HK1240890A1

HK1240890A1 - Multipurpose tool

Info

Publication number: HK1240890A1
Application number: HK18100245.3A
Authority: HK
Inventors: Lazenby Adam; C. Rivera Benjamin; B. Castro Jeffrey
Original assignee: Leatherman Tool Group, Inc.
Priority date: 2016-06-01
Filing date: 2018-01-08
Publication date: 2018-06-01

Description

Multipurpose tool

Technical Field

Exemplary embodiments relate generally to multitools, and more particularly, to multitools having features that facilitate a user's use of the multitool in a wide variety of different applications.

Background

Multi-tools are very popular because of their utility in a variety of different applications. The multitool includes a plurality of tool members carried by a common frame. The multi-purpose tool may include different combinations of tool components depending on its intended application. For example, a multi-tool designed for a more general purpose general application may include pliers, wire cutters, a drill tip driver, one or more cutter blades, a saw blade, and so forth. Other multi-purpose tools are designed for more specific applications or niche markets and correspondingly include tool components that may be used for a given application. For example, the multitool may be specifically designed for use in automotive maintenance, hunting, fishing or other outdoor applications, gardening, skiing, snowboarding, bicycling or other recreational activities, and military and emergency medical applications, to name a few.

One reason that multitools are popular is that multitools are able to provide numerous functions with a single tool, thereby reducing the need to carry multiple different tools in order to perform the same function. For example, a single multi-purpose tool may be carried instead of a pair of pliers, one or more screwdrivers, a knife, and a bottle opener. In this way, the burden on the user is reduced, as the user only needs to carry a single multi-purpose tool.

Because multitools are often brought to the field by users, it is desirable that multitools be relatively small and light, while remaining strong to resist damage. To reduce the overall size of the multitool, some multitools have been designed to be collapsible. In this regard, the foldable multi-tool is designed to be alternately folded into a closed position and an open position. Generally, the closed position is more compact, while the multitool is often carried in the closed position. Conversely, while the open position is generally less compact than the closed position, the open position generally allows one or more of the tool members that are stowed and relatively inaccessible when the multitool is in the closed position to be deployed.

For example, the multitool may include pliers having a pair of jaws connected to respective handles. In the open position, the forceps are spread apart and can be actuated by moving the handles toward and away from each other. In the closed position, these handles are folded around the forceps so that the forceps no longer function but are located in the handles. In the closed position, however, the multitool is more compact, with the form factor generally defined by the proximate relationship to the handle.

In addition to the pliers being deployed as the handle transitions from the closed position to the open position, the handles of multi-tools typically also house one or more tool members. By storing these tool components within the handle when they are not in use, the form factor of the multi-purpose tool can be relatively small compared to the number of tool components that the multi-purpose tool carries. Thus, the multi-purpose tool may have considerable utility and versatility, despite being a relatively small tool. To access the tool member stored within the handle, a user may engage the tool member, for example with his fingernail, and may fold the tool member so that it is operable.

Disclosure of Invention

While the multitool provides versatility and functionality, a multitool and its components are provided according to exemplary embodiments to facilitate a user's utilization of the multitool in a wide variety of applications. For example, the multitool of the example embodiments is configured to facilitate transitioning of the multitool from a closed position to an open position such that a user may open the tool more easily with one hand, and in a manner that is consistent and repeatable across the life of the tool. Further, the multitool of the exemplary embodiments is configured for improvements in the manner in which individual tool members are folded out of the handle and locked in an operable position, thereby improving accessibility and utilization of such tool members. Further, the multi-purpose tool of the exemplary embodiments has a handle configured to permit the length of at least some of the tool members to be increased relative to the length of the handle, thereby further improving the performance provided by the tool members without increasing the form factor of the multi-purpose tool. As these examples illustrate, the multitool of the example embodiments is configured to provide improved performance characteristics, as well as improved versatility and robustness.

In an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a multitool including: a handle defining a channel; and a plurality of tool members carried by the channel defined by the handle and foldable into the channel. The plurality of tool members define a recess extending in a transverse direction extending between opposing sidewalls of the handle. The recess is exposed with the tool members folded into the channel. As such, the recess is configured to be engaged by a user to at least partially rotatably open one or more of the tool members relative to the handle.

In embodiments where the plurality of tool members includes first and second tool members, each tool member may include a cam member. In this embodiment, the multitool includes a cam follower configured to engage the cam member of each of the first and second tool members during rotation of the first and second tool members relative to the first handle. The cam member of the first tool member may be different from the cam member of the second tool member such that the cam follower engages the cam member of the first tool member upon rotating the first tool member through a first angle of incidence relative to the first handle during opening of the first tool member and the cam follower engages the cam member of the second tool member after rotating the second tool member through a second angle of incidence different from the first angle of incidence relative to the first handle during opening of the second tool member. In this aspect, the cam follower may engage the cam member of the first tool member immediately upon opening the first tool member, and the cam follower may not engage the cam member of the second tool member immediately upon opening the second tool member, but rather only engage the cam member of the second tool member after the second tool member has rotated through the second angle of incidence during opening the second tool member. The second angle of incidence may be greater than zero. The second tool member defines the recess.

The multitool of the exemplary embodiment also includes a magnet carried by the handle. The magnet of this embodiment is positioned relative to the tool members such that the magnet generates a magnetic force along a path extending through one or more of the tool members to bias the one or more tool members to a closed position in which the one or more tool members are folded into the channel. In embodiments where the plurality of tool members includes first and second tool members, the multitool may further include a non-rotating spacer positioned between the first and second tool members.

In an exemplary embodiment, a multitool is provided that includes first and second handles configured for relative movement between a closed position and an open position. The multitool also includes a plurality of tool members. One or more of the plurality of tool members are carried by and foldable into the first handle. Similarly, one or more of the plurality of tool members is carried by and foldable into the second handle. The multitool further includes a first magnet carried by the first handle. The first magnet is configured to apply a magnetic force to bias the first and second handles into the closed position.

The multitool of the example embodiments also includes a second magnet carried by the second handle and aligned with the first magnet with the first and second handles in the closed position. In an exemplary embodiment, the first magnet is positioned relative to the tool members such that the first magnet generates a magnetic force along a path extending through one or more of the tool members to bias the one or more tool members to a closed position in which the one or more tool members are folded into the respective handle.

The first handle includes a shaft on which a plurality of tool members are rotatably mounted. The plurality of tool members includes first and second tool members, each of the first and second tool members including a cam member. The multitool of this example embodiment also includes a cam follower configured to engage the cam member of each of the first and second tool members during rotation of the first and second tool members relative to the first handle. In an exemplary embodiment, the cam member of the first tool member is different from the cam member of the second tool member. Thus, the cam follower engages the cam member of the first tool member upon rotating the first tool member through a first angle of incidence relative to the first handle during opening of the first tool member. In this aspect, the cam follower engages the cam member of the second tool member after rotating the second tool member relative to the first handle through a second angle of incidence different from the first angle of incidence during opening of the second tool member. In an exemplary embodiment, the cam follower engages the cam member of the first tool member immediately upon opening of the first tool member. In contrast, the cam follower does not engage the cam member of the second tool member immediately upon opening the second tool member, but only after the second tool member has rotated through the second angle of incidence, which is greater than zero, during opening of the second tool member.

The multitool of the exemplary embodiment also includes first and second jaws rotatably connected to the first and second handles, respectively. Each jaw comprises a wall member. The multitool of this example embodiment also includes first and second spring members configured to engage the first and second jaws, respectively. The wall member of each jaw has a thickness that varies such that the first and second spring members engage the thicker portions of the wall members of the first and second jaws, respectively, as the first and second handles are rotated from the closed position to the open position. The first and second handles each include opposing sidewalls. In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second spring members are configured to provide a spring force to the wall members of the first and second jaws, respectively, the spring force being directed through one of the side walls. In an exemplary embodiment, the respective tool members define a slot that includes an elongated portion. The respective tool member is configured to alternately receive a cutter blade within the slot, or a screwdriver within the elongated portion of the slot.

In another exemplary embodiment, a multitool is provided that includes first and second handles configured for relative movement between a closed position and an open position. The multitool also includes a plurality of tool members. One or more of the plurality of tool members are carried by and foldable into the first handle. Similarly, one or more of the plurality of tool members is carried by and foldable into the second handle. The multitool further includes a first magnet carried by the first handle and positioned relative to the tool members such that the first magnet generates a magnetic force along a path extending through at least one tool member carried by the first handle. The magnetic force thus biases the at least one tool member to a closed position in which the at least one tool member is folded into the first handle. In an exemplary embodiment, the multitool further includes a second magnet carried by the second handle and aligned with the first magnet with the first and second handles in the closed position. The first and second magnets of this exemplary embodiment are configured to bias the first and second handles to the closed position.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first handle includes a shaft on which the plurality of tool members are rotatably mounted. The plurality of tool members includes first and second tool members, each of the first and second tool members including a cam member. The multitool of this example embodiment also includes a cam follower configured to engage the cam member of each of the first and second tool members during rotation of the first and second tool members relative to the handle. In an exemplary embodiment, the cam member of the first tool member is different from the cam member of the second tool member. Thus, the cam follower engages the cam member of the first tool member upon rotating the first tool member through a first angle of incidence relative to the first handle during opening of the first tool member. In this aspect, the cam follower engages the cam member of the second tool member after rotating the second tool member relative to the first handle through a second angle of incidence different from the first angle of incidence during opening of the second tool member. In an exemplary embodiment, the cam follower engages the cam member of the first tool member immediately upon opening of the first tool member. In contrast, the cam follower does not engage the cam member of the second tool member immediately upon opening the second tool member, but only after the second tool member has rotated through the second angle of incidence, which is greater than zero, during opening of the second tool member.

The multitool of the exemplary embodiment also includes first and second jaws rotatably connected to the first and second handles, respectively. Each jaw of this exemplary embodiment includes a wall member. The multitool of this embodiment also includes first and second spring members configured to engage the first and second jaws, respectively. The wall member of each jaw has a thickness that varies such that the first and second spring members engage the thicker portions of the wall members of the first and second jaws, respectively, as the first and second handles are rotated from the closed position to the open position. The first and second handles each include opposing sidewalls. In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second spring members are configured to provide a spring force to the wall members of the first and second jaws, respectively, the spring force being directed through one of the side walls.

In a further exemplary embodiment, a multitool is provided that includes first and second handles configured for relative movement between a closed position and an open position. The multitool also includes a plurality of tool members carried by and foldable into the first handle. In this aspect, the first handle includes a shaft on which the plurality of tool members are rotatably mounted. The plurality of tool members includes first and second tool members, each of the first and second tool members including a cam member. The multitool includes a cam follower configured to engage the cam member of each of the first and second tool members during rotation of the first and second tool members relative to the first handle. The cam member of the first tool member is different from the cam member of the second tool member. Thus, the cam follower engages the cam member of the first tool member upon rotating the first tool member relative to the first handle through a first angle of incidence during rotation of the first tool member. The cam follower engages the cam member of the second tool member after rotating the second tool member relative to the first handle through a second angle of incidence different from the first angle of incidence during opening of the second tool member.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cam follower engages the cam member of the first tool member immediately upon opening of the first tool member. In contrast, the cam follower does not engage the cam member of the second tool member immediately upon opening the second tool member, but only after the second tool member has rotated through the second angle of incidence, which is greater than zero, during opening of the second tool member. The multitool of the exemplary embodiment also includes first and second magnets carried by the first and second handles, respectively. The first and second magnets are aligned with the first and second handles in the closed position. The first and second magnets are configured to bias the first and second handles to the closed position.

The multitool of the exemplary embodiment also includes first and second jaws rotatably connected to the first and second handles, respectively. Each jaw comprises a wall member. The multitool of this example embodiment also includes first and second spring members configured to engage the first and second jaws, respectively. The wall member of each jaw has a thickness that varies such that the first and second spring members engage the thicker portions of the wall members of the first and second jaws, respectively, as the first and second handles are rotated from the closed position to the open position.

Drawings

Having thus described embodiments of the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multitool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the multitool in an open position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a multitool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the multitool in a closed position;

figures 3A and 3B are perspective views of two different sides of a multitool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the multitool in a closed position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a user engaging a notch defined by tool members of the multitool to rotatably open the tool members, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a handle portion of a multitool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

6A-6C are fragmentary perspective views of a consecutive series of jaws and springs configured to interact with cam members of respective jaws as a handle is moved from a closed position to an open position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the multitool of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing the cam member of the jaws;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the interior of a multitool in a closed position, showing first and second magnets, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view depicting magnets engaged with a non-rotating spacer, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views of a shorter tool member and a longer tool member of a multitool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing different cam members thereof;

11A-11C are a fragmentary side view of the interior of a multitool in a sequential series as the longer tool members move from a closed position to an open position, illustrating the interaction of the cam follower with the cam members of the tool members, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

12A-12D are a fragmentary side view of the interior of a multitool in a sequential series as shorter tool members move from a closed position to an open position, illustrating the interaction of a cam follower with a cam member of the tool members, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of the interior of a multitool with the tool members in an open position, illustrating the interaction of the spring member with the cam follower, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating a scissors tool member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the scissors tool member of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a side view of a tool member for alternately receiving a cutter blade and a screwdriver according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is an end view of the tool member of FIG. 16 depicting the slot, which in turn defines an elongated portion;

FIG. 18 is a side view of a drill tip driver including a spring for engaging a drill tip member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the drill tip driver of FIG. 18; and is

Figures 20A-20D are a perspective view of a sequential series illustrating a technique for assembling a multi-tool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The present inventions now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Referring now to fig. 1-3, a tool, such as a multitool 10, is depicted in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. While the tool will be described in the context of a multitool, other types of tools may readily employ the components of embodiments of the present invention, including knives and other types of tools that are not considered to be multitools. For purposes of illustration and not limitation, however, a multitool employing embodiments of the present invention will now be described.

Multitool 10 includes a plurality of handles 12 configured for movement relative to one another, and a plurality of tool members carried by at least one of the handles. Typically, the multitool includes a pair of generally elongated handles extending lengthwise or longitudinally between opposite ends. As a result of their connection, e.g. pivotal connection, to each other and/or to one or more of the tool members, the handles may be moved towards and away from each other, e.g. in order to actuate the tool members as described below.

In this regard, the multitool 10 may be configured such that the handles 12 are adapted for relative movement between an open position, as shown in fig. 1, and a closed position, as shown in fig. 2-3. It is apparent that the multi-tool has a compact form factor in the closed position, thereby facilitating transportation and storage of the multi-tool. One or more tool components carried by the multitool are generally accessible when the multitool is in the closed position. While the multitool is more expanded in the open position, one or more different tool members of the multitool are accessible and can be utilized in the open position, even though these same tool members are stowed and generally inaccessible in the closed position.

Each handle 12 includes a pair of opposed side walls 14, and in some embodiments a webbed bottom panel 16 extending between the opposed side walls, thereby defining a channel within the handle for receiving and storing a plurality of tool members. The handle of the exemplary embodiment has a cross-sectional shape taken in a transverse direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the elongated handle that varies along the length of the handle. In this regard, each handle may include a proximal end 18 about which the handle pivots to transition between the closed and open positions. Each handle of this exemplary embodiment also includes a distal end 20 that is opposite the proximal end in the longitudinal direction. In this exemplary embodiment, the portion of the handle closest to, e.g., adjacent to, the proximal end of the handle has a generally U-shape defined by the opposing sidewalls and a floor extending therebetween. Even within this portion of the handle defining the U-shaped channel, the floor need not extend continuously between the opposing side walls. Rather, the floor of the illustrated embodiment includes a first floor portion 22 proximate the handle distal end that generally extends between the opposing sidewalls and defines a spring member 24 as described below. In addition, the floor of the illustrated embodiment includes a second floor section extending from the first floor section to the proximal end of the handle. The second floor section includes edge members 26 extending laterally inwardly from the opposed side walls. The edge members do not extend across the channel between the opposing side walls, but instead extend only partially across the channel, defining an opening into the channel between the edge members. In the exemplary embodiment, the inner edges of these edge members include an upwardly turned portion 28.

The portion of the handle closest to, e.g., adjacent to, the distal end 20 of the handle has a different shape, e.g., a W-shape, than the U-shaped channel defined by the portion of the handle 12 closest to the proximal end 18. In this regard, the channel defined by the pair of opposing sidewalls 14 and the floor 16 is not open between the opposing sidewalls. Rather, a pair of intermediate side walls 30 extend into the channel defined by the opposing side walls, such as in the middle portion of the channel between the pair of opposing side walls. The intermediate side walls may extend upwardly into the channel from the inner edge of the edge member 26 and may be interconnected at their upper edges by an interconnecting web 32. The intermediate sidewalls may have the same height as the opposing sidewalls, or may have a different height, e.g., shorter than the opposing sidewalls. Thus, the portion of the handle proximate the distal end includes the pair of opposing sidewalls, and the edge members of the floor that extend inwardly from each of the pair of opposing sidewalls into the channel. The intermediate side walls then extend upwardly from the inner edges of the edge members and are interconnected to one another by the interconnecting web to define the W-shaped channel.

Each of the two handles 12 of the multitool 10 may have the same configuration, for example, a hybrid U-W configuration due to the handles having one portion with a U-shaped channel and the other portion with a W-shaped channel. Alternatively, the first and second handles may be of different shapes, e.g., one of the handles having a U-shaped channel and the other handle having a hybrid U-W configuration as described above.

While each handle 12 may be a single unitary structure, each handle may instead be formed from a plurality of discrete handle portions 12a joined to one another to form the resulting handle. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 5, each handle is formed by two handle portions attached to each other to form the handle. Each handle portion of this exemplary embodiment includes: a side wall 14, such as an outer side wall; the portion of the floor 16 that includes the edge member 26 that extends inwardly from the respective side wall; an intermediate side wall 30; and interconnecting webs 32. The interconnecting webs of the handle portion of this embodiment may be configured to be stacked one on top of the other and then may be joined (e.g., by rivets 33) to form the handle.

The multitool 10 of the exemplary embodiment depicted in fig. 1 and 6 includes a tool member in the form of jaws 34 pivotally connected to one another, such as at pivot points 36. Each jaw includes a cam member 38, which is typically disposed entirely or substantially within the proximal end 18 of the respective handle 12. In this regard, the first and second handles may include a hub 41 that is contoured to extend between the intermediate side walls 30 of the W-shaped portion of the handles, as shown in FIG. 5. The hub of the exemplary embodiment may be comprised of a pin and a screw that engage each other. The hub of this exemplary embodiment does not extend between the opposing sidewalls 14 (hereinafter also referred to as outer sidewalls due to its positional relationship with the intermediate sidewalls), but may be limited to extending between the intermediate sidewalls. The cam member of each jaw defines an opening through which the hub of the respective handle extends such that each jaw is both rotatably connected to the respective handle and pivotally connected to the other jaw member. Thus, the handles may be rotated from a closed position (in which the jaws are folded through the opening into the channel between the edge members 26 to be stowed within the channel defined by the handles) to an open position (in which the jaws extend beyond the handles). In the closed position and as shown in fig. 5 and 8, the handles may also include internal jaw stop members 31 that the jaws may contact as the handles are folded from the open position to the closed position to position the jaws at a desired location within the respective handles. However, in the open position, the handles may be alternately moved toward and away from each other to open and close the jaw members. The multitool may include a variety of different types of jaws, including pliers, scissors, and the like. In an exemplary embodiment where the jaws comprise a pair of pliers, the pair of pliers may further comprise a pair of wire cutters carried by the respective jaws to further increase the functionality of the multitool.

As shown in fig. 6A-6C, the cam member 38 of each jaw 34 defines a curved exterior surface 40 and a wall member 42 extending therefrom, e.g., outwardly therefrom. In exemplary embodiments, the wall member extends at least partially circumferentially around the curved surface along an edge of the curved surface. The wall member has a thickness that gradually increases in a circumferential direction around the curved surface of the cam member from the thinner end 42a to the thicker end 42b, as shown in fig. 7. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the wall member increases linearly, but the thickness of the wall member may increase in other ways. The thickness of the wall member may be increased by different amounts. In the exemplary embodiment, however, the thickness of the wall member doubles from a thinner end engaged by the respective spring when the handle 12 is in the closed position to a thicker end engaged by the respective spring member as the handle approaches the open position.

In this exemplary embodiment, multitool 10 also includes a pair of springs 44, one of which is configured to engage wall member 42 of cam member 38 of each jaw 34. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in fig. 5 and 6, each spring is a cantilever spring that defines a slot 44a to form the spring. While the spring may be a separate component attached to the respective handle 12, the spring of the exemplary embodiment is integral with and defined by the interconnecting web 32 of one of the handle portions 12a, such as the innermost one of the interconnecting webs. In this exemplary embodiment, the spring may be attached to the other handle portion, for example by rivets 33, to positionally fix the spring relative to the respective handle. In this exemplary embodiment, the spring extends generally in a planar manner alongside the outermost one of the interconnecting webs.

Each spring 44 may include a web 44b in operative contact with the intermediate side wall 30 of the W-shaped portion of the handle 12, with an arm 44c of the spring biased against the wall member 42 of the cam member 38 of the respective jaw 34. In the embodiment shown in fig. 5 in which the spring is formed from and integral with one of the handle portions 12a, the web of the spring is in operative contact with the intermediate side wall as a result of the spring being integral with the handle portion including the intermediate side wall. Nonetheless, each spring is generally formed relative to the handle and the cam member such that the spring is compressed between the middle side wall of the W-shaped portion of the handle and the wall member of the cam member. Thus, each spring is configured to apply a force that extends laterally across the respective handle, such as in a direction extending through the outer and middle side walls 14, 30 of the handle. Thus, the spring does not apply appreciable (if any) force to the floor 16 of the handle, but rather relies on the generally greater strength and stiffness provided by the side walls of the handle for support.

As shown in fig. 6A, when the handle 12 is in the closed position, the arm 44c of the spring 44 operatively contacts the wall member 42 of the cam member 38 of the respective jaw 34, e.g., operatively contacts the thinner end 42 a. However, as the handle is moved from the closed position to the open position and the cam member of the handle rotates about the hub 41 relative to the respective spring, the arm of each spring member generally rides over and contacts the progressively thicker portion of the wall member of the cam member of the jaw, as shown in fig. 6B. The biasing force exerted by the spring on the wall member increases progressively as the handle is rotated from the closed position to the open position due to the reduced width between the intermediate side wall 30 of the W-shaped portion of the handle and the wall member. Thus, the user must correspondingly provide a greater opening force to the handle to complete the transition of the handle from the closed position to the open position.

In an exemplary embodiment, the portion of the arm 44C of the spring 44 that contacts the wall member 42 of the respective jaw 34 rotates beyond the wall member as the handle 12 reaches the fully open position, as shown in fig. 6C. In this regard, the cam member 38 of the jaw may define a notch 46 circumferentially adjacent the thicker end 42b of the wall member, as shown in fig. 6C. In this exemplary embodiment depicted in fig. 5 and 6, the arm of the spring may include a positive cam follower in the form of a protruding contact portion 44d that extends outwardly from the remainder of the arm toward the wall member to operatively engage the wall member during rotation of the handle from the closed position to the open position. As the handle reaches the fully open position, the contact portion of the arm of the spring may rotate beyond the thicker end of the wall member and engage the notch defined by the cam member of the respective jaw, thereby providing tactile feedback (e.g., one or both of tactile and audible feedback) to inform the user that the jaws have been fully deployed. In addition, the handle, such as the interconnecting web 32 of the W-shaped portion of the handle, may also engage a stop 31 defined by the jaws to provide a physical stop for further rotation of the handle relative to the jaws and also provide tactile feedback to inform the user that the jaws have been fully deployed.

The jaws 34 may be configured and the handles 12 may be rotatably connected to the cam members 38 of their respective jaws in such a manner that a gap 48 is defined between the handles along the overall length of the handles once the handles are in the fully open position. By requiring clearance between these handles along the entire length of the handles, multitool 10 may avoid pinching the user when the handles are fully open.

Engagement of the contact portion 44d of the arm 44c of the spring 44 with the notch 46 defined by the cam member 38 of the respective jaw may prevent, or at least reduce, the likelihood of the handle 12 being inadvertently closed, as the user must apply sufficient closing force to the handle to deflect the spring such that the contact portion disengages the notch and transitions to riding along the wall member 42 again. To facilitate this transition, the contact portion of the notch defined by the cam member and the arm of the spring may have an at least partially rounded or angled profile. For example, the thicker end 42b of the wall member may include an angled edge 46a that at least partially defines the recess, thereby causing the contact portion to ramp from the recess onto the wall member upon application of sufficient closing force.

Thus, multitool 10 provides smooth opening and closing of handle 12 to alternately deploy and stow jaws 34. However, the multitool prevents inadvertent opening of the handle by requiring the user to apply an increased force to fully open the handle through the interaction between the spring 44 and the wall member 42 of the cam member 38 of the respective jaw. Similarly, the multitool prevents inadvertent closing of the handle due to the engagement of the contact portion 44d of the spring within the corresponding notch 46 defined by the cam member, and the requirement that the user apply additional force to initiate folding of the handle.

To bias the handles 12 to the closed position and to avoid inadvertent opening of the handles from the closed position, the multitool 10 may include a first magnet carried by one of the handles and more typically first and second magnets 50 carried by the first and second handles, respectively, as shown in fig. 8. In this aspect, the first and second magnets may be spatially aligned with one another when the handle is in the closed position. These magnets generate magnetic forces. The magnetic force is along a flux path extending through the handles and/or components carried by the handles, such as tool members. The magnetic force is an attractive magnetic force, and thus the magnetic force biases the handles toward each other into the closed position. However, these magnets are configured such that the magnetic force can be overcome by an opening force applied by a user in order to intentionally open the handle from the closed position to the open position. Thus, the magnetic force prevents the handle from inadvertently opening from the closed position to the open position, but allows the handle to open once the user provides sufficient force.

Furthermore, the magnetic attraction provided by these magnets 50 carried by the handle 12 is primarily applicable when the handles are relatively close to one another, such as where the handles are opened to define an interior angle of no more than about 20 ° therebetween. Then, as the handle is more fully opened, the magnetic force has a very limited or even negligible effect on the force required to open the handle. Thus, the combination of the magnetic attraction provided by these magnets when the handle is in the closed or nearly closed position, and the engagement of the spring 44 with the wall member 42 of the cam member 38 of the jaw 34 provides for smooth opening of the handle from the closed position to the open position. Indeed, the multitool of the exemplary embodiment may be opened with one hand by a user holding multitool 10, for example, by holding one of the handles of the multitool and then applying a rotational force to the multitool, for example, by flipping the handle not held by the user away from the held handle, thereby causing the magnetic force to be overcome and the distal ends 20 of the handles to separate, with the handles then being rotated from the closed position to the open position. Conversely, when the handles are closed from the open position to the closed position, the magnetic force provided by the magnets may assist in fully closing the handles as the distal ends of the handles are brought relatively closer to each other.

The magnet 50 may be carried by the handle 12 in different ways. However, in an exemplary embodiment, the magnets are disposed in a carrier 52, such as a holder formed of a plastic or metal material. The carrier may in turn be mounted in a channel defined by the respective handle, for example by being mechanically attached to the handle, or by being positioned relative to other components in the handle such that the carrier is secured within the channel defined by the respective handle in an interference fit. These magnets are typically carried by the handle closer to the distal end 20 of the handle than to the proximal end 18 of the handle and are spaced apart from each other as the handle is moved from the closed position to the open position. In an exemplary embodiment, the magnets are positioned a distance of about 5% to about 25% of the length of the handle from the distal end of the handle.

In addition to the jaws 34, the multitool 10 generally includes a number of other tool components. In the illustrated embodiment, the distal end 20 of each handle 12 also includes a shaft 54 extending between the opposing sidewalls 14 of the handle. Thus, the shaft at the distal end of the handle is longer than the hub 41 at the proximal end 18 of the handle. Tool members of the multitool may be rotatably mounted on the shaft proximal to the distal end and in exemplary embodiments, tool members are mounted on the shafts at the distal ends of both the first and second handles. Unlike the jaws 34 disposed within the handle and inaccessible when the handle is in the closed position, the tool members are configured to be opened when the handle is in the closed position and, as such, open through a surface of the handle (opposite the floor 16) that is exposed when the handle is in the closed position.

Due to the hybrid U-shaped and W-shaped handle 12, these tool members may include a combination of shorter tool members and longer tool members, as shown in fig. 3A and 3B. In this regard, these tool members are rotatably mounted on the shaft 54 in the U-shaped portion of the handle. Thus, these shorter tool members are typically those tool components disposed in a more central portion of the channel, the length of which is limited by the intermediate side wall 30 and the interconnecting web 32 of the W-shaped portion of the handle. Thus, the shorter tool members have a length such that each shorter tool member extends only through the U-shaped portion of the handle and not into the W-shaped portion of the handle. Conversely, these longer tool members extend not only through the U-shaped portion of the handle, but also through at least a portion of the W-shaped portion of the handle, although they are also rotatably mounted on the same shaft. In this regard, the W-shaped portion of the handle defines a pair of side channels 56 on opposite sides of the medial sidewall, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. In this regard, each side channel is defined between a pair of medial and lateral side walls and generally includes a floor formed by edge members 26 extending inwardly from the respective lateral side walls. Since the side channels are typically located close to the outer side wall of the handle, the longer tool members are typically also mounted on the shaft so as to be close to the outer side wall. Thus, the shorter tool members are typically disposed on the shaft between the longer tool members. As shown in fig. 3A and 3B, these handles may also not include a non-rotating spacer 59 between the shorter and longer tool members.

While multitool 10 may include a wide variety of different tools and different tool combinations depending on the type of multitool, user preferences, etc., examples of some shorter tool components include a drill tip driver, a file, a pair of scissors, a bottle opener, a screwdriver, a knife, while longer tool components may include one or more cutter blades, saw blades, and/or files. By including both longer and shorter tool members, the utility of the resulting multi-tool may be enhanced, particularly by including longer tool members that are selected such that the functions performed by the longer tool members (e.g., cutter blades and saw blades) may be performed more efficiently due to the increased length relative to the shorter tool members. Furthermore, the handle 12 may be formed, for example, with rounded corners, and the tool members may be arranged within the handle with the handle in the closed position, so as to provide a relatively smooth surface for a user to grasp or pinch when utilizing tool members, particularly longer tool members.

While the tool members may open in different ways, the tool members of the exemplary embodiment include a notch 58 proximate the shaft 54 on which the tool members are mounted, and in the exemplary embodiment are positioned closer to the distal end 20 of the handle 12 than to the shaft. As shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the recess extends transversely across the tool members mounted on the shaft in a direction extending between the opposing side walls 14 of the handle. The recess is defined by edges of the tool members that are exposed when the tool members are folded into the channel defined by the handle. In other words, the notch opens out from the multipurpose tool 10 with the tool members folded into the channel defined by the handle, thereby serving as a finger rest or hook that the user would engage in order to at least partially open the tool members relative to the handle. When the user's thumb engages the recess by applying a force to the recess (e.g., by placing the user's thumb on the exposed rear surface of the tool members within the channel of the handle), such as a sliding force directed toward the distal end of the handle, as shown in fig. 4, one or more of the shorter tool members may be at least partially rotatably opened from the respective handle. In this regard, each shorter tool member mounted on the shaft may define a notch in a uniform and aligned manner such that a user may engage each shorter tool member carried by a respective handle at a time, such as by applying a sliding motion by the user's thumb toward the distal end of the handle. Thus, the tool members may be easily accessed by a user using one hand, such as the user's thumb, even while the user is wearing gloves, without requiring the user to pry the tool members from the handle with a fingernail. While these longer tool members may also define a notch, the longer tool members of some embodiments do not include a notch and instead are accessed via the cut-outs 76 as described below. In this exemplary embodiment, the shorter tool members may exhibit a bunching action in which the user at least partially opens all or at least a plurality of the shorter tool members simultaneously by applying a distally directed sliding force. Once the plurality of shorter tool members have been at least partially opened, for example in a group, the user may more easily identify the tool member that the user wishes to utilize, and may then close other tool members and fully open this tool member that is desired to utilize. Thus, the user saves considerable time by not having to identify the particular tool member desired to be utilized when the tool member is fully folded into the handle, and simply by not having to guess and repeatedly open (one at a time) one of the tool members in order to locate the desired tool member. Rather, a user opening multiple tool members in a cluster by a single application of an opening force will allow the user to more easily identify and select the tool to be utilized while simply tucking the other tools back into the handle.

The non-rotating spacer 59 separating the shorter tool member from the longer tool member effectively prevents the longer tool member from being opened when a user engages the notch defined by the shorter tool member and rotatably opens the shorter tool member, thereby avoiding inadvertent unfolding of the longer tool member. The spacers may be configured to not rotate in different ways. In one embodiment, the spacers are mounted on the shaft 54 and include a finger 59a that extends into a channel defined by the respective handle 12 and engages the magnet 50 or magnet carrier 52, as shown in fig. 9. In this aspect, the fingers of the spacer may be configured to engage both the side surface and the top surface of the magnet or magnet carrier.

Although described herein in the context of specific embodiments of a multitool, a wide variety of multitools may include one or more tool members that define a recess 58 to facilitate user accessibility. For example, a multi-purpose tool having a single handle may include one or more tool members defining a recess that permits a user to rotatably open the one or more tool members without having to utilize their fingernails.

The portion of the tool members exposed through the passage defined by the handle 12 when in the closed position may include a plurality of grooves 60 extending transversely across the plurality of shorter tool members. While these grooves may extend across all tool members, the embodiment of fig. 3A and 3B includes grooves that extend across shorter tool members, but not across longer tool members. The grooves are longitudinally spaced in alignment across the plurality of shorter tool members. These grooves provide the user with a visual indication as to where to depress to apply the opening force to the tool member. In addition, these grooves provide some additional grip during use of the tool member.

As shown in fig. 8 and 10, the tool members also include respective cam members 62, and the multitool 10 includes a cam follower 64 configured to engage the tool members' cam members to prevent inadvertent opening of the tool members and to require a user to provide increased rotational force to the tool members relative to the handle 12 to fully open the tool members. In an exemplary embodiment, the multitool may include a single cam follower for engaging the cam member of each tool member rotatably mounted on the shaft 54 proximate the distal end 20 of the respective handle. However, as shown in fig. 10A and 10B with respect to the shorter tool members 61 and the longer tool members 63, the cam members of the tool members mounted on the shaft may be different from each other so as to interact with the cam follower in different ways during rotation of the tool members from the closed position to the open position. Regardless of the length of the tool member, the cam member has a curved cam surface 66 configured for interaction with the cam follower. The curved camming surface of the exemplary embodiment has a helical surface such that the radius from the shaft on which the tool member is mounted to the camming surface increases, for example, in a linear manner in a circumferential direction around the camming surface. In this aspect, the radius defined by the cam surface may increase from the portion of the cam surface that the cam follower approaches when the tool member is in the fully open position to the portion of the cam surface that the cam follower approaches when the tool member approaches the fully open position.

11A-11C, the cam follower 64 is configured for engaging the cam member 62 of the longer tool member 63 when the longer tool member is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 11A, throughout the opening of the longer tool member as shown in FIG. 11B, and when the longer tool member is in the open position as shown in FIG. 11C. Thus, continued engagement of the cam follower with the cam member of the longer tool member provides at least some resistance to opening of the longer tool member to avoid inadvertent opening thereof. In contrast, the cam member 62 of the shorter tool member 61 of this exemplary embodiment is configured such that, as the tool member rotates from the fully closed position to the first angle of incidence (at which time the cam follower initially engages the cam surface 66), the cam follower 64 does not engage the cam surface and is actually separated therefrom. Referring to, for example, fig. 12A and 12B, a lack of engagement between the cam surface and the cam follower, and the space therebetween, is illustrated when the shorter tool member is opened from the closed position to an angle less than the first angle of incidence. Thus, the cam follower does not bias, or otherwise limit, the initial rotation of the shorter tool member from the closed position to the first angle of incidence. The first angle of incidence of the exemplary embodiment is less than 90 °, for example between about 30 ° and 80 °, but the cam surface may be configured to define a different angle of incidence in other embodiments. Multitool 10 may be configured to prevent the cam follower from engaging the cam surface of the shorter tool member until the shorter tool member has been opened by a different means at least the first angle of incidence, as described below. Once the shorter tool member is opened to a first angle of incidence, the cam follower engages and rides on the cam surface, as shown in fig. 12C and 12D, wherein the shorter tool member is further opened to an open position. The cam follower is biased into engagement with the cam surface, such as by a spring member 24, to resist further opening of the tool member and to require the user to apply an increased rotational force to fully open the tool member, thereby preventing inadvertent opening of the tool member.

As shown in FIG. 13, the cam follower 64 can be configured in a variety of ways, but in an exemplary embodiment, is a plate-like member rotatably mounted on this shaft 68 proximate the distal end 20 of the handle 12. In this regard, the cam follower may be mounted on the shaft closer to the distal end of the handle than the shaft 54 on which the tool members are mounted. Furthermore, the shaft on which the cam follower is mounted may be proximate the floor 16 of the handle, closer to the floor than the shaft on which the tool members are mounted. Thus, the handle, e.g., the floor of the handle, may define the spring member 24 that urges the cam follower into engagement with the cam surface 66 of the tool members. In the illustrated embodiment, the floor of the handles includes a pair of spring members defined by slots formed in the floor of the handles, with the spring members being biased toward the cam follower to urge the cam follower toward the cam surface of the tool member.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the camming surfaces 66 of the tool members extend circumferentially around the cam member 62 and terminate in a notch 58 that the user engages in order to open the tool members. Once the tool member is fully opened, the spring member 24 pushes the cam follower 64 into the recess. As shown in fig. 13, the spring member applies a force to the cam follower at a location between the shaft 54 on which the tool members are mounted and the shaft 68 on which the cam follower is pivotally mounted, pushing the cam follower into the recess, thereby providing tactile feedback, such as tactile and/or audible feedback, to tell the user that the tool member is fully opened. The recess is at least partially defined by a wall member 70, such as a wall member extending substantially radially outward from the shaft 54. The cam follower distal end 64a is configured to abut the wall member of the recess in a substantially perpendicular orientation due to the force exerted by the spring member against the cam follower when the tool member is in the fully open position. The tool member will thus remain securely in the open position during use and will have a considerable stiffness due to the mechanical interaction between the cam follower and the wall member at least partially defining the recess. Further, the interaction between the tool member and the cam follower, near the shaft on which the cam follower is rotatably mounted, provides a stop for further over-rotation of the tool member and further increases the stiffness of the tool member during use. The cam follower thus acts as a lock for each tool member mounted on the shaft.

To close the tool members, a user of the multitool 10 of this example embodiment is required to apply a force to the cam follower 64 to cause the spring member 24 to deflect and cause the cam follower to disengage from the notch 58 defined by the cam surface 66. Once the cam follower disengages the notch, the tool member can be folded from the fully open position to the partially closed position, and then can be further rotated to the fully closed position, again providing tactile feedback to the user that the tool member is fully closed due to contact with corresponding stops within the handle (e.g., a kick or foot of one or more of the tool members contacting the magnet carrier 52). In the exemplary embodiment depicted in fig. 1 and 2, the handle 12 defines a slot 72 through the outer sidewall 14, and a lever 74 connected to the cam follower extends through the slot. Thus, a user may apply a force to the lever to displace the spring member and cause the cam follower to disengage from the notch defined by the cam surface of the respective tool member, such that the tool member may be folded from the fully open position. Advantageously, the user can actuate the lever and close the tool member with one hand while keeping his hand out of the advancing path of the tool member. The slot 72 of the exemplary embodiment can be defined to limit the advancement of the cam follower that would otherwise be caused by the spring member. In this regard, the slot may be defined to prevent the cam follower from being deflected by the spring member to: such that the cam follower contacts the cam surface of the shorter tool member until the shorter tool member is rotatably opened to at least the first angle of incidence.

Although the cam follower 64 does not engage the cam surface 66 of the shorter tool member 61 until the shorter tool member has rotated past the first angle of incidence, the magnetic force applied by the first and second magnets 50 may also extend through and apply a biasing force to the tool members to prevent the tool members from opening from the handle without the user applying an opening force. Thus, the tool members cannot be opened freely even if the cam follower does not immediately engage the cam surface of the shorter tool member, but rather the user must apply an opening force to the tool members to overcome the magnetic force. As described above in relation to the opening of the handle, the magnetic force exerted by the magnets disappears after the tool member is opened to a certain extent, for example around the first angle of incidence. Thus, opening of tool members, such as shorter tool members, requires the user to overcome a combination of the magnetic force provided by the magnets carried by the handle, and the bias provided by the cam followers engaging the cam surfaces of the tool members, wherein the user first needs to overcome the magnetic force provided by the magnets and then needs to overcome the bias provided by the interaction of the cam followers with the cam surfaces of the tool members once the tool members have been opened to about the first angle of incidence.

As described above, the interaction between the cam follower 64 and the cam surface 66 of the tool members may vary from one tool member to another. In this exemplary embodiment, the longer tool members may include cam members 62 having cam surfaces that are configured differently than the cam surfaces of the shorter tool members. In this regard, the cam surface of the longer tool member may be configured to also have a helical shape, with the radius from the shaft 54 about which the tool members rotate to the cam surface increasing in the circumferential direction from the portion of the cam surface that is aligned with the cam follower when the tool members are in the closed position to the portion of the cam surface that is engaged by the cam follower when the tool members are in the fully open position. However, the cam surface of the longer tool member of this exemplary embodiment is configured such that the cam follower engages the cam surface upon rotating the longer tool member through a second angle of incidence different from, e.g., less than, the first angle of incidence. For example, the second angle of incidence may be 0 ° such that the cam follower initially engages the cam surface of the longer tool member when the longer tool member is in the closed position and then continues to engage the cam surface as the longer tool member rotates from the closed position to the open position, wherein the cam follower provides an increased biasing force as the radius of the cam surface increases and the user must provide an increased opening force to fully open the tool member. See, e.g., fig. 11A-11C.

The longer tool members may comprise tool members having longer cutting edges than the shorter tool members. Thus, the cam surface 66 of the longer tool member may be configured to require the user to apply a greater force to initially open the longer tool member than the shorter tool member, thereby providing even greater resistance to inadvertent opening of the longer tool member, particularly if the magnet 50 may be removed from the multitool 10. Like the shorter tool members, the longer tool members may be locked in the fully open position and may have considerable rigidity due to the manner in which the cam followers engage the notches 58 defined by the cam surfaces of the longer tool members. Further, the longer tool members may be unlocked and folded into the closed position in a manner comparable to that described above with respect to the shorter tool members.

Because of the manner in which the cam follower 64 engages the cam surface 66 of the tool member, shorter tool members having cam surfaces 62 may not initially engage the cam follower, may open more easily, e.g., in clusters, in response to an opening force applied by a user (e.g., by sliding a thumb toward the distal end 20 of the handle 12), while longer tool members having cam surfaces initially engaging the cam follower may not open as easily as shorter tool members and may not open in clusters in any event. However, the longer tool member is generally positioned within the side channel 56 proximate the outer sidewall 14. Thus, the exterior sidewalls may define cutouts 76 for engaging and applying opening forces to longer tool members in a manner not generally available with respect to shorter tool members positioned between the longer tool members on the central portion of shaft 54. See, e.g., fig. 3A and 3B.

As noted above, multitool 10 may include a wide variety of tool components. For example, one tool member may be a pair of scissors 80, as shown in fig. 14 and 15. The scissors of an exemplary embodiment may include an adjacent pair of blades that interact with each other in a scissor fashion. The pair of scissors blades may be opened such that, in the fully open position, one of the blades, i.e., the stationary blade 82, is locked in the fully open position and its position is fixed relative to the handle 12. The other blade, movable blade 84, is permitted to move relative to the stationary blade to provide the cutting motion. To actuate the scissors without the presence of the handle, the user typically places one finger below the stationary blade, e.g., along the back surface of the stationary blade, and another finger, e.g., the user's thumb, on the back surface of the movable blade. To facilitate user interaction with the scissors blades, the back surface of one or both of the blades may include a wider tab 86 to provide a greater surface area through which a user may interact.

The movable blade 84 may be biased to the open position. Although a variety of different springs may be utilized, the spring 86 of one example has a generally U-shape with one leg of the U-shaped spring being slightly longer and mounted on the shaft 54 and the other leg of the U-shaped spring being laterally offset therefrom to engage the rear portion of the movable blade. The spring is configured to apply a biasing force to the movable blade to cause the movable blade to open relative to the fixed blade 82.

The movable and stationary blades 84, 82 may interact with each other to limit relative movement therebetween. In this regard, one of the scissor blades, e.g., the movable blade, may define a recessed track 85, while the other scissor blade, e.g., the stationary blade, may include a pin 87 or other protuberance that may sit in and engage the recessed track. To facilitate relative movement between the scissor blades, the recessed track may have an arcuate shape and the pin may move therein during movement of the scissor blades between the open and closed positions. However, the interaction between the pin and the recessed track, such as the restriction of movement of the pin and thus the relative movement of the scissor blades due to the opposing ends of the recessed track, prevents the scissor blades from closing too fully or opening too far.

The other tool member is configured to alternately receive cutter blades 90, e.g. X-Acto^TMA knife blade, and a screwdriver 92, such as an eyeglass screwdriver, as shown in fig. 16. As shown in fig. 17, the tool member defines an internal cavity and a slot 94 that opens through an end surface of the tool member and into the internal cavity. The slot is sized and shaped to receive a cutter blade. To retain the cutter blade in the tool member in use, the tool member defines a spring 96, such as a U-shaped spring, which engages the cutter blade, such as a corresponding recess defined by the cutter blade, once inserted therein. To disengage the cutter blade and permit the cutter blade to be removed from the tool member, the spring may be deflected and the cutter blade may be removed. In an exemplary embodiment, the spring member may be defined by a plate 98, such as a relatively thin plate, that defines the tool memberAt least a portion of the internal cavity. Like the tool member, the plate is rotatably mounted on a shaft 54 carried by the distal end 20 of the handle 12, but can be deflected by the user by applying a deflection to that portion of the plate proximal to the spring member that engages the knife blade. Upon removal of the knife blade and removal of the deflecting force by the user, the plate returns to its undeflected position and is configured for engagement with another knife blade.

The tool member of this exemplary embodiment is configured such that the slot 94 defined by the tool member includes an elongated portion 100. The elongated portion has a profile that matches the profile of the screwdriver 92. In exemplary embodiments, the screwdriver may have a hexagonal shape, such as a flat hexagonal shape, and the elongated portion of the slot may define a correspondingly sized and shaped hexagonal opening, such as a flat hexagonal opening, for snugly receiving a screwdriver bit. Thus, the same tool member may alternately receive and engage the cutter blades 90 with the screwdriver tip to further enhance the utility provided by the multitool 10.

As shown in fig. 18 and 19, another tool component may be a drill tip driver 102, wherein the tool component defines a cavity into which one or more drill tip components 104 of different sizes and shapes may be inserted and retained. To retain the drill tip members, the tool member includes a spring 106 configured to engage the drill tip members when the drill tip members are inserted into a cavity defined by the tool member. In the embodiment depicted in fig. 17, the drill tip member includes a shaft defining a notch 108 along at least one side thereof. The spring is biased into engagement with a notch of a shaft of the drill bit to securely retain the drill bit in the tool component. The user is then required to apply a disengagement force to displace the spring from the notch in order to permit the drill tip to be removed from the tool member and replaced with, for example, a different drill tip.

The spring 106 of the exemplary embodiment is a U-shaped spring member that extends along one side of the tool member and includes an end portion 106a that is bent inwardly toward the drill tip member to engage a notch defined thereby. To prevent or at least reduce deflection of the spring member, e.g., in a lateral or side-by-side manner, relative to the elongate length of the spring member, the tool member of this exemplary embodiment depicted in fig. 18 and 19 may include a support member 110 aligned with and seated within the elongate opening defined by the U-shaped spring such that any lateral deflection of the U-shaped spring results in contact with the support member, which prevents or at least limits such deflection and correspondingly reduces fatigue of the spring that would otherwise result from such deflection. Thus, the spring may more securely retain the drill tip member in the tool member while still permitting removal and replacement of the drill tip member in a controlled manner.

Multitool 10 may be assembled in different ways. However, in the exemplary embodiment, each handle 12 is formed from a plurality of handle portions 12a, such as the pair of handle portions described above. In this exemplary embodiment, the handle portion may be positioned such that the outer sidewall 14 lies flat on a surface, such as a table or desk. The shaft 54 may be positioned to extend therethrough through a corresponding opening defined by the outer sidewall, and one or more tool components may then be stacked thereon. In the example described above, the longer tool member 63 may be positioned on the shaft adjacent the outer sidewall, extending through the side channel 56 defined by the W-shaped portion of the handle, as shown in fig. 20A. The cam follower 64 and associated lever 74 may also be rotatably mounted to the handle portion 12 a. One or more shorter tool members 61 may then be mounted on the shaft 54, as shown in FIG. 20B. To increase the flexibility with which these tool members can be assembled, these tool members are uniform so as to be actuated and unlocked in an equivalent manner by the right or left hand of the user, thereby avoiding problems associated with handedness of the tool members. Once the desired tool is stacked on the shaft, another handle portion may be mounted on the stacked tool, as shown in FIG. 20C. Another longer tool component may then be mounted on the shaft so that it extends through the side passage defined by the other handle portion and the shaft may be mechanically connected so as to be retained by the handle, as shown in fig. 20D. Furthermore, the handle portions may be joined by passing, for example, rivets 33 through the interconnecting web 32 of the W-shaped portions of the handles. In this regard, the same rivet may mechanically attach the spring 44 to the interconnecting webs.

The jaw 34 may also be positioned within the channel defined by the handle 12 and the cam member 38 of the jaw may be positioned between the intermediate side walls 30 such that the hub 41 extends between the intermediate side walls and through the opening defined by the cam member of the jaw. The jaws carried by a pair of handles may then be pivotally connected at pivot points 36 to complete assembly of multitool 10.

By assembling the multitool 10 in this manner, the tool components may be mounted on the shaft 54 in a more controlled and systematic manner. Further, the user or supplier may customize the tool members, or the relative positions of the tool members included in the resulting multi-purpose tool. To facilitate this configuration, each tool member may have the same thickness. Alternatively, the tool members may have different thicknesses selected from a set of predetermined thicknesses, for example, in increments of 0.02 inches or 0.04 inches. In this embodiment, the multitool may also include spacers configured to be mounted on the shaft, with the spacers having a predetermined thickness to eliminate or accommodate differences in the thickness of the tool members, so that the tool members may be easily stacked on the shaft with the longer tool member aligned with the side channel 56 of the W-shaped portion of the handle 12 and the shorter tool member aligned with the middle portion of the channel. For example, a non-rotating spacer 59 may be disposed between the longer and shorter tool members as shown in fig. 3A and 3B to isolate the tool members.

While the handle 12 may be formed from two handle portions 12a that are substantially mirror images of each other, the handle of the exemplary embodiment may be further customized by including different handle portions. For example, where the multitool 10 need not include as many longer tool members, each handle may include a first handle portion as described above to define the side channel 56, and a second handle portion including only the side wall extending the length of the handle, and the interconnecting web 30 extending therefrom. Thus, the second handle portion does not define side channels, and the resulting multitool is thinner than the four-sided channels for receiving longer tool members as shown and described above, since it contains two-sided channels to receive longer tool members. In yet other embodiments where the multitool does not include any longer tool members, neither handle portion includes a side channel.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A multitool, comprising:

a handle defining a channel, wherein the handle comprises a shaft; and

a plurality of tool members carried by the handle and rotatably mounted to the shaft so as to be foldable into the channel defined by the handle, wherein at least some of the plurality of tool members define a notch extending in a transverse direction extending between opposing sidewalls of the handle, wherein the notch is exposed with the tool members folded into the channel, and the notch is configured to engage with a user, forcing the notch toward a distal end of the handle by the user so as to at least partially rotatably open one or more of the tool members relative to the handle,

wherein the plurality of tool members includes at least one first tool member and a plurality of second tool members, wherein the at least one first tool member is longer than the plurality of second tool members, wherein, the multitool further includes a spacer located between the at least one first tool member and the plurality of second tool members, the spacer extending through a portion of the channel in a longitudinal direction, and the at least one first tool member being longer than the spacer to extend beyond the spacer in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the plurality of second tool members are positioned in adjacent relation, there is no spacer therebetween, and wherein the spacer is mounted on the shaft and includes fingers, the fingers extend into the channel and are engaged to prevent rotation of the spacer.

