EP1112150A1 - Outil a main polyvalent, comprenant un mecanisme de blocage en position et de degagement d'outil - Google Patents

Outil a main polyvalent, comprenant un mecanisme de blocage en position et de degagement d'outil

Info

Publication number
EP1112150A1
EP1112150A1 EP99903389A EP99903389A EP1112150A1 EP 1112150 A1 EP1112150 A1 EP 1112150A1 EP 99903389 A EP99903389 A EP 99903389A EP 99903389 A EP99903389 A EP 99903389A EP 1112150 A1 EP1112150 A1 EP 1112150A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
handle
jaw
blade
cam
tool
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99903389A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1112150A4 (fr
Inventor
Brett P. Seber
Gregory F. Rubin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
IDL Tech Tools LLC
Original Assignee
SEBERTECH LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by SEBERTECH LLC filed Critical SEBERTECH LLC
Publication of EP1112150A1 publication Critical patent/EP1112150A1/fr
Publication of EP1112150A4 publication Critical patent/EP1112150A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25F—COMBINATION OR MULTI-PURPOSE TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DETAILS OR COMPONENTS OF PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS NOT PARTICULARLY RELATED TO THE OPERATIONS PERFORMED AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B25F1/00—Combination or multi-purpose hand tools
    • B25F1/003—Combination or multi-purpose hand tools of pliers'-, scissors'- or wrench-type with at least one movable jaw
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25F—COMBINATION OR MULTI-PURPOSE TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DETAILS OR COMPONENTS OF PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS NOT PARTICULARLY RELATED TO THE OPERATIONS PERFORMED AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B25F1/00—Combination or multi-purpose hand tools
    • B25F1/02—Combination or multi-purpose hand tools with interchangeable or adjustable tool elements
    • B25F1/04—Combination or multi-purpose hand tools with interchangeable or adjustable tool elements wherein the elements are brought into working positions by a pivoting or sliding movement

Definitions

  • This invention relates to hand tools with foldout blades, and, more particularly, to such hand tools with multiple foldout locking blades.
  • Hand tools with multiple deployable blades have long been known and used in the home, in the workplace, and in sporting applications.
  • a folding pocket knife having two blades is an example.
  • the blades are carried inside a handle for storage, and are selectively opened, one at a time, when required to perform specific functions.
  • Pocket knife-like devices such as those produced by Wenger and Victorinox and commonly called "Swiss Army” knives, use this same principle extended to a plurality of tools carried within the body of the knife on axles located at either end of the knife.
  • Such implements typically incorporate a variety of types of blade-type tools, such as one or more sharpened blades, a screwdriver, an awl, a file, a bottle opener, a magnifying glass, etc.
  • Swiss Army knives are designed to be sufficiently small and light for carrying in a pocket and are therefore limited as to the strength and robustness of their structure.
  • combination tools In recent years, devices known generically as “combination tools” have been developed and widely marketed. Such combination tools typically include a jawed mechanism such as a pliers or a scissors, and deployable handles having implements pivotally folded into the handles.
  • the implements may include slot screwdrivers, Phillips-head screwdrivers, knife blades, can openers, awls, and the like.
  • the implements are folded into the handles for storage or when the jaw mechanism is to be used, and pivoted open as necessary. Designs and features of combination tools have been extensively patented. Combination tools are available commercially from a number of manufacturers, such as Buck Knives, SOG, Leatherman, and Gerber.
  • combination tools are used by a variety of persons, such as repairmen, outdoorsmen, handymen, and hobbyists.
  • the combination tools while of - 2 - about the same size, are mechanically more robust than the multi-bladed knives generally known as "Swiss Army" knives.
  • the combination tools have substantial jaw mechanisms, and, at least in some cases, the fold-out implements may be positively locked into place to avoid unintended closing and injury to the user.
  • One useful feature of some conventional folding knives is the ability to positively lock the blade in the open position to prevent an unintentional closure during service that could cut the hand of the user.
  • Lockbacks, sidelocks, axle locks, and other types of locks are known in the art.
  • Another useful feature is the biasing of the blade toward its closed position from angular orientations close to the closed position. Such biasing acts as a detent to prevent the blade from unintentionally folding open when carried or when another blade is already open and in use.
  • the blade may also be biased toward its open position from angular orientations close to the open position. In either case, the biasing effect gives a secure feel to the closing and opening of the blades.
  • Cam, backspring, ball detent, and other types of biasing structures are known in the art.
  • Positive locks used in conjunction with biasing structures are desirable features of knives, and have recently been utilized in knives having multiple blades rotating in the same direction on a common axle.
  • blade or “blade tool” is used herein in reference to deployable tools received into the handle of a combination tool, knife or other type of tool, it refers to any relatively thin tool that is folded into the handle, regardless of the utilization of the tool.
