Abstract:
A unitary, one-piece multiple purpose utility tool can be used to perform multiple tasks using the same tool. The present invention provides such a device that, when used properly, allows the user to cut, chop, saw, shovel, among other things, while maintaining the structure of a single-piece tool.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/993,515 filed May 15, 2014. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to various types of utility tools that are used for cutting, sawing, digging, hammering and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a single tool that serves multiple purposes including those of the type that would normally be used for each of the above-mentioned functionalities. It also relates to such a multiple purpose utility tool that is relatively compact and light, but extremely sturdy and durable for recreational and military uses. It also relates to such a multiple purpose utility tool that has user safety features that are built into it such that the safety of the user is provided. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Tools have been around since the dawn of time. Indeed, as our ancient ancestors developed skills in the building of shelters and honed other survival skills for themselves, they developed tools to assist them and to make various tasks easier to perform. By definition, a “tool” is broadly considered to be anything that is used as a means of accomplishing a task or purpose. More narrowly, however, a tool is defined as “an implement, especially one held in the hand, as a hammer, saw, or file, for performing or facilitating mechanical operations.” Indeed, people have developed any number of individual tools to perform certain mechanical functions and operations—the shovel to dig; the axe to chop; the saw to cut; the machete to slice; the hammer to drive wedges or nails, and so on. Accordingly, it is well known in the art that individual tools are available for different, but also very specific, uses and that such tools are limited strictly to those uses. 
         [0004]    It is also known in the recreational and military activities that there are some utility tools that can be used in different ways and for different purposes. The classic example is the so-called “Swiss Army Knife,” but such a tool is used for more intricate physical activities that are performed on a small scale and definitely not for digging and hammering, for example. In the experience of this inventor, there are other tools that may include structure for performing perhaps two functions, but such tools are typically limited in the number of features that can be used. However, also in the experience of this inventor, there is a clear need for a multiple purpose utility tool that would comprise a wide variety of features into a unitary, one-piece structure. There is also a need for such a tool that can be used by recreational users, such as campers, hikers, and the like, as well as by the military and other users. Lastly, there is a need to provide such a tool that incorporates certain safely features for the safe use of the tool by the user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In view of the foregoing, what is needed is a unitary, one-piece multiple purpose utility tool that can perform multiple tasks using the same tool. The present invention provides such a device that, when used properly, allows the user to cut, chop, saw, shovel, among other things, while maintaining the structure of a single-piece tool. It also provides such a multiple purpose utility tool that is relatively compact and light, but extremely sturdy and durable for recreational and military uses. It also provides such a multiple purpose utility tool that has user safety features built into it such that the safety of the user is designed into the structure. 
         [0006]    The foregoing and other features of the multiple purpose utility tool of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a first view of the multiple purpose utility tool of the present invention and showing how the tool may be suspended from a user&#39;s belt using a carabineer, for example. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a first top and side perspective view of the multiple purpose utility tool shown in  FIG. 1 , with emphasis on a first side edge of the tool. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectioned view of the axe edge portion of the multiple purpose utility tool taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectioned view of the machete edge portion of the multiple purpose utility tool taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view that is similar to that shown in  FIG. 2  but showing the second side edge of the multiple purpose utility tool of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the multiple purpose utility tool shown in 
           [0013]      FIGS. 2 and 5 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged partial cross-sectioned view of the bow fire bearing portion of the multiple purpose utility tool taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a greatly enlarged view of a portion of the second edge of the multiple purpose utility tool of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of the second end of the multiple purpose utility tool of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of the second end of the multiple purpose utility tool of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a view of the first end of the multiple purpose utility tool of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Referring now to the drawings in detail,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the multiple use tool, generally identified  10 , that is constructed in accordance with the present invention. The tool  10  comprises a substantially flat unitary tool body, generally identified  100 , which comprises a first end  20  and a second end  40 . The tool  10  further comprises a first edge  30  and a second edge  50 . The substantially flat unitary tool body is bounded by the first and second edges  30 ,  50 , respectively. The first edge  30  comprises a plurality of “tool-like” elements or portions, as does the second edge  50 , as will be discussed in greater detail below. As recited here and in the claims, the term “tool-like” means that the element or portion referred to comprises characteristics or features that visually resemble or functionally perform as a tool, the tool being given its ordinary meaning. Extending between the edges  30 ,  50  of the tool  10  is a first face  60  and a second face  70 . See also  FIG. 2 . 
