Illumination – With implement or hand held holder therefor – Hand tool
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-12
2001-08-14
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
With implement or hand held holder therefor
Hand tool
C362S253000, C007S118000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273582
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of multiple function compound tools, and in particular to a tool adapted for use in conjunction with a briefcase and like business travel accessories.
2. Description of Related Art
On occasion, travellers have a need for various tools and other implements to address diverse situations. For example, business travellers typically use timepieces and writing implements in order to conduct business, for example, in meetings and conferences. Further, business travellers may need eyeglass repair implements in the event that one must repair one's eyeglasses in order to conduct business.
While such implements may typically be small in size for ease of carrying and of use, it is cumbersome to carry multiple individual implements in one's attire and/or carrying cases. Furthermore, the small size of such implements may also cause such tools to be difficult to locate in a carrying case or in one's attire, including one's pockets. Moreover, implements of such small size are relatively easy to lose in such attire or carrying cases. Alternatively, multiple implements such as nail clippers may be connected together by chains or string to nail files, keychains, etc. However, such connected combinations of individual and disparate implements may be unwieldy to manipulate and store in one's attire or carrying cases.
In addition, such individual implements are readily obtainable from stores and shops, especially such shops, for example, in airports and railroad terminals which cater to travellers such as business people. However, business travellers may lack the time and/or the money to purchase necessary implements for the various uses described above.
Compound, multiple function tools having foldable and/or retractable tools are known in the art. Such tools may be pivoted into and out of a predetermined channel within at least one handle of the combination tool for selective use. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,238,862 to Leatherman describes a pocket multiple tool having an initially folded compact shape which folds out to produce a pair of pliers as well as a nail file, miniature scissors, a permanently magnetized Phillips-type screwdriver, a bottle opener, and small and medium screwdriver bits. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,045 to Schaub describes a modular pocketknife having electronic components such as a display and entry keyboards as well as a radio receiver. U.S. Pat. No. 5,313,376 to McIntosh has a multipurpose knife with an attachable flashlight. Also, “SWISS ARMY” knives are available, for example, through catalog sales such as “NORM THOMPSON” which have a combination of golf tools, knife, bottle opener, screwdriver, and removable tweezers and toothpick.
However, although combination tools may provide a variety of different implements, the user is generally limited by the tools that are available from a given combination tool for a primary purpose of the tool. For instance, many of such compound, multiple function tools are general purpose tools, primarily adapted for non-business travel, such as camping and hiking. For example, cutting implements and eating implements are typically provided such as knives and can openers.
Heretofore, many combination tools do not have the appropriate tools for use by business travellers, and in particular to address the specific needs which may occur to the everyday business person.
Further, a business traveller may require such business-oriented implements, but may not have the space on one's person to carry many of such implements. Miniature versions of individual business-oriented implements have the deficiencies described above; that is, such miniature versions may be easy to misplace or lose, and combinations of individual implements may be unwieldy.
Accordingly, such business-oriented tools must be of sufficiently compact and reduced size to fit into a briefcase and/or other business travel accessories, such as a purse, a travelbag, a pocket, a glove compartment of a vehicle, a pouch worn about one's waist or other portions of the body, etc.
Heretofore, combination tools have not provided such combinations of business-oriented tools in a compact form for carrying within such business travel accessories.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is recognized herein that, for many diverse business-oriented travel needs, a multiple function combination tool may be implemented which provides the versatility of use for business travel purposes, and which has a compact and reduced size to fit within a briefcase and/or other business travel accessories.
A multiple function combination business travel tool is disclosed which combines a plurality of individual business-oriented implements in a single compact and reduced configuration. The business travel tool (hereinafter referenced as a “briefcase tool” for the sake of simplicity but not for purposes of limitation) of the present invention preferably includes a flashlight, a pen, a slot for storing the pen, and a plurality of deployable implements. Each of the deployable implements is disposed in an implement channel and mounted on a respective implement axle for deployment by rotation about the respective implement axle to a selectable angular orientation relative to the implement channel. The plurality of deployable implements includes, but is not limited to, a cutting blade, a cap lifter, a Phillips-type screwdriver, and a nail file. The briefcase tool also preferably includes a pair of scissors and a flashlight. The flashlight preferably is provided in the scale of the tool (the wide side forming the protective housing of the tool) to permit the provision of a reflector and lens larger than those capable of being provided along the narrow sides or ends of the tool. Additionally, a clock may be provided. Preferably, the clock is a digital alarm clock which may be programmed by the user, such as for use on overnight business travel. A plurality of removable implements capable of being completely removed from an additional implement channel may also be provided. Such removable implements include, but are not limited to, a set of tweezers and a toothpick.
In one embodiment, the scissors are arranged and formed such that the tool unit itself forms the scissors handles. More particularly, the tool includes a first handle having a first implement channel and a first scissor channel, and a second handle having a second implement channel and a second scissor channel. First and second scissor blades are mounted to the first and second handles, respectively, by first and second axles, respectively. A scissor fulcrum axle rotatably mounts the first scissor blade to the second scissor blade. The first and second scissor blades are deployably disposed within the first and second scissor channels, respectively, in an undeployed configuration. The deployment of the first and second scissor blades by rotation thereof about the first and second axles, respectively, forms scissors with the first and second handles being handles thereof. Deployable implements preferably are disposed in the first implement channel of the first handle and are mounted on a respective implement axle for deployment by rotation about the respective implement axle to a selectable angular orientation relative to the first implement channel. Removable deployable instruments and a clock preferably are provided on the second handle. A flashlight preferably is provided in a widened portion of the scale of the first handle.
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Harrison Marc
Lane Stephen E.
Nelsen Daniel J.
Pereira Michael C.
Petrie Aidan J.
O'Shea Sandra
Pennie & Edmonds LLP
Swiss Army Brands, Inc.
Ward John Anthony
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