EP0416074A1

EP0416074A1 - Multi-function hand tool

Info

Publication number: EP0416074A1
Application number: EP19900904798
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roberto Gasparetti
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-03-22
Filing date: 1990-03-20
Publication date: 1991-03-13
Also published as: JPH03504833A; IT8930632V0; IT217380Z2; CA2030514A1; WO1990011164A1

Abstract

L'outil à main multifonction décrit se compose d'une paire de pinces avec deux bras qui pivotent l'un par rapport à l'autre en un point médian et qui définissent deux paires de sections, respectivement deux sections courtes et deux sections longues. Les deux sections courtes définissent deux mâchoires de serrage présentant une ouverture réglable et pourvues d'une région de coupe. L'une des mâchoires s'étend de façon à former une tête de marteau. Les deux sections longues forment le manche des pinces et sont creuses. Les sections longues sont divisées en deux parties et contiennent d'autres outils, tels que tournevis, limes et/ou lames de coupe.The multifunctional hand tool described consists of a pair of pliers with two arms which pivot relative to each other at a midpoint and which define two pairs of sections, respectively two short sections and two long sections. The two short sections define two clamping jaws having an adjustable opening and provided with a cutting region. One of the jaws extends so as to form a hammer head. The two long sections form the handle of the pliers and are hollow. The long sections are divided into two parts and contain other tools, such as screwdrivers, files and / or cutting blades.

Description

MULTI-FUNCTION HAND TOOL Technical Field

The present invention relates to a multi-function hand tool. Background Art

It is known that during the execution of minor domestic works it is often necessary to have pliers, hammers or screwdrivers which are easy and practical to use.

These tools, each of which performs a single function, are normally kept together in an unpractical and bulky container.

If the tool is furthermore not replaced in the container after use, as generally occurs, it is no longer found exactly when it is needed for further use. Disclosure of the invention

The aim of the present invention is to provide a multi¬ function tool which combines a plurality of functions which are currently divided among a plurality of distinct tools. Within the scope of the above described aim, an important object is to combine several different tools in a single tool.

Another important object is to provide a combination of tools which allows to perform the most common and frequent hobbywork or domestic repair operations.

Still another object is to provide a tool which can be easily used by a scarcely expert person.

This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a multi-function hand tool, according to the invention, characterized in that it consists of a pair of pliers with two arms which are mutually pivoted in a non-median point and which define two sections, a short one and a long one respectively, the two short sections defining two co-operating grip jaws with adjustable opening, provided with a cutting region, one of said jaws extending and expanding so as to define a hammer¬ head opposite to the grip region, said two long sections constituting the handgrip of the pliers and being hollow, divided into two parts and containing other tools such as screwdrivers, files and/or cutting blades.

Brief Description of the drawings Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a complete view of the tool according to the invention in closed configuration; figure 2 is a partially sectional view of the front part of the tool, illustrating the hammer-like head; figure 3 is a perspective view of the tool with the handgrips divided into their component parts and illustrating the tools contained therein; figure 4 is a detail view of the front part of the tool, with the grip jaws open; figure 5 is a view of the assembly of one of the tools onto one of the separate sections of the tool handgrip; figure 6 is an exploded view of the configuration of the hammer-like head.

Ways of carrying out the invention With reference to the above figures, the tool according to the invention substantially comprises a pair of pliers generally indicated by the reference numeral 1 and formed by two arms, respectively 2 and 3, which are pivoted at an adjustable fulcrum 4, each of said two arms defining two sections, respectively a longer one and a shorter one.

The two short parts, indicated at 5 and 6, constitute a pair of grip jaws having a toothed flat front region 7 acting as clamp, a second toothed and curved region 8 acting as pipe wrench and a pair of opposite blades 9 acting as parting tool.

Said jaw 5 is provided with a flat metallic blade associated with the arm 2 by embedding its end in an internally hollow cylindrical element 10 made of plastic material having a second portion 11 connected to the element 10 by screwing and adapted to constitute the handgrip of tools such as screwdrivers 12 and 13 or cutting blades 14 which are generally contained in .the hollow portion 15 of the element 10.

The jaw 6 is also metallic and flat and then connects to a cylindrical body 16 having the function of a hammer¬ head.

Said cylindrical body 16 has a cylindrical region with reduced cross section 17 which is contained in a sleeve 18 made of plastic material which constitutes the front end of the arm 3 and extends into a flat region 19 composed of two blades 20 and 21 wherewith the jaw 5 is inserted and which then merge into a second hollow cylindrical element 22 which constitutes the second handgrip of the pliers.

An end cap 23 is screwed to said second hollow cylindrical element 22, and a tool, such as for example a file 25, can be accommodated in the hollow part 24.

The association between the sleeve 18 and the cylindrical region 17 occurs by means of a dowel 26 which is forced into the element 17 and passes through two holes provided in the sleeve 18.

