KR20160114698A - Low profile pocket tool - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multifunctional thin pocket tool. The pocket tool includes only one support plate and can be made without the use of any screws, pins or other fasteners. In this way, the tools can be easily removed and replaced. The stability of the pocket tool is obtained by using tapped taps around the track on the tool. This interlocking action promotes rotation and stability. In various embodiments, there may be one tap and one track, or there may be multiple taps and multiple tracks. Additional embodiments include a mechanical interlocking system of taps and track tracks.

Description

A thin pocket tool {LOW PROFILE POCKET TOOL}

Cross reference of related application

This application is a continuation-in-part of US patent application Ser. No. 61/934352, entitled " Personal Appliances, Pocket Knives, and Related Methods, " filed on January 31, 2014, Pocket knife and related method ", which is entitled " Personal Applicable Device, Pocket Knife, and Related Method ", filed on January 22, and the title of the invention, filed on January 6, 2015, Quot; Tool ", Serial No. 14/590980, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to a low profile tool, and in one embodiment relates to a low profile pocket knife.

Pocket knives have become a useful tool for a variety of applications over a century and a half. As an example, in 1859, G. U.S. Pat. No. 23,975, entitled "Vestal Knife", issued to G. G. Belcher, directed a pocket knife. The pocket knife was around for more than a century and a half, but the design did not change so much during that time. For example, U.S. Patent No. 7,555,839, entitled " Fishing Knife ", issued to Koelewyn, is compared to Belcher's patented "pruning knife ". The basic design of the Koelwyn's patented pocket knife in 2009 and the patented Belkin pocket knife in 1859 are identical, except for certain features that facilitate fishing line cutting in the Koelwin blades. Both patents have front and back plates surrounding the blade, are held together using pins, and have a profile that is likely to be a half inch or larger in size.

The basic design of the pocket knife has not substantially changed over time, but the inventors have improved their functionality, for example by adding several tools to the traditional design. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 8,528,215, entitled " Pocket Tool, Especially Pocket Knife, "issued to Elsner. When a person carries a pocket knife, the pocket knife can be heavy and bulky in a pocket or belt. It can be difficult to find when carrying a pocket knife in a bag.

Therefore, it is advantageous to make a light profile knife, while still retaining the functionality of traditional pocket knives or the enhanced functionality of pocket tools. Therefore, it is desirable to design a pocket knife having a sufficiently low profile to fit inside the purse. Thus, a pocket knife or a thin tool can be placed exactly inside a person's wallet, which makes it easier to find and less annoying than carrying a heavier, more conventional pocket tool.

In designing more sleeker and more modern pocket knives, additional considerations related to modern living are security risks posed by pocket knives at checkpoints such as airport security checkpoints. In this situation, it is often prohibited to carry a pocket knife or pocket tool, for example with an aircraft, with a sharp implement that can be used as a weapon. Airline passengers who often forget to remove their pocket knives from their personal or carry-on baggage at airport screening stations are confiscated from their pocket knives to board their airplanes. This can be costly for air travelers.

Thus, the ability to easily remove sharp tools from the body of the tool in order to get somewhere to an air traveler or others who are confronted with the choice to confiscate their tool is added to a more sleek, thin tool Is additionally advantageous. In this way, for example, the traveler can only keep the sharp tool in violation, whereas the pocket tool body can hold it. This allows the knife holder to replace the blade or saw, for example, at a relatively low cost later.

The invention disclosed herein overcomes some of the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a relatively small thickness as well as providing removal and replacement of tools without the use of tools. The contour of the tool is kept to a minimum by virtue of using only one support plate, as well as by avoiding the use of pins, rivets, screws, and similar fasteners. The removal function is achieved by providing on the support plate a tabbing mechanism that is interlocked with the track function on the tool to form the track of rotation. A cutout in the track allows the tab to pass through the plane of the track and allows the tool to be removed from the support plate. The plurality of interlocking taps and the track portions and tools of the backing plate are spaced apart from each other so that they also add stability to the torque applied to the tool when the tool is in its rotational or open position.

In some embodiments, a thin pocket tool is provided, comprising a support tab further comprising a first tab, a leaf spring, and at least one tool guard, wherein the leaf spring further comprises a tool catch portion Included -; And a tool further comprising a first notch positioned within the track and a second notch configured to engage the tool catch when the tool is in a closed, open, or two position. The track being configured to interlock with a support plate to permit limited rotational movement of the tool; .

Wherein said tool is selected from the group consisting of a blade, a screwdriver, a saw, a wrench, an allen key, a box opening knife, a letter opening knife, a lock pick, Glass breakers, bottle openers, can openers, scissors, chisels, and wire cutters.

In some embodiments, the tool is removable.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the support plate is approximately the same as the thickness of the tool. In an alternative embodiment, the combined thickness of the support plate and the tool is 4 mm or less. In a preferred embodiment, the combined thickness of the support plate and the tool is about 2 mm.