2. The multitool of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of tool members includes a cam member, wherein the multitool further includes a cam follower configured to engage the cam member of each of the first and second tool members during rotation of the first and second tool members relative to the handle.

3. The multitool of claim 2, wherein the cam member of the first tool member is different from the cam member of the second tool member, such that the cam follower engages the cam member of the first tool member upon rotating the first tool member relative to the handle through a first angle of incidence during opening of the first tool member, and engages the cam member of the second tool member after rotating the second tool member relative to the handle through a second angle of incidence different from the first angle of incidence during opening of the second tool member.

4. The multitool of claim 3, wherein the cam follower engages the cam member of the first tool member immediately upon opening the first tool member, and the cam follower does not engage the cam member of the second tool member immediately upon opening the second tool member, but engages the cam member of the second tool member only after the second tool member has rotated past the second angle of incidence during opening the second tool member, wherein the second angle of incidence is greater than zero, and wherein the second tool member defines the notch.

5. The multitool of claim 1, further comprising a magnet carried by the handle, wherein the magnet is positioned relative to the tool members such that the magnet generates a magnetic force along a path extending through one or more of the tool members, thereby biasing the one or more tool members to a closed position in which the one or more tool members are folded into the channel.

6. The multitool of claim 1, wherein the spacer includes a non-rotating spacer positioned between the first tool member and the second tool member.

7. The multitool of claim 1,

wherein the handle comprises a first handle and a second handle configured for relative movement between a closed position and an open position; and

wherein the multitool further comprises a first magnet carried by the first handle, wherein the first magnet is configured to apply a magnetic force to bias the first handle and the second handle to a closed position.

8. The multitool of claim 7, further comprising a second magnet carried by the second handle and aligned with the first magnet with the first and second handles in a closed position.

9. The multitool of claim 7, wherein the first magnet is positioned relative to the tool members such that the first magnet generates a magnetic force along a path extending through one or more of the tool members to bias the one or more tool members to a closed position in which the one or more tool members are folded into respective ones of the first and second handles.

10. The multitool of claim 7, wherein the first handle includes the shaft on which the plurality of tool members are rotatably mounted, wherein the first and second tool members each include a cam member, wherein the multitool further includes a cam follower configured to engage the cam member of each of the first and second tool members during rotation of the first and second tool members relative to the first handle.

11. The multitool of claim 10, wherein the cam member of the first tool member is different from the cam member of the second tool member, such that the cam follower engages the cam member of the first tool member upon rotating the first tool member relative to the first handle through a first angle of incidence during opening of the first tool member, and engages the cam member of the second tool member after rotating the second tool member relative to the first handle through a second angle of incidence different from the first angle of incidence during opening of the second tool member.

12. The multitool of claim 11, wherein the cam follower engages the cam member of the first tool member immediately upon opening the first tool member, and the cam follower does not engage the cam member of the second tool member immediately upon opening the second tool member, but engages the cam member of the second tool member only after the second tool member has rotated past the second angle of incidence during opening of the second tool member, wherein the second angle of incidence is greater than zero.

13. The multitool of claim 7, further comprising:

first and second jaws connected to the first and second handles, respectively, wherein each of the first and second jaws comprises a wall member; and

a first spring member and a second spring member configured to engage the first jaw and the second jaw, respectively,

wherein the wall member of each jaw has a thickness that varies such that the first and second spring members engage the thicker portions of the wall members of the first and second jaws, respectively, as the first and second handles are rotated from a closed position to an open position.

14. The multitool of claim 13, wherein the first handle and the second handle each include opposing side walls, and wherein the first spring member and the second spring member are configured to provide a spring force to the wall members of the first jaw and the second jaw, respectively, the spring force directed through one of the side walls.

15. The multitool of claim 7, wherein a respective tool member of the plurality of tool members defines a slot including an elongated portion, wherein the respective tool member is configured to alternately receive a blade within the slot or a screwdriver within the elongated portion of the slot.

16. The multitool of claim 1,

wherein the multitool further includes a first magnet carried by the first handle and positioned relative to the tool members such that the first magnet generates a magnetic force along a path extending through at least one tool member carried by the first handle to bias the at least one tool member to a closed position in which the at least one tool member is folded into the first handle.

17. The multitool of claim 16, further comprising a second magnet carried by the second handle and aligned with the first magnet with the first and second handles in a closed position, wherein the first and second magnets are configured to bias the first and second handles to a closed position.

18. The multitool of claim 16, wherein the first handle includes the shaft on which the plurality of tool members are rotatably mounted, wherein the first and second tool members each include a cam member, wherein the multitool further includes a cam follower configured to engage the cam member of each of the first and second tool members during rotation of the first and second tool members relative to the first handle.

19. The multitool of claim 18, wherein the cam member of the first tool member is different from the cam member of the second tool member, such that the cam follower engages the cam member of the first tool member upon rotating the first tool member relative to the first handle through a first angle of incidence during opening of the first tool member, and engages the cam member of the second tool member after rotating the second tool member relative to the first handle through a second angle of incidence different from the first angle of incidence during opening of the second tool member.

20. The multitool of claim 19, wherein the cam follower engages the cam member of the first tool member immediately upon opening the first tool member, and the cam follower does not engage the cam member of the second tool member immediately upon opening the second tool member, but engages the cam member of the second tool member only after the second tool member has rotated past the second angle of incidence during opening of the second tool member, wherein the second angle of incidence is greater than zero.

21. The multitool of claim 16, further comprising:

first and second jaws connected to the first and second handles, respectively, wherein each of the first and second jaws includes a wall member; and

22. The multitool of claim 21, wherein the first handle and the second handle each include opposing side walls, and wherein the first spring member and the second spring member are configured to provide a spring force to the wall members of the first jaw and the second jaw, respectively, the spring force directed through one of the side walls.

23. The multitool of claim 1, further comprising:

a cam follower configured to engage a cam member of each of the first and second tool members during rotation of the first and second tool members relative to the handle,

wherein the cam member of the first tool member is different from the cam member of the second tool member such that the cam follower engages the cam member of the first tool member upon rotating the first tool member relative to the handle through a first angle of incidence during opening of the first tool member and engages the cam member of the second tool member after rotating the second tool member relative to the handle through a second angle of incidence different from the first angle of incidence during opening of the second tool member.

24. The multitool of claim 23, wherein the cam follower engages the cam member of the first tool member immediately upon opening the first tool member, and the cam follower does not engage the cam member of the second tool member immediately upon opening the second tool member, but engages the cam member of the second tool member only after the second tool member has rotated past the second angle of incidence during opening of the second tool member, wherein the second angle of incidence is greater than zero.

25. The multitool of claim 23, wherein the handle comprises first and second handles configured for relative movement between a closed position and an open position, wherein the multitool further comprises first and second magnets carried by the first and second handles, respectively, wherein the first and second magnets are aligned with the first and second handles in the closed position, and wherein the first and second magnets are configured to bias the first and second handles to the closed position.

26. The multitool of claim 23, wherein the handle comprises a first handle and a second handle configured for relative movement between a closed position and an open position, wherein the multitool further comprises: