Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to multi-function tools, and particularly to a mechanism for extending and retracting pliers and the like into the handle. Along with the pliers the multi-tool may have various other implements including a full-size blade, a driver tool, a can opener, a punch tool and the like. Furthermore a lighting element, being either an LED or non-LED type mechanism, and either fixed in place or rotatable or flexible about the handle is comtemplated.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Applications 60/763,622, filed Jan. 30, 2006 and 60/771,964, filed Feb. 9, 2006 both of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety as if fully set forth. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Multi-function tools are well known. In a typical multi-tool, the main tool is the pliers. The pliers shape is adapted to allow other tools to be placed within the handles. This makes the overall tool awkward and bulky. To use such a tool, the pliers must first be opened, another tool folded out, and the pliers closed. This creates a lot of extra steps to use one of the other tools.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     In the present invention the multi-tool has the form of a common folding knife. The tool has a full size blade and may include retractable pliers, needle-nose pliers, scissors, screwdrivers, shears, wire cutters, tin snips and the like. One embodiment of the present invention includes a tool with a full size blade and pliers. The tools all slide or rotate out of the handle. Another embodiment is the way the retractable tool such as the pliers slide and move from the retracted, put away, position within the handle of the tool, to a locked functioning position wherein the plier tool is locked in place and capable of performing the tasks typically associated with a single plier tool. This allows one-handed access to all the tools in one step.  
         [0004]     The present invention is a folding knife tool that includes a handle with opposing sides, wherein the opposing sides define an opening for housing a blade when the blade is in a folded position. The opening further defines a housing for a two-piece tool implement to extend from or retract into, and a locking mechanism is provided to lock the two-piece tool implement into the extended or open usable position. The two-piece tool implement may be, but is not limited to, pliers, needle-nose pliers, scissors, shears, wire cutters, tin snips, gardening clippers, and the like. Also the handle may further include multiple other tool implements.  
         [0005]     The present invention also includes a folding knife tool with a sliding double ended driver that locks into an extended position. The housing may include other tools that may slide or fold out. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the folding knife tool.  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the folding knife tool with the pliers in the retracted position.  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of the folding knife tool with the pliers sliding toward the extended position.  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of the folding knife tool with the pliers sliding toward the extended position and starting to engage the locking arm.  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of the folding knife tool with the pliers sliding toward the extended position and the locking arm being retracted by the pin on the pliers.  
         [0011]      FIG. 6  is a rear view of the folding knife tool with the pliers in the extended position and the locking arm engaging the pin on the pliers.  
         [0012]      FIG. 7A  is a left end view showing the location of the driver within the liners within the handles.  
         [0013]      FIG. 7B  is a front view of the folding knife tool with the driver in the center position and the locking button pin engaging the extension in the slot or extending into the slot.  
         [0014]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the folding knife tool with the driver in the center position and the locking button pushed down disengaging the pin from the extension in the slot.  
         [0015]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the folding knife tool with the driver sliding toward the front thereby extending the phillips end of the driver.  
         [0016]      FIG. 10  is a front view of the folding knife tool with the driver phillips end extended in the open position and the locking button pin in the extension of the slot, locking the driver in place.  
         [0017]      FIG. 11  Top left is a top view of the multi-function tool. Middle left is a side view with the right side handle cut away to view the illuminating element and the driver and bit storage. Bottom left is a side view with the right side handle cut away and the driver rotated in the open position. Top right is an angled side view with the right side handle cut away to view the 3D components of the illuminating element and the driver and bit components. Bottom right is a side and end view of a standard bit.  
         [0018]      FIG. 12  Top left is a top view of a multi-function tool. Bottom left is a side view of a multi-function tool. Top right is a top angled side view of a multi-function tool. Bottom right is a bottom angled side view of a multi-function tool.  
         [0019]      FIG. 13  Left side is a side view with the right side handle cut away to show the illuminating element and driver implement. Right side is an angled side view with the right side handle cut away to show the features of the illuminating element.  
         [0020]      FIG. 14  Top left is a top view of the multi-function tool. Middle left is a side view with the right side handle cut away to view the illuminating element and the driver and bit storage. Bottom left is a side view with the right side handle cut away and the driver rotated in the open position. Top right is an angled side view with the right side handle cut away to view the 3D components of the illuminating element and the driver and bit components. Bottom right is a side and end view of a standard bit.  
         [0021]      FIG. 15  Top left is a top view of a multi-function tool. Bottom left is a side view of a multi-function tool. Top right is a top angled side view of a multi-function tool. Bottom right is a bottom angled side view of a multi-function tool.  
         [0022]      FIG. 16  Left side is a side view with the right side handle cut away to show the illuminating element and driver implement. Right side is an angled side view with the right side handle cut away to show the features of the illuminating element.  
         [0023]      FIG. 17  Top left is a top view of the drive tool implement slidably held in its open position with an adapter tool placed on the drive tool implement. Bottom left is a side view of the drive tool implement slidably held in its open position with an adapter tool placed on the drive tool implement. Top right are angled side and end views of the adapter tool. Bottom right are angled side and end views of the end bit.  
         [0024]      FIG. 18  Top left is a top view of the multi-function tool with the drive tool implement slidably held in the retracted position. Bottom left is a side view of the multi-function tool with the drive tool implement slidably held in the retracted position. Top and bottom right are angled side views of the drive tool implement slidably held in the open position with an adapter tool placed on the drive tool implement.  
         [0025]      FIG. 19  Left side is a side view with the right side handle cut away to show the illuminating element and driver implement. Right side is an angled side view with the right side handle cut away to show the features of the illuminating element. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]     By folding blade implement is meant a blade pivotally connected to the handle which when pivoted into the open position may or may not be locked in the open position with either a liner lock or other well known blade locking mechanisms. The blade may have a single- or double-sided cutting edge and may or may not include other common blade features, such as being serrated or having a hook.  
         [0027]     By two-piece tool implement is meant a tool that generally requires dual handles for best functioning such as scissors, pliers, needle-nose pliers, wire cutters, tin snips, gardening shears and clippers, pipe cutters, and the like. The two-piece tool implement may be slidably held within the handle of the multi-function tool and optionally locked into position when in the user mode and retracted within the handle and optionally locked when in the stored mode.  
         [0028]     By drive tool implement is meant any tool that performs a driving type function e.g., screwdriver, such as a cordless screwdriver or hand driver, including but not limited to, drill bits, allen wrench adapters, standard and philips head screw adapters, hexagonal, octagonal, or other geometric head adapters or drivers, or punch tools. The drive tool implement may be pivotally attached to said handle or slidably held within said handle. When slidably held, the drive tool implement may have a different driver bit on either end of said drive tool implement, e.g., a phillips head screwdriver on the right side and a standard slot screwdriver on the left side. The drive tool implement optionally may be locked in the user mode whether it is pivotally attached or slidably held. The drive tool implement may further fit within an adapter, which incorporates a variety of driver-bit heads for use with the present invention.  
         [0029]     By illuminating element is meant an element capable of illuminating or lighting an area or a work surface which is either fixed on or within the handle, or flexibly or pivotally attached so that the illuminating element may be directed at various work surfaces in relation to the handle of the multi-function tool. The illuminating element may be an LED type illuminating element and it may further be powered by an exhaustible or inexhaustible power source. The illuminating element also may have a microchip responsible for controlling certain illumination features such as an automatic shut-off, various degrees of illumination intensity, and/or blinking or flashing functions.  
         [0030]     An embodiment of the present device comprises a multi-function tool comprising: a handle; a folding blade implement; and a two-piece tool implement; wherein said folding blade implement is pivotally connected to the handle of said multi-function tool, and folded within the handle when in a stored state, and pivotally rotated out of the handle when in use; and wherein said two-piece tool implement is slidably held so that said two-piece tool implement is retracted within the handle when in the stored state, and slidably extended to protrude from said handle when in use.  
         [0031]     Another embodiment of the present device comprises a multi-function tool comprising: a handle; a folding blade implement; a two-piece tool implement; and a drive tool implement; wherein said folding blade implement is pivotally connected to the handle of said multi-function tool, and folded within the handle when in a stored state, and pivotally rotated out of the handle when in use; wherein said two-piece tool implement is slidably held so that said two-piece tool implement is retracted within the handle when in the stored state, and slidably extended to protrude from said handle when in use; wherein said drive tool implement is slidably held so that said drive tool implement is retracted within the handle when in the stored state, and slidably extended to protrude from said handle when in use.  
         [0032]     As described above the embodiment may feature a variety of folding blade implements whether a single or double sided cutting blade or comprising a serrated or saw type portion. The blade implement may also have a blade locking feature which may utilize a liner lock type mechanism or any other common blade locking mechanism known to those skilled in the art to lock the blade in an open position. The blade may also contain a thumb stud attachment which assists with blade opening and may serve as a stop against the handle of the multi-function tool when the blade is in a fully open position, and thus prevent hyperextension of the blade beyond the 180 degree open position.  