In some embodiments there is a second implement guard. In some embodiments, at least one tool guard is integral with the backing plate. In an additional embodiment, at least one tool guard is tapered to be thicker at the edge adjacent the support plate. In an alternative embodiment, the tapering is done in inverse proportion to the thickness of the front part of the tool as it tapers towards the rear of the tool when the tool is in the closed position.

In another embodiment, the thin pocket tool has a second tab, wherein the length of the first tab is different from the length of the second tab; And a first cutout portion and a second cutout portion surrounding the first tab and the second tab when the tool is in the insertion position, 1 tab and the second tab. A further embodiment comprises a third tab; And a third notch surrounding the third tab when the tool is in the insertion position, the orbital track being configured to interlock with the third tab to enable rotational movement of the tool.

In another embodiment, the second and third taps can be aligned by decreasing the length in the direction of rotation, wherein these tabs have a first maximum width arc length that is shorter in radial eccentricity to allow the second track to ride And the second and third tabs are designed to have a longer radial length so that they can ride the outer first track.

In some embodiments, the thin, pocket tool, wherein the first tab is designed to be shorter than the second tab, has a width along the outer arc edge of the first tab wider than an outer arc edge of the second tab; An inner track track and an outer track track are generated by making the first notch portion a size relative to the width of the first tab and the second notch portion having a size related to the width of the second tab; The inner and outer orbital tracks being concentric with each other; Wherein the inner track is broken by the first cutout portion and the second cutout portion; And the outer track is disconnected by the second cutout portion.

In an alternative embodiment, the thin pocket tool comprises: a third tab; And a third notch surrounding the third tab when the tool is in the insertion position, wherein the orbital track is configured to include a third notch surrounding the third tab when the tool is in the insertion position, Tab.

In another alternative embodiment of the thin tool, the first tab, the second tab and the third tab have a variable length, and the embodiment further comprises a width along the outer arc edge of the first tab The second tab is wider than the outer arc edge of the second tab; The width along the outer arc edge of the second tab is wider than the outer arc edge of the third tab; A configuration in which the first notch portion has a size related to the width of the first tab; The second cut-out portion has a size related to the width of the second tab; A configuration in which the third cut-out portion has a size related to the width of the third tab; Wherein the first cutout portion, the second cutout portion, and the third cutout portion are formed so as to produce an inner orbit track, a middle orbit track, and an outer orbit track; Concentric inner, intermediate, and outer orbital tracks; The inner track is broken by the first cutout portion, the second cutout portion and the third cutout portion; The middle track is cut off by the second cutout portion and the third cutout portion; And the outer track is disconnected by the third notch.

In some embodiments, the leaf spring further comprises a tool retaining projection. Additional embodiments include curved tabs.

In an alternative embodiment, the support plate further comprises an implement catch portion integral with the support plate.

In a further embodiment, the support plate further comprises a blade pivot boss.

In yet another further embodiment, a second tab on the backing plate; A first support plate cutout portion and a second support plate cutout portion; And a first track and a second track. In an alternative embodiment, there may be a third track. In these embodiments, the tracks may optionally be integral with the tool.

In another embodiment, a third tab on the support plate; A third support plate cutout portion; And a third blade pivot track integral to the tool.

In another embodiment, a support plate further comprising a first notch positioned in the track track and a portion of a tool configured to engage the tool catch portion when the tool is in the closed position, wherein the orbital track has a limited rotation of the tool Configured to interact with a backing plate to allow movement to occur; And a tool further comprising a first tab, a leaf spring and at least one tool guard, the leaf spring further comprising a tool catch; There may be a thin pocket tool included.

Alternative embodiments disclosed herein include a mechanical interlock system comprising: a first track and a second track, wherein the diameter of the first track is less than the diameter of the second track; The first track and the second track being concentrically arranged around a circular surface to produce an orbital track; And the first track and the second track are configured to be rotatably associated with the first tap and the second tap, wherein the first tap and the second tap have different arc lengths and radial lengths; Desc / Clms Page number 2 >

Alternative embodiments further include a third tab configured to be rotatably associated with the first track and the second track and having a different arc length and radial length than the first or second tab .

