Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Handle clutched to head
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-23
2001-09-11
Meislin, D. S. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Handle clutched to head
C081S440000, C081S177400, C007S118000, C007S142000, C007S168000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286397
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to multi-purpose tools. More particularly, the invention relates to such tools that provide several useful items to assist a person in performing a number of different functions including functions associated with the use of sports equipment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A number of less traditional sports have become quite popular with many people in the United States and in many other parts of the world. These rapidly emerging sports include those involving boards upon which the person rides and performs tricks and other maneuvers. Examples include skateboarding, snowboarding, and wakeboarding. In addition, another sport that is becoming increasingly popular is in-line skating.
In the cases of skateboarding/snowboarding and in-line (or roller) skating, a person requires either a board on which the person rides, or a pair of skates, which the person wears on his or her feet. As is well known, a skateboard includes a pair of trucks mounted to the underside of the board, the trucks including respective axles that rotatably carry wheels at the respective ends of the axles. The trucks are mounted to the underside of the board by plural bolts and nuts, and the wheels are rotatably mounted on the axles by threaded nuts that engage respective threaded portions of those axles. Over time, these nuts can become loose and require tightening. Furthermore, as is well known to persons who ride skateboards, in many instances it is desirable to either tighten or loosen the nuts to a certain degree depending upon the type of riding in which the person will be engaged. Some types of riding call for a relatively loose connection between the board and trucks, while other types of riding demand a tighter connection.
Snowboards and wakeboards include adjustable bindings that are mounted onto the respective boards by bolts and nuts, which also may become loose over time. In addition, depending on the type of ride the user desires, the bindings can be adjusted. In the case of snowboards, the respective bindings for the front and back feet can be moved to adjust the relative angle between the binding and the board, depending on a rider's preferences.
In-line skates typically include four aligned wheels mounted to the bottom of a boot-like device that a person wears on his or her feet. The wheels are engaged to the boot by plural threaded nuts that threadedly engage complementary threaded portions of the skate. These nuts can become loose over time, causing an uncomfortable ride or even resulting in a potentially dangerous condition should one or more of the wheels become disengaged from the skate.
Due to the nature of these sports, a person will often be far from home when the need arises to tighten or loosen a bolt or a nut. For example, people often travel many miles on in-line skates or skateboards, and could be stranded if a wheel should happen to fall off of their in-line skate or skateboard. Thus, there exists a need for a compact tool to perform these functions and that can be conveniently carried by the rider without interfering with the person's riding.
A number of multi-purpose tools have been proposed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,173 to Collins et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,274 to Collins disclose tools including a plurality of implements for performing cutting and other functions. However, neither of those multi-purpose tools includes the requisite tools for performing the necessary functions associated with the sports mentioned above, and, therefore, are unacceptable for such applications.
Accordingly, it will be apparent that there continues to be a need for a multi-purpose tool that provides various implements for performing many functions associated with sports equipment such as used during skateboarding, snowboarding, wakeboarding, and in-line skating. Furthermore, the need exists for such a device that is relatively compact so that it does not in any way hinder or burden a person who is engaged in such sports. The present invention addresses these needs and others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention provides a compact, portable multi-purpose tool for use by a person engaged in a board sport, in-line skating, and the like, to perform various tasks performed on equipment associated with those sports. The multi-purpose tool of the present invention includes various implements that are conveniently contained in a housing, and are selectively extendable from the housing into respective operating positions for use. Due to the compact nature of the tool, the tool may be readily carried to any location, without the tool being a burden or hindrance to the person carrying the tool during engagement in a particular sport.
Preferably, the multi-purpose tool of the preset invention includes a housing and at least one wrench coupled to the housing for selective displacement between a storage position and an operating position. Additional tools or implements useful during engagement with a sport as described above may also be coupled to the tool housing. For example, a socket wrench may be coupled to the housing for selective movement between a storage position and a working position. A pivotable bit-holding socket configured to removably support a bit, such as for storage, may also be coupled to the housing for movement between a storage position and a working position.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, features of the present invention.
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Harrison Diana R.
Harrison Marc
Lane Stephen E.
Nelsen Daniel J.
Petrie Aidan J.
Harrison Diana R.
Meislin D. S.
Pennie & Edmonds LLP
Swiss Army Brands, Inc.
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