Patent Publication Number: US-6983505-B2

Title: Folding multi-tool with adjustable pliers

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/218,848, filed Aug. 13, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,718,585, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/859,344, filed May 16, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,768, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/204,432, filed Dec. 3, 1998 now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/784,941, filed Jan. 16, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,426, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/609,975, filed Feb. 29, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,114. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates generally to a multi-function pocket tool which includes adjustable pliers and other selected tools. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Multi-function tools are well known. In typical multi-function tools, pliers and other selected tools, such as screwdrivers, knife blades, files, etc., are provided in a single tool. Known multi-function tools often include pliers and have channel-shaped handles pivotally connected to the tangs of the pliers. The handles fold over so that the pliers are received in the channel-shaped handles. Also, the other tools fold over and are received in the channel-shaped handles as well. 
   One disadvantage of such known arrangements is that when using the pliers of the tool, the open sides of the channel-shaped handles face outwardly, away from one another. When gripping the tool tightly to secure an object with the plier jaws, the open sides of the channel-shaped handles can become uncomfortable and can limit the amount of gripping force comfortably applied by the user. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,272 of Leatherman relates to a foldable tool and discloses the use of handle extensions which can be folded over to provide a broad smooth surface to be grasped and squeezed by the user&#39;s hand. This also has the effect of lengthening the tool, thereby making it less compact in operation. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,721 of Sessions, et al. relates to a pocket tool with retractable jaws and describes another approach to addressing this need for comfortable plier handles. The pocket tool disclosed in Sessions. et al. includes a pair of retractable jaws which slide into and out of the channel-shaped handles. This tends to add to the complexity of the tool and somewhat reduces the strength of the pliers. 
   Another disadvantage of such known arrangements is that to deploy an individual tool for use, the multi-function tool handles must be opened, the individual tool selected and opened, and the multi-function tool handles closed. This is somewhat cumbersome and slow. 
   Accordingly, it can be seen that a need remains in the art for a folding multi-tool with pliers which, when the pliers are in use, provides a smooth handgrip. A need also remains for a folding multi-tool in which the individual tools can be easily and quickly deployed for use. It is to the provision of such a folding multi-tool that the present invention is primarily directed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Briefly described, in a first preferred form the present invention comprises a folding multi-tool with first and second generally channel-shaped handles. The handles each have first and second ends and an open side and an at least partly closed side opposite the open side. The at least partly closed sides include openings for receiving pliers. The folding multi-tool also includes pliers comprising first and second plier halves pivotally mounted to each other, with the plier halves also being pivotally mounted to the first ends of the handles. Also, the folding multi-tool is foldable between a closed, compact configuration and an opened, extended configuration for operating the pliers. In the opened, extended configuration, the open sides of the handles face each other. 
   Preferably, the folding multi-tool includes, in each of the handles, at least one tool pivotally mounted to the second ends for pivotal movement between a closed position and an opened position, with the tools being received in the open sides of the handles. Preferably, the individual tools can be moved from the closed positions to the opened positions while the folding multi-tool is in its closed, compact configuration. Also preferably, the partly closed sides of the folding multi-tool are provided with rounded edges for greater comfort. 
   Preferably, the folding multi-tool includes first and second control straps for limiting the maximum pivotal movement of the plier halves relative to the plier handles and for frictionally resisting pivotal movement of the pliers. Preferably, the plier halves each include an eccentric tang and the tangs are mounted between flanges. The eccentric tangs engage the control straps and provide greater frictional resistance to pivotal movement of the pliers with the multi-tool in the opened, extended configuration than in the closed, compact configuration. This allows the multi-tool to be easily opened, while at the same time helps to maintain the multi-tool in the opened, extended configuration once opened. 
   In a second preferred form the present invention comprises a folding multi-tool with first and second generally channel-shaped handles. The handles each have first and second ends and an open side and an at least partly closed side opposite the open side. The at least partly closed sides include openings for receiving pliers. The folding multi-tool also includes pliers comprising first and second plier halves pivotally and adjustably mounted to each other, the plier halves being adjustably movable between a compact, first position for grasping small items and an expanded, second position for grasping larger items. The plier halves also are pivotally mounted to the first ends of the handles. Also, the folding multi-tool is foldable between a closed, compact configuration and an opened, extended configuration for operating the pliers. In the opened, extended configuration, the open sides of the handles face each other. 
