Multi-purpose tool system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021237250-A1
Application number	US-201716098691-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 6, 2017
Priority date	Dec 15, 2016
Publication date	Aug 5, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

A multi-purpose tool system (100) includes a first tool (104) that is configured to perform a first function, a second tool (106) that is configured to perform a second function, a third tool (140) that is configured to perform a third function, and a fourth tool (142) that is configured to perform a fourth function. The tools couple together to form a single, unitary handheld housing (102). Each of the tools is configured to separate from the housing for individual use.

First claim

1 . A multi-purpose tool system, comprising:
a first tool that is configured to perform a first function; a second tool that is configured to perform a second function; a third tool that is configured to perform a third function; and a fourth tool that is configured to perform a fourth function, wherein the first tool, the second tool, the third tool, and the fourth tool couple together to form a single, unitary handheld housing, and wherein the first tool, the second tool, the third tool, and the fourth tool are configured to separate from the housing for individual use.

2 . The multi-purpose tool system of claim 1 , wherein the first tool provides a base of the housing, wherein the second tool removably secures to the first tool to provide a cover of the housing, wherein an internal retaining chamber is formed in the first tool, and wherein one or both of the third tool and the fourth tool is configured to be retained within the retaining chamber.

3 . The multi-purpose tool system of claim 1 , wherein one of the first tool, the second tool, the third tool, and the fourth tool comprises a grip tool.

4 . The multi-purpose tool system of claim 3 , wherein the grip tool comprises ramped prongs separated by a central groove, wherein the ramped prongs taper down to thin edges towards a distal end.

5 . The multi-purpose tool system of claim 1 , wherein one of the first tool, the second tool, the third tool, and the fourth tool comprises a claw tool.

6 . The multi-purpose tool system of claim 5 , wherein the claw tool comprises two arcuate pry claws separated by a gap.

7 . The multi-purpose tool system of claim 1 , wherein one of the first tool, the second tool, the third tool, and the fourth tool comprises a magnifying tool.

8 . The multi-purpose tool system of claim 7 , wherein the magnifying tool comprises a magnifying lens integrally connected to a support beam.

9 . The multi-purpose tool system of claim 8 , wherein the support beam comprises a plurality of gradations that are configured to be used for measurements.

10 . The multi-purpose tool system of claim 1 , wherein one of the first tool, the second tool, the third tool, and the fourth tool comprises a pick tool.

11 . The multi-purpose tool system of claim 10 , wherein the pick tool comprises an expanded end connected to a tip at an opposite end through inwardly angled or curved lateral walls, a top wall, and a bottom wall.

12 . The multi-purpose tool system of claim 1 , wherein one of the second tool, the third tool, or the fourth tool is configured to be retained within a reciprocal socket formed in a retaining chamber of the first tool.

13 . The multi-purpose tool system of claim 1 , wherein a first pair of two of the first tool, the second tool, the third tool, and the fourth tool removably couple together to form a first tool subassembly, wherein a second pair of the other two of the first tool, the second tool, the third tool, and the fourth tool removably couple together to form a second tool subassembly, and wherein the first tool subassembly removably couples to the second tool subassembly.

14 . The multi-purpose tool system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first tool, the second tool, the third tool, and the fourth tool comprises a plurality of holes that are configured to measure component diameters.

15 . The multi-purpose tool system of claim 1 , wherein at least two of the first tool, the second tool, the third tool, and the fourth tool are configured to separate from the housing and couple together to form a fifth tool that is configured to perform a fifth function.

16 . The multi-purpose tool system of claim 15 , wherein the fifth tool provides a support stand.

17 . A multi-purpose tool system, comprising:
a first tool that is configured to perform a first function; a second tool that is configured to perform a second function; a third tool that is configured to perform a third function; and a fourth tool that is configured to perform a fourth function, wherein the first tool, the second tool, the third tool, and the fourth tool couple together to form a single, unitary handheld housing, wherein the first tool, the second tool, the third tool, and the fourth tool are configured to separate from the housing for individual use, wherein the first tool provides a base of the housing, wherein the second tool removably secures to the first tool to provide a cover of the housing, wherein an internal retaining chamber is formed in the first tool, wherein one or both of the third tool and the fourth tool is configured to be retained within the retaining chamber, wherein one of the second tool and the third tool is configured to be retained within a reciprocal socket formed in the retaining chamber of the first tool, wherein at least two of the first tool, the second tool, the third tool, and the fourth tool are configured to separate from the housing and couple together to form a fifth tool that is configured to perform a fifth function.

18 . The multi-purpose tool system of claim 17 , wherein the first tool comprises a grip tool that includes tool ramped prongs separated by a central groove, wherein the ramped prongs taper down to thin edges towards a distal end,
wherein the second tool comprises a claw tool that includes two arcuate pry claws separated by a gap, wherein the third tool comprises a magnifying tool that includes a magnifying lens integrally connected to a support beam, wherein the support beam includes a plurality of gradations that are configured to be used for measurements, wherein the fourth tool comprises a pick tool that includes an expanded end connected to a tip at an opposite end through inwardly angled or curved lateral walls, a top wall, and a bottom wall, and wherein the fifth tool provides a support stand.

19 . The multi-purpose tool system of claim 17 , wherein a first pair of two of the first tool, the second tool, the third tool, and the fourth tool removably couple together to form a first tool subassembly,
wherein a second pair of the other two of the first tool, the second tool, the third tool, and the fourth tool removably couple together to form a second tool subassembly, and wherein the first tool subassembly removably couples to the second tool subassembly.

20 . The multi-purpose tool system of claim 17 , wherein at least one of the first tool, the second tool, the third tool, and the fourth tool comprises a plurality of holes that are configured to measure component diameters.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Lee Joel R
• Lepper Mark O

Classifications

• B25F1/02 Primary

  with interchangeable or adjustable tool elements · CPC title