portion to the first end of the tool body has a thickness that is about one-third the thickness of the central portion of the tool body, the central portion further comprising a receiving recess into which the hinge is received, wherein portions on either side of the receiving recess also each comprise about one-third the thickness of the central portion of the tool body so that the hinge and each portion on either side of the hinge of the central portion are approximately equal in thickness.

11. A collapsible multi-tool for use in replacing a tire of a vehicle, comprising:

an elongate tool body including a first end including a curved chisel surface for use in removing a hubcap, an oppositely disposed second end including a ratchet drive head to which a selected socket is attachable for use in removing lug nuts, and a central portion disposed between the opposite first and second ends;

the central portion being hingedly connected to the first end of the tool body by a first hinge, the first hinge being fixed at one end and hingedly connected at a second end, and an opposite end of the central portion also being hingedly connected to the second end of the tool body by a second hinge, the second hinge being fixed at one end and hingedly connected at a second end such that the first and second ends of the tool body may be folded so as to assume a Z-shaped configuration and not a more compact configuration; and

first and second mating sliding sleeves disposed over the first and second ends of the tool body, respectively, such that the mating sliding sleeves may be slid matingly towards one another so that one sliding sleeve is received within a flared end of the other sliding sleeve such that the central portion of the tool body as well as at least portions of the first and second ends are covered by the sliding sleeves so as to aid in locking the tool body in a linear, non-collapsed configuration.

12. A collapsible multi-tool as recited in claim 11, wherein the mating sliding sleeves further comprise a protrusion on one sleeve and a corresponding L-shaped or J-shaped receiving recess on the other sleeve for locking the sleeves together with the tool body in a linear, non-collapsed configuration.

13. A collapsible multi-tool as recited in claim 11, further comprising a retention ring disposed on the first end of the tool body for preventing the first sliding sleeve from sliding off the first end.

14. A collapsible multi-tool as recited in claim 11, further comprising a protrusion formed on the exterior surface of the first end configured to frictionally engage an interior surface of the sliding sleeve disposed over the first end so as to retain the sliding sleeve over the first end under force of gravity.

15. A collapsible multi-tool as recited in claim 14, further comprising a protrusion formed on the exterior surface of the second end configured to frictionally engage an interior surface of the sliding sleeve disposed over the second end so as to retain the sliding sleeve over the second end under force of gravity.

16. A collapsible multi-tool as recited in claim 15, wherein the curved chisel surface of the first end has a flared width.

17. A collapsible multi-tool as recited in claim 15, wherein the curved chisel surface of the first end is not flared, but has a substantially constant width over its length.

18. A collapsible multi-tool for use in replacing a tire of a vehicle, comprising:

an elongate tool body including a first end including a curved chisel surface for use in removing a hubcap, an oppositely disposed second end including a ratchet drive head to which a selected socket is attachable for use in removing lug nuts, and a central portion disposed between the opposite first and second ends;

the central portion being hingedly connected to the first end of the tool body at one end of the central portion and an opposite end of the central portion also being hingedly connected to the second end of the tool body such that the first and second ends of the tool body may be folded so as to assume a compact configuration;

wherein a hinge connecting the central portion to the first end of the tool body has a thickness that is about one-third the thickness of the central portion of the tool body, the central portion further comprising a receiving recess into which the hinge is received, wherein portions on either side of the receiving recess also each comprise about one-third the thickness of the central portion of the tool body so that the hinge and each portion on either side of the hinge of the central portion are approximately equal in thickness; and

first and second mating sliding sleeves disposed over the first and second ends of the tool body, respectively, such that the mating sliding sleeves may be slid matingly towards one another so that one sliding sleeve is received within a flared end of the other sliding sleeve such that the central portion of the tool body as well as at least portions of the first and second ends are covered by the sliding sleeves so as to aid in locking the tool body in a linear, non-collapsed configuration;

wherein the mating sliding sleeves comprise a protrusion on one sleeve and a corresponding L-shaped or J-shaped receiving recess on the other sleeve for locking the sleeves together with the tool body in a linear, non-collapsed configuration; and

further comprising a protrusion formed on the exterior surface of the first end of the tool body configured to frictionally engage an interior surface of the sliding sleeve disposed over the first end so as to retain the sliding sleeve over the first end under force of gravity.

19. A collapsible multi-tool as recited in claim 18, wherein the curved chisel surface of the first end has a flared width.

20. A collapsible multi-tool as recited in claim 18, wherein the curved chisel surface of the first end is not flared, but has a substantially constant width over its length.