Abstract:
The present invention relates to tools employed by truck operators, and, more particularly, to such tools used to release a fifth wheel pin of a tractor/trailer assembly. Specifically, the tool is a collapsible, telescopic pin puller. The tool has a grip end having a hammer and chisel, and a pin pull end having a hook and a protruded portion. The grip end and the pin pull end are connected by a telescopic elongate central portion which retracts into a handle which can be used as the handle of the hammer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/061,334, filed on Jun. 13, 2008, now pending, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to tools employed by truck operators, and, more particularly, to such tools used to release a fifth wheel pin of a tractor/trailer assembly. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Truck operators are often required to perform minor repair and maintenance on their trucks, including connecting or disconnecting the tractor from their trailer, checking the tire air pressure, removing debris from the underside of a trailer, raising and lowering hydraulic landing gear when a trailer is disconnected from a trailer, and tightening loose connectors on the trailer. 
     Unfortunately, truck operators are often on the road when they are required to perform these tasks, and, due to the limited space in the tractor portion of the truck, have a limited amount of tools for performing these duties. 
     One example of a task required of a truck operator is the disconnection of a fifth wheel pin employed to connect the trailer to the tractor. The fifth wheel pin is located between the tractor and the trailer, above the rear tires of the tractor. The truck operator is expected to bend down and reach between the tractor and the trailer, past one set of rear tires, to pull the fifth wheel pin. This action requires operators to contort themselves into an awkward position while pulling the pin, and often results in strains to the shoulders, elbows, wrists and backs. Since the pulling of the pin is often done by a roadside, or in a parking lot, the truck operator is sometimes in an awkward and vulnerable position while performing this operation, since other trucks or cars may be driving past. The faster the operator is able to pull the pin, the less risk there is of injury due to third party action. 
     Truck operators are often also required to connect the fifth wheel pin, or to ensure the fifth wheel pin is properly connected. The operation is similar to that of the disconnection of the fifth wheel pin, described above, only in many cases the operator must push onto the pin to ensure that it is engaged. 
     Another minor task undertaken by the truck operator is the checking of the tire air pressure. This is often done by banging a butt bar (a straight piece of metal about 1-2 feet in length) onto the tires to test their air pressure. 
     Truck operators also often need to raise or lower the hydraulic landing gear on which the trailer rests when it is not hooked up to the tractor. Hydraulic landing gear often stick or seize, due to debris, temperature extremes, or other exposure or damage while on the road. Truck operators often have to scrape away this debris, or hammer at the landing gear to get it to operate. 
     In many instances, these operations need to be done in sub-optimal lighting conditions. Even at mid-day, the location of the fifth wheel pin (between the tractor and the trailer, behind the wheels of the tractor) make it hard to see. However, these operations often need to be done at night, especially in stressful, emergency-type situations. 
     Pin pull tools are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,559 describes a king pin release tool, for use when releasing the king pin from a fifth wheel coupling mechanism. Multi-use tools for truckers, including pin pulls, are also known, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,354,642, 4,050,107, and 5,344,201. However, these tools are long and awkward, and, where space is limited (such as in a tractor cab), may not be desirable. 
     Telescoping poles for a variety of uses are also known, and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,378,922, 6,450,557, 6,293,601, 4,881,338, and 5,003,437. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the invention is provided a tool, comprising a collapsible, elongate central portion, comprising a plurality of elongate members, said plurality of elongate members capable of telescoping into one another; wherein the elongate central portion has at least two positions; a closed position wherein the elongate members are telescoped into one another such that a first elongate member is external to the remaining elongate members and forms a handle portion; and an open position wherein the elongate members are extended out from one another; a grip portion projecting from a first end of the elongate central portion; an arm portion projecting from a second end of the elongate central portion, said arm portion comprising a hook portion and a protruded portion; a hammer head extending from a hammer end of the grip portion; and a locking mechanism whereby the tool can be locked in the closed position. 
     In one embodiment, the grip portion is affixed to the handle. 
     In another embodiment, the locking mechanism comprises a screw on a grip end of the elongate member most proximal to the arm portion, and a bolt in the handle whereby, in or when approaching the closed position, the screw is able to engage the bolt, locking the tool in the closed position. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the locking mechanism comprises a bolt on a grip end of the elongate member most proximal to the arm portion, and a screw in the handle or in the grip portion inside the handle, whereby, in or when approaching the closed position, the screw end is able to engage the bolt, locking the tool in the closed position. 
     In a further embodiment, the locking mechanism comprises a friction fit. 
     In a further embodiment, the tool comprises a second locking mechanism whereby the tool can be locked in the open position. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the second locking mechanism comprises a friction fit. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the second locking mechanism comprises a tongue and groove assembly within each elongate member. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the tool comprises a chisel extending from a chisel end of the grip portion, said chisel end being opposite the hammer end. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the tool comprises a grip on said grip portion. In various embodiments, the grip is imbedded into, applied onto, or a series of indentations found within, said grip portion. 
     In a further embodiment, the protruded portion has a magnetic end. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the magnetic end is proximal to, embedded into, or abutting from said protruded portion. 
