# US 11,440,342 B2 · Swivel prep tool > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,440,342 B2 - Document ID: US11440342B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/114,565 - Filed: 2020-12-08 - Published: 2021-04-01 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-06 - Assignees: Swimc LLC - Applicants: Swimc LLC - Inventors: Victor J. Levand - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11440342B2 ## CPC - B44D 3/164: {comprising blades} - B25F 1/02: with interchangeable or adjustable tool elements - B25G 1/10: characterised by material or shape (B25G1/01, B25G1/02 take precedence {; for hand tools comprising coating rollers B05C17/0205}) - A47L 13/022: Scraper handles - B05C 17/0245: {Accessories} - B26B 1/04: lockable in adjusted position - B44D: PAINTING OR ARTISTIC DRAWING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PRESERVING PAINTINGS; SURFACE TREATMENT TO OBTAIN SPECIAL ARTISTIC SURFACE EFFECTS OR FINISHES (surface treatment in general, see the relevant places, e.g. applying liquids or other fluent materials B05) - B25F: COMBINATION OR MULTI-PURPOSE TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DETAILS OR COMPONENTS OF PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS NOT PARTICULARLY RELATED TO THE OPERATIONS PERFORMED AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR {(machines or arrangements of machines for performing specified combinations of different metal-working operations not covered by a single other subclass B23P23/00 and subgroups)} - B25G: HANDLES FOR HAND IMPLEMENTS (attaching the blades or the like to handles of hand tools for soil working A01B1/22; handles of hand implements for harvesting A01D1/14; handles integral with brushware A46B) - A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08) - B05C: APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (spraying apparatus, atomising apparatus, nozzles B05B; plant for applying liquids or other fluent materials to objects by electrostatic spraying B05B5/08) - B26B: HAND-HELD CUTTING TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (for harvesting A01D; for horticulture, for forestry A01G; for butchering or meat treatment A22; for manufactering or repairing footwear A43D; nail clippers or cutters A45D29/02; kitchen equipment A47J; {vegetable slicers, julienne cutters and similar devices and holders therefor, B26D3/28}; for surgical purposes A61B; for metal B23D; cutting by abrasive fluid jets B24C5/02; plier-like tools with cutting edges B25B7/22; pincers B25C11/02; handles for hand implements, in general B25G; guillotine-type cutters B26D; {perforating by non-mechanical means, e.g. by fluid jet, B26F1/26}; for erasing B43L19/00; for textile materials D06H) ## Abstract Provide is a tool that includes a handle assembly including a top and bottom portion and a blade disposed between the top and bottom portion having first and second ends and an opening at its first end. The opening includes first and second notches opposed to one another. The tool also includes a latch assembly disposed between the top and bottom portion that is movable between first and second positions, the latch assembly including a latch having a protrusion that engages one of the first or second notches in the first position and disengages from the one of the first or second notches in the second position. The blade is rotatable about the first end between a closed positioned where the first notch is engaged by the protrusion, and an open position where the second notch is engaged by the protrusion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tool including: a handle assembly including a top portion having first and second ends and a bottom portion having first and second ends, each portion having an opening at its first end; a blade disposed between the top and bottom portion and having first and second ends and an opening at its first end, the opening including first and second notches opposed to one another that extend radially outward from the opening; and a latch assembly disposed between the top and bottom portion and being movable between first and second positions, wherein the latch assembly engages one of the first or second notches in the first position and disengages from the one of the first or second notches in the second position, and wherein the blade is rotatable about the first end between a closed position where the second end of the blade is disposed between the top and bottom portions and the first notch is engaged by a portion of the latch assembly, and an open position where the second end of the blade is outside the top and bottom portions and the second notch is engaged by the portion of the latch assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tool according to claim 1, wherein the openings in the top portion, the bottom portion, and the blade are aligned. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The tool according to claim 1, wherein the latch assembly is moveable and includes one of a button, a latch, or a slider. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The tool according to claim 3, further including a spring footing secured to the top portion and a resilient member having one end seated on the spring footing and another end seated on the button. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The tool according to claim 4, wherein the actuation portion is configured to move the latch to disengage a portion of the latch from the one of the first or second notches when the latch assembly is in the second position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The tool according to claim 1, further including a top plate coupled to the top portion and a bottom plate coupled to at least one of the top plate or the bottom portion, which the blade is disposed between the top and bottom plates. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The tool according to claim 6, wherein the top portion and the top plate each include a plurality of ramps, wherein a slider includes portions trapped between the ramps of the top portion and the ramps of the bottom portion, and wherein the ramps are configured to move the slider. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The tool according to claim 7, wherein the slider includes legs that move within channels in the latch assembly, and wherein the ramps are configured to move the slider in an angled direction causing the arms to move in the channels and move the a portion of the latch assembly in and out of the first and second notches. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The tool according to claim 6, wherein the top and bottom plates each have first and second ends and an opening at its first end, wherein the openings in the top and bottom plates are aligned with the openings in the top portion, the bottom portion, and the blade. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The tool according to claim 9, further including a collar assembly having a collar top and a collar bottom, wherein the collar top extends through or into the opening in the top portion, the top plate, the blade, the bottom plate and the bottom portion, and the collar bottom extends through or into at least the opening in the bottom portion, and wherein the collar top and collar bottom are coupled to one another. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The tool according to claim 10, wherein the collar top includes threads for mating with corresponding threads of the collar bottom within the openings. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The tool according to claim 10, wherein the collar top and collar bottom each include a body and a flange, wherein the body of the collar top extends through or into the opening in the top portion, the top plate, the blade, the bottom plate and the bottom portion and the flange abuts an outer surface of the top portion around the opening in the top portion, and wherein the body of the collar bottom extends through or into at least the opening in the bottom portion and the flange abuts an outer surface of the bottom portion around the opening in the bottom portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The tool according to claim 6, further including a stop attached to the top plate, wherein the stop is configured to prevent over rotation of the blade when the latch assembly is in the second position. ### Claim 14 A tool including: a handle assembly including a top portion and a bottom portion; a blade disposed between the top and bottom portion, the blade having an opening including first and second notches opposed to one another; and a latch assembly disposed between the top and bottom portions and being movable between first and second positions, the latch assembly including a button having a portion that extends out an opening in the top portion, a latch having a protrusion that engages one of the first or second notches in the first position and disengages from the one of the first or second notches in the second position, and a slider between the button and the latch configured to move the latch to disengage the protrusion from the one of the first or second notches or engage the protrusion with the one of the first or second notches when a portion of the latch assembly is moved between the first and second positions, wherein the blade is rotatable between where the first notch is engaged by the protrusion and where the second notch is engaged by the protrusion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The tool according to claim 14, wherein the top and bottom portion each include first and second ends and an opening at the respective first end, and wherein the opening at the first end of the top and bottom portion and the opening in the blade are aligned forming a through passage. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The tool according to claim 15, further including a collar assembly having a collar top and a collar bottom, wherein the collar top and collar bottom extend through or into the openings and are coupled to one another. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The tool according to claim 14, wherein the slider includes legs that move within channels in the latch, and wherein the slider is configured to move in an angled direction causing the arms to move in the channels and move the latch to move the protrusion in and out of the first and second notches. ### Claim 18 A tool including: a handle having a first portion and a second portion, each portion including an opening; a blade positioned in-between the first and second portions and having a first end and a second end opposite thereto, wherein the second end includes an opening having a first notch and a second notch opposite thereto that extend radially outward from the opening, and wherein the blade is rotatable at the second end between a closed position where the first end is disposed within the handle and an open position where the first end is outside the handle; and a latch movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the latch engages the first or the second notch, and in the second position the latch disengages from the first notch or the second notch. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The tool according to claim 18, further including a collar positioned through the opening of the first portion, the second portion, and the blade. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The tool according to claim 18, wherein the openings in the first portion, second portion, and blade are aligned.