Patent Publication Number: US-10328561-B1

Title: Companion multi-tool

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Provisional Applic. No. 62/332,697, filed on May 6, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention generally relates to hand tools. More particularly, the invention relates to multi-function hand tools. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When performing various recreational activities such as hiking and camping, it is often necessary to perform certain tasks that require tools such as cutting objects, starting a fire and identifying a direction of travel. However, when hiking and camping, it is often necessary to the person to carry such tools with him or her. As such, it is desired for the tools carried while hiking and camping to have as many functions as possible while being as light and easy to transport as possible. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the invention is directed to a companion multi-tool that includes an elongated body, a blade sharpening cavity, a sharpening element, a tinder material, a flint material, a noise generating material and a clip. The elongated body has a first end and a second end. The blade sharpening cavity is formed in the elongated body proximate the first end thereof. The sharpening element is attached to the elongated body in the blade sharpening cavity. The tinder material is attached to the elongated body. The flint material is attached to the elongated body. The noise generating device is formed in the elongated body proximate the second end thereof. The clip is attached to the elongated body intermediate the first and second ends. 
     Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a companion multi-tool that includes an elongated body, a blade sharpening cavity, a sharpening element, a tinder material, a flint material and a noise generating device. The elongated body has a first end and a second end. The elongated body has a first edge surface and a second edge surface that both extend between the first and second ends of the elongated body on opposite edges of the elongated body. The first and second edge surfaces each include a first end region, a second end region and a recessed region. The first end region is proximate the first end. The second end region is proximate the second end. The recessed region is between the first and second end regions. The recessed region is recessed below at least one of the first and second end regions. The blade sharpening cavity is formed in the elongated body proximate the first end thereof. The sharpening element is attached to the elongated body in the blade sharpening cavity. The tinder material is pivotally attached to the elongated body on the first edge surface. The flint material is pivotally attached to the elongated body on the second edge surface. The noise generating device is formed in the elongated body proximate the second end thereof. The respective tinder and flint material is recessed below the first and second end regions when in a retracted configuration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and together with the description serve to explain principles of embodiments. Other embodiments and many of the intended advantages of embodiments will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a companion multi-tool according to an embodiment of the invention with a tinder material and a flint material in a retracted configuration. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the companion multi-tool. 
         FIG. 3  is a back view of the companion multi-tool. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the companion multi-tool. 
         FIG. 5  is a first end view of the companion multi-tool. 
         FIG. 6  is a second end view of the companion multi-tool. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the companion multi-tool with the tinder material and the flint material in an extended configuration. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the companion multi-tool with the tinder material and the flint material in the extended configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In various embodiments, a companion multi-tool is disclosed. The companion multi-tool includes a body defining a predetermined thickness extending between an upper longitudinal surface and a lower longitudinal surface. The body defines a sharpening cavity at a first end. 
     A sharpener is operatively disposed within the sharpening cavity. The sharpening cavity is sized and configured to receive a blade therein. The body further defines a first longitudinal cavity extending from a first side of the body into the body and a second longitudinal cavity extending from a second side of the body into the body. A fire-starting tinder material is disposed in the first longitudinal cavity and a flint is disposed in the second longitudinal cavity. In some embodiments, a second end of a body defines a whistle. 
       FIGS. 1-6  illustrate an embodiment of a companion multi-tool  2 . The companion multi-tool  2  includes a body  4  defining an upper longitudinal surface  6  and a lower longitudinal surface  8 . The body  4  has a predetermined thickness between the upper longitudinal surface  6  and the lower longitudinal surface  8 . 
     In some embodiments, the thickness of the body  4  is selected to accommodate one or more accessories coupled thereto. The body  4  can include any suitable regular and/or irregular body shape, such as, for example, a geometric shape. 
     In some embodiments, a first end  10  of the body  4  defines a sharpener cavity  12 . The sharpener cavity  12  is sized and configured to receive a blade therein. For example, the sharpener cavity  12  can be sized and configured to receive a knife blade, an axe blade, a hatchet blade, and/or any other suitable blade. In some embodiments, the sharpener cavity  12  is configured to receive irregular blades, such as curved blades, therein. 
