Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to multi-implement tools, and more
particularly to
ratcheting multi-implement tools.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various types of multi-implement tools, such as screwdrivers, have
been widely
available to the public for many years. Multi-implement tools provide a
convenient means for
having various types of implements readily available for use.
[0003] It is recently known to incorporate a ratchet mechanism in a multi-
implement
tool. It has been found that one challenge in developing multi-implement tools
where the
implements or implement assemblies are movable between a retracted position
and an in-use
position whereat the implements are received in torque transmitting relation
by the chuck, is to
rotationally align the implements or implement holders with the chuck.
[0004] United States Patent No. 6,148,696 issued November 21, 2000,
discloses a
Ratchet Screw Driver that has multiple bits and includes a barrel having a
stud engaged into a
handle and having a pair of opposite passages for slidably receiving a pair of
pawls. A gear is
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rotatably received in the barrel and has an aperture for receiving various
kinds of driving stems.
A spring is engaged on the barrel and has two end beads engaged with the pawls
for biasing the
pawls to engage with the gear. The barrel includes a curved slot for receiving
an actuator which
is engaged into the curved slot of the barrel and located between the pawls
for moving the
pawls against the spring.
[0005] United States Patent No. 6,260,445 issued July 17, 2001, discloses
a Ratcheting
Composite Screwdriver that includes an elongated composite shank formed of
electrically
insulating material and provided with a bit holder at a working end thereof.
The other end of
the shank has an axial recess in which is disposed one end of a hexagonal
connecting pin, the
other end of which is press-fitted in an axial bore in one end of a metal
coupler for joining the
coupler to the shank. The metal coupler is removably received in a receptacle
formed in a
ratchet mechanism disposed in one end of an elongated, electrically insulating
handle.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-
implement tool having
a plurality of bit assemblies that also has a ratcheting function, where the
implements or
implement assemblies are movable between a retracted position and an in-use
position
whereat the implements are received in torque transmitting relation by the
chuck, wherein the
implements or implement holders are automatically rotationally aligned with
the chuck.
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[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-
implement tool having
a plurality of reconfigurable bit assemblies that move from a retracted
position generally within
the main body of the driver and an extended position whereat a selected one of
the moving
bits of one of the reconfigurable bit assemblies is in a forwardly extended in-
use position with
the implement extending forwardly from the chuck, and having a bi-directional
rotation-locking
mechanism that permits selection of rotation in a first rotational direction
and locking of
rotation to preclude rotation in a second rotational direction, and that
permits selection of
rotation in a second rotational direction and locking of rotation to preclude
rotation in a first
rotational direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is
disclosed a novel
multi-implement tool comprising a housing with a plurality of implements
operatively retained
within the housing. Each implement defines a pivot axis and has a shank and a
deflector
receiving portion disposed in laterally spaced relation from the pivot axis. A
chuck has an
implement-receiving opening for receiving the shank of each implement
singularly in torque
transmitting relation. The chuck is mounted on the housing for rotation of the
chuck and the
housing with respect to each other about an axis of rotation. Each implement
is retained within
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the housing for pivotal movement about the pivot axis between an unaligned
pivotal
orientation whereat the shank of the implement is pivotally unaligned about
the pivot axis with
respect to the implement-receiving opening of the chuck and an aligned pivotal
orientation
whereat the shank of the implement is pivotally aligned about the pivot axis
with the
implement-receiving opening of the chuck, and for longitudinal movement
between a retracted
position whereat the implement is generally retained within the housing and an
in-use position
whereat the shank of the implement is received in torque transmitting relation
by the chuck
and the implement extends through the implement-receiving opening. There is
also means for
moving the implements, as selected, singularly between the retracted position
and the in-use
position, and means for selectively retaining an implement in the in-use
position. A rotation-
locking mechanism is operatively interposed between the housing and the chuck.
A pivot-
inducing deflector is disposed in the laterally spaced relation from the pivot
axis of the
implement. As the implement is moved from its retracted position to its in-use
position,
deflection of the deflector receiving portion of the implement by the pivot-
inducing deflector
causes the implement to pivot about the pivot axis from the unaligned pivotal
orientation to
the aligned pivotal orientation, to thereby permit the chuck to engage the
implement in torque
transmitting relation.
[0009] In
accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a
novel multi-implement tool comprising a housing and a plurality of implement
assemblies each
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including an implement retained by an implement holder and operatively
retained within the
housing. Each implement assembly defines a pivot axis and has a deflector
receiving portion
disposed in laterally spaced relation from the pivot axis. A chuck has an
implement-receiving
opening for receiving the shank of each implement singularly in torque
transmitting relation
and is mounted on the housing for rotation of the chuck and the housing with
respect to each
other about an axis of rotation. Each implement assembly is retained within
the housing for
pivotal movement about the pivot axis between an unaligned pivotal orientation
whereat the
implement holder is pivotally unaligned about the pivot axis with respect to
the implement-
receiving opening of the chuck and an aligned pivotal orientation whereat the
implement
holder is pivotally aligned about the pivot axis with the implement-receiving
opening of the
chuck, and for longitudinal movement between a retracted position whereat the
implement is
generally retained within the housing and an in-use position whereat the
implement holder is
received in torque transmitting relation by the chuck and the implement
extends through the
implement-receiving opening. There is also means for moving the implement
assemblies, as
selected, singularly between the retracted position and the in-use position
and means for
selectively retaining an implement assembly in the in-use position. A rotation-
locking
mechanism is operatively interposed between the housing and the chuck. A pivot-
inducing
deflector is disposed in the laterally spaced relation from the pivot axis of
the implement
holder. As the implement assembly is moved from its retracted position to its
in-use position,
deflection of the deflector receiving portion of the implement holder by the
pivot-inducing
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deflector causes the implement holder to pivot about the pivot axis from the
unaligned pivotal
orientation to the aligned pivotal orientation, to thereby permit the chuck to
engage the
implement in torque transmitting relation.
[00010] In
accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a
novel multi-implement tool comprising a housing and a plurality of implement
holders
operatively retained within the housing. Each implement holder defines a pivot
axis and has a
deflector receiving portion disposed in laterally spaced relation from the
pivot axis. A chuck has
an implement-receiving opening for receiving each implement holder singularly
in torque
transmitting relation and is mounted on the housing for rotation of the chuck
and the housing
with respect to each other about an axis of rotation. Each implement holder is
retained within
the housing for pivotal movement about the pivot axis between an unaligned
pivotal
orientation whereat the implement holder is pivotally unaligned about the
pivot axis with
respect to the implement-receiving opening of the chuck and an aligned pivotal
orientation
whereat the implement holder is pivotally aligned about the pivot axis with
the implement-
receiving opening of the chuck, and for longitudinal movement between a
retracted position
whereat the implement holder is generally retained within the housing and an
in-use position
whereat the implement holder is received in torque transmitting relation by
the chuck. There is
also means for moving the implement holders, as selected, singularly between
the retracted
position and the in-use position and means for selectively retaining an
implement holder in the
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in-use position. A rotation-locking mechanism is operatively interposed
between the housing
and the chuck. A pivot-inducing deflector is disposed in the laterally spaced
relation from the
pivot axis of the implement holder. As the implement holder is moved from its
retracted
position to its in-use position, deflection of the deflector receiving portion
of the implement
holder by the pivot-inducing deflector causes the implement holder to pivot
about the pivot
axis from the unaligned pivotal orientation to the aligned pivotal
orientation, to thereby permit
the chuck to engage the implement holder in torque transmitting relation.
[00011] In
accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a
novel chuck for use in a multi-implement tool, for receiving at least one of
an implement and an
implement holder singularly in torque transmitting relation therein. The chuck
comprises a
main body having a free end and a connection end. There is an implement-
receiving opening in
the main body at the free end thereof for receiving at least one of the shank
of an implement
and the implement holder of an implement assembly singularly in torque
transmitting relation.