The adjustable fulcrum 4 derives from the combination of two S-shaped slots 27 provided on the blades 20 and 21, the ends 28 and 29 of said slot 27 being adapted to retain in place a cylindrical pivot 30 rigidly associated with the jaw 5.

The configuration of the S-shaped slot 27 allows to engage the pivot 30 in one of its two possible end positions, so that it can firmly react during the tightening of the jaws 5 and 6. Figure 5 illustrates the association between the cutting blade 14 and the second portion 11 of the cylindrical element 10 so that it constitutes the handgrip of the tool.

A ring 32, which normally abuts against the handgrip, is screwed onto the threaded tang 31 of the second portion 11.

Said tang 31 has a recess 33 and a radial notch 34 adapted to accommodate the end 35 of the blade 14, said cavity 33 being also adapted to rigidly couple the handgrip to each screwdriver 12 or 13.

Said end 35 has, on the side to be inserted in the notch 34, a saw-toothed region 36 shaped exactly like the thread of the tang 31, so that the blade 14 is fixed to the handgrip 11 by moving the ring 32 toward the end of said tang 31. The tool as illustrated hereabove is therefore the result of the combination of some metallic parts, i.e. of the jaws 5 and 6 and of the hammer-like head 14, which is monolithic with the jaw 6, and of parts made of plastic material.

In the illustrated solution, two kinds of screwdriver, a cutting blade and a file have been provided inside the hollow parts 15 and 24, but other tools, such as punches etc., can obviously be provided instead of these tools. Figure 6 illustrates a different configuration of the hammer-like head of the invention.

As can be seen, the cylindrical body 16 can be conveniently screwed onto an inner element 37 having a first threaded portion 38 extending into a nail-removing element 39 which is encapsulated by the cylindrical body 16.

Said cylindrical body 16 can be conveniently metallic or made of a hard plastic material, assuming the configuration 16a, which is particularly suitable for striking objects which might be damaged by a metallic head. The multi-function tool has the function of a pair of pliers, of a pipe wrench for pipes of various diameters, of a parting tool with cutting blades, of a hammer, and has further tools contained in the hollow handgrips.

The combination may obviously be, as already mentioned, further integrated by tools besides those already mentioned.

All the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements; thus for example the pivoting system between the arms 2 and 3 can be of any suitable type. As regards the materials, the combination between metallic jaws and handgrips made of plastic material is particularly convenient from the productive point of view.

As regards the dimensions, they may be any according to the requirements.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Multi-function hand tool, characterized in that it substantially consists of a pair of pliers with two arms which are mutually pivoted in a non-median point and which define two sections, respectively a short one and a long one, the two short sections defining two grip jaws with adjustable opening provided with a cutting region, one of said jaws extending so as to define a hammer-head, said two long sections constituting the handgrip of the pliers and being hollow, divided into two parts and containing other tools such as screwdrivers, files and/or cutting blades. 2. Tool according to claim 1, characterized in that said two jaws are made of metallic material, whereas the handgrips are made of plastic material. 3. Tool according to claim 1, characterized in that one of said two jaws is obtained from a^' metallic flat bar which has a plurality of clamp-like grip points for flat objects and of curved grip points for pipes on one side, and is, on the other side, embedded in the plastic material of the handgrip. 4. Tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the second one of said jaws also has a flat region with grip elements, said region being connected to a cylindrical body which constitutes a hammer head having a cross section which is intermediate to the reduced diameter and is embraced by a sleeve made of plastic material which constitutes the front part of the handgrip. 5. Tool according to claim 1, characterized in that said hammer-like head is conveniently screwed onto the inner portion of said cylindrical body, said inner portion being shaped like a nail extractor. 6. Tool according to claim 1, characterized in that said screwed-on hammer-like head can be conveniently made of metal or of hard plastic material. 7. Tool according to claim 1 . characterized in that said sleeve extends into two parallel blades before connecting to a handgrip, said first jaw passing between said two blades and being thus pivoted. 8. Tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivoting occurs by means of a pivot rigidly associated with said first jaw which passes through a pair of slots provided on said blades which connect said sleeve to the corresponding handgrip, said slot being S-shaped, the ends of said S-shaped slot constituting the positioning points of said pivot which define positions for the mutual opening of said jaws. 9. Tool according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said handgrips is divided into two parts which are mutually complementary and can be associated by screwing, said two parts being internally hollow, each containing at least one further tool. 10. Tool according to claim 1, characterized in that said further tools contained within at least one of said handgrips can conveniently be screwdrivers, cutting blades or the like. 11. Tool according to claims 1 and 10, characterized in that one of the two complementary parts of at least one of said handgrips constitutes the handgrip for said tools, a ring which normally abuts on the cylindrical part being screwed on its threaded tang, said tang having an axial cavity and a radial notch adapted to accommodate a corresponding end of a tool, said end having saw-tooth portions adapted to complete the thread of the tang, said ring being movable to said saw-toothed portion, coupling said tool to its handgrip by means of said threads. 12. Tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the association between said sleeve and said enlarged part of said second jaw occurs by means of a through dowel.