         [0033]     Another embodiment of the present invention is a multi-function tool comprising a handle; a folding blade implement; a two-piece tool implement; and a drive tool implement as described above, and further including an illuminating element. The illuminating element may be fixed on the handle, or pivotally or flexibly attached to the handle. The purpose of the illuminating element is to illuminate the work area directly around the given blade or tool implement in use. The illuminating element is strategically placed so that most or all work areas surrounding each blade or tool implement are illuminated. If each of the implements function in the same direction as a fixed illuminating element, they will be illuminated. Alternatively, the illuminating element is flexibly or pivotally attached to said handle and thereby can illuminate either or both ends of the handle. Another option is for an illuminating element to be located at both ends of the handle.  
         [0034]     The illumination element may be an LED, which may further include a switch power source microchip and other features well known in the art.  
         [0035]     Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a multi-function tool comprising; a handle; a folding blade implement; a two-piece tool implement; a drive tool implement and an illuminating implement. The folding blade implement is pivotally connected to the handle of the multi-function tool so that the blade may be folded into at least a portion of the handle when stored in the closed position, and pivotally rotated out of the handle when in an open position. Upon reaching the fully open position, the blade may further lock into a fixed position utilizing most preferably a liner lock mechanism. The multi-function tool of the present embodiment also includes a two-piece tool implement which is slidably held so that the two-piece tool implement is retracted within the handle when in the stored state, and slidably extended to protrude from the handle when in use. Further, the drive tool implement may be pivotally connected to the handle so that the drive tool implement is folded within the handle when in a stored state and pivotally rotated out of the handle when in use. The present embodiment also has an illuminating element, as described above, fixed onto the handle of the multi-function tool.  
         [0036]     Another embodiment of the present invention is a folding knife tool shown in  FIG. 1 , comprising a handle and multiple liners within the handle; the liners have different functions. There are liners for stability, there are locking liners  7  and  32 , and tracking liner  1 . Tracking liner  1  further contains tracks  5  and  6  for sliding and retracting pliers; also tracking liner  1  contains slot  20  for sliding and retracting the double ended driver  18 . The embodiment further comprises a blade pivotally connected to the handle and a means for retracting and extending pliers; wherein the pliers have a first exposed handle and a second unexposed handle slidably connected to the folding knife handle; and wherein the exposed pliers handle is extended or retracted within the folding knife handle. The pliers have two button pins fixed to the second unexposed handle wherein the pins  3  and  4  allow the pliers to slide within the two tracks  5  and  6  within the tracking liner  1 . Each pin is associated with a track which maintains the pliers in a fixed orientation.  
         [0037]     Another embodiment disclosed herein is a folding knife tool with retractable pliers and a driver, which lock into position. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a folding knife tool includes a handle or housing  29  with opposing sides  29 A and  29 B defining an opening to house the blade  30 , the pliers  2 , with pivot pin  11 , the driver  18 , and a can opener  31  when in a closed position. In the embodiment shown, the blade  30  may be rotated around pin  9  to the open position by a user and then locked in the open position by the locking liner  32  and lock arm  33 . The can opener  31  may be rotated to the open position and locked by locking liner  32  and lock arm  34 . Spacer  35  is located between tracking liner  1  and locking liner  32 .  
         [0038]     As shown in  FIGS. 2-6 , the pliers  2  can be extended or retracted into and out of the handle and locked in the extended or open position. When retracted as shown in  FIG. 2 , the pliers are held in position by friction between the pliers&#39; handle  39  and the lanyard  36  via extension  37 . As the user exerts a force on the pliers&#39; handle thumb ridge  14  shown in  FIG. 3  toward the forward direction, the pliers handle  39  slips away from the lanyard extension  37 , while the pins  3  and  4  of the pliers follow the tracks  5  and  6  respectively. As shown in FIG.  4 , the pliers are being guided through the pins in the tracks toward the extended position, with pin  3  in track  5  forcing the liner locking arm  13  upward as the pin  3  makes contact with the arm  13  at the concave arc  12 .  FIG. 5  shows the liner locking arm  13  at its highest position as pin  3  makes contact at edge  15  of the arm.  FIG. 6  shows the pliers in the fully extended position and the liner locking arm  13  pushes down locking pin  3  into position within the convex arc  8 . The pliers may be retracted in reverse order by the user applying an upwards force on the pliers&#39; lock button  16  and then applying a backwards force on the pliers handle  39 . When in the extended position, the pliers  2  can be spring loaded by spring  10 , which is held within a slot  38 A and  38 B in the pliers handles  2 A and  2 B to open the pliers handle  39 .  
         [0039]     In the embodiment shown, the folding knife tool has a sliding driver  18 . As shown in  FIGS. 7-10  the driver can be extended in either direction and retracted to a center position and locked in place.  FIG. 7B  shows the driver  18  at the center position  23 , thus both ends the phillips  40  and flathead  41  are housed within the handles  29 A and B of  FIG. 7A . The driver is locked into position when no external downward force is being applied to the button  17 . The spring  27  forcing the pin  24  of the button up into slot extension  23  prevents any sliding movement of the driver by way of the driver pins  19 A and B within the slot  20  of tracking liner  1 . When the user applies a downward force on the button  17  as shown in  FIG. 8 , the bottom of the button  28  pushes down on the spring  27  and the button pin  24  is disengaged from the center extension slot  23 . This allows sliding movement of the driver  18 . The user moves the driver sideways, which rides on the driver pins  19 A and B within the slot  20 . If the user moves the driver toward the phillips  40  end as shown in  FIG. 9 , once the pin  24  is past the center  23  position, the pin will be held within the slot  20 . When the driver is fully extended to the phillips  40  side as shown in  FIG. 10 , the driver pin  19 A will stop at the end of the track  22  and the button pin  24  will be allowed to move upward by the force from spring  27  and engage the slot extension  21 . This will lock the driver in position.  
         [0040]     To unlock the driver, the user presses down the button  17  and slides the driver  18  sideways toward the center position  23 . Similarly when the driver is moved to the flat driver  41  side, the driver pin  19 B will stop at the end of the track  26  and the button pin  24  will engage slot extension  25 .  
         [0041]     In the embodiment of a pivotally held drive tool implement with interchangeable bits and storage multi-tool shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , the folding knife tool has a pivoting driver  118  and an illuminating implement  125 . A power source  130  powers the light source, a removable door  134  on the handle is present for replacing the power source  130 , a power switch  132  is also shown on the handle. Also shown are the retractable pliers  110 , a pivoting blade implement  112 , a pivoting can or bottle opener implement  114 , a liner lock  119  for locking the driver implement in the open position, and storage of two standard driver bits  135 .  FIG. 13  shows a cut away of the handle to reveal the illuminating features contemplated in an embodiment that has an illuminating device  125 , a power source  130 , a power switch  132  and a circuit board  134  for regulating the illumination levels or pulsing of the illuminating device  125 .  
         [0042]     In another embodiment of a pivotally held drive tool implement with interchangeable bits and storage multi-tool shown in  FIGS. 14-16 , the folding knife tool has a pivoting driver  118  and an illuminating implement  125 . A power source  130  powers the light source, a removable door  134  on the handle is present for replacing the power source  130 , a power switch  132  is also shown on the handle. Also shown are the retractable pliers  110 , a pivoting blade implement  112 , a pivoting can or bottle opener implement  114 , a liner lock  119  for locking the driver implement in the open position, and storage of two standard driver bits  135 .  FIG. 16  shows a cut away of the handle to reveal the illuminating features contemplated in an embodiment that has an illuminating device  125 , a power source  130 , a power switch  132  and a circuit board  134  for regulating the illumination levels or pulsing of the illuminating device  125 .  
         [0043]     In an embodiment of a slidably held drive tool implement with interchangeable bits multi-tool shown in  FIGS. 17-19 , the folding knife tool has a slidably held driver  218  and an illuminating implement  225 . A power source  230  powers the light source, a removable door  234  on the handle is present for replacing the power source  230 , a power switch  232  is also shown on the handle. Also shown are the retractable pliers  210 , and the lock for the retractable pliers  211  which locks the retractable pliers  210  into the protruded use position and the retracted stored position. Further shown are a pivoting blade implement  212 , a pivoting can or bottle opener implement  214 , a button pin lock  250  for locking the driver implement in both the use position and stored position. A storage area  235  for storing a square to hex adapter  275  and one hex bit  285  is also shown in  FIG. 17 .  FIG. 19  shows a cut away of the handle to reveal the illuminating features contemplated in an embodiment that has an illuminating device  225 , a power source  230 , a power switch  232  and a circuit board  234  for regulating the illumination levels or pulsing of the illuminating device  225 .  
         [0044]     All references cited herein, including patents, patent applications, and publications, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties, whether previously specifically incorporated or not.  
         [0045]     Having now fully described this invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the same can be performed within a wide range of equivalent parameters, concentrations, and conditions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without undue experimentation.  
         [0046]     While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.