There is also an implement passageway in the main body extending from the
implement-
receiving opening to the connection end. A pivot-inducing deflector is
disposed in the laterally
spaced relation from the implement passageway. As one of an implement and
implement
holder is moved from its retracted position to its in-use position, deflection
of the deflector
receiving portion of the implement by the pivot-inducing deflector causes the
implement to
pivot about its pivot axis from an unaligned pivotal orientation to the
aligned pivotal
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orientation with respect to the implement-receiving opening, to thereby permit
the chuck to
engage the implement in torque transmitting relation.
[00012] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is
disclosed
that in a novel a multi-implement tool, a plurality of implements are
operatively retained within
a housing. Each implement defines a pivot axis and has a deflector receiving
portion disposed
in laterally spaced relation from the pivot axis. A pivot-inducing deflector
is disposed in laterally
spaced relation from the pivot axis of the implement. As the implement is
moved from its
retracted position to its in-use position, deflection of the deflector
receiving portion of the
implement by the pivot-inducing deflector causes the implement to pivot about
the pivot axis
from the unaligned pivotal orientation to the aligned pivotal orientation, to
thereby permit a
chuck of the tool to engage the implement in torque transmitting relation.
[00013] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is
disclosed
that in a novel a multi-implement tool, a plurality of implement assemblies
are operatively
retained within a housing. Each implement assembly defines a pivot axis and
has a deflector
receiving portion disposed in laterally spaced relation from the pivot axis. A
pivot-inducing
deflector is disposed in laterally spaced relation from the pivot axis of the
implement assembly.
As the implement assembly is moved from its retracted position to its in-use
position,
deflection of the deflector receiving portion of the implement assembly by the
pivot-inducing
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deflector causes the implement assembly to pivot about the pivot axis from the
unaligned
pivotal orientation to the aligned pivotal orientation, to thereby permit a
chuck of the tool to
engage the implement assembly in torque transmitting relation.
[00014] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present
invention, as well
as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the
structure, and the
combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent
upon
consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims
with reference to
the accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described herein
below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00015] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the
multi-
implement tool according to the present invention, as to its structure,
organization, use and
method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof,
will be better
understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred
embodiment of the
invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly
understood, however, that
the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are
not intended as a
definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:
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[00016] Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front of the first
illustrated embodiment
of the multi-implement tool according to the present invention, with all of
the implements in
their respective retracted positions;
[00017] Figure 1A is an exploded perspective view similar to Figure 1;
[00018] Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1, but with a
selected implement
in its extended in-use position;
[00019] Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the first illustrated
embodiment of the
multi-implement tool of Figure 1, with all of the implements in their
respective retracted
positions;
[00020] Figure 4 is a side elevational view similar to Figure 3, but with a
selected
implement in its extended in-use position;
[00021] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the first
illustrated
embodiment of the multi-implement tool of Figure 1, taken along section line A-
A of Figure 1,
and with all of the implements in their respective retracted positions;
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[00022] Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional perspective view from beside and
behind of the
first illustrated embodiment of the multi-implement tool of Figure 1, taken
along section line A-
A of Figure 1, and with all of the implements in their respective retracted
positions;
[00023] Figure 7A is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view of
the front portion
of the first illustrated embodiment of the multi-implement tool of Figure 1,
taken along section
line A-A of Figure 1, and with all of the implements in their respective
retracted positions;
[00024] Figure 7B is a cross-sectional rear elevational view of the front
portion of the
first illustrated embodiment of the multi-implement tool of Figure 7A, taken
along section line
B-B of Figure 7A, with all of the implements in their respective retracted
positions, and showing
the hexagonally shaped implement-receiving opening with no implements in it;
[00025] Figure 8A is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view
similar to Figure
7A, taken along section line A-A of Figure 1, but with a selected implement
having been moved
forwardly towards its extended in-use position and with the deflector
receiving portion of the
selected implement in operative engagement with the pivot-inducing deflector;
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[00026] Figure 88 is a cross-sectional rear elevational view of the front
portion of the
first illustrated embodiment of the multi-implement tool of Figure 8A, taken
along section line
B-B of Figure 8A, and showing the selected hexagonally shaped implement of the
selected
implement in the hexagonally shaped implement-receiving opening;
[00027] Figure 9A is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view
similar to Figure
8A, taken along section line A-A of Figure 1, but with a selected implement
having been moved
even more forwardly towards its extended in-use position and the deflector
receiving portion of
the selected implement having moved further along the pivot-inducing
deflector, and with the
implement having rotated counter-clockwise slightly about its pivot axis;
[00028] Figure 98 is a cross-sectional rear elevational view of the front
portion of the
first illustrated embodiment of the multi-implement tool of Figure 9A, taken
along section line
B-B of Figure 9A, and showing the selected hexagonally shaped implement of the
selected
implement in the hexagonally shaped implement-receiving opening, and with the
implement
having rotated counter-clockwise slightly about its pivot axis;
[00029] Figure 10A is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view
similar to Figure
9A, taken along section line A-A of Figure 1, but with a selected implement
having been moved
even more forwardly towards its extended in-use position and the deflector
receiving portion of
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the selected implement having moved even further along the pivot-inducing
deflector, and with
the implement having rotated counter-clockwise even more about its pivot axis;
[00030] Figure 10B is a cross-sectional rear elevational view of the front
portion of the
first illustrated embodiment of the multi-implement tool of Figure 10A, taken
along section line
B-B of Figure 10A, and showing the selected hexagonally shaped implement of
the selected
implement in the hexagonally shaped implement-receiving opening, and with the
implement
having rotated counter-clockwise even more about its pivot axis;
[00031] Figure 11A is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view
similar to Figure
10A, taken along section line A-A of Figure 1, but with a selected implement
having been
moved even more forwardly towards its extended in-use position and the
deflector receiving
portion of the selected implement having moved all of the way along the pivot-
inducing
deflector, and with the implement having rotated counter-clockwise fully about
its pivot axis to
its aligned pivotal orientation;
[00032] Figure 11B is a cross-sectional rear elevational view of the front
portion of the
first illustrated embodiment of the multi-implement tool of Figure 11A, taken
along section line
B-B of Figure 11A, and showing the selected hexagonally shaped implement in
the hexagonally
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shaped implement-receiving opening, and with the implement having rotated
counter-
clockwise fully about its pivot axis to its aligned pivotal orientation;
[00033] Figure 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view
similar to Figure
11A, taken along section line A-A of Figure 1, but with a selected implement
assembly having
been moved even more forwardly all of the way to its extended in-use position;
[00034] Figure 13 is a perspective view from the front of the second
illustrated
embodiment of the multi-implement tool according to the present invention,
with a selected
implement in its extended in-use position;
[00035] Figure 13A is an exploded perspective view similar to Figure 13;
[00036] Figure 14 is an enlarged sectional perspective view from beside and
behind of
the second illustrated embodiment of the multi-implement tool of Figure 13,
taken along
section line C-C of Figure 13, and with all of the implement assemblies in
their respective
retracted positions;
[00037] Figure 15A is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view of
the front
portion of the second illustrated embodiment of the multi-implement tool of
Figure 13, taken
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along section line C-C of Figure 13, and with all of the implement assemblies
in their respective
retracted positions;
[00038] Figure 158 is a cross-sectional rear elevational view of the front
portion of the
second illustrated embodiment of the multi-implement tool of Figure 15A, taken
along section
line D-D of Figure 15A, with all of the implement assemblies in their
respective retracted
positions, and showing the hexagonally shaped implement-receiving opening with
no
implements in it;
[00039] Figure 16A is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view
similar to Figure
15A, taken along section line A-A of Figure 13, but with a selected implement
assembly having
been moved somewhat forwardly towards its extended in-use position and with
the deflector
receiving portion of the selected implement assembly in operative engagement
with the pivot-
inducing deflector;
[00040] Figure 1613 is a cross-sectional rear elevational view of the front
portion of the
second illustrated embodiment of the multi-implement tool of Figure 16A, taken
along section
line D-D of Figure 16A, and showing the selected hexagonally shaped implement
of the selected
implement assembly in the hexagonally shaped implement-receiving opening;
¨ 16 ¨
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[00041] Figure 17A is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view
similar to Figure
16A, taken along section line A-A of Figure 13, but with a selected implement
assembly having
been moved even more forwardly towards its extended in-use position and the
deflector
receiving portion of the selected implement assembly having moved further
along the pivot-
inducing deflector, and with the implement having rotated counter-clockwise
slightly about its
pivot axis;
[00042] Figure 17B is a cross-sectional rear elevational view of the front
portion of the
second illustrated embodiment of the multi-implement tool of Figure 17A, taken
along section
line D-D of Figure 17A, and showing the selected hexagonally shaped implement
of the selected
implement assembly in the hexagonally shaped implement-receiving opening, and
with the
implement having rotated counter-clockwise slightly about its pivot axis;
[00043] Figure 18A is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view
similar to Figure
17A, taken along section line A-A of Figure 13, but with a selected implement
assembly having
been moved even more forwardly towards its extended in-use position and the
deflector
receiving portion of the selected implement assembly having moved even further
along the
pivot-inducing deflector, and with the implement having rotated counter-
clockwise even more
about its pivot axis;
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[00044] Figure 18B is a cross-sectional rear elevational view of the front
portion of the
second illustrated embodiment of the multi-implement tool of Figure 18A, taken
along section
line D-D of Figure 18A, and showing the selected hexagonally shaped implement
of the selected
implement assembly in the hexagonally shaped implement-receiving opening, and
with the
implement having rotated counter-clockwise even more about its pivot axis;
[00045] Figure 19A is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view
similar to Figure
18A, taken along section line A-A of Figure 13, but with a selected implement
assembly having
been moved even more forwardly towards its extended in-use position and the
deflector
receiving portion of the selected implement assembly having moved all of the
way along the
pivot-inducing deflector, and with the implement having rotated counter-
clockwise fully about
its pivot axis to its aligned pivotal orientation;
[00046] Figure 19B is a cross-sectional rear elevational view of the front
portion of the
second illustrated embodiment of the multi-implement tool of Figure 19A, taken
along section
line D-D of Figure 19A, and showing the selected hexagonally shaped implement
of the selected
implement assembly in the hexagonally shaped implement-receiving opening, and
with the
implement having rotated counter-clockwise fully about its pivot axis to its
aligned pivotal
orientation; and,
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[00047] Figure 20 is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view
similar to Figure
19A, taken along section line A-A of Figure 13, but with a selected implement
assembly having
been moved even more forwardly all of the way to its extended in-use position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[00048] Referring to Figures 1 through 20 of the drawings, it will be noted
that Figures 1
through 12 show a first illustrated embodiment of the multi-implement tool
according to the
present invention, and Figures 13 through 20 illustrate a second illustrated
embodiment of the
multi-implement tool according to the present invention.
[00049] Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 12, which show a
first
illustrated embodiment of the multi-implement tool according to the present
invention, as
indicated by the general reference numeral 100. The first illustrated
embodiment multi-
implement tool 100 according to the present invention comprises a housing 110
that, in the
first illustrated embodiment, is the handle of the multi-implement tool 100.
As illustrated, the
multi-implement tool 100, is a screwdriver; however, the multi-implement tool
100 could be
any type of tool or the like having a plurality of implements 131 that are
engaged by a chuck
120 such that the selected implement is received in torque transmitting
relation by the chuck
120, as will be discussed in greater detail subsequently.
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[00050] In brief, the first illustrated embodiment multi-implement tool 100
comprises
the housing 110, the chuck 120, the plurality of implements 131, means 140 for
moving the
implements 131, means 150 for selectively retaining an implement 131 in its
forwardly
extended in-use position, a rotation-locking mechanism 160, and a pivot-
inducing deflector
170.
[00051] More specifically, the multi-implement tool 100 comprises the
housing 110 that
acts as the handle of the multi-implement tool 100, and is made from a
suitable plastic material
or other synthetic material, or from a suitable metal material, or from any
other suitable
materials or a combination or combinations thereof. The housing 110, as
illustrated, extends
between a front end 112 and a back end 114, and defines a longitudinal axis
"L" that is
generally centrally disposed with respect to the housing 110 and extends along
the length of
the housing 110. The housing 110 is preferably elongate in order to
accommodate implements
such as tool up to about six inches (fifteen centimeters) in length, or
possibly more, and is of a
suitable diameter to be comfortably held by a user's hand. Other suitable
sizes and shapes for
the housing could alternatively be used.
[00052] A front fitting 116 has a main body 117 with a rearwardly facing
implement
guide surface 118 and a forwardly extending cylindrical wall 119 and is
secured to the housing
110 by use of suitable threaded fasteners (not specifically shown) or any
other suitable means.
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The front fitting 116 barricades the front end of the housing 110 except for
an implement
receiving opening 125 through which the implements 131 can extend, as will be
discussed in
greater detail subsequently. A rear cap 111 is secured to the back end 114 of
the housing 110
by suitable threaded fasteners (not specifically shown) or any other suitable
means, to close off
the back end 114 of the housing 110.
[00053] The
plurality of implements 131 are operatively retained within the housing 110
generally in longitudinal alignment with the elongate housing 110. Each of the
plurality of
implements 131 is securely mounted within an implement holder 135 that has a
circular disk
136 at the back end thereof that is pivotally mounted within a base 137. The
base 137 has a
rear extension 138 and a transverse pivot pin 139 that is used for pivotal
attachment to the
means 140 for moving the implements 131 as discussed in greater detail
subsequently. Each
implement 131 defines a pivot axis "P" about which the respective implement
131 can pivot.
More specifically, the implement 131 is securely connected to the implement
holder 135 for
rotation therewith. The implement holder 135 and the circular disk 136 may be
integrally
formed with each other. The implement 131, the implement holder 135, and the
circular disk
136, which make up the implement assembly 130, all rotate concurrently one
with the others.
[00054] The
plurality of implements 131 are retained within the housing 110 such that
the pivot axes "P" are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis "L";
however, this particular
alignment is generally a function of the shape of the housing 110. In
the illustrated
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embodiment, the housing 110 has been made to have a small diameter so that the
hand of
most users can grasp the housing 110 comfortably.
[00055] As can readily be seen in Figures 2, 4, 5, 6, 7A, 8A, 9A, 10A, 11A
and 12, each
implement 131 has a shank 132 that is generally straight and is integrally
formed with the blade
133. As illustrated, the shank 132 is hexagonally shaped in cross section, as
are most
screwdriver bits. A deflector receiving portion 134 is disposed in laterally
spaced relation from
the pivot axis "P", or in other words at a lateral distance from the pivot
axis "P", which is
located at the centre of the of the implement 131. Accordingly, a force acting
on the deflector
receiving portion 134 that has a component directed transversely and skew to
the pivot axis "P"
and not through the pivot axis "P", will cause the implement 131 that is being
acted on to pivot
about its pivot axis "P".
[00056] As can be readily seen in Figures 2, 4, 5, 6, 7A, 8A, 9A, 10A, 11A
and 12, the
chuck 120 is for receiving the implements 131 one at a time, or in other words
singularly, in
torque transmitting relation by the chuck 120. The chuck 120 has a forward
cone portion 121, a
rearwardly extending handle engagement portion 122 and a rearwardly extending
cylindrical
wall portion 123. The rearwardly extending handle engagement portion 122 and
the
rearwardly extending cylindrical wall portion 123 together define an annular
channel 124 that
receives the forwardly extending cylindrical wall 119 of the front fitting
116. A clip 129 retains
the chuck 120 securely in rotatable relation on the front fitting 116 in order
to accommodate
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the ratchet function of the multi-implement tool 100. A ratchet selector
collar 109 is mounted
in trapped yet rotatable relation via a flange 109a between the rearwardly
extending handle
engagement portion 122 of the chuck 120 and the front edge 110f of the housing
110.
