Multi-function tool with locking pliers

One embodiment of the invention relates to a locking pliers. The locking pliers include a pair of handles and a pair of interconnected jaws coupled to the handles. The jaws are movable between a retracted position within the handles and an extended position extending from the handles. The jaws are slidably coupled to the handles and configured to slide between the retracted position and the extended position without opening the handles. When the jaws are in the extended position, the jaws have an unclamped configuration in which the jaws are adjustable by a user to permit the jaws to lock onto objects of various sizes and clamped configuration in which the jaws are releasably locked onto an object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates generally to the field of multi-function tools. More specifically, the present application relates to a multi-function tool including locking pliers.

Multi-function tools typically include a pair of handles and an implement such as a pair of scissors or pliers, along with a number of pivotally attached ancillary tools used to perform any number of tasks. There have been several attempts to integrate a locking pliers into a multi-function tool with varying results. For example, some multi-function tools include locking pliers having non-retractable jaws that result in a device that is not as compact as a tool with retractable jaws. Other multi-function tools with locking pliers require several non-intuitive steps to unfold the jaws from the handles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention relates to a locking pliers. The locking pliers include a pair of handles and a pair of interconnected jaws coupled to the handles. The pair of jaws are movable between a retracted position within the handles and an extended position extending from the handles. The jaws are slidably coupled to the handles and configured to slide between the retracted position and the extended position without opening the handles. When the jaws are in the extended position, the jaws have an unclamped configuration in which the jaws are adjustable by a user to permit the jaws to lock onto objects of various sizes and a clamped configuration in which the jaws are releasably locked onto an object.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a multi-function tool. The multi-function tool includes a first handle, a second handle, and an ancillary tool pivotally coupled to a first end of the first handle. The multi-function tool further includes a first jaw having a tang coupled to the first handle and a second jaw pivotally coupled to the first jaw and having a tang coupled to the second handle. The jaws are slidably coupled to the handles and configured to slide between a retracted position within the handles and an extended position extending from the handles. When the jaws are in the extended position, the jaws have an unclamped configuration in which the jaws are adjustable by a user to permit the jaws to lock onto objects of various sizes and a clamped configuration in which the jaws are releasably locked onto an object.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a multi-function tool having a pair of handles, each having a first end and a second end. A pair of jaws is coupled to the handles and the jaws have an unclamped configuration in which the jaws are adjustable by a user to permit the jaws to lock onto objects of various sizes and a clamped configuration in which the jaws are releasably locked onto an object. An adjustment mechanism is located between the handles and between the first end and the second end to permit adjustment of the clamped configuration distance between the jaws.

The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIGS. 1-4, a multi-function tool10is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The tool10includes a first handle or static handle20, a second handle or toggle handle30, a number of ancillary tools28pivotally attached to one or both handles20and30(seeFIG. 4), and a retractable jaw assembly40(seeFIGS. 2-3). In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-4, the multi-function tool10includes a pair of locking pliers.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 4, multi-function tool10may have a compact or retracted configuration in which the jaw assembly40is stowed within the handles20,30. The compact configuration is useful for storing the multi-function tool10when not in use, permitting carrying in a pocket or attaching to a belt. The jaw assembly40may be moved to a deployed or extended configuration as shown inFIGS. 2-3to allow a user to open and close handles20,30to manipulate jaw assembly40.

The first handle20and second handle30are coupled together at one end with a pivot mechanism, such as a pair of rivets38. The rivets38allow the handles20and30to pivot relative to each other and operate jaw assembly40. As shown best inFIG. 4, according to one exemplary embodiment, a wide variety of ancillary tools28may be coupled to one or both of handles20,30. Exemplary types of tools28include blades, screwdrivers, bottle openers, can openers, scissors, files, box openers, and the like. One or both handles20,30may have a channel (or multiple channels) configured to house the ancillary tools28, the channel(s) open toward the exterior of the multi-function tool10permitting a user to pivotally open and close ancillary tools28when multi-function tool10is in the compact configuration, as shown inFIG. 4.

Referring now toFIG. 5, an exploded view shows the jaw assembly40according to an exemplary embodiment. The jaw assembly40is coupled to the first handle20and the second handle30such that the jaw assembly40can slide relative to the handles20,30between a compact or retracted position and a deployed or extended position. The jaw assembly40includes a pair of jaws42. A first end of the jaws42forms working portions44and a second end of the jaws42forms tangs46(see alsoFIGS. 8-11). The tangs46are coupled to the handles20,30via links, shown as a first or static saddle50and a second or toggle saddle60. The jaws42are coupled together at a pivot point49between the working portions44and the tangs46. A biasing member such as a spring48may be included. According to an exemplary embodiment, spring48is an extension spring coupled to the tangs46and is configured to bias the tangs46toward each other and, in turn, bias the working portions44away from each other. In another embodiment, one end of the extension spring may be attached to the static saddle50instead of the tang46while still biasing the working portions44away from each other.

The first saddle50and the second saddle60are each coupled to one of the tangs46and to an adjustment linkage or a mechanism, shown as a toggle assembly80, that allows a user to adjust positioning of the second saddle60relative to the first saddle50and positioning of the working portions44relative to each other. The first saddle50and the second saddle60are slidably coupled to the first handle20and the second handle30, respectively.

The jaw assembly40is slidably coupled to first handle20with a sliding mechanism in the form of a slide cap52that is coupled to the first saddle50with fasteners54. The slide cap52and the first saddle50are provided on opposite sides of a wall of the first handle20and the fasteners54are received by a first slot22(e.g., a narrow slot) that runs along the first handle20. A second wide slot or opening24is provided on one end of the first slot22(e.g., proximate to rivets38) and is connected to the first slot22. The fasteners54are also coupled to a button retainer55(FIG. 6). A slide button56is provided with a shoulder57that is trapped between the button retainer55and the slide cap52. A portion of the button56extends out through a button opening53in the slide cap52. A biasing member such as a spring58is provided to bias the button56outward, away from the button retainer55. The first slot22has a width that is large enough to receive a portion of the button56but too narrow to allow the shoulder57of the button56to pass through. The second slot24is wide enough to receive the shoulder57of the button56.

To deploy the jaw assembly40(e.g., to move the jaw assembly40from the compact or retracted configuration to the deployed or extended configuration) a user forces the jaw assembly40forward either by pushing forward on the button56or by “flicking” the tool10such that momentum of the jaw assembly40forces jaw assembly40forward (e.g., towards the end of the handles20,30coupled together with rivets38). As the jaw assembly40moves forward, the button56slides along the first slot22, and jaw assembly40does not pivot forward. When the button56is aligned with the second slot24, the spring58forces the button56upward such that the shoulder57is received in the second slot24. Because the shoulder57is too wide to be received in the first slot22, the button56cannot slide until the shoulder57is disengaged and therefore functions as a lock for the jaw assembly40locking jaw assembly40in the deployed configuration.

To return the jaw assembly40to the retracted position, the user may push down on the button56to compress the spring58and force the shoulder57out of the second slot24, thus unlocking the jaw assembly40. The user may then pull back on the button56to slide it into the first slot22. The jaw assembly40is retracted by either continuing to pull back on the button56until the jaw assembly40is fully retracted or to turn the tool10upright (e.g., in a vertical position) and tapping it against a surface such that momentum of the jaw assembly40forces it into the retracted position.

The jaw assembly40maintains contact with the second handle30with a fore pawl62and an aft pawl70that are coupled to the second saddle60. The fore pawl62and the aft pawl70slide along and are retained by a slide rail32(seeFIGS. 7 and 14) on the second handle30. According to one exemplary embodiment, the slide rail32is separately formed and coupled to the second handle30(e.g., with rivets). According to another exemplary embodiment, the slide rail32may be integrally formed with the second handle30as built-in walls, ridges, etc. The fore pawl62and the aft pawl70include arms (extensions, pegs, etc.)64and72, respectively, that are trapped between the slide rail32and the second handle30. The arms64,72partially prevent the fore pawl62and the aft pawl70from being pulled away from the second handle30while still allowing the fore pawl62and the aft pawl70(as well as the second saddle60and the rest of the jaw assembly40) to slide along the length of the second handle30.

The fore pawl62and the aft pawl70each rotate about their own pivot points. The fore pawl62pivots about a first pivot pin66(seeFIGS. 5 and 14) that couples the fore pawl62to the second saddle60. The aft pawl70pivots about a second pivot pin74(seeFIGS. 5 and 14) that couples the aft pawl70to the second saddle60. By having different pivot points66,74, both the fore pawl62and the aft pawl70can always maintain contact with the lock slide rail32as the second saddle60pivots with respect to the second handle30as the jaws42are opened and closed.

Referring now toFIG. 6, an exploded view of the jaw assembly40is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The fore pawl62includes a protrusion or nose65that is in contact with a curved bearing surface75(seeFIG. 13) on the aft pawl70so that a movement in one of the pawls62or70may impose a movement in the other. Springs68and76are coupled to the second saddle60and to the fore pawl62and the aft pawl70, respectively, to maintain rotational tension on the fore pawl62and the aft pawl70. The rotational tension helps to maintain a constant contact between the protrusion65and the bearing surface75.

A toggle80is coupled on a first end82to the first saddle50and on a second end84(opposite to end82) to the second saddle60. The first end82is provided on a toggle yoke86while the second end84is provided on a threaded toggle eye88. The yoke86forms a longitudinal shaft or opening that is configured to receive the eye88.

