Landscape lighting pocket tool

A landscape lighting pocket tool having a set of foldable retractable tool bits for working on an article to enable on the go and on the spot adjusting or repairing an article or a system as well as one or more tool bits that may an angle adjustable level for determining a level condition of an article, a drywall saw blade that allows the handle of the foldable pocket tool to be used as a handle of the drywall saw blade and a set of bevel cutting edges in the jaws of the foldable pocket tool to allow a person to both cut and strip insulation from a variety of different wire sizes wire without damaging the wire.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, a landscape operator may be required to inspect and maintain the operation of a variety of different landscape lighting systems as well as oversee and manage the operation of a number of different types of landscape equipment, which may include both lighting and irrigation systems as well as security systems. The landscape systems are usually spread out over a wide area and require the operator to walk from place to place to complete the maintenance and management of the landscape system. In some cases the landscape equipment may require major repairs and in other cases the landscape equipment may require only minor repairs or adjustments in order to maintain the system operating properly. Typically, the landscape equipment may be an irrigation system and in other cases the landscape equipment may be a lighting system and in other cases the landscape equipment may include both an irrigation system and a lighting system. Due to the variety and types of landscape equipment a variety of different tools may be required for an operator to maintain the landscape equipment in proper working order, which requires a landscape operator to lug a variety of tools from place to place as the operator conducts an inspection and maintenance of the landscape systems. In a number of cases only minor adjustments or repairs need to be made to the landscape system to keep the system operation. The invention described herein provides a convenient landscape lighting pocket tool that can be carried on the user and allows the user to make on the go and on the spot repairs or adjustments to a landscape lighting system as well as to other landscape systems without having to lug a tool box from site to site.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A folding pocket landscape lighting tool having folding handles and an extendable set of tools for on the go and on the spot repair of an article or system with a conveniently carryable tool that may include a drywall saw blade, an angle adjustable level, a wire stripper and a carabineer in addition to conventional tool bits.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1is a front view of the landscape lighting pocket tool10in an open condition revealing a first U-shaped open channel member13forming a first handle with a first pivot pin14extending through one end of handle13and a second pivot pin15extending through the opposite end of handle13. A second U-shaped open channel member20forms a second handle with a third pivot pin23extending through one end of the second handle20and a fourth pivot pin21extending through another end of the second handle20. A slot headed pivot pin22forms a pivot point for moving a jaw12and a jaw11into an open or closed condition thus providing a pliers for engaging an article.

Landscape lighting pocket tool10includes a first pivotal jaw11having a free end and a mounting end attached to the one end of the first handle20for pivoting the jaw11about pivot pin22and a second pivotal jaw12having a free end and a mounting end attached to one end of the handle13for pivoting jaw12about pivot pin22.

A feature of the invention is that the first pivotable jaw11, which attaches to handle20, includes a plurality of semicircular cutting edges11aaxially spaced along an inner edge of the first jaw11with the semicircular cutting edges integrally formed within jaw11through tapering the sides of the jaw to form an integral curved cutting blade that terminates in a set of semicircular openings of various sizes. Likewise, a second pivotal jaw12also includes a plurality of semicircular cutting edges12aintegrally formed with the jaw12with the semicircular cutting edges integrally formed within jaw12through a tapering of the sides of the jaw to form an integral curved cutting blade that also terminates in a set of semicircular openings of various sizes. The semicircular openings formed in jaw12and jaw11are axially spaced along the respective jaws and aligned with each other so the semicircular cutting edges11aand12a, which are integrally formed within the jaw12and jaw11, can cut through an annular layer of insulation on opposite sides of an electrical wire without cutting the core wire covered by the annular insulation covering. This feature allows the landscape lighting pocket tool10to be used on the go and on the spot to quickly strip insulation from a wire so that an electrical connection can be formed to the wire.

