Patent Abstract:
A dual locking system for a tool including a first actuator and a second actuator each of which are required to be actuated to unlock the tool. The system includes spring biased locking members individually and operatively associated with a button assembly.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present disclosure is directed towards a locking system, and more particularly, to a hand tool including a locking system for multiple folding tools. 
         [0002]    Multi-functioning tools have been developed and are readily available to the individual. Various of the tools include retractable or foldable pliers halves each attached to one handle of a pair of pivots handles. The handles, in turn, include channels for foldably receiving other tools such as knives, files and scissors. 
         [0003]    Moreover, various approaches have been taken to secure folding tools within handles of such multi-function hand tools. There is utility in locking tool blades within handles forming a multi-function tool as well as locking tool blades in extended configurations. Several approaches to locking folding tools have been developed. A single lock or a single actuator mechanism has been employed to secure tools in closed or open positions. However, such approaches are limiting as tools can be inadvertently locked or unlocked through the actuation of a lock mechanism or other manipulation of the hand tool. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, what is needed is a hand tool including a dual lock arrangement. The present disclosure satisfies these and other needs. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Briefly and in general terms, the present disclosure is directed towards a dual lock system. In one aspect, the dual lock system is included in a hand tool. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the dual lock system includes first and second individually actuatable locking members. Each locking member is actuated by a separate actuator. In a preferred approach, the locking members are spring biased. 
         [0007]    In one particular embodiment, the dual lock system includes a pair of button assemblies held by a collar. Each button assembly includes a button and a post with ramped surfaces formed thereon. The ramped surfaces of the posts engage projections extending from an underside of a spring biased locking member. In one approach, the locking members are biased by an extension spring. Actuation of a first button assembly permits the extension spring to draw one locking member inwardly. Subsequent actuation of a second button assembly permits the extension spring to draw a second locking member inwardly. When the locking members are drawing inwardly, tools configured about the dual locking mechanism can be moved between open and closed positions. Releasing the buttons facilitate configuring the locking member back into their outward positions to thereby again lock tools in either open or closed positions. 
         [0008]    Moreover, in one approach, the dual locking system is configured to releasably lock tool blades of a multi-function tool in open or closed positions. Each tool blade can embody an opening configured with recesses spaced to receive locking members of a dual locking system. When engaged in the recesses, the locking members lock the tool blades in place. 
         [0009]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view, depicting a tool including a dual lock system; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a top view, depicting the tool of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side view, depicting the tool of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a front end view, depicting the hand tool of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a back end view, depicting the tool of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a side view, depicting the tool of  FIG. 1  in an open configuration; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a back end view, depicting the tool of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a front end view, depicting the tool of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view, depicting the tool of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a rotated perspective view, depicting the tool of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a front view, depicting the tool of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a side view, depicting the tool of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view, depicting one half of the tool of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view, depicting the tool of  FIG. 9  with tool blades in an open configuration; 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view partially in cross-section, depicting one tool of the device of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view in partial cross-section, depicting another tool of the device of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 17  is a partial cross-sectional view, depicting a dual lock mechanism; 
           [0027]      FIG. 18  is a partial cross-sectional view, depicting the dual lock system of  FIG. 17  with one actuator depressed; 
           [0028]      FIG. 19  is a partial cross-sectional view, depicting the system of  FIG. 17  with both actuators depressed; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 20  is a partial cross-sectional, depicting structure biasing button assemblies of the locking system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    Turning now to the drawings, which are provided by way of example and not limitation, the present disclosure is directed towards a dual locking system. In one approach, the dual locking system is configured in a hand tool such as a multi-function tool. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , a tool  20  can include a dual locking system  22 . The tool  20  depicted in  FIGS. 1-5  is shown in a closed configuration. Further, the tool  20  includes two dual locking systems  22  configured at one end of the tool  20 . 
         [0032]    In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 6-12 , the tool  20  can include retractable pliers  24 . The pliers  24  include plier halves, each of which is rotatably connected to one of two handle assemblies  26 . The handle assemblies  26  include outer covers  30  attached to members forming a frame  32 . The frame  32  is sized and shaped to receive a plurality of tool blades  34 . Configured between adjacent blades  34  are spacers  36 . The end of the tool including the dual locking system  22  is enlarged with respect to the end of the tool to which the pliers  24  are attached. 