   The folding multi-tool according to the invention is very comfortable to use, is extremely compact, is simple in its construction, and durable in use. The folding multi-tool according to the invention also results in widely adaptable, strong, stable pliers, which are comfortably gripped, allowing the user to apply great force thereto. Conveniently, the invention also allows the individual tools (other than the pliers) to be used from the closed, compact configuration without opening the entire folding multi-tool. 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a folding multi-tool with pliers and comfortable hand grips. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a folding multi-tool which allows great gripping force to be applied to the pliers of the handle comfortably. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a folding multi-tool with pliers which is relatively compact when the pliers are in use. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a folding multi-tool with strong, stable pliers. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a folding multi-tool with a plurality of individual tools which can be deployed without opening the entire multi-tool. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a folding multi-tool with a plurality of individual tools which can be easily and quickly deployed. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a folding multi-tool with adjustable pliers. 
   These and other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective illustration of a folding multi-tool in a first preferred form of the invention, shown in a closed, compact configuration. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective illustration of the folding multi-tool of  FIG. 1 , shown with some tools thereof deployed. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective illustration of the folding multi-tool of  FIG. 1 , shown with some other tools thereof deployed. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective illustration of the folding multi-tool of  FIG. 1 , shown in a fully opened, extended configuration. 
       FIG. 4A  is a sectional view of the folding multi-tool of  FIG. 4  taken along the lines of  4 A— 4 A, with some elements omitted for clarity. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective illustration of the folding multi-tool of  FIG. 1 , shown in a slightly opened configuration. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective illustration of the folding multi-tool of  FIG. 1 , shown in a moderately opened configuration. 
       FIG. 7  is perspective illustration of the folding multi-tool of  FIG. 1 , shown in a substantially opened configuration. 
       FIG. 8  is a plan view of a folding multi-tool in a second preferred form of the invention, shown in an opened configuration with some elements omitted for clarity. 
       FIG. 9  is a plan view of the folding multi-tool of  FIG. 8  in an opened configuration with the plier jaws closed, with some elements omitted for clarity. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  shows a folding multi-tool  10  according to a preferred form of the invention. The folding multi-tool  10  depicted in  FIG. 1  is shown in a closed, compact configuration, such as would be used for storing the tool in a sheath. The folding multi-tool  10  includes first and second channel-shaped handles  11  and  12 . 
   Each of the channel-shaped handles  1 l and  12  is generally “C”-shaped in cross-section and includes an upper wall, a lower wall, and a vertically extending wall between the upper and lower walls. For example, handle  12  includes lower wall  13  and upper wall  14  and an unshown (at least in  FIG. 1 ) vertical wall extending therebetween. Likewise, channel-shaped handle  11  includes an upper wall  16 , an unshown lower wall, and a vertical wall  17  extending therebetween. 
   The channel-shaped handles include integral shoulders, such as shoulders  18 ,  19 , and  20 . The shoulders extend at an angle between the upper and lower walls of the handles and flange portions, such as flanges  23 – 26 . Plier tangs  27  and  28  are positioned between the flanges  23  and  24 , and  25  and  26  (the pliers will be described in more detail in connection with subsequent figures). The plier tangs  27  and  28  are mounted between the flanges for pivotal movement about pivot axes  31  and  32 . The plier tangs  27  and  28  are secured in place by combination bolt/pivot pins  33  and  34  which extend through the upper flanges  23  and  25 , through the plier tangs  27  and  28 , and are threadedly received in the lower flanges  24  and  26 . The bolts/pivot pins  33  and  34 , along with the upper and lower flanges, constrain the movement of plier tangs  27  and  28  to pivotal movement about the pivot axes  31  and  32 . 
   Extending between the upper and lower flanges are a pair of plier stops  36  and  37  for limiting the pivotal motion of the plier tangs. The plier stops  36  and  37  each include three vertical surfaces or shoulders, such as surfaces  36   a ,  36   b , and  36   c . The plier stops are generally “C”-shaped and include upper and lower flanges, such as lower flange  36   d . The plier tangs  27  and  28  include tabs  27   a  and  28   a  which engage the plier stops  36  and  37 , fitting between the upper and lower flanges of the plier stops and being limited in travel by the shoulders, such as shoulder  36   b.    
   The tangs  27 ,  28  are eccentric and eccentrically contact an interior surface of the plier stops  36 ,  37  such that when the folding multi-tool  10  is in the folded, compact configuration shown in  FIG. 1 , the plier stops provide a modest frictional resistance to the pivotal movement of the plier tangs  27 ,  28 , while in the unfolded, opened configuration shown in  FIG. 4 , the plier stops provide a greater frictional resistance to pivotal movement of the plier tangs. This allows the folding multi-tool to be opened easily and quickly, while also helping to hold the pliers in place when the folding multi-tool is in the extended configuration of  FIG. 4  (making the pliers easier to use). 
   At the end of the handles  11  and  12  opposite the location of the plier tangs  26  and  27  a second pair of combination bolts/pivot pins is provided, in particular bolts/pivot pins  41  and  42 . These bolts/pivot pins extend through the upper walls  14  and  16  of the handles and through numerous individual tools received in the channel-shaped handles, to the lower walls of the handles. Thus, the bolts/pivot pins  41  and  42  act as pivot axles to constrain movement of the various tools to pivotal motion about pivot axes  43  and  44 . 
