GB2444484A

GB2444484A - Multi-function tool

Info

Publication number: GB2444484A
Application number: GB0624595A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Edward Cheney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-12-09
Filing date: 2006-12-09
Publication date: 2008-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-09
Also published as: GB0624595D0; GB2444484B

Abstract

The tool 1, which may be used for repairing and maintaining a bicycle, includes a first body 4 having an end that defines a functional tool element such as a tubular box spanner 34. A securing functional tool element such as a drive head 38 is pivotally connected to the first body and may have an outer surface that is sized and shaped to receive a standard socket component and an aperture that is sized and shaped to receive a standard drive tool bit. A second body 2 has a first end 2a with a functional tool element such as an adjustable spanner 6 having a fixed jaw 8 and a sliding jaw 10. A second end 2b of the second body includes an aperture 30 for receiving the drive head 38 to releasably secure the first and second bodies 2 and 4 together.

Description

TITLE

Multi-function tools

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a multi-function tool (i.e. a tool that includes a number of different functional tool elements), and in particular to a tool that is specifically adapted for use on bicycles.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a multi-function tool comprising a first body having at least one functional tool element, a securing functional tool element that is pivotally connected to the first body, and a second body having at least one functional tool element and an aperture for receiving the securing functional tool element to releasably secure the first and second bodies together.

The selection of the functional tool elements for the first and second bodies will depend on the intended purpose of the multi-function tool. However, possible functional tool elements would include (without limitation) a tubular box spanner, an adjustable spanner, a drive head for mounting or receiving hexagonal sockets or tool bits, a screwdriver, a tyre lever, a one-way fastener driver, a blade, saw or cutter, a wrench, a corkscrew, etc. The tool is particularly useful because the first and second bodies each contain at least one functional tool element and can be used simultaneously as two separate tools. However, as described in more detail below, the first and second bodies can be releasably secured together using the securing functional tool element for storage purposes or when additional leverage or torque is required.

The first body is preferably releasably secured to the second body in a storage orientation in which the securing functional tool element is received in the aperture of the second body and is substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the first body. With the first and second bodies secured together in a neat and compact C221 001.00 manner the tool can be conveniently stored and transported. However, the first body is also preferably releasably secured to the second body in a use orientation in which the securing functional tool element is received in the aperture of the second body and is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first body.

The first body can be substantially parallel to (and most preferably alongside or even partially enclosing) the second body when in the storage orientation and substantially at right angles to the second body when in the use orientation. This means that when the first body is in the use orientation it can be grasped by the user to provide additional leverage or torque when one of the functional tool elements of the second body is being used.

The securing functional tool element can be a drive head having an outer surface that is sized and shaped to receive a socket component and a shaped aperture that is sized and shaped to receive a tool bit. For example, the outer surface may have a 1/2 or 3/8 inch square crosssection to mate with a standard commercially-available drive socket and the shaped aperture may be hexagonal and designed to mate with a standard commercially-available drive tool bit such as a 1/4 inch hexagon drive bit. In the general case the mating end of the drive tool bit will be shaped to fit securely inside the aperture in the drive head. However, the working end of the drive tool bit may take on a variety of different forms and sizes such as a screwdriver or a hex key for mating with a correspondingly sized hexagonal aperture provided in a fastener or a rotatable component of the tool.

The securing functional tool element can be positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first body during use. In this case simple rotation of the first body about its longitudinal axis will cause corresponding rotation of the securing functional tool element. However, it is generally preferred that the securing functional tool element is positioned sihstntially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the first body 3D during use because this creates an L-shaped tool and allows the user to rotate the first body about an axis of the securing functional tool element to impart additional torque.

C221.OO1 00

C

The drive head may include a detent mechanism (such as a resilient detent or spring-loaded ball detent, for example) to releasably secure a socket component in position on the drive head. The same detent mechanism can also be used to releasably secure the drive head in position within the aperture in the second body.

The securing functional tool element is preferably pivotally connected to a first end of the first body. The second end of the first body may define a tubular box spanner element having a hexagonal cross-section. The size of the tubular box spanner can be selected depending on the intended use of the multi-function tool. For example, if the multi-function tool is intended to be used to repair and maintain bicycles (and more particular BMX bicycles) then the tubular box spanner can be selected to mate with a 19 mm hexagonal drive axle nut. As a practical matter, the length of the first body can help the user to reach nuts or bolts that are not easily accessible, for example when obstructed by BMX bicycle stunt nuts.

A reducing sleeve can be inserted into the tubular box spanner to reduce its size. For example, the reducing sleeve can be used to enable the tubular box spanner to mate with a 15 mm or 17 mm hexagonal drive axle nut. The reducing sleeve can be stored inside the open end of the tubular box spanner can be held in position by a friction fit or some sort of clip or retaining system.

A first end of the second body may define a tyre lever for removing a bicycle tyre from the wheel rim. Normally two tyre levers are needed for this task but the tyre lever provided on the second body is preferably wider than conventional tyre levers.

This enables the tyre lever to lift a greater length of tyre off the wheel rim in a single operation. In fact, the length of tyre that is lifted off the wheel rim is enough to create a significant amount of friction between the bead on the tyre and the wheel rim to hold the removed portion of the tyre in place while an adjacent length of tyre is lifted.

The tyre lever is preferably between about 20 and about 25 mm wide and has three-dimensional features of shape and configuration. A head part of the tyre lever is preferably of substantially trapezoidal, with the longer of the two parallel sides being connected with the second body and the shorter of the two parallel sides being the C221 001 00 working end. The non-parallel sides are angled to meet the working end, thus creating an almost arrow-like shape that provides for easier insertion into the wheel rim/tyre bead junction. The working end is preferably about 20 mm wide. In profile, the head part of the lyre lever is about 6 mm thick at the connection with the second body of the tool and about 3 mm thick at the working end. A bead or lip runs along a face of the working end to assist the tyre removing operation by helping to prevent the tyre bead from slipping off the working end.

A second end of the second body may include an adjustable spanner having a fixed jaw and sliding jaw. The fixed law is preferably integrally formed as part of the second body. The sliding jaw is preferably formed as a separate component part and secured to the second body in such a way that it can slide relative to the fixed jaw along a channel. The first body can be releasably connected to the second body in the use orientation to provide additional torque if the adjustable spanner is being used to remove or tighten a nut or bolt. The adjustable spanner can be sized and shaped to enable it to grasp the tubular box spanner on the first body. This enables the second body to be releasably connected to the first body by means of the adjustable spanner and the tubular box spanner to provide additional torque if the securing ftmnctional tool element (i.e. the drive head) is being used to remove or tighten a nut or bolt. In each case the multi-function tool created by releasably securing the first body and the second body together is preferably substantially L-shaped.

The size and shape of the fixed and sliding jaws may be selected depending on the circumstances. For example, if the tool is intended to be used in the repair and maintenance of BMX bicycles then the width of the fixed and sliding jaws can be made to be relatively narrow so that the adjustable spanner can be used in the space between the pedal axle flat and the crank arm to adjust, remove or fit a pedal. The thin profile of the fixed and sliding jaws is also of use when spatial restrictions are encountered in the vicinity of the component that requires maintenance or repair.

The sliding jaw of the adjustable spanner may include a protruding rivet removing pin. The rivet removing pin may be formed as an integral part of the sliding jaw.

C221.001 00 Alternatively, the sliding jaw may include a threaded aperture for receiving a threaded rivet removing pin that is formed as a separate component and can be replaced if it becomes damaged. When a user needs to remove a rivet from a link of a bicycle chain, the rivet removing pin is located within the threaded aperture in such a way that it protrudes beyond the sliding jaw.

The second end of the second body includes shaped means for receiving a link of a bicycle chain and a rivet clearance aperture. The rivet clearance aperture is axially aligned with the rivet removing pin of the sliding jaw (or with the threaded aperture in the sliding jaw) and is preferably formed in the fixed jaw of the adjustable spanner.

To remove a rivet from a link of a bicycle chain, the link is placed into the shaped means in the second end of the second body such that the rivet to be removed is axially aligned with both the rivet removing pin and the rivet clearance aperture. The sliding jaw is then moved towards the rivet clearance aperture (i.e. towards the fixed jaw of the adjustable spanner) until the rivet removing pin contacts the rivet and pushes it out of the link and into the rivet clearance aperture. The link of the bicycle chain is securely held during this process by the shaped means and is unable to move relative to the rivet clearance aperture. The rivet does not have to be removed completely but can be only partly removed depending on how far the sliding jaw is moved.

