Patent Publication Number: US-8113094-B1

Title: Emergency responder rescue tool

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a Continuation-In-Part Application claiming priority under 35 USC 120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/682,593 filed Mar. 6, 2007 now abandoned entitled “Fireman&#39;s Rescue Tool”. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to rescue tool devices, and more particularly to a unitary member all-metallic multipurpose rescue tool that meets the needs of both male and female responders with regard to size, weight, weight distribution, striking power, application to multiple rescue activities, simplicity, transport, storage, hand protection, and maximized leverage. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Emergency responders face situations in which they must act immediately and without hesitation to save a life, including their own. One example is vehicle rescue and extrication of accident victims. Emergency responders often have little time to get accident victims free of their vehicles. If the vehicle is on fire, time is of the essence in removing the vehicle occupants and getting both the occupants and the emergency responder away from the vehicle. In such emergency situations, there is no time to adjust tools, no time to return to an emergency responder&#39;s vehicle to obtain different tools, and no time to search for different tools to serve different tasks. In addition, adrenaline causes the emergency responder to move quickly and use his/her full force on tools with a corresponding desire by the user for the tool to perform the desired task without hesitation. 
     Some rescue tools provide advantages while simultaneously creating potential hazards to both the victims and the emergency responders. Examples include pneumatic and hydraulic tools used for cutting metal, prying doors open and otherwise separating objects in order to rescue trapped victims. The hydraulic tools are extremely powerful but are non-discriminating in their reach and effect. In the case of vehicle extrications, rescuers using hydraulic tools have been known to accidentally puncture the highly pressurized gas cylinders that contain gas to fill airbags. The release of gases under pressure through a small puncture opening causes the cylinder to explode and fragment. The cylinder fragments are capable of severely injuring and/or killing the accident victim and/or emergency responder working in close proximity to the accident victim. 
     Smaller, hand-held rescue tools have been developed to provide more discriminating control over the rescue efforts. However, these tools exhibit one or more drawbacks that make them unsuitable for true emergency work. The drawbacks include: 1) tools with multiple and/or moving (hinged) parts that can break or require time to adjust prior to use; 2) tools of insufficient strength for the task at hand; 3) tools designed for male emergency responders that are not universal for use by female emergency responders in their size, weight, or the strength required to use them; 4) tools that are not designed for the purpose of extrication or capable of fine use such as in pulling material lining away from a vehicle frame to expose the pressurized gas cylinders for avoidance with stronger, pneumatic or hydraulic rescue power tools; 5) tools with insufficient weight distribution to perform the desired task, such as insufficient weight of a striking tool to break otherwise intact car windows for accident victim extrication; 6) tools that lack multipurpose features for other emergency responder tasks, such as connecting fire hoses, turning gas valves of varying sizes/designs off to prevent fire, or turning oxygen tank valves for emergency responder oxygen inhalation systems; 7) tools that are easily damaged in emergency situations through brute force being applied by a user acting with adrenaline, or through physical damage caused by exposure to high heat, hazardous or corrosive liquids; 8) tools that cannot be easily or comfortably carried and accessed by the emergency responder as he/she moves quickly in and around the accident site; 9) tools that provide little to no finger protection to the user; 10) tools that are not designed for handling by a user wearing thick heavy gloves; and, 11) tools that are not designed to provide maximum leverage for when maximum leverage is required to save a life. 
     Accordingly, there is an as of yet unmet need in the art for a rescue tool for use by emergency responders that: 1) has no moving (hinged) parts or any subparts that can break or require time to adjust prior to use; 2) is constructed in a manner that renders it sufficiently strong for the task at hand; 3) is universally designed for use by both male and female responders regardless of hand size or strength; 4) is capable of fine motor controlled use such as in pulling material lining away from a vehicle frame to expose the pressurized gas cylinders to avoid puncturing same; 5) is designed to have a weight distribution that serves one or more functions such as striking and breaking otherwise intact car windows; 6) has multipurpose features beyond accident victim extrication such as use for connecting fire hoses, turning gas valves of varying sizes/designs off to prevent fire, or turning oxygen tank valves for emergency responder oxygen inhalation systems; 7) is durable and can withstand exposure to high heat, hazardous or corrosive liquids; 8) can be easily and comfortably carried and accessed by the emergency responder as he/she moves quickly in and around the accident site; 9) provides finger protection to the user; 10) is designed for ease of handling by a user wearing thick heavy gloves; and, 11) is designed to provide maximum leverage for maximum strength in emergency situations. 
     THE INVENTION 
     Summary of the Invention 
     The inventive Emergency Responder Rescue Tool comprises a unitary metallic sheet member of a uniform diameter having a top side, a bottom side, a vertical axis, a horizontal axis, and a continuous peripheral edge defining a hook portion at a distal end, a base portion at a proximal end, and a grip portion between the hook and base portions. 
     The hook portion comprises a head and a neck shaped to form a generally L-shaped hook portion. A first end of the head is generally tapered along its axis to an acute tip, and a plurality of pivot notches are formed in the peripheral edge proximate the acute tip. A second, opposed end of said head has a generally rectangular peripheral edge defining, at a base of said end, a curved spanner wrench opening. 
     The grip portion includes a finger region opposed to a palm region. The finger region includes at least one opening defined by a continuous generally U-shaped first finger guard extending along the horizontal axis beneath the head of the hook portion. The palm region opposed to the finger guard is defined by a generally convex curve extending along the horizontal axis. 
     The base portion includes an elongated aperture defined within the unitary sheet member, a lower finger grip region, and a proximal end having opposed left and right V-shaped flanges extending laterally therefrom. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a left side elevation view of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the invention with single finger guard being held by the gloved hand of a user in a striking and/or leverage creating position; 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention with dual finger guard being held by the gloved hand of a user in a striking and/or leverage creating position; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the invention being held by the gloved hand of a user for creating leverage with the head portion; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the invention being held by the gloved hand of a user for creating leverage with the base portion; 
         FIG. 6A  is a left side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the invention with beveled cutter; and, 
         FIGS. 6B and 6C  are partial enlarged perspective views of an alternate embodiment of the invention comprising an internalized cutter with metal blade. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT 
     The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example, not by way of limitation of the scope, equivalents or principles of the invention. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention. 
     In this regard, the invention is illustrated in the several figures, and is of sufficient complexity that the many parts, interrelationships, and sub-combinations thereof simply cannot be fully illustrated in a single patent-type drawing. For clarity and conciseness, several of the diagrams show in schematic, or omit, parts that are not essential in that diagram to a description of a particular feature, aspect or principle of the invention being disclosed. Thus, the best mode embodiment of one feature may be shown in one diagram, and the best mode of another feature will be called out in another diagram. 
     Emergency Responder Rescue Tool 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show side and front elevation views of the inventive rescue tool  2 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the tool  2  comprises a unitary metallic sheet member of a uniform diameter D 1  having a top side  4 , a bottom side  6 , a vertical axis “V”, a horizontal axis “H”, and a continuous peripheral edge  8  defining a hook portion  10 , a base portion  30 , and a grip portion  22  between the hook  10  and base  30  portions. 
     The hook portion  10  comprises a head  12  having a first end  16  and a second end  20 , and a neck  14  extending perpendicularly proximate the second end  20 . The head  12  and neck  14  form a generally L-shaped hook portion  10 . The first end  16  of the head  12  is generally tapered along the length of its axis to an acute tip  18 . That portion of the peripheral edge  8  defining the acute tip  18  has the same uniform diameter D 1 . 
     The head  12  further comprises a plurality of pivot notches  42  formed into the peripheral edge  8  proximate the acute tip  18  and a spanner wrench opening  44 . The pivot notches  42  provide added grip and traction when pivoting the head  12  and separating two elements as further discussed in connection with  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  4 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the grip portion  22  includes a finger region  24  opposed to a palm region  26 . The finger region  24  includes at least one opening  56  defined by a continuous generally U-shaped finger guard  28  extending along the horizontal axis “H” beneath the first end  16  of the head  12 . The palm region  26  is defined by a generally convex curve extending along the horizontal axis at D 2 . 
     The base portion  30  comprises a lower finger grip region  34 , an elongated aperture  32 , and opposed left  38  and right  40  V-shaped flanges. The flanges  38 ,  40  give the base of the tool  2  a flared appearance. The flanges  38 ,  40  as shown in  FIG. 1  are asymmetrical, with flange  40  having a more pronounced curve to correspond to the base of a user&#39;s palm as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . However, the flanges  38 ,  40  may be symmetrical and of any suitable or desired shape and length. 
     The unitary sheet member  2  is made from a metallic sheet material which can be plasma cut, stamped, or cut with a laser. Alternately, the tool  2  may be cast from iron or other molten metals or alloys. The preferred embodiment is constructed of 304 stainless steel and is plasma cut to form a unitary sheet of metal that is virtually indestructible. 
     Striking Applications 
       FIG. 3A  shows the tool  2  being held by the gloved  48  hand of a user  50  in a striking or leverage creating position. Referring to  FIG. 3A , the sheet member  2  comprises a grip portion  22  having a first finger region opening  56  and a palm region  26 . The finger region opening  56  is shaped for insertion and gripping of the user&#39;s  50  index and middle fingers  58 ,  60  and is defined by a first finger guard  28 . The palm region  26  is shaped for gripping by the user&#39;s  50  palm  62 . The base portion  30  includes a lower finger grip region  34  shaped for gripping by the user&#39;s  50  ring and small fingers  64 ,  66 . The base portion  30  further includes opposed V-shaped flanges  38 ,  40  extending laterally to prevent the fingers  64 ,  66  and/or palm  62  of the user&#39;s  50  hand from slipping off the base portion  30 . 
       FIG. 3B  shows an alternate embodiment of the tool  2  being held by the gloved  48  hand of a user  50  in a striking or leverage creating position. As shown in  FIG. 3B , the alternate embodiment comprises a second generally U-shaped finger guard  46  extending from the first finger guard  28  to the V shaped flange  38  on the base portion  30 . The second finger guard  46  defines a second opening  68  for insertion of one or more fingers for protection  64 ,  66 . The second finger guard  46  protects any of the user&#39;s  50  fingers not protected by the first finger guard  28 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the tool  2  is designed for secure retention by a gloved hand in a striking position, i.e., where the user desires to use the head  12  with acute tip  18  to perform a rescue related activity. The striking position as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  can be used to swing the tool  2  downward to strike objects, such as car windows. The acute tip  18  combined with the durability of the all-stainless steel tool  2  and associated weight of the tool  2  as it is swung in a downward direction immediately fractures glass objects with little effort. The acute tip  18  also provides accurate placing of the strike on the glass with corresponding ability to predict where the glass will break. Accuracy in breaking glass is necessary when removing a window in a rescue scenario. The glass needs to be broken preferably away from the direction of the vehicle occupants who may be trapped within the vehicle. In addition, all of the glass needs to be removed through striking and raking the glass shards away and down to the ground to create an opening sufficient to remove the trapped occupants. The acute tip  18  of the present invention allows for accuracy in creating openings in the glass, whereas the head portion  10  can then be utilized to rake and scrape away the glass shards in a direction away from the vehicle occupants. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the finger guards  28 ,  46 , protect the user&#39;s  50  fingers  58 ,  60 ,  64 ,  66  as the tool  2  is being thrust in a downward direction to hit the desired object. In the case of glass, the momentum of the downward swing may cause the tool  2  to come into contact with the broken glass that has been pierced by the acute tip  18 . The guards  28 ,  46  come into contact with the broken glass and further act to break the glass in a full downward thrust scenario. Consequently, the guards  28 ,  46  both protect the user&#39;s  50  hand from injury and simultaneously speed up the process of breaking and clearing the glass in extreme response situations where time is of the essence. 
     The striking position also may be used to swing the tool  2  in an upward direction. Responders often are required to break into buildings as part of their attempts to save property and lives. At other times, responders are in need of getting equipment inside a building that may have limited access. As a result, responders sometimes need to remove one or more doors from a building or residence. Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a user  50  may use the tool  2  in the striking position to remove pins from hinged doors by swinging in an upward direction and having the acute tip  18  contact the face of the hinge pin to loosen it and move it in an upward direction to free the hinge and allow for full removal of a door. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 A and  3 B, given the all-metal structure of the tool  2  with resulting strong force of blow when using the tool  2  in the striking position, both male and female responders may effectively use the tool  2  in multiple emergency response settings. The tool  2  may be held comfortably in the striking position by a responder having a smaller sized hand (such as a female responder) by inserting three fingers (index, middle and ring fingers  58 ,  60 ,  64 ) within the first finger region opening  56  defined by the first finger guard  28 . In addition, the tool  2  does not require significant strength for use as a striking tool  2  due to the powerful blow created by a solid metal tool. 
     Peeling Applications 
     The head  12  with acute tip  18  may alternately be used for more precise functions that do not require power or thrust. In particular, the same striking position as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  may be used to gently pull material aside for viewing of objects underneath the material. This use is extremely important in revealing the location of pressurized gas cylinders in a vehicle rescue scenario. The cylinders are concealed within vehicle linings which are often disrupted during accidents. If the cylinder is punctured, the cylinder may explode and fragment. Consequently, the emergency responders must carefully look for and visually locate the cylinder without the use of power tools to avoid puncturing the cylinder. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the striking position may be used to slip the acute tip  18  of the head  12  under and behind linings and pull to move and/or rip the linings to reveal the cylinder&#39;s location. The tapered head  12  and hook portion  10  of the tool  2  allow a user  50  to precisely insert the acute tip  18  and choose the material/lining that the user  50  wants to move or tear. Once a user  50  has determined that only lining/material is hooked within the hook portion  10 , the user  50  may pull on the tool  2 . The all-metal structure of the tool  2  provides the user  50  with significant power to stretch, move, and/or tear the material. The added pulling pressure provided by the all-metal tool  2  speeds the process of removing any lining that is concealing the air bag cylinder. As with all rescue efforts, the less time required to remove the material/lining and visually locate the airbag cylinder, the better the chance of rescuing the vehicle&#39;s occupants in a safe and effective manner. 
     Screw Driver Application 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 A and  3 B, the acute tip  18  of the tool  2  may further be utilized to loosen screws in the same manner as a screw driver. A user  50  may hold the tool  2  in the striking position, insert the acute tip  18  into the slot opening of a screw head, and twist the tool to loosen the screw. The preferred diameter of the tool is 0.25 inches, thereby forming an acute tip  18  having the width of a typical screw driver. The metal acute tip  18  has the strength of a typical screw driver, with added leverage capable through twisting of the large grip portion  22  of the tool  2 . 
     Hammer Applications 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the second end  20  of the head  12  may further be utilized in the manner of a hammer to strike at objects. In that event, a user  50  reverses the hand position as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . The user  50  inserts the user&#39;s thumb  70  through the first finger region opening  56  and curls his/her other fingers ( 58 ,  60 ,  64 ,  66 ) around the curved palm region  26  (“Hammer Position”). Then, while maintaining the Hammer Position, a user  50  rotates his/her wrist and/or forearm to strike an object with the flat peripheral edge of the second end  20  of the head  12 . Likewise, a user  50  may hold the tool in the Striking Position (shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ) and hit an object with the flat surface of the head  12  by repeatedly rotating the user&#39;s wrist in a sideways direction. 
     Pry Bar Applications 
     Due to the all-metal structure of the tool  2 , the head  12  and acute tip  18 , even though tapered for fine motor control functions, may also serve as a strong pry bar to force other objects, including metal structures, apart during rescue operations. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the striking position may be used to create leverage to pry solid objects apart by inserting the acute tip  18  between two objects to be separated and pulling the tool  2  in a perpendicular direction. 
       FIG. 4  shows an alternate manner of holding the tool  2  for creating leverage with the hook portion  10 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the tool  2  may be held with the ring and small fingers  64 ,  66  inserted through the first finger opening  56  of the first finger guard  28 , with the index and middle fingers  58 ,  60  wrapped around the lower finger grip region  34 . In the alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 3B , the index and middle fingers  58 ,  60  would be inserted through the second finger opening  68  formed by the second finger guard  46 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , in a pry bar scenario, a user  50  inserts the acute tip  18  and head  12  between objects and pulls in direction “P” in the fashion of a pry bar. The grip portion  22  and base portions  30  of the tool  2  provide ergonomic control to the pry bar action by providing, inter alia, an outwardly curved palm region  26  that fits within the user&#39;s  50  palm  62 , and V-shaped flanges  38 ,  40  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) that conform to the curves created by the fisted hand around the base portion  30 . In addition, the user&#39;s  50  hand grips the tool  2  at the furthest point away from the head  12  and acute tip  18 , thereby providing a maximum length fulcrum for maximum power when pulling the tool  2  in pry bar fashion. 
     Spanner Wrench Applications 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 A and  4 , the inventive tool  2  further comprises a spanner wrench opening  44  formed within the second end  20  of the head  12 . The spanner wrench opening  44  is defined by a tapered curve ending in an acute tip  72 . Spanner wrenches are used by emergency responders, primarily firefighters, to loosen and tighten fire hose couplings. Couplings are threaded metallic rings used to connect lengths of hose together, to connect a hose to a fire hydrant, or connect a hose to valves on the fire engines. The outside surface of the tubular couplings comprises a series of outwardly extending metallic rocker lugs or rocker pins. Spanner wrenches are hooked around the rocker lugs for tightening or loosening the connection of the coupling to the other coupling, the hydrant and/or valve. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 A and  4 , when holding the tool  2  in the striking position as shown in  FIG. 3A , the spanner wrench opening  44  can be selectively inserted over and around a rocker lug on a coupling (not shown). Once slidably inserted around the lug, the user  50  pulls on the grip and base portions  22 ,  30  to generate torque pressure on the rocker lug to loosen or tighten the coupling as desired.  FIG. 4  shows an alternate hand position of the user  50  to create torque on a lug within the spanner wrench  44  depending on the position of the user  50  relative to the lug and/or the amount of torque needed to loosen or tighten the coupling. The hand positions shown in  FIGS. 3A and 4  are exemplary, only. Multiple hand positions are possible using the tool  2  to achieve pry bar and spanner wrench applications. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the acute tip of the spanner wrench  72  may further be used to expose pressurized gas cylinders. Using the acute tip  72 , a user selectively inserts vehicle liner and material into the spanner opening  44 . By pulling the tool  2 , the user removes the material to safely expose the location of the pressurized gas cylinder. 
     Due to the specified positions of the acute tip  18 , second end  20  and spanner wrench  44 / 72 , a responder may perform a sequence of multiple response-related activities without having to adjust the responder&#39;s hand position from the striking position shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . For example, while maintaining the striking position, a responder may break a vehicle window using the acute tip  18  and/or the hammer head  20 , remove the window shards with the hook portion  10 , reach into the vehicle interior to remove lining using the hook portion  10  and/or spanner wrench  72 / 44 , and tighten or loosen a hose connection using the spanner wrench  44 / 72 . Tightening or loosening hose couplings requires a sharp tap (using the acute tip  18 ) followed by the use of the spanner hook  44 / 72  to tighten or loosen the coupling. The inventive tool  2  incorporates in one hook portion  10  everything the responder needs to perform these multiple tasks without having to change grip on the tool  2 . 
     Natural Gas Shut-off and Valve Stem Removal Applications 
     Emergency responders are required, wherever feasible, to shut off natural gas lines to buildings, homes, heating systems, gas stoves, and the like, as part of their response efforts. The gas lines are fed and controlled by valve stems. Quick and efficient turning off of the gas lines via turning of the valve stems is essential to preventing major fires and resulting property damage. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the tool  2  comprises a generally elongated aperture  32  shaped for slidable and secure insertion over and around a plurality of valve stems of defined shapes, an exemplary shape  86  of which is shown in  FIG. 5 . The shape of valve stems on natural gas systems varies from state to state. The aperture  32  of the present tool  2  includes an indentation  74  that allows the aperture  32  to be used universally on valve stems of different shapes as required by different jurisdictions. In addition, the aperture  32  includes an oxygen tank indentation  76  for use in turning oxygen tank valves on and off. The oxygen tanks are used by the emergency responders to provide medical care to patients, including providing oxygen to fire victims. 
     In use, referring to  FIG. 5 , a user  50  inserts the aperture  32  over and around the valve stem  86  and grasps the neck  14  of the tool  2  before pushing or pulling the tool  2  to apply torque pressure on the valve  86  in an effort to close the valve  86 . Conversely, if the responder desires to re-open the valve  86 , the aperture  32  is slidably inserted around the valve stem with pressure applied in the opposite direction to re-open the valve  86 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the aperture  32  may further be used to stabilize a vehicle during response efforts. In an accident scene, the vehicle may have become destabilized, for example, by having slid off the road onto an incline. In those circumstances, there is a risk of injury to the occupants during extrication if the vehicle starts to move. To stabilize vehicles, responders often flatten tires before removing the accident victims. The acute tip  18  of the inventive tool  2  may be used to remove the hub cap of a wheel, after which a responder slidably inserts the aperture  32  over and around the tire&#39;s valve stem. The tool  2  is then twisted to break the stem off, thereby causing the tire to deflate. Once the vehicle frame is on cribbing, blocks, or the rims, the vehicle is more stable. Alternately, the acute tip  18  may be driven into a tire&#39;s sidewall for immediate tire deflation. 
     Cutter Applications 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6A-6C , an alternate embodiment of the tool  2  further comprises a cutter  52 ,  54  for cutting lining or other material during rescue operations. A first embodiment of the cutter is shown in  FIG. 6A . Referring to  FIG. 6A , the first cutter  52  comprises a beveled and tapered semi-circular depression formed within the peripheral edge  8  at the curved juncture between the head  12  and neck  14 . The cutter  52  is used by the responder to cut car seat straps and/or other linings and material in the course of response efforts. A user  50  positions the cutter  52  proximate the material and pushes or pulls the tool  2  to cut the material. Alternately, where thick material is involved, a user  50  may hold the material and move the tool  2  and cutter  52  in a back and forth direction to saw at the material in the course of cutting the material. 
       FIGS. 6B and 6C  show a second cutter embodiment wherein the tool  2  comprises an internalized cutter  54  either at the base of the neck  14  ( FIG. 6B ) or within the head  12  ( FIG. 6C ). Referring to  FIGS. 6B and 6C , the internalized cutter  54  comprises a sharpened blade  80  affixed by a screw  78  within an oval-shaped aperture formed within the body of the tool  2 . In use, material is slidably inserted within the slot opening  82  for contact with the sharpened edge of the blade  80  for cutting the material. The narrow slot opening  82  protects the user&#39;s hands from coming into contact with the sharp edge of the blade  80 . As shown in  FIGS. 6B and 6C , the internalized cutter  54  may be formed at the base of the neck  14 , within the head  12 , or at any suitable or desired position along the peripheral edge  8  of the tool  2 . 
     Weight Distribution 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-6C , the multiple applications of the tool  2  are feasible due to strategic weight distribution of tool  2  features along the vertical (“V”) and horizontal (“H”) axes. 