   A number of tools are pivotally received in the open sides of the handles  11  and  12  and are pivoted about the pivot axes  43  and  44 . For example, in the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , handle  12  includes a knife  51 , a Phillips screwdriver  52 , and a file  53 . As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , these tools are received in the open side of the channel-shaped handles and open outwardly therefrom. For example, the knife, Phillips screwdriver, or file  51 – 53  can be deployed by rotating each in the direction of direction arrow  54  to swing them outwardly from the open side of the channel-shaped handle  12 . This arrangement advantageously allows the tools to be deployed from the closed, compact configuration of the folding multi-tool overall, a significant convenience. For example, in the known prior art, in order to deploy the typical tools, one must move the handles apart from one another, and then pull the individual tool out, and then close up the handles again in order to use a selected tool. By stark contrast, the present invention allows the user to select, deploy and use an individual tool without opening up the multi-tool overall. 
     FIGS. 2 and 3  show how the individual tools can be easily and quickly deployed without opening up the entire multi-tool. For example, in  FIG. 2  the folding multi-tool  10  is shown in its closed, compact configuration with the open sides of the channel-shaped handles  11  and  12  facing away from each other. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the channel-shaped handle  12  has an open side  56  which generally points in the direction of direction arrow  57 . Likewise, channel-shaped handle  11  has an open side  58  which points in the direction of direction arrows  59 , which is opposite to direction arrow  57 . With this construction, the individual tools, such as knife  51 , the Phillips screwdriver  52 , and the file  53  can be quickly and easily deployed, without opening up the entire folding multi-tool  10 . 
     FIG. 3  shows the deployment of other individual tools, including straight screwdriver  61 , lanyard loop  62 , larger straight screwdriver  63 , a combination can opener and bottle opener  64 , and a serrated knife  65 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the folding multi-tool  10  is shown in its open, extended configuration for using the pliers. The folding multi-tool  10  includes pliers  70  having a first plier half  71  and a second plier half  72 . First plier half  71  includes tang  28 , a lower platen  73  and plier jaw  74 . Similarly, second plier half  72  includes plier tang  27 , upper platen  76 , and plier jaw  77 . A large pivot pin  78  extends through the upper and lower platens and secures them to one another and acts as a pivot axle to allow the first and second plier halves  71  and  72  to be pivoted relative to each other. As can be seen in this figure, the plier stops, such as plier stop  37 , limit the pivotal movement of the tangs  27  and  28  to allow the handles  11  and  12  to operate the pliers. 
   As previously described, the handles  11  and  12  include open sides  56  and  58 . The handles  11  and  12  also include partly closed sides  81  and  82 . Each of the partly closed sides includes a vertical wall, such as vertical wall  83  of handle  12  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) or vertical wall  17  shown in  FIG. 1 . These vertical walls extend between the upper and lower sides of the handles, such as upper and lower sides  13  and  14  of handle  12 . The vertical walls include a tool stop and tool keeper, such as stop and keeper  84  shown in  FIG. 4 . The tool stop and keeper  84  is not connected to the upper and lower sides  13  and  14 , but rather extends from an end of vertical wall  83 . Where the tool stop and keeper  84  adjoins to the remainder of the vertical wall  83 , radiused corners are cut out in order to avoid stress spikes which would otherwise lead to a fatigue fracture over repeated uses of the tools. This is so because the tools, as they are opened, cause a slight deflection of the tool stop  84 . In this way, the tool stop provides a frictional resistance to pivotal movement of the individual tools. Handle  11  includes a similar tool stop. 
   The vertical wall  83  also includes a plier opening  86  defined by a lower face strip  87  and an upper face strip  88 . The lower face strip  87  includes a straight section  87   a  and a tapered section  87   b . Likewise, the upper strip  88  includes a straight section  88   a  and a tapered section  88   b . Together, the straight sections  87   a  and  88   a  define a straight portion of the opening  86 , while the tapered portions  87   b  and  88   b  of the strips define a tapered portion of the opening  86 . At the end of the tapered opening, a guide tab or plier jaw stop  89  is attached to the vertical wall  83  and limits the travel of the plier jaw into the opening  86  to prevent the plier jaw from contacting the tools inside the handle. 
   At the interface between the upper wall  14  and the vertical wall  83 , the edge  91  therebetween is rounded, preferably with a radius of between about 5/64 and 7/64 of an inch, most preferably 3/32 of an inch. Likewise, the lower edge  92  has a similar radius, as do the corresponding edges on handle  11 . 
     FIG. 4A  shows a sectional view of plier handle  12  (with the individual tools removed for clarity). The channel-shaped handle  12  has an open side  56  and partly closed side comprising the vertical wall  83  (which includes the unshown opening for receiving the plier half). The individual tools open by moving in the direction of direction arrow  57 , while the pliers open from the opposite side in the direction of direction arrow  58 . Thus, the individual tools and the pliers open from opposite sides of the handle  12 . Handle  11  is similarly constructed. 
   To operate the folding multi-tool to use the pliers, one starts with the folding multi-tool  10  in the configuration shown in  FIG. 1  (a closed, compact configuration). The handles are then spread apart, with the pliers acting as a pivot point to achieve the slightly opened configuration of  FIG. 5 . The plier handles  11  and  12  are moved further in the direction of direction arrows  96  and  97  (away from one another) to obtain the moderately opened configuration of  FIG. 6 . The handles are moved further in the direction of direction arrows  96  and  97  to achieve the substantially opened, but not quite fully opened, configuration of  FIG. 7 . The handles are brought even more towards each other in the direction of direction arrows  96  and  97  to achieve the fully opened, extended configuration shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   This construction has numerous advantages. For example, the individual tools can be deployed without opening the entire multi-tool. Also, these individual tools can be easily and quickly deployed. Moreover, with the multi-tool in the opened, extended configuration shown in  FIG. 4 , the handles  11  and  12  are quite comfortable owing to the fact that the portions of the handles contacting the user&#39;s hands are at least partly closed (rather than the open side containing the individual tools), thereby providing a more even distribution of the gripping force over the user&#39;s hand. Also, the use of the rounded edges (e.g.,  91 ,  92 ) makes for a more comfortable grip as well. This more comfortable grip allows greater gripping force to be applied comfortably to the handles, making the pliers more useful as a useful working tool. This construction also allows the multi-tool to be rather compact when using the pliers, while still providing excellent comfort. It also has the advantage that the pliers are rather strong and stable, enabling the pliers to do substantial work. Another advantage of this construction is that the construction of the multi-tool is an elegantly simple solution to the problem of providing comfortable hand grips for the pliers, making the multi-tool durable and easily constructed. Also, the eccentric tangs of the pliers engaging the plier stops eccentrically allow the multi-tool to be easily opened and help to stabilize the pliers once in the extended, open configuration. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10 , a second preferred form of the invention is shown. Specifically, a second form of the folding multi-tool  110  is shown in  FIG. 8  in an overall open configuration, with the pliers  70  in an open configuration. Pliers  70  are adjustably movable between a compact, first position for grasping small items and an expanded, second position for grasping larger items.  FIGS. 8 and 9  depict the compact, smaller configuration for grasping small items. 
   As in the first embodiment, the folding multi-tool  110  includes first and second channel-shaped handles  11  and  12 . The channel-shaped handles  11  and  12  include integral shoulders  18  and  20 . Plier tangs  27  and  28  are secured in place by combination bolt/pivot pins  33  and  34 . Like the first embodiment, the tools open from one side of the handles, while the pliers open from the other side of the handles. 
   The pliers  70  include a first plier half  71  and a second plier half  72 . However, unlike the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1–7 , pliers depicted-in  FIGS. 8–9  are adjustable pliers as mentioned above. The adjustable pliers  70  have an upper platen  98  and a lower platen  99 . The upper platen  98  defines a figure eight shaped opening  100 . A pivot pin  101  is secured to the lower platen  98  and extends up through the figure eight shaped opening  100 . The pivot pin includes a head (unshown) which is slightly larger than the diameter of either substantially circular part of the opening  100 . In this way, the head is prevented from pulling through the figure eight shaped opening  100 . Alternatively, the end of the pin can be threaded to receive a threaded nut, dispensing with the head of the pivot pin. The pin includes parallel flats ground therein and is non-rotationally mounted in the lower platen  99 . The parallel flats can be seen most easily in  FIG. 9 . 
   In the compact configuration shown in  FIG. 8  and in  FIG. 9 , the pivot pin acts as a pivot axle or fulcrum to allow pressure to be exerted by the handles on the jaws of the pliers  70 , thereby allowing the pliers to effectively grip small items. The handles  11  and  12  can be manipulated toward and away from each other to open and close plier jaws, as depicted in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Moreover, to increase the capacity of the plier jaws for grasping larger items, the pliers  70  can be opened to the open configuration depicted in  FIG. 8  and plier half  71  can be slid laterally relative to plier half  72  to move the pivot pin  101  into the other half of the figure eight shaped opening  100 . In this way, the pliers can be reconfigured for grasping larger items. In this extended or expanded configuration, the pliers nevertheless can be manipulated in the same way as that depicted in  FIG. 8  and in  FIG. 9  by operation of the handles to open and close pliers jaws  71  and  72 . 
   While the invention has been disclosed in preferred forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.