Abstract:
A multi-function hand tool having a housing comprising two housing halves pivotally connected with disconnecting pliers. Each housing half contains a plurality of selectively removeable pivoting tools therein to perform a plurality of functions. Pliers having two releasable portion provides a pivotable connection between the two housing halves and are releasable to facilitate use of two tools simultaneously.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to hand tools and, more specifically, to a multi-function hand tool capable of performing a plurality of functions. The multi-function hand tool of the present invention comprises a housing having a first half and an opposing second half pivotally connected together with disconnecting pliers. 
     A plurality of interchangeable tools are pivotally disposed within each half that can be selectively pivoted out of their respective housing halves for usage thereof. The pliers have a quick release to separate the two portions thereof enabling the user to perform tasks requiring two separate tools. 
     A slidable plate is also provided to lock the two housing halves in linear relation to provide enhanced leverage when needed. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are other multi-function tools designed for versatility. 
     While these tools may be suitable for the purposes for which they where designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     It is thus desirable to provide a multi-function hand tool having a handle comprising a first housing half and a separable second housing half pivotally connected with disconnecting pliers 
     It is further desirable to provide a multi-function hand tool wherein each housing half includes a plurality of pivoting tools disposed therein. Disconnection of the pliers separate the two housing halves to enable the user to use two available tools simultaneously. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a multi-function hand tool capable of performing a plurality of tasks. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-function hand tool comprising a housing having a first housing half and a second housing half with each housing half having open ends and an open side adjacent to the opposing housing half. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-function hand tool wherein the first housing half and the second housing half are pivotally fastened together with disconnecting pliers. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-function hand tool wherein a plurality of tool members are pivotally disposed within each housing half. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-function hand tool having a quick release mechanism for the pliers to separate the two housing halves for individual use or to use two tools simultaneously. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-function hand tool having a slidable bar therein to lock the two housing halves in linear relation with one another. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-function hand tool wherein the external portion of the housing halves proximal the open sides thereof have a plurality of evenly spaced apart ticks to indicate units of measurement. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a multi-function hand tool having a housing comprising two housing halves pivotally connected with disconnecting pliers. Each housing half contains a plurality of selectively removeable pivoting tools therein to perform a plurality of functions. Pliers having two releasable portion provides a pivotable connection between the two housing halves and are releasable to facilitate use of two tools simultaneously. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the multi-function hand tool of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the multi-function hand tool of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the multi-function hand tool of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the multi-function hand tool of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the multi-function hand tool of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the multi-function hand tool of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the multi-function hand tool of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the multi-function hand tool of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the multi-function hand tool of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the multi-function hand tool of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Multi-Function Hand Tool of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 Multi-Function Hand Tool of the present invention 
               
               
                 12 
                 housing 
               
               
                 14 
                 first housing half 
               
               
                 16 
                 second housing half 
               
               
                 18 
                 pliers 
               
               
                 19 
                 plier quick release mechanism 
               
               
                 20 
                 quick release button of 19 
               
               
                 22 
                 female adapter coupling 
               
               
                 24 
                 pivot rod 
               
               
                 26 
                 interchangeable tool member 
               
               
                 28 
                 male adapter 
               
               
                 30 
                 first portion of 18 
               
               
                 32 
                 second portion of 18 
               
               
                 34 
                 rigid slidable plate 
               
               
                 36 
                 finger grip of 34 
               
               
                 38 
                 slot for finger grip 
               
               
                 40 
                 tick mark 
               
               
                 42 
                 indicia 
               
               
                 44 
                 pivot rod aperture 
               
               
                 46 
                 female adapter port 
               
               
                 47 
                 tool quick release mechanism 
               
               
                 48 
                 tool quick release button 
               
               
                 50 
                 flex head 
               
               
                 52 
                 interchangeable ratchet tool 
               
               
                 54 
                 channel of 22 
               
               
                 56 
                 shaft of 28 
               
               
                 58 
                 flange of 46 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the multi-function hand tool  10  of the present invention. The present invention is a folding multi-tool  10  comprising a housing  12  with first  14  and second  16  housing halves pivotally connected by pliers  18 . A pliers quick release button  20  separates both portions. The device is designed to adapt a plurality of attachable detachable tools and allows the user to utilize both halves of the device individually. 
       FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the multi-function hand tool  10  of the present invention. Each housing half  14 , 16  of the housing  12  has a channel with female adapter couplings  22  mounted on a pivot rod  24 . Each coupling  22  allows interchangeable tools  26  having male adapter ends  28  to be inserted within said coupling  22 . Additionally the pliers  18  have a first  30  and second  32  portion that are pivotally connected by a quick release button  20  that allows the device to be used as two tools. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the multi-function hand tool  10  of the present invention. Shown is the present invention with first plier portion  30  and the second plier portion  32  disconnected by the plier quick release mechanism button  20  of the quick release mechanism  19  to allow for the individual use of the first housing half  14  and the second housing half  32  and their respective interchangable tool members  26 . 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the multi-function hand tool  10  of the present invention. Shown is a sectional view of the present invention in a folded position. The first half  14  and second half  16  of the housing  12  are flush to one another in parallel relation with the interchangeable tool members  26  and pliers  18  residing therein. 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the multi-function hand tool  10  of the present invention. Shown is the first housing half  14  and the second housing half  16  open and locked into a linear relation with each other with a pair of overlapping slidable plates  34  moved into position by an exteriorly disposed finger grip  36  that travels along a slot  38  in each housing half. A plurality of evenly spaced tick marks  40  and indicia  42  are disposed proximal the edge of each housing half opposing the pliers  18  to provide units of measurement for use as a ruler. 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the multi-function hand tool  10  of the present invention. Shown is the present invention having the configuration of a folding multi-tool comprising first  14  and second  16  housing halves that are pivotally connected by forming pliers  18  that are releasable. Within the pivotal housing halves are a plurality of female adapters couplings  22  that pivot around pivot rods  24  for receiving the male adapter  28  of the interchangeable tool members  26  and the pliers  18 . 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the multi-function hand tool  10  of the present invention. Shown is the present invention separated into two individual manual tool components by separating the first plier portion  30  of the first housing half  14  from the second plier portion  32  of the second housing half  16  by depressing the plier quick release mechanism button  20  whereby the user can now use two individual tools in conjunction with one another. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an interchangeable tool member  26  of the multi-function hand tool. Shown is a female tool adapter coupling  22  with a pivot rod aperture  44  that mounts on a pivot rod. Each coupling  22  allows interchangeable tools  26  having male adapter ends  28  and shaft  56  to be inserted within a female adapter port  46  and its related channel  54  defined by inwardly projecting flanges  58  in said coupling  22 . The coupling adapter  22  has a tool release mechanism  47  with a tool release button  48  allowing a tool to be removed and replaced with another. Also shown is a flex head  50  integral with the interchangeable ratchet tool  52 . 
       FIG. 9  is a partially exploded perspective view of mounting means of the interchangeable tool members  26  of the multi-function hand tool of the present invention. Shown is a plurality of female adapter couplings  22  pivotally mounted on a pivot rod  24 . The couplings  22  include a tool quick release mechanism  47  with button  48  and a female adapter port  46  for receiving the male adapters  30  of the interchangeable tool members  26 . 
       FIG. 10  is an assembled perspective view of mounting means of the interchangeable tool members  26  of the multi-function hand tool of the present invention. Shown is a plurality of female adapter couplings  22  pivotally mounted on a pivot rod  24 . The couplings  22  include a tool quick release button  48  and a female adapter port  46  for receiving the male adapters  30  of the interchangeable tool members  26 . 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.