Abstract:
A combination tool includes a first tool part and a second tool part. The first tool part includes a first cylindrical member connected to a handle. The said first cylindrical member has a pair of ends, at least one of which is formed to define at least a partial socket. The handle has a longitudinal bore with an open end. The second tool part includes a first rod that is insertable in the bore of the handle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 09/454,662, filed Dec. 3, 1999, titled MULTI-SOCKET SKATEBOARD TOOL U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,897. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a hand tool that is useful in the adjusting, repairing and/or replacing of parts on skateboards. More specifically, the present invention relates to a skateboard tool having variously-sized sockets, a bottle opener, screwdriver, and hex key. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Skateboards are well known and currently used by individuals for purposes of exercise, recreation and competition. Various skateboard designs are known in the art. Traditional skateboards typically comprise a longitudinally elongated platform or deck having on the bottom surface two straight axles positioned transversely across each end of the deck. The axles are mounted to the bottom surface of the platform by a truck. Wheels mounted on the ends of the axles provide a motive base. 
     There are a variety of commercially available wheels, decks and trucks. In addition to there being a number of truck manufacturers, there are a number of different types and designs of trucks that are used for different skateboarding conditions. For example, there may be a truck type that is particularly adapted to a certain riding mode (e.g., stairs, railings, bowls, spines or pipes) that is unsuitable for other courses or riding modes. This is due in part to the tightness or softness of the truck pivoting assembly, the size of the truck, and the type of wheels. Trucks also generally have a tightness adjustment so that the same truck can be tightened up to require more turning force. Thus, the same trucks can be used to cover a range of skateboarding conditions. 
     However, despite the fact that trucks are generally adjustable, a competition rider may have several truck sets that he or she will switch on and off of the board during the course of the various events in a typical skateboarding competition. Additionally, the rider typically needs to periodically adjust the tension on the truck, and tighten any nuts or bolts that may loosen during use. Also, in order to keep their boards in good working order, skateboarders must periodically replace worn out parts, such as wheels and wheel beatings, so that their skateboards may continue to function properly. 
     Nuts and bolts of various sizes are used for adjusting the truck, securing the truck to the board and for securing the wheels onto the ends of the axles. These nuts and bolts often have limited accessibility (i.e., are in tight spaces) and, thus, can be very difficult and cumbersome to loosen or remove using traditional pliers or wrenches. Even dedicated skateboard tools that are currently available are not ideal in this respect. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses the foregoing needs by providing a skateboard tool comprising a rod on which are mounted two or three variously sized sockets. Preferably, the truck fastener socket of the instant tool is not necessarily aligned with the rod. Rather, the truck fastener socket may be oriented at an appropriate angle, such that the rod extends outward diagonally when the socket is fitted over a truck fastener and is free from significant interference from the above-described lip or overhang. In addition, the skateboard tool optionally includes means for removing a bottle cap (e.g., a cut-away portion useful as a bottle opener). 
     Furthermore, the tool includes storage capability for another, smaller tool. A hollow inner portion in the rod and an indentation in one of the sockets allows an L-shaped rod to be stored within the skateboard tool. The L-shaped rod may have a screwdriver at one end and a hex key at the other end. The L-shaped rod also has an o-ring around a portion of it, which allows the L-shaped rod to fit snugly within the rest of the skateboard tool. 
     The third socket is preferably hexagonal and approximately ⅜″, so as to be useful as a truck fastener socket. In a preferred embodiment, the first, second and third sockets have different sizes. In one embodiment, the three sockets are hexagonal and the size of the third socket is approximately ⅜″ and the sizes of the first and second sockets are, in either order, approximately ½″ and approximately {fraction (9/16)}″. 
     The tool preferably comprises a metal or a metal alloy, such as a steel or steel alloy. The tool may be one-piece (i.e., integral), such as where the tool is cast metal or metal alloy. Alternatively, the tool may be made up of two or more parts that are welded or braised, or otherwise bonded,fitted or attached together. For example, in certain embodiments, one or more of the first, second or third socket heads can be mounted to the rod by welding. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a skateboard tool of the present invention, showing an L-shaped tool separated from a socket tool according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken generally along line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1, showing the L-shaped tool inserted. into the socket tool according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawings, a skateboard tool according to the present invention is designated generally by the numeral  11 . Skateboard tool  11  includes a combination socket wrench and bottle cap opener  13  and an L-shaped key tool  15 . 