As shown inFIG. 1the plurality of semicircular cutting edges11aon the first jaw11and the plurality of semicircular cutting edges12aon the second jaw12are axially positioned so that when the first jaw11and the second jaw12are brought into a closed condition around an electrical wire (through squeezing the handles13and20) the semicircular cutting edges11aon the first jaw11and the semicircular cutting edges12aon the second jaw12are in alignment with each other. The alignment of the jaw11and jaw12enables the cutting edge11aof the first jaw to penetrate through one side of a layer of tubular or annular electrical insulation on a wire and the cutting edge12ato penetrate through the opposite side of the layer of tubular or annular electrical insulation on the wire without damaging the electrical wire covered by the tubular or annular electrical insulation. Once the electrical insulation covering on the wire is severed by jaws11and12and with the jaws in a closed condition, the jaws of the landscape lighting pocket tool can be used to axially slide the insulation off the end the wire. In the example shown the row of semicircular cutting edges, which are located axially along the jaws11and12, each have different radial dimensions to form complimentary blades that can be selectively used to cut the annular or tubular electrical insulation on a variety of different size wires without cutting or damaging the wire covered by the tubular electrical insulation.

One of the novel features of the landscape lighting pocket tool is the inclusion of a pivotally end-mounted, angle adjustable level32having a first end pivotally connected to handle13with an angle adjustable level that is pivotally into and out of the channel in handle13. Level13includes a reference edge32aon a top side and a reference edge32bon bottom side with a curved elongated vial39containing a fluid with a visible air bubble38for determining a level condition on a landscape article by placing a reference edge32aor32bagainst an article while the level32is supported by one or both of handles13and20. Due to gravitational forces the bubble locates itself at the upper most portion of the curved elongated vial39when the reference edge is in a horizontal condition. A feature of the pivotal mounted level is that the pivotal mounted level allows one to hold the reference edge32aor32bproximate an article by grasping the handle20or30rather than the level itself. This feature avoids the inconvenience that can occur when free space around a landscaper article may prevent one from holding the level proximate the article. For example, in the open condition the handle20or30may be at a right angle to the level32or in line with the level or at some other angle to the level thus allowing the level to be used in tight places or areas where conventional levels cannot be used or would be difficult to be used.

FIG. 2shows an isolated view of the landscape blade level32having an upper straight edge32band a lower straight edge32awith edge32aand32bparallel to each other for positioning against either edge against an article in order to determine if the article is level. The landscape blade level32contains a circular pivot pin bearing45to allow the level32to be rotated in or out of a channel handle in the landscape tool10. While the bearing32provides rotation the bearing also provides a resistance to free turning so that the blade level can be maintained at an angle during measurements of a level condition. In this example the landscape blade level32includes a first elongated curved vial38that contains a fluid39with an air bubble40therein. A set of line markers41above and below the vial38let a person know when an object is level (i.e. horizontal) since the bubble40centers it self between the lines41when the edge32aor32bare in a level condition. In some instance the landscape blade level32may contain a second curved elongated vial44, which is located at a right angle to the edge32band32a. In this example if the air bubble44ais located between the marking lines47the edges32aand32bare in a vertical orientation.

Another feature of landscape lighting pocket tool10is a drywall saw blade33having a blunt exposed end33c(FIG. 6) with the opposite end pivotally attached to handle13through pivot pin14. In other examples the drywall saw blade33may have a pointed end for penetrating a piece of drywall. The handle13enables one to move drywall saw blade33back and forth through a layer of drywall to enlarge an opening in the drywall. Examples of drywall saw blades are rigid blades with course teeth that do not readily clog as the saw blade33is drawn back and forth through the drywall. The use on the landscape lighting pocket tool makes it ideal for final on site trimming around holes or gaps in drywall since it can be used as a replacement for a keyhole saw. An added benefit is that the angle of handle13with respect to the saw blade33can be adjusted to allow for cutting drywall where access may be limited by a conventional drywall saw. Thus the landscape lighting pocket tool provides unique ways for both handling and positioning a level as well as for handling and cutting of dry wall since the handle for each can be adjusted to the work area, a feature beneficial in tight workspaces thus making the landscape lighting pocket tool convenient for toolbox use as well as for carrying on a person as a person goes from site to site.

