Patent Publication Number: US-11383369-B1

Title: Irrigation equipment multipurpose tool

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to tools, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a multi-purpose tool that is configured to assist a user perform a significant portion of activities that are associated with the replacement and maintenance activities of lawn irrigation equipment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As is known in the art, lawn irrigation systems are installed in millions of residential properties and commercial properties. These irrigation systems consist of a plurality of alternate components that include but are not limited to PVC piping, electronic controllers, valves and sprinkler heads. Ensuing the installation of these systems, the systems will require routine maintenance which can involve replacement of one or more of the aforementioned components. By way of example but not by way of limitation, it is routine that sprinkler heads must be replaced as these can often be damaged as a result of shifting soil or as a result of contact with lawn equipment. The sprinkler heads are operably coupled to the PVC pipe network utilizing a union wherein the pipe and the union are underground in addition to the sprinkler head itself for many types of sprinkler heads. In order to facilitate the removal and replacement of a sprinkler head a worker may have to employ the assistance of many different types of tools. 
     One issue with employing a plurality of tools in executing lawn irrigation systems is the complexity thereof. Various tools must be transported and sorted through so as to perform the various tasks required for lawn irrigation system maintenance. This can range from pliers to open a PVC cement can, screwdrivers, extractor tools and pipe cutting apparatus. The aforementioned is representative of only a portion of the tools that may be required in order to perform maintenance activities on lawn irrigation systems. A single tool that is equipped to assist a user in the execution of most of the activities required during maintenance of lawn irrigation systems is unavailable. 
     It is intended within the scope of the present invention to provide a multi-purpose tool that is configured to assist in the facilitation of most activities required during execution of maintenance of lawn irrigation systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a multi-purpose tool that is configured to provide the implements necessary to assist a user in performing maintenance of lawn irrigation systems wherein the present invention is embodied in a hand tool configuration. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a tool configured to include the implements required to execute tasks needed to perform lawn irrigation system maintenance and repair wherein the tool of the present invention includes an upper arm member and a lower arm member. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose tool that is configured to provide the implements necessary to assist a user in performing maintenance of lawn irrigation systems wherein the upper arm member and lower arm member are movably coupled to a jaw member. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tool configured to include the implements required to execute tasks needed to perform lawn irrigation system maintenance and repair wherein the upper arm member and lower arm member include inner edges wherein a portion of the inner edges are arcuate in form. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose tool that is configured to provide the implements necessary to assist a user in performing maintenance of lawn irrigation systems wherein the jaw member includes a lower receiving member and a cutting member. 
     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a tool configured to include the implements required to execute tasks needed to perform lawn irrigation system maintenance and repair wherein the jaw member includes on opposing side thereof retention members. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose tool that is configured to provide the implements necessary to assist a user in performing maintenance of lawn irrigation systems wherein the retention members are configured to releasably secure extractor tools therein. 
     An alternate object of the present invention is to provide a tool configured to include the implements required to execute tasks needed to perform lawn irrigation system maintenance wherein the lower receiving member has a first side and a second side. 
     Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose tool that is configured to provide the implements necessary to assist a user in performing maintenance of lawn irrigation systems wherein operably coupled to the first side and second side of the lower receiving member are tool implements. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a tool configured to include the implements required to execute tasks needed to perform lawn irrigation system maintenance wherein the tool implements can further include a support arm member operably coupled thereto. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose tool that is configured to provide the implements necessary to assist a user in performing maintenance of lawn irrigation systems wherein the tool implements secured to the lower receiving member are movably coupled thereto. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of the present invention having a tool implement thereof engaged with an exemplary pipe fitting; and 
         FIG. 2  is top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a multi-purpose tool  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
     An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. 
     It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic. 
     Now referring to the Figures submitted as a part hereof, the multi-purpose tool  100  includes an upper arm member  10  and a lower arm member  20 . The upper arm member  10  includes a first end  11  and a second end  12 . Second end  12  of the upper arm member  10  is contiguously formed with the jaw member  40  that is further discussed herein. The lower arm member  20  includes first end  21  and second end  22 . The lower arm member  20  is movably coupled utilizing fastener  25  to the lower portion  42  of the jaw member  40 . The lower arm member  20  pivotally moves on the lower portion  42  of the jaw member  40 . It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention the fastener  25  could be various types of conventional fasteners such as but not limited to rivets, pins or bolts. A support arm  30  is operably coupled intermediate the upper arm member  10  and the lower arm member  20 . The support arm  30  is movably secured to keeper  32  wherein keeper  32  further has secured thereto a lever arm  34 . Lever arm  34  is operably coupled to rear edge  45  of the cutting implement  50 , which is further discussed herein. 
     The upper arm member  10  further includes an inner edge  13 . The inner edge  13  includes an engagement portion  14  that is arcuate in form. The engagement portion  14  includes a gripping surface  15  that has gripping members  16  formed thereon. The lower arm member  20  includes an inner edge  23  wherein the inner edge  23  further includes an engagement portion  24  that is arcuate in form and proximate the first end  21 . The engagement portion  24  includes a gripping surface  25  having gripping members  26  formed thereon. The engagement portion  14  of the upper arm member  10  and the engagement portion  24  of the lower arm member  20  are axially aligned so as to be facing each other. The engagement portion  14  and engagement portion  24  are configured to assist a user in grasping and opening a bottle of PVC cement or similar item. The gripping surfaces  15 , 25  and gripping members  16 , 26  provide an enhanced friction on the PVC cement bottle to ensure the assistance in the opening thereof. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that gripping surfaces  15 ,  25  and gripping members  16 , 26  could be manufactured with various different materials and textures in order to achieve the desired objective stated herein. 
     The jaw member  40  includes a first side  48  and a second side  49 . Secured to the first side  48  is a first retention member  60  and secured to the second side  49  is the second retention member  62 . The first retention member  60  and second retention member  62  are secured to the jaw member  40  utilizing suitable durable techniques such as but not limited to welding. The first retention member  60  and second retention member  62  are identically constructed wherein each is ring shaped being hollow having openings at opposing ends. The first retention member  60  and second retention member  62  are configured to releasably secure exemplary implements  99  therein. The exemplary implements  99  illustrated herein are pipe extractors wherein an exemplary use thereof is illustrated in  FIG. 1  submitted herewith. As is known in the art, pipe extractors  99  are utilized to engage pipe unions  98  and the like when alternate tools cannot be engaged therewith in scenarios such as but not limited to the pipe unions  98  being underground. The first retention member  60  and second retention member  62  have a narrowing diameter that facilitates the releasably securing of the exemplary implements  99 . While not illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first retention member  60  and second retention member  62  could have disposed on the interior surface thereof rubber or a similar material that would further facilitate the securing of the exemplary implements therein. 
     The support arm  30  and lever arm  34  are configured to provide operation of the cutting implement  50  during movement of the upper arm member  10  and lower arm member  20 . The lever arm  34  is operably engaged with rear edge  45  wherein the rear edge  45  includes notches  47  formed thereon. The cutting implement  50  includes a cutting edge (not particularly illustrated herein) that is configured to cut through materials such as but not limited to PVC pipe. During the cutting process, a PVC pipe is biased against the lower receiving portion  70  and the cutting implement  50  is moved downward thereagainst in a stepped movement wherein the stepped movement is controlled by the lever arm  34  engaging the notches  47 . The aforementioned provides enhanced leverage so as to facilitate successful cutting of a PVC pipe or other material. 
     Secured to the first side  48  and second side  49  are tool support arms  80 ,  81 . The tool support arms  80 ,  81  are movably secured with keeper  85 . It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the keeper  85  could be manufactured from a variety of alternate mechanical fasteners that facilitate the movable coupling of the tool support arms  80 ,  81 . Secured to the movable support arms  80 ,  81  are tool members  90 , 91 . The tool members  90 , 91  are secured to tool support arms  80 , 81  using fasteners  93 , 94 . Fasteners  93 ,  94  are configured to provide a movable coupling between the tool members  90 , 91  and the tool support arms  80 , 81 . It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the fasteners  93 , 94  could be constructed from various different types of mechanical fasteners. As is illustrated herein in  FIG. 1 , it is contemaplted within the scope of the present invention that the multi-purpose tool  100  could be provided without the tool support arms  80 , 81  wherein the tool members  90 , 91  are directly movably coupled to the jaw member  40  proximate the lower receiving portion  70 . 
     While the tool members  90 ,  91  are illustrated herein as being a flat head screwdriver and a threaded bolt operable to couple to the exemplary implements  99  for operation thereof, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the tool members  90 , 91  could be provided in alternate configurations. 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention.