Abstract:
A multitool for a firearm provides a frame adapted for storage within a handgrip cavity of a firearm and a plurality of tools rotatably mounted to the frame to move from within the frame to extending from the frame as a result of being rotatably mounted, wherein the plurality of tools are adapted for use to rehabilitate the firearm under predetermined malfunction conditions.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/353,808, filed Jan. 14, 2009, entitled FIREARM MULTITOOL, which in turn claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/116,960, filed Nov. 21, 2008, entitled FIREARM MULTITOOL, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to tools used to work on firearms, and in particular to such tools which can be carried within the firearm. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The proper operation of a military firearm is of critical importance in combat situations. Unfortunately, a variety of firearm malfunctions can occur that render the firearm useless until repairs can be performed, and these repairs typically include the use of proper tools. 
   In view of the above importance of performing necessary repairs on an inoperative firearm, it would be beneficial to have ready and useful access to a collection of tools suitable for correcting several different types of firearm malfunctions. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One embodiment of the present invention provides a multitool for a firearm, comprising: a frame adapted for storage within a handgrip cavity of a firearm; and a plurality of tools rotatably mounted to the frame to move from within the frame to extending from the frame, wherein the plurality of tools are adapted for use to rehabilitate a firearm under predetermined malfunction conditions. 
   The plurality of tools may include a carbon scraper and a broken shell extractor. The frame may include a gun site adjustment feature. The frame may include a slot feature sized to engage sheet metal on a firearm magazine to facilitate bending of the sheet metal. The plurality of tools may be rotatably mounted to extend from the frame at a sufficient angle to significantly increase leverage which may be applied from the handle to each of the plurality of tools. One or more of the plurality of tools may be suitable for similar usage with a companion firearm such as a hand gun, while the frame is adapted for location within the grip of a rifle. 
   The multitool may further comprise a base member connected to the frame and located to extend from a handgrip cavity when the frame is stored therein and further adapted to enable removal of the frame from the cavity. The multitool may further comprise an elastic member located between the frame in the base member and adapted to extend outward under compression between the frame and the base member to engage sides of a handgrip cavity for retaining the frame therein. The frame may include a mechanism controllable through the base member and adapted to extend outwardly from the frame to engage sides of a handgrip cavity. The base may be adapted to rotate to facilitate removal of the frame from the cavity. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention is illustratively shown and described in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  shows a side view of a firearm multitool constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the multitool of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  shows a different perspective view of the multitool of  FIG. 2  having its tools extending therefrom; 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a firearm multitool constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the parts of the firearm multitool of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the firearm multitool of  FIGS. 4 and 5  having tools extending therefrom; 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the firearm multitool of  FIGS. 4-6  partially inserted into a standard firearm handgrip; and 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of the firearm multitool of  FIG. 7  fully inserted into the standard handgrip. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  shows a multitool  10  adapted for storage within the handgrip of a rifle. Multitool  10  generally includes a frame  12  and a base  14 . Multitool  10  is adapted for such storage by being shaped to properly fit within a handgrip cavity while using the available space to its advantage. Thus, the sides of frame  12  are canted with respect to base  14  in the general shape of a firearm handgrip. A slot  16  and a gun sight adjustment tool  18  are integrally constructed in frame  12 . 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view of multitool  10  showing a first cavity  20  within which are located a screwdriver  22  and a carbon scraper  24 . Screwdriver  22  and scraper  24  all are rotatably mounted by screw  26  to frame  12 . Slot  16  is sized to allow the sheet metal from a cartridge magazine to fit within slot  16  to allow multitool  10  to be used for bending the sheet metal. Cartridge magazines are commonly bent or damaged around the shell opening and having the proper bend on that sheet metal can easily effect functionality of a firearm. 
     FIG. 3  shows another perspective view of multitool  10  having cavity  28  into which a brush  29  and a broken shell extractor  30  are adapted to be partially located. Extractor  30  is rotationally mounted to frame  12  by screw  32 .  FIG. 3  also shows screwdriver  22  and scraper  24  extending from frame  12  as well as a better view of gun sight adjustment tool  18 . The extended position of each tool allows frame  10  to be used for exerting additional torque or leverage in the use of each tool. 
