Patent Abstract:
A multi-function hand tool with a pivotally collapsible jaw-type tool that has a jaw lock which mechanically prevents the jaw-type tool from collapse is disclosed. The jaw lock mechanism is contained within the jaw pivot joint of the jaw-type tool, and may be partially extended as a push button to prevent unwanted handle collapse. A plurality of blades are pivotally attached to the opposite end of the multi-function tool and has a blade locking mechanism wherein the blade lock is pivoted about an axis located distal to the blade fastener/pivot axis. Each handle of the multi-function tool may be made of two individual handle halves that unite to form the handle, but that provide very precise tensioning, or the handles may be of a single channel shape using an infinitely adjustable threaded fastener and sleeve to provide precise adjustment of the multiple blades.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to mechanical hand held tools, and more specifically to multi-function pocket tools which include a jaw-type tool and other selected tools. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Multi-function tools are well known in the art, and typically are designed around a jaw-type tool such as gripping tools (pliers and the like) or cutting tools (scissors, shears, pruning tools, etc). These jaw-type tools may or may not be folded or retracted into the handles of the tool, but utilize both handles for operation. And, a seemingly endless list of additional tools such as screw drivers, knife blades, can openers, cork screws, files, awls, etc. are then designed to be incorporated into the handles so that a wide variety of useful tools can be combined into one compact multi-function tool. It should be noted that “blades” and “tools” may be used interchangeably throughout this disclosure, to refer generally to any of the tools listed above that are attached to only one of the handles, and may include a pair of scissors or other hinged tools that can be extracted out of one handle. 
   Multi-function tools in which the jaw-type tool does not retract or fold into the handles have a significant disadvantage in the size of the overall tool. In order to comfortably use the tool, and be able to apply any reasonable gripping force in the case of pliers and the like, the handles must be long enough to be gripped by the hand. This makes a non-retractable, non-folding tool too long to fit in a pocket, and uncomfortably long to fit in a sheath and be worn on a belt around the waist of the user. Additionally, in the case of cutting tools (scissors, pruning tools, shears, etc), the sharp edges are also exposed and can inadvertently snag or cut people, clothing, etc., perhaps even without the knowledge of the person carrying the tool. 
   Multi-function tools that retract the jaw-type tool into the handles, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,721 of Sessions, et al. overcome the tool length issue described in that when the jaw-type tool is retracted the multi-function tool is short enough to be carried comfortably in a pocket or in a sheath, and offers the user and his surroundings protection from sharp surfaces if the jaw-type tool is designed for cutting. This design of tool has significant limitations as well, however. Some of the noted disadvantages include complexity in construction of the tool, somewhat reduced strength of the jaw-type tool (particularly important in gripping tools such as pliers), and a very confined area for extracting other tools out from the cavities within the handles due to the fact that the handles only open a few degrees about their dependent hinged attachment to the tang end of the jaw-type tool. Finally, this type of tool typically maintains a gap between the two handles when the jaw-type tool is retracted into the handle and all other tools are stored within their respective cavities. This is disadvantageous for storage in a pocket, as it becomes a “trap” for loose change, keys, lint, and any other items that may be simultaneously stored in the pocket, so that when the tool is retrieved from the pocket these items are also removed, and can fall from the tool and potentially be lost. 
   Multi-function tools that fold the jaw-type tool into the handles for storage as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,582 of Rivera overcome the problems associated with both other types of tools previously described, but present a different limitation in that when the jaw-type tool is extended, the handles cannot open the jaw-type tool if any significant force is exerted on the outside of the jaws, as the handles of the tool will start to collapse for storage. This is not particularly significant for cutting tools, but may be a constraint for gripping tools if they are to be used for expanding springs and the like. 
