Abstract:
The invention is a compact multiple function tool for use with computer systems made of a housing having a front plate and a back plate and an overall length of less than three inches, separated by interior plates connected by pivots and a unit of numerous implements including a miniature flashlight, a chip puller, a first screwdriver having a small Phillips head with a length less than two inches, a second screwdriver forming a small flat head with a length less than two inches, a continuity tester with a miniature indicator light, a miniature wire stripper, a miniature crimper, and a laptop case cracker, wherein the implements are pivotally coupled to the housing and the miniature flashlight is positioned on the front plate of the tool.

Description:
The present application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/510,061, filed on Oct. 9, 2003. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to the field of multiple function compound tools, and in particular to a tool for working on computers and computer systems adapted for use in conjunction with a briefcase and similar business travel accessories. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   On occasion, travelers have a need for various computer tools and other implements to address diverse computer situations. For example, business travelers typically use timepieces and writing implements in order to conduct business, for example, in meetings and conferences. Further, business travelers may need eyeglass repair implements in the event that one must repair one&#39;s eyeglasses in order to conduct business. 
   While such implements may typically be small in size for ease of carrying and of use, it is cumbersome to carry multiple individual implements in one&#39;s attire and/or carrying cases, particularly in the case of computer tools that can become heavy. 
   Furthermore, the small size of such implements, when separated, may also cause such tools to be difficult to locate in a carrying case or in one&#39;s attire, including one&#39;s pockets. Alternatively, multiple implements such as continuity testers have to be safely stored so as not to be broken. However, such connected combinations of individual and disparate implements may be unwieldy to manipulate and store in one&#39;s attire or carrying cases. 
   Compound, multiple function tools having foldable and/or retractable tools are known in the art. Such tools may be pivoted into and out of a predetermined channel within at least one handle of the combination tool for selective use. For example, Leatherman U.S. Pat. No. 4,238,862 describes a pocket multiple tool having an initially folded compact shape which folds out to produce a pair of pliers as well as a nail file, miniature scissors, a permanently magnetized Phillips-type screwdriver, a bottle opener, and small and medium screwdriver bits. Also, Schaub U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,045 describes a modular pocketknife having electronic components such as a display and entry keyboards as well as a radio receiver. McIntosh U.S. Pat. No. 5,313,376 has a multipurpose knife with an attachable flashlight. Also, “SWISS ARMY” knives are available, for example, through catalog sales such as “NORM THOMPSON” which have a combination of golf tools, knife, bottle opener, screwdriver, and removable tweezers and toothpick. 
   However, although combination tools may provide a variety of different implements, the user is generally limited by the tools that are available from a given combination tool for a primary purpose of the tool. For instance, many of such compounds, multiple function tools are general-purpose tools, primarily adapted for non-business travel, such as camping and hiking and certainly not for computer component use. For example, cutting implements and eating implements are typically provided such as knives and can openers. 
   Current combination tools do not have the appropriate tools for business travelers who are in the computer repair and network servicing businesses and these do not address the specific needs that may occur to the everyday information technology person. 
   Further, a business information technology traveler may require such business-oriented implements, but may not have the space on one&#39;s person to carry many of such implements. Miniature versions of individual business-oriented implements have the deficiencies described above; that is, such miniature versions may be easy to misplace or lose, and combinations of individual implements may be unwieldy. 
   Accordingly, there has been a long felt need for business-oriented tools that are sufficiently compact to fit into a briefcase and/or other business travel accessories, such as a purse, a travel bag, a pocket, a glove compartment of a vehicle, a pouch worn about one&#39;s waist or other portions of the body, 
   Current combination tools have not provided such combinations of business-oriented tools in a compact form for carrying within such business travel accessories. A need exists for such small tools. 
   This tool meets these needs. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters represent like elements, as follows: 
       FIG. 1  is a view of a front plate cover. 
       FIG. 2  is a detail of the first longitudinal side of the invention showing the interior plates. 
       FIG. 3  is a detail of the back view of the invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of a chip puller used in the invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view showing how a screwdriver of the invention is mounted to the body of the tool. 
       FIG. 6  is a view of a second cover plate of the invention with certain tools deployed. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   While this invention has been described with emphasis on the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention might be practiced other than as specifically described herein. 
   It is recognized herein that, for many diverse business-oriented travel needs, a multiple function combination tool may be implemented which provides the versatility of use for business travel purposes, and which has a compact and reduced size to fit within a briefcase and/or other business travel accessories. 
   Current combination tools have not provided such combinations of business-oriented tools in a compact form for carrying within such business travel accessories. A need exists for such small tools and this tool meets these needs. 
   The advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that illustrate, by way of example, features of the present invention. 
   In the following detailed description, like reference numerals will be used to refer to the corresponding elements in the different figures of the drawings. 
   With reference to the Figures,  FIG. 1  is a first embodiment of a multi-purpose tool  10  formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The Multi-purpose tool  10  has a plurality of additional tools coupled thereto for performing various functions associated with repair of computer equipment, maintenance of networks, and repair and installation of communication equipment such as laptops, fax machines, cash registers, bar scanners, credit card terminals, and the like. 
   The multi-purpose tool comprises a housing  12  configured to house various combinations of tools and implements that are useful in connection with repair, installation, and maintenance of computer networks, computers, and related equipment. 