         [0020]    Continuing with reference to  FIG. 2 , it will be seen that the first end  20  comprises a first handle portion  22  and a second handle portion  24 . The first end  20  further comprises a lanyard hole  21 . A lanyard parachute cord  23  is also wound about the first and second handle portions  22 ,  24 , respectfully. The first and second handle portions  22 ,  24  are separated by rope bumps  29  along each edge  30 ,  50  of the first end  20  of the tool  10 . Extending downwardly from the first end  20  and along the first edge  30  is a hand bumper  32  which provides protection to the user&#39;s forefinger when the tool  10  is used as intended. Extending further downwardly from the first end  20  is a throwing trigger  33 , which is not sharp. Next, a curved machete edge portion  34  is provided, as is an axe edge portion  36  and one side  42   a  of a shovel head  42 . The shovel head  42  is disposed at the second end  40  of the tool  10 . The shovel head  42  further comprises a second side  42   b.  See also  FIG. 9 . The first and second sides  42   a,    42   b  of the shovel head  42  being angled relative to one another. 
         [0021]    Extending upwardly from the shovel head  42  along the second edge  50  is a combined hammer head and splitting wedge structure  52 . Continuing upwardly and along the second edge  50  of the tool  10  is a foot wedge  54 , which provides the user with a point at which a user&#39;s shoe or boot edge can be placed for driving the shovel head  42  into the ground. Also included along the second edge  50  is a ripping saw  56  which has a cross-hatched pattern  57  for achieving greater and more efficient ripping and coarse cutting during use. See also  FIG. 8 . The hammer head  52  and splitting wedge  54  are also shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 . A thumb grasp  58  is provided for the user&#39;s protection and leverage when using the tool  10 . Further, a rope bump  59  is also provided. See also  FIG. 11 . 
         [0022]    Disposed between the first end  20  and the second end  40  of the tool  10  is a carabineer hole  12 . Again, refer to  FIG. 1 . The carabineer hole  12  can be used to attach a carabineer  2  to the tool  10  and to a secondary attachment device  3  such that the tool  10  can be carried by a user for use as desired or required. As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5  and  11 , however, a secondary carrying loop  14  is provided, which loop  14  can wrapped about the user&#39;s wrist for secure attachment of the tool  10  to the user when the tool  10  is in use. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 6 , it will be seen that the axe edge portion  36  comprises a single beveled edge  37 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the machete edge portion  34  comprises a double beveled edge  35 . These edges  35 ,  37  are provided to allow the user to cut an object much as a single-function device would. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , it shows that the second end  40 , and the shovel head  42  of the second end  40  comprises a flat portion  41  and a convex portion  43 , the convex portion  43  being defined in the first face  60  of the tool  10 . This convex portion  43  allows the tool  10  to be used as a digging shovel, the convex portion  43  providing somewhat of a “scoop-like” structure for shoveling and digging. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , it shows that, defined in the first face  60  of the tool  10 , is the fire bow bearing  62  which comprises a circular indentation. See also  FIGS. 9 and 10 . This bearing  62  allows the user to rotate a stick or other object within the bearing  62  and to start a fire by rapid rotation of the stick within the bearing  62  which creates friction and lights kindling fibers that can be placed about the bearing  62 . 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , it shows a closer view of the combined hammer head and splitting wedge structure  52 . This structure  52  allows the used to pound an object with the hammer head portion  52   a  of that structure  52 . The structure  52  is also angled to allow the splitting wedge portion  52   b  to be used to split objects, such as a log or other piece of wood. 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , the parachute cord  23  can be unwound from the first end  20  of the tool  10  such that the cord  23  can be used for tying the tool  10  to an object (not shown) or for complete removal of the cord  23  from the tool  10  for use of the cord  23  for any use as may be desired or required by the user. 
         [0028]    Lastly, it is desirable that the multiple purpose utility tool  10  of the present invention be fabricated as a unitary structure, as mentioned at the outset, and further comprised of a sturdy metal material to maintain the integrity of the tool  10  during use. 
         [0029]    Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details disclosed and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.