     In a further embodiment, the tool further comprises a screw guide proximal to the bolt, and capable of guiding the screw into the bolt. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the screw guide is metal. 
     In a further embodiment, the tool comprises a bolt guide proximal to the screw, and capable of guiding the bolt into the screw. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the bolt guide is metal. 
     In a further embodiment, the tool further comprises a light, for example, an LED light, on said arm portion. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the tool comprises a light switch on said grip portion, said light switch capable of operating said light in either the open position or the closed position. 
     In another embodiment, the tool comprises a power supply within the grip portion, or within the handle, for powering said light. 
     In another embodiment, the tool further comprises a shield projecting radially from the arm portion or the elongate member most proximal to the arm portion, such shield forming a seal or engaging with the first elongate member when the tool is in the closed position. 
     In yet another embodiment, the locking mechanism comprises a pin on the arm portion, or on the elongate member most proximal to the arm portion, and a notch on the first elongate member, whereby the pin can be positioned within the notch or can engage the notch. 
     In a further embodiment, the pin can be biased in a locking position by means of a spring located in the first elongate member and compressing when the tool approaches the closed position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a telescoping multifunction tool according to one embodiment of the present invention, shown in its open position. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of the telescoping multifunction tool of  FIG. 1 , in its closed position. 
         FIGS. 3  A-E show a second embodiment of the telescoping multifunction tool.  FIG. 3A  shows a side view of the grip portion and handle, with the elongate members in the closed position, and shows a cutaway view of the elongate members within said handle, including the locking mechanism.  FIG. 3B  shows a top view of the tool.  FIG. 3C  shows the hammer head in isolation.  FIG. 3D  shows a side view of the handle in isolation.  FIG. 3E  shows the arm portion. 
         FIG. 4  shows the side view of an alternative embodiment of the tool, shown in its open position. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the multifunction tool of  FIG. 4 , shown in its closed position. 
         FIG. 6  shows the screw, bolt, and screw guide according to one embodiment of the invention, in isolation. 
         FIG. 7  shows an alternative embodiment of the locking mechanism. 
         FIG. 8  is an illustration of an example cross-sectional view of an elongate central portion of an example telescoping multifunction tool. 
         FIG. 9  is an illustration of an example telescoping multifunction tool in a closed position. 
         FIG. 10  is an illustration an example telescoping multifunction tool in an open position. 
         FIG. 11  is an illustration an example telescoping multifunction tool in an open position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1  shows the tool in its open configuration;  FIG. 2  shows the same tool in its closed configuration. 
     The tool has an elongate central portion  20  made up of a plurality of elongate members  22 , a grip portion  24  proximal to a first elongate member  52 , and an arm portion  26  proximal to or forming the end of the elongate member  22  furthest from the first elongate member  52 . 
     There can be as few as 2 elongate members  22 , and as many as desirable. The number of elongate members  22  is determined by the desired length of the tool when in the open position, and the desired length of the tool when in the closed position. Typically, there are 3-7 elongate members  22 ; as shown, there are 4. Included in the elongate members  22  is handle  50 , which is the elongate member with the widest diameter. The other elongate members  22  can slide into the handle  50 , to place the tool in a closed configuration, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Ideally and as shown, but not necessarily, the first elongate member  52  (i.e. the elongate member  22  closest to the grip portion  24 ) is the widest in diameter (and is thus the handle  50 ), though it would be evident to a person skilled in the art that another elongate member  22 , for example, the elongate member  22  most proximal to the arm portion  26 , could be the widest in diameter and therefore serve as the handle. 
     As shown, the first elongate member  52  is the handle  50 , which offers certain advantages. For example, as shown, the first elongate member  52  is fused to and forms a “one piece unit” with the grip portion  24 . This provides the advantage that when the chisel  40  or hammer head  32  are used, a user can grip the handle  50  without worrying about the grip twisting and turning. 
     The grip portion  24  comprises a hammer end  54  and a chisel end  60 . At the end of the hammer end  54  furthest from the handle  50  is a hammer head  32 . At the end of the chisel end  60  furthest from the handle  50  is a chisel  40 . The hammer end  54  and the chisel end  60 , as shown, are at a 180° angle from one another. 
     In one embodiment, and as shown, the grip portion  24  also comprises a grip  42 . The grip  42  may be in the form of a rubber covering, or it may simply be a non-slip paint or similar coating. The grip  42  comprises indentations  44 . When in use as a pin puller, the user would hold the tool by the grip  42 , with each finger falling into an indentation  44 . 
     Grip portion  24  also comprises a light switch  64 , that operates light  62 . As shown, the light  62  is on the arm portion  26 . 
     Arm portion  26  also comprises hook portion  28  and protruded portion  30 . When extended into the open position (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), the hook portion  28  can be hooked onto a king pin, to facilitate pulling the pin. The protruded portion  30  can be used to push onto a king pin, or for any other use where pushing is desired. The cleft area  68  between the hook portion  28  and the protruded portion  30  can also be used to push a king pin, by wedging the pin in this space. 
     Arm portion  26  as shown comprises a magnetic end  46  at the protruded portion. This way, the protruded portion can be used to pick up metallic objects, such as nails, screws, keys, etc., that may have fallen into small holes or gaps, or under the tractor or trailer. 
     Arm portion  26  also comprises a light  62 , as shown, an array of light emitting diodes. This light  62  enables the user to see exactly where the arm portion  26  is pointed. The light  62  can be turned on or off from the grip portion  24  using light switch  64 . 
       FIG. 10  shows an example tool having a power supply  110  within the grip portion  24  for powering the light  62 .  FIG. 11  shows an example tool having a power supply  110  within the handle portion  50  for powering the light  62 . 
     The elongate members  22  can be locked in the open position, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The elongate members  22  are shown locked in the open position using a friction fit, meaning that the elongate members  22  each taper slightly and can be forced into a locked position by pulling hard as a user moves from the closed position to the open position. Protruded portion  30  can also therefore be used to unlock the elongate members; by holding the grip portion  24  and hitting the protruded portion  30  against a hard object, the elongate members  22  collapse into one another. Elongate members  22  can also be locked into an open position using any other means, such as a tongue and groove system (as illustrated for example in  FIG. 8 ). Another means for locking the elongate members in an open position include one or more ball bearings biased to protrude from each of the elongate members, and a hole in the next elongate member, such that the ball bearing fits into the hole when in position. Such a means would require either pressure on the elongate members to displace the ball bearing, or pressure on the ball bearings themselves. Optionally, the ball bearings can be connected internally by a wire or spring to facilitate closure of the telescoping members into the closed position by releasing the ball bearings from the apertures simultaneously, for example by pushing one button connected to all of the ball bearings in this manner. Another possible means includes a twist lock mechanism, where, after extending each elongate member, the member must be twisted to lock it onto the next elongate member. 
     The elongate members  22  can also be locked in a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Locking mechanism  34  comprises a screw  36  located on the grip end  56  of the elongate member  22  closest to the arm portion  26 , and a bolt  38  located inside the first elongate member  52 , proximal to the grip portion  24 . Once the elongate members  22  are collapsed, the screw  36  can be screwed onto the bolt  38 , to lock the elongate members  22  in a closed position. The positions of screw  36  and bolt  38  can be reversed without changing the essence of the invention. To facilitate engaging screw  36  onto bolt  38  is provided screw guide  48  a set of curved protrusions that aid in pointing the screw  36  towards bolt  38 . Other means for locking in a closed position can be used, for example, similar to the means described above for locking the elongate members in an open position. Yet other means for locking or biasing in a closed position may include a magnetic means, for example, having a magnet in the inside of the grip portion  24  that would connect with a second magnet on the grip portion end of the elongate member  22  most distal to grip portion  24 . When closed, the magnetic force exerted between the magnets would bias the tool in the closed position; additional force would be required to open the tool to disrupt the force of the magnets. 
       FIG. 9  shows an example tool having a magnet  105  inside the grip portion  24  for exerting a magnetic force on at least one of the elongate members  22  to bias the elongate central portion  20  in the closed position. 
     As would be readily evident to a person skilled in the art, by locking certain elongate members  22  in a collapsed position, and other elongate members  22  in an extended position, one can also provide a tool with a length somewhere between the open position and the closed position. In certain embodiments, this can also be achieved by creating an intermediate locking mechanism, where the elongate members  22  are partially collapsed into one another. 
       FIG. 3  shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3A  shows the locking mechanism for locking elongate members  22  into closed position in greater detail, including screw  36 , bolt  38 , and elongate members  22 .  FIG. 3B  shows the shape of the grip portion  24 , as seen from above.  FIG. 3C  shows the shape of the hammer head  32 .  FIG. 3D  shows a shape for handle  50 , whereas  FIG. 3E  shows an alternative design for arm portion  26 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show an open and closed configuration, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, light  62  is located on the grip portion  24 , instead of on the arm portion  26 . Also shown is an alternative shape for the grip portion  24 , and alternative positioning of light switch  64 . Also shown is an alternative embodiment of arm portion  26 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the closed configuration locking mechanism  34 , including screw guide  48 , in greater detail. As can be seen, elongate member  22  has a screw end  36 , and screw guide  48 , which helps guide handle  50  to the right position, to allow affixing of screw end  36  onto bolt (not shown). 
       FIG. 7  shows an alternative configuration of the closed configuration locking mechanism. A pin  68  is located on the elongate member  22  most proximal to the arm portion  26 . The pin  68  can be fed into notch  72 , located on first elongate member  52 , and, by twisting the arm portion  26  relative to the first elongate member  52 , can be locked into the closed position due to biasing means, shown as compression spring  74 .  FIG. 7  also shows a shield  70  which can be used to help align the elongate members  22  in the closed position, and can provide a seal so that, when in the closed position, dirt and dust is shielded from entering the hollow portion of first elongate member  52 . 
     The shield  70  can also provide an alternative locking mechanism for locking the tool in the closed configuration. In this alternative locking mechanism, the shield  70  is threaded, and can screw into the end of the first elongate member  52 . 
     While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims. All cited documents are herein incorporated by reference thereto.