Compound tools – Wrench
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-11
2001-09-11
Smith, James G. (Department: 3723)
Compound tools
Wrench
C007S168000, C081S440000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286168
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a combination tool, specifically for use in the maintenance and repair of bicycle components. More particularly, the invention concerns a combination tool that incorporates a chain repair tool
The latter half of the twentieth century saw an increase in bicycling as a recreational endeavor and a sport. The early single speed bicycle has spawned a wide range of special purpose bicycles, such as road bikes, mountain bikes, and hybrids. Moreover, science and technology has been applied to the design of bicycles to increase speed and comfort and durability.
In spite of the technological advances in bicycle design (or perhaps because of it), bicyclists have been plagued with the problem of minor breakdowns of the bicycle components. Murphy's Law of bicycling means that these breakdowns usually occur far from help or access to repair equipment.
In response to this overwhelming need, a number of combination repair tools have been developed that are small and lightweight. These combination tools include specific tools for repairing most minor bicycle problems. For example, the typical combination bicycle repair tool includes a number of hex wrenches, a spoke tightening wrench and tire pry levers. In some cases, these tools are provided as part of a tool kit, such as the “Power 21” kit sold by Topeak. Another genre of bicycle repair tools is represented by the Blackburn “MT15M” which includes a number of tools removably supported on a carrier body.
Perhaps the most popular type of combination tool is the folding hand tool set. With this type of product, a number of bicycle tools are rotably mounted to a handle. The tools can be pivoted outward to a working position. There are countless folding hand tool products on the market today.
One problem, however, with all of the prior combination bicycle repair tools has been in connection with a chain tool. A typical stand-alone chain tool is represented in U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,736. This chain tool includes a body for supporting a link of a chain. The body also supports a rivet removal tool, which is typically a pressure screw or a “tommy” screw. As depicted in the '736 patent, the bicycle chain tool includes a handle for leveraged rotation of the “tommy” screw, and a separate handle for supporting the housing and reacting the force of rotating the pressure screw into engagement with the chain rivet.
Of course, the chain tool shown in the '736 patent is not particularly compact or easy to carry in a bicycle pouch. A chain tool has been incorporated into a few hand-held folding tools, as represented by the combination tools shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,711,042 and 6,112,351. One primary difficulty with these two combination tools is that the chain tool is integrated into the tool assembly—i.e., it must be pivoted outward from the housing into its usable position. While providing the chain tool with the compact hand tool presents advantages over the stand-alone chain tools, these two devices are very cumbersome to use. In both cases, the chain tool remains connected to the housing or handle of the tool.
Consequently, there is a need for a combination bicycle repair tool that retains the compactness of the folding tool set. At the same time, the new tool must have the capability of supporting a bicycle chain repair tool that is easily accessed and is not cumbersome to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To address these needs, the present invention provides a combination bicycle repair tool comprising a handle configured for gripping engagement by the bicyclist. The handle has a first end and an opposite second end, and left and right side walls connected by a planar bridge. A plurality of repair tools are pivotably mounted to the first end of the handle between the left and right side walls. Preferably, the plurality of tools includes standard hex wrenches useful for repairing bicycle components.
In one feature of the invention, the combination repair tool includes a chain tool removably supported within the tool handle. The chain tool can be of a conventional design including a chain tool handle, a threaded collar, a chain support integrally disposed at one end of the chain tool handle and a pressure screw threadedly engaged through the collar. In one embodiment, the pressure screw includes an internal hex head sized to be driven by one of the hex wrench repair tools.
The inventive repair tool contemplates slidably supporting the chain tool so that it can be easily removed from the tool handle for use. In one embodiment, the left side wall defines a slot at the second end of the handle that is sized and arranged to slidably receive the threaded collar of the chain tool. Thus, the chain tool can be slid into the repair tool handle with the chain tool handle in contact with the planar bridge.
In a further feature, the chain tool handle defines an opening therethrough. The planar bridge of the tool handle also defines a raised boss that is sized to be received within the opening when the chain tool handle is in contact with the planar bridge. The boss and opening combine to resist accidental dislodgment of the chain tool from the repair tool handle. In a specific embodiment, the raised boss is elongated, having a first end adjacent the first end of the handle and a second end adjacent the second end of the handle, and further defines a sloped surface at the first end thereof. The sloped surface facilitates sliding the chain tool over the raised boss when it is desired to use the chain tool.
In certain features of the invention, the chain tool, and a particularly its handle, is configured for a friction-fit engagement with the repair tool handle. Thus, in one aspect, the chain tool includes a support flange and a support boss at opposite ends of the threaded collar. The tool handle can further define an indented slot coincident with the slot defined in the left side wall. While the support flange is sized to be slidably received within the indented slot, the support boss and the support flange cooperate to form a loose friction-fit engagement with the left side wall at the slot.
The chain tool handle can further include a friction-fit surface at the one end of the chain tool handle opposite the threaded collar. The right side wall of the repair tool handle can define a mating recess sized to slidably receive the friction-fit surface of the chain tool handle therein when the threaded collar is disposed within the slot in the left side wall. To further enhance the dislodgment resistance of the tool, the left side wall can further define a ridge within the slot, the ridge bearing against the threaded collar when the collar is disposed within the slot.
In yet another aspect of the inventive combination repair tool, the planar bridge includes a first surface against which the plurality of repair tools rest in a folded position. The bridge further includes a relief step down to a second surface offset from the first surface. This relief step is adjacent the free end of the plurality of repair tools to permit finger access to the free end.
It is one object of the invention to provide a combination bicycle repair tool that includes a chain tool. A further central object is to make the chain tool readily accessible and usable for making field chain repairs.
One benefit of the invention is that the chain tool can be removed from the combination repair tool to facilitate its use. A further benefit is that the combination tool retains a compact envelope, even with the chain repair tool mounted in its stowed position.
Other objects and benefits of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following written description together with the accompanying figures.
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pat
Fina Bruce P.
Howard Jeremy
Michas Luke W.
Woodruff Wendell J.
Baker & Daniels
Pedro's USA
Shakeri Hadi
Smith James G.
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