Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field of the Invention 
     The invention is in the field of tools for manipulating threaded objects, such as eye bolts or winged nuts which provide clamping or operate clamps which position and secure power distribution devices. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     There is a continuing need to be able to install power distribution devices that are secured in position on their intended receiver including, but not limited to, power lines and taps, by clamping action created directly or indirectly by a threaded fastener. When an eye bolt is utilized the eye can serve as a lifting ring adaptive to a finger tool on an extension stick. However, this arrangement requires a lasso type motion to hook the device over its intended receiver and the off center position of common tool fingers may induce a wobbling motion further confounding the intended installation and even removals. A further need is to utilize an extension stick that is light weight and can be extended to sufficient length to accommodate installation and removal of elevated distribution devices from ground level which currently requires utilizing a boom truck. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an aspect of the invention, a tool attached to an extension stick for receiving the eye of an eye bolt or wing nut which operates a clamping action on a power distribution device. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a tool attached to an extension stick for receiving the eye of an eye bolt or wing nut including an aperture cap and internal rails which operate a clamping action on a power distribution device. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a tool attached to an extension stick including a full length rail inside the bore of the tool and shorter rails proximal to the aperture cap which accommodates allowing the eye or wing of a fastener to rotate approximately perpendicular to the entry and engage a portion of the aperture cap which prevents the fastener from exiting the tool and allows the user to exert pulling and/or simultaneous rotating force on the fastener. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a tool attached to an extension stick for receiving the eye of and eye bolt or wing nut which operates a clamping action on a power distribution device. The extension stick is light weight and can be extended to reach such devices at heights, generally that of a common utility pole, that formerly required the user to be elevated in a boom truck. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a tool attached to an extension stick for receiving the eye of an eye bolt or wing nut which operates a clamping action on a power distribution device further including a tool boss(es) on the body of the tool for receiving another tool either/both proximal or distal to the aperture cap. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a tool attached to an extension stick for receiving the eye of an eye bolt or wing nut which operates a clamping action on a power distribution device further including a fixed, removable or retractable finger/hook mounted on the tool body. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a tool attached to an extension stick for receiving the eye of an eye bolt or wing nut which operates a clamping action on a power distribution device further including a light source mounted in the tool base projecting light through the aperture cap. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, a tool attached to an extension sick for receiving the eye of an eye bolt or wing nut which operates a clamping action on a power distribution device further including a light source slideably mounted inside the bore of the tool upon a spring which urges it toward the aperture cap and will be pushed downward out of the way as the eye or wing enters the bore of the tool. 
     The Multi-Task-Tool provides more positive control of clamp-action-mounted power distribution devices while placing, tightening, loosening and removing the devices from their intended receivers, including but not limited to power lines and taps, and it may be attached to common extension sticks. The stick mounted Multi-Task-Tool receives and contains the eye and a portion of the shank of the eye bolt giving leverage to control the position of the device by the eye bolt. Once the distribution device is seated on its intended receiver the tool is then rotated to position internal rails on each side of the eye and then the tool is pulled down to seat the eye against its cap. In that position the internal rails provide stops to transmit rotational force to the eye of the eye bolt in either direction. The invention utilizes open tolerances to provide ease of attachment and removal of the tool. The widest portion of the eye bolt eye is referred to as its major diameter. Embodiments of the invention further provides bosses on the tool body for attachment of other tools, an embodiment with at retractable finger and embodiments which provide a light source. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of Multi-Task-Tool  1 . 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of Multi-Task-Tool  1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of Multi-Task-Tool  1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross section top view of body  3 . 
         FIG. 5  Is a cross section side view of aperture cap  2  having eye bolt funnel  19 . 
         FIG. 6  Is a top view of aperture cap  2  having eye bolt funnel  19 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross section top view of Multi-Task-Tool  1  with a second short rail  20  and third short rail  21 . 
         FIG. 8  is a cross section side view of Multi-Task-Tool  1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross section side view of Multi-Task-Tool  1  with eye bolt  22  seated on base  4 . 
         FIG. 10  is a cross section top view of Multi-Task-Tool  1  with eye bolt  22 . 
         FIG. 11  is a cross section top view of Multi-Task-Tool  1  with eye bolt  22 . 
         FIG. 12  is a partial cross section side view of Multi-Task-Tool  1  with eye bolt  22  against aperture cap  2 . 
         FIG. 13  is a cross section side view of Multi-Task-Tool  1  with light pocket  23  and light source  25 . 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of Multi-Task-Tool  1  with light pocket  23  and light source  25 . 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of light source  25 . 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of light source  25 . 
         FIG. 17  is a front view of light source  25 . 
         FIG. 18  is a top view of light source piston  31 . 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of light source piston  31 . 
         FIG. 20  is a cross section side view of light source piston  31 . 
         FIG. 21  is a partial cross section side view of Multi-Task-Tool  1  with light source piston  31  and eye bolt  22 . 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of Multi-Task-Tool  1  mounted on extension stick  35  and with eye bolt  22  of a power distribution device  34  within Multi-Task-Tool  1 . 
         FIG. 23  is a front view of Multi-Task-Tool  1  with fixed finger/hook  36  attached. 
         FIG. 24  is a side view of Multi-Task-Tool  1  with alternate tool boss  42  and stop-pin aperture  43 . 
         FIG. 25  is a front view of removable finger/hook  40 . 
         FIG. 26  is an end view of removable finger/hook  40 . 
         FIG. 27  is a front view of Multi-Task-Tool  1  with removable finger/hook  40  attached. 
         FIG. 28  is a front view of movable finger/hook  44 . 
         FIG. 29  is an end view of movable finger/hook  44 . 
         FIG. 30  is a side view of spacer washer  49 . 
         FIG. 31  is a front view of spacer washer  49 . 
         FIG. 32  is a side view of elastic washer  50 . 
         FIG. 33  is a front view of elastic washer  50 . 
         FIG. 34  is a side view of mounting bolt  51 . 
         FIG. 35  is a side view of stop-pin  52 . 
         FIG. 36  is an end view of stop-pin  52 . 
         FIG. 37  is a side view of Multi-Task-Tool  1  with movable finger/hook  44  in its lifting position. 
         FIG. 38  is a top view of Multi-Task-Tool  1  with movable finger/hook  44  in its folded position. 
         FIG. 39  is a side view of Multi-Task-Tool  1  with movable finger/hook  44  in its folded position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-4  and  FIGS. 8-12  Show various views of the first embodiment of Multi-Task-Tool  1  consisting of an elongated cylindrical body  3  which defines a bore diameter that accommodates slide ably receiving the eye of an eye bolt or winged fastener. An aperture cap  2  defining a centrally located radius end  9  elongated aperture  8  with two parallel long edges  10  further defining central opposing shank radiuses  11  is attached across one end of the body. The device also includes a mounting base  4  attached or unitary to the body  3  at the opposite end from the aperture cap  2 . The body  3  contains internally opposing long rail  12  and a short rail  15  within its bore having long rail first flat surface  13  and short rail first flat surface  16  together defining a plane having a first end aligned with and proximal to one long edge  10  of aperture cap  2 . The rails central edges define rail slot  18  and respectively have long rail second flat surface  14  and short rail second flat surface  17  behind their first surfaces giving them a truncated triangle cross section. Long rail  12  extends the full internal length of the body. Opposing short rail  15  has a length that is about equal to one half the outermost diameter of the eye of eye bolt  22 . The body  3  is of sufficient length to accommodate the eye being rotated inside the body below short rail  15 . The first end of base  4  is attached to the body  3  opposite the aperture cap  2 . The opposite end of the base  4  defines a mounting flange which is complementary to tool mounting flanges commonly found on extension sticks including, but not limited to, radial splines  5  and a tool mounting slot  6 . An external secondary tool boss  7  is provided on body  3  proximal to the aperture cap  2  to accommodate mounting secondary tools. The secondary tool boss  7  may define internal or external threads or other complimentary attachment configuration or it may be a tool itself including but, not limited to, a finger. 
     Also referring to  FIG. 22  showing Multi-Task-Tool  1  mounted to extension stick  35  and is used by passing the body  3  over the eye and a portion of the shank of the eye bolt  22  of a clamp-action-mounted power distribution device  34  by way of the elongated aperture  8 . The first flat surfaces of the rails engage the major diameter of the eye and guide the eye bolt  22  through the body  3  toward the mounting base  4 . After the eye is seated against the mounting base  4  the Multi-Task-Tool  1  may be rotated around the eye as one side of the eye passes under the short rail  15 . The long rail second flat surface  14  engages a side of the eye and prevents the body  3  from spinning completely around the eye bolt  22 . In that position with one side of eye bolt  22  against the long rail second flat surface, body  3  is then pulled back down the eye bolt  22  shank until the eye seats against the aperture cap  2 . The eye becomes captured between the rails in the rail slot  18 . The short rail  15  may also be beveled opposite aperture cap  2  to urge the eye into the rail slot  18 . The body  3  will now be able to transmit rotational force on the eye bolt  22  in either direction while maintaining control of the position of the clamp-action-mounted power distribution device  34  by contact in body  3  and elongated aperture  8 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 5-7  and showing alternate embodiments, aperture cap  2  may be of sufficient thickness to define a bevel around the elongated aperture to provide an eye funnel  19  to help guide the eye bolt  22  through elongated aperture  8 . Second short rail  20  and third short rail  21  cross sections and positions mirror image each other and as a pair mirror image long rail  12  and short rail  15  as a pair. They engage the opposite side of eye bolt  22 &#39;s eye the same as long rail  12  and short rail  15  engage the first side when body  3  is pulled down eye bolt  22 &#39;s shank. 
       FIG. 8  is a cross section ( FIG. 3 ) of Multi-Task-Tool  1  showing aperture cap  2 , elongated aperture  8 , body  3 , base  4  with tool mount flange splines  5 , tool mounting slot  6  and secondary tool boss  7  also showing first rail long rail first surface  13  and short rail first surface  16 . 
       FIG. 9  is a partial cross section view ( FIG. 3 ) of Multi-Task-Tool  1  showing aperture cap  2 , body  3 , base  4 , secondary tool boss  7 , elongated aperture  8 , also showing long first surface  13  and short rail first surface  16  with eye bolt  22  resting on base  4 . 
       FIG. 10  is a cross section top view ( FIG. 2 ) of Multi-Task-Tool  1  showing body  3 , secondary tool boss  7 , long rail  12  with long rail first surface  13 , long rail second surface  14 , short rail  15 , short rail first surface  16  and short rail second surface  17 . Also shown is eye bolt  22  in the position shown in  FIG. 6  against long rail first surface  13 . Eye bolt  22  is below sort rail  15  in that position and therefore not touching first short rail  16 . 
       FIG. 11  is a cross section top view ( FIG. 2 ) of Multi-Task-Tool  1  showing body  3 , secondary tool boss  7 , long rail  12  with long rail first surface  13 , long rail second surface  14 , short rail  15 , short rail first surface  16  and short rail second surface  17 . Also shown is eye bolt  22  against aperture cap  2  (in the position shown in  FIG. 10 ) against long rail second surface  14 . 
       FIG. 12  is a partial cross section front view ( FIG. 3 ) of Multi-Task-Tool  1  showing aperture cap  2 , body  3 , base  4 , secondary tool boss  7 , elongated aperture  8 , also showing long rail first surface  13  and short rail first surface  16  with eye bolt  22  against aperture cap  2  and long rail second surface  14  (not shown). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13-17 , often the need for electrical power 24/7 mandates that maintenance is preformed in low light or total darkness. To help facilitate working in the dark, a light source  25  which has a housing  26  which contains a power source, lens holder  27 , lens  30 , switch  28  and spring base  29  is mounted in light pocket  23  provided in the base  4  which shines through a light aperture  24  through body  3  and out the elongated aperture  8 . The light source  25  may be integral or removable. If removable the spring base  29  urges the housing against the opposite end of the light pocket  23  to hold it in place. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 18-21  yet another embodiment provides a light source piston  31  which can float in the bore of the body  3  with a spring  33  underneath the piston  31  acting on the base  4  to urge the piston  31  toward the aperture cap  2 . Light source piston  31  also has rail cutouts  32  to conform to the bore of body  3 . The spring pressure is easily overcome by the weight of an electrical power distribution device  34 . The focused light gives general illumination and tends to serve as aiming device. As a fastener enters the body  3  through the aperture cap  2  the piston  31  is pushed downward and out of the way. The length of the body  3  for this embodiment is extended to provide room for light source piston  31  in its compressed position against the base  4  while retaining all other features. The switch  28  would extend into and be accessed through elongated aperture  8  while the piston  31  is at rest against aperture cap  2 . The switch  28  would be off-sided in the elongated aperture  8  which places it outside the sweep of the eye bolt  22  eye&#39;s major diameter. In this embodiment the aperture cap  2  is removable for access to the light source piston  31 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 23  often other power distribution devices must be lifted or removed from elevated positions especially those energized by hot lines using hot line clamps including, but not limited to; fuse barrels. The above embodiments of Multi-Task-Tool  1  are useful to attach and remove hot lines and open and close fuse barrel holders and with skillful use of the fixed tool boss  7  a lineman can lift a fuse barrel. However, a more convenient fixed, removable or foldable finger/hook is added. Fixed finger/hook  36  has a stand-out section  37  which is affixed or unitary to base  4 . Midsection  38  has a reduced height compared to the stand-out section  37  and distal end  39  is at least equal height to stand-out section  36  together forming an elongated hook. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 24-27  another embodiment of the finger/hook with a removable finger/hook is provided. An alternate tool boss  42  is formed into base  4  generally, a threaded aperture with a surrounding counter sink. Removable finger/hook  40  has a threaded end  41  proximal to stand-off section  37 , a reduced height midsection  38  and distal end  39  which together form an elongated hook. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 28-39  another embodiment of the finger/hook with a folding finger/hook is provided. In  FIG. 24  base  4  has stop-pin aperture  43  proximal to alternate tool boss  42 . Folding finger/hook  44  stand-off end  37  defines mounting aperture  45 , lifting stop surface  46  and folding stop surface  47 . Midsection  38  has a reduced height and distal end  39  is at least the height of stand-off end  37  together forming an elongated hook. Distal end  39  is further formed perpendicular to the finger&#39;s length to form snap-tip  48 . Folding finger/hook  44  is mounted to the Multi-Task-Tool  1  by way of mounting bolt  51  passed through elastic washer  50 , the finger and spacer washer  49  and threaded into alternate tool boss  42  on base  4 . Stop-pin  52  is threaded into stop-pin aperture  43 . Elastic washer  50  acts on mounting bolt  51  and the finger and tends to resist movement of the finger. As folding finger/hook  44  is rotated into its extended lifting position, lifting stop surface  46  engages stop-pin  52 . As folding finger/hook  44  is rotated into its retracted position, snap-tip  48  engages the side of body  3  and elastic washer  50  allows the finger to flex as the snap-tip latches over body  3  and folding stop  47  engages stop-pin  52 . 
     The embodiments disclosed in the description and drawings are intended to illuminate rather than limit the equivalent devices that may be envisioned by those skilled in the art.

Technology Category: 7