Patent ID: 6510767
Filing Date: 2003-01-28
Classification: B25F,B26B

Abstract:
A multipurpose tool, comprising:(a) a handle defining an elongate tool stowage cavity and including: (i) a channel base; (ii) a pair of opposite channel sidewalls interconnected with said channel base, said channel base and said sidewalls forming a handle in the form of a channel having a pair of opposite ends, and each of said sidewalls having a margin; and (iii) a narrow rim extending along said margin of at least one of said sidewalls, said rim being directed inwardly toward the respective opposite sidewall along a majority of said margin thereof including at least one of said ends, said rim merging with said sidewall in a smoothly curved arcuate surface; (b) a tool blade having a base; (c) a pivot joint defining a pivot axis and interconnecting said base of said tool blade with said handle adjacent a first end of said channel, said tool blade being moveable about said pivot axis between a stowed position and an extended position with respect to said handle; (d) a latch notch defined in said base of said blade; (e) a flat latch spring carried on said handle; (f) a catch carried on said latch spring and removably engagable in said latch notch; and (g) a latch release lever including a contact shoulder, said latch release lever being located within said handle alongside said sidewall of said handle and being attached to said handle adjacent said first end thereof and being moveable about a release lever pivot axis between a first position, in which said contact shoulder provides sufficient clearance for said spring to move to engage said catch in said notch when said tool blade is in said extended position, and a second position, in which said contact shoulder holds said spring in a position in which said catch is removed from said notch, said channel base and said sidewalls together defining said stowage cavity and said narrow rim defining a space adjacent one of said sidewalls and within said cavity, a part of said latch release lever being located within said stowage cavity in said space between said narrow rim and said channel base.