Abstract:
A utility tool configured to be transportable and operable to perform a variety of tasks. The utility tool includes a body that is generally cylindrical in shape and rigid in manner. The body includes a first end and a second end with an aperture formed into the body proximate said first end. Four slots are integrally formed into the body having an interior volume an extending from said second end towards the first end but not completely thereto. The utility tool further includes pivotally mounted arm members having a first position and a second position. The second end is configured to be removable and further functions to bias against a portion of the arm members to hold in their first and/or second positions. A plurality of recesses are integrally formed with the body proximate the second end.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to utility tools, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a multi-purpose utility tool that is adaptable to perform a variety of tasks such as but not limited to mine wire discovery, grappling hook for climbing and/or securing of a object. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There are on the market today many tools that exist for hikers, campers and military personnel that are designed to perform more than one task. Typically these tools try to combine the ability to perform certain task such as but not limited to digging and chopping. The object of the multipurpose tool is to provide a user the ability to carry one tool as opposed to several and further to provide a multipurpose tool that is compact and lightweight. While a desirable tool is compact and lightweight, it should be constructed with sufficient strength to withstand rugged use. Furthermore a multipurpose tool for users such as military personnel should be manufactured such that it requires little or no assembly and maintenance. 
     Specific tactical use tools should be designed so as to facilitate speed of use as well as reduce the number of times the tool is used to complete a specific task. A well-designed tactical tool should require relatively little training and increase the success ratio of the user performing the task. By way of example but not limitation, during specialized tactical operations, personnel may explore an area for mines by attempting to discover mine trip wires that may be dispersed in an area that requires entry by tactical personnel. Currently there are many methods and devices that are used in order to facilitate the discovery of mine trip wires. One issue with existing devices is their design lacks in promoting a desired stealth during completion of the task. As will be appreciated, the aforementioned operation is a task in which the user desires to make fewer throws of a device and subsequent drags thereof through an area in order to decrease the opportunity of being detected or for the sake of speed in identifying whether an area is safe. 
     Another issue with existing multi-purpose tools is their lack of configurability. While many existing multi-purpose tools are configured to adapt to perform two tasks, existing devices are typically not configured to allow a user to enhance the tool with an additional component so as to improve the ability to perform one of its intended tasks. More specifically but not by way of limitation, altering the weight distribution in the field of a tool so as to improve the ability of the tool for a specific purpose. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a multipurpose tool that is compact and lightweight that is operable to facilitate the performance of more than one task wherein the tool is further configurable in the field in an efficient manner so as to improve the execution of at least one the intended uses of the multipurpose tool. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a multipurpose tool that is operable to perform a plurality of tasks that includes a generally cylindrical body. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose tool operable to facilitate the execution of a plurality of tasks wherein the body includes at least one end portion that is removable. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose tool operable to assist a user in performing a variety of tasks that includes a plurality of collapsible arms movably secured to the body. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose tool operable to facilitate the execution of a plurality of tasks wherein the body further includes an aperture distal to the removable end portion of the body configured to provide an interface for attaching an object such as but not limited to a line. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose tool operable to assist a user in the execution of a plurality of tasks that is further configurable so as to alter the weight distribution thereof. 
     Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose tool that is designed to facilitate the execution of several tasks wherein the collapsible arms include a surface having gripping teeth disposed thereon. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose tool that is durable, lightweight and compact. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the arm members in a closed position; and 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the arm members in an open position; and 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional diagram of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a detailed view of an arm member of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed view of the removable end of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a utility tool  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
     Referring in particular to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the utility tool  100  further includes a body  10 . The body  10  is generally cylindrical in shape and is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to metal. The cylindrical shape of the body  10  aids in the ease of deployment and storage of the utility tool  100 . While the body  10  is cylindrical in shape in its preferred embodiment, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body  10  could be formed in numerous different shapes. The body  10  includes a first end  12  and a second end  14 . The first end  12  includes an outer edge  15  that is generally arcuate in shape. The arcuate shape of the outer edge  15  assists in performing some of the tasks for which the utility tool  100  can be utilized to perform. By way of example but not by way of limitation, as a user deploys the utility tool  100  on a ground surface to search for mine trip wires or the like, the shape of the outer edge  15  provides decreased resistance during retrieval of the utility tool  100  by the user. While in its preferred embodiment, the outer edge  15  is generally arcuate in manner, it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the outer edge  15  could be formed in numerous other shapes. 
