The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 02, 2002
Filed:
Mar. 16, 1999
Peter G. Kershaw, Lake Oswego, OR (US);
Douglas B. Flagg, West Linn, OR (US);
Craig Green, Tualatin, OR (US);
Katsumi Hasegawa, Tokyo, JP;
Kai U.S.A. Ltd., Wilsonville, OR (US);
Abstract
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.