   One limitation that may be associated with any of these three types of tools is that each of the handles is typically manufactured from a single piece of metal, and is formed generally into a channel shape. And, although this can add structural strength, it becomes significantly more difficult to manufacture the tools with little or no lateral clearance or sideways “play” so that an extended blade or tool is held firmly when encountering forces that act perpendicular to the longitudinal plane, i.e. acting against the side of tool, because of the one-piece construction. The walls of the handle cannot be brought closer together to take up any clearance or “play” without bending the channel itself. Any excess clearance also affects the feel of the tool, potentially giving the user a less than optimal confidence in the tool. Consequently, the thickness of the tools and any interspersed spacers must be precise both individually and cumulatively so as to precisely fill the space between the channel walls. 
   Another limitation generally associated with any of these types of tools, and with folding knives in general, resides in the blade lock mechanism. Known locking mechanisms used to lock tools in the fully extended position, of which there are many designs, always have a substantial amount of material and numerous parts (lock, spring, and connecting parts) located within the typical storage cavity of the tool handle. In other words, most or all of the blade lock mechanism is contained between the two pivot pins located at the two opposite ends of the tool handle, and generally between the outer side walls of the tool handle. This increases the overall size of the tool, which is undesirable. 
   It is also desired to avoid clumping, the phenomenon of when one blade is selected for extension, the other tools nearby rotate with the selected tool due to frictional forces holding the tools and interspersed spacers together within the channel of the handle. 
   Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a multi-function tool that can take advantage of the benefits of the folding type tool, but which can also overcome the noted limitations associated with opening the jaws of previously available tools under force. A need also exists for a handle that provides a greater dimensional tolerance range of the tools in a multi-function tool yet still provides a solid feeling tool that minimizes the amount of lateral “play” associated with the tool, and that facilitates optimal ways of assembling such a tool. A need for removing most or all of the blade locking mechanism from between the two pivot pins of a tool handle yet still providing a secure blade lock mechanism also exists. It is to these ends that the folding multi-function tool of the present invention is primarily directed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a folding multi-function tool which overcomes some of the aforementioned limitations of the prior art, and which includes features that may be used individually or in combination to address those limitations, as desired. A multi-function tool that is an exemplary embodiment of one aspect of the present invention includes a pair of jaw handles each pivotally connected to an end of one of the two jaws, scissors blades, or the like, of a jaw-type tool, with the jaws being pivotally connected to each other. The two handles may each have an opening on the outward-facing side so that when the jaw-type tool is extended they can pivot around the two handle pivots where the jaws are attached to the handles, and when pivoted the handles can receive the jaws through the openings so the jaws can then be stored within the cavities. When the jaws are extended, lock mechanisms may be deployed in accordance with one aspect of the invention to prevent the handles from pivoting around the pivot axes of the handle pivots where the jaws are attached, thereby enabling the handles to open the jaws even in the event a force is exerted on the outside of the jaws that would otherwise cause the handles to collapse and pivot around the jaws as for storage. 
   In one such embodiment, the lock mechanism may be located at the jaw pivot point connecting the two jaws together. The lock mechanism may extend outward radially to close proximity with the handles, and can be engaged or retracted by pushing on a part of the lock mechanism itself. 
   In another embodiment of this aspect of the tool, a spring could be deployed from a sidewall of each handle upon extending the jaws, and could be released by one or more release buttons when the user is ready to retract the jaws back into the handles. 
   A multi-function tool including an embodiment of another aspect of the present invention provides for each respective handle utilizing multiple pieces in its construction, the pieces separately including walls of the channel running longitudinally so that the distance between the walls formed by the separate pieces is expandable and retractable to more precisely fit the total thickness of the combined tools and other separating spacers interspersed therebetween. The pivot axes for the tools carried in each handle are any of a variety of types of screw studs that can be appropriately tightened axially to control or eliminate unwanted lateral clearance or “play” and simultaneously secure the multiple parts of the handle. 