     A sharpening element  14  is disposed within the sharpener cavity  12  and positioned to sharpen a blade passed through the sharpening cavity  12 . Although a single sharpener cavity  12  having a single sharpening element  14  is illustrated, it will be appreciated that the body  4  can define any number of sharpening cavities containing any number of sharpening elements  14  therein. 
     Proximate the first end  10 , the elongated body  4  may include an end surface  80  that is intermediate a first end edge surface  82  and a second end edge surface  84 . The first and second end edge surfaces  82 ,  84  are both oriented at an obtuse angle with respect to the end surface  80 . In certain embodiments, the obtuse angle is between about 90 degrees and about 135 degrees. 
     Orienting the first end edge surface  82  at an angle that is different than the second end edge surface  84  may be useful in assisting a person using the sharpening element  14  to remember a preferred direction in which the blade is moved with respect to the sharpening element  14  during the sharpening process. While it is illustrated that the angle between the end surface  80  and the first end edge surface  82  is different than the angle between the end surface  80  and the second end edge surface  84 , it is possible for these angles to be the same. 
     Orienting the first and second end edge surfaces  82 ,  84  at an obtuse angle with respect to the end surface  80  enhances the ability of the person to position a blade that is being sharpened using the sharpening element  14  in a wide range of angles with respect to the companion multi-tool  2 . Contact of the blade with surfaces on the companion multi-tool  2  other than the sharpening element  14  may not only impede the sharpening process but also could damage the blade that is being sharpened. 
     Such a configuration facilitates mounting the sharpening element  14  at a recessed location in the companion multi-tool  2  so that the sharpening element  14  is not inadvertently contacted while the companion multi-tool  2  is stored or while other functionality of the companion multi-tool  2  is being used. 
     In some embodiments, the body  4  defines one or more longitudinal cavities along at least one of the first and second sides  18 ,  20  thereof. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the body  4  includes a first longitudinal cavity extending from a first longitudinal side  18  of the body  4  and a second longitudinal cavity extending from a second longitudinal side  20  of the body  4 . 
     The longitudinal cavities are sized and configured to receive at least a portion of one or more accessory elements therein. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a tinder material  22  is received within the first longitudinal cavity and a flint material  24  is received within the second longitudinal cavity. The tinder material  22  can be any material configured for starting and/or assisting in starting a fire, such as, for example, magnesium. 
     The flint material  24  can be any material configured to provide a spark when struck with a striker (see  FIG. 2B ), such as, for example, a ferrocerite material. In some embodiments, the body  4  defines a replacement notch sized and configured to allow removal and/or insertion of one or more accessory elements inserted into the longitudinal cavities. 
     Proximate the intersection of the tinder material  22  and the body  4 , an extension may extend from the surface of the tinder material  22 . The extension may enhance the ability to move the tinder material  22  from the retracted configuration ( FIGS. 1-6 ) to the extended configuration ( FIGS. 7-8 ). 
     Proximate the intersection of the flint material  24  and the body  4 , an extension may extend from the surface of the flint material  24 . The extension may enhance the ability to move the flint material  24  from the retracted configuration ( FIGS. 1-6 ) to the extended configuration ( FIGS. 7-8 ). 
     The longitudinal cavities can include one or more additional and/or alternative accessories coupled thereto/located therein. For example, in various embodiments, accessories can include a scraper, a serrated blade, a knife blade, a fish gutter, one or more screwdrivers, fishing line, a sharpening stick, and/or any other suitable accessories. 
     The first side  18  includes a first side end region  19 , a second side end region  21  and a side recessed region  23 . The first side end region  19  is proximate the first end  10 . The second side end region  21  is proximate the second end  28 . The side recessed region  23  is between the first and second side end regions  19 ,  21 . The side recessed region  23  is recessed below at least one of the first and second side end region  19 ,  21 . In certain embodiments, the side recessed region  23  is recessed below both the first and second side end region  19 ,  21 . 
     Using this configuration enables the flint material  24  to be recessed below the first and second side end regions  19 ,  21  to minimize the potential of the flint material  24  being inadvertently struck while the companion multi-tool  2  is stored or while the companion multi-tool  2  is being used for functionality other than the flint material  24 . 
     Recessing the side recessed region  23  below the first and second side end regions  19 ,  21  also facilitates accessing the flint material  24  when it is desired to move the flint material  24  from the retracted configuration ( FIGS. 1-6 ) to the extended configuration ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ). 
     In certain embodiments, the flint material  24  is pivotally mounted to the body  4  to facilitate moving the flint material  24  between the retracted configuration and the extended configuration. When the flint material  24  is in the extended configuration, the flint material  24  is oriented at an angle with respect to the body  4 . In certain embodiments, the angle is greater than about 90 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle is between about 90 degrees and about 135 degrees. 
     The flint material  24  may be removably attached to the body  4 . Using such a configuration facilitates detaching the flint material  24  from the body  4  such as when the flint material  24  needs to be replaced. A person of skill in the art will appreciate that a variety of techniques may be used for removably attaching the flint material  24  to the body  4 , an example of one suitable attachment technique is a threaded mechanism. 
     Similarly, the second side  20  includes a first side end region  61 , a second side end region  62  and a side recessed region  64 . The side first end region  61  is proximate the first end  10 . The second side end region  62  is proximate the second end  28 . The side recessed region  64  is between the first and second side end regions  61 ,  62 . The side recessed region  64  is recessed below at least one of the first and second side end region  61 ,  62 . In certain embodiments, the side recessed region  64  is recessed below both the first and second side end region  61 ,  62 . 
     Using this configuration enables the tinder material  22  to be recessed below the first and second side end regions  61 ,  62  to minimize the potential of the tinder material  22  being inadvertently struck while the companion multi-tool  2  is stored or while the companion multi-tool  2  is being used for functionality other than the tinder material  22 . 
     Recessing the side recessed region  64  below the first and second side end regions  61 ,  62  also facilitates accessing the tinder material  22  when it is desired to move the tinder material  22  from the retracted configuration ( FIGS. 1-6 ) to the extended configuration ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ). 
     In certain embodiments, the tinder material  22  is pivotally mounted to the body  4  to facilitate moving the tinder material  22  between the retracted configuration and the extended configuration. When the tinder material  22  is in the extended configuration, the tinder material  22  is oriented at an angle with respect to the body  4 . In certain embodiments, the angle is greater than about 90 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle is between about 90 degrees and about 135 degrees. 
     The tinder material  22  may be removably attached to the body  4 . Using such a configuration facilitates detaching the tinder material  22  from the body  4  such as when the tinder material  22  needs to be replaced. A person of skill in the art will appreciate that a variety of techniques may be used for removably attaching the tinder material  22  to the body  4 , an example of one suitable attachment technique is a threaded mechanism. 
     In some embodiments, the body  4  can define one or more accessories, such as, for example, a scraper, a concave blade scoop for cutting fishing line and/or to sharpen sticks, a ruler, and/or any other suitable accessories and/or combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the second end  28  of the body defines noise generating device such as a whistle  30 . The whistle  30  includes a mouthpiece  32  and a duct  34 , each defined by the body  4 . 
     An opening  36  may be provided in the body  4  at or adjacent to the whistle  30 . The opening  36  is sized and configured to receive a retention device therethrough, such as a lanyard, rope, string, and/or other retention device. 
     Proximate the second end  28 , the elongated body  4  may include an end surface  70  that is intermediate a first end edge surface  72  and a second end edge surface  74 . The first and second end edge surfaces  72 ,  74  are both oriented at an obtuse angle with respect to the end surface  70 . In certain embodiments, the obtuse angle is between about 90 degrees and about 135 degrees. While it is illustrated that the angle between the end surface  70  and the first end edge surface  72  is approximately the same as the angle between the end surface  70  and the second end edge surface  74 , it is possible for these angles to be different. 
     Orienting the first and second end edge surfaces  72 ,  74  at an obtuse angle with respect to the end surface  70  reduces a width of the second end  28  that a person needs to put into the person&#39;s mouth when using the whistle  30 . This configuration enhances the ability for the user to substantially encompass the second end  28  in the person&#39;s mouth which enhances the ability of the person to make a loud sound by blowing air through the whistle  30 . 
     Proximate the second end  28 , the upper surface  6  and the lower surface  8  may be angled towards each other. This configuration enhances the ability for the user to substantially encompass the second end  28  in the person&#39;s mouth which enhances the ability of the person to make a loud sound by blowing air through the whistle  30 . 
     The body  4  can comprise any suitable material. For example, in various embodiments, the body  4  can comprise a die cast metal (aluminum, steel, etc.), a machined metal, a plastic, a rubber, and/or any other suitable material. 
     The body  4  can define one or more holes, for example, in the first longitudinal surface  6  and/or the second longitudinal surface  8 . The one or more holes can include holes sized and configured for receiving a thread, such as paracord, therethrough, hex holes sized and configured to interface with hex bolts/fasteners, and/or any other suitable holes. 
     In some embodiments, a compass  42  and a reflective surface  44  are coupled to the first longitudinal surface  6 . The compass  42  can comprise any suitable compass, such as, for example, a liquid-filled compass. In some embodiments, the compass  42  is at least partially inset into a cavity formed in the first longitudinal surface  6 . In some embodiments, a reflective surface  44  is formed on and/or coupled to the first longitudinal surface  6 . The reflective surface  44  can comprise a mirrored surface sized and configured to operate as a signal mirror, personal mirror, and/or any other suitable mirror. 
     In some embodiments, the second longitudinal surface  8  can include one or more accessory elements coupled thereto. In some embodiments, a clip  50  is coupled to the second longitudinal surface  8 . The clip  50  can be coupled to the second longitudinal surface by any suitable mechanism, such as, for example, friction (e.g., being inserted into a cavity formed in the second longitudinal surface  8 ), magnetically, and/or by any other suitable mechanism. 
     In some embodiments, the clip  50  includes a flat back portion (not shown) coupled to a curved front portion  54 . The curved front portion  54  is sized and configured to couple the clip  50  and the body  4  to a belt, pants, and/or any other suitable surface. 
     In some embodiments, the clip  50  defines one or more holes therethrough. The holes can comprise, for example, hex holes sized and configured to interface with hex fasteners. The clip  50  can comprise any suitable material, such as, for example, a metal material (e.g., steel), a plastic material, and/or any other suitable material. 
     In some embodiments, the flat back portion defines one or more accessory elements. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the flat back portion defines a striker  56 , a bottle opener  58 , and/or a screwdriver  60 . The striker  56  includes a blade formed on a lateral edge of the flat back portion. The striker  56  is sized and configured to strike a flint material  24  coupled to the body  4  to provide a spark. 
     Although embodiments having a striker  56 , a can opener  58 , and a screwdriver tip  60  are illustrated, it will be appreciated that one or more additional elements can be added and/or one or more of the illustrated elements can be omitted. For example, in some embodiments, the first longitudinal surface  6  and/or the second longitudinal surface  8  can include a markings defining a ruler, a thermometer, and/or any other suitable accessory. 
     In some embodiments, the clip  50  can be replaced with one or more additional coupling mechanisms, such as, for example, a carabineer clip. The carabineer clip can be permanently and/or releasably coupled to the body  4 . In some embodiments, the carabineer clip can define one or more accessories, such as, for example, the striker  56 . The carabineer clip can be sized and configured to couple the body  4  to a belt loop, a MOLLE system, and/or any other suitable surface. 
     Although the systems and devices herein have been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, they are not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the devices, kits, and system, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the devices, kits, and systems. 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The preceding detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. 
     It is contemplated that features disclosed in this application, as well as those described in the above applications incorporated by reference, can be mixed and matched to suit particular circumstances. Various other modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.