1A is a front view of one embodiment of a thin pocket tool. In this embodiment, the pocket tool is a pocket knife and is shown in the closed position in the drawing.
1B is a front view of a pocket knife embodiment in an open position.
Figure 2 is a front view of a tool, i.e., a blade, that can be used in the pocket knife embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a front view of the support plate used in the pocket knife embodiment;
4 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a support plate that can be used in embodiments of the present invention.
5 is a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a support plate and clip that may be used in embodiments of the present invention.
6A is a front view of a third embodiment of a support plate that can be used with the pocket tools described herein.
6B is a contour diagram of a third embodiment of the support plate.
7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a support plate and an embodiment of a blade that can be used in this embodiment to make a thin utility tool.
8 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of a thin pocket tool. In this embodiment, the pocket tool is a pocket knife and is shown in the closed position in the drawing.
9 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of a support plate that can be used with the pocket tools described herein.
10 is a front view of a blade that can be used in a fourth embodiment of a support plate so that a thin utility tool can be made.
11 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of a thin pocket tool. In this embodiment, the pocket tool is a pocket knife and is shown in the open position in the drawing.
12 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of a thin pocket tool. In this embodiment, the pocket tool is a pocket knife and is shown in the figure as being in a position to be removed when the blade is rotated further.
13 is a front view of a fifth embodiment of a thin pocket tool. In this embodiment, the thin pocket tool is a pocket knife shown as being in the closed position.
14 is a front view of a fifth embodiment of a support plate that can be used with the pocket tools described herein.
15 is a front view of a blade that can be used in a fifth embodiment of a support plate so that a thin utility tool can be made.
16 is a front view of a fifth embodiment of a thin pocket tool. In this embodiment, the thin pocket tool is a pocket knife shown as being in the open position.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that, throughout this specification, if the same terminology is used in describing the features and functions of the various portions of the specific embodiments, various modifications, additions, Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the same features and functions may be present in further embodiments having the same features.

Figures 1A and 1B illustrate a thin pocket tool 10 having a support plate 12 and an attachment tool 14, which in one embodiment may be a blade. In this embodiment, the attachment tool 14 is shown as being in the closed position. Generally speaking, the embodiments disclosed herein may have the following attributes. Embodiments of the thin pocket tool 10 may be made of stainless steel, aluminum, steel, titanium, plastic, carbon fiber, ceramic, or the like. In these embodiments, the support plate 12 and the tool 14 may be made of the same material, or may be made of different materials.

In terms of making a thin pocket tool 10, the average credit card contour is 0.8 mm. In the embodiments described herein, it is desirable, but not essential, to limit the overall contour of the pocket tool 10 to 4 mm or less. In an alternative embodiment, the thickness of the pocket tool may be less than 4 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness may be less than three times the thickness of the credit card.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the tool 14 may be the same or substantially the same as the thickness of the support plate 12. In one embodiment, the thickness of the tool 14 may be in the range of 10%, 20%, or 30% of the thickness of the support plate 12. The protrusions of the tool 14 and the respective portions of the support plate 12 as viewed from the overall contour of the pocket tool 10 extend beyond the overall thickness of the pocket tool 10. In such an embodiment, the protrusions of the tool 14 and the respective portions of the support plate 12 do not extend more than 30% of the total thickness of the pocket tool 10.

The embodiments disclosed herein are advanced compared to many conventional pocket tools since they use only one support plate 12 in contrast to the two most common support plates in conventional pocket tools . By using only one support plate 12, the overall thickness and weight of the pocket tool 10 is substantially reduced.

In addition, the embodiments disclosed herein have the advantage that there are no pins, rivets, screws, bolts or similar fasteners that have been used to attach tools, guard taps, buckles, and the like, to a pocket tool. Embodiments of the present invention have the advantage of being lighter by eliminating such securing means and less susceptible to breakage or loss of appendages due to loosened fasteners.

In some embodiments, the tool is removable. Although the removable tools in the pocket tool have shown evidence in the prior art, the tools in the prior art were attached using one of the fastening means described above. In embodiments of the inventive thin pocket tool 10, the tool 14 is rigidly held in place through a tabbing mechanism, which will be described in more detail below. This means of securing the tool 14 to the support plate 12 has the advantage that the tool 14 is removed without the use of a tool.

The tap moving mechanisms disclosed herein are superior to those that require the use of tools to remove the tool 14 because the owner of the pocket tool 10 has no tools designed to remove what he owns, (S) 14 will have the freedom to remove or replace them. This convenience makes the embodiments disclosed herein appealing to consumers because, for example, if they need tools left at home to remove the tools 14 from the airport security checkpoint, Because it is still possible to remove the forbidden tool 14, for example the blade, without discarding the pocket tool 10.

Throughout this description, the figures show the blade as the preferred tool 14 for use in a thin pocket tool. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the teachings herein are equally relevant to a wide variety of tools that can be used as tools in a thin pocket tool. By way of example, and not by way of limitation, the tools 14 of the present invention can be used in various applications such as screwdrivers, saw blades, wrenches, hex wrenches, box opening knives, letter opening knives, Cutters, glass breaking tools, bottle openers, can openers, scissors, chisels, and wire cutters.