   As yet another aspect of a multi-function tool, a singular or multiple blade lock mechanism may be located on the distal end of each of the two handles of the tool, the end opposite where the jaws are connected to the handles. A substantial portion of the components of the blade lock mechanism are located further toward the distal end of the handle than the hinge or pivot point of a tool located at the distal end of the handle, with the release mechanism optionally being located at or between the two pivots but located on the outside of the handle walls, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for space for the release mechanism in the blade or tool cavity. 
   In one embodiment, such a blade lock mechanism has a torsion spring located distal to the pivot point or hinge, and may have its own pivot to secure the spring and lock mechanism. In another series of embodiments, a blade spring mechanism may be disposed around this spring pivot (even if the spring and/or lock mechanism are not used) to provide a force on the tang of each tool independently to help prevent so-called clumping when a tool is extended from its storage cavity within the handle. 
   As previously mentioned, these embodiments of various aspects and details of a multi-function hand tool may stand alone, or be used in any combination thereof, to provide a multi-function tool to meet associated needs. The resulting multi-function tool is then widely adaptable, strong, and user-friendly. The foregoing will become more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a multipurpose folding tool which is an embodiment of the present invention, in the folded or collapsed position. 
       FIG. 2  is an elevational view of the tool shown in  FIG. 1  with a pair of jaw-like tools extended from one end of the handles and various other tools partially extended at the other end of each handle. 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the jaw-type tool and a portion of each of the handles with a locking mechanism engaged to prevent the handles from pivoting or collapsing around the jaw-type tool. 
       FIG. 4  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 3 , of the jaw-type tool and a portion of each of the handles with the locking mechanism disengaged to allow the handles to collapse pivotally around the jaw-type tool. 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 , showing the locking mechanism engaged. 
       FIG. 5A  is a sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 , showing the locking mechanism disengaged. 
       FIG. 5B  is a side elevational view of the jaw-type tool and a portion of each of the handles, taken from the side opposite that shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5C  is a partially cutaway elevational view of the jaw-type tool and a portion of each of the handles with a sidewall locking mechanism engaged to prevent the handles from pivoting or collapsing around the jaw-type tool. 
       FIG. 5D  is sectional view taken along line  5 D- 5 D of  FIG. 5C , showing the locking mechanism engaged. 
       FIG. 5E  is a side elevational view of the jaw-type tool and a portion of each of the handles with a sliding sidewall locking mechanism engaged to prevent the handles from pivoting or collapsing around the jaw-type tool. 
       FIG. 5F  is a sectional view taken along line  5 F- 5 F of  FIG. 5E , showing the interaction of the sliding sidewall locking mechanism with the side of the handle. 
       FIG. 6  is a partially cutaway elevational view of a portion of the multipurpose folding tool, including a blade lock mechanism including a torsion spring. 
       FIG. 7  is a partially cutaway view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6  showing the torsion spring more clearly. 
       FIG. 8  is an elevational view, similar to that of  FIG. 6 , showing the blade lock in the disengaged position. 
       FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of a part of the tool including a blade lock release mechanism which is another embodiment of a blade lock according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a partially cutaway view taken in the direction of line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 , showing a similar blade lock mechanism including a leaf spring. 
       FIG. 11  is a partially cutaway elevational view of the part of the tool shown in  FIG. 9 , showing the blade lock in the engaged position. 
       FIG. 12  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 11 , showing the blade lock in the disengaged position. 
       FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of a part of a multi-purpose tool including a latch mechanism that is another embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, including a rotational blade lock release mechanism located within the walls of the handle. 
       FIG. 13A  is a side elevational view similar to that of  FIG. 13 , showing the rotational blade lock release mechanism located outside the walls of the handle. 
       FIG. 14  is a partially cutaway view taken along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13 , showing the blade lock mechanism. 
       FIG. 15  is a partially cutaway elevational view of the part of the tool shown in  FIG. 13 , showing the blade lock in the engaged position. 