   In a preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  there is a front cover plate  22 , a housing  12  is formed with a plurality of recesses shaped to receive the tools or implements to be housed by the housing  12 . For example, a chip puller  14  can be mounted in the housing  12  in a recess  13  and the chip puller can slide out of the recess. Recess  13  is a generally cylindrical opening into which a chip puller  14  can be generally stored. In  FIG. 1 , the ends of the housed chip puller are shown slightly extended. A first screwdriver having a small Phillips head  16  can each be pivotably mounted to the housing. A second screwdriver having a small flat head  18  can also be mounted in the housing  12 . The length of the small Phillips head  16  and the small flat head  18  is less that 2 inches. Also shown in the figure is a first longitudinal side  30  and second longitudinal side  32 . Housing  12  has a first end  40  and a second end  42 . Preferably, these ends have rounded corners. The length of the tool is less than 3 inches from first end  40  to second end  42 . 
   A continuity tester  31  with an miniature indicator light  41  is secured to the housing  12 . In one embodiment the tester includes a first retractable wire  33  and a second retractable wire  35 . Each wire has a contact. First contact  37  is for first retractable wire  33  and second contact  39  is for second retractable wire  35 . The contacts connect to the second miniature indicator light  99  to indicate signal continuity in a part or circuit to be tested. 
     FIG. 2  shows a side view of the invention showing that the housing  12  preferably includes a front cover plate  22  and a back cover plate  24 , each of which is preferably elongated, with a generally rectangular cross section. The first longitudinal side  30  includes a longitudinal openings  34 . The longitudinal openings  34  shown in  FIG. 2  have recesses  36 ,  36   a ,  36   b ,  36   c ,  36   d , within housing  12  in which one or more implements or tools may be stored. Similarly, longitudinal side  32  has a second recess that is not shown similar to the first recess  36 . 
   Housing  12  may include a number of additional plates  45 ,  47 ,  49 ,  51  interposed between respective front and back cover plates  22 ,  24 . These plates  45 ,  47 ,  49 , and  51  are cross-sectional shapes such that housing  12  includes the respective recesses  36 ,  36   a ,  36   b ,  36   c , and  36   d  for receiving implements, as described in greater detail below. The respective cover plates  22 ,  24  of housing  12  are preferably joined together by rivets and have spacers between the plates  48 ,  53 ,  55 ,  57 ,  59  where the rivets extend through the respective cover plates  22 ,  24  and any additional plates there between. Some of the rivets, in addition to securely holding the plates together, serve as pivot pins for various pivotably mounted implements, as described below. The rivets that do not serve as pivot pins can be 2.5 mm in diameter, but preferably 4 mm in diameter to provide additional strength for the pivotable mounting. 
   The first screwdriver  16  preferably is pivotably mounted to the housing  12  via a rivet  48 ,  53 ,  55 ,  57 , or  59 . Rotation of the screwdriver  16  about its pivot pin  59  permits selective orientation of screwdriver  16  for use. The second screwdriver  18  not shown in  FIG. 2  can be pivotably mounted in the same fashion to housing  12 . 
     FIG. 3  depicts the back cover plate  24  of the tool. The tool can include a miniature flashlight  20 . The miniature flashlight  20  can have a compartment  80  for receiving a battery  82 . It is expected that the miniature flashlight and the battery are oriented with respect to each other such that the longitudinal axis of a bulb  28  provided in the miniature flashlight is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of battery  82 . 
   A wire stripper  123  is an implement usable with this invention. It is preferred that the wire stripper be for 24 gage or smaller wire. A crimper  86  is adapted for Ethernet and telephone cable crimping. A laptop case cracker  88  is included and contemplated as a implement for this tool. 
   Additionally, an Ethernet connector tester  90  with a connector  92  having a first lead  94  and a second lead  96  and a light indicator  98  for indicating a working Ethernet connection can be built into the tool for indicating a working circuit. It is preferred that the light indicator would be an LED light. A preferred connector would be the well-known RJ45 connector. It is preferred that the connector tester be pivotably coupled to the tool such that pivoting of the tester away from the tool permits access to the connector interior. A password mnemonic  200  can be mounted on the back cover of the tool. Additionally the device can have a cable pin insertion device  202  that can fold into one of the recesses. 
   Returning to the miniature flashlight shown in  FIG. 3 , the miniature flashlight can include a miniature flashlight actuator  212  arranged for activating and deactivating the miniature flashlight. 
     FIG. 4  shows the chip puller used in the invention. In a preferred embodiment, a chip puller  14  containable in recess  13  shown in  FIG. 1 . The chip puller  14  has a form similar to a pair of tweezers with hooks  100 ,  102  on the end. Generally, the chip puller is a pseudo-cylindrical shape when in the closed position. In an alternative embodiment, the chip puller could be pivotably mounted to the interior of the housing  12  for rotation from the recesses  36 . 
     FIG. 5  is a side view showing how a screwdriver  16  of the invention with a slot  149  for attaching to the plate, using a rivet through the slot  149 . 
     FIG. 6  shows the tool can include a removable implement, such as a writing implement  56 . In this embodiment, the tool would have a slot  206  with an opening  208  for storing the writing implement, shown in  FIG. 6 . 
   It is also contemplated that the tool could include additional deployable implements pivotably secured to the tool that is at least one of the group consisting of a cutting blade  210  and a cap lifter  212 . The invention also contemplates having pivotably mounted a third screwdriver forming a large flat head  214  and a torx screwdriver  216 . 
   While a multi-purpose tool formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is particularly shown and described herein with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention may be used with many additions, substitutions, or modifications of form, structure, arrangement, proportions, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For instance, various other tools or other implements, such as an Allen Type, hex key-wrench or a clock or timing device, may be provided. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, and not limited to the foregoing description. 
   While this invention has been described with emphasis on the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention might be practiced other than as specifically described herein.