Fig. 2 shows the features of the tool 14, in which case the tool is a blade. Throughout the discussion of embodiments having the blade as a tool 14, the terms blade and tool 14 are readily understood by those skilled in the art that not only the blade, but also a number of tools can be tools 14 And will be used interchangeably with reference to the description of the drawings based on the understanding that the information will be transmitted. The design features of the blade 14 shown in FIG. 2 and subsequent figures herein may be repeated in additional tools, such as saws, screwdrivers, and the like.

Specifically, referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, blade 14 is shown having two types of cutting blades, a smoothly sharpened blade 28 and a serrated blade 26. In an alternative embodiment, the blade 14 may only have a sharp blade 28, or may only have a toothed blade 26. In addition, the blade edge 14 is shown in a curved shape. In an alternative embodiment, the blade may be a straight blade. Regardless of any of these combinations of blade shapes, the thickness of the edge of the blade 14 can be tapered to improve its function. For example, blade 14 may be thinnest along the periphery of smoothly sharpened blade 28 and sawtooth blade 26.

The tool edge 14 also includes an orbital track consisting of a cutout 21 and a recess 22. The track track is configured to limit the rotational movement of the tool 14 in the same plane as the support plate 12 in conjunction with the tab 31 shown in FIG. 3 on the support plate 12. The bottom surface of the tab 31 slides along the upper surface of the recess 22. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that alternative embodiments having a single tap or an orbital track interlocking with a plurality of taps will function as such and will be considered and disclosed herein. The tool 14 further comprises a first notch 24 located within the track. The first notch 24 creates a rotational axis for the tool 14 when the first notch 24 is coupled to the support plate 12, for example, to the tool pivot projection 37.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that an orbital track can be formed on the support plate 12 and that the first tab 31 can be formed on the tool 14. The positions for that track in both the various permutations of the orbital track described herein and the positions of the first tab 31 or the first tab or tabs in both the various permutations of the plurality of taps The above inversion in positions for < RTI ID = 0.0 > a < / RTI >

The tool pivot protrusion 37 may be integral with the support plate 12, for example, when the support plate 12 is stamped. In addition, the tool pivot projections 37 can be welded to the support plate 12, or screwed to the support plate 12. In some embodiments, the engagement between the first notch 24 and the tool pivot protrusion 37 may be a direct engagement, e.g., interlocking. In an alternative embodiment, there may be a washer, gasket, or similar device positioned between the first cutout 24 and the tool pivot projection 37, which further facilitates interlocking with the support plate 12 .

The tool catch coupling 23 is configured to be connected to the tool catch portion 33 on the support plate 12. [ The tool catch 33 can be a catch mechanism or a pushed button that is pushed into the support plate 12, or it can be a bulged portion along the leaf spring 32. Regardless of which type of these types of instruments is used, the function of the tool catch portion 33 is to fix the tool when in the closed position. The tool catch portion 33 positioned on the leaf spring 32 when the tool catch portion 33 is positioned inside the tool catch coupling 23, 14). In some embodiments, the tool catch portion 23 may be a notch. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the tool catch portion 23 may be a thin portion of the tool 14, or it may be a variable-shaped opening. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although the tool catch coupling 23 is shown in a substantially circular form, those skilled in the art will appreciate that when the tool catch coupling 23 applies an upward force on the tool 14 and thereby causes the tool 14 to be in the closed position Square, rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, hexagonal, octagonal, or any other geometric shape that can be fixed, e.g.

An orbital track comprised of the cutout 21 and the recess 22 is configured to allow rotation of the tool. In addition, in some embodiments the tool track 14 is removable because the track tracks have gaps. The tool 14 can be removed when the tool 14 is rotated in such a way that the first tab 31 on the support plate 12 can be positioned within the clearance of the track track. In alternate embodiments described throughout, the track may form a continuous circle or other shape so that a permanently fixed tool is created.

In view of the rotation of the tool, the first tab 31 of the support plate 12 is configured to slide along the cutout 21. The recess 22 maintains the tool 14 to rotate on one side without any further freedom to abruptly fall out of the track. If the tool 14 is allowed to rotate, the tool can go from the closed position to the open position. The rotation also allows the tool 14 to be removed in some embodiments.

Not only the tool is firmly held in a closed state by the tool guard 34 when the tool 14 is in the closed position but also the tool retaining protrusion 35 is pressed against the flat portion of the cut- A positive force is applied. The tool retaining projection 35 is sufficiently high to provide a positive force when the tool 14 slightly rotates forward on the cut-away flat portion 27 and yet the user is holding the tool 14 on the leaf spring 32 Is sufficiently low to allow the tool 14 to slide above the tool retaining projection when pushed down to rotate from the closed position to the open position.