     Integrally formed in the body  10  are a plurality of slots  20 . The slots  20  are generally rectangular in shape having an interior volume being operable to store the arm members  50  in their first position. The slots  20  extend from point  13  proximate the second end  14  towards the first end  12 . The slots  20  include a first end  17  and a second end  19  with the second end  19  being rounded in manner. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the depth of the interior volume  22  of the slots  20  are sufficient so as to allow the rear edge  51  of the arm members  50  to be substantially aligned with the surface  9  of the body  10 . This depth of the interior volume  22  of the slots facilitates improved storage and retrieval of the utility tool  100  by reducing the opportunity for a protruded rear edge  51  to bind against a surface of a storage compartment of a backpack or similar structure. The slots  20  are equally distributed around the circumference of the body  10 . By way of example but not by way of limitation, the preferred embodiment of the utility tool  100  has four slots  20  operable to accommodate four arm members  50 . The four slots  20  are generally spaced ninety degrees apart from each other around the body  10 . The equilateral spacing of the slots  20  and as such the arm members  50  facilitates an improved engagement of the arm members  50  with the desired target. While in the preferred embodiment the utility tool  100  has four slots  20  and arm members  50 , it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the utility tool  100  could be constructed with as few as one slot  20  and arm member  50  or a quantity greater than four so as to be adapted for various applications. 
     Integrally formed with the first end is aperture  30 . Aperture  30  functions to provide an interface to allow the utility tool  100  to be coupled to a retrieval line, wire or other similar item. For most of the applications contemplated for the utility tool  100 , the utility tool  100  is thrown towards a target and then retrieved by the user. A line or similar item is operably coupled to the aperture  30  so as to facilitate the retrieval of the utility tool  100  subsequent its deployment. While no particular size is required for the aperture  30 , good results have been achieved by utilizing an aperture  30  within the range of one-half to one inch in diameter. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the arm members  50  are illustrated in a first position and a second position respectively. The arm members  50  are pivotally secured to the body  10  using fasteners  35 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous types of fasteners could be utilized to pivotally secure the arm members  50  to the body  10 . It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the fasteners  35  are removable so as to facilitate the easy replacement of an arm member  50 . The body  10  includes a recess  40  proximate the second end  14  intermediate each slot  20  so as to facilitate access to each fastener  35 . The recesses  40  are of suitable size so as to accommodate a tool bit such as but not limited to a screwdriver. 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 4  is a detailed view of an arm member  50 . As previously mentioned herein, the arm members  50  have a first position and a second position wherein the arm members  50  are disposed within the interior volume  22  of the slots  20  in the first position and are extended outward from the body  10  in the second position. The arm members  50  include a body  55  that is generally planar in manner and constructed from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to metal. The body  55  includes a first end  56  and a second end  57 . Formed along the inner surface  58  of the body  55  are a plurality of teeth  60 . Each of the teeth  60  has a distal end  61  extending away from the body  55 . The valleys  63  are intermediate each of the teeth  60  and are defined by the first side  64  and second side  65  of the teeth  60 . The angle of the first side  64  is less than the angle of the second side  65  with those angles being measured with respect to a plane normal to the rear edge  51 . The second side  65  has an angle of approximately 90 degrees. This angle assists in the operable engagement of the teeth  60  with a desired target such as but not limited to a mine trip wire. Proximate the first end  56  is the inner edge  68 . The inner edge  68  is slightly angular in orientation so as to ensure the arm member  50  is substantially disposed within its respective slot  20  in its first position. The angle of the inner edge  68  is approximately one to four degrees with the angle being measured with respect to a plane normal to corner  70 . While a two to four degree angle of the inner edge  68  is preferred, it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that various different angles for the inner edge  68  could be utilized to achieve the desired function as described herein. The rear edge  51  includes a first portion  75  proximate the first end  56 . The first portion  75  is angular in orientation such that the angle of the first portion  75  is approximately thirty to forty degrees wherein the angle being measured with respect to a plane normal to the rear edge  51 . This angle of the first portion of the rear edge  51  facilitates proper opening of the arm members  50  in their second position such that the arm members  50  are extended sufficiently outward from the body  10 . The first portion  75  is biased against the inner surface  80  of the washer  85  subsequent the arm members  50  being placed in their second position. A hole  90  is located proximate the first end  56 . The hole  90  functions to receive therethrough the fastener and facilitate the pivotal securing of the arm member  50 . 
     Proximate the second end  57  of the arm member  50 , the rear edge  51  includes a second portion  78  that is arcuate in manner. The second portion  78  of the rear edge  51  defines the shape of the second end  57  of the arm member  50 . The arcuate shape of the second end  57  improves the grasping ability of the arm members  50  for some applications. While no particular radius of the second portion  78  is required, good results have been achieved by utilizing a radius of 1⅛ inches to 1½ inches. 
     Referring in particular to  FIG. 5 , a detailed view of the second end  14  is illustrated therein. The second end  14  is removable and releasably secured to the body  10 . The second end is generally dome-shaped and is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to metal. The second end  14  further includes a knurled surface  5  that is circumferentially disposed operable to provide an improved grasp of the second end  14 . The second end  14  has integrally formed therewith a bolt  94 . The bolt  94  functions to releasably secure the second end  14  to the body  10  wherein the bolt is mateably threaded into cavity  105  (see  FIG. 3 ). Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different diameters and lengths of the bolt  94  could be utilized. The second end  14  includes at least one washer  85 . The washer  85  is removably secured to the second end  14  such that the bolt  94  is journaled therethrough and the washer  85  is adjacent the inner edge  101  of the second end  14 . The washer  85  is operable to receive the first portion  75  of the arm member  50  as previously described herein and further functions to provide the ability to alter the weight of the body  10  so as to provide a heavier weight distribution towards the second end  14 . It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the washer  85  is manufactured from a dense metal such as but not limited to tungsten or osmium. It is additionally contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the bolt  94  is of sufficient length in order to accommodate a plurality of washers  85 . This configurability allows a user to adjust the weight distribution towards the second end  14  for a particular application. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous types of materials could be utilized to manufacture the washers  85  to achieve the desired objective identified herein. 
     Referring in particular to  FIG. 3 , a cross-sectional diagram of the utility tool  100  is illustrated therein. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body  10  could have one or more ballast compartments  120 . The ballast compartments  120  are generally hollow and operable to receive therein a dense material such as but not limited to lead. The ballast compartments  120  provide the ability for a user to alter the weight distribution of the body  10  for a desired application. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body  10  could have various quantities of ballast compartments  120 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a description of the operation of the utility tool  100  is as follows. In use, a user will transport the utility tool  100  in a desired storage compartment with the arm members  50  in their first position. Upon requirement of deployment of the utility tool  100 , the user will loosen the second end  14  so as to release the arm members  50  into their second position. The second end is subsequently retightened so as to bias against the first portion  75  securing the arm members  50  in their second position. With a line or similar item operably coupled to the aperture  30 , the utility tool as hurled in a desired direction. In the exemplary use of mine trip wire discovery, the utility tool  100  is then retrieved by the user via the line. During retrieval, the arm members  50  at least partially penetrate the soil in order to facilitate discovery of a mine trip wire or other item. As discussed herein a plurality of washers  85  can be releasably secured intermediate the body  10  and the second end  14  so as alter the weight distribution towards the second end  14  in order to facilitate the improved engagement of the arm members  50  with the soil during retrieval. 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.