[00057] The chuck 120 defines an implement-receiving opening 125 for
receiving the
shank 132 of each implement 131 singularly in torque transmitting relation by
the chuck 120.
More specifically, the front end portion of the implement-receiving opening
125 is defined
partially by a torque transmitting section 126 that in the first illustrated
embodiment comprises
six triangularly shaped surfaces 126 that together define a regular hexagonal
shape just slightly
greater in size than the regular hexagonal shape of shank 132 of the implement
131. The six
triangularly shaped surfaces 126 on the chuck 120 transmits torque to the
hexagonally shaped
shank 132 of the forwardly extended implement 131. When the selected implement
131
extends through the implement-receiving opening 125, the selected implement
131 is in its
extended in-use position. As illustrated, the six triangularly shaped surfaces
126 adjacent the
front end of the implement-receiving opening 125 form a hexagonal shape in
order to receive
the shank 132 of the extended implement 131 in torque transmitting relation.
Other suitable
cross-sectional shapes could also be used for the implement-receiving opening
125 and the
shank 132 of the implements 131.
[00058] As can be best seen in Figures 1 through 6, and as indicated by
double arrow "A"
in Figure 1, the chuck 120 is mounted on the housing 110 for rotation of the
chuck 120 and the
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
housing 110 with respect to each other, about an axis of rotation "R". This
rotation is used in
order to accommodate the ratchet function of the multi-implement tool 100. The
ratchet
function is achieved by the rotation-locking mechanism 160 that is operatively
interposed
between the housing 110 and the chuck 120. In the first illustrated
embodiment, the rotation-
locking mechanism 160 comprises a bi-directional rotation-locking mechanism
160, and even
more specifically comprises a bi-directional ratchet mechanism 160 for in a
first configuration,
selectively permitting axial rotation of the chuck 120 with respect to the
housing 110 about the
axis of rotation "R" in a first rotational direction and precluding axial
rotation of the chuck 120
with respect to the housing 110 in a second rotational direction, and in a
second configuration,
selectively permitting axial rotation of the chuck 120 with respect to the
housing 110 in a
second rotational direction and precluding axial rotation of the chuck 120
with respect to the
housing 110 in a first rotational direction. Any suitable rotation locking
mechanism can be
used.
[00059] In
their respective retracted positions, the implements 131 are generally
retained within the housing 110 so as to be in non-interfering relation with
one another, or in
other words to leave sufficient space at the front area of the housing 110
immediately
rearwardly of the chuck 120. As discussed above, the plurality of implements
131 are
operatively retained within the housing 110 generally in longitudinal
alignment with the
elongate housing 110, so as to be readily movable to their respective in-use
positions.
¨ 24 ¨
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
[00060] In their respective in-use positions, the shank 132 of the one
selected implement
131 is received in torque transmitting relation by the torque transmitting
section 126,
specifically the six triangularly shaped surfaces 126, on the chuck 120 and
extends through the
implement-receiving opening 125 so as to be able to engage a fastener or the
like. In use, when
a user manually turns the housing about the longitudinal axis "L", the torque
generated by such
turning about the longitudinal axis "L" is transmitted through the housing
110, through the
chuck 120, and to the shank 132 of the extended implement 131. The rotational
direction of
force transmission can be either clockwise or counter-clockwise, depending on
the selected
direction of the bi-directional rotation locking mechanism 160.
[00061] The means 140 for moving the implements 131, as selected,
singularly between
the retracted position and the in-use position comprises an actuator mechanism
140 for each
implement 131, and specifically six actuator mechanisms 140 in the first
illustrated
embodiment. Each actuator mechanism 140 comprises a main body 141, a thumb
engageable
portion 142 disposed exteriorly to the main body 110, a stem portion 143, a
forwardly
extending hook portion 144 having a rearwardly-facing surface 144a, a
rearwardly extending
hook portion 146 having a forwardly-facing surface 146a, and a pivot pin 147.
The actuator
mechanism 140 is operatively connected to its respective implement 131 at the
implement
holder 135 via an inter-connecting member 149 that pivotally connects to the
base 137 at the
pivot pin 139 and also pivotally connects to the actuator mechanism 140 at the
pivot pin 147.
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
[00062] The stem portion 143 of the actuator mechanism 140 extends through
a slot 113
in the main body 110 and interconnects the main body 141 and the thumb
engageable portion
142. The forwardly-facing surface 146a of the rearwardly extending hook
portion 146 engages
a co-operating surface at or adjacent the back end 112 of the housing 110 in
removable relation
to retain the respective implements 131 in their retracted positions.
[00063] The means 150 for selectively retaining an implement 131,
specifically the
selected implement 131, in the forwardly extended in-use position comprises a
forwardly facing
abutment surface 115 disposed on the inner wall surface 116 of the housing
110. The co-
operating rearwardly-facing surface 144a on the forwardly extending hook
portion 144 of the
actuator mechanism 140 securely engages the forwardly facing abutment surface
115 to
thereby retain the selected implement 131 in its forwardly extended in-use
position.
[00064] Further, the plurality of implements 131 are operatively retained
by the housing
110 each for free rotation about its respective pivot axis "P", as discussed
above, and for
longitudinal movement between a retracted position, as is best seen in Figures
1, 3, 5, 6 and 7A,
and a forwardly extended in-use position, as is best seen in Figures 2, 4 and
12. As is best seen
in Figures 8B, 9B and 10B, in the unaligned pivotal orientation of each
implement 131, the
shank 132 of the implement 131 is pivotally unaligned about the pivot axis "P"
with respect to
torque transmitting section 126 of the chuck 120 adjacent the front of the
implement-receiving
opening 125 of the chuck 120. In contrast, as is best seen in Figure 11B, in
the aligned pivotal
¨ 26 ¨
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
orientation, the shank 132 of the implement 131 is pivotally aligned about the
pivot axis "P"
with respect to the torque transmitting section 126 of the chuck 120 adjacent
the implement-
receiving opening 125 of the chuck 120. The pivoting of the selected implement
131 is
described in greater detail subsequently.
[00065] As is best seen in Figures 8B, 9B and 10B, in the unaligned pivotal
orientation of
each implement 131, the shank 132 of the implement 131 is pivotally unaligned
about the pivot
axis "P" with respect to the torque transmitting section 126 of the chuck 120
adjacent the
implement-receiving opening 125 of the chuck 120. In contrast, as is best seen
in Figure 11B, in
the aligned pivotal orientation, the shank 132 of the implement 131 is
pivotally aligned about
the pivot axis "P" with respect to the torque transmitting section 126 of the
chuck 120 adjacent
the implement-receiving opening 125 of the chuck 120. The pivoting of the
selected implement
131 is described in greater detail subsequently.
[00066] As can be readily seen in Figures 5 through 11, the pivot-inducing
deflector 170 is
operatively mounted on the chuck 120 so as to be disposed in laterally spaced
relation from the
pivot axis "P", as discussed above. More specifically, the pivot-inducing
deflector 170 is
disposed on the chuck 120, and even more specifically, the pivot-inducing
deflector 170 is
integrally formed on the chuck 120. As can be readily seen, the pivot-inducing
deflector 170
comprises an obliquely angled guide surface 174, and more specifically
comprises a plurality of
angled guide surfaces 170, and as seen in the illustrated embodiment, six
obliquely angled
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
guide surfaces 170. The number of guide surfaces 170, namely six, corresponds
to the number
of deflector receiving portions 134, namely six, on the implements 131. The
lateral distance
between the pivot-inducing deflector 170 and the longitudinal axis "L" acts as
a moment arm
for causing rotation of the implement about the longitudinal axis "L".
[00067]
Further, each pivot-inducing deflector 170 is sloped along a portion of the
longitudinal axis "L" from a first end 171 of the pivot-inducing deflector 170
at a first radial
angular position to a second end 172 of the pivot-inducing deflector 170 at a
second radial
angular position. As can be readily seen, the second end 172 of the pivot-
inducing deflector
170 is closer to the chuck 120 than is the first end 171 of the pivot-inducing
deflector 170.
Preferably, the first end 171 comprises a rear apex 171a that is substantially
unrounded, or in
other words is angled and not rounded.
Further, the pivot-inducing deflector 170 is
substantially flat and slopes in one direction only. Accordingly, with the
first end of the pivot-
inducing deflector 170 shaped as described, the chance of the selected
implement 131 abutting
against the first end 171 of the pivot-inducing deflector 170 and not readily
moving further
forwardly, or even not moving further forwardly, is substantially precluded.
[00068] Also,
the pivot-inducing deflector 170 is disposed adjacent the implement
receiving opening 125 of the chuck so as to be in an advantageous position to
pivotally deflect
the selected implement 131 just before it enters the torque transmitting
section 126 of the
chuck 120 adjacent the front of the implement receiving opening 125.
¨ 28 ¨
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
[00069] The pivot-inducing deflector 170 is for engaging the selected
implement 131 that
is being moved to its forwardly extended in-use position, to thereby pivot the
selected
implement 131 about its pivot axis "P", to thereby pivotally align the
implement 131 about the
pivot axis "P" with respect to the torque transmitting section 126 of the
chuck 120 adjacent the
implement-receiving opening 125 of the chuck 120 as the selected implement 131
is being
moved to its extended in-use position, to thereby permit the chuck 120 to
engage the selected
implement 131 in torque transmitting relation. As can be clearly seen in the
Figures, as the
selected implement 131 is moved from its retracted position to its in-use
position, deflection of
the deflector receiving portion 134 of the selected implement 131 by the pivot-
inducing
deflector 170 causes the selected implement 131 to pivot about its pivot axis
"P" from its
unaligned pivotal orientation, as is best seen in Figures 8B, 9B and 10B, to
its aligned pivotal
orientation, as is best seen in Figure 11B, to thereby permit the chuck 120 to
engage the
selected implement 131 in torque transmitting relation.
[00070] Reference will now be made to Figures 6 through 12, which show the
pivotal
alignment of the selected 131 as it is moved forwardly from its retracted
position to its
forwardly extended in-use position. In Figures 6, 7A and 7B, it can be seen
that the pivot-
inducing deflector 170 is in position to receive the deflector receiving
portion 134 of the
selected implement 131, as the selected implement 131 is moved forwardly from
it retracted
position to its forwardly extended in-use position. More specifically stated,
the six obliquely
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
angled guide surfaces 174 are in position to receive the six deflector
receiving portions 134 of
the selected implement 131. The six deflector receiving portions 134 of the
shank 132 of the
selected implement 131 are adjacent the apexes of the hexagonally shaped shank
132. One
deflector receiving portion 134 is to be received by each of the obliquely
angled guide surfaces
174. No portion of the selected implement 131 is yet in the implement-
receiving opening 125,
which is therefore unoccupied. Figure 7A shows the unoccupied implement-
receiving opening
125 and the pivot-inducing deflector 170, or more specifically stated, the six
obliquely angled
guide surfaces 174, from behind, basically from the point of view of the
selected implement as
it is moved forwardly from its retracted position.
[00071] It should also be noted that it is also possible to have only one
of the pivot-
inducing deflector surfaces 174, which would cover one-sixth (sixty degrees)
of the
circumference of the implement-receiving opening 125, since there are six
deflector receiving
portions 134 spaced equally radially apart around the perimeter of the
hexagonal shank 132 of
each implement 131. Alternatively, it is also possible to have only one
deflector receiving
portion 134 on the shank 132 of each implement 131, while having six pivot-
inducing deflector
surfaces 174.
[00072] Further, it is contemplated that the six deflector receiving
portions 134 spaced
equally radially apart around the perimeter of the hexagonal shank 132 of each
implement 131
¨ 30 ¨
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
could each cover one-sixth (sixty degrees) of the circumference of the
implement 131, and one
single pivot-inducing deflector surface 174 could cover a very small radial
area if desired.
[00073] Reference will now be made to Figures 8A and 8B, which show a
selected
implement 131 having been moved forwardly from its retracted position towards
its extended
in-use position, and directed inwardly towards the longitudinal axis "L" by
the rearwardly facing
implement guide surface 118. The deflector receiving portions 134 of the
selected implement
131 are each in operative engagement with the pivot-inducing deflector surface
174 (although
only two are viewable) and showing the selected hexagonally shaped implement
131 in the
hexagonally shaped implement-receiving opening 125. The implement 131 has not
pivoted
about its pivot axis "P" and accordingly, the shank 132 of the selected bit
131 remains angularly
misaligned with respect to torque transmitting section 126 of the chuck 120
adjacent the front
of the implement-receiving opening 125 of the chuck 120.
[00074] Reference will now be made to Figures 9A and 9B, which show a
selected
implement 131 having been moved slightly more forwardly towards its extended
in-use
position. As the selected implement 131 is moved forwardly towards its fully
extended in use
position, the six deflector receiving portions 134 each contact a
corresponding one of the pivot-
inducing deflector surfaces 174 of the pivot-inducing deflector 170. The
deflector receiving
portions 134 of the selected implement 131 each remain in operative engagement
with the
pivot-inducing deflector surface 174 (although only two are viewable) each by
sliding along the
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
respective pivot-inducing deflector surface 174. The hexagonally shaped shank
132 of the
selected implement 131 is about to enter the hexagonally shaped implement-
receiving opening
125. The pivot-inducing deflector 170 causes the selected implement 131 to
pivot about its
pivot axis "P" in a counter-clockwise rotational direction, as indicated by
arrow "P1".
Accordingly, the shank 132 of the selected implement 131 remains angularly
misaligned with
respect to the torque transmitting section 126 of the chuck 120 adjacent the
front of the
implement-receiving opening 125 of the chuck 120. As shown, the deflector
receiving portions
134 are nearly at the half-way point along each corresponding pivot-inducing
deflector surface
174.
[00075] As
the selected implement 131 continues to be moved even more forwardly
towards its fully extended in use position, as shown in Figures 10A and 10B,
the deflector
receiving portions 134 of the selected implement 131 still each remain in
operative
engagement with the pivot-inducing deflector surface 174 (although only two
are viewable)
each by sliding along the respective pivot-inducing deflector surface 174. The
selected
hexagonally shaped implement 131 is still about to enter the hexagonally
shaped implement-
receiving opening 125. The pivot-inducing deflector 170 continues to cause the
selected
implement 131 to pivot about its pivot axis "P" in a counter-clockwise
rotational direction, as
indicated by arrow "P2". Accordingly, the shank 132 of the selected implement
131 still
remains angularly misaligned with respect to torque transmitting section 126
of the chuck 120
¨ 32 ¨
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
adjacent the front of the implement-receiving opening 125 of the chuck 120. As
shown, the
deflector receiving portions 134 are past the half-way point along each
corresponding pivot-
inducing deflector surface 174.
[00076] Finally, as the selected implement 131 continues to be moved
forwardly towards
its fully extended in use position, as shown in Figures 11A and 11B, the pivot-
inducing deflector
170 continues to cause the selected implement 131 to pivot about its pivot
axis "P" a final
amount in a counter-clockwise rotational direction, as indicated by arrow
"P3". As shown, the
deflector receiving portions 134 have reached the ends of the respective pivot-
inducing
deflector surfaces 174, and are aligned with the correspondingly shaped apexes
of the
implement-receiving opening 125. Accordingly, the hexagonally shaped shank 132
of the
selected implement 131 is now pivotally aligned with the hexagonally shaped
implement-
receiving opening 125, and the selected implement 131 can now be moved
forwardly all of the
way to its fully extended in-use position, as shown in Figure 12.
[00077] Reference will now be made to Figures 12 through 20, which show a
second
illustrated embodiment of the multi-implement tool according to the present
invention, as
indicated by the general reference numeral 200. The second illustrated
embodiment multi-
implement tool 200 according to the present invention comprises a housing 210
that, in the
second illustrated embodiment, is the handle of the multi-implement tool 200.
As illustrated,
the multi-implement tool 200, is a screwdriver; however, the multi-implement
tool 200 could
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
be any type of tool or the like having a plurality of implement assemblies 230
that are engaged
by a chuck 220 such that the selected implement is received in torque
transmitting relation by
the chuck 220.
[00078] In brief, the second illustrated embodiment multi-implement tool
200 comprises
the housing 210, the chuck 220, the plurality of implement assemblies 230,
means 240 for
moving the implement assemblies 230, means 250 for selectively retaining an
implement
assembly 230 in its forwardly extended in-use position, a rotation-locking
mechanism 260, and
a pivot-inducing deflector 270.
[00079] More specifically, the multi-implement tool 200 comprises the
housing 210 that
acts as the handle of the multi-implement tool 200, and is made from a
suitable plastic material
or other synthetic material, or from a suitable metal material, or from any
other suitable
materials or a combination or combinations thereof. The housing 210, as
illustrated, extends
between a first end 212 and a second end 214, and defines a longitudinal axis
"L" that is
generally centrally disposed with respect to the housing 210 and extends along
the length of
the housing 210. The housing 210 is preferably elongate in order to
accommodate implements
such as tool up to about six inches (fifteen centimeters) in length, or
possibly more, and is of a
suitable diameter to be comfortably held by a user's hand. Other suitable
sizes and shapes for
the housing could alternatively be used.
¨ 34 ¨
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
[00080] A front fitting 216 has a main body 217 with a rearwardly facing
implement
guide surface 218 and a forwardly extending cylindrical wall 219 and is
secured to the housing
210 by use of suitable threaded fasteners (not specifically shown) or any
other suitable means.
The front fitting 216 barricades the front end of the housing 210 except for
an implement
receiving opening 225 through which the implements assemblies 230 can extend,
as will be
discussed in greater detail subsequently. A rear cap 211 is secured to the
back end 214 of the
housing 210 by suitable threaded fasteners (not specifically shown) or any
other suitable
means, to close off the back end 214 of the housing 210.
[00081] The plurality of implement assemblies 230 are operatively retained
within the
housing 210 generally in longitudinal alignment with the elongate housing 210.
Each of the
plurality of implement assemblies 230 comprises an implement 231 securely
mounted within
an implement holder 235 that has a circular disk 236 at the back end thereof.
The circular disk
236 is pivotally mounted within a base 237. The base 237 has a rear extension
238 and a
transverse pivot pin 239 that is used for pivotal attachment to the means 240
for moving the
implement assemblies 230 as discussed in greater detail subsequently. Each
implement
assembly 230 defines a pivot axis "P" about which the respective implement
assembly 230 can
pivot. More specifically, in each implement assembly 230, the implement 231 is
securely
connected to the implement holder 235 for rotation therewith. The implement
holder 235 and
the circular disk 236 may be integrally formed with each other. The implement
231, the
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
implement holder 235, and the circular disk 236, which make up the implement
assembly 230,
all rotate concurrently one with the others.
=
[00082] The plurality of implement assemblies 230 are retained within the
housing 210
such that the pivot axes "P" are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis
"L"; however, this
particular alignment is generally a function of the shape of the housing 210.
In the illustrated
embodiment, the housing 210 has been made to have a small diameter so that the
hand of
most users can grasp the housing 210 comfortably.
[00083] As can readily be seen in Figures 13, 14, 15A, 16A, 17A, 18A, 19A
and 20, for each
implement assembly 230, the implement 231 has a shank 232 that is generally
straight and is
integrally formed with the blade 233. As illustrated, the shank 232 is
hexagonally shaped in
cross section, as are most screwdriver bits. A deflector receiving portion 234
is disposed in
laterally spaced relation from the pivot axis "P", or in other words at a
lateral distance from the
pivot axis "P", which is located at the centre of the of the implement
assembly 230.
Accordingly, a force acting on the deflector receiving portion 234 that has a
component
directed transversely and skew to the pivot axis "P" and not through the pivot
axis "P", will
cause the implement assembly 230 that is being acted on to pivot about its
pivot axis
[00084] As can be readily seen in Figures 13, 14, 15A, 16A, 17A, 18A, 19A
and 20, the
chuck 220 is for receiving the implements 231 of the implement assemblies 230
one at a time,
or in other words singularly, in torque transmitting relation by the chuck
220. The chuck 220
- 36 -
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
has a forward cone portion 221, a rearwardly extending handle engagement
portion 222 and a
rearwardly extending cylindrical wall portion 223. The rearwardly extending
handle
engagement portion 222 and the rearwardly extending cylindrical wall portion
223 together
define an annular channel 224 that receives the forwardly extending
cylindrical wall 219 of the
front fitting 216. A clip 229 retains the chuck 220 securely in rotatable
relation on the front
fitting 216 in order to accommodate the ratchet function of the multi-
implement tool 200. A
ratchet selector collar 209 is mounted in trapped yet rotatable relation via a
flange 209a
between the rearwardly extending handle engagement portion 222 of the chuck
220 and the
front edge 210f of the housing 210.
[00085] The
chuck 220 defines an implement-receiving opening 225 for receiving the
shank 232 of each implement assembly 230 singularly in torque transmitting
relation by the
chuck 220. More specifically, the front end portion of the implement-receiving
opening 225 is
defined partially by a torque transmitting section 226 that comprises six
generally triangularly
shaped surfaces 226 that together define a regular hexagonal shape just
slightly greater in size
than the hexagonally shaped shank 232 of the implement 231. The six
triangularly shaped
surfaces 126 on the chuck 220 transmit torque to the hexagonally shaped shank
232 of the
implement 231 of the forwardly extended implement assembly 230. When the
selected
implement assembly 230 extends through the implement-receiving opening 225,
the selected
implement assembly 230 is in its extended in-use position. As illustrated, the
six generally
triangularly shaped surfaces 226, which form the torque transmitting section
226, adjacent the
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
front of the implement-receiving opening 225 form a hexagonal shape in order
to receive the
shank 232 of the extended implement assembly 230 in torque transmitting
relation. Other
suitable cross-sectional shapes could also be used for the implement-receiving
opening 225 and
the shank 232 of the implements 231.
[00086] As
can be best seen in Figures 13 and 14, and as indicated by double arrow "B" in
Figure 13, the chuck 220 is mounted on the housing 210 for rotation of the
chuck 220 and the
housing 210 with respect to each other, about an axis of rotation "R". This
rotation is used in
order to accommodate the ratchet function of the multi-implement tool 200. The
ratchet
function is achieved by the rotation-locking mechanism 260 that is operatively
interposed
between the housing 210 and the chuck 220. In the second illustrated
embodiment, the
rotation-locking mechanism 260 comprises a bi-directional rotation-locking
mechanism 260,
and even more specifically comprises a bi-directional ratchet mechanism 260
for in a first
configuration, selectively permitting axial rotation of the chuck 220 with
respect to the housing
210 about the axis of rotation "R" in a first rotational direction and
precluding axial rotation of
the chuck 220 with respect to the housing 210 in a second rotational
direction, and in a second
configuration, selectively permitting axial rotation of the chuck 220 with
respect to the housing
210 in a second rotational direction and precluding axial rotation of the
chuck 220 with respect
to the housing 210 in a first rotational direction. Any suitable rotation
locking mechanism can
be used.
¨ 38 ¨
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
[00087] In their respective retracted positions, the implement assemblies
230 are
generally retained within the housing 210 so as to be in non-interfering
relation with one
another, or in other words to leave sufficient space at the front area of the
housing 210
immediately rearwardly of the chuck 220. As discussed above, the plurality of
implement
assemblies 230 are operatively retained within the housing 210 generally in
longitudinal
alignment with the elongate housing 210, so as to be readily movable to their
respective in-use
positions.
[00088] In their respective in-use positions, the shank 232 of the
implement 231 of the
one selected implement assembly 230 is received in torque transmitting
relation by the torque
transmitting section 226, specifically the six triangularly shaped surfaces
226, on the chuck 220
and extends through the implement-receiving opening 225 so as to be able to
engage a
fastener or the like. In use, when a user manually turns the housing about the
longitudinal axis
"L", the torque generated by such turning about the longitudinal axis "L" is
transmitted through
the housing 210, through the chuck 220, and to the shank 232 of the implement
231 of the
extended implement assembly 230. The rotational direction of force
transmission can be either
clockwise or counter-clockwise, depending on the selected direction of the bi-
directional
rotation locking mechanism 260.
[00089] The means 240 for moving the implement assemblies 230, as selected,
singularly
between the retracted position and the in-use position comprises an actuator
mechanism 240
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
for each implement assembly 230, and specifically six actuator mechanisms 240
in the second
illustrated embodiment. The actuator mechanism 240 comprises a main body 241,
a thumb
engageable portion 242 disposed exteriorly to the main body 210, a stem
portion 243, a
forwardly extending hook portion 244 having a rearwardly-facing surface 244a,
a rearwardly
extending hook portion 246 having a forwardly-facing surface 246a, and a pivot
pin 247. The
actuator mechanism 240 is operatively connected to its respective implement
assembly 230 at
the implement holder 235 via an inter-connecting member 249 that pivotally
connects to the
base 237 at the pivot pin 239 and also pivotally connects to the actuator
mechanism 240 at the
pivot pin 247.
[00090] The stem portion 243 of the actuator mechanism 240 extends through
a slot 213
in the main body 210 and interconnects the main body 241 and the thumb
engageable portion
242. The forwardly-facing surface 246a of the rearwardly extending hook
portion 246 engages
a co-operating surface at or adjacent the back end 212 of the housing 210 in
removable relation
to retain the respective implement assemblies 230 in their retracted
positions.
[00091] The means 250 for selectively retaining an implement assembly 230,
specifically
the selected implement assembly 230, in the forwardly extended in-use position
comprises a
forwardly facing abutment surface 215 disposed on the inner wall surface 216
of the housing
210. The co-operating rearwardly-facing surface 244a on the forwardly
extending hook portion
244 of the actuator mechanism 240 securely engages the forwardly facing
abutment surface
¨ 40 ¨
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
215 to thereby retain the selected implement assembly 230 in its forwardly
extended in-use
position.
[00092] Further, the plurality of implement assemblies 230 are operatively
retained by
the housing 210 each for free rotation about its respective pivot axis "P", as
discussed above,
and for longitudinal movement between a retracted position, as is best seen in
Figures 14 and
15A, and a forwardly extended in-use position, as is best seen in Figures 13
and 20. As is best
seen in Figures 16B, 17B and 18B, in the unaligned pivotal orientation of each
implement
assembly 230, the shank 232 of the implement 231 is pivotally unaligned about
the pivot axis
"P" with respect to the torque transmitting section 226 of the chuck 220
adjacent the front of
the implement-receiving opening 225 of the chuck 220. In contrast, as is best
seen in Figure
19B, in the aligned pivotal orientation, the shank 232 of the implement 231 of
the implement
assembly 230 is pivotally aligned about the pivot axis "P" with respect to the
torque
transmitting section 226 of the chuck 220 adjacent the front of the implement-
receiving
opening 225 of the chuck 220. The pivoting of the selected implement assembly
230 is
described in greater detail subsequently.
[00093] As is best seen in Figures 16B, 17B and 18B, in the unaligned
pivotal orientation
of each implement assembly 230, the shank 232 of the implement 231 of the
implement
assembly 230 is pivotally unaligned about the pivot axis "P" with respect to
the torque
transmitting section 226 of the chuck 220 adjacent the front of the implement-
receiving
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
opening 225 of the chuck 220. In contrast, as is best seen in Figure 19B, in
the aligned pivotal
orientation, the shank 232 of the implement 231 of the implement assembly 230
is pivotally
aligned about the pivot axis "P" with respect to the torque transmitting
section 226 of the
chuck 220 adjacent the front of the implement-receiving opening 225 of the
chuck 220. The
pivoting of the selected implement assembly 230 is described in greater detail
subsequently.
[00094] As can be readily seen in Figures 13 through 20, the pivot-inducing
deflector 270
is operatively mounted on the chuck 220 so as to be disposed in laterally
spaced relation from
the pivot axis "P", as discussed above. More specifically, the pivot-inducing
deflector 270 is
disposed on the chuck 220, and even more specifically, the pivot-inducing
deflector 270 is
integrally formed on the chuck 220. As can be readily seen, the pivot-inducing
deflector 270
comprises an obliquely angled guide surface 274, and more specifically
comprises a plurality of
angled guide surfaces 270, and as seen in the illustrated embodiment, six
obliquely angled
guide surfaces 270. The number of guide surfaces 270, namely six, corresponds
to the number
of deflector receiving portions 234, namely six, on the implement assemblies
230. The lateral
distance between the pivot-inducing deflector 270 and the longitudinal axis
"L" acts as a
moment arm for causing rotation of the implement about the longitudinal axis
"L".
[00095] Further, each pivot-inducing deflector 270 is sloped along a
portion of the
longitudinal axis "L" from a first end 271 of the pivot-inducing deflector 270
at a first radial
angular position to a second end 272 of the pivot-inducing deflector 270 at a
second radial
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CA 02944086 2016-10-04
angular position. As can be readily seen, the second end 272 of the pivot-
inducing deflector
270 is closer to the chuck 220 than is the first end 271 of the pivot-inducing
deflector 270.
Preferably, the first end 271 comprises a rear apex 271a that is substantially
unrounded, or in
other words is angled and not rounded.
Further, the pivot-inducing deflector 270 is
substantially flat and slopes in one direction only. Accordingly, with the
first end of the pivot-
inducing deflector 270 shaped as described, the chance of the selected
implement assembly
230 abutting against the first end 271 of the pivot-inducing deflector 270 and
not readily
moving further forwardly, or even not moving further forwardly, is
substantially precluded.
[00096] Also,
the pivot-inducing deflector 270 is disposed adjacent the implement
receiving opening 225 of the chuck so as to be in an advantageous position to
pivotally deflect
the selected implement assembly 230 just before it enters the torque
transmitting section 226
of the chuck 220 adjacent the front of the implement receiving opening 225.
[00097] The
pivot-inducing deflector 270 is for engaging the selected implement
assembly 230 that is being moved to its forwardly extended in-use position, to
thereby pivot
the selected implement assembly 230 about its pivot axis "P", to thereby
pivotally align the
implement assembly 230 about the pivot axis "P" respect to the torque
transmitting section
226 of the chuck 220 adjacent the front of with the implement-receiving
opening 225 of the
chuck 220 as the selected implement assembly 230 is being moved to its
extended in-use
position, to thereby permit the chuck 220 to engage the selected implement
assembly 230 in
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
torque transmitting relation. As can be clearly seen in the Figures, as the
selected implement
assembly 230 is moved from its retracted position to its in-use position,
deflection of the
deflector receiving portion 234 of the selected implement assembly 230 by the
pivot-inducing
deflector 270 causes the selected implement assembly 230 to pivot about its
pivot axis "P" from
its unaligned pivotal orientation, as is best seen in Figures 16B, 17B and
18B, to its aligned
pivotal orientation, as is best seen in Figure 19B, to thereby permit the
chuck 220 to engage the
selected implement assembly 230 in torque transmitting relation.
[00098]
Reference will now be made to Figures 13 through 20, which show the pivotal
alignment of the selected implement assembly 230 as it is moved forwardly from
its retracted
position to its forwardly extended in-use position. In Figures 13, 14A and
14B, it can be seen
that the pivot-inducing deflector 270 is in position to receive the deflector
receiving portion 234
of the selected implement assembly 230, as the selected implement assembly 230
is moved
forwardly from its retracted position to its forwardly extended in-use
position. More
specifically stated, the six obliquely angled guide surfaces 274 are in
position to receive the six
deflector receiving portions 234 of the selected implement assembly 230. The
six deflector
receiving portions 234 of the shank 232 of the selected implement assembly 230
are adjacent
the apexes of the hexagonally shaped shank 232. One deflector receiving
portion 234 is to be
received by each of the obliquely angled guide surfaces 274. No portion of the
selected
implement assembly 230 is yet in the implement-receiving opening 225, which is
therefore
unoccupied. Figure 15A shows the unoccupied implement-receiving opening 225
and the pivot-
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CA 02944086 2016-10-04
inducing deflector 270, or more specifically stated, the six obliquely angled
guide surfaces 274,
from behind, basically from the point of view of the selected implement as it
is moved
forwardly from its retracted position.
[00099] It should also be noted that it is also possible to have only one
of the pivot-
inducing deflector surfaces 274, which would cover one-sixth (sixty degrees)
of the
circumference of the implement-receiving opening 225, since there are six
deflector receiving
portions 234 spaced equally radially apart around the perimeter of the
hexagonal shank 232 of
each implement assembly 230. Alternatively, it is also possible to have only
one deflector
receiving portion 234 on the shank 232 of each implement 231 of each implement
assembly
230, while having six pivot-inducing deflector surfaces 274.
[000100] Further, it is contemplated that the six deflector receiving
portions 234 spaced
equally radially apart around the perimeter of the hexagonal shank 232 of each
implement 231
of each implement assembly 230 could each cover one-sixth (sixty degrees) of
the
circumference of the implement assembly 230, and one single pivot-inducing
deflector surface
274 could cover a very small radial area if desired.
[000101] Reference will now be made to Figures 16A and 16B, which show a
selected
implement assembly 230 having been moved forwardly from its retracted position
and towards
its extended in-use position, and directed inwardly towards the longitudinal
axis "L" by the
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
rearwardly facing implement guide surface 218. The deflector receiving
portions 234 of the
selected implement assembly 230 are each in operative engagement with the
pivot-inducing
deflector surface 274 (although only two are viewable) and showing the
selected hexagonally
shaped implement assembly 230 in the hexagonally shaped implement-receiving
opening 225.
The implement assembly 230 has not pivoted about its pivot axis "P" and
accordingly, the shank
232 of the implement of the selected implement assembly 230 remains angularly
misaligned
with respect to the torque transmitting section 226 of the chuck 220 adjacent
the front of the
implement-receiving opening 225 of the chuck 220.
[000102]
Reference will now be made to Figures 17A and 1713, which show a selected
implement assembly 230 having been moved slightly more forwardly towards its
extended in-
use position. As the selected implement assembly 230 is moved forwardly
towards its fully
extended in use position, the six deflector receiving portions 234 each
contact a corresponding
one of the pivot-inducing deflector surfaces 274 of the pivot-inducing
deflector 270. The
deflector receiving portions 234 of the selected implement assembly 230 each
remain in
operative engagement with the pivot-inducing deflector surface 274 (although
only two are
viewable) each by sliding along the respective pivot-inducing deflector
surface 274. The
hexagonally shaped shank 232 of the implement 231 of the selected implement
assembly 230 is
about to enter the hexagonally shaped implement-receiving opening 225. The
pivot-inducing
deflector 270 causes the selected implement assembly 230 to pivot about its
pivot axis "P" in a
counter-clockwise rotational direction, as indicated by arrow "P1".
Accordingly, the shank 232
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CA 02944086 2016-10-04
of the implement of the selected implement assembly 230 remains angularly
misaligned with
respect to the implement-receiving opening 225 of the chuck 220. As shown, the
deflector
receiving portions 234 are nearly at the half-way point along each
corresponding pivot-inducing
deflector surface 274.
[000103] As
the selected implement assembly 230 continues to be moved even more
forwardly towards its fully extended in use position, as shown in Figures 18A
and 18B, the
deflector receiving portions 234 of the selected implement assembly 230 still
each remain in
operative engagement with the pivot-inducing deflector surface 274 (although
only two are
viewable) each by sliding along the respective pivot-inducing deflector
surface 274. The
hexagonally shaped shank 232 of the implement of the selected implement
assembly 230 is still
about to enter the hexagonally shaped implement-receiving opening 225. The
pivot-inducing
deflector 270 continues to cause the selected implement assembly 230 to pivot
about its pivot
axis "P" in a counter-clockwise rotational direction, as indicated by arrow
"P2". Accordingly,
the shank 232 of the implement 231 of the selected implement assembly 230
still remains
angularly misaligned with respect to the torque transmitting section 226 of
the chuck 220
adjacent the front of the implement-receiving opening 225 of the chuck 220. As
shown, the
deflector receiving portions 234 are past the half-way point along each
corresponding pivot-
inducing deflector surface 274.
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
[000104] Finally, as the selected implement assembly 230 continues to be
moved
forwardly towards it's fully extended in use position, as shown in Figures 19A
and 19B, the
pivot-inducing deflector 270 continues to cause the selected implement
assembly 230 to pivot
about its pivot axis "P" a final amount in a counter-clockwise rotational
direction, as indicated
by arrow "P3". As shown, the deflector receiving portions 234 have reached the
ends of the
respective pivot-inducing deflector surfaces 274, and are aligned with the
correspondingly
shaped apexes of the implement-receiving opening 225. Accordingly, the
hexagonally shaped
shank 232 of the implement 231 of the selected implement assembly 230 is now
pivotally
aligned with respect to the torque transmitting section 226 of the chuck 220
adjacent the front
of the hexagonally shaped implement-receiving opening 225 of the chuck 220.
The selected
implement assembly 230 can now be moved forwardly all of the way to its fully
extended in-use
position, as shown in Figure 20.
[000105] Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to those
who are
knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such variations are
considered to be within the
scope of the present invention. Further, other modifications and alterations
may be used in the
design and manufacture of the mounting apparatus, of the present invention,
without
departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.
[000106] Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention.
Thus, while the
invention is susceptible to various= modifications and alternative
constructions, a certain
illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described
above in
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CA 02944086 2016-10-04
detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit
the invention to the
specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to
cover all modifications,
alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope
of the invention, as
defined in the appended claims.
[000107] The
use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in the context
of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following
claims) are to be
construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise
indicated herein or clearly
contradicted by context. The terms "comprising", "having", "including", and
"containing" are to
be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited
to,") unless
otherwise noted. The term "connected" is to be construed as partly or wholly
contained within,
attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening.
Recitation of ranges of
values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring
individually to
each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated
herein, and each
separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were
individually recited herein. All
methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless
otherwise indicated
herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all
examples, or
exemplary language (e.g., "such as", "for example") provided herein, is
intended merely to
better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation
on the scope of
the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification
should be construed
as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the
invention.
CA 02944086 2016-10-04
[000108] Illustrated embodiments of this invention are described herein.
Variations of
those illustrated embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill
in the art upon
reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to
employ such
variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the invention to be
practiced otherwise
than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes
all modifications and
equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as
permitted by
applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in
all possible
variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated
herein or
otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
[000109] Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to those
who are
knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such variations are
considered to be within the
scope of the present invention. Further, other modifications and alterations
may be used in the
design and manufacture of the multi-implement tool, of the present invention,
without
departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.
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