Similarly, the flat portion 25 of the tool is fixed to the flat portion 25 of the tool by the side edge of the leaf spring 32 when the leaf spring 32 is spring-raised and raised above the flat portion 25 Which serves to fix the tool 14 in the open position, due to the active contact being applied.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the support plate 12. Fig. In this embodiment, the support plate 12 includes two tool guards 34. In an alternative embodiment, there may be one tool guard 34. In some embodiments, the tool guard 34 may be tapered to accommodate the thickness of the tool 14. In one embodiment in which the tool 14 is a blade, the blade may have the thinnest outer edge thereof.

When the tool guard 34 is tapered so as to accommodate the thickness of the blade, the tool guard 34 is gradually thickened toward the edge of the tool guard 34 farthest from the support plate 12 at the edge adjacent to the support plate 12 Thin. In one embodiment, the combined thickness of the tool 14 and the tool guard 34 remains constant over the taper. In yet another alternative embodiment, the tool guard 34 may be integral with the support plate 12. For example, the tool guard 34 may be formed on the support plate 12 by press working.

In addition, the support plate 12 includes a leaf spring 32. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the leaf spring 32 is made with a natural bend that exerts an upward force. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the function of the leaf spring can be similarly achieved even if the support plate 12 has some angle for applying a stabilizing force when the tool 14 is opened or closed. Therefore, the term "leaf spring" is intended to allow the widest configuration to be given according to its function.

The leaf spring 32 of the support plate 12 may be integrated with the support plate 12 and formed of a press or a similar machine tool. The leaf spring 32, which also includes the tool catch 33, applies an upward force on the tool 14, thereby locking it when the tool is in the closed position. The mechanical stops or protrusions formed on the support plate 12 may also serve to provide the tool 14 with an upward force that effectively resiliently deforms the support plate 12 as the leaf spring 32. [

In view of restricting the tool 14 to a circular rotation about an axis point created by the first notch 24, the first tab 31 on the support plate is in contact with the cutout 21 of the track track, (22). The upper portion of the first tab 31 rides in the concave portion 22 of the track track. According to this coupling structure, the first tab 31 facilitates the rotation of the tool 14, while simultaneously constraining the rotation axis thereof to a single plane.

1B shows how the first tab 31 is attached to the cutout 21 and the recess 22 of the track track when the tool 14 is in the open position. The first tab 31 keeps contact with the notches 21 and the recesses 22 of the track track so as to create stability of rotation of the tool even while moving from the open position to the closed position. In some embodiments, the first tab 31 may be integrally formed on the backing plate 12 by stamping, pressing, welding, or otherwise forming the backing plate 12.

Optionally, the backing plate 12 may also include additional tool retaining protrusions 36 that exert additional force on the tool so that it can be restrained while the tool is rotating about its axis of rotation. In this way, the retaining projection 36 serves to accommodate any manufacturing tolerance gap that would otherwise have caused the tool 14 to make a slight off-path movement from the support plate 12.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, "protrusions" provide contact surfaces around apertures or apertures. The contact surface can be made by an optionally formed feature, for example a bent edge. Accordingly, the term "projection" used throughout the specification is intended to be interpreted in its broadest terms. An additional retention projection 36 is provided on the opposite side of the tool 14, i.e. on the opposite side of the recess 22, in order to absorb any tolerances and to keep the tool 14 from moving out of plane with respect to the support plate 12. [ / RTI > Optionally, embodiments of the backing plate 12 may also include a bottle opener 39. The bottle opener may in some embodiments be a fantasy shape, for example, a wolf hair shape.

Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the support plate 40. Fig. In this embodiment, the features of the support plate 40 are similar to those described for the support plate 12.

Fig. 5 shows a clip 52 added to the embodiment shown in Fig. In this embodiment, the clip 52 may be integral with the support plate 40. Alternatively, the clip 52 may be attached to the support plate 40 via screws, bolts, rivets, fasteners, or the like. This embodiment also includes a bottle opener 59, which can be formed in a number of shapes, but is shown as a wolf head in this embodiment.

6A shows an alternative embodiment of the support plate 612 of the present invention. Some aspects of this support plate 612 are similar to those previously described with respect to Figures 1-3. Without limitation, for example, the tool guard 634 of this embodiment may have the same functions as those described above and may include the same variations as described above. Similarly, the tool pivot projections 637 are similar to the tool pivot projections 37 described above. Similarly, as in the case of comparing the tool retaining projection 635 with the tool retaining projection 35, the tool catch portion 633 is similar to that described above with respect to the tool catch portion 33. [

The leaf spring 632 functions similarly to that described for the leaf spring 32 and has similar properties. In addition, the support plate 612 can be configured to accommodate embodiments in which the tool 614 is removable or permanently secured. The tool retaining projection 636 functions similar to that described above with respect to the tool retaining projection 36. [

Referring to Fig. 7, the tool 614 of Fig. 7 is similar to the embodiments discussed above. Specifically, the notch portion 621 and the concave portion 622 of the track track are designed and performed similarly to the cutout portion 21 and the concave portion 22. The notches 623 and 624 are designed and performed similarly to the notches 23 and 24. The flat portion of the cutout portion 627 is designed and performed similarly to the flat portion of the cutout portion 27. [

