Patent ID: 8292266

Claim:
A hand tool comprising: a tool head having a claw, said tool head defining an elongated socket with a bottom; an elongated handle coupled to said tool head; said tool head having a plane of motion generally defined by a plane extending through the longitudinal axis of said handle and a centerline of said claw; a plunger assembly having an elongated body with a top end, a bottom end and a locking assembly; said plunger assembly body movably disposed in said socket, said plunger assembly body structured to move between a first, withdrawn position, wherein said plunger assembly body is substantially disposed within said socket, and a second, extended position, wherein said plunger assembly body extends from said socket; said locking assembly having a catch assembly with a release actuator, said release actuator movable in a direction generally perpendicular to said tool head plane of motion, said locking assembly structured to maintain said plunger assembly body in a selected position; said plunger catch assembly has a lateral bore in said tool head and a catch member; said release actuator being disposed in said lateral bore; said lateral bore disposed adjacent to said socket and having a common passage therewith; said catch member disposed within said bore and structured to selectively engage said plunger assembly body; said release actuator substantially disposed in said lateral bore and structured to move within said bore between a first position, wherein said catch member is biased to engage said plunger assembly body, and a second position, wherein said catch member is not biased to engage said plunger assembly body said release actuator is an elongated pin having a first end, a medial portion, and a second end; said pin medial portion includes a wedge having a wide section and a narrow section; said catch member is separate from said pin and substantially disposed within said common passage; said pin first end structured to extend from said bore and structured to act as a button; said pin structured to move laterally within said bore; and wherein, when said release actuator is in said first position, said pin first end extends from said bore and said wedge wide section engages said catch member and biases said catch member toward said plunger assembly body, and when said release actuator is in said second position, said external portion is disposed substantially within said bore and said wedge narrow section engages said catch member and does not bias said catch member toward said plunger assembly body.