THIS INVENTION relates to a multipurpose folding hand tool.

A multipurpose folding hand tool, as referred to herein, includes two elongate handle formations that are interconnected in a configuration in which each defines a free end and in which they are displaceable with respect to each other between a first position, in which they are alongside each other with their free ends together, and a second position, which may be variable, in which their free ends are spaced apart. Reference will hereinafter be made to the first and second positions of the handle formations of a multipurpose folding hand tool and such references must be interpreted as references to the corresponding positions as defined above.

A first known type of multipurpose folding hand tool includes two working members that are pivotally interconnected at a first pivotal axis, each defining one of a pair of opposing working formations, such as a pair of jaw formations or a pair of cutting edges, displaceable towards and away from each other through pivotal displacement of the working members. The tool is configured to, in at least one fold configuration thereof, permit pivotal displacement of the working members via the handle formations pliers-fashion. In a known type of such a tool, the handle formations are pivotally connected to the respective working members at two second pivotal axes parallel to

the first pivotal axis. Each handle formation can particularly pivot with respect to its working member between a folded position and an extended position. With both handle formations pivoted to their extended positions, a cross-pliers configuration of the tool is defined, in which the working formations are displaceable towards and away from each other through pivotal displacement of the handle formations towards and away from each other, respectively, about the first pivotal axis. The folded position of each handle formation is offset from its extended position by an angle approaching 180° and with both handle formations in their folded positions, they are adjacent to each other with the working members tucked away within their periphery.

This is the first position of the handle formations of a tool of this type.

A second known type of multipurpose folding hand tool includes two working members that are pivotally interconnected at a first pivotal axis, each defining one of a pair of opposing working formations, such as a pair of jaw formations or a pair of cutting edges, displaceable towards and away from each other through pivotal displacement of the working members. The tool includes two handle formations fixedly connected to the respective working members in a cross-pliers configuration of the tool. The working formations are thus displaceable towards and away from each other through pivotal displacement of the handle formations towards and away from each other, respectively, about the first pivotal axis. In order to pivotally displace the working formations towards each other, the handle formations are pivotally displaced towards each other and may be so displaced until they are adjacent each other and their free ends are together. This is, the first position of the handle formations of a tool of this type.

Various other configurations of multipurpose folding hand tools are possible and the invention relates to all such tools which include handle formations that are interconnected and displaceable relative to each other, as defined above, and which can accommodate the essential features of the invention.

Reference will herein be made to a tool bit and such a reference must be interpreted as a reference to a member of a hand tool which may be used to perform a particular type of task, e. g. a screwdriver bit, a blade, a corkscrew bit, a file bit, and the like.

According to the invention there is provided a multipurpose folding hand tool which includes two elongate handle formations that are interconnected in a configuration in which each defines a free end and in which they are dispjaceable with respect to each other between a first position, in which they are alongside each other with their free ends together, and a second position, in which their free ends are spaced apart; and at least one tool bit which is pivotally mounted on the free end of one of the handle formations and which is, when the handle formations are in their second position, pivotally displaceable with respect to its handle formation between an operative position in which, with the handle formations in their first position, it projects from the handle formations to permit use of the bit, and an inoperative position in which, with the handle formations in their first position, it is tucked away within the periphery of the combination of the handle formations and thus cannot be used, the tool bit defining an abutment formation and the free end of the other handle formation carrying a matching abutment formation which, through abutment against each other in use of the tool bit, prevent displacement of the tool bit towards its inoperative position when the tool bit is in its operative position and the handle formations are in their first position.

The handle formations may have releasable retaining means for retaining them in their first position.

The abutment formation of the tool bit may form a part of an interlock formation and the matching abutment formation carried by the other handle formation may form a

part of a matching interlock formation, the interlock formations interlocking when the tool bit is in its operative position and the handle formations are in their first position, thereby preventing any displacement of the tool bit from its operative position.

The abutment formation carried by the said other handle formation may be defined by the other handle formation itself.

The handle formations may be interconnected to pivot with respect to each other between their first and second positions about a common pivotal anis.. Alternatively, the handle formations may be interconnected to pivot with respect to each other between their first and second positions about two parallel pivotal axes.

The pivotal axis between the tool bit and its handle formation may be in a plane which is parallel to the pivotal axis of each handle formation and the tool bit may, in its operative position and with the handle formations in their first position, project from the free ends of the handle formations in the direction opposite to the handle formations.

The pivotal axis between the tool bit and its handle formation may be parallel to the pivotal axis of each handle formation.

The tool bit may define a rotational axis about which rotation is required during use thereof, the rotational axis being in a plane perpendicular to its pivotal axis and, in the operative position of the tool bit and with the handle formations in their first position, being disposed substantially along a line defined along and between the handle formations. The rotational axis of the tool bit may be spaced apart from its pivotal axis so that the tool bit, in its inoperative position, is offset from the line defined along and between the handle formations and tucked away within the periphery of its handle formation.

The tool bit may be one of a pair of tool bits opposing each other when the handle formations are in their first position, pivotally mounted on the free ends of the respective handle formations to pivot, when the handle formations are in their second position, about pivotal axes which, at least with the handle formations in their first position, are parallel to each other, each tool bit defining the matching abutment formation for abutting against the abutment formation of the other tool bit when the former tool bit is in its inoperative position, the latter is in its operative position, and the handle formations are in their first position.

The tool may include at least two pairs of opposing tool bits, as defined, of which the tool bits mounted on one handle formation particularly are mounted alongside each other along a common pivotal axis.

The tool may include at least two pairs of opposing tool bits, as defined, the two bits of each pair being mounted on the respective handle formations to be pivotally displaceable, when the handle formations are in their second position, in planes which, at least with the handle formations in their first position, coincide, the respective coinciding planes of the pairs of tool bits intersecting along a line that is disposed substantially along a line defined along and between the handle formations. As such, in the case of at least one of the tool bits defining a rotational axis about which rotation is required during use thereof, the rotational axis may, in the operative position of the tool bit and with the handle formations in their first position, coincide with the said line of intersection of the coinciding planes. The handle formations may define generally hemi-cylindrical outer grip surfaces that define, in the first position of the handle formations, a generally cylindrical periphery of which the axis coincides with the said line of intersection of the coinciding planes.

The tool may include two working members that are pivotally interconnected at a pivotal axis, each member defining one of a pair of opposing working formations, such as a pair of jaw formations and a pair of cutting edges, that are dis, placeable towards and away from each other through pivotal displacement of the working members, the tool being configured to, in at least one fold configuration of the tool, permit pivotal displacement of the working members by pivotal displacement of the handle formations, pliers-fashion.

The operation of the tool of the invention may be partially summarized as follows : In order to use a particular tool bit of the tool, assuming initially that the handle formations are in their first position and that the tool bit, if there is one only, is in its inoperative position, or all tool bits, if there is more than one, are in their inoperative positions the : the following steps are performed ; the handle formations are manually displaced towards their second position; the tool bit to be used is manually pivotally displaced into its operative position; and the handle formations are manually displaced into their first position, thereby permitting the abutment formation of the tool bit to abut against the matching abutment formation defined by the opposing tool bit pivotally mounted on the free end of the other handle formation or the free end of the other handle formation itself, as the case may be. Through such abutment, displacement of the tool bit to be used towards its inoperative position is prevented.

The invention is described below with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic general view of a first embodiment of a multipurpose folding hand tool, in accordance with the invention, with handle formations thereof in a first relative position; Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic general view of the hand tool of Figure 1 with its handle formations in a second relative position; Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic enlarged general view of the hand tool of Figure 1 in the direction of arrows III-III of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a diagrammatic sectional view of a part of the hand tool of Figure 1, along the line IV-IV of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic general view of a second embodiment of a multipurpose folding hand tool, in accordance with the invention; Figure 6 shows a diagrammatic enlarged end view of the tool of Figure 5 in the direction of arrows VI-VI of Figure 5, with four tool bits thereof in inoperative positions; Figure 7 shows a diagrammatic enlarged end view of the hand tool of Figure 5 in the direction of arrows VI-VI of Figure 5, with one of its tool bits in an operative position; Figure 8 shows a diagrammatic general view of a third embodiment of a multipurpose folding hand tool, in accordance with the invention; Figure 9 shows a diagrammatic sectional view of a part of the hand tool, of Figure 8.

Figure 10 shows a diagrammatic general view of a fourth embodiment of a multipurpose folding hand tool, in accordance with the invention, with handle formations thereof in a first relative position ; Figure 11 shows a diagrammatic partial cut-away view of the hand tool of Figure 10 with its handle formations in a second relative position; and Figure 12 shows a diagrammatic general view of a fifth embodiment of a multipurpose folding hand tool, in accordance with the invention.

In Figure 1, a multipurpose folding hand tool, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The hand tool 10 includes two elongate handle formations 12.1 and 12.2.

With reference particularly to Figures 1 and 3, the handle formations 12.1 and 12.2 include elongate members 14.1 and 14.2, respectively, each defining a generally U-shaped cross-sectional profile.

With reference particularly to Figure 1, the handle formation 12.1 defines two ends 16.1 and 18.1. The handle formation 12.2 defines two corresponding ends 16.2 and 18.2. At their respective ends 16.1 and 16.2, the handle formations 12.1 and 12.2 are fixedly connected to working members 20.1 and 20.2, respectively, each defining one of a pair of opposing working formations in the form of a pair of jaw formations.

The working members 20 are pivotally interconnected to pivot relative to each other about a first pivotal axis 22 of the tool 10. As such, the handle formations 12 and the working members 20 define a cross-pliers configuration in which the handle formations 12 are pivotally displaceable relative to each other about the pivotal axis 22. The ends 18 of the handle formations 12 are remote from the pivotal axis 22 and will hereinafter be referred to as the free ends of the handle formations 12.

The handle formations 12 particularly are pivotally displaceable relative to each other about the pivotal axis 22 between a first position, as shown in Figure 1, in which they are disposed alongside each other with their free ends 18 together, and a second position, e. g. that shown in Figure 2, in which the ends 18 are spaced apart.

With reference particularly to Figure 3, portions 24 of the elongate members 14 forming the legs of the U-shaped profiles are in planes perpendicular to the pivotal axis 22. The portions 24 of each elongate member 14 project in the direction of the opposite handle formation 12 when the handle formations are in their first position, as shown.

Figure 4 shows portions of the handle formations 12 including their free ends 18. The handle formation 12.1 has two tool bits, in the form of two minus-head screw driver bits 26 and 28, pivotally mounted alongside each other on the handle formation to be manually pivotally displaceable about a pivotal axis 30, which is parallel to the pivotal axis 22 (see Figure 1) of the handle formations 12. The tool bit 26 defines a rotational axis 31 about which rotation of the bit must take place in use thereof and which is in a plane perpendicular to its pivotal axis 30. The axes 31 and 30 are spaced apart.

When the handle formations 12 are in their second position, the bit 26 is pivotally dispiaceable with respect to its handle formation 12.1 between an operative position in which, with the handle formations in their first position as shown, it projects from the handle formations in a direction opposite to the handle formations, and an inoperative position in which, with the handle formations in their first position, it is tucked away within the periphery of its handle formation 12.1 and thus cannot be used. The same applies mutatis mutandis to the bit 28.

Clearly, the bit 26 is shown in its operative position, whereas the bit 28 is shown in its inoperative position. Similarly, the handle formation 12.2 has two tool bits in the form of a star-head screw driver bit 32 and another tool bit (not shown here, but see reference numeral 34 in Figure 3) pivotally mounted thereon to pivot about a pivotal axis 36, also parallel to the pivotal axis 22 of Figure 1. In the configuration shown here, the tool bits 26 and 32 form a pair of opposing tool bits. Similarly, the tool bits 28 and 34 (see Figure 3) form a pair of opposing tool bits.

With reference still particularly to Figure 4, the bit 26 and the bit 32 define matching abutment formations 38 and 39, respectively, which, when the tool bit 26 is in its operative position, as shown, the tool bit 32 is in its inoperative position, as shown, and the handle formations 12 are in their first position, as shown, will abut against each other in use of the tool bit 26 so as to prevent displacement of the bit 26 towards its inoperative position. The abutment formations 38 and 39 form part of interlock formations 40 and 41, respectively, which interlock when the abutment

formations 38 and 39 are against each other to prevent any displacement of the bit 26 from its operative position. Similarly, the bits 26 and 32 define matching interlock formations 42 and 44, respectively, which interlock when the said bits are in their inoperative and operative positions, respectively, and the handle formations 12 are in their first position.

In the configuration shown here, i. e. the configuration in which the matching abutment formations 38 and 39 abut against each other, an abutment formation 46 defined by the bit 32 abuts against the handle formation 12.2 to retain the bit 32 in the position shown, during use of the bit 26. The bit 26 defines a corresponding abutment formation 47.

Similarly to the aforesaid, the bits 28 and 34 (see Figure 3) define matching interlock formations which interlock when one of them is in its operative position, the other is in its inoperative position, and the handle formations 12 are in their first position. They also define abutment formations similar to the formations 46 and 47.

The handle formations 12 are identical. In their first position shown here, they define along and between them a plane of symmetry 48. Clearly, with the tool bit 26 in its operative position (as shown), its rotational axis 31 is in the plane 48 and disposed along and between the handle formations 12, a property which contributes to convenience of use of the tool 10 and, accordingly, to its efficiency also.

With reference particularly to Figures 3 and 4, the tool bits 26,28, 32, and 34 are mounted between guide plates 52.

With reference particularly to Figures 1 to 3, the handle formations 12 have retaining means in the form of a latch 54, pivotally mounted on the handle formation 12.2, and a protrusion 56 protruding from the handle formation 12.1. When the handle formations are in their first position, the latch 54 can be manually pivotally displaced

to engage the protrusion 56, as shown, to prevent displacement of the handle formations 12 from their first position. As such, if a tool bit is in its operative position and the handle formations 12 are so retained in their first position, displacement of the tool bit from its operative position is prevented (see in this respect Figure 4 also). In order to displace the handle formations 12 towards their second position, the latch 54 is manually displaced to release the protrusion 56, as shown in Figure 2.

In Figure 5, a second embodiment of a multipurpose folding hand tool, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 60. The hand tool 60 includes two elongate handle formations 61.1 and 61.2 that are fixedly connected to working members 62.1 and 62.2, respectively, of a pair of working members similar to the working members 20.1 and 20.2 of the tool 10 of Figures 1 to 4. The working members 62.1 and 62.2 are pivotally interconnected to pivot about a first pivotal axis 64 of the tool 60. The handle formations 61.1 and 61.2 define free ends 66.1 and 66.2, respectively, remote from the pivotal axis 64. As such, the handle formations 61 are pivotally displaceable with respect to each other about the pivotal axis 64 between a first position, as shown, in which the free ends 66 are together, and a second position (not shown), in which they are spaced apart. To the extent that the configuration and operation of the hand tool 60 corresponds to that of the hand tool 10 of Figures 1 to 4, it will not be elaborated on herein.

With reference particularly to Figure 6, each handle formation 61 defines a hemi-cylindrical outer gripping surface 68. The handle formations 61. 1 and 61.2 define between them a longitudinal axis of symmetry 69, which forms also the rotational axis of the hand tool during use of any one of the tool bits.

The handle formation 61.1 carries tool bits 70.1 and 72.1 and the handle formation 61.2 tool bits 70.2 and 72.2. The tool bits 70.1, 70.2, 72.1, and 72.2 are pivotally mounted on the respective handle formations 61 to pivot about pivotal axes 74.1, 74.2, 74.3, and 74.4, respectively. These pivotal axes are, when the handle

formations 61 are in their first position, in a single plane that is parallel to the axis 64 (see Figure 5). Each of the tool bits 70.1, 70.2, 72.1, and 72.2 is mounted particularly between two guide plates 76 that are fixedly attached to the respective handle formations 61.

The tool bits 70.1 and 72.2 are pivotally displaceable about their respective pivotal axes 74 in planes 78.1 and 78.4, respectively. Similarly, the tool bits 70.2 and 72.1 are pivotally displaceable about their respective pivotal axes 74 in planes 78.2 and 78.3, respectively. With the handle formations 61.1 and 61.2 in their first position, as shown, the planes 78.1 and 78.4 coincide and the planes 78. 2 and 78.3 also coincide. The coinciding planes so formed intersect along the line 69.

The tool bits 70.1, 70.2, 72.1 and 72.2, define interlock formations (not shown in detail) identical to those of the tool bits 26,28, 32, and 34 of the hand tool 10, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. As such, these formations and their interlocking will not be described hereinafter in relation to the hand tool 60.

In the first position of the handle formations 61 shown here, the tool bits 72.1 and 70.2 form a first pair of opposing tool bits of which the pivotal axes 74.3 and 74.2, respectively, are parallel to each other. As such, when the tool bit 72.1 is in its operative position, the tool bit 70.2 is in its inoperative position, and the handle formations 61 are in their first position, as shown in Figure 7, their matching interlock formations interlock to prevent displacement of the tool bit 72.1 from its operative position. Similarly to the aforesaid in relation to the tool bits 72.1 and 70.2, the tool bits 70.1 and 72.2 form a second pair of opposing tool bits of which the interlock formations can interlock.

In Figure 8, a third embodiment of a multipurpose folding hand tool, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 80. The hand tool 80 includes many features that are identical to corresponding features of the hand tool

10 of Figures 1 to 4. Identical features, where designated, are thus designated again by the same reference numerals as before and a description of these features may be found in the description above of the hand tool 10.

Figure 9 shows portions of the handle formations 12 including their free ends 18. The handle formation 12. 1 has two tool bits, in the form of two minus-head screwdriver bits 82 and 84, pivotally mounted thereon to pivot about a pivotal axis 30, which is parallel to the pivotal axis 22 (see Figure 8) of the handle formations 12. When the handle formations 12 are in their second position, the bit 82 is pivotally displaceable with respect to the handle. formation 12.1 between an operative position, in which it projects from the handle formations for use of the tool bit, and an inoperative position, in which it is tucked away in the handle formation 12.1 and thus cannot be used. The same applies to the bit 84. Clearly, the bit 82 is shown in its operative position, whereas the bit 84 is shown in its inoperative position.

The bit 82 defines an abutment formation 86 and the handle formation 12.2 defines a matching abutment formation 88. When the tool bit 82 is in its operative position, as shown, and the handle formations 12 are in their first position, as shown, the abutment formations 86 and 88 abut against each other in use of the tool bit 82 so as to prevent displacement of the bit 82 from its operative position towards its inoperative position. The bit 84 defines an abutment formation 90 identical to the abutment formation 86.

In Figure 10, a fourth embodiment of a multipurpose folding hand tool, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 92.

The tool 92 includes two working members 94.1 and 94.2 that are pivotally interconnected at a first pivotal axis 96, each defining one of a pair of opposing working formations in the form of a pair of jaw formations, displaceable towards and away from each other through pivotal displacement of the working members. It

includes also two elongate handle formations 98.1 and 98.2 that are pivotally connected to the working members 94.1 and 94.2, respectively, at two second pivotal axes 100 parallel to the pivotal axis 96. The handle formations 98.1 and 98.2 have free ends 102.1 and 102.2, respectively.

The tool 92 is configured to, in the fold configuration of the tool illustrated in Figure 10, permit pivotal displacement of the working members 94 via the handle formations 98 cross-pliers fashion. Each handle formation 98 can pivot with respect to its working member 94 between a folded position, as shown in Figure 11, and an extended position, as shown in Figure 10. With both handle formations 98 pivoted to their extended positions, as shown in Figure 10, a cross-pliers configuration of the tool 92 is defined, in which the jaw formations of the working members 94 are displaceable towards and away from each other through pivotal displacement of the handle formations towards and away from each other, respectively, about the pivotal axis 96.

The folded position of each handle formation 98 is offset from its extended position by an angle approaching 180° and with both handle formations in their folded positions, as shown in Figure 11, they are adjacent to each other with the working members 94 tucked away within their periphery. This is the first position of the handle formations 98 of the tool 92. To the extent that the configuration and operation of a tool of this general type is known, it will not be elaborated on herein.

With reference particularly to Figure 11, the free ends 102.1 and 102.2 are identical to the free ends 18.2 and 18.1, respectively, of the handle formations 12 of the tool 10 of Figures 1 to 4 and have an identical arrangement of tool bits 104 mounted on them, which operate identically. As such, the arrangement and operation of these tool bits will not be described again in detail herein. Suffice it to state that a tool bit in its operative position can only be pivotally displaced towards its inoperative position when the ends 102.1 and 102.2 are spaced apart, i. e. when the handle formations 98 are in a second relative position.

In Figure 12, a fifth embodiment of a multipurpose folding hand tool, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 106. The tool 106 includes two elongate handle formations 108.1 and 108.2. The handle formation 108.2 has a link member 110 fixedly connected to it. The handle formation 108.1 is pivotally mounted on the link member 110 to pivot with respect to the handle formation 108.2 about a pivotal axis 112. The handle formations 108.1 and 108.2 have free ends 114. 1 and 114. 2, respectively.

The free ends 114. 1 and 114. 2 are identical to the free ends 18. 2 and 18.1, respectively, of the handle formations 12 of the tool 10 of Figures 1 to 4 and have a similar arrangement of tool bits 116 mounted on them, which operate identically. As such, the arrangement and operation of these tool bits will not be described again herein. Suffice it to state that a tool bit in its operative position can only be pivotally displaced towards its inoperative position when the ends 114. 1 and 114. 2 are spaced apart, i. e. when the handle formations 108 are in a second relative position.