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US 5,791,002 AGranted
Multi-purpose folding tool
AssigneeImperial Schrade Corp.
InventorsWalter A. Gardiner, David A. Swinden, James Quinn, Robert Andersen, Oleh Stecyk, Joseph A. Hufnagel, Peter F. Lynch, David A. Furth, Robert L. Naas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-purpose folding tool which features inwardly tapered handles to provide external plier jaw storage, thereby leaving greater room for supplemental tool storage inside the handles, a box-beam handle construction for greater strength, downwardly opening handles to facilitate ease of use, a unique supplemental tool locking and release mechanism, and laminated plier jaws which are riveted together for even greater strength and overall integrity.
Claims43
A multi-purpose folding tool, comprising:
- a pliers having a pair of crossed jaws, each of said jaws of said pliers comprising a gripping end with a tip, a pivot bearing, and a tang, said jaws being rotatably connected to each other by a jaw pivot pin extending through each of said jaw pivot bearings;
- a pair of handles each comprising:
- a secured end and a free end, a pivot bearing at said secured end of said handle rotatably connected to one of said tangs by a tang pivot pin, the axes of said jaw pivot pin and said tang pivot pins being substantially parallel to one another;
- a pair of upstanding sidewalls integrally connected by a web, said sidewalls and said web forming a U-shaped channel open outwardly from the plane of said handles, said pair of upstanding sidewalls including an outboard sidewall facing away from the other handle and an inboard sidewall facing toward the other handle, each of the outboard sidewalls of said handles including an inwardly tapered portion to define a recess adjacent to a respective one of said pivot bearings;
- a channel pivot pin journaled in said sidewalls transverse of said channel adjacent said free end of said handle, the axis of said channel pivot pin being substantially orthogonal to the axes of said jaw and tang pivot pins;
- a plurality of supplemental tools pivotally mounted on said channel pivot pin, each of said supplemental tools being individually rotatable between a closed position within said channel and an open position extending from said channel.
3 more elements
A multi-purpose folding tool, comprising:
- a pliers having a pair of crossed jaws, each of said jaws of said pliers comprising a gripping end with a tip, a pivot bearing, and a tang, said jaws being rotatably connected to each other by a jaw pivot pin extending through each of said jaw pivot bearings;
- a pair of handles, each of said handles comprising:
- a secured end and a free end, a pivot bearing at said secured end of said handle rotatably connected to one of said tangs by a tang pivot pin, the axes of said jaw pivot pin and said tang pivot pins being substantially parallel to one another;
- a pair of upstanding sidewalls integrally connected by a web, said sidewalls and said web forming a U-shaped channel open outwardly from the plane of said handles;
- a partial web covering a portion of said channel adjacent said pivot bearing, said partial web being integrally connected with one of said sidewalls and folded over in close proximity to the other of said sidewalls to form with said web a box-beam construction;
- a channel pivot pin journaled in said sidewalls transverse of said channel adjacent said free end of said handle, the axis of said channel pivot pin being substantially orthogonal to the axes of said jaw and tang pivot pins;
- and
- a plurality of supplemental tools pivotally mounted on said channel pivot pin, each of said supplemental tools being individually rotatable between a closed position within said channel and an open position extending from said channel.
5 more elements
A multi-purpose folding tool, comprising:
- a pliers having a pair of crossed jaws, each of said jaws of said pliers comprising a gripping end with a tip, a pivot bearing, and a tang, said jaws being rotatably connected by a jaw pivot pin extending through said jaw pivot bearings, and each of said jaws comprising at least three laminated sheets, each pair of adjacent sheets being reinforced with at least one mating countersink and dap;
- a pair of handles, each of said handles comprising:
- a secured end and a free end, a pivot bearing at one end of said handle rotatably connected to a corresponding tang by a tang pivot pin, the axes of said jaw pivot pin and said tang pivot pins being substantially parallel to one another;
- a pair of upstanding sidewalls integrally connected by a web, said sidewalls and said web forming a U-shaped channel open outwardly from the plane of said handles;
- a channel pivot pin journaled in said sidewalls transverse of said channel adjacent said free end of said handle, the axis of said channel pivot pin being substantially orthogonal to the axes of said jaw and tang pivot pins;
- a plurality of supplemental tools pivotally mounted on said channel pivot pin, each of said supplemental tools being individually rotatable between a closed position within said channel and an open position extending from said channel.
3 more elements
A jaw for a gripping tool, comprising:
- an integral central body comprising a gripping end, a pivot bearing, and a tang;
- an integral first outer strip comprising a gripping end, a pivot bearing, and a tang;
- and
- an integral second outer strip comprising a gripping end;
- the gripping ends of said central body, said first outer strip, and said second outer strip being in aligned, overlapping relationship;
- the pivot bearings and the tangs of said central body and said first outer strip being in aligned, overlapping relationship;
- said aligned pivot bearings having a pivot pin receiving aperture therethrough;
- said pivot bearing of said central body including a recess extending inwardly from said second outer strip;
- said central body including at least one countersink facing each of said outer strips, and each of said outer strips including at least one dap mating with said facing countersink;
- and
- a rivet passing through each of said mating countersinks and daps for securing said central body and said outer strips together.
8 more elements
A gripping tool, comprising:
- a pair of jaws, each of said jaws comprising at least three laminated sheets, each pair of adjacent sheets being reinforced with at least one mating countersink and dap;
- means for forcing said jaws together to grip an object;
- binding means passing through said laminated sheets to bind said sheets together;
- wherein said binding means comprises at least one rivet;
- and
- wherein said at least one rivet passes through said mating countersink and dap.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.