Removable tool element for inclusion in a folding tool
AssigneeLeatherman Tool Group, Inc.
InventorBenjamin C. Rivera
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A folding multipurpose tool includes removable tweezers. The tweezers have a pair of opposed legs that are hooked over a pin extending through a tool storage pocket in a handle of the tool. The tweezers can pivot about said pin between a folded position within said pocket and an extended position outside of said pocket. One of the legs is thicker than the other and unable to pass through a passageway between the pin and the floor of the tool pocket. When the tweezers are in the extended position one of the legs may be slid into the pocket, disengaging the tweezers from the pin and enables the tweezer to be lifted out of the pocket. A generic implement with a hooked shaped base may be removed from a tool pocket in a similar manner.
Claims15
A folding tool comprising:
- (a) an elongate removable tool implement;
- (b) an elongate tool storage pocket capable of receiving said implement, said elongate pocket defining a first axis;
- (c) a pin associated with said tool pocket about which said implement can pivot between a folded position substantially within said pocket and an extended position at least partially outside of said pocket and extending away from said pocket in the same general direction as said first axis;
- and
- (d) said implement having a base with first and second opposed portions defining a notch therebetween, said notch having an open side and capable of receiving and engaging said pin therein, said open side of said notch facing substantially axially out of said pocket when said implement is in said extended position.
A method for disengaging an implement from a folding tool of the type having a tool storage pocket with a floor and a pivot pin about which said implement can pivot between a folded position substantially within said pocket and an extended position at least partially outside of said pocket, said method comprising:
- (a) providing said implement with a hooked base having an open side capable of receiving and engaging said pin;
- (b) arranging said implement in a folded position within said pocket with said pin received within said open side of said hooked base, said open side facing said pocket;
- (c) pivoting said implement about said pin to said extended position such that said open side of said hooked base faces away from said pocket;
- and
- (d) sliding said implement into said pocket until said implement is disengaged from said pin.
A method for stowing an elongate implement in a folding tool of the type having a tool storage pocket with a floor and a pivot pin about which said implement can pivot between a folded position substantially within said pocket and an extended position at least partially outside said pocket, said method comprising:
- (a) providing said implement with a hooked base having an open side, said open side capable of receiving and engaging said pin;
- (b) positioning said implement in said pocket with said open side of said hooked base facing said pin;
- (c) sliding said implement toward said pin, until said pin is received in said open side of said hooked base and said implement is in extended position with respect to said pocket;
- and
- (d) pivoting said implement about said pin until said implement is in folded position, substantially within said pocket.
An elongate removable implement for inclusion in a folding tool comprising:
- (a) a base having first and second opposed portions defining a notch therebetween, said notch having an opening;
- and
- (b) said first portion including an elongate first leg defining a first axis, said opening facing in a direction substantially aligned with said first axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.