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, the size and shape of the first tab 631 positioned on the support plate 612 has changed from the previous embodiments. Specifically, the first tab 631 is larger and has a curved trapezoidal shape. This change in size and shape of the first tab 631 provides a significant increase in the moment of inertia and improves the bending strength to the force applied to the tool 614 during rotation and use. Improved strength results in greater rigidity as well as higher rotation stability when the tool is used. In this embodiment, the first tab 631 is integrated with the support plate 612 and can be formed by press working, stamping, welding, or the like. In a further embodiment, all the taps disclosed herein may be curved to enhance bending strength.

The size of the first tab 631 may be small enough to allow the tool 614 to be removed by rotating the gap between the notch 621 and the recess 622 of the orbital track , So that the first tab 631 is disposed in the gap. The first tab 631 should be large enough to provide a stabilizing force to the tool 614 when the tool 614 rotates about an orbital track or when the tool 614 is in use.

Additional elements of the embodiments shown in Figures 6A, 6B, and 7 are the leaf spring stop tab 666 and leaf spring edge 664. The active contact between the leaf spring edge 664 and the flat portion 625 of the tool 614 restrains rotation of the tool 614 during use in the open position. When the notch 628 is cut and formed under the tool 614, the notch grips the leaf spring tab 666 to prevent the leaf spring 632 from spring recoiling past the active contact position.

In alternative embodiments, the support plate 612 may include a multi-purpose tool 662. [ The additional embodiment includes protrusions on the first circular cutout 624, which forces the force to deflect outwardly in the radial direction from the entirety of the first notch 24 of circular shape shown in Fig. 2 Less than is necessary for the same radial deflection of the circumference. This assists the user in the event that a manufacturing tolerance causes an interference condition between the first notch 624 and the pivot projection 637 in assisting the user in assembling the pocket tool.

6A, in one embodiment, the thickness of the flat portion of the support plate 636 is greater than the thickness of the tool pivot projection 637, the first tab 631, the leaf spring 632, the tool retaining projection 635, May be approximately the same as the height of the protrusions on the upper surface of the support plate 632, which is made by the guard 634. [ In an alternative embodiment, the combined thickness of the flat portion of the support plate 636 and the protrusions 637, 631, 632, 635, 634 may be less than or equal to 4 mm and may be, for example, 4 mm, 3 mm, Lt; / RTI >

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a pocket tool 810 with additional tabs added to the backing plate. One of the many advantages of adding additional tabs is that the stability of the tool or blade is increased during rotation and in the open position. This increased tool or blade stability reduces the occurrence of tap deformations that can occur over time. Specifically, the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 includes a first tab 820, a second tab 822, and a third tab 824. In an alternative embodiment, there can be only a first tab 820 and a second tab 822 only. The taps 820, 822, and 824 may be of variable arc length or variable radial width. The taps 820,822 and 824 are designed to allow the tool 814 to rotate about the orbital track and at the same time to constrain the tool 814 in a vertical or nearly vertical and adjacent plane to the support plate 812 do.

In one embodiment, the tool 814 is removable. The first support plate cutout 860, the second support plate cutout 862 and the third support plate cutout 864 may be formed such that the tabs 820, 822 and 824 are formed upward . In one embodiment, the tool 814 includes a first tool track 832, a second tool track segment 834, a third tool track segment 836, and a fourth tool track segment 830, The second tool track segment 834, the third tool track segment 836 and the fourth tool track segment 830 are located in the first support plate cutout 860, the second support plate cutout 860, 862, and third support plate notch 864 in a manner that allows them to be slidable.

Notably, the second, third, and fourth tool track segments 834, 936, 830 may be of similar diameter. Therefore, they can be regarded as a second track or a second tool track and so can be referred to. This second track can have cutouts as shown in the figure, but nonetheless includes a track for track and a second track for rotation.

In some embodiments, the third tool track segment 836 is wider than the first tool track 832, the second tool track segment 834, and the fourth tool track segment 830. This allows the first tab 820 to move between the fourth track segment 830 and the first track segment 832 as well as when the first tab rotates between the second track segment 834 and the fourth track segment 830 So that it can always maintain an active contact with the tracks including the track. Additionally, in these embodiments, the first tool track 832, the second tool track segment 834, the third tool track segment 836, and the fourth tool track segment 830 are integrated with the tool 814 .

12 shows an initial step of removing the tool 814 from the state in which it is attached to the support plate 812. Fig. In this embodiment, the tool is bent upwardly with respect to the support plate 812 such that the tool is resiliently deformed so that it is no longer interfered or held by the tool guard, , Tool 814 is removed. The user must also press down the tool catch portion 846. [ This force applied by the user reduces the force exerted on the tool 814 by the leaf spring 872 and the tool catch portion 846 thereby allowing the tool 814 to freely rotate, So that it can be rotated upward from above. To remove the tool 814, the user rotates the tool 814 in a clockwise direction, with the first tool track segment 832, the second tool track segment 834, the third tool track segment 836, The first tool track segment 830 can be slid through the first support plate cutout 860, the second support plate cutout 862, and the third support plate cutout 864, 832, the second tool track segment 834, the third tool track segment 836, and the fourth tool track segment 830 are reached.

In an alternative embodiment, the pocket tool 810 may be configured as a support plate having only a first tab and a second tab. In this embodiment, there will be at least two support plate notches as well as three blade track segments. In this embodiment, one of the taps has a narrower arc length than the other tabs, yet has a longer radial length. In this embodiment, the tool may be removable, or may be securely attached to the backing plate.

8-11, in these embodiments, there may be a leaf spring 872 having a tool release 846 and a tool retaining projection 870. FIG. The tool retaining projection 870 can be sized to fit tightly within the third tool cutout 842, thereby adding stability when the tool 814 is in the closed position. The second cutout 844 is configured to allow access to the tool release 846 on the leaf spring 872 so that the user can press the tool release 846 to freely rotate and open the tool 814 . Notch 840 is sized to cooperate with tool retaining projection 870 to provide additional stability when tool 814 is in the open position. The tool stop 848 may be a tab or a projection that is press-formed, stamped, or bent on the support plate 812. [ The tool stop 848 provides a downward force on the top of the tool 814 when the user applies a downward force on the tool 814, thereby providing stability of the tool or blade when the tool or blade is in the open position. Embodiments may optionally include a multi-purpose tool 850 or at least one tool guard 816.

An alternative embodiment of the pocket tool 910 is shown in FIG. In this embodiment, there is a support plate 912 and a tool 914, shown as a blade. Many of the design features of this embodiment are similar to those described above with respect to Figures 8-12. For example, the pocket tool 910 may also include a support plate 912 having two or three tabs 920,922, 924, a leaf spring 930, at least one tool guard, a notch 950, Tool track 942, a second tool track segment 944, a third tool track segment 946, and optionally a fourth tool track segment 940. In this embodiment, the first tool track 932, the second tool track segment 934, the third tool track segment 936, and the fourth tool track segment 930 may be integral with the tool 914 have.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the taps described in all of the embodiments herein may be disposed in the tool described herein, while the track track may be integral with the support plate described herein.

One difference in the embodiments of the pocket tool 910 is that the tool stop 936 can be configured to prevent over rotation of the tool 914 and to add stability to the tool 914 in the open position will be. In addition, the tool retaining projection 870 is replaced by a tool catch tab 932, which results in added stability to the tool 914 in both the open and closed positions. The tool catch tab 932 can be configured to interlock with the tool catch notches 952 and 950, thereby increasing the stability of the tool when the tool is in the closed position and the open position, respectively. In addition, the support plate 912 may include a fourth support plate cutout 934, which may be a fancy design such as the body outline of the wolf shown in FIG. 14, for example. In addition, the support plate 912 may include a notch that functions as a bottle opener or the like, and the notch may be formed in a shape resembling a wolf hair or the like.

Additional teachings of the embodiments disclosed herein are mechanical interlock systems described by the various track and tab embodiments discussed above. An advantage of such a mechanical interlock system is that it provides stability and elimination of various embodiments of the tool. By designing the taps and respective tracks in the described manner, a user can easily remove a given tool from his or her thin pocket tool. Such interlocking can be achieved without pins or fasteners, which is an advance over the prior art. Moreover, the interlocking described herein provides rotational stability when the tool is in use or when rotated about the track track embodiments disclosed herein.

It should be understood that the articles "a" and "an" as used herein in the specification and claims are meant to encompass a plurality of referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. A claim or description of an invention that includes "or" between a group of one or more members means that one, more than one, or all of the members of the group are present, Or related, it is deemed fulfilled unless otherwise indicated or otherwise clarified in context.

The present invention encompasses embodiments where exactly one member of the group is present, used, or otherwise associated with a given product or process. The present invention also encompasses embodiments where more than one of the members, or a group of the same, is present, used, or related to a given product or process. It is also intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims without any one or more of the limitations, elements, and equivalents coming from one or more of the listed categories, Combinations, and permutations of phrases, phrases, descriptive terms, etc., are introduced in other claims (or any other claim) that are subject to the same basic claim.

When elements are displayed in a list (e.g., in a Markush group or similar form), each subgroup of the elements is also initiated and any element (s) may be removed from the group . It is to be understood that when the present invention or aspects of the present invention are described as including specific elements, features, and the like, it is to be understood that the invention or the particular embodiments thereof may be practiced, Quot; Such embodiments have not been specifically described herein with so many words in each case for simplicity. It is also to be understood that any embodiment or aspect of the present invention may be expressly excluded from the scope of the claims regardless of whether or not certain exclusions are mentioned in the specification. The entire contents of both the references cited throughout this application (including references, published patents and published patent applications and websites) are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Many modifications and alternative embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode for carrying out the invention. The details of construction can be practically modified without departing from the spirit of the invention and the exclusive use of all variations coming within the scope of the appended claims is reserved. While embodiments have been described in this specification in such a manner that clear and concise specification can be made, the embodiments are intended to be < RTI ID = 0.0 > . It is intended that the invention be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and their legal provisions.

Claims (26)

As a low profile tool,
a. A support plate further comprising a first tab, a leaf spring, and at least one tool guard, the leaf spring further comprising a tool catch; And
b. Further comprising a first notch positioned within the track,
Wherein a portion of the tool is configured to engage the tool catch portion when the tool is in the closed position and the orbital track is configured to interlock with the support plate to permit limited rotational movement of the tool.
Thin pocket tool. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein said tool is selected from the group consisting of a blade, a screwdriver, a saw, a wrench, an allen key, a box opening knife, a letter opening knife, a lock pick, Glass cutter, bottle opener, can opener, scissors, chisel, and wire cutter.
Thin pocket tool. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the tool is removable,
Thin pocket tool. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the thickness of the support plate is substantially equal to the thickness of the tool,
Thin pocket tool. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the combined thickness of the support plate and the tool is 4 mm or less,
Thin pocket tool. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the first tab is a curved tab,
Thin pocket tool. The method of claim 3,
Further comprising a second tool guard,
Thin pocket tool. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein at least one tool guard is integral with the support plate,
Thin pocket tool. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein at least one tool guard is tapered to be thicker at an edge adjacent the support plate,
Thin pocket tool. 10. The method of claim 9,
The tapering is tapered toward the rear of the tool when the tool is in the closed position, so that the tapering is in inverse proportion to the thickness of the front part of the tool.
Thin pocket tool. The method of claim 3,
a. A second tab, the arc length and the radius echo length of the first tab being different from the arc length and the radial length of the second tab; And
b. Further comprising a first notch portion surrounding the first tab and a second notch portion surrounding the second tab,
The orbital track being configured to interlock with the first and second tabs to enable rotational movement of the tool when the tool is in the insertion position.
Thin pocket tool. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the orbital track further comprises a first track and a second track, the diameter of the first track being less than the diameter of the second track,
Thin pocket tool. 12. The method of claim 11,
a. A third tab; And
b. Further comprising a third notch surrounding the third tab,
The orbital track being configured to interlock with the third tab to enable rotational movement of the tool when the tool is in the insertion position,
Thin pocket tool. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the first tab and the second tab are curved,
Thin pocket tool. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the third tab has an arc length and a radial length different from the arc length and radial length of the first tab or the second tab. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the orbital track further comprises a first track and a second track, the diameter of the first track being less than the diameter of the second track,
Thin pocket tool. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the first tab, the second tab, and the third tab are curved,
Thin pocket tool. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the leaf spring further comprises a tool retaining projection,
Thin pocket tool. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the support plate further comprises a tool catch portion integral with the support plate,
Thin pocket tool. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the support plate further comprises a tool pivot projection,
Thin pocket tool. The method of claim 3,
a. A second tab on said support plate;
b. A first support plate cutout portion and a second support plate cutout portion; And
c. Further comprising a first tool pivot track and a second tool pivot track,
Wherein the first and second tool tracks are integral with the tool,
Thin pocket tool. As a thin pocket tool,
a. A support plate further comprising a first notch located within the track, the track being configured to interlock with the tool to permit limited rotational movement of the tool;
b. The support plate having a leaf spring and at least one tool guard, the leaf spring further comprising a tool catch; And
c. Wherein the tool further comprises a first tab.
Thin pocket tool. As a mechanical interlocking system,
a. The first track and the second track, wherein the diameter of the first track is less than the diameter of the second track;
b. The first track and the second track being concentrically arranged around a circular surface to produce an orbital track; And
c. Wherein the first track and the second track are configured to be rotatably associated with the first tap and the second tap, the first tap and the second tap having different arc lengths and radii,
Mechanical Interlocking System. 24. The method of claim 23,
Further comprising a third tab configured to be rotatably associated with the first track and the second track and having a different arc length and radial length than the first or second tab,
Mechanical Interlocking System. 24. The method of claim 23,
Wherein the first tab and the second tab are curved,
Mechanical Interlocking System. 25. The method of claim 24,
Wherein the first tab and the second tab are curved,
Mechanical Interlocking System.

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