       FIG. 16  is a partially cutaway elevational view of the part of the tool shown in  FIG. 13 , showing the blade lock in the disengaged position. 
       FIG. 17  is a side elevational view of a part of a multi-function tool including a blade lock that is another embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, including a sliding blade lock release mechanism. 
       FIG. 18  is a sectional view taken along line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 17 , showing a spring and slider plate included in the blade lock release mechanism. 
       FIG. 19  is a sectional view of the part of a multi-function tool shown in  FIG. 17 , taken on line  19 - 19  of  FIG. 18 , and showing the blade lock in the engaged position. 
       FIG. 20  is a partially cutaway elevational view of the part of the tool shown in  FIG. 17 , showing the blade lock in the disengaged position. 
       FIG. 21  is a side view of a shoulder stud and cap screw fastener system. 
       FIG. 22  is a side view of an alternate shoulder stud fastener system. 
       FIG. 23  is a side view of a peened shoulder stud fastening system. 
       FIG. 24  is a side view of a modified screw and stud fastening system 
       FIG. 25  is a side view of a screw stud fastening system. 
       FIG. 26  is a perspective view of a handle embodying another aspect of the present invention, showing a rivet connection. 
       FIG. 27  is a sectional view taken along line  26  showing two handle halves riveted together. 
       FIG. 28  is a perspective view of the handle depicted in  FIG. 25 , rotated about its longitudinal axis to show a handle brace. 
       FIG. 29  is a perspective view of a handle embodying overlapping plates interconnected with two rivets. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the drawings, a folding multi-function tool  10  shown folded in  FIG. 1  includes a jaw-type tool with jaws  70  being pivotally rotatable around a pivot assembly  72 . The jaws  70  may be pliers, scissors, pruners, wire cutters, crimpers, shears, etc, or may even contain combinations, as is known in the art. A jaw lock cylinder  74  is contained within the pivot assembly  72 , and will be more fully explained later in this disclosure. The jaws  70  are each connected to one of a pair of handles  20  by respective fasteners  30 . The handles  20  each have a jaw lock recess  22  for interaction with the jaw lock cylinder  74 . At the other end of the handles  20 , one or more tools  60  are secured to the handles  20  by fasteners  30 . The tools  60  may include screw drivers, can openers, files, saws, awls, flashlights, scissors, pens, cork screws, etc. in any desired combination. When fully extended, the tools  60  may be secured by a locking mechanism to be disclosed later. A blade lock release arm  40  is used to release the locking mechanism so that the tool  60  may be returned to a storage cavity  61  (seen best in  FIG. 28 ) defined within the handle  20 .  FIG. 2  provides a representative view of the various tools  60  at least partially extended from the stowed position, and  FIG. 1  shows the multi-functional tool  10  with all representative tools in the stowed position. 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  5 A, the jaw locking mechanism will now be explained. In  FIG. 3 , the jaws  70  are extended with respect to the handles  20  and rotated into a closed position about pivot assembly  72 , with respect to each other. A jaw lock cylinder  74  is contained within pivot assembly  72 , and can be stowed basically within the pivot assembly  72  as shown in  FIG. 5A , or may be moved partially out of the pivot assembly  72 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Each jaw  70  has a jaw mount base portion  69  where it is mounted pivotally to the handle  20  by a fastener  30 . Since each jaw  70  is mounted to a handle  20  and the two jaws  70  are pivotably inter-connected at pivot assembly  72 , the jaws  70  can be opened and closed by relative movement of the handles  20 . 