The second end of the second body may include a cable aperture for receiving a cable (such as a brake cable for a bicycle, for example). The sliding jaw of the adjustable spanner may include a cutting edge for cutting through the cable. A cable is passed through the cable aperture and the sliding jaw is then moved towards the cable to cut through the cable with the edge.

The distance between the fixed jaw and the sliding jaw of the adjustable spanner is preferably adjusted using a rotatable thumb screw that is mounted on a screw shaft.

The thumb screw preferably includes a helical thread on its outer surface that is received in a number of spaced notches on a lower part of the sliding jaw such that rotation of the thumb screw causes linear movement of the sliding jaw in a known C221 001 00 maimer. The screw shaft can be received in one or more openings in the second end of the second body. The screw shaft is preferably free to rotate within the one or more openings and is preferably keyed for rotation with the thumb screw. An end of the screw shaft may therefore include a shaped aperture for receiving the working end of a drive tool bit. This enables the thumb screw to be rotated by the forced rotation of the screw shaft by a drive tool (which can optionally be the first body with a suitable drive tool bit received in the securing functional tool element). The forced rotation of the screw shaft is particularly useful in situations where the sliding jaw is used in a rivet removing or cable cutting process where a user may not be able to apply sufficient force to rotate the thumb screw with his or her thumb alone.

The multi-function tool may include a tool bit holder for holding a selection of different tools such as socket components or drive tool bits for use with the drive

head, for example.

The present invention further provides a multi-function tool for repairing and maintaining a bicycle, the tool comprising a first body having an end that defines a tubular box spanner, drive head that is pivotally connected to the first body having an outer surface that is sized and shaped to receive a socket component and an aperture that is sized and shaped to receive a tool bit, and a second body having a first end that includes an adjustable spanner having a fixed jaw and a sliding jaw, a second end that defines a tyre lever, and an aperture for receiving the drive head to releasably secure the first and second bodies together.

The present invention further provides a multi-function tool for repairing and maintaining a bicycle, the tool comprising a first body having an end that defines a tubular box spanner, a drive head that is pivotally connected to the first body having an outer surface that is sized and shaped to receive a socket component and an aperture that is sized and shaped to receive a tool bit, and a second body having a first end that includes an adjustable spanner having a fixed jaw and a sliding jaw, a second end that defines a tyre lever, and an aperture for receiving the drive head, wherein the first body is releasably secured to the second body in a storage orientation in which C221.OO1 00 the drive head is received in the aperture of the second body and is substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the first body, and the first body is releasably secured to the second body in a use orientation in which the drive head is received in the aperture of the second body and is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first body.

The first body is preferably substantially at right angles to the second body in the use orientation.

The tubular box spanner, drive head, adjustable spanner, tyre lever and aperture for receiving the drive head are preferably as described above.

The first body and second body can incorporate ergonomic design elements to make them easier to hold and use.

The present invention further provides a tool comprising an adjustable spanner having a fixed jaw and a sliding jaw and incorporating means as herein described for removing a rivet from a link of a bicycle chain and/or cutting a cable.

It will be obvious from the above description that the multi-function tool of the present invention provides a compact and versatile solution to the problem of having a use a number of different tools for specific tasks. In the case where the tool is specifically intended to be used on bicycles (and in particular on BMX bicycles) then the multi-function tool contains sufficient functional tool elements to cope with nearly all maintenance and repair tasks and removes the need for a number of different tools to be purchased by a user. When the first body and second body are releasably secured together in the storage orientation then the overall tool is small enough to fit inside a user's pocket and can be easily stored or transported. The tool offers good interoperabiiity with commercially-available drive sockets and drive toOl bits that are usually supplied in standard sizes.

C221.001 00 Although the multi-function tool is not to be limited to any particular field of use, it would also be particularly suitable for automotive repair, electrical and plumbing installation and general household DJY tasks.

Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a multi-function tool according to the present invention where the component parts (namely the tool body and the box spanner) are shown separately; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the multi-function tool of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a detail view of the tool body of the multi-function tool without the sliding jaw of the adjustable spanner; Figures 4A and 4B are detail views of the sliding jaw of the adjustable spanner; Figure 5 is a detail view of the thumb screw shaft of the adjustable spanner; Figures 6A and 6B are detail views of the box spanner without the driving head; Figure 7 is a detail view of the driving head; Figure 8 is a detail view of a reducing sleeve that can be inserted into the box spanner; Figure 9 is a detail view of a rivet removing pin; Figures 1 OA and JOB are perspective views showing how the multi-function tool of Figure 1 can be used to remove a rivet from a link of a bicycle chain; Figure 11 is a perspective view showing how the multi-function tool of Figure 1 can be used to cut through a brake cable; Figures 12A and 12B are perspective views showing how the box spanner can be used independently of the tool body; Figure 13 is a perspective view of the multi-function tool of Figure 1 where the tool body and the box spanner are shown releasably secured together in a storage arrangement; Figure 14 is a cross-sectional detail view showing how the box spanner and tool body are releasably secured together in the storage arrangement; Figure 15 is a perspective view of the multi-function tool of Figure 1 where the tool body and the box spanner are releasably secured together in a first arrangement to provide additional torque; and C221 001 00 Figure 16 is a perspective view of the multi-functional tool of Figure 1 where the tool body and the box spanner are releasably secured together in a first arrangement to provide additional torque.

The basic component parts of a multi-function tool for repairing and maintaining a bicycle (and in particular a BMX bicycle) will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9.

The multi-function tool I includes a tool body 2 and a box spanner 4. The tool body 2 is the main structural element of the tool I and is forged from tool steel. A first end 2a of the tool body 2 is provided with an adjustable spanner 6. The adjustable spanner 6 includes a fixed jaw 8 that is integrally formed as part of the tool body 2. A sliding jaw 10 (shown in more detail in Figures 4A and 4B) is located in a channel or keyway 12 in the first end of the tool body 2 and cooperates with the fixed jaw 8 to define a pair of parallel clamping surfaces 14a and 14b that can be used to loosen or tighten nuts and bolts.

A foot part 1 Oa of the sliding jaw 10 includes a series of spaced grooves or notches 16 for receiving the helical thread 20 of a thumb screw 18. The thumb screw 18 is mounted on a thumb screw shaft 22 (shown in more detail in Figure 5) the ends of which are freely and rotatably received in apertures 24 provided in the sides of the first end 2a of the tool body 2. The thumb screw 18 and the thumb screw shaft 22 include cooperating flats 22a such that the two parts rotate together in unison. One end of the thumb screw shaft 22 includes a hexagonal aperture 22b to enable it to be forcibly rotated by a drive tool bit having a hexagonal working end in situations where it is not possible to rotate the thumb screw 18. The outer surface of the thumb screw 18 (including the helical thread 20) may be knurled to increase the friction between the users thumb and the thumb screw.

As shown in Figure 1, the thumb screw shaft 22 is located in the apertures 24 such that the thumb screw 18 is positioned in the opening 26 in the first end 2a of the tool body and the sliding jaw 10 is located in the channel or keyway 12. In the assembled C221 001 00 -10-position, the helical thread 20 of the thumb screw 18 is received in the spaced grooves or notches 16 in the foot part 1 Oa of the sliding jaw 10 such that rotation of the thumb screw (and hence also the thumb screw shaft 22) causes the sliding screw to move within the channel or keyway 12. Rotating the thumb screw 18 in a first sense (e.g. anti-clockwise) will result in movement of the sliding jaw in a first direction (e.g. towards the fixed jaw) and vice versa. The distance between the clamping surfaces 14a and 14b can therefore be precisely adjusted by rotating the thumb screw 18 either directly or by rotating the thumb screw shaft 22.

A second end 2b of the tool body 2 is provided with a tyre lever 28 that is used to lift a tyre off a wheel rim (not shown). The tyre lever is substantially trapezoidal. A raised bead 28a runs along a face of the working end 28b to assist the tyre removing operation by helping to prevent the tyre bead from slipping off the working end as the tyre is being removed.

The tool body 2 also includes a square aperture 30 with detent location points 32.

The box spanner 4 is of generally tubular construction and is also forged from tool steel. A first end 4a of the box spanner 4 is provided with a 19 mm hexagonal tubular box spanner 34 for tightening or loosening drive axle nuts and stunt pegs etc. In some cases it may be useful to step-down or reduce the size of the tubular box spanner 34 to mm or 17 mm, for example. Figure 8 shows a reducing sleeve 36 that can be inserted into the open end of the tubular box spanner 34 to reduce its internal dimensions. The reducing sleeve 36 is designed to be a friction fit inside the open end and includes a c-shaped clip 36a to prevent it from being pushed too far down inside the tubular box spanner 34.

A drive head 38 is pivotally connected to a second end 4b of the box spanner 4. The drive head 38 is mounted on a shaft 40 that is received in two slots 42 in the second end 4b of the box spanner 4. The slots 42 extend parallel to axis of the box spanner 4 and allow the drive head 38 to have limited movement along its length. The reason for the limited movement is explained in more detail below. The shaft 40 is adapted C221.OO1 00 -Il-to prevent the drive head 38 from being able to pivot in an uncontrollable manner so that the drive head tends to remain stationary once it has been moved to a desired position by a user. The drive head 38 has a 1/2 inch square outer surface 44 that enables it to support a wide range of standard commercially-available drive socket components (not shown). More particularly, the drive head 38 locates in the square hole at the centre of the drive socket component to prevent relative rotation and provide a secure fit. To retain the drive socket component (not shown) on the drive head 38, the drive head includes a detent mechanism 46 that locates in the channel or recess that is usually provided in at least one side wall forming the square hole at the centre of the drive socket component. The detent mechanism 46 also locates in the detent location points 32 when the drive head 38 is releasably received in the square aperture 30 provided in the tool body 2.

The drive head 38 includes a hexagonal aperture 48 that is designed to accommodate standard commercially-available 1/4 inch drive tool bits (e.g. the drive tool bit T with a hexagonal working end shown in Figures 1 OA, I OB, 11, 1 2A and I 2B). The drive head 38 can be magnetic or incorporate a magnetic part (not shown) to retain the drive tool bit in position within the hexagonal aperture 48. When the drive head 38 is not being used, it can be folded down so that it is neatly received within the open body 50 of the box spanner 4.

A tool bit storage holder (not shown) may also be provided in the open body 50 of the box spanner 4. The tool bit storage holder enables a user to store a number of different drive sockets and drive tool bits for use with the drive head 38. The tool I may be commercially supplied with certain drive tool bits that are compatible with the rotatable components of the tool including the thumb screw shaft 22 and the head part 58 of the rivet removing pin 54 (see below). This enables the box spanner 4 to be used as a separate tool to operate the rotatable components on the tool body 2.

The first end 2a of the tool body 2 includes two additional functional tool elements.

The first provides a way of removing a rivet from a link of a bicycle chain, typically to allow the chain to be lengthened or shortened, or to enable a damaged link to be C221.001 00 -12 -replaced. The second end 2a includes a shaped opening 52 into which a selected link of the bicycle chain can be inserted. Different sized links can be accommodated.

Each link will usually contain a pair of outer plates, a pair of inner plates, a pair of rollers and a pair of connecting rivets. Each rivet is an interference fit within the associated holes in the outer plates (the inner plates and roller rotate freely about the rivet) and usually has a small manufacturing detail on both ends called a "peening" that consists of a small flange or deformation that prevents it from being removed easily. To remove a rivet from the link therefore requires an end of the rivet to be deformed or sheared off to allow it to pass through the associated holes in the outer plates and a large force must be applied to overcome the interference fit.

Figure 9 shows a rivet removing pin 54. When it is not being used, the rivet removing pin 54 is stored in a threaded aperture 56 in the sliding jaw 10 in such a way that it does not protrude beyond the clamping face I 4b of the sliding jaw. The rivet removing pin includes a head part 58 that includes a hexagonal aperture 60 for receiving a drive tool bit with a hexagonal working end and a threaded shank 62.