FIG. 6shows an isolated view of a drywall saw blade33having a pivot bearing33bon one end and a set of course teeth33aalong an edge of the blade. In order to remove drywall without clogging the drywall saw blade33preferably should have about 10 teeth per inch for cutting drywall. In this example the pivot bearing offers torsional resistance to rotation thus allowing a user to select the appropriate handle angle with respect to the saw blade to enable completing of the task of sawing a layer of drywall, which is often referred to as sheetrock.

Anther tool feature of landscape lighting pocket tool10as shown inFIG. 1is a first hex head wrench24having a one end pivotally attached to handle20with pin23and the tool end24aof hex head wrench extendable outward into a hex socket to engage and rotate the hex head socket to provide an integral one piece hex wrench. A second hex head wrench18is pivotally attached to handle13with pin15with each hex head wrench of a unique size for engaging an allen socket in a landscape lighting system or the like. In the example shown two additional hex heads25and26are pivotally attached to handle20thus providing the landscape lighting pocket tool with a range of useful hex wrenches.

FIG. 1also include a knife blade30, which may be used for a variety of tasks, as well as a blade screwdriver bit16and an awl17for marking an article with each tool bit operable and manipulatable through either handle20, handle13or both.

FIG. 4shows a side view of the hex head wrench24andFIG. 5shows an end view of the six-faced hex head wrench18having a base18awith a pivot bearing18bfor rotatably mounting the hex head wrench to the handle of the landscape lighting pocket tool.

A further tool feature of landscape lighting pocket tool10as shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 5is a pivotal lanyard attachment member27including a loop or ring27aon one end with a base29having a bearing surface29afor pivotally mounting on handle20with member27rotatable outward from handle20for engagement with a lanyard or the like to enable a person to secure and maintain the landscape lighting pocket tool10proximate a work site or on a person by securing one end of the lanyard to a belt loop or the like.FIG. 3shows an isolated side view of the lanyard attachment member29having the loop27on one end and the pivot bearing29aon the opposite end to enable the pivoting of the lanyard loop to an out of the way condition in handle20.

FIG. 8shows a carabineer50having a base51with a pivot bearing52for pivotally mounting to a handle of the landscape lighting pocket tool10. In this example the hook or nose53has an angle end53athat engages a pivotal gate54that has an angle face54athat engages face53ato allow for inward pivoting of gate54but prevents outward pivoting of gate54. That is, pivot pin55allows the gate54to rotate inward so the hook or nose53can be placed around an object. This feature allows the landscape lighting pocket tool10to be quickly attached or detached from a support such as a belt loop or the like when the person is installing landscape lighting, which allows the landscape lighting tool to readily available as well as detachable from the support.

A further feature of the landscape lighting pocket tool is a resilient member31cantileverly attached to handle so that the resilient member cooperates with the handle20to form a clamp for grasping an article of clothing between the clamp and the handle to enable a user to maintain the landscape lighting pocket tool in an available and ready to use condition on a persons clothing. Thus the landscape lighting pocket tool provides multiple methods and attachments for a field user.

FIG. 1shows an elongated resilient member or elongated clip cantileverly attached to a distal end of the landscape lighting pocket tool10by pin23whileFIG. 7shows an isolated view of the clip31that comprise a resilient member31, which is cantileverly mounted to handle20of the landscape lighting pocket tool10with the clip having an opening31bfor securing one end of the clip31to an exterior surface of the handle20of the landscape lighting pocket tool10while the other end or free end of the clip is held against the handle20by the resiliency of member31. In this example a cantilevered end31acurves upward like a ski tip for ease in inserting an object between the clip31and handle20. In contrast to other tools on the landscape lighting pocket tool10the clip31mounts in a non-rotatable condition on the handle20so that the clip31can maintain a clamping action between an article located between a clamp underside31band the exterior surface of a handle20.

A further feature of landscape lighting tool10is that jaw11of landscape lighting pocket tool10provides a crimping feature.FIG. 1shows jaw11includes a blunt semicircular edge11bof equal diameter with a blunt semicircular edge12bin jaw12with the blunt semicircular edges alignable with each other to form a set of oppositely disposed semicircular compression surfaces11band12bengageable with a radially crimpable wire connector to allow a user to radially crimp or compress the wire connector into electrical contact with an electrical wire or wires located within the wire connector.