     The weight of the tool  2  (approximately 16 oz.) is balanced substantially around its center points, thereby rendering the tool  2  comfortable and effective to use. In  FIG. 1 , the approximate center of balance along the horizontal axis is shown and labeled “HBP” (horizontal balance point). The approximate center of balance along the vertical axis is shown and labeled “VBP” (vertical balance point). The balanced nature of the tool  2  permits effective use of the various functions from one end of the tool  2  to the other. Both the weight (approximately 1 pound) and the balanced nature of the tool  2  further render it easy to carry and manipulate by both male and female users. 
     The even weight distribution assists the user in the leverage applications discussed above, including the pry bar applications, the spanner wrench applications, and the valve stem applications, by providing a tool  2  that is inclined to be retained at level position when applying leverage to the pry point, a lug on a coupling, or a valve stem. 
     Storage and Transport 
     The preferred maximum horizontal dimension (width) of the tool  2  is 5 inches; the preferred maximum vertical dimension (length) is 9 inches. The preferred depth (D 1 ) of the tool  2  is 0.25 inches. The preferred length, width and uniform depth form a tool  2  that slides into and fits within a standard sized pocket of a responder&#39;s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), commonly referred to as a firefighter&#39;s “turnouts”. Turnouts are protective jackets and pants with large pockets. The tool  2  as designed has a weight of approximately 1 pound and slides easily into the turnout pockets due to its metallic construction, smooth sides  4 ,  6 , and smooth peripheral edge  8 . The tool  2  does not extend out of the pocket, and the tool  2  is thin (preferably ¼ inch wide) flat and smooth. Given the tool&#39;s  2  even weight distribution, the tool is retained in a generally flat position (along the vertical plane) within the pocket without causing a bulge or feeling top-heavy. As a result, the tool  2  does not interfere with the movement or actions of the responder and is accessible at all times because it is easily carried on the responder&#39;s body. 
     In addition, the tool  2  is designed for use by a gloved hand of a user. When reaching into the pocket, a gloved hand can easily find and pull out the tool given its all-metal structure with hook portion  10  on one end, and V-shaped flanges  38 ,  40  on the base portion  30 . In addition, the finger guard  28  defines a sufficiently large opening  56  to permit quick and unfettered insertion of two large gloved fingers. 
     Advantages Relating to Emergency Scenarios 
     The all-metallic tool  2  of the present invention has no moving (hinged) parts or any subparts that can break or require time to adjust prior to use. The tool  2  is constructed in a manner that renders it sufficiently strong for the task at hand. The tool  2  is universally designed for use by both male and female responders regardless of hand size or strength. The tool  2  is capable of fine motor controlled use such as in pulling material lining away from a vehicle frame to expose the pressurized gas cylinders. 
     The tool  2  has a weight distribution that serves one or more functions such as striking and breaking otherwise intact car windows. The tool  2  has multipurpose features beyond accident victim extrication including connecting fire hoses, turning gas valves of varying sizes/designs off to prevent fire, or turning oxygen tank valves for emergency responder inhalation systems. The tool  2  is durable and can withstand exposure to high heat, hazardous or corrosive liquids. The tool  2  can be easily and comfortably carried and accessed by the emergency responder as he/she moves quickly in and around the accident site. The tool  2  provides finger protection to the user. The tool  2  is designed to provide maximum leverage for when maximum leverage is required to save a life. 
     Alternate Embodiments 
     It should be understood that various modifications within the scope of this invention can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit, thereof and without undue experimentation. For example, any suitable or desired metallic material may be used to form the tool, and it may be welded, soldered, die cast and/or plasma cut. In addition, any suitable or desired number and/or shape of notches on the head may be utilized; any suitable or desired size of spanner wrench may be utilized; and, any suitable or desired shape of aperture for application to multiple valve stem designs may be utilized. This invention is therefore to be defined as broadly as the prior art will permit, and in view of the specification if need be, including a full range of current and future equivalents thereof.