Multi-function tool assembly

A multi-function tool assembly for coupling with a users belt including a belt attachment apparatus detachably engaged with a multi-function tool. The belt attachment apparatus includes coupling structure for coupling with a user's belt and engagement structure for detachably engaging the multi-function tool. The multi-function tool is provided with belt attachment engagement structure on its rear surface for detachably engaging the engagement structure of the belt attachment apparatus.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hand tools and more particularly to a multi-function tool assembly that detachably engages a multi-function tool with a user's belt.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS

Multi-function tools are well known. In typical multi-function tools, pliers and other selected tools, such as screwdrivers, knife blades, files, etc., are provided in a single tool. Known multi-function tools often include pliers and have channel-shaped handles pivotally connected to the pliers' jaw members. Typically, the handles fold over so that the pliers are received in the channel-shaped handles. Also, the other tools fold over and are received in the channel-shaped handles as well.

The common element among such pliers-like tools is that each includes a pair of opposing jaws operated by a pair of opposing handles. It is understood that when the handles of such a jaw/handle combination store one or more tools, the entire device is then referred to as multi-function tool.

Such tools are typically stored in a pocket formed in one or both of the handle members. Examples of tools found in multi-tool handles include knife blades, can openers, screwdrivers, files, scissors, saw blades and the like. These tools fold into and out of the handle of the multi-tool, similar to a knife blade folding into and out of a pocket knife. Multi-tools often include other tools that do not fold, such as a ruler stamped into an exposed surface of one or both handles of the multi-function tool.

In order to store such multi-tools, various sheaths, pouches, holsters and other types of carriers are well-known for keeping multipurpose tools on a user's belt where they are disposed therein and are readily available for use. Some such useful articles are considered as a status symbols when carried in a visible location and can be a factor in determining which such multi-function tool is purchased instead of another.

However, such sheaths and other carriers are intended to carry a multi-function tool in a familiar location on a user, where the multi-function tool is easily and quickly available for use, and where the multi-function tool can be replaced easily enough that one is not tempted to set it down and thus risk leaving it behind and losing it.

While many previously available carriers and sheaths have included clips or arms that can be slipped over the top of a person's belt or be removed from the belt while it is being worn. Such clips, however, have not been able to fasten a carrier to a belt as securely as is desired, particularly when a carrier is to be used to carry an expensive multi-function tool or one which might be damaged if it falls.

Various sheaths for articles such as pagers or wireless telephones are not capable of securely and dependably holding heavier articles securely without the use of latches or flaps that must be unfastened and re-fastened in order to use and replace the article being carried and such an additional step required for use of such carriers may be enough to tempt a person using such a carrier to lay down an expensive multi-function tool or other article, rather than immediately replacing it into the carrier, with the result that the multi-function tool or other article is eventually left behind and lost.

Many sheaths, although secure, strong, easily used and good looking, such as some pouches or sheaths made of leather, are undesirably costly to produce and do not long maintain their good appearance in everyday use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a multi-function tool assembly which couples with a users belt. The multi function tool assembly includes a multi-function tool detachably engaged with a belt attachment apparatus.

The multi-function tool is moveable between an open position and a closed position and has opposing front and rear surfaces. The multi-function tool preferably includes a jaw-type tool having first and second elongate jaw members interconnected with each other by a pivot pin assembly. First and second handle members are pivotally connected respectively to the first and second jaw members such that when the multi-function tool is in its closed position, the first and second elongate jaw members are substantially parallel and adjacent to one another and the handle members are substantially parallel and spaced apart from one another at a distance approximately equal to the width of the parallel and adjacent first and second elongate jaw members. The rear surface of the multi-function tool includes engagement structure for detachably engaging the belt attachment apparatus.

The belt attachment apparatus is configured to couple with a user's belt for detachably engaging the multi-function tool thereto. The belt attachment apparatus includes an elongate body member having opposing first and second ends and an upstanding boss member provided in close proximity to the second end of the elongate body member configured to receive within a belt hole on a user's belt. An elongate rod member extends substantially parallel from the second end of the elongate body member and is spaced therefrom to receive a user's belt strap therebetween. Also provided is engagement structure on the elongate body member configured to detachably engage the engagement structure on the multi-function tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,FIG. 1shows a folding multi-tool10according to an illustrated embodiment of the invention. It is to be appreciated that whileFIG. 1depicts a top view of the illustrated multi-tool10in accordance with the invention,FIGS. 5A-Ddepict corresponding views of this illustrated embodiment, specificallyFIG. 5Ashows a bottom view,FIG. 5Bshows a front side view,FIG. 5Cshows a back side view andFIG. 5Dshows a left side view.

The folding multi-tool10depicted inFIG. 1is shown in a closed, compact configuration, such as would be used for storing on a the users belt, via belt buckle attachment apparatus100, which will also be described below.FIG. 2shows the folding multi-tool10in open position. With reference toFIG. 1, the folding multi-tool10has a front surface and an opposing rear surface having a first end14and an opposing second end12.

The folding multi-tool10includes first and second channel-shaped handle members16and18(FIGS. 11A-D). Each of the channel-shaped handle members16and18is respectively coupled to a respective pliers member20and22. For instance, handle member16is pivotally coupled to pliers member20(FIGS. 10A-F) while handle member18is pivotally coupled to pliers member22(FIGS. 9A-F). As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, a first end24of handle member18is pivotally coupled to a first end26of pliers member22preferably by a bolt/pivot pin assembly28. Likewise, a first end30of handle member16is pivotally coupled to a first end30of pliers member20preferably by a like bolt/pivot assembly34.

In proximity to the first end26,28of each first and second pliers member20,22, a pivot pin assembly36is provided to secure each first and second pliers member20,22to one another and to act as a pivot axle to allow the first and second pliers members20and22to be pivoted (e.g., open and close) relative to each other. Thus, pivot pin assembly36enables the first and second pliers members20and22to pivot towards and away from one another by a user when the multi-tool10is in its open configuration (FIG. 2). Pivot pin assembly36preferably includes a locking nut member37extending upward from the top surface the multi-tool10which secures to one end of the pivot pin and belt clipping member90secured to the opposing end of the pivot pin, which belt clipping member90extends downward from the bottom surface of the multi-tool10(FIG. 5B). As shown inFIGS. 5Band C, belt clipping member90is formed with a first end91preferably having a circular body with a first diameter adjacent the bottom surface of multi-tool10and an opposing second end93having a second diameter which is larger than the first diameter of the first end91. Thus, belt clipping member90has a generally V-shaped body portion95extending between its first91and second ends93.

With continuing reference toFIG. 5B, belt clipping member90is preferably extends from a V-shaped channel80formed between handle members16and18. V-shaped channel80is defined by the height of the handle members16and18being greater than the height of the pliers members20and22disposed therebetween when the multi-tool10is positioned in its closed configuration (FIG. 1andFIGS. 5A-D). Hence, belt clipping member90is preferably formed to have a generally conical configuration.

To manipulate the multi-tool10from its closed configuration (FIG. 1) to its open configuration (FIG. 2), a user pivots handle members16and18about their respective pivot pin assemblies39and41in the respective directions of arrows “A” and “B” as depicted inFIG. 1. A user continues said movement of each handle member16and18until the longitudinal axis of each handle member16and18is approximately parallel with the longitudinal axis of its coupled pliers member20and22as depicted inFIG. 2.

Preferably, a locking mechanism is provided in the first end portion24,30of each handle member16and18configured and operative to lock the handle member16,18in the open position shown inFIG. 2enabling operation of pliers members20and22whereby a user pivots, via pivot assembly41, handle member18in the direction of arrow “C” and handle member16, via pivot assembly39, in the direction of arrow “D” to cause corresponding movement of pliers member20in the direction of arrow “E” and movement of pliers member22in the direction of arrow “F”. Thus reciprocating movement of handle members16and18along arrow “G” depicted inFIG. 3enables corresponding opening and closing of the pliers members20and22for operation thereof.

When it is desired to position multi-tool10back to its closed position (FIG. 1), the user positions the pliers members20and22to be in a closed position as depicted inFIG. 2, and then preferably unlocks the aforesaid locking mechanism provided in the first end portion24,30of each handle member16and18so as to enable handle members16and18to again pivot about their respective pivot pin assemblies39and41in the respective directions of arrows “C” and “D” as depicted inFIG. 2. This movement of handle members16and18is continued until the second end17of handle member16is adjacent the second end23of pliers member22, and likewise, the second end19of handle member18is adjacent the second end21of pliers member20, as depicted inFIG. 1.

With continuing reference toFIG. 1, when the multi-tool10is in its closed position, the pliers members20and22are disposed intermediate, and co-planer with, respective adjacent handle members18and16. This is in contrast to known prior art multi-tool devices wherein the pliers members are disposed within the inner channel portion defined in the handle members when the multi-tool assembly is positioned in a closed and transportable configuration.

With reference now toFIG. 4, each handle member16and18has a generally C-shaped internal cross-section defining an open side portion40,42and an opposing closed side wall44,46. In the present illustrated embodiment, and when in a closed configuration, the closed side wall44,46of each handle member16and18is respectively disposed adjacent pliers members22and20while the open side portions40and42are outwardly facing as best shown inFIGS. 1 and 4. Each closed side wall44and46is preferably configured to have a curved configuration so as to comfortably fit the handle members16,18in the confines of a users hand when multi-tool10is positioned in the open position (FIG. 2) to enable comfortable operation of the pliers members20,22.

Pivotally disposed within the generally C-shaped internal cross section of each handle member16and18are various tools (e.g., screw drivers, knifes, saws, scissors, file and the like). For instance, and with reference toFIG. 4, handle member18is shown to include a pivotally attached screw driver tool50, while handle member16is shown to include a pivotally attached knife tool52(FIG. 12A) and saw tool54(FIG. 12B). Proximal to the second end17,18of each handle member16and18, a pivot pin assembly56and58is provided each being configured and operative to reciprocate a tool member proximal and distal from the C-shaped internal cross section of each handle member16and18. For instance, pivot pin assembly58provided on the second end19of handle member18is pivotally coupled to a proximal end51of the screw driver tool51such that by continued movement along arrow “H” a user can pivot the screw driver tool50outwardly from within the C-shaped internal cross section of handle member18into a position suitable for use thereof. Once the intended operation of screw driver tool50is completed, the user pivots the screw driver tool50inwardly back to within the C-shaped internal cross section of handle member18so as to preferably be wholly disposed therein as depicted inFIG. 1.

