US2814107A - Combined tool - Google Patents

Description

' Nov. 26, 1957 w, BASSETT 2,814,107

COMBINED TOOL Original Filed Oct. 10. 1956 INVENTOR [4441. /AM 5 54.93577 Z 7 ATTORNEYS United States 2,814,107 Patented Nov. 26, 1957 COMBINED TOOL William E. Bassett, Woodbridge, Conn.

Original application October 10, 1956, Serial No. 615,2115),

now Patent No. 2,798,290, dated July 9, 1957. Divided and this application March 8, 1957, Serial No. 648,454

3 Claims. (Cl. 30-152) My invention relates to a combined tool involving a case and plural tool elements protected by the case and selectively available for use. The present application is a division of my copending application, Serial No. 615,200, filed October 10, 1956, now Patent No. 2,798,290.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved device of the character indicated.

It is another object to provide a simplified combined tool of the character indicated, wherein the selected tool may be removed and positioned for use without disturbing the position of the other tool elements.

it is also an object to provide an improved device of the character indicated, wherein a plurality of tool elements are supported on the same pivot axis and in which detent means formed integrally out of the tool' elements and out of the case serve to retain selected positions of selected tool elements independently of each other.

It is a general object to meet the above objects with a very simple construction which will not wear loose, which will avoid the use of washers, and which will require no more parts than merely the separate tool elements, the case, and the means on which they are pivoted.

Other objects and various further features of novelty and invention will be pointed out or will occur to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following specification, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In said drawings, which show, for illustrative purposes only, preferred forms of the invention:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view in perspective showing a disassembled combined tool of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the fully assembled tool of Fig. 1, with the tool elements held in closed position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view through the device of Fig. 2, with an outer or side tool element removed;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged left-end view of the assembly of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view in the plane 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an inverted perspective view of one end of a tool case representing a modification of the variety displayed in Fig. l;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating the modified combina-.

tion using the case of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of an end of another modified case;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view to illustrate cooperation of the parts with the modification of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, but illustrating a still further modification;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 1 to illustrate a modified assembly; and

Fig. 12 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 5 and taken in. the plane 12-12 of Fig. 11. i

gBriefly stated, my invention contemplates a combined tool of utmost simplicity, comprising essentially only a case, a plurality of bladed tool elements, and a, single pivot-fastening means securing the blade elements to the case. Thiscase is of sheet material, preferably spring steel, of channel section defining upstanding side walls connected by a base. Novel spacer and detent mechanisms are described for permitting the easy independent operation of a selected one of the various blade members and for releasably holding a selected one'or more of the blade members in closed or in open position.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, the invention is shown in application to a tool comprising five parts, namely, a case 10, three tool elements 11-12-13, and a pivot fastener 14, such as a rivet or eyelet. The tool elements are formed of fiat stock, and may be referred to as blade members. Blade member 11 has a roughened surface to serve as a file and is locally recessed at 15 for engagement by a fingernail to remove the same. Blade member 12 is contoured as a bottle-cap remover andis also locally recessed at 16 for fingernail engagement. Blade member 13 is formed with a Knife edge and may be locally recessed at 17 for fingernail engagement. The case 10 is formed from a single piece of sheet metal, folded along spaced elongated edges 18-19 to define opposed upstanding side walls 20-21 between which the blade members 11-12-13 are removably received. The upper edge of each of the side walls may be recessed, as at 22, to provide fingernail access to the various recessed portions 15-16-11 of the blade elements. Aligned openings 22 in the side walls 20-21 are located near the base 27 in order to clear the outer ends of all blades 11-12-13 (when closed), so that openings 22 may, for example, accommodate a key chain or the like (not shown).

In order to provide easy-acting (that is, non-binding) frictional retention of the blades 11-12-13, regardless of angular position, each of the outer blades 11-13 is shown formed with a dimple or bump 23-24, offset from the pivot axis and projecting laterally to ride on the adjacent flat surface of the central blade member 12. Since the blades 11-13 are cut from sheet stock, the formation of each dimple or bump 23-24 necessarily involves formation of corresponding recesses 23'-24' on the blade surfaces immediately adjacent the side walls 20-21, (see Fig. 5).

in accordance with the invention, I provide further dimples or bumps 25-26 in the side walls 20-21 of the case, said further bumps 25-26 being in register with the recesses 23-24 for one desired angle of retention of the blade members. For the form shown, this desired retention angle is for the blade-closed position; thus, when the nail-file blade 11 is moved to the closed position between side walls 2(9-21, the bump 25 will fall into the socket of recess 23' to locate blade 11 in the closed position.

Preferably, the rivet or eyelet 14 is tightly swaged to the side walls so as to hold said walls frictionally against the blade members 11-12-13. Thus, as a selected blade 11 or 13 is moved out of the closed position, one

of the bumps 25-26 will ride out of the socket (23- 24') in which it is received, so as to more firmly axially compressionally load all blade members against each other at their points of contact. This will mean a slight separation of one of the side walls (20-21) from theadjacent selected blade member 11 or 13) as such blade member is lifted out of the closed position.

Thus, while such blade member 11 or 13 is being positioned, its only points of axial thrust-bearing contact with l the adjacent parts 12 and 211-21 (as the case maybe) will be localized at one of the bumps 23-24-25-26,, and easy action is assured for all angular positions of such lar positions of the central blade 12, easy action and firm,

resilient retention areassured. J a H In accordance with a further feature of the invent1on, I

provide, integrally with the blade members 11-1213 and with the case 10, coacting spring-detent means for retentionof one of the extreme positions of movement of a selected blade member, it being a particular feature that the detent part integral with the case serves the detent parts of all the blade members in common. For the form shown, the position of blade retention is the outer position, shown for the file blade 11 in Fig. 3.

The pivoted end of each oftheblade members may be generally arcuate at a radius to clear the inner surface of the base 27, but at one angular location, as at 28 for the blade 11, andat 28-28" for the blades 1213, I provide a radially'projecting detent lobe. The projection of lobe 28 is preferably of radial extent (about the pivotal axis) slightly exceeding the space between the base.27 and the pivotal axis; thus, for detent action to take place, one of the lobes 28 will have to bear directly on the base 27.

I prefer that the base 27 be locally weakened at the location of contact with lobe 28, and in Fig. 3 I show that the base 27 has been slitted to define an integral leaf spring 29 to resiliently ride the arcuate blade end, including lobe 28. Preferably,.the lobe 28 is so located on the blade 11 as to assume a positionon spring 29 past dead center, for the relationship shown in Fig. 3. By this I mean that lobe 28 will have had to pass through the vertical plane (said plane being through the pivot axis and normal to the base 27), just before assuming the position shown in Fig. 3. v

The slits defining the spring 29 preferably terminate short of the pivot end of the case so that an integral connecting piece or bridge 30 defines a rigid stop to locate the extended position of a selected tool edge, said tool being provided with a notch or recess 31 to be engaged by stop 30. The spring 29 is necessarily defined bytwo elongated slits connected by a transverse slit 32. Preferably, this transverse slit 32 is near the outer end of the case 10, so that the main body of the case may provide primary support and reference for the spring 29. The longitudinal slits defining the spring 29 may be and preferably are cut on the folds defining edges 1819 of the case 10.

If desired, inwardly directed bumps 33-34 may be formed in the side walls -21 near the opposite end of the tool and in position to engage the adjacent side surfaces of the outer blade members 11-13. It will be appreciated that if the case 10 is made of sufficiently strong stock, the simultaneous closure of all tool elements 1112-13 into the position shown in Fig. 4, will necessarily involve engagement with both dimples 3334, thereby slightly outwardly deforming the side walls 2021 (the deformation being shown exaggerated in Fig. 4), so that by reaction, the adjacent side faces of the various blade members 1l.1213 may be in 'fric tional contact. All blade members are thus securely retained in the closed position so that, when the tool is carried in ones pocket, the tool elements are not at all likely to drop out of closed position.

In'Figs. 6 and 7, I show an alternative means for detent-retention of the blade members in the open position. Fig. 7 illustrates that detent action involves coaction between a lobe, such as the lobe 28 on blade 41, and a transverse slot or opening 42 in the base 43 of case 44. If desired, a second lobe 45 may be formed at a location substantially diametrically opposed to the lobe 28 so as to also engage the slot 42 with detent action, but for the closed-blade position, as will be understood.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a further means of detentretention of the blades in open position, and in Fig. 9 the pivoted end of a blade 46 is shown formed with a discontinuity, such as a recess 47, to receive an inwardly pressed spring portion 48 formed integrally out of the base 49 of case 50. The springportion. 48 may be defined between laterally spaced longitudinal slits 51--52 near the location of verticalsupport-for the blade 46. If desired, a second recessed.discontinuity'SJ may also be formed in the pivoted end of the blade 46, at a diametri: cally opposite location; to releasably retain the closed position of the blade:

