Abstract:
A Multi-function Tool for Surfers is disclosed. The device incorporates a plurality of tools associated with it that are of specific utility in the surfing industry. There is a wax comb built in to the handle/casing. There is a leash hook to assist in threading a new tether into a surfboard. There is also one or more screwdriver/allen wrenches for repairs and maintenance.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates generally to Sporting Goods and, more specifically, to a Multi-function Tool for Surfers.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     Multi-function tools are available in a wide variety of configurations and designed for a wide variety of specific applications. These tools can be general purpose devices for use in place of a toolbox full of tools, or they might also be designed to serve one particular purpose. An example of a general purpose multi-function tool is known as the Leatherman™ Multi-Function Tool. This tool is essentially a folding device that includes a pliers, screwdriver, knife and a variety of other tools. It&#39;s an extremely durable tool that has substantial utility in a generic sense. It is not, however, configured to be used in any particular application and, therefore, does not have specialized tools associated with it.  
         [0005]     An example of a specialized multi-function tool is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,535 to Epstein. This tool is for cleaning and maintenance of a chainsaw. It has a plurality of Foldable Tool Instruments  11  that can be folded within a Rectangular Casing  13 . The tool instrument set includes a brush, a saw, two or more files, a screwdriver and a pick. Certainly the inventor of that device expected that having these particular instruments would be valuable for the application of chainsaw maintenance. There are other examples like the Epstein Device, but here to date, nothing has been provided for use with the surfing industry. What is needed, then, is a multi-function tool for the care and maintenance of surfboards and related accessories.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Multi-function Tool for Surfers. The device should have a plurality of tools associated with it that are of specific utility in the surfing industry. In particular, there should be a wax comb built in to the handle/casing. There should be a leash hook to assist in threading a new tether into a surfboard. There should also be one or more screwdriver/allen wrenches for repairs and maintenance.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,535 to Epstein;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the Surfer&#39;s Tool of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the Tool of  FIG. 2 ; and  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the Tool of  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0012]     The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a Multi-function Tool for Surfers.  
         [0013]     The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the Surfer&#39;s Tool  10  of the present invention. The Tool  10  defines a Top Side  12  and a Bottom Side  14 , simply labeled as such to provide clarity as we discuss the attributes of this Tool  10 . At one or more of the ends of the Tool  10  extends a Ring  16  through which a Tether  18  may be looped. The Tether  18  is preferably constructed from material similar to or the same as the attachment string or tether that interconnects a surfboard and the surfboard leash. As such, this material is easily obtainable and, furthermore, could be used as replacement material for a broken attachment string on a surfboard. The Top Side  12  of the Tool  10  preferably has a Scraper Instrument  20  extending upwardly from it. The Scraper Instrument  20  is essentially a component of the Tool  10  that has a plurality of Pointed Teeth  22  extending upwardly from it. The Scraper Instrument  20  is used to roughen wax and other surface coatings on a surfboard (i.e. to make a new wax coating on a surfboard less slippery). In this perspective view, a First Side Cover  24 A is also shown. Side Cover  24 A may have a Display Portion  25  dispersed thereon whereby indicia or other designs might be displayed.  
         [0014]     Now turning to  FIG. 3 , we can begin to discuss the various instruments included with the Tool  10 .  FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the Tool of  FIG. 2 . In this  FIG. 3 , the instruments included within the Tool  10  are all fully or partially extended from their storage locations. In this version of the invention, in addition to the Scraper Instrument  20 , there is a Phillips Screwdriver Instrument  26 , a Leash Hook Instrument  28 , an Allen Wrench Instrument  30 , and a Bladed Screwdriver Instrument  32 . The Phillips Screwdriver  26 , Allen Wrench  30  and Blade Screwdriver  32  Instruments are all fairly self-explanatory and are designed to be used on different bolts and nuts associated with a surfboard. A Leash Hook Instrument  28  is provided to assist the user in reattaching-a leash to a surfboard such as after the leash has broken, et cetera.  
         [0015]     On the First Side Cover  24 A, there are formed a pair of Notches  34 A and  34 B. As show here, Notch  34 A is somewhat larger than Notch  34 B. This is so that Notch  34 A can accommodate the thicker, longer Phillips Screwdriver Instrument  26 , whereas the Notch  34 B needs only grant access to the Fingernail Ridge  35  formed in the Blade Screwdriver Instrument  32 .  
         [0016]     The Scraper Instrument  20  is preferably made from a non-metallic material that is extremely durable, such as a hard plastic or other material. This will provide adequate scraping capability without risk of damaging the surfboard. The other instruments  26  through  32  will preferably be constructed from a non-corrosive yet durable material that can be used in a saltwater environment for prolonged periods without risk of deterioration due to corrosion.  
         [0017]     Now turning to  FIG. 4 , we can more closely examine the assembly of the present invention.  FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the Tool of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The Tool  10  is essentially a sandwich of several unique elements. All of the parts are held between a First Side Cover  24 A and a Second Side Cover  24 B. These Covers  24  are attached to one another by a plurality of Assembly Pegs  36  that are preferably interference-fitted into apertures formed in each Cover  24 . There will typically also be a first Axle Peg  38 A and a Second Axle Peg  38 B that provide an access of rotation for the folding instruments while additionally interconnects the two Side Covers  24 .  
         [0018]     The Scraper Instrument  20  is held between the two Side Covers  24  near the Top Side  12  of the Tool  10  such that the teeth are exposed for use. Also sandwiched between the Covers  24  are a First Spacer Member  42 A and Second Spacer Member  42 B. These members are disposed immediately beneath the Scraper Instrument  20 , on either side of the Tool  10  adjacent to Covers  24 . Centered within the Tool  10  is a Biasing Member  40 . Biasing Member  40  provides a biasing force against the sides of the instruments in order to lock them either in place in a stowed position or in an extended position. In other words, the Biasing Member  40  prevents the instruments from rotating freely without some additional force asserted upon them by the user.  
         [0019]     As shown, each of the Folding Instruments  26  through  32  is provided with an aperture or borer formed within it through which one of the Axle Pegs  38  passes as the Axle Peg  38  interconnects the two Side Covers  24 .  
         [0020]     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.