The yoke86further includes an opening92that is configured to receive an adjustment wheel90. The adjustment wheel90is a cylindrical member with a threaded central opening that engages the threaded toggle eye88. The opening92in the yoke86is aligned with the longitudinal shaft in the yoke86and allows the adjustment wheel90to rotate while still remaining in the yoke86. In this way, with the toggle eye88engaging the adjustment wheel90, the adjustment wheel90may be turned to move the eye88relative to the yoke86. A retainer, such as a clip94, may be coupled to an end of the eye88to prevent the eye88from being moved out of the adjustment wheel90and disengage from the threaded opening in the adjustment wheel90. Moving the eye88relative to the yoke86in turn moves the second end84of the toggle80relative to the first end82of the toggle80, effectively lengthening or shortening the toggle80. By adjusting the toggle80with the adjustment wheel90, a user can change the length of the toggle80and the orientation of the first saddle50and the second saddle60to in turn adjust the orientation and range of motion of the jaws42.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7(presenting vantage point different than theFIG. 5view), the second handle30includes a locking mechanism with a lock36that is configured to selectively lock one of the ancillary tools28in a deployed position (e.g., a functional position, extended from the second handle30). A tang of the ancillary tool28includes a flat or cutout29. According to an exemplary embodiment, lock36includes a spring arm37. The spring arm37is biased against a side of the ancillary tool28. When the ancillary tool28is moved into the deployed position, the cutout29allows the spring arm37to move into a space behind the ancillary tool28, locking the ancillary tool28in the deployed position. Some ancillary tools28(i.e., screwdrivers, saws, files, etc.) may experience forces when in use that are countered by the lock36allowing the ancillary tool28to remain in the deployed position. A user may unlock the ancillary tool28by pressing on the spring arm37to move it out from behind the ancillary tool28and rotate the ancillary tool28into a stored position within the handle30. WhileFIG. 7shows the second handle30, it should be understood that a similar locking mechanism may be provided for ancillary tools28in the first handle20.

Referring now toFIGS. 8-11, the jaw assembly40is shown both open (FIGS. 10 and 11) and closed (FIGS. 8 and 9) in both a maximum adjustment position (FIGS. 9 and 11) and a minimum adjustment position (FIGS. 8 and 10). In the minimum adjustment position, the toggle80is adjusted so that the first end82and the second end84of the toggle80are at a maximum distance from each other and the working portions44of the jaws42are at a minimum distance from each other (e.g., touching at the tip) when the jaws42are closed. In the maximum adjustment position, the toggle80is adjusted so that the first end82and the second end84of the toggle80are at a minimum distance (e.g., the toggle eye88is fully seated in the toggle yoke86) from each other and the working portions44of the jaws42are spaced apart from each other when the jaws42are closed.

The pawls62,70are provided to compensate for a differing pivot axis for the second handle30(seeFIGS. 1-4) and the second saddle60. The second handle30rotates around the rivet38and the second saddle60rotates around a first saddle pivot78.

The variation in the positions of the jaws42in the minimum and maximum positions is caused by a linkage formed between the saddles50,60, the jaws42, and the handles20,30(seeFIGS. 1-4). The jaw assembly40is configured to grip and hold items using an over-the-center toggle clamp mechanism. In the open configuration, the jaw spring48pulls the jaw tangs46together, thereby opening the jaws42. As the second saddle60is pulled toward the first saddle50(when the handle20,30are squeezed together), the second saddle60rotates around a second saddle pivot79, and the jaw tangs46move away from each other, causing the working portions44to close.

In the closed or clamped position, the jaws42are held in place (e.g., releasably locked) by an over-the-center condition between the forces at the first saddle pivot78and the second saddle pivot79(seeFIGS. 8 and 9). The over-the-center condition locks the jaws42in the closed or clamped position until the tool10is manually released or unclamped by a user. This locking feature allows a user to clamp down on an object with the tool10without having to maintain pressure on the handles20,30, leaving the user's hand available for another task.

The jaw assembly40opening angle can be adjusted by changing the distance between the first end82and the second end84of the toggle80(i.e., the distance between the toggle pivot pin96and the second saddle pivot79). The shorter the distance, the larger the opening that will be formed by the jaws42in the closed or clamped position and the larger an object that can be clamped with the tool10. As described above, the distance may be adjusted by rotating the adjustment wheel90around the threaded portion of the toggle eye88. The adjustment wheel90pulls the toggle yoke86towards the second saddle pivot79.

In the embodiment shownFIG. 3, the toggle80and the adjustment wheel90are between the first handle20and the second handle30proximate to the jaws42so that the adjustment wheel90may be manipulated by a user with the same hand that is holding the tool10. In this way, the user can adjust the size of the opening formed by the jaws42in the clamped position without having to reach to the back end of the tool with the other hand to make the adjustment as is the case with certain conventional locking pliers. The user may therefore use the other hand for another task such as holding the object to be clamped or other tools.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the multi-function tool as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. While the detailed drawings, specific examples, and particular formulations given describe certain exemplary embodiments, they serve the purpose as illustration only. The invention is not limited to the specific forms shown. The configuration of multi-function tool may differ depending on chosen performance characteristics and physical characteristics of the components of the multi-function tool. For example, the implement may take a variety of configurations and perform different functions depending on the needs of the user. Furthermore, other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. Elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention