Patent Publication Number: US-11376719-B2

Title: Multi-tool assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
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     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM 
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     STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The disclosure relates to multi-tool devices and more particularly pertains to a new multi-tool device for loosening or tightening fasteners. 
     (2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
     The prior art relates to multi-tool devices. The prior art discloses a variety of multi-tools with a plurality of bits. In each of these cases the multi-tools include a ratchet and an elongated receiver. In none of these cases is a bendable receiver claimed. The prior art discloses a ratcheting socket wrench to loosening or tightening bolts with a socket. In many of these cases a variety of spring loaded locks and corresponding detents are included to facilitate slidable adjustments. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a grip and a receiver that is extendable through the grip. The receiver has a first half pivotally coupled to a second half thereby facilitating the receiver to be bent into a plurality of angles. A plurality of bits is provided and each of the bits is insertable into a respective one of the first wells or the second wells for storage. Each of the bits is positionable into the receiver to tighten or loosen a fastener. A ratchet is integrated into the grip and the ratchet engages the receiver when the receiver is extended through the grip. The ratchet facilitates the grip to ratchet around the receiver in either a first direction or a second direction. In this way the grip can be rotated back and forth around the receiver for tightening or loosening the fastener. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a multi-tool assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a receiver being bent. 
         FIG. 3  is a right side phantom view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3  of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a left side phantom view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6  of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 2  of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a cut-away view of a grip, a sleeve and a gear of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 9  thereof, a new multi-tool device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 9 , the multi-tool assembly  10  generally comprises a grip  12  that has an aperture  14  extending therethrough. The grip  12  has a first end  16 , a second end  18  and an outer surface  20  extending therethrough, and the aperture  14  extends through the first end  16  and the second end  18 . The outer surface  20  is continuously arcuate about the aperture  14  such that the grip  12  has a cylindrical shape. Additionally, the outer surface  20  flares outwardly adjacent to each of the first end  16  and the second end  18  to inhibit a user&#39;s hand from sliding off of the grip  12 . 
     The first end  16  has a plurality of first wells  22  each extending toward the second end  18 . The first wells  22  are spaced apart from each other and are distributed around the aperture  14 . The second end  18  has a plurality of second wells  24  each extending toward the first end  16 . The second wells  24  are spaced apart from each other and are distributed around the aperture  14 . Each of the first wells  22  and the second wells  24  has a bounding surface  26 , and the bounding surface  26  may have a plurality of intersecting sides such that each of the first wells  22  and the second wells  24  has a hexagonal shape. 
     A receiver  28  is included that has a primary end  30  and a secondary end  32 , and the receiver  28  is elongated between the first end  16  and the second end  18 . The receiver  28  is insertable through the aperture  14  having each of the primary end  30  and the secondary end  32  being exposed, and each of the first end  16  and the second end  18  is open. The receiver  28  has a first half  34  that is pivotally coupled to a second half  36  thereby facilitating the receiver  28  to be bent into a plurality of angles. 
     The receiver  28  has an outer surface  38 , the outer surface  38  of the receiver  28  has a slot  40  extending therein and the slot  40  extends between the primary end  30  and the secondary end  32 . Each of the first half  34  and the second half  36  has a coupling end  42 . The coupling end  42  of the first half  34  has a channel  44  extending therein, the coupling end  42  of the second half  36  has a tab  46  extending away therefrom and the tab  46  is positioned in the channel  44 . The receiver  28  includes a pin  48  extending through the channel  44  and engaging the tab  46  for pivotally retaining the first half  34  to the second half  36 . Additionally, the tab  46  has an outwardly facing surface  50  and the outwardly facing surface  50  has a plurality of detents  52  thereon. Additionally, the outwardly facing surface  50  is concavely arcuate with respect to the coupling end  42  of the second half  36 . 
     A plurality of bits  54  is provided and each of the bits  54  is insertable into a respective one of the first wells  22  or the second wells  24  for storage. Each of the bits  54  is positionable into either the primary end  30  or the secondary end  32  of the receiver  28  to engage a fastener for tightening or loosening the fastener. Each of the bits  54  is structured to engage a unique type of fastener to tighten or loosen a variety of fasteners. The bits  54  may include Phillips bits, flat head bits, socket drivers, allen bits and any other type of bit for engaging threaded fasteners. Additionally, the aperture  14  in the receiver  28  and each of the bits  54  may have a hexagonal profile to inhibit the bits  54  from rotating in the receiver  28 . 
     A plurality of first magnets  56  is each positioned in a respective one of the first wells  22  thereby facilitating each of the first magnets  56  to magnetically attract the bits  54  for retaining the bits  54  in the first wells  22 . A plurality of first springs  58  is each positioned in a respective one of the first wells  22 . Each of the first springs  58  engages the bit  54  that is inserted into the respective first well  22 . In this way the bit  54  is inhibited from contacting the first magnet  56  in the respective first well  22  thereby enhancing removing the bits  54  from the respective first well  22 . 
     A plurality of second magnets  60  is each positioned in a respective one of the second wells  24  thereby facilitating each of the second magnets  60  to magnetically attract the bits  54  for retaining the bits  54  in the second wells  24 . A plurality of second springs  62  is each positioned in a respective one of the second wells  24 . Each of the second springs  62  engages the bit  54  that is inserted into the respective second well  24 . In this way the bit  54  is inhibited from contacting the second magnet  60  in the respective second well  24  thereby enhancing removing the bits  54  from the respective second well  24 . 
     A lock  64  is integrated into the receiver  28  and the lock  64  is positioned in the first half  34  of the receiver  28 . The lock  64  is biased to engage a respective one of the detents  52  in the outwardly facing surface of the tab  46 . In this way the receiver  28  is movably retained in a chosen angle. As is most clearly shown in  FIG. 7 , the lock  64  may include a biasing member  68  that is positioned within the first half  34  and a plunger  70  with a domed end  72 . The biasing member  68  may engage the plunger  70  thereby urging the domed end  72  outwardly from the coupling end  42  of the first half  34 . 
     A ratchet  74  is integrated into the grip  12  and the ratchet  74  engages the receiver  28  when the receiver  28  is extended through the grip  12 . The ratchet  74  is actuatable to rotate in a first direction or a second direction. The ratchet  74  rotates the receiver  28  in the first direction when the grip  12  is rotated in the first direction and the ratchet  74  is actuated to rotate in first direction. Additionally, the ratchet  74  slips in the grip  12  when the grip  12  is rotated in the second direction and the ratchet  74  is actuated to rotate in the first direction. In this way the receiver  28  is inhibited from rotating in the second direction. 
     The ratchet  74  rotates the receiver  28  in the second direction when the grip  12  is rotated in the second direction and the ratchet  74  is actuated to rotate in second direction. The ratchet  74  slips in the grip  12  when the grip  12  is rotated in the first direction and the ratchet  74  is actuated to rotate in the second direction. In this way the ratchet  74  inhibits the receiver  28  from rotating in the first direction. Thus, the ratchet  74  facilitates the grip  12  to be rotated back and forth for tightening or loosening the fastener. 
     The ratchet  74  comprises a sleeve  76  that extends through the aperture  14  and the sleeve  76  is rotatable in the aperture  14 . The sleeve  76  has an outer surface  78  and the outer surface  78  of the sleeve  76  has a plurality of teeth  80  thereon that are distributed around an entire circumference of the sleeve  76 . The sleeve  76  engages the slot  40  in the receiver  28  when the receiver  28  is extended through the sleeve  76  such that the receiver  28  is rotatably coupled to the sleeve  76 . 
     The ratchet  74  includes a gear  82  that is pivotally positioned in the grip  12 , and the gear  82  has a first engagement point  84  and a second engagement point  86 . The first engagement point  84  engages the teeth  80  on outer surface  20  of the sleeve  76  when the gear  82  is positioned in a first position. The first engagement point  84  slips along the teeth  80  when the grip  12  is rotated in the second direction and the gear  82  is in the first position thereby inhibiting the sleeve  76  from rotating the receiver  28 . Conversely, the first engagement point  84  engages the teeth  80  when the grip  12  is rotated in the first direction and the gear  82  is in the first position thereby facilitating the sleeve  76  to rotate the receiver  28 . 
     The second engagement point  86  engages the teeth  80  on outer surface  20  of the sleeve  76  when the gear  82  is positioned in a second position. The second engagement point  86  slips along the teeth  80  when the grip  12  is rotated in the first direction and the gear  82  is in the second position thereby inhibiting the sleeve  76  from rotating the receiver  28 . Conversely, the second engagement point  86  engages the teeth  80  when the grip  12  is rotated in the second direction and the gear  82  is in the second position thereby facilitating the sleeve  76  to rotate the receiver  28 . 
     The ratchet  74  includes a biasing member  88  that is positioned within the grip  12  and the biasing member  88  engages the gear  82 . Additionally, the biasing member  88  retains the gear  82  in either the first position or the second position. A lever  90  is movably coupled to the first end  16  of the grip  12  and the lever  90  is in mechanical communication with the gear  82 . The lever  90  urges the gear  82  between the first position and the second position when the lever  90  is manipulated. In this way the direction of rotation of the receiver  28  can be changed to either loosen or tighten fasteners. The lever  90  may include a stem  92  and a head  94  that tapers to a point such that the lever  90  has an arrow shape. 
     In use, the receiver  28  is extended through the aperture  14  in the handle and selected bits  54  are inserted into the receiver  28  for tightening or loosening a fastener. The lever  90  is manipulated into the appropriate position for loosening or tightening the fastener. In this way the grip  12  can ratchet  74  around the receiver  28  for loosening or tightening the fastener. The receiver  28  can be pulled outwardly from the grip  12  a sufficient distance to expose the coupling end  42  of the first half  34  and the second half  36 . In this way the receiver  28  can be bent to facilitate the grip  12  to act as a lever  90  for rotating the receiver  28 . 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.