Patent ID: 7275466

Claim:
A hand tool having a plurality of tool elements, said tool elements being selectively extendable and retractable through a collar having a central axial opening, from a retracted position in a handle portion to an operative position extending from said collar through said axial opening, said hand tool comprising a plurality of spring-loaded mechanisms assembled around a central axis, each spring-loaded mechanism having a tool element extendable and retractable by said spring-loaded mechanism, each spring-loaded mechanism further having an actuation button on an external surface of said hand tool to trigger said spring-loaded mechanism for extension and retraction of said tool element, wherein movement of a said actuation button triggers a substantially larger movement of a said tool element, and wherein said spring-loaded mechanisms are in individual cartridges assembled together around said central axis, engaging each other along abutting longitudinal edges, wherein each said spring-loaded actuation mechanism comprises: a cartridge body having a trigger slidable therein by movement of said actuation button, an actuation slider connected to a said tool element, slidable between a retracted position corresponding to said tool element being retracted, and an extended position corresponding to said tool element being extended; cam means on said trigger for contacting an extension release means for allowing said actuation slider to be released from its retracted position towards its extended position, and a retraction release means for allowing the actuation slider to be released from its extended position towards its retracted position; and at least one spring biased to launch said actuation slider when released by either of said release means, from one to the other of the retracted and extended positions, said release means at said other position then engaging said actuation slider to retain it there.