Likewise, pivot pin assembly56provided on the second end17of handle member16is pivotally coupled to the proximal ends53,55of the knife52and saw tools54, whereby the knife52and saw tools54are disposed in overlapping fashion to one another. A user may select either the knife52or saw54tool from the C-shaped internal cross section of handle member16such that by continued movement along arrow “I” a user can pivot the selected tool (knife52or saw54) outwardly from within the C-shaped internal cross section of handle member16and into a position suitable for use thereof. Once the intended operation of the aforesaid selected tool (knife52or saw54) is completed, the user pivots the selected tool (knife52or saw54) inwardly towards the C-shaped internal cross section of handle member16so as to preferably be wholly disposed therein as depicted inFIG. 1.

With the illustrated embodiment of the aforesaid multi-tool10described above, discussion now turns to an illustrated embodiment of the belt attachment apparatus, designated generally by reference numeral100, to which multi-tool10detachably engages with.

With reference now toFIGS. 6A-D, belt attachment apparatus100has a generally T-shaped configured body portion and is provided with a front surface102(FIG. 6A) and an opposing rear surface104(FIG. 6B) and opposing first and second ends101,103. The T-shaped configured body consists of a first elongated body member106substantially extending perpendicular from a second elongated body member108. The first elongated body member106has a V-shaped configuration configured to slidably receive within the V-shaped channel80of multi-tool10, as to be further discussed below. First elongated body member106also is provided with an elongated cutout portion110having first112and second14ends extending intermediate the first101and second103ends of the attachment member100. The second end114of cutout portion110is formed with a diameter larger than the first end diameter91of the belt clipping member90but smaller than its second93while the first end112of cutout portion110is formed with a diameter larger than the second end93of the belt clipping member90so as to receive therewithin. The elongate channel portion of elongate cutout portion110extending between its first112and second ends114has a width “M” that is substantially equal to the diameter of the second end114.

The second elongate body member108of attachment member100has opposing first109and second111ends each having upstanding flange members120,122extending upwardly from the front surface102of attachment member100. Coupled to and extending between each flange member120,122is a belt securing rod124at a spaced distance from the front surface of the second elongated body member108of attachment member100. The spaced distance between the belt securing rod124and the front surface of the second elongated body member108is configured to receive a user's belt strap.

As best shown inFIG. 6B, to further secure belt attachment apparatus100to a users belt, a curved boss member130extends upwardly from the second end103of belt attachment apparatus100. The curved boss member130is configured to secure within a belt hole provided on a user's belt.

Thus, to secure belt attachment apparatus100to a user's belt, the free end of a belt (of which the opposing end typically is provide with a belt buckle) is received within the securing space provided between the belt securing rod124and the front surface102at the first end101of the attachment member100such that the boss member130is then received within an open buckle hole provided on the user's belt for detachably securing the belt attachment apparatus100to a user's belt.

With the belt attachment apparatus100, and its attachment to a user's belt, being described above, discussion will now turn to the detachable engagement of multi-function tool10with belt attachment apparatus100.

With reference now toFIGS. 7A-D, a user first receives the belt clipping member90of multi-tool10within the aforesaid first diameter opening formed at the first end112of the elongate cutout portion110on the back surface104of attachment member100. The user then advances the multi-tool10along direction “H” such that the V-shaped body portion106of belt attachment apparatus100slidably receives within the aforesaid corresponding V-shaped channel80formed on the back surface of multi-tool10(FIGS. 5A and 5C). This sliding movement is continued until belt clipping member90abuts against the second end114of cutout portion110formed on the belt attachment apparatus100. As mentioned above, it is noted belt clipping member90is slidably retained in cutout portion110since cutout portion110has a width larger than the first end91of belt clipping member90but smaller than the second end93of belt clipping member90. Hereinafter, as shown inFIGS. 7B,7D and8A-D, multi-tool10is detachably engaged with belt attachment apparatus100.

With primary reference now toFIG. 7C, when a user desires to detach multi-tool10from belt attachment apparatus100, the user slides multi-tool10in the direction of arrow “P” until clipping member90advances toward the first end112of cutout portion110(FIG. 7a) having a diameter larger than that of clipping member90. The user in then enabled to advance multi-tool10in the direction of arrow “Q” to detach multi-tool10from belt attachment apparatus100.

It is to be appreciated the aforesaid procedure for attaching and detaching multi-tool10with belt attachment apparatus100can be performed with belt attachment apparatus100either attached or detached from a user's belt. And similarly, belt attachment apparatus100can be attached to a user's belt with or without the multi-function tool10attached thereto.

Although illustrated embodiments of the present invention has been described, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.