Abstract:
The present invention involves a multi-function hand-held tool having a handle portion, an extension portion, and an attachment portion. The handle portion includes a spring-loaded trigger. The extension portion includes an elongated flexible shaft enclosing a control rod that is attached to a triangular block. The attachment portion includes a fixed attachment member and a rotatable attachment member, each preferably having two protrusions located on one end for securely receiving various removable attachments, such as spark plug boot removal members, cutting members, and plier members. The elongated flexible shaft allows the positioning of the handle portion away from the attachment portion and potential harmful objects to help minimize injury to the user when exerting a force on the handle portion.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     None.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     This invention was not federally sponsored.  
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0003]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0004]     The invention generally relates to the field of hand-held mechanical devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to hand-held tools capable of receiving various removable attachments.  
         [0005]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0006]     Mechanics typically must use various tools when working on engines and other automobile components. Purchasing several tools can not only be expensive, but also requires more space to store the tools. Further, when different tools are required to complete a job, a mechanic must frequently search through a toolbox to find the appropriate tool—a task that can sometimes be frustrating as well as time consuming.  
         [0007]     Also, some tasks require special tools. For example, removing the boot from around a spark plug must be performed carefully, as the spark plug and the threads with which it is inserted into the engine block are a delicate and essential part of the engine. Pulling on the spark plug wire itself may break an internal electrical connection, preventing the timing signal from ever reaching the spark plug in the future. At the same time, spark plugs are located fairly deep within the hood of a car, making them difficult to reach. In addition, sparks plugs in many vehicles are slanted at various angles, so even if a mechanic grasps the boot with his or her hand, there is a danger that in removing the boot the mechanic&#39;s hand will be injured as the hand smashes into the car body after the boot releases its hold on the spark plug. Thus, a mechanic must generally purchase a special tool to separate a spark plug boot from a spark plug.  
         [0008]     It can be expensive to purchase several special tools that have only one primary use. Therefore, there is a present need for a hand-held device that can be used for various mechanically-related tasks, including removing spark plug boots from spark plugs, that is efficient, cost-effective, easy to use, and helps minimize the risk of injury to the user.  
         [0009]     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     A primary object of this invention is to provide a hand held tool that can be used to perform several mechanically-related tasks, such as removing the boot from a spark plug attached to an engine.  
         [0011]     It is a further object of this invention to provide a quick and efficient tool for accomplishing the removal of the spark plug boot with minimum damage to the boot, spark plug, spark plug wire, and the hand of the user.  
         [0012]     It is another object of this invention that a user be able to maneuver the flexible shaft of the invention to avoid engine obstacles.  
         [0013]     It is a further object of this invention to provide a hand tool with attachments that can be easily removed and reconnected to allow a user to perform several tasks.  
         [0014]     It is a still another object of this invention to provide a unique hand-held multi-functional device to the field of hand-held mechanical devices.  
         [0015]     These objects and further objects and features of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the disclosure of the present invention as set forth herein.  
         [0016]     The present invention involves a multi-function hand-held tool having a handle portion, an extension portion, and an attachment portion. The handle portion includes a spring-loaded trigger. The extension portion includes an elongated flexible shaft enclosing a control rod that is attached to a triangular block. The attachment portion includes a fixed attachment member and a rotatable attachment member, each preferably having two protrusions located on one end for securely receiving various removable attachments, such as spark plug boot removal members, cutting members, and plier members. The elongated flexible shaft allows the positioning of the handle portion away from the attachment portion and potential harmful objects to help minimize injury to the user when exerting a force on the handle portion.  
         [0017]     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principals of this invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the hand tool with removable attachments detached.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the hand tool with removable attachments detached.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3A  shows a side view of the plier attachment members unattached from the attachment member body.  
         [0022]      FIG. 3B  shows a side view of the cutting attachment members unattached from the attachment member body.  
         [0023]      FIG. 3C  shows a top view of the spark plug boot removal attachment members unattached from the attachment member body.  
         [0024]      FIG. 3D  shows a partial end view of the spark plug boot removal attachment members unattached from attachment member body.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3E  shows a bottom perspective view of one of the spark plug boot removal attachment members, illustrating the angular bend of approximately 20 degrees contained in both members.  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of the attachment of one of the spark plug boot removal attachment members to an attachment body attachment member.  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  shows a bottom view of the attachment of both of the spark plug boot removal attachment members to the attachment body attachment members.  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the positioning of the attachment portion of the hand tool with the spark plug boot removal attachment members attached, just prior to engagement with a spark plug boot. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0029]     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of hand tool with removable attachments  10 . Hand tool  10  preferably includes a handle portion  20 , an extension portion  40 , and an attachment portion  50 . Handle portion  20  and attachment portion  40  are preferably comprised of a strong and durable plastic material, but can also be comprised of metal or other suitable material as would be recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional view of hand tool  10 . Handle portion  20  includes two opposing mating halves  22  (one shown). A trigger  24  having teeth  26  is positioned between mating halves  22 . A return spring  28  is attached on one end to the interior of handle portion  20  and on the other end to trigger  24 . Return spring  28  ensures that when a user is not compressing trigger  24 , trigger  24  is in an “open” position. If a user is compressing trigger  24 , the user can “lock” trigger  24  in a “closed” position by depressing a lock tab  30 , causing a lock tooth  32  to rotate about a lock pivot point  34  and catch in teeth  26 .  
         [0031]     Attachment portion  50  includes a fixed attachment member  60  and a rotatable attachment member  70 . Fixed attachment member  60  is attached to an attachment member body  80  at attachment points  82 , while rotatable attachment member  70  is attached to attachment member body  80  at attachment point  84 . Attachment point  84  serves as a pivot point for rotatable attachment member  70 . Fixed attachment member  60  contains an indentation  62  located on one side  64  of the portion contained within attachment member body  80 . Similarly, rotatable attachment member  70  also contains an indentation  72  located on one side  74  of the portion contained within attachment member body  80 . Indentation  62  and indentation  72  are angular depressions that, when both contacted by a triangular pull block  90 , cause the portion of rotatable attachment member  70  contained within attachment member body  80  to move outwardly from fixed attachment member  60  (shown by arrow  85 ), to cause rotatable attachment member end  76  to move inwardly toward fixed attachment member  60  (shown by arrow  86 ). When pull block  90  is not being pulled back by a user compressing trigger  24 , a return spring  88  returns pull block  90  to its normal position, in which rotatable attachment member  70  is in the “open” position.  
         [0032]     Fixed attachment member  60  contains an end  66  that preferably has two attachment points  68 , but can contain more to permit a more secure attachment of a removable attachment member (see  FIGS. 3A, 3B ,  3 C). Similarly, rotatable attachment member  70  contains an end  76  that preferably has two attachment points  78 , but can contain more to permit a more secure attachment of a removable attachment member. Attachment points  68  and  78  are preferably small protrusions that receive and allow the removable attachment members to securely connect to fixed attachment member  60  and rotatable attachment member  70  respectively. However, the present invention also contemplates attachment points  68  and  78  that can be openings contained within fixed attachment member  60  and rotatable attachment member  70 , wherein protrusions located on removable attachment members (not shown) can be positioned therein, or other attachment means such as indentations for snapping or locking members.  
         [0033]     Extension portion  40  is comprised of a flexible shaft  42 . Shaft  42  contains an outer body  44 . Shaft  42  allows a mechanic to maneuver hand tool  10  around obstacles in a vehicle engine or other crowded area and still be able to effectively perform tasks, such as removing the boot from a spark plug. Outer body  44  encloses a control rod  46 . Control rod  46  is preferably a piece of metal that begins in pull block  90  and can be secured within pull block  90  by untwisting its wires (not shown) and allowing the wires to cool in pull block  90  as pull block  90  is cooling after having been poured into a mold. Alternatively, if pull block  90  is comprised of two pieces that are hammered or pressed together, the wires can be positioned between the pieces before the hammering or pressing for secure attachment. Control rod  46  extends from pull block  90  into handle portion  20 , passing over a control rod guide  36 , terminating at trigger  24 . Control rod guide  36  rotates freely within handle portion  20 , ensuring that control rod  46  can move freely. Thus, when a user pulls back on trigger  24 , trigger  24  rotates about trigger pivot  25  in a clockwise direction (shown by arrow  18 ) and exerts a pull on control rod  46  in a direction shown by arrow  19 , causing rotatable attachment member  70  to move inward toward fixed attachment member  60 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 3A  shows a side view of plier attachment members  110  unattached from attachment member body  80 . Plier attachment members  110  each have preferably two openings  112  to engage with protrusions  68  and  78  to secure plier attachment members  110  to hand tool  10 . However, plier attachment members  110  can each have more than two openings  112  to allow for a more secure attachment to fixed attachment member  60  and rotatable attachment member  70 . Plier attachment members  110  can also contain other attachment means, such as protrusions for snapping or inter-locking attachment, or other means as would be recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0035]      FIG. 3B  shows a side view of cutting attachment members  120  unattached from attachment member body  80 . Cutting attachment members  120  each have preferably two openings  122  to engage with protrusions  68  and  78  to secure cutting attachment members  120  to hand tool  10 . However, cutting attachment members  120  can each have more than two openings  122  to allow for a more secure attachment to fixed attachment member  60  and rotatable attachment member  70 . Cutting attachment members  120  can also contain other attachment means, such as protrusions for snapping or inter-locking attachment, or other means as would be recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art. Each end  124  of both cutting attachment members  120  opposite openings  122  contain a cutting portion  126  attached by attachment points  128 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 3C  shows a top view of the spark plug boot removal attachment members  130  unattached from attachment member body  80 . Attachment members  130  each have preferably two openings  132  on one end to engage with protrusions  68  and  78  to secure attachment members  130  to hand tool  10 . However, attachment members  130  can each have more than two openings  132  to allow for a more secure attachment to fixed attachment member  60  and rotatable attachment member  70 . Attachment members  130  can also contain other attachment means, such as protrusions for snapping or inter-locking attachment, or other means as would be recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art. The ends  136  of attachment members  130  opposite openings  132  each contain a bend  134 . Each bend  134  offsets ends  136  of attachment members  130  by approximately 20 degrees from the end of attachment members  130  containing openings  132 . Ends  136  are curved surfaces intended to, when pushed toward each other, form a circle of a diameter slightly smaller than the boot which covers a spark plug (not shown).  
         [0037]      FIG. 3D  shows a partial end view of the spark plug boot removal attachment members  130  unattached from attachment member body  80 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 3E  shows a bottom perspective view of one of the spark plug boot removal attachment members  130 , illustrating the angular bend  138  of approximately 20 degrees contained in both attachment members  130 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of the attachment of one of the spark plug boot removal attachment members  130  to a fixed attachment member  60 . Protrusions  68  align with openings  132  (not shown) to securely attach attachment member  130  to fixed attachment member  60 . Rotatable attachment member  70  (not shown) is attached to attachment member  130  in a similar fashion.  
         [0040]      FIG. 5  shows a bottom view of the attachment of both of the spark plug boot removal attachment members  130  to fixed attachment member  60  and rotatable attachment member  70 . Shown are the relative positions of flexible shaft  42 , attachment member body  80 , fixed attachment member  60 , rotatable attachment member  70 , and spark plug boot removal attachment members  130 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the positioning of attachment portion  50  with spark plug boot removal attachment members  130  attached, just prior to engagement with a spark plug boot  140 . Spark plug boot  140  covers spark plug  142 , which is attached to engine  144 . As ends  136  are lowered around spark plug boot  140 , a user compresses trigger  24 , which pulls control rod  36  and thus pull block  80  (see  FIG. 2 ), causing rotatable attachment member  70  to rotate about attachment point  84  such that ends  136  close around spark plug boot  140 . When closed, because ends form a circle that has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of spark plug boot  140 , ends  136  will provide a secure engagement of hand tool  10  to spark plug boot  140 . While still compressing trigger  24  or after trigger  24  has been “locked” by depressing lock tab  30  (not shown), a user can then exert a force on handle portion  20  (not shown) away from engine  144  to separate spark plug boot  140  from spark plug  142 .  
         [0042]     Because of the angular positioning of fixed attachment member  60  and rotatable attachment member  70 , a user can pull the invention upward in a purely vertical manner and still remove the boot. This allows the user to exert the force from an area outside of the engine compartment, where there is no risk of injuring a user&#39;s hand against the engine or car. Previous spark plug boot removal devices require a user to pull in the opposite direction to which the spark plug is attached to the engine, which often requires still pulling within the engine and hood region, thereby increasing the chance that when the boot disengages from the spark plug the user&#39;s hand will smash into other engine components or the car body itself.  
         [0043]     With respect to the above description it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents fall within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0044]     The above description, together with the objects of the invention and the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific advantages attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.  
         [0045]     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to the scope of the invention in any way.