WO2003008153A1

WO2003008153A1 - Compact tool kit

Info

Publication number: WO2003008153A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/022781
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harold K. Wrigley; James W. Gump; Jeffrey S. Jones; Michael C. Robinson
Original assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
Priority date: 2001-07-17
Filing date: 2002-07-17
Publication date: 2003-01-30

Abstract

A hand tool (10) including multiple tool elements (12, 14, 16) is disclosed. The tool elements are elongated and are assembled within a sleeve (18) that allows each of the elements to slide relative to the others to expose a tool end for operation on a workpiece. The tool (10) preferably includes a locking mechanism (30, 32, 34) to prevent relative sliding of the tool elements when a tool element is extended for use or when the tool is closed for storage.

Description

COMPACT TOOL KIT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of hand tools, and more particularly to the problem of providing a compact device that includes a number of hand tools packaged together with a common handle.

A number of solutions have been proposed for providing such a device. Many such solutions have been proposed specifically for use by bicyclists, who often carry tools for making repairs on their bicycles and for whom it is essential that weight and volume be kept to a minimum. Most of these solutions involve devices that resemble pocketknives and fold to a compact size for storage. Examples of such folding tools are disclosed in U.S. Patents No. 4,269,311, 4,967,435, 5,146,815, 5,320,004, and 5,983,759. These tools typically include a large number of moving parts, and the individual tools are often of forged construction. In addition, the folding construction normally employs an axle that introduces a point of flexibility (and often weakness) into the tool, which can limit the usefulness of the design for providing tools such as wrenches that must usually be inflexible for maximum effectiveness. Another example of a compact tool set is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,466,884, which is incorporated herein by reference. This tool employs a number of small moving parts and is difficult and costly to assemble. Accordingly, a need exists for alternative tool kits that do not employ a folding design but still provide a maximum number of tools in a compact package that is easily assembled. The present invention offers just such an alternative solution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention is a set of hand tools provided as a stack containing a plurality of substantially flat, elongated members each having one or preferably two tool ends, wherein one of the members may be slidably extended from the stack to present a tool end for operation upon a workpiece. The stack of flat members is partially enclosed by a sleeve that includes a releasable mechanism that selectively permits the members to slide or secures the members against sliding. In a preferred embodiment, the tool ends are wrenches, but other tools such as screwdrivers, files or hex bits are also contemplated. In an especially preferred embodiment, the flat members are produced from sheet metal stampings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 depicts an exemplary tool of the present invention in a closed position.

Figure 2 depicts the same exemplary tool with a tool extended for operation.

Figure 3 depicts a side view exploded drawing of an exemplary wrench constructed according to the present invention.

Figure 4 depicts a top view exploded drawing of the same wrench shown in Figure 3.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed; but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

An example of a hand tool 10 constructed according to the present invention is depicted in Figure 1. The tool includes several elongated members 12, 14, and 16, in this case open-end wrenches, arranged in a stack. The number of members in the stack is not critical but is preferably at least three, and most preferably at least four. The elongated members 12, 14, and 16 are held together by a sleeve or case 18 that partially encloses the middle sections of the members. In the closed position shown in Figure 1, the members in the stack are fully overlapping and none of the tool ends is available for operation. As may be seen in Figure 2, however, any of the members may be selectively extended from the stack to ready the tool for use. This is accomplished by providing each of the elongated members with a slot 12a, 14a, or 16a that allows the member to slide relative to the others and relative to the sleeve 18. Preferably each of the members includes two tools, one at each end, and may be extended from the stack in either direction.

The sleeve may include top and bottom components 20 and 22 that are held together by fasteners 24. These top and bottom components form a channel 26 to contain and guide the elongated members as they slide relative to one another. Channel 26 may be widened at its ends if desired to fully or partly receive the ends of elongated members 12, 14, and 16. Permitting one end of the elongated member to be drawn fully or partly within the sleeve 18 permits greater extension of the other end. The top and bottom components of sleeve 18 may also include guideposts 28 extending through the slots 12a, 14a, and 16a to assist the elongated members in maintaining relative alignment during this sliding action.