When a rivet needs to be removed, the thumb screw 18 is rotated to move the sliding jaw 10 away from the fixed jaw 8 and fully expose the shaped opening 52. The rivet removing pin 54 is rotated within the threaded aperture 56 until the threaded shank 62 protrudes beyond the clamping face 1 4b of the sliding jaw. (The sliding jaw 10 includes a recess surrounding the threaded aperture 56 for accommodating the head part 60 of the rivet removing pin 54 as shown in Figure 4B.) The link of the bicycle chain containing the rivet to be removed is inserted into the shaped opening 52 as shown in Figures 1 OA and lOB. The link is supported in such a way that the rivet to be removed is axially aligned with the rivet removing pin 54 and with a rivet clearance hole 64 that is provided in the fixed jaw 8. The thumb screw 18 is then rotated in the opposite sense to move the sliding jaw 10 towards the fixed jaw 8 and bring the protruding end of the rivet removing pin 54 into contact with the rivet. At this point it will no longer be possible for the user to rotate the thumb screw i 8 using his or her thumb. A drive tool bit T with a hexagonal working end is inserted into the drive head 38 and the box spanner 4 is used to rotate the thumb screw shaft 22 to continue the movement of the sliding jaw 10 towards the fixed jaw 8 so that the rivet C221.OO1 00 -13-removing pin 54 starts to deform the peening and push the rivet out of the associated holes in the outer plates of the link and into the rivet clearance hole 64.

A new rivet can be inserted most of the way into the link using the clamping surfaces 14a and 14b of the adjustable spanner 6, and driven home into the final position via the rivet removing pin 54.

The second functional tool element provides a way of cutting through a cable, and in particular a bicycle brake cable. Cutting through a brake cable is something that is routinely encountered during bicycle maintenance and is normally carried out using a pair of cable cutters. The brake cable will typically have an inner section made up of a number of steel cables that are tightly wound together. An outer section consists of a hollow steel tube, formed by a tightly wound steel strip, with a Teflon -coated (or other friction-reducing material) inner sleeve (to reduce the friction between the inner cable and the tube) and an external plastic sheath. Figure 4B shows how the foot part lOa of the sliding jaw 10 includes a hardened cutting edge 66. A cable aperture 68 is provided in the first end 2a of the tool body 2 and defines a cutting bed. The thumb screw 18 is rotated in a first sense to move the sliding jaw 10 towards the fixed jaw 8 until the cable aperture 68 is uncovered. A length of brake cable B is passed through the cable aperture 68 as shown in Figure 11. The thumb screw 18 is then rotated in the opposite sense to move thesliding jaw 10 away from the fixed jaw 8 and bring the cutting edge 66 of the foot part I Oa into contact with the brake cable B. At this point it will no longer be possible for the user to rotate the thumb screw 18 using his or her thumb. A drive tool bit T with a hexagonal working end is inserted into the drive head 38 and the box spanner 4 is used to rotate the thumb screw shaft 22 to continue the movement of the sliding jaw 10 away from the fixed jaw 8 in a controlled manner to part the inner or outer sections of the brake cable B as required. (It would be very unusual for both the inner and outer section of the brake cable to be cut in a single opera Lion.) It will be obvious that the tool body 2 and the box spanner 4 can be used separately as two different tools. For example, the tool body 2 can be used as a tyre lever C221.OO1 00 -14 -independently of the box spanner 4. The drive head 38 of the box spanner 4 can also be used in two different orientations (i.e. parallel to, or at right angles with, the longitudinal axis of the box spanner) to mount or receive a wide variety of different tool bits T or socket components as shown in Figure 12A and 12B. However, the tool body 2 and the box spanner 4 can be releasably secured together in a number of different ways to improve their overall functionality.

Figure 13 shows how the tool body 2 and the box spanner 4 can be releasably secured together in a storage orientation. The drive head 38 is pivoted to be substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the box spanner 4 and then inserted into the square aperture 30 provided in the tool body 2. The clamping faces 14a and l4b of the fixed and sliding jaws 8 and 10 are in contact with each other to present the narrowest profile for the adjustable spanner 6. The main body of the tool body 2 is partially received in the open body 50 of the box spanner 4. This creates a neat and compact arrangement for easy storage and transport of the tool 1.