     Key tool  15  is preferably formed of bent hexagonal bar stock and it includes a first leg  17  and a second leg  19 . The end of first leg  17  is formed to define a Philips head screw drive  21 . The end of second leg  19  is formed to define a hexagonal Allen drive  23 . First, leg  17  forms a lever arm for applying torque to Allen drive  23 . Similarly, second leg  19  forms a lever arm for applying torque to Philips head screw drive  21 . First leg  17  includes a circular groove which contains an O ring  25 . As indicated in FIG.  1  and as shown in FIG. 2, key tool  15  is insertable into socket tool  13 . As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, other tools, such as flat blade and Torx™ drives, may be substituted for drives  21  and  23 . 
     Socket tool  13  includes a first cylinder  31  connected to a handle  33 . A second cylinder  35  is connected to handle  33  opposite first cylinder  31 . First cylinder  31  has ends that are formed to define a first socket  37  and a second socket  39 . Sockets  37  and  39  are preferably hexagonal in shape and they are sized to fit common skateboard nuts, such as ½″ and {fraction (0/16)}″ nuts. One end of second cylinder  35  is formed to define a third socket  41 , which is sized to fit a common skateboard nut, such as a ⅜″ nut. Preferably, the angle between the handle  33  and cylinder  35  is between 90 degrees and about 135 degrees. This range of angles permits the third socket head  41  to access a truck fastener without significant interference with lips or overhangs found on many contemporary skateboard truck designs. More preferably the angle is about 95 degrees and 110 degrees, and, most preferably, between about 100 degrees and about 105 degrees. 
     According to the present invention, a bottle cap opener  43  is formed in cylinder  41  between sockets  37  and  39 . As best shown in FIG. 2, bottle cap opener  43  includes a V-shaped notch and a hook portion  45 . Hook portion  45  is adapted to engage the lower end of bottle cap when key tool  15  is removed. The bottle cap is moved by lifting handle  33 . 
     As best shown in FIG. 2, handle  33  includes an elongated bore  47  that is adapted to contain first leg  17  of key  15 . As best shown in FIG. 1, cylinder  31  includes an elongated slot  49  for containing second leg  19  of key  15  when first leg  17  is inserted into bore  47 . As shown in FIG. 2, O-ring  25  forms an interference fit with bore  47 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, leg  17  stays snugly contained within bore  47  and leg  19  is contained within slot  49  of cylinder  31 . Thus tool  11  according to the present invention provides five skateboard tools and a bottle cap opener in one neat compact arrangement. In use, key  15  may be removed so that drives  21  and  23  may be used. Sockets  37 ,  39 , and  41  may be used to loosen or tighten nuts or bolts of various sizes. Finally, bottle cap opener  43  may be used to open bottles. 
     The specific socket head sizes and drive types described are, of course, merely provided for example. Other appropriate socket sizes and drive types may be used within the scope of the present invention. The skilled artisan will be able to determine which socket sizes and drive types are desired by skateboard users depending on the most common nut and bolt sizes used on commercially available skateboards. The socket and drive sizes may be standardized to either English or Metric dimensions, as appropriate. Also, while the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings includes hexagonal sockets, other socket shapes patterns and configurations (including, for example, star patterns) can be used in accordance with the present invention. The skateboard tool of the present invention can be conveniently carried with the skater while he or she skateboards, since the tool is compact and generally flat. This allows the skater the freedom to do repairs on the spot, as well as to adjust the truck assembly and to change wheels or wheel bearings at any desired time. Also, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the use as a skateboard to is preferred, but the tool may be used in other environments to tighten or loosen nuts, bolts, screws, and the like. 
     Although the present invention has thus been described in detail with regard to certain preferred embodiments, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various adaptations and modifications of the present invention maybe accomplished without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description as set forth above is not intended to limit the breadth of the present invention, which is instead defined by the appended claims and their appropriately construed legal equivalents.