  • Such a “blade” therefore includes, but is not limited to, a sharpened knife blade, a serrated blade, a screwdriver, an awl, a bottle opener, a can opener, a saw, a file, etc.
  • Existing approaches have internal structures that require a great deal of space when adapted for use on several side-by-side blades, or the locking release controls take up too much space or are inconvenient.
  • a typical combination tool has three, four or more blades folding from a common axle in each handle, where the width of the handle -the required envelope size within which the entire structure must fit -is on the order of about 1 inch or less.
  • the sides of the handle, the blades, and any locking and biasing mechanism must fit within that width, and an externally accessible lock releasing structure must also fit on the outside - 3 - of the handle within that width. If the width of the handle of the hand tool is increased significantly above about 1 inch, the combination tool will no longer be comfortable in the hand.
  • the present invention fulfills this need, and further provides related advantages.
  • the present invention provides a hand tool wherein multiple blades pivot on a single axle.
  • the blades are each positively locked into their open positions by a single locking mechanism.
  • the blades are also biased toward their closed positions and their open positions. When one blade is opened, the others stay in their closed positions.
  • the opened blade is positively locked and later unlocked without moving the other blades from their closed positions.
  • the hand tool is a handle of a combination tool having a pair of handles deployably joined to a jaw mechanism.
  • the combination tool embodying the invention is suited for attachment to a key ring or the like, but is also permits the use of a nut- grasping feature in a pliers head.
  • the handles are sculpted for comfortable grasping during service.
  • the handles are provided with convenient detents in the closed and open positions.
  • the hand tool comprises a tool body having a pair of oppositely disposed sides, an axle extending transversely between the sides of the body at one end of the tool body, and a plurality of blades supported on the axle.
  • Each blade includes a base having a peripheral surface and an implement extending outwardly from the blade base, and further has a bore through the blade base with the axle extending through the bore so that the blade base and thence the blade is rotatable on the axle between a closed position wherein the blade is contained within the tool body and an open position wherein the blade extends from the tool body.
  • a locking mechanism is slidably movable relative to the axle and includes a locking bar -4 - that engages the notch of the blade base when the blade is in the open position.
  • the locking mechanism further includes means for biasing the locking bar into engagement with the peripheral surface of the blade base, wherein the biasing means comprises a portion of the tool body.
  • This biasing means preferably takes the form of a first cam surface on the peripheral surface of each blade base at a location adjacent to the notch, having a first cam maximum surface height and a first cam maximum surface height angular position, and a second cam surface on the peripheral surface of the blade base at a location remote from the notch, having a second cam maximum surface height and a second cam maximum surface height angular position located about 110 to about 120 degrees from the first cam maximum surface height angular position.
  • the first cam maximum surface height is preferably about the same as the second cam maximum surface height.
  • the invention provides a locking/biasing mechanism that positively locks any one of the blades into its open position while biasing the remaining blades toward their closed positions.
  • the locking mechanism has a single release that releases the blade that is locked into the open position.
  • the selected blade is opened or closed against its biasing force, the other blades remain in their closed positions under the influence of their biasing forces. Subsequently, a different blade may be selected for opening, with the same results and performance.
  • the hand tool comprises a pliers jaw mechanism lying in a jaw mechanism plane.
  • the jaw mechanism includes a first jaw piece having a first jaw body, a first lug extending therefrom, and a first jaw piece external lateral surface.
  • the jaw mechanism also includes a second jaw piece having a second jaw body, a second lug extending therefrom, and a second jaw piece external lateral surface.
  • the first jaw piece and the second jaw piece are pivotably joined together to pivot about a jaw axis between a first jaw position wherein the jaw pieces are closed together in a facing relationship, and a second jaw position wherein the jaw pieces are not closed together.
  • the tool further includes a first handle lying - 5 - in the jaw mechanism plane and pivotably engaged by a first handte axle pin to the first lug.
  • the first handle pivots in the jaw mechanism plane about a handle axis that is parallel to the jaw axis, between a first handle closed position wherein the first handle is adjacent to the second jaw piece, and a first handle open position wherein the first handle is extended away from the first jaw piece.
  • the first handle has a first handle external lateral surface having a dished shape to conform to at least a portion of the second jaw piece external lateral surface.
  • the hand tool further includes a second handle lying in the jaw mechanism plane and pivotably engaged by a second handle axle pin to the second lug.
  • the second handle pivots in the jaw mechanism plane about a handle axis that is parallel to the jaw axis, between a second handle closed position wherein the second handle is adjacent to the first jaw piece, and a second handle open position wherein the second handle is extended away from the second jaw piece.
  • the second handle has a second handle external lateral surface having a dished shape to conform to at least a portion of the first jaw piece external lateral surface.
  • the first lug and the second lug have facing protrusions thereon at locations remote from the jaw bodies, adjacent to the pivotable engagements of the respective handles to the lugs.
