Compound tools – Wrench – Adjustable – e.g. – monkey wrench – pipe wrench – etc.
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-02
2001-10-30
Eley, Timothy V. (Department: 3723)
Compound tools
Wrench
Adjustable, e.g., monkey wrench, pipe wrench, etc.
C007S161000, C007S166000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308355
ABSTRACT:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to multipurpose tools, and more particularly to multipurpose tools for emergency personnel such as firefighters. The multipurpose tool of the present invention includes, among other things, tools for firefighting and for vehicle rescue operations.
Multipurpose tools are known, which include many different tools, such as cutting blades, wrenches, screw drivers, knife blades, and even eating utensils. Firefighters have for many years used different tools in various emergency situations. For fighting fires, spanner wrenches are used to connect and disconnect firefighting hose connections. Some spanner wrenches even include a slot that is adapted to close gas valves and prevent explosions in a fire situation. Some spanner wrenches have tapered handles for prying windows and doors to access buildings. When designed to pry objects, the handles are typically arcuate in shape to provide improved leverage. Occasionally, spanner wrenches have folding handles that make the size of the tool smaller for easier carrying in a pocket or tool chest. When not foldable, spanner wrenches oftentimes have loops for hooking to a belt. Other spanner wrenches include relatively broad hammer heads for pounding objects when necessary.
When other types of emergencies, such as vehicular accidents, are encountered, rescue personnel use specialty window breaking tools, seat belt cutters, and saws. One such tool combines a folding saw with an open slot and a glass-breaking spike in the handle. The open slot has in it a razor blade that cuts seat belts or other body restraints to free victims. The slotted position of the razor blade reduces the chance that the victim will be accidently cut.
Glass removing tools are also available that include folding blades for cutting weather stripping, a glass breaking spike, a spring-loaded window punch, and a serrated glass cutter that cuts glass like a saw.
All of the known tools are useful in their respective emergency or rescue situations, but none is designed or intended to be used in a variety of emergency situations. Thus, there is a need for a multifunction tool in a diverse variety of emergency situations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a multipurpose tool for use in a variety of emergency situations. For firefighting, the multipurpose tool includes a spanner wrench claw for connecting firefighting hose connections, a slot for closing gas valves, and a tapered handle for jimmying doors and windows. For vehicular rescue operations, the tool includes a spike for safely breaking glass and a razor blade in an open ended slot for cutting seat belts. The handle of the tool is foldable for easy transport in a pocket or tool box.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided one embodiment of a multipurpose tool that includes: a handle; a spanner wrench claw joined to the handle; and a glass-breaking spike. The handle may be joined to the spanner wrench claw for pivoting movement between open and closed positions. When in the closed position, the glass-breaking spike may be concealed by the handle so that the spike can not tear clothes or cause other damage when not in use. The tool may include a lock for releasably securing the handle and spanner wrench claw in the open position.
In addition, the multipurpose tool may include a slot for closing natural gas main valves. An open slot may include a cutting blade such as a razor to cut seat belts or other material such as webbing or other fabrics.
Preferably, the tool's handle is arcuate in shape for improved leverage for prying. A distal end of the handle may be tapered to provide a convenient pry tool when the tool is opened and grasped at the spanner wrench claw. The tapered distal end of the handle may also include a transverse flare to provide improved load distribution.
A more detailed description of the preferred embodiment is provided below.
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Carringer Rodney A.
Kolacz David J.
McMillan Stewart G.
Walker James H.
Berry Jr. Willie
Eley Timothy V.
Lathrop & Clark LLP
Task Force Tips Inc.
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