Multifunctional utility tool

A utility tool comprises a plurality of separate tools or implements mounted within a single light-weight housing. The tool includes a retractable knife blade and a retractable saw blade which are extendable from one end thereof each under control of a particular locking knob. The knob includes spring mechanism which engages teeth along slots on the side of the housing. A level and a detachable tape measure are mounted on the other end of the housing with a pencil force fit between grips on the upper edge of the tool.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
 There are no related U.S. patent applications.
 STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
 Research and development of the present invention and application have not
 been Federally sponsored, and no rights are given under any Federal
 program.
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 1. Field of The Invention
 This invention relates to tools and in particular to a utility tool having
 a plurality of uses and attachments including a knife, saw, level, tape
 measure and writing implement.
 2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37
 CFR .sctn..sctn.1.97-1.98
 The prior art comprises any number of tools which are generally intended
 for single purposes. The present invention includes a saw, a knife, a tape
 measure, a writing implement, and a level, all encompassed within a single
 easy to hold main body portion or housing. Generally separate tools would
 be needed to be able to perform the operations conducted with a single
 utility tool such as the present invention. Having separate implements in
 a single housing results in economies of cost which are passed on to the
 consumer. The knife blade, tape measure, and saw blade are retractable
 within the housing so that the invention is of a size that can be readily
 placed in one's pocket. In contrast thereto, the prior art tools are
 generally rigid and of a larger size which makes them inconvenient to
 carry about. Even in instances where several prior art tools are combined
 in a single structure, the invention possesses advantages thereover due to
 its size, flexibility and attractiveness.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 This invention relates to utility tools and in particular to a tool having
 a plurality of separate implements mounted within a main housing. The tool
 includes a retractable knife blade and a retractable saw blade which may
 be locked within a housing and are extendable partially or at any
 convenient length therefrom at one end of the housing. The housing also
 includes a level mounted at the other end in the handle thereof and a
 pencil for marking purposes removably secured along one edge of the tool.
 A retractable ruler or tape measure is mounted to the housing at the end
 adjacent the level.
 The utility tool includes a housing which is of a convenient size with
 shaped gripping edges along the lower edge thereof and a serrated edge
 along the upper edge. In use, the knife blade is loosened within the
 housing by turning a knob which is mounted to the rear end of the blade
 and then moving the knife blade along a slot with the knob so that it
 protrudes a predetermined distant from the end of the housing. The knob is
 then locked against the blade with an integral set screw so that it is
 secured for use. The knife blade is mounted adjacent a saw blade and is
 separated therefrom by a divider. A separate similar slot with a similar
 knob also controls the movement of the saw blade. The two blades are
 separated by internal metal carriers which together with a plastic
 separator form a divider within the housing. The tool also includes a
 pencil mounted within spaced gripping portions on one edge and a level
 having windows along both sides and the upper edge thereof. A tape measure
 is removably mounted along one end of the housing opposite the front end
 where the blades extend.
 Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a new and improved
 utility tool having a plurality of uses which is inexpensive and
 convenient to use.
 Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved utility
 tool having a retractable saw blade and a retractable knife blade which
 are mounted within a housing which is of a small convenient size.
 A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved utility
 tool which includes a knife, a saw blade, a level, a tape measure, and a
 pencil, all included within a housing and ready to use.
 A more specific object of this invention is to provide a new and improved
 utility tool which includes a knife blade, which is adjustably retractable
 within a housing and a saw blade which is similarly retractably mounted
 within the housing at one end and a level and a detachable tape measure
 mounted to said other end of the housing and a pencil detachably mounted
 along one edge thereof, said elements providing a plurality of useful
 options for the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
 Referring now to the drawings, the invention comprises a utility tool 10
 which includes a saw blade 11, a knife blade 12, a level 13, a tape
 measure 14, and, a pencil 15. The various tools and elements previously
 mentioned are included within a plastic housing 16 having a saw blade slot
 17 along one side thereof and a knife blade slot 18 along the other side
 thereof. The slots 17 and 18 are separated by a plastic divider 20 which
 extends along the length of the slots 17 and 18. The blades 11 and 12 each
 slide within a metal guide member 61 and 62, respectively, which each
 include a base 63, 64 engaging the divider 20 and U-shaped end portion 64,
 65 which engages the edges of the blades 111 and 12.
 The operation of the saw blade 11 and the knife blade 12 are the same so
 that the description of the saw blade operation will also extend to the
 knife blade 12. Both the saw blade 11 and the knife blade 12 are
 adjustably retractable within the housing 16 and are extendable through
 the forward slotted apertures 66 and 67 to a predetermined length.
 The blades 11 and 12 are controlled by knobs 19a and 19b respectively. The
 knobs 19a and 19b are identical in structure and operate in a similar
 manner. The knobs 19a and 19b include a circular knurled protruding upper
 portion 21a and 21b for gripping, each knob having a downwardly extending
 set screw 22a and 22b which engages a threaded base 23a and 23b. The bases
 23a, 23b include a resilient spring member 24a and 24b extending outwardly
 from one side thereof to engage a series of teeth 25a, 25b along the slots
 17 and 18. The blades 11 and 12 may be moved along the various teeth 25a,
 25b, by grasping and turning the knob 19a, 19b to loosen the blade 11, 12.
 The blade 11, 12 is then moved physically along the particular slot by
 grasping the knob 19. The blade 11, 12 is then moved physically along the
 particular slot by grasping the knob 19a or 19b. When the blade 11, 12 has
 reached the desired extension, the blade 11, 12 is then secured in place
 by tightening the particular knob 19a, 19b which secures the saw 11 or
 knife blade 12 against the guide member 61 or 62. The base 39a, 39b of the
 knob 19a or 19b each include downwardly protruding elements 41a and 41b
 which engage holes 43 in the blades 11 and 12. Thus, it is possible to
 move the blades 11 and 12 back and forth along the slots 17, 18 with the
 knobs 19a or 19b and then tighten the knob 19a or 19b when the blade 11 or
 12 extends sufficiently from the slot 66 or 67 for the particular
 operation desired.
 The housing also includes a level 13 having windows 44, 45 and 46, so that
 one can determine whether a particular element is level. The location of
 the windows 44, 45, 46 in horizontal and vertical planes provide
 flexibility in use. A tape measure 14 having a slotted base 47 is mounted
 to a protruding strip 48 on the housing 10 adjacent the level 13 by
 sliding the slotted base 47 over protruding portion 48. The tape measure
 14 can be used attached to the housing 16 or it can be detached for other
 uses. A pencil or marking implement 15 is mounted along one edge 51 of the
 housing 16 and secured in position by protruding gripping portions 52a,
 52b, 52c and 52d which lock the pencil 15 in a force fit. The pencil 15
 includes a conventional forward portion 53 and a cylindrical rear portion
 54 which is engaged by the upwardly extending portion 52a, 52b. The pencil
 15 terminates in a flat curved elongated end 56 which facilitates other
 uses for the implement 15.
 The housing utilizes the outwardly protruding portions 52a, 52b, 52c and
 52d as a finger grip cooperating with a serrated opposite edge 65 so that
 the operator can retain a grip on the tool 10 during usage. With the tool
 as thus described, it is possible to have a utility tool of convenient
 size and inexpensive cost which is also lightweight and yet can readily
 perform a plurality of operations.
 While the invention has been explained by a detailed description of certain
 specific embodiments, it is understood that various modifications and
 substitutions can be made in any of them within the scope of the appended
 claims which are intended also to include equivalents of such embodiments.