  • the protrusions are dimensioned so that when the jaw pieces are closed together, the tips of the protrusions overlap.
  • An aperture is thereby defined that may be used to attach the hand tool to a key ring or the like, independently of the jaw feature so that the jaw may be provided with a faceted nut-engaging aperture.
  • a detent mechanism is desirably provided to urge each handle toward its respective open or closed position.
  • a detent is distinct from a lock, wherein the handle would be positively locked into the open or closed position.
  • the detent for each handle is defined in relation to the handle axis.
  • the detent includes a handle cam surface locally defining the surface of the handle and disposed laterally adjacent to the handle axis.
  • the handle cam surface includes a closing handle cam surface having a handle cam surface first distance from the handle axis, an opening handle cam surface remote from the closing handle cam surface and at about the handle cam surface first distance from the handle axis, and an intermediate handle cam surface disposed between the closing handle cam surface and the - 6 - opening handle cam surface and being a handle cam surface second distance from the handle axis, wherein the handle cam surface second distance is less than the handle cam surface first distance.
  • the handle cam surface second distance is from about 0.002 inches to about 0.012 inches less than the handle cam surface first distance.
  • the lug of the jaw piece comprises a lug cam rider surface positioned in a facing relationship to the handle cam surface and disposed to ride thereon as the handle is moved between the handle closed position and the handle open position.
  • the opening handle cam surface terminates in a handle shoulder remote from the intermediate handle cam surface, and the lug cam rider surface includes a lug shoulder disposed to engage the handle shoulder when the handle is in the handle open position.
  • FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a combination tool embodying the present invention, with the handles in a closed position;
  • FIGURE 2 is a top plan view similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1 , illustrating various blades partially or fully extended from the handles;
  • FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the hand tool illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the handles in the open position;
  • FIGURE 4 is a detail of the area indicated by the number 4 in FIG. 1 , illustrating a cam and detent structure for the handles;
  • FIGURE 5 is a partially fragmented perspective view of a handle of the combination tool of FIGS. 1-3;
  • FIGURE 6 is another perspective view of the handle of the combination tool of FIGS. 1-3, wherein a blade has been pivoted into an open - 7 - position, the locking mechanism is shown, and the handle has been inverted from the view of FIG. 5;
  • FIGURE 7 is an end view of the handle of FIG. 6 with all blades pivoted to their closed position, taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;
  • FIGURE 8 is an elevational sectional view taken generally along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6;
  • FIGURE 9 is an elevational view of a blade base
  • FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a locking mechanism housing including a locking bar designed to engage the blade base;
  • FIGURES 11A-E are a series of schematic elevational views of the operation of the locking and biasing mechanism as the blade is operated, wherein FIG. 11A shows the blade in the fully open and positively locked position, FIG. 11 B shows the blade after manual unlocking but while biased toward the open position, FIG. 11C shows the blade at an intermediate biased toward the closed position, FIG. 11 D shows the blade approaching the closed position, and FIG. 11E shows the blade in the closed position;
  • FIGURE 12 is a schematic elevational view of operation of the locking mechanism with two blades, one open and positively locked and the other closed;
  • FIGURE 13 is a schematic plan view illustrating a blade in a closed position within the handle.
  • the present invention is concerned with a combination tool, generally designated by the reference number 20.
  • the combination tool 20 includes a jaw mechanism 22 having a first jaw piece 24 and a second jaw piece 26.
  • the first jaw piece 24 and the second jaw piece 26 are pivotably joined together at a jaw pivot 28.
  • the first jaw piece 24 and the second jaw piece 26 lie in a jaw mechanism plane.
  • the jaw pivot 28 permits the first jaw piece 24 and the second jaw piece 26 to pivot between a closed position (as illustrated) with the jaws in a facing relationship, and an open position.
  • the first jaw piece 24 includes a first jaw body 30 and a first lug 32 extending therefrom.
  • the first jaw piece 24 has an outwardly bowed first jaw piece external lateral surface 34, whose shape is generally dictated by the shape of the first jaw body 30.
  • the second jaw piece 26 includes a second jaw body 36 and a second lug 38 extending therefrom.
  • the second jaw piece 26 has an outwardly bowed second jaw piece external lateral surface 40, whose shape is generally dictated by the shape of the second jaw body 36.
  • the jaw bodies 30 and 36 may define any type of tool with a jawed pivoting structure.
  • the jaw bodies 30 and 36 cooperatively define a pliers with a grasping tip 42 and a faceted nut-grasping aperture 44.
  • the nut-grasping aperture 44 is not used for attachment of the hand tool to a key ring, and it therefore may be furnished with facets useful in grasping a nut or other object.
  • a wire cutter 46 is formed by regions of reduced thickness adjacent to the nut-grasping aperture 44.
  • the jaw bodies 30 and 36 could instead cooperatively define other types of jawed, pivoting structures, such as a scissors, a wire stripper, or other type of pliers.
  • a first protrusion 48 extends from the first lug 32 toward the second lug 38 at a location remote from the first jaw body 30.
  • a second protrusion 50 extends from the second lug 38 toward the first lug 32 at a location remote from the second jaw body 36.
  • the first protrusion 48 and the second protrusion 50 are in a facing relationship to each other and overlap when the jaw mechanism 22 is closed.
  • the first protrusion 48 and the second protrusion 50 cooperatively define an aperture 52.
  • the aperture 52 is locked closed such that it may be used to attach the hand tool 20 onto a key ring or other ring.
  • Two handles 54 and 54' forming channel sections, are deployably connected to the jaw mechanism 22.
  • the first handle 54 is pivotably engaged by a first- handle axle pin 55 to the first lug 32.
  • the first handle 54 may thereby pivot in the jaw mechanism plane between a first-handle closed position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, where the first handle 54 lies immediately adjacent to the second jaw piece 26, and a first-handle open position - 9 - illustrated in FIG. 3, where the first handle 54 is extended away from the first jaw piece 24 and the second jaw piece 26.
  • the first handle 54 has a first-handle external lateral surface 56 with a dished shape 58.
  • the dished shape 58 serves two purposes. When the first handle 54 is pivoted to the closed position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the dished shape 58 closely conforms to the second jaw piece external lateral surface 40, so that there is a close fit between the first handle 54 and the second jaw piece 24. This close fit permits the combination tool 20 to be compact in its closed state.
  • the dished shape 58 provides a sculpted grip that is comfortable to hold and allows the user to apply a substantial force to the jaw mechanism.
  • the second handle 54' is pivotably engaged by a second-handle axle pin 55' to the second lug 38.
  • the second handle 54' may thereby pivot in the jaw mechanism plane between a second-handle closed position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, where the second handle 54' lies immediately adjacent to the first jaw piece 24, and a second-handle open position illustrated in FIG. 3, where the second handle 54' is extended away from the first jaw piece 24 and the second jaw piece 26.
  • the second handle 54' has a second-handle external lateral surface 56' with a dished shaped 58'.
  • the dished shape 58' serves the same purposes as the dished shape 58 of the first handle 54, discussed above.
  • a desirable feature of the combination tool 20 is the ability to controllably retain the handles 54 and 54' in the open position or the closed position with a mild retention force that initially resists movement away from the respective position but then is overcome with sufficient force so that the handle may be rotated.
  • This mechanism is generally termed a "detent" mechanism.
  • a detent mechanism is distinct from a positive lock which must be unlocked before the handle can be pivoted.
  • the closing detent mechanism holds the handles in the closed position so that they do not unintentionally open in the pocket of the user and also so that the aperture 52 does not unintentionally open when it is retained to a key ring.
  • the opening detent mechanism holds the handles in the open position so that the user of the tool may conveniently operate the jaw mechanism.
  • Many detent mechanisms are - 10 - known in the art, but some are relatively expensive and others are structured so that, if the hand tool were scaled to a small size, the detent mechanism would be too small and fragile to be practical.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the detent mechanism for the first handle 54.
  • the axle pin 55 is removed to reveal a first pivot aperture 60 through the first handle 54.
  • the end of the first handle 54 adjacent to the first pivot aperture 60 is locally contoured to form a first-handle cam surface 62 which is disposed laterally adjacent to the first pivot aperture 60.
  • the first-handle cam surface 62 has three separate but continuous regions.
  • a closing first-handle cam surface 64 is positioned at a first distance R 1 from the first pivot aperture 60.
  • An opening first-handle cam surface 66 is remote from the closing first-handle cam surface 64 and generally spaced about 165 degrees away from the closing first-handle cam surface 64.
  • the opening first-handle cam surface 66 is positioned at a second distance R 2 from the first pivot aperture 60.
  • the value of R 2 is about the same as the value of R, in the preferred embodiment.
  • An intermediate first-handle cam surface 68 is disposed between the closing first-handle cam surface 64 and the opening first-handle cam surface 66.
  • the intermediate first-handle cam surface 68 is positioned at a third distance R 3 from the first pivot aperture 60.
  • the difference between the values of R 3 and R. determines the force required to move the first handle 54 from the intermediate position to the closed position, and the difference between the values of R 3 and R 2 determines the force required to move the first handle 54 from the intermediate position to the open position.
  • the value of R 3 is less than the value of R 1 and R 2 , by an amount of from about 0.002 inches to about 0.012 inches, and most preferably by an amount of about 0.008 inches. These relative values may be selected to produce the desired closing and opening force characteristics.
  • the value of R 4 is less than the value of R 2
  • the value of R 5 is less than the value of R
  • the greater the difference between the value of R 4 and R 2 the greater the retention force holding the handle 54 in the open position.
  • the greater the difference between the value of R 1 and R 5 the greater the retention force holding the handle 54 in the closed position.
  • the differences are preferably from about 0.002 inches to about 0.012 inches, and most preferably about 0.004 inches.
  • the shapes of the cam surfaces 64, 66, 68, 70, and 72, and the transitions between the cam surfaces 64 and 68, and between the cam surfaces 66 and 68, may be relatively gradual or more steeply inclined, depending upon the exact nature of the detenting force that is desired.
  • the side of the cam surface 64 remote from the cam surface 68 is relatively steeply inclined at an incline surface 74 having an angle of about 30 degrees to the local radius.
  • the transition between the cam surfaces 66 and 68 is gradual, and no relatively narrow point of transition can be easily identified.
  • the first lug 32 which is pivotably joined to the first solid body handle 54 at the first pivot aperture 60 (by the first handle axle pin 55), has a first-lug cam rider surface 76 positioned in a facing relationship to the first- handle cam surface 62.
  • the first-lug cam rider surface 76 rides along the first- handle cam surface 62 as the first handle is rotated between the first-handle closed position and the first-handle open position.
  • the urging force can be overcome by rotational force applied by the user.
  • the previously discussed shape of the cam surface 62 is selected so that the required rotational force is sufficiently large so as to provide a sufficient retaining or detenting force, but not so large that the required force to overcome the detent is uncomfortable for the user.
  • the shape of the intermediate first-handle cam surface 68 may be selected to give any desired "feel" to the opening and closing motion.
  • the intermediate first-handle cam surface 68 is of approximately constant distance from the aperture 60 from near the closing first-handle cam surface 64 and near the opening first-handle cam surface 66 so that the force required to rotate the handle 54 through this region is approximately constant to provide a smooth rotational feel for the user.
  • the closing camming action is provided by the contact between the first-lug cam rider surface 76 and the closing first-handle cam surface 64.
  • the relatively steep inclination angle, preferably about 30 degrees, of the first- lug cam rider surface 76 is selected to provide a positive retention detenting force in the closed position yet also produce a distinct and controlled spacing S ! between the first handle 54 and the first lug 32, and a distinct and controlled spacing S 2 between the dished shape 58 of the first handle 54 and the second jaw piece external lateral surface 40, when the first handle 54 is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 4.
  • ⁇ ! is about 0.005 inches and S 2 is about 0.010 inches.
  • This design approach produces a face of the combination tool with a close spacing between the handles and the jaw mechanism, so that the face is substantially continuous and coplanar.
  • the mechanism may wear with repeated use.
  • the described approach of the relation between the first-lug cam rider surface 76 and the closing first-handle cam surface 64 results in retention of a smooth camming action and a close fit, as exemplified by the values of S 1 and S 2 , both initially and after extended service.
  • a first-handle stop shoulder 78 is preferably provided at the end of the opening first-handle cam surface 66 remote from the intermediate first- handle cam surface 68.
  • a cooperating first-lug stop shoulder 80 is provided at the end of the first-handle 54.
  • each of the handles 54 and 54' it is common practice to affix a plurality of blade tools 82 in each of the handles 54 and 54' to increase the utility of the combination tool.
  • the blade tools 82 are pivotably connected by a tool pivot axle 84 to the handles 54 and 54' at the ends remote from the pivot pins 55 and 55'.
  • Each of the blade tools 82 can be closed to lie within the channel sections of the handles 54 and 54' or opened to extend from the respective handle to perform their function or positioned at an intermediate position, as shown in FIG. 2.
  • blade or “blade tool” in reference to deployable tools received into the handle of the combination tool or other type of tool, it refers to any relatively thin tool that is folded into the handle, regardless of the utilization of the tool.
  • a “blade” therefore includes, but is not limited to, a sharpened knife blade, a serrated blade, a screwdriver, an awl, a bottle opener, a can opener, a saw, a file, etc. This terminology is used to distinguish the tool folded into the handle from the overall hand tool, in this case of the combination tool 20.
  • the combination tool 20 has at least two, and more typically three or more of the blade tools 82 arranged on the axle 84 of each handle 54 and 54', as seen in FIGS. 2 and 5 for the case of three blade tools 82a, 82b, and 82c, all of which open in the same rotational direction.
  • FIG. 5 also shows the channel-shaped section of the handle 54, having two sides 86a and 86b and a web 88 connecting the two sides 86a and 86b.
  • the tool pivot axle 84 extends between the two sides 86a and 86b.
  • one of the sides 86a has a cut-down region 90 to permit easy manual access to the blade tools 82 when they are to be opened.
  • the blade tools 82 are arranged so that the longest of the blades 82c is adjacent to the side 86b which is not cut-down, and the shortest of the blades 82a is adjacent to the side 86a having a cut-down region 90.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates the handle 54 in a view inverted from the FIG. 5 and with one of the blade tools 82c opened by rotating it on the pivot axle 84.
  • one of the blade tools 82 is opened at a time, with the others remaining closed and within the handle 54. If the generally flat blade - 14 - tools 82 were positioned too closely adjacent to each other in a touching contact, as is the case in some commercially available combination tools, the friction between the touching surfaces of adjacent blade tools would tend to cause a blade tool to be unintentionally dragged open as one of the other blade tools was intentionally opened.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates the handle 54 in a view inverted from the FIG. 5 and with one of the blade tools 82c opened by rotating it on the pivot axle 84.
  • a washer 92 is placed between each pair of blade tools 82 and between the last blade tool on the axle and the interior of the side 86 of the handle 54. Because the width dimension D of the handle 54 is typically small, on the order of about V_ inch, conventional thick metal washers are preferably not used. Instead, the washer 92 is preferably made of a polymeric material, most preferably polypropylene, polyethylene, or polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), about 0.010 inch thick. Such washers can be prepared economically by a cutting or stamping process on a sheet of Teflon adhered to a substrate carrier with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, to produce annular washer shapes.
  • Teflon polytetrafluoroethylene
  • the individual washers are peeled off the substrate carrier and affixed to the opposite sides of the blade tools 82 overlying a bore 94 through which the tool pivot axle 84 passes.
  • the washer may also be obtained as a separate article and assembled with the blade tools 82 and the axle.
  • the washer may be formed as a raised annular area of the blade tool surrounding the bore 94.
  • FIG. 8 shows a preferred form of the locking and biasing mechanism.
  • the blade tool 82 includes a blade base 96 and an implement 98 extending outwardly from the blade base 96.
  • the implement may be any generally flat, operable type of implement such as a sharpened knife blade (as illustrated), a serrated blade, a screwdriver, an awl, a bottle opener, a can opener, a saw, a file, etc.
  • the implement 98 is preferably integral with the blade base 96, although it can be made detachable.
  • the blade base 96 shown in greater detail in FIG. 9, is generally flat and thin, on the order of about 0.05 to about 0.20 inches thick, and includes the bore 94 extending therethrough and the washer 92 around the bore. (The blade bases of the various blade tools need not be of the same thicknesses).
  • the tool pivot axle 84 extends through the bore 94.
  • the blade base 96 is laterally bounded generally on three sides by a peripheral surface 100, and contiguous with the implement 98 on the fourth side.
  • the peripheral - 15 - surface 100 includes a generally straight-sided, flat-bottomed notch 1D2.
  • a first cam surface 104 Located adjacent to the notch 102, on the side remote from the implement 98, is a first cam surface 104.
  • the first cam surface 104 is characterized by a first cam maximum surface height measured as a maximum distance to the peripheral surface 100 along a radius from the center of the bore 94 of C1 and passing through the first cam surface 104.
  • the second cam surface 106 is characterized by a second cam maximum surface height measured as a maximum distance to the peripheral surface 100 along a radius from the center of the bore 94 of C2.
  • C2 is approximately the same as C1 , and in the preferred embodiment on the order of approximately 0.220 inches.
  • the height of the peripheral surface is reduced between the first cam surface 104 and the second cam surface 106.
  • the first cam maximum surface height of the first cam surface 104 is positioned about 6 degrees away from the adjacent edge of the notch 102.
  • the second cam maximum surface height of the second cam surface 104 is positioned about 118.5 degrees from the first cam maximum surface height.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates a locking mechanism 108 which, when properly positioned over an end 110 of the handle 54 opposite its connection to the jaw mechanism 22, is movable relative to the tool pivot axle 84 to releasably lock the blade tools 82 supported therein in the open position.
  • the locking mechanism 108 includes a lock housing 112 which is positionable on the tool handle 54 and which provides a locking bar 114 capable of engaging the notch 102 of the blade base 96 when the blade is in the open position, and a lock disengagement pad 116 opposite the locking bar 114.
  • the lock housing further includes a pair of oppositely disposed elongated apertures 118 which slidably receive therein ends of the tool pivot axle 84.
  • the locking mechanism 108 performs its function in connection with a cantilevered end section 120 of the web 88 which serves to bias the locking bar 114 into engagement with the peripheral surface 100 of the blade base 96.
  • the lock housing 112 is situated on the tool handle 54 to be slidable relative to the tool pivot axle 84 such that the end 120 of the web 88 contacts the locking bar 114 to urge it into engagement with the - 16 - peripheral surface 100 of the blade base 96.
  • the locking bar 114 is configured to seat within the notch 102 and thereby prevent the blade tool 82 from being counterrotated back into its closed position without the locking bar 114 first having been displaced from the notch 102. This is accomplished by applying a force to the lock disengagement pad 116 toward the handle 54 and in the direction of the locking bar 114.
  • a shoulder 122 on the implement 98 that is in facing relation to a terminal end 124 of the web 88.
  • This engagement of the shoulder 122 to the end 124 provides an additional interference restraint of the blade tool 82 that resists rotation of the implement 98 past its fully open position.
  • This additional restraint is particularly valuable where the implement 98 is of a type where it is forced in such a direction during service, such as a blade having a sharpened edge that is forced downwardly during cutting operations.
  • the blade tool 82 is preferably dimensioned so that there is a gap of about 0.005 inches between the shoulder 122 and the end 124 of the web 88 when no load is applied to the blade tool. When a sufficient load is applied to produce a 0.005 inch deflection, the shoulder 122 contacts the end 124 to stop any further movement.
  • FIGS. 11A through 11 E depict the operation of the locking/biasing mechanism in a series of views as a single blade tool 82 is moved from the open and positively locked position (FIG. 11 A) to the closed and biased closed position (FIG. 11E).
  • FIG. 11A the blade tool 82 is open, and the locking bar 114 is received into the notch 102, forming a positive lock of the blade tool 82 into the open position.
  • FIG. 11B the lock disengagement pad 116 has been depressed to push the locking bar 114 out of the notch 102, and the user of the tool has manually rotated the blade in a counterclockwise direction by about 10 degrees.
  • the blade tool 82 remains biased toward the open position, because the locking bar 114 rests against the sloping cam surface 104a that slopes back toward the notch 102.
  • the locking bar 114 has passed the first cam maximum surface height location 104b and is contacting the portion of the first cam surface 104c that slopes away from the notch 102. If the blade tool 82 is released at this point, it tends to move toward the closed position rather than the open position.
  • FIG. 11D Further counterclockwise rotation of the blade tool 82 brings the locking bar 114 into contact with the second cam surface 106 as shown in FIG. 11D.
  • An additional counterclockwise rotation of the blade tool 82 brings the locking bar 114 into contact with the portion 106a of the second cam surface 106 that slopes toward the closed position and thereby biases the blade 82 toward the closed position, as shown in FIG. 11E.
  • the blade 82 is thereby forced toward the closed position and retained there.
  • To move the blade 82 away from the closed position, as shown in of FIG. 11E and back toward the orientation of FIG. 11D requires that the user manually overcome the bias force resulting from the reaction of the locking mechanism 108 and its locking bar 114 against the cam surface 106a.
  • FIGS. 11A and 11E illustrates the difference between "positive locking" of the blade tool and "biasing" of the blade tool.
  • FIG. 11A the reception of the locking bar 114 into the notch 102 provides a positive lock from which the blade tool 82 cannot be moved by the application of any ordinary manual force to the blade tool 82. Intentional release of the positive lock by manually pressing the pad 116 is required in order to move the blade tool 82 from its positively locked position.
  • 11 E is produced in the preferred embodiment by a cam action which can be - 18 - readily overcome with ordinary manual force on the blade tool.
  • This distinction between positive locking and biasing is important. Biasing is readily achieved for blade tools 82 in a confined space, but positive locking is difficult to achieve in a confined space such as that available in a typical combination tool wherein several blade tools are supported in a narrowly confined space in each handle.
  • FIG. 12 which superimposes views of an open and positively locked blade tool 82 and a closed and biased closed blade tool 82'.
  • the locking bar 114 is received into the notch 102 of the positively locked blade tool 82, the locking bar 114 rests against the slope 104a of the second cam surface 104' of the biased closed blade tool 82'.
  • the locking bar 114 both positively locks the blade tool 82 open and biases the blade tool 82' closed.
  • the same bias-closed effect is operable for all of the blade tools which are not open and in use.
  • there is a single blade tool 82 which is open and positively locked and two blade tools 82' which are biased closed.
  • a further feature is that the blade tool 82' remains biased toward the closed position as the blade tool 82 is opened and closed.
  • the locking bar 114 continues to rest against the slope 104a' of the second cam surface 104' of the closed blade tools 82', biasing them toward the closed position.
  • the closed blade tools 82' therefore do not unintentionally open as the intentionally opened blade tool 82 is rotated.
  • there may be a small range of the rotation of the blade tool 82 (as the locking bar 114 passes over the top of the second cam 104) where the locking bar 114 is raised off the slope 104a' to release the biasing of the blade tools 82' toward the closed position. This small range of release of biasing is not noticeable to most users of the combination tool as they close or open the blade tool 82 in a smooth motion, and for most orientations of the tool.
  • FIG. 13 is viewed as one moment during the opening of the selected blade tool 82 (i.e., clockwise rotation of the blade tool 82), the biasing force of the locking bar 114 on the cam surfaces 104a' tends to retain the other blade tools 82' in the closed position.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Scissors And Nippers (AREA)
  • Gripping Jigs, Holding Jigs, And Positioning Jigs (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un outil combiné (20) comprenant un mécanisme de mâchoire (22) de pince et deux branches (56, 56') de manche, qui pivotent autours des oreilles (32, 38) du mécanisme de mâchoire (22), entre des positions ouvertes et fermées. Les surfaces tournées vers l'extérieur des branches (56, 56') sont en creux, de sorte qu'elles épousent la forme des côtés du mécanisme de mâchoire lorsque les branches (56, 56') du manche sont fermées. Les oreilles de la mâchoire (32, 38) comprennent des surfaces de came sur lesquelles se déplacent les surfaces correspondantes des branches, de sorte qu'elles immobilisent les branches en position ouverte et fermée. Lesdites branches comprennent chacune plusieurs lames (82), tournant chacune indépendamment sur un axe commun (84), entre une position rentrée dans la branche et une position sortie dans laquelle elles s'étendent depuis la branche. Chaque lame (82) est verrouillée activement, de manière réversible, en position sortie. Les lames qui restent rentrées sont sollicitées de sorte qu'elles se mettent en position rentrée lorsque la lame sortie est bloquée en position et également au moment où elle est sortie et rentrée. Un seul mécanisme de blocage, dégagement, sollicitation (108) commande toutes les lames se trouvant dans une branche.
EP99903389A 1998-01-26 1999-01-25 Outil a main polyvalent, comprenant un mecanisme de blocage en position et de degagement d'outil Withdrawn EP1112150A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US1369598A 1998-01-26 1998-01-26
US13695 1998-01-26
PCT/US1999/001565 WO1999037446A1 (fr) 1998-01-26 1999-01-25 Outil a main polyvalent, comprenant un mecanisme de blocage en position et de degagement d'outil

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1112150A1 true EP1112150A1 (fr) 2001-07-04
EP1112150A4 EP1112150A4 (fr) 2006-03-29

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99903389A Withdrawn EP1112150A4 (fr) 1998-01-26 1999-01-25 Outil a main polyvalent, comprenant un mecanisme de blocage en position et de degagement d'outil

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1112150A4 (fr)
JP (1) JP2002500964A (fr)
AU (1) AU2342499A (fr)
CA (1) CA2318875A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1999037446A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7347128B2 (en) * 2004-01-13 2008-03-25 Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. Multipurpose folding tool with tool bit holder and blade lock
CA2491948C (fr) * 2004-01-13 2009-07-14 Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. Outil pliant polyvalent avec porte-element d'outil et verrou a lame
SE527287C2 (sv) 2004-10-29 2006-02-07 Owe Tansbo Verktyg för rengöring och broddning av hästskor
US7249390B2 (en) 2005-01-07 2007-07-31 Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. Multipurpose tool including holder for replaceable tool blades
US11292105B2 (en) 2016-06-01 2022-04-05 Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. Multipurpose tool having accessible tool members
US10926396B2 (en) * 2018-06-19 2021-02-23 Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. Tool having one or more rotatable tool members

Citations (5)

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US4238862A (en) * 1978-07-13 1980-12-16 Leatherman Timothy S Pocket multiple tool
US4730394A (en) * 1986-12-15 1988-03-15 Richard G. Sonner Folding camp knife
US4888869A (en) * 1986-04-17 1989-12-26 Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. Lock-bar foldable tool
US5491856A (en) * 1994-06-29 1996-02-20 Legg; Larry K. Foldable multiple function tool
EP0783938A2 (fr) * 1996-01-11 1997-07-16 Buck Knives, Inc. Outil à main avec des lames multiples bloquantes contrÔlées par un seul mécanisme de verrouillage et de libération

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US988068A (en) * 1910-02-23 1911-03-28 John W Beardsley Knife.

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4238862A (en) * 1978-07-13 1980-12-16 Leatherman Timothy S Pocket multiple tool
US4888869A (en) * 1986-04-17 1989-12-26 Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. Lock-bar foldable tool
US4730394A (en) * 1986-12-15 1988-03-15 Richard G. Sonner Folding camp knife
US5491856A (en) * 1994-06-29 1996-02-20 Legg; Larry K. Foldable multiple function tool
EP0783938A2 (fr) * 1996-01-11 1997-07-16 Buck Knives, Inc. Outil à main avec des lames multiples bloquantes contrÔlées par un seul mécanisme de verrouillage et de libération

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Title
See also references of WO9937446A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1999037446A1 (fr) 1999-07-29
JP2002500964A (ja) 2002-01-15
AU2342499A (en) 1999-08-09
EP1112150A4 (fr) 2006-03-29
CA2318875A1 (fr) 1999-07-29

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