In Fig. 10, I show a still further alternative in-which detent action again involves cooperation between a part of a blade 54 andthe Ease SS of. acase 56. However, in Fig. 10, no special formation is required on the base 55, and spring action is achieved through locally weakened parts Ofithebla'diegSl. As shown,.a firstxdiscontinuity, bump, o'r'projection-57 on the. pivoted end of:

blade 54 is formed on a'spring, definedby slitting blade 54 at 58, sorthat as bladez'54 is1moved into'the position.

blade SA ma-y be further: slittedi at 59- so-that a second; and diametrically opposite bump'6il may similarly retain:

the blade 54 in closedposition;v

The assembly ofFigs. 1'1 and. 12 may. inall respects resemble that described for- Figs. 1 to 5, except that an extended. a'rcuate recess 61. is provided onone face of the central blade element 12.. Since the parts correspond so closely withthose of Figs. 1 to 5, they have been given the same reference numerals. The purpose of the recess. 61 is to reduce-the overall width requirements of the assembly and to permit accommodation of the bumpv 23 of blade. member 11 without spacing blade 11 from blade. 12. The arcuate extent of recess 61 preferably exceeds 180. about the pivot axis so-that blade 12 may offer no impediment to movement of the blade 11, regardlessof thepositionof the blade 11 with respect to blade 12. Alsothelimit 61' of recess 61 is preferably so located as to engage dimple 23 of blade 11 when blade 11 is closed, thereby providing. a more positive locking action to retain blade 12 closed as long as blade 11 is closed, it being-understood that when blade 11 is closed, blade 11 is positively retained by detent action at 2.523'; thus, all blades, including eventhe central blade 12, are positively referenced to the case 10 when closed. v

It will be seen that Ihave described basically simple tool. construction-s involving an absolute minimum of parts and yet featuring positive retention of parts in selected positions. In particular, I provide assurance againsttool elements shaking out of position when not in use, and there is' positive detent action to hold any selectedtoolelement in the open position. For intermediate positions, smooth t'n'rust bearing action is provided with sufficient friction to'avoid any undue looseness.

While I have described the invention in detail for the preferred forms illustrated, it will be understood that modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as definedin the claims which follow;

I claim: I

1. In a device of the character indicated, an elongated channel having a base andopposed upstanding side walls and defining a retaining case, a plurality of elongated blade members pivotallysupported on a common axis between said side Walls, said blade members being independently movable from a closed position between said side walls to anopen position projecting away from said case, each of said'blade members beingformed near the pivotally supported end thereof with a retaining projection at one angular. location about said axis, said base having a transversely extending. slot near the location ofpivotalsupportof saidbladei members, saidbase being integrally joined to both said side walls on both longitudinal sides of the slotted regionof said base, said slot extending transversely for the combined widths of said blade members, each said projection being so located on its particular blade member as to be received in said slot when said particular blade member is in the fullopen extended position, whereby a selected blade member may be retained by detent action in the full-open extended position.

2. In a device of the character indicated, an elongated channel having a base and opposed upstanding side walls and defining a retaining case, a plurality of elongated blade members pivotally supported on a common axis between said side walls, said blade members being independently movable from a closed position between said side walls to an open position projecting away from said case, each of said blade members being formed near the pivotally supported end thereof with a retaining projection at one angular location about said axis, said base having a transversely extending slot near the location of 20 pivotal support of said blade members, said slot extending transversely for the combined widths of said blade members, each said projection being so located on its particular blade member as to be received in said slot when said particular blade member is in the full-open 25 extended position, whereby a selected blade member may be retained by detent action in the full-open extended position, each said blade member being further formed with another retaining projection at a second angular location about said axis, said second projection being so located on its particular blade member as to be received in said slot when said particular blade member is in the full-closed position, whereby for the full-open position of one blade member and for the full-closed position of another blade member said slotted location may simultaneously retain both said one and said other blade members.

3. In a tool of the character indicated, a handle comprising a single-piece sheet-metal channel having a base and opposed upstanding side walls, said base having a retaining slot near one end, whereby an abutment may be defined by said base at said one end, said abutment being integral with the adjacent portions of both said side walls, and an elongated blade member having one end thereof pivotally mounted between said side walls at the longitudinal location of said slot, said blade member having a retaining projection received in said slot to hold said blade in the full-open extreme position relatively to said handle and in engagement with said abutment.

Hallvarson Jan. 11, 1921 Gount Mar. 12, 1935

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