Sleeve 18 may also serve as a handle for the tools it contains, and is therefore preferably sized to provide a comfortable diameter for gripping. In the embodiment depicted in the figures, sleeve 18 is constructed of aluminum for a good blend of strength and weight, but other metallic materials, as well as nonmetallic materials such as ABS plastic, are also suitable.

Sleeve 18 preferably also includes a lock to hold the members in relative position either when a tool is extended for use or when the apparatus is closed for storage. In the embodiment shown, this lock includes knurled knob 30, bolt 32, and washers 34 disposed on the bolt between the elongated members. The washers 34 serve as spacers to prevent or limit contact between adjacent elongated members as they slide. In the embodiment shown herein, the washers 34 are nylon, but other plastics and metals are also suitable. As knob 30 is rotated clockwise against bolt 32, it compresses together the elongated members and the washers 34 between them, preventing the members from sliding relative to one another. In another embodiment (not shown) the locking mechanism may include a rotatable key of noncircular cross section that engages notches or projections in the slots of the elongated members to positively lock the members in the extended or retracted position and prevent relative sliding motion.

Where the individual tools provided in the tool kit are wrenches or similar, substantially flat tools, it is possible to construct the tool inexpensively by stamping the individual elongated members from sheet metal of suitable thickness. A suitable laminate thickness for wrenches is about 5/32" (as compared with about 4" for forged wrenches of the same size), though laminates up to ^lA" or larger may also be used. To some extent the required thickness depends on the allowable size of the wrench head: a larger head need not be as thick to have the same strength. If thicker tools are required, they may be assembled from multiple laminates or forged, but the embodiment described herein using 5/32" laminated wrenches has been shown to comply with ANSI load requirements.

Although the present invention is particularly useful for substantially flat tools, such as wrenches and files, the present invention also contemplates the inclusion of other tools in the apparatus, particularly including tools such as screwdrivers or hex wrenches that have a small round, square or hexagonal cross section. Additionally, the tool ends may include tools of dissimilar types, for example to provide a tool that includes four wrench ends and two screwdriver tips. Such a tool might be useful, for example, for routine maintenance on a specialized machine or instrument that includes a relatively small number of different fasteners of more than one type. It will be similarly apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many other changes or modifications may be made to the invention described above without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hand tool comprising: a plurality of elongated members, each having a tool portion disposed on at least one end thereof and each being slidable relative to the other members to expose said tool portion for operation upon a workpiece, wherein each of said elongated members comprises an elongated slot extending through said member along the length thereof; and a sleeve at least partially enclosing said plurality of elongated members.

2. A hand tool according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve comprises guide posts passing through said slots to guide the sliding movement of said elongated members.

3. A hand tool comprising: a plurality of elongated members, each having a tool portion disposed on at least one end thereof and each being slidable relative to the other members to expose said tool portion for operation upon a workpiece; a sleeve at least partially enclosing said plurality of elongated members; and a lock disposed on said sleeve, said lock being selectively adjustable between an unlocked configuration wherein said elongated members may slide relative to one another and a locked configuration wherein said lock retards relative sliding of said members.

4. A hand tool according to claim 3, wherein said lock comprises a screw that passes through the elongated members, wherein in said locked configuration said screw compresses the elongated members together to retard relative sliding.

5. A hand tool according to claim 3, wherein each of said elongated members comprises an elongated slot extending through said member along the length thereof; and said lock comprises a positive locking member that passes through said slots and is adapted to engage projections or indentations in said slots to secure the elongated members against relative sliding.

6. A hand tool according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein said sleeve is adapted to provide a handle.

7. A hand tool according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein each said tool portion is selected from the group consisting of wrenches, screwdrivers, and hex keys.

8. A hand tool according to claim 7, wherein all of said tool portions are wrenches.

9. A hand tool according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said tool portions is a tool other than a wrench.

10. A hand tool according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein each of said elongated members is substantially flat.

11. A hand tool according to claim 10, wherein said elongated members are arranged in a stack.

12. A hand tool according to claim 10, wherein said elongated members are stamped from sheet metal.

13. A hand tool according to claim 10, wherein each said elongated member comprises a single sheet metal stamping.

14. A hand tool according to claim 10, wherein at least one of said elongated members comprises a plurality of sheet metal laminates.

15. A hand tool according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein each said elongated member has tool portions disposed at both ends thereof.