Kai U.s.a., Ltd.

Katsumi Hasegawa

Craig Green

Douglas B Flagg

Peter G Kershaw

A multi-tool with a handle formed to have a cross section that is S-shaped so that a foldable tool stored in the handle may be opened and closed independently of other selected operations for the multi-tool. The foldable tool is stored in a first pocket, facing away from an opposing handle, and an adjustment mechanism is stored in a second pocket, facing toward the opposing handle. A leaf spring is cut from an opposing wall of the first pocket, and biased so that the leaf spring moves to a blocking position at least partially within the first pocket when the foldable tool is in an open position. A post is mounted on the foldable tool and is exposed for engagement by a human hand to facilitate deployment of the foldable tool from its closed position to its open position. The S-shaped construction of the handle allows a flange to be incorporated as part of the handle without interfering with the foldability of the foldable tool stored in the first pocket of the handle. The flange coordinates with a shoulder formed on another foldable tool stored in the opposing handle to provide a positive-positional lock for the other foldable tool when the handles are placed in a pressed-together position, increasing the safety and utility of the multi-tool when using foldable tools like a saw or a screwdriver. A clasp augments the positive-positional lock by locking the handles in the pressed-together position, thereby locking the other foldable tool in the open position.

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Tokyo, Japan

Katsumi Hasegawa