         [0033]    With reference now to  FIG. 13 , there is shown a single handle  26 . The plier half  24  is rotatably connected to the handle assembly  26  at the connection point  29 . Control of the rotation of the plier half  24  with respect to the handle assembly  26  is provided by engagement between a solid wall  40  of the inner channel and a portion of the plier half. In this way, the plier  24  can be held in an open or closed position. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 14 , the tool  20  can include a plurality of tools  34  which are rotatably connected to an end of the handle assembly  26 . As stated, the frame  32  is sized and shaped to receive the tools  34 . It is also to be recognized that the frame  32  is configured to likewise receive a plier half  24  when the device is placed in its closed position (See  FIGS. 1-5 ). 
         [0035]    Various tools can be configured to be received within the frame  32  of the handle assembly  26 . That is, one or more of scissors, screwdrivers, screws, can openers, knife blades and files can be rotatably attached to a handle assembly  26 . As shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , both flat head and Philips screw driver shafts  50  can be replaceably held within a receiver  52  by a magnet  54 . The receiver  52  includes one end configured with a through hole  60  including circumferentially spaced recesses  62  sized and positioned to lockingly receive a locking member of the above introduced dual locking system. The through hole  60  is configured to receive an axle (not shown) about which the tool  34  can rotate. At certain degrees of rotation, the tool  34  can be locked at open or closed positions. Such structure can be formed in each of the folding tools so that they too can be locked and unlocked by the dual locking system. 
         [0036]    With reference now to  FIGS. 17-20 , one embodiment of a dual locking system  22  is shown. The locking system  22  includes a barrel  70  supporting other components of the system. The barrel  70  includes support structure providing spaces guiding movement of a pair of locking members  72  as well as structure defining button assemblies  74 . Further guidance of the button assemblies  74  is provided by collars  76 . 
         [0037]    As best seen in  FIGS. 17-19 , the button assemblies  74  include a button pad  80  having a stem  82  projecting therefrom. In its assembled form, the stem  82  of the button assembly  74  projects away from the button pad  80  to which it is connected and toward the other button pad  80 . Lengths of the one stem lie adjacent the stem of a second button assembly  74 . The stem  82  further includes a plurality of ramped surfaces  86  which are configured to engage complementary structure of the locking members  72 . So configured, the button assemblies  74  and more particularly, the stem  86  thereof can slide laterally with respect to the barrel  70  and in opposite directions with respect to each other. 
         [0038]    The locking members  72  in turn include a first surface  88  configured to be received within recesses of tools such as those depicted in  FIGS. 15 and 16  to thereby lock tool blades in open and closed position. Four or more such recesses can be provided to lock the blade in multiple positions. Moreover, an underside of the locking members  72  include a pair of spaced projections  90  sized and shaped to engage the ramps  86  formed on the button assembly stem  82 . An extension spring  92  is further provided to bias the locking members  72  against the button assembly stem  86 . Springs  93  are also provided to bias the button assemblies  74  outwardly. (See  FIG. 20 ) 
         [0039]      FIG. 17  depicts a dual lock system  22  in a locked configuration. To begin to unlock a tool blade, a first button pad  94  can be depressed as shown in  FIG. 18 . This results in the lateral translation of the stem  82  attached to the first button pad  94 . Such action permits the projection  70  of a first locking member  96  to slide along the ramped surface  86  of the stem  82  in a controlled manner. Due to the angle of the ramped surfaces, the spring  92  is then allowed to withdraw the first locking member  96  inwardly and out of a recess (not shown) of a tool blade. Next, to complete the unlocking process, a second button pad  98  is depressed to thereby facilitate similar motion between the stem ramped surfaces of the second button assembly  80  and the projection  90  of a second locking member  100 . The spring  92  is then again permitted to withdraw the second locking member  100  inwardly and out of a locking recess of a tool blade. Thus, the subject tool blade can be rotated from a locked to an unlocked position. Thereafter, the tool blade can be locked again as desired by registering the locking members in a different or the same set of tool blade recesses. 
         [0040]    It is to be appreciated that the dual locking system can be employed in various applications relating to multi-function tools or other devices where enhanced control is desirable. 
         [0041]    Thus, it will be apparent from the foregoing that, while particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1