The slots 42 form the connection point for the drive head 38 and allow the drive head to have limited movement along the length of the box spanner 4. This is important because it keeps the tool body 2 and the box spanner 4 in the storage orientation. In order for the tool body 2 and the box spanner 4 to remain in the storage orientation all three degrees of freedom of the box spanner must be constrained. When the drive head 38 is positioned at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the box spanner 4 and inserted into the square aperture 30 in the tool body 2, then two of the three degrees of freedom are constrained. However, to some extent the box spanner 4 is still free to pivot relative to the drive head 38 and a further mechanism for fixing the box spanner to the tool body 2 is therefore preferred. When the clamping surfaces 14a and 14b of the adjustable spanner 6 are fully closed, a small notch 70 is revealed between the sliding jaw 10 and the rest of the tool body 2. If the box spanner 4 is made to slide relative to the drivc head 38 (i.e. such that the shaft 40 slides within the slots 42) then a part of the edge 72 that defines the open body 50 of the box spanner can be received within the revealed notch. This prevents the box spanner 4 from being able to pivot relative to the drive head 38, and hence relative to the tool body 2, and releasably C221 001 00 -15 -retains the tool body and the box spanner in the storage orientation. Figure 14 is a cross-section through the first ends 2a and 4a of the tool body 2 and box spanner 4, respectively. It shows the notch 70 and how relative movement between the box spanner 4 and the tool body 2 causes the edge 72 of the box spanner to be received within the notch. Figure 14 also shows the location of the rivet removing pin 54 within the threaded aperture 56 when it is not in use and how the helical thread 20 of the thumb screw 18 is received in the notches 16 formed in the foot part 1 Oa of the sliding jaw 10. To help prevent any unintentional disengagement of the tool body 2 and the box spanner 4, the thumb screw 18 can be used to move the sliding jaw 10 slightly away from the fixed jaw 8 to clamp the edge of the box spanner within the revealed notch.

The tool body 2 and the box spanner 4 can also be releasably secured together to improve the amount of torque that can be applied by the tool 1. There are two ways in which this can be accomplished. Figure 15 shows a first arrangement where the drive head 38 is pivoted to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box spanner 4 and then inserted into the square aperture 30 provided in the tool body 2 to create an L-shaped tool. This arrangement is useful if the adjustable spanner 6 is being used to tighten or loosen a nut and additional torque is needed. By releasably connecting the tool body 2 and the box spanner 4 together, the user can grasp the box spanner 4 and use it to apply an increased amount of torque to the adjustable spanner 6 to rotate the nut. The tool body 2 can also be grasped and used to rotate the box spanner 4 if the tubular box spanner 34 is being used to rotate an axle nut, for example. Additional support between the tool body 2 and the box spanner 4 is provided by the flat edge of the tyre lever 28 that rests against the outer surface of the box spanner. The drive head 38 is retained inside the square aperture 30 by the detent mechanism 46.

Figure 16 shows a second arrangement where the tubular box spanner 34 is grasped between the clamping plates 14a and 14b of the adjustable spanner 6 of the tool body 2 to create a different L-shaped multi-function tool. This can be useful if a socket component S or drive bit tool (e.g. the drive tool bit T with a hexagonal working end C221.001.00 shown in Figures 1OA, lOB, 11, 12A and 12B) is mounted to the drive head 38 and is being used to tighten or loosen a nut.

C221 001.00

Claims

1. A multi-function tool comprising: a first body having at least one functional tool element; a securing functional tool element that is pivotafly connected to the first body; and a second body having at least one functional tool element and an aperture for receiving the securing functional tool element to releasably secure the first and second bodies together.

2. A multi-function tool according to claim I, wherein the first body is releasably secured to the second body in a storage orientation in which the securing functional tool element is received in the aperture of the second body and is substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the first body.

3. A multi-function tool according to claim 2, wherein the first body is releasably secured to the second body in a use orientation in which the securing functional tool element is received in the aperture of the second body and is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first body.

4. A multi-function tool according to claim 3, wherein the first body is substantially parallel to the second body when in the storage orientation and substantially at right angles to the second body when in the use orientation.

5. A multi-function tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing functional tool element is a drive head having an outer surface that is sized and shaped to receive a socket component and an aperture that is sized and shaped to receive a tool bit.

6. A multi-function tool according to claim 5, wherein the drivc head includes a detent mechanism to releasably secure a socket component in position on the drive head andlor to releasably secure the drive head in position within the aperture in the second body.

C221.OO1 00

7. A multi-function tool according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the outer surface of the drive head has a square cross-section.

8. A multi-function tool according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the aperture in the drive head has a hexagonal cross-section.

9. A multi-function tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing functional tool element is pivotally connected to a first end of the first body and wherein a second end of the first body defines a tubular box spanner element having a hexagonal cross-section.

10. A multi-function tool according to any preceding claim, wherein a first end of the second body defines a tyre lever and a second end of the second body includes an adjustable spanner having a fixed jaw and sliding jaw.

11. A multi-function tool according to claim 10, wherein the sliding jaw of the adjustable spanner includes a protruding rivet removing pin.

12. A multi-function tool according to claim 10, wherein the sliding jaw of the adjustable spanner includes a threaded aperture for receiving a threaded rivet removing pin.

13. A multi-function tool according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the second end of the second body includes means for receiving a bicycle chain and a rivet clearance aperture that is aligned with the rivet removing pin.

14. A multi-function tool according to claim 13, wherein the rivet clearance aperture is formed in the fixed jaw of the adjustable spanner.

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15. A multi-function tool according to any of claims 10 to 14, wherein the second end of the second body includes a cable aperture for receiving a cable and the sliding jaw of the adjustable spanner includes a cutting edge for cutting the cable.

16. A multi-function tool according to any of claims 10 to 15, wherein the distance between the fixed jaw and the sliding jaw is adjusted using a thumb screw.

17. A multi-function tool according to claim 16, wherein the thumb screw is keyed for rotation to a screw shaft that is received in one or more openings in the second end of the second body.

18. A multi-function tool according to claim 17, wherein an end of the screw shaft includes a shaped aperture for receiving the working end of a drive tool bit.

19. A multi-function tool according to any preceding claim, further comprising a tool bit holder.

20. A multi-function tool for repairing and maintaining a bicycle, the tool comprising: a first body having an end that defines a tubular box spanner; a drive head that is pivotally connected to the first body having an outer surface that is sized and shaped to receive a socket component and an aperture that is sized and shaped to receive a tool bit; and a second body having a first end that includes an adjustable spanner having a fixed jaw and a sliding jaw, a second end that defines a tyre lever, and an aperture for receiving the drive head to releasably secure the first and second bodies together.

21. A multi-function tool according to claim 20, wherein the sliding jaw of the adjustable spanner includes a protruding rivet removing pin.

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22. A multi-function tool according to claim 20, wherein the sliding jaw of the adjustable spanner includes a threaded aperture for receiving a threaded rivet removing pin.

23. A multi-function tool according to of claims 20 to 22, wherein the second end of the second body includes means for receiving a bicycle chain and a rivet clearance aperture that is aligned with the rivet removing pin.

24. A multi-function tool according to claim 23, wherein the rivet clearance aperture is formed in the fixed jaw of the adjustable spanner.

25. A multi-function tool according to any of claims 20 to 24, wherein the second end of the second body includes a cable aperture for receiving a cable and the sliding jaw of the adjustable spanner includes a cutting edge for cutting the cable.

26. A multi-function tool according to any of claims 20 to 25, wherein the distance between the fixed jaw and the sliding jaw is adjusted using a thumb screw.

27. A multi-function tool according to claim 26, wherein the thumb screw is keyed for rotation to a screw shaft that is received in one or more openings in the second end of the second body.

28. A multi-function tool according to claim 27, wherein an end of the screw shaft includes a shaped aperture for receiving the working end of a drive tool bit.

29. A multi-function tool according to any of claims 20 to 28, further comprising a tool bit holder.

30. A multi-function tool for repairing and maintaining a bicycle, the tool comprising: a first body having an end that defines a tubular box spanner; C221.001 00 a drive head that is pivotally connected to the first body having an outer surface that is sized and shaped to receive a socket component and an aperture that is sized and shaped to receive a tool bit; and a second body having a first end that includes an adjustable spanner having a fixed jaw and a sliding jaw, a second end that defines a tyre lever, and an aperture for receiving the drive head; wherein the first body is releasably secured to the second body in a storage orientation in which the drive head is received in the aperture of the second body and is substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the first body, and the first body is releasably secured to the second body in a use orientation in which the drive head is received in the aperture of the second body and is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first body.

31. A multi-function too! according to claim 30, wherein the first body is substantially at right angles to the second body in the use orientation.

32. A multi-function tool substantially as described herein and with reference to the drawings.

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