     FIGS. 1-3  also show a retention system for securing multitool  10  into a standard hand grip. Located adjacent the frame  12  and constructed as part of base  14  are a pair of moveable members  40 ,  42  which are adapted for sliding expansion in the direction of their respective arrows  41 ,  43 , to extend from multitool  10  and provide for its retention. This expansion of members  40 ,  42  is caused by wedge member  44 , which forces members  40 ,  42  apart as wedge  44  is pulled closer to base  14 . This pulling may be accomplished by any suitable means, such as a screw  46 , accessible from the bottom of base  14 . With multitool  10  located within a standard hand grip, the pulling of wedge member  44  towards base  14  causes either one or both of members  40 ,  42  to extend from multitool  10  and press against the insides of the hand grip. To retract multitool  10  from a hand grip, wedge member  44  is released to allow members  40 ,  42  to be retracted and disengage the inside of the hand grip. Simple fore and aft pressure on base  14  in the direction of respective arrows  41 ,  43  is sufficient to ensure the proper retraction of members  40 ,  42 , once wedge member  44  is released. The head of screw  46  may take the form of a thumbscrew or other form not requiring a tool. 
     FIGS. 4 and 6  show perspective views of a firearm multitool  50  constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5  shows the parts of multitool  50  in an exploded condition. Multitool  50  includes a pair of frame-halves  52 ,  54  that are interconnected by three axial spacers  56 ,  58 ,  60 , each secured by rivets or screws  62  passing through frame-halves  52 ,  54 . Frame-halves  52 ,  54  function as opposing grips for multitool  50 . 
   Axial spacers  56 ,  58 ,  60  maintain the spacing between frame-halves  52 ,  54  while providing rotational axles for the various tools that are rotatably mounted thereto. A brush  64  is adapted for mounting on spacer  56 . Also, a cartridge extractor  66  is adapted for rotational mounting on spacer  58 , and both screwdriver  68  and scraper  70  are adapted for mounting on spacer  60 . Also intended from location on spacer  60  is a separation spring  72  to facilitate independent rotation of both screwdriver  68  and scraper  70 . 
   When frame-halves  52 ,  54  are secured together, a nut  74  is simultaneously retained in a separate complementary recess  76  in each of the frame-halves  52 ,  54 . Nut  74  is used for the attachment of a base assembly  78  to frame-halves  52 ,  54 . Base assembly  78  includes a retention screw  80 , a base member  82 , a base collar  84  and a flexible O-ring  86 . When frame-halves  52 ,  54  are assembled, they provide a circumferential flange  88  which extends around the bottom of frame-halves  53 ,  54 . Flange  88  includes a lip  90  against which O-ring  86  is located. Collar  84  is also located around flange  88  and contacts the bottom of O-ring  86 . Base member  82  contacts base collar  84 , and retention screw  80  passes through base member  82  to engage nut  74 . The action of retention screw  80  forces collar  84  against O-ring  86 , causing compressive lateral expansion thereof. This lateral expansion of O-ring  86  is sufficient to engage the sides of a firearm handgrip cavity and retain multitool  50  within the handgrip. 
     FIG. 7  shows the multitool  50  partially inserted into a standard firearm handgrip  94 , which can be an A2 Pistol grip for the M16/M4 Weapons System.  FIG. 8  shows the multitool  50  fully inserted into handgrip  94 . In this position, base member  82  still extends from handgrip  94  and can thereby be accessed to enable the extraction of multitool  50  from handgrip  94 . In different embodiments, base  82  may be adapted to rotate to extend laterally from handgrip  94  and enable greater leverage to be applied for the extraction of multitool  50 . The rotation of bases  82  and  14  may also function to loosen their respective screws  80  and  46 . 
   In the manner described above, the present invention may be used for servicing a firearm in several ways that can rehabilitate a serious malfunction. Thus, the present invention can play a critical role in maintaining the usefulness of a firearm, and the ability to store multitool within a standard handgrip for a firearm makes the multitool readily and always available for use with the firearm. In the case of companion firearms, such as certain rifle and handgun combinations, a single multitool may be constructed to service both weapons. 
   The present invention is illustratively described above in reference to the disclosed embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made to the disclosed embodiments by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.