   A nominal amount of friction between the handles  20  and the jaw mount base portions  69  keeps the handles from collapsing about the jaw mount base portions  69  during use. This nominal friction force must be overcome when moving the jaws  70  from their opened position as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  to their stowed position within the handles  20 . An opening stop  71  of one jaw  70  interfaces with a mount stop  73  of the other jaw  70  to provide a positive stop for opening the jaws  70 , thereby providing a maximum jaw opening angle  76  as shown in  FIG. 4 . When the jaw lock cylinder  74  is stowed within the pivot assembly  72  ( FIG. 5A ), efforts to move the handles  20  past the maximum jaw opening angle  76  will overcome the friction force, thereby allowing the handles to collapse as shown in  FIG. 4 . Similarly, if a sufficient force acts on the outer sides  77  of the jaws  70 , and if the handles  20  are then separated, the friction force will be overcome and the jaws  70  will swing around fasteners  30 . Completion of this motion will allow the jaws  70  to pass through openings and be stored within the confines of the storage cavities  61  of the handles  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   If, on the other hand, jaw lock cylinder  74  is moved to protrude partially out of the pivot assembly  72  ( FIG. 5 ), it engages itself with the jaw lock recess  22  of each handle  20  and thus prevents the jaws  70  from being collapsed about the fasteners  30 . The handles  20  are able to open and close the jaws  70  about the pivot assembly  72 , but in the event the friction force is overcome, the jaw lock recess  22  of each handle  20  will contact the jaw lock cylinder  74 , which will act as a mechanical stop, thereby preventing the jaws  70  from being collapsed. The jaw lock recess  22  may be shaped to closely match the shape of the jaw lock cylinder  74  as shown in the FIGS., but such a match is not necessary. The jaw lock recess  22  is shown in a cylindrical shape, but may take other shapes as desired, so long as it is capable of preventing the jaws  70  from being collapsed into the handles  20 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  5 A and  5 B, the jaw lock cylinder  74  is surrounded by and supports a lock cylinder flange  75 . The pivot assembly  72  includes a pair of inwardly extending rims that define a flange recess  76  that allows the jaw lock cylinder  74  to slide between the positions shown in  FIGS. 5 and 5A , with the inwardly directed rims of the flange recess  76  interacting with the lock cylinder flange  75  to provide positive mechanical stops. A finger access opening  78  is provided where shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  5 A and  5 B and is exposed on the side of the tool opposite the end of the cylinder  74  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , so that the user can push the contained lock cylinder  74  partially out of the pivot assembly  72 , thereby allowing it to interact with handles  20 . The lock cylinder flange  75  may be an annular wire form extending approximately 340 degrees around the lock cylinder  74  and mating into a circumferential groove  75 A (see  FIG. 5 ) in the lock cylinder  74 . By utilizing a wire form and heat treating as necessary, the wire form can act as a spring providing frictional resistance between the internal wall of the flange recess  76  and the exterior edge of the wire form. By making the wire form somewhat circumferentially shorter than a full circle, it could be compressed into the circumferential groove  75 A of the lock cylinder  74 , allowing for manufacture and assembly of the lock cylinder  74  into the pivot assembly  72 . Alternatively, the lock cylinder flange  75  may be a gasket, a spring, one or more dogs, or other means of providing positive stops. The pressure needed to move the jaw lock cylinder  74  can be as little or as much as desired, and may be controlled by the type of fit between the lock cylinder flange  75  and the flange recess  76 , or the jaw lock cylinder  74  or the pivot assembly  72  may contain other spring mechanisms (not shown) to provide resistance. The jaw lock cylinder  74  can be returned to its position within the pivot assembly  72  by pushing it back in. In the embodiment shown, an additional finger access opening is not required because the jaw lock cylinder  74  is easily accessible, but one may be added if desired. 
   In an alternate embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5C and 5D , a sidewall of each handle  20  could contain a spring  79  that extends from the sidewall of the handles  20  toward the base portions  69  of the jaws  70  after the jaws  70  are fully extended from the storage cavity  61 . The spring  79  extending from the sidewall of the handle would interface with the opening stop  71  of the jaws  70  when the jaws  70  are fully opened. This spring  79  could replace the function of the mount stop  73  of the jaws  70  shown in  FIG. 4 , in that the spring  79  then determines the maximum opening angle  76  of the jaws  70 , and also acts as a jaw lock, preventing the handles  20  from being folded with respect to the jaws  70 . The spring  79  can be pushed back into the handle  20  when the user is ready to collapse the jaws  70  for storage. This type of lock, known as a liner lock, has been heretofore limited to use in locking folding knife blades. 
   In another alternate embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5E and 5F , a sidewall of each handle  20  could contain a sliding sidewall locking mechanism  150 . The sliding sidewall locking mechanism contains a sliding rod  154  located on the inner sidewall of handle  20 , and capable of being moved longitudinally along the handle wall via a thumb pad  156  mounted onto the sliding rod  154  via one or more mechanical attachments  160 . It is requisite that the sidewall of the handle  20  has a slot  162  cut into it for allowing the mechanical attachments  160  room to slide. Each of the base portions  69  of the jaws  70  contains a shaped recess  68  for receiving an end of the sliding rod  154 . By urging the end of the sliding rod  154  into the shaped recess  68 , the handles  20  are rigidly secured to the jaws  70 . When the sliding rod  154  is urged out of, and away from the shaped recess  68 , the jaw  70  is then free to rotate about the fastener  30 . A protrusion  152  may be placed on the sliding rod  154  to interact with a detent  156  placed on the handle as a means of preventing unwanted sliding of the rod  154 . 
   Turning now to FIGS.  2  and  6 - 8 , a blade lock release arm  40  extends through a lock release opening  50  in the wall of handle  20 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the blade lock release arm  40  is accessible from either side of the handle  20 , and is attached to locking body  42  of the blade lock. A blade lock pivot pin  46  runs through a lock sleeve  48  and a torsion spring  44 , thereby providing rotational force upon the locking body  42  of the blade lock. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the blade lock pivot pin  46  is located distal to the fasteners  30  and to the blade lock release arm  40 . The torsion spring  44  urges the locking body  42  toward the tang of the blade or tool. One or more tools or blades  60  pivot about fastener  30 , from a retracted or closed position within the storage cavity  61  in the handle  20  to an extended and locked position. The base or tang portion of the blade  60  contains a blade storage recess  65 , a blade hinge recess  62  and a blade lock catch  64 . While the blade is in the stowed position within the cavity of the handle  20 , the locking body  42  is able to rest in the blade storage recess  65  without touching the blade vertical wall of the blade storage recess  65 , but while resting on the horizontal surface  67  on the tang end of the blade. The peripheral surface  66  of the tang end of the blade  60  is curved such that the blade  60  may be rotated out of the cavity in the handle  20  by overcoming the torsional force caused by the blade torsion spring  44  on the horizontal surface  67 , and the small amount of friction force between the horizontal surface  67  and the blade locking body  42 . When the blade  60  is fully rotated out of the handle  20 , the blade hinge recess  62  allows the blade  60  to extend substantially co-linear with the handle  20 , without interference from the blade lock pivot pin  46 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , and the locking body  42  is able to engage the perpendicular face of the blade lock catch  64 . With the locking body  42  engaged, the blade  60  is held firmly, preventing it from rotating back into the cavity  61  in the handle  20 . The blade  60  is prevented from over rotating by the blade stop  86  of the handles  20 . To release the blade  60  from the extended position, the operator would rotate the blade lock release arm  40  and thereby move the locking body  42  around the blade lock pivot pin  46 , away from the tang end of the blade  60  as indicated by arrow  88  in  FIG. 6 . A force arrow  87  allows the blade lock to be shown in the release position in  FIG. 8 , such that the blade  60  could be rotated back to the stored position. 
   Another locking mechanism embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 9-12 , utilizes the locking body  42 , blade lock pivot pin  46 , and lock sleeve  48 . A leaf spring  45  provides the resistant force to urge the locking body  42  toward the blade  60 . One end of the leaf spring  45  is held securely at an anchor point  49  in handle  20  as best seen in  FIG. 11 , and the spring  45  extends to contact the locking body  42  to urge it toward the tang of the blade  60 . A lock release lever  41  extends from the locking body  42  and runs parallel to the internal surface of the side wall of the handle  20 . A release tab  80  is conveniently exposed on the outer side of the side wall of the handle  20  and has a shaft that extends through a lock release opening  52  in the side wall and is attached to a release tab interface  82  such as a collar fitted on the shaft and located inside the cavity of the handle  20 , so that the lock release lever  41  extends over the release tab interface  82 . The tab release interface  82  is large enough in diameter that it cannot be extracted through the lock release opening  52 , and it may be attached to the release tab  80  by any known mechanical means. The release tab  80  and the release tab interface  82  must fit together with sufficient clearance along the shaft that the combination may be moved through the range provided by the lock release opening  52 . Release of the locking body  42  is accomplished by sliding the release tab  82  as indicated by the arrow  89  so that the locking body  42  rotates out of engagement with the blade lock catch  64  of the blade  60 , at which time the blade may be rotated back to its stowed position in the cavity  61 . 
   In yet another locking mechanism embodiment shown in  FIGS. 13-16 , a rocker release tab  90  is located within the cavity  61  of, and runs parallel to the side wall of the handle  20 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 13A , the rocker release tab  90  can be located on the outside wall of the handle  20 , with the rocker lever  94  interfacing with the locking body  42  by either the rocker lever  94  extending inward through a wall cavity to contact the locking body  42 , or the locking body  42  extending through the wall cavity to contact the rocker lever  94  external to the cavity  61 . In either case, the rocker release tab  90  is pivotal about rocker hinge  92  mounted in the side wall, and carries a rocker lever  94  that extends to contact the locking body  42 . This embodiment as shown utilizes the torsion spring  44  to urge the locking body  42  toward the tang of blade  60 , and either into the blade storage recess  65  of the blade  60  when the blade  60  is in the stowed position, or into engagement with the blade lock catch  64  when the blade  60  is in the extended position. The blade lock again utilizes lock sleeve  48  to rotate around blade lock pivot pin  46 , which is again located distal to the fastener  30  at the distal end of the handle  20 . Movement of the release tab  90  in the direction of the arrow  95  raises the locking body  42  out of engagement with the blade lock catch  64 , overcoming the force of the torsion spring  44  to release the blade  60 . 
     FIGS. 17-20  show yet another embodiment of the blade lock arrangement, wherein a slide release tab  100  is utilized to move the locking body  42 . In this embodiment, a slide release tab  100  may be located on each side of the handle  20 , and the two tabs are joined by slide cross brace  102 . Slide cross brace  102  is in turn mechanically joined by a rivet  104 , a spot weld, or other known means to slide frame  106 . At the medial end of slide frame  106 , a serpentine spring  108  is attached to the base of the handle  20  by spring pins  109 . The distal end of slide frame  106  defines a hole in which a slide lever interface arm  47  is movably engaged. The slide lever interface arm  47  is in turn attached fixedly to the blade locking body  42 , with the slide lever interface arm  47  being roughly perpendicular to the locking body  42 . The blade locking body  42  and the lever interface arm  47  are carried on a lock pivot pin  110  mounted rotatably in the side walls of the handle  20  at a location distal of the fasteners  30  about which the blade  60  can rotate. As shown, the lever interface arm  47 , the locking body  42 , and the pin  110  are a unitary element, but it will be understood that the pin  110  could be separate, with a sleeve similar to the sleeve  48  carrying the locking body  42  and the interface arm  47  if ample space is provided. In this embodiment of the blade lock, when the slide release tabs  100  are moved toward the distal end of the handle  20 , the slide lever interface arm  47  rotates the lock pivot pin  110 , thereby moving the locking body  42  away from the tang of blade  60  so that the blade  60  may rotate about the fastener  30  to either a stowed or an extended position. The serpentine spring  108  is compressed as the slide release tabs  100  and slide cross brace  102  are moved toward the distal end of the handle  20  and then urges the slide cross brace  102  away from the distal end of the handle  20  when the slide release tabs  100  are released. 
   In the various locking mechanism embodiments presented, a torsion spring  44 , a leaf spring  45 , or a serpentine spring  108  has been shown and may be interchangeable within the various embodiments, the requirement solely being to urge the locking body  42  toward the tang of the blade  60 . Other springs, such as a helical compression spring, may be utilized to achieve the same result and fall within the scope of this invention. 
     FIGS. 26-29  detail embodiments of the handles  20  of the folding multi-function tool  10 . Each handle  20  contains two handle halves  19  and  21 . Each handle half  19  and  21  defines a jaw lock recess  22  at its proximal end, and fastener holes  24  for receiving fasteners  30  at each end. The two handle halves  19  and  21  each contain a sidewall, a top portion and a bottom portion. One handle half  21  contains a male handle brace  28 , and the other handle  19  contains a female handle brace  27 , and the two braces intertwine to provide stability to the bottom portion of the handle  20 , and to engage the base of the associated one of the jaws  70  to carry squeezing forces from the handle  20  to the jaw to urge the jaws to close toward each other to grip an object or in operation of scissors or shears. The male and female braces are kept together by appropriate tension in the fastener  30  at the proximal end of the handle. At the distal end of each handle  20  top portion of the handle half  21  overlaps a portion of handle half  19 , as shown in section view of  FIG. 27 , and the overlapping portions are attached to each other by handle rivet  23  or other suitable mechanical means. Optionally, portions of each of handle halves  19  and  21  could overlap portions of the other handle half, with both overlapping sections being mechanically inter-connected by handle rivets  23  as shown in  FIG. 29 . A jaw-receiving opening  32  is defined in the top of the proximal end of each handle  20  to permit the jaws  70  to be folded into the storage cavity  61 . By including structural support for the handles  20  on both the top and bottom portions, the handles  20  can be made to be more structurally sound and stable. The sidewalls of handle  20  may be straight-walled, or may be ergonomically designed as desired, and may have an appropriate coating or cover of a different material than that of the structural handle halves  19  and  21 . 
   Details of the fasteners  30  are shown specifically in  FIGS. 21-25 .  FIG. 21  shows an internally threaded peened stud  122  mating with side walls  120  and being attached by a raised countersunk head screw  132  at one end and a cap screw  134  at the other, which may be used as fastener  30 . Alternative heads, such as a countersunk head  136  shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23  may be used to provide a surface generally flush with side walls  120 , with the respective studs  124  or  126  having flanges to interact with side walls  120 . The exterior wall of the various studs  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 , or  130  acts as the pivot joints for the various blades  60  or jaw mounts  69 . Utilization of the handle halves  19  and  21 , combined with threaded fasteners  30  in any combination of the forms presented in  FIGS. 21-25  allow for precise coaxial adjustment of the handles  20  on the jaws mounts  69  and the various blades  60 . 
     FIG. 25  shows an alternative attachment method with an internally threaded button head stud  130  going through the side wall  120  and mating with a button head cap screw  140 . A sliding sleeve  121  travels through the side wall  120  and bears against the stack of blades  60  to allow infinite adjustability in the case where the handle  20  is one solid piece instead of the two mating pieces shown in  FIGS. 26-29 . The infinite adjustability offered by tightening the button head cap screw  140  against the sliding sleeve  121 , and consequently against the stack of blades  60  provides a significant amount of dimensional tolerance, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. 
   While the invention has been described in some embodiments, it should be readily 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. Various embodiments of the invention may be utilized alone, or in any combination. The invention is therefore not intended to be limited by the explicitly disclosed embodiments provided, but rather by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1