US 5,564,318 A · Folding tool

Abstract

The folding tool of this invention has first and second jaw structures which are pivotable with respect to each other into an out of operative engagement with each other. A first handle portion and a support plate and second handle pivot with respect to the jaw structures about substantially the same axis. The first handle portion and the support plate can be rotated with respect to the jaw structures so that the jaw structures are supported therebetween (the closed position), and also to a position where the jaw structures extend away from both the first handle portion and the support plate (the open position). In the open position, two springs on the support plate each engage a respective jaw structure. One of these springs springingly locks one of the jaw structures in the open position with respect to the support portion. The other spring engages a camming surface on the other jaw structure which biases the jaw structures apart, i.e., away from engagement with each other. The springs also serve to springingly secure the jaw structures between the support portion and the first handle in the closed position, so that the tool, when folded, is relatively compact and does not open inadvertently.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A folding tool comprising:

first and second jaw structures rotatably connected with each other to pivot about an axis with respect to each other to and from a coacting position;
a first handle portion and a support portion pivotable relative to each other and rotatably connected with said jaw structure and pivoting with respect to said jaw structures about the axis of pivoting of said jaw structures relative to each other;
said support portion having a rotational stop portion engaging the second jaw structure and preventing relative movement thereof beyond an open position in which said second jaw structure extends substantially away from said support portion;
said support portion having a first spring thereon engaging said first jaw structure and biasing said first jaw structure away from said coacting position with the second jaw structure when said second jaw structure is in the open position.

1 more element

A folding tool comprising:

first and second jaw structures pivotally connected with each other for limited relative pivoting movement about an axis;
said first jaw structure having a lost-motion connection including a shaft extending substantially along the axis of pivoting rotation of said jaw structures;
a first handle portion having a recess therein receiving said shaft and being rotatably supported thereon;
said shaft portion having first and second notch walls therein defining a notch therein;
said handle portion having a stop extending into said recess and into said notch and being movable within said notch between said notch walls as said handle portion is rotated relative to said shaft;
said notch walls being configured so that the limited rotational movement of said handle portion is in a range of less than about 180 degrees;
a support wall and second handle portion extending adjacent each other and each being pivotally connected with said jaw structures with pivotal movement about said axis;
said support wall portion and said second handle portion defining therebetween a space;
first and second springs extending within said space and being cantileverly supported therein between said support wall portion and said second handle portion;
said first and second jaw structures each having an open position engagement portion and a closed position engagement portion;
the closed position engagement portions of said jaw structures each engaging a respective spring when the jaw structures are rotated to extend adjacent said support wall portion, said springs biasing said jaw structures to remain within said space;
said open position engagement portion of said second jaw structure including a stop portion and a camming portion engaging said second spring at an open position wherein said second jaw structure extends generally away from said support wall portion, said camming structure urging said second jaw structure to move into engagement with said stop portion of said second jaw structure to engage said second spring;
said engagement of said stop portion and said second spring preventing rotation of the second jaw structure beyond said open position;
and
said open position engagement portion of said first jaw structure engaging the first spring when said first jaw structure is in an open position thereof wherein said first jaw structure extends generally away from said support wall portion, said first spring biasing the first jaw structure away from the coacting position with the second jaw structure.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Folding tool

Life of this patent

Folding tool

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22