Pocket tool with removable jaws
AssigneeAlterra Holdings Corporation
InventorsPhillip A. Montague, Edgar A. Dallas, Paul W. Poehlmann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-function tool includes a cross-jaw module removably attached to a pair of channel-shaped handles with a pair of clips. Each clip removably attaching the tang of each jaw of the cross-jaw module to one of the handles. The multi-function tool also includes a spring biased wedge lock to positively lock a plurality of pivotal attached ancillary implements in an open position. An anti-rotational washer located between adjacent implements prevents rotation of a non-selected implement. The washers include a protrusion that is received in a slot in the handle.
Claims12
A multi-function tool provided with a mechanism to lock at least one of a plurality of implements pivotally attached to the tool, the tool comprising:
- channel-shaped handle including a web and a pair of sides extending therefrom, the web having a locking edge, a top surface, and an oppositely facing bottom surface;
- an axle extending transversely between the pair of sides proximate the locking edge;
- a plurality of implements pivotally mounted to the axle, each implement having a working portion and an opposed tang portion provided with a planar locking surface;
- a wedge including a beveled region, the wedge being slidably attached to the handle for engagement with the locking surface of one of the implements when the one of the implements is in an extended position;
- and
- a spring attached to the handle to bias the beveled region of the wedge into engagement with the locking surface when the implement is in the extended position, wherein an angle of the locking surface and an angle of the beveled region are not equal when the beveled region is engaged with the locking surface.
A multi-function tool provided with a mechanism to lock at least one of a plurality of implements pivotally attached to the tool, the tool comprising:
- a channel-shaped handle including a web and a pair of sides extending therefrom, the web having a locking edge, a top surface, an oppositely facing bottom surface and;
- an axle extending transversely between the pair of sides proximate the locking edge;
- plurality of implements pivotally mounted to the axle, each implement having a working portion and an opposed tang portion provided with a locking surface;
- a wedge slidably attached to the web for engagement with the locking surface of one of the implements when the one of the implements is in an extended position;
- and
- a spring attached to the handle to bias the wedge into engagement with the locking surface;
- a plurality of washers, each of the plurality of washers being attached to the axle and separating respective adjacent implements disposed adjacent thereto, the web including a slot transverse the first and second sides located intermediate the axle and the locking edge, each washer including a protrusion extending therefrom and received in the slot.
A multi-function tool provided with a mechanism to lock at least one of a plurality of implements pivotally attached to the tool, the tool comprising:
- a channel-shaped handle including a web and a pair of sides extending therefrom, the web having a locking edge, a top surface, an oppositely facing bottom surface;
- an axle extending transversely between the pair of sides proximate the locking edge;
- a plurality of implements pivotally attached to the axle, each implement having a working portion and an opposed tang portion provided with a locking surface;
- a wedge slidably attached to the web for engagement with the locking surface of one of the implements when the one of the implements is in an extended position;
- and
- a spring attached to the handle to bias the wedge into engagement with the locking surface;
- a plurality of washers, each of the plurality of washers being attached to the axle and separating respective adjacent implements disposed adjacent thereto, the web including a slot transverse the first and second sides located intermediate the axle and the locking edge, each washer including a protrusion extending therefrom and received in the slot, wherein each washer includes a first region proximate the protrusion having a profile complimentary to the locking surface.
A lock mechanism for a tool having a channel-shaped handle, an axle attached thereto, and a plurality of implements pivotally attached to the axle, the channel-shaped handle having a web including an opening and a pair of sides extending therefrom, the lock mechanism comprising:
- a wedge slidably attached to the web for releasable engagement with the implements to prevent rotation of each implement relative to the handle when the implement is in an extended position, the wedge including a beveled region;
- a spring attached to the handle and the wedge to bias the beveled region of the wedge into engagement with the locking surface when the implement is in the extended position, wherein an angle of the locking surface and an angle of the beveled region are not equal when the beveled region of the wedge is engaged with the locking surface of the implement;
- and
- a button attached to the wedge, the button including a top section a portion of which is located proximate the top surface of the web, and a heel section extending through the opening, the wedge being adjacent the bottom surface of the web.
A lock mechanism for a tool having a channel-shaped handle, an axle attached thereto, and a plurality of implements pivotally mounted to the axle, the channel-shaved handle having a web including an opening and a pair of sides extending therefrom, the lock mechanism comprising:
- a wedge slidably attached to the web for releasable engagement with the implements to prevent rotation of each implement relative to the handle when the implement is in an extended position;
- a spring attached to the handle to bias the wedge against the implements;
- and
- a button attached to the wedge, the button including a top section a portion of which is located on the top surface of the web, and a heel section extending through the opening, the wedge being adjacent the bottom surface of the web;
- wherein the-web includes a spring post extending into the opening, the heel including a fastening means, the spring being positively disposed between the spring post and the fastening means:
- a plurality of washers, each washer being attached to the axle and being located between respectively adjacent implements, the web including a slot transverse the first and second sides and formed intermediate the axle and the locking edge, each washer including a protrusion extending therefrom and received in the slot.
A lock mechanism for a tool having a channel-shaped handle, an axle attached thereto, and a plurality of implements pivotally attached to the axle, the channel-shard handle having a web including an opening and a pair of sides extending therefrom, the lock mechanism comprising:
- a wedge slidably attached to the web for releasable engagement with the implements to prevent rotation of each implement relative to the handle when the implement is in an extended position;
- a spring attached to the handle to bias the wedge against the implements;
- and
- a button attached to the wedge, the button including a top section a portion of which is located on the ton surface of the web, and a heel section extending through the opening, the wedge being adjacent the bottom surface of the web;
- wherein the web includes a spring post extending into the opening, the heel including a fastening means, the spring being positively disposed between the spring post and the fastening means;
- a plurality of washers, each washer being attached to the axle and being located between respectively adjacent implements, the web including a slot transverse the first and second sides and formed intermediate the axle and the locking edge, each washer including a protrusion extending therefrom and received in the slot wherein each washer includes a first region proximate the protrusion having a profile substantially similar to a locking surface.
A multi-function tool comprising:
- a handle including a pair of side panels;
- an axle extending transversely between the pair of side panels;
- a plurality of implements pivotally attached to the axle for pivoting from a fully retracted position to an extended position, each implement having a working portion, and an opposed tang portion provided with a locking surface, and a recessed surface;
- a wedge slidably attached to the handle for engagement with the locking surface of one of the implements when the one of the implements is in the extended position;
- and
- a biasing means urging the wedge into engagement with the locking surface of one of the plurality of implements when the one of the plurality of implements is in the extended position and the remaining of the plurality of implements are in the fully retracted position, wherein the wedge does not contact the recessed surfaces of the remaining of the plurality of implements in the fully retracted position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.