Tool with Replaceable Component

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022126463-A1
Application number	US-202117481502-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 22, 2021
Priority date	Oct 28, 2020
Publication date	Apr 28, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A tool having a replaceable component is disclose. In one aspect, the tool has a handle and an armature rotatably coupled to a first end of the handle. The armature is configured to be disposed at least partially within a cavity of the handle in a first position and extended outside of the handle in a second position. In another aspect, the tool is removably coupled to a distal end of the handle extending generally in the same longitudinal direction as the handle. A tool is removably coupled to the handle in an improved manner that optimizes safety and efficiency.

First claim

1 . A foldable tool having a replaceable utility component, comprising:
a handle; an armature rotatably coupled to a first end of the handle and configured to be disposed within a cavity of the handle in a first position and extended outside of the handle in a second position; a blade removably disposed within the armature, the blade comprising a plurality of notches configured to mate with a plurality of tabs in a locking mechanism coupled to the armature;
wherein the locking mechanism comprises:
(i) a front fixed plate and a rear fixed plate;
(ii) a spring engaging a first lever such that a first one of the plurality of tabs is biased in a mating position with a first one of the plurality of notches, the first lever rotatably mounted about a fastener and comprising a top that is configured to be depressed by a user lifting the first one of the plurality of tabs of the locking mechanism out of the first one of the plurality of notches of the blade.
(iii) a second lever slidably engageable with the first one of the plurality of tabs of the locking mechanism, the second lever comprising an end tab located above the first one of the plurality of tabs of the locking mechanism when the second lever is in a first position and located away from the first one of the plurality of tabs when the second lever is in a second position.

2 . The foldable tool of claim 1 , wherein the armature comprises a plurality of opposing plates and the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of coplanar plates disposed within the opposing plates of the armature.

3 . The foldable tool of claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the locking mechanism comprises a second one of the plurality of tabs.

4 . The foldable tool of claim 3 , wherein a distal end of the blade comprises a second one of the plurality of notches configured to mate with the second one of the plurality of tabs.

5 . The foldable tool of claim 1 , wherein the spring is disposed about the fixed front plates.

6 . The foldable tool of claim 1 , wherein the fixed rear plate comprises a top arm, a middle arm, and a bottom arm.

7 . The foldable tool of claim 6 , wherein the second lever is disposed within a space located between the top arm and the middle arm.

8 . The foldable tool of claim 6 , wherein a tab of the blade is disposed within a space located between the middle arm and the bottom arm.

9 . The foldable tool of claim 1 , wherein the first lever is rotatably mounted about a fastener that couples the opposing plates of the armature together.

10 . The foldable tool of claim 1 , wherein the second lever is slidably mounted about a fastener that couples the opposing plates of the armature together.

11 . A non-folding tool having a removable component comprising:
a handle having a first end with an opening therein configured to receive a proximal end of a blade therein, the blade comprising a plurality of notches configured to mate with a plurality of tabs in a locking mechanism disposed within the handle, wherein the locking mechanism comprises: (i) a spring engaging a first lever such that a first one of the plurality of tabs is biased in a mating position with a first one of the plurality of notches of the blade, the first lever rotatably mounted about a fastener and comprising a top that is configured to be depressed by a user lifting the first one of the plurality of tabs of the locking mechanism out of the first one of the plurality of notches of the blade. (ii) a second lever slidably engageable with the first lever, the second lever comprising an end tab beneath a rear of the first lever when the second lever is in a first position and located away from the rear of the first lever when the second lever is in a second position.

12 . The non-folding tool of claim 11 , wherein the blade comprises first and second shoulders configured to disposed within an opening of the handle.

13 . The non-folding tool of claim 12 , wherein a proximal end of the blade comprises a substantially planar plate disposed between the first and second shoulders and extending into the handle past the first and second shoulders.

14 . The non-folding tool of claim 12 , wherein a first of the plurality of notches of the blade is disposed about the substantially planar plate disposed between the first and second shoulders.

15 . The non-folding tool of claim 13 , wherein a second of the plurality of notches of the blade is disposed between the substantially planar plate and the second shoulder of the blade.

16 . A method of locking and releasing a removable component from a tool, comprising:
inserting a blade into an armature of a tool until a first biased lever with a tab disposed thereon engages a first notch in a back portion of the blade; sliding a second lever into a first position such that a tab of the second lever is disposed above a portion of the first biased lever preventing the biased lever from being depressed and removing the tab of the first biased lever from the first notch; depressing a first biased lever located near a top of an armature while also sliding a second lever located near a top of the armature, the tab of the second lever being removed away from the first lever and the first biased lever moving the tab of the first biased lever from the notch in a back of the replaceable blade; and removing the blade from the armature.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the first biased lever and the second lever are coplanar.

18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the second lever is disposed between an upper arm and a lower arm of a first fixed plated coupled to the armature.

19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the first biased lever is biased against a spring exerting an upward force on a portion of the lever.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the spring is coupled to a second fixed plate coupled to the armature.

Assignees

• Alliance Sports Group Lp

Inventors

• Horne Gregory Lee

Classifications

• B26B1/044

  by a spring tongue snapping behind or into the tang of the blade from a side part of the handle · CPC title

• B26B1/042

  by a spring biased locking lever pivoting around an axis parallel to the pivot axis of the blade · CPC title

• B25G3/26

  comprising nails, screws, bolts, or pins traversing or entering the socket · CPC title

• B26B5/00 Primary

  Hand knives with one or more detachable blades · CPC title

• B25G3/24

  comprising clamping or contracting means acting transversely on the handle or socket · CPC title