U.S. patent application number 14/283004 was filed with the patent office on 2014-11-20 for multi tool stand for digital device method and apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to GEYSER VENTURES LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Geyser Ventures LLC. Invention is credited to Matthew Jellett, Toren Orzeck.
Application Number | 20140338132 14/283004 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43525600 |
Filed Date | 2014-11-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140338132 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Orzeck; Toren ; et
al. |
November 20, 2014 |
Multi Tool Stand for Digital Device Method and Apparatus
Abstract
A multi tool with a handle arranged along a longitudinally
aligned axis. The handle has a first end and a second end and a
housing for containing a first tool. The multi tool also has a prop
which interoperates with the first handle and provides stability
against overturning of the multi tool when supporting a device. The
multi tool also has a mount which is interoperable with either the
handle or the prop. The mount will maintain a device in an upright
position.
Inventors: |
Orzeck; Toren; (Portland,
OR) ; Jellett; Matthew; (Bellingham, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Geyser Ventures LLC |
Portland |
OR |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GEYSER VENTURES LLC
Portland
OR
|
Family ID: |
43525600 |
Appl. No.: |
14/283004 |
Filed: |
May 20, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12841950 |
Jul 22, 2010 |
8726439 |
|
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14283004 |
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61230493 |
Jul 31, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
7/118 ;
248/163.1; 248/168 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03B 17/561 20130101;
B26B 11/00 20130101; B25B 7/22 20130101; F16M 11/10 20130101; F16M
13/00 20130101; F16M 11/38 20130101; B25F 1/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
7/118 ;
248/163.1; 248/168 |
International
Class: |
B25F 1/00 20060101
B25F001/00; G03B 17/56 20060101 G03B017/56; B25B 7/22 20060101
B25B007/22; F16M 11/38 20060101 F16M011/38 |
Claims
1. A multi tool comprising: a. a handle arranged along a
longitudinally aligned axis, said handle comprising a first end and
a second end, said handle comprising a housing and a first tool
contained within said housing; b. said multi tool further
comprising a prop configured in conjunction with said first handle
to provide stability against overturning of said multi tool when
supporting a device; c. said multi tool further comprising a mount
interoperationally attached to either said handle or said prop and
configured to connect to said device and maintain said device in an
upright position.
2. The multi tool according to claim 1 wherein said first end
further comprises a hinge; said prop pivotably connected to said a
hinge, said prop configured to rotate away from said handle about
said hinge to a support position to provide stability to said multi
tool when said mount is connected to said device.
3. The multi tool according to claim 1 wherein said prop is further
comprised as a second handle of said multi tool.
4. The multi tool according to claim 1 wherein said prop further
comprises: a first leg pivotally attached to said handle at as
hinge, said hinge arranged along a vertically aligned axis
substantially perpendicular to said longitudinally aligned axis,
said first leg rotatable about said hinge a radial distance to a
support position, wherein said prop and said handle provide
stability against overturning of said device when connected to said
mount.
5. The multi tool according to claim 1 wherein said prop further
comprises: a first leg and a second leg each rotatably attached to
said handle near said first end and configured to bias away from
said handle to form two legs of a three-legged stand, said
three-legged stand comprising said first leg, said second leg, and
said handle.
6. The multi tool according to claim 1 wherein said first tool
further comprises: said mount pivotally attached to said handle to
extend from a mo ant pocket location to a device engaging
location.
7. The multi tool according to claim 5 wherein said first leg and
said second leg are each connected to said housing at an outer
surface location of said housing and form an outer shell of said
handle.
8. The multi tool according to claim 5 wherein said first leg and
said second leg each further comprise a radial length about at
least two thirds of said handle longitudinal length, each of said
first and second legs configured to extend from a housing recess
configured in said handle sidewalls to form two legs of as
three-legged stand comprising said first leg, said second leg, and
said handle.
9. The multi tool according to claim 5 wherein said first and
second leg each pivot about a pivot hinge located substantially at
said first end of said handle, said pivot hinge arranged at a pivot
hinge angle in non-parallel alignment to said longitudinal axis
providing an angular pivot plane about which said first and second
legs pivot away from said handle to form two legs of a three legged
stand comprising said first let, said second leg and said
handle.
10. The multi tool according to claim 1 wherein said prop further
comprises as detachable leg insertable into a slot located on said
handle enabling said multi tool to provide overturning stability
when supporting a device connected to said mount.
11. The multi tool according to claim 1 wherein said mount further
comprises: a detachable mount insertable into a slot located on
said handle enabling said multi tool to provide a mounting position
to a device.
12. The multi tool according to claim 1 wherein said multi tool
further comprises: a second handle, said second handle
interoperable with said first handle to form a multitool plier,
said second handle further comprising a second handle hinge about
which said mount is rotatably connected.
13. The multi tool according to claim 12 wherein said multi tool
further comprises: a first leg and a second leg interoperable with
said first handle.
14. The multi tool according to claim 5 wherein said multi tool
further comprises: said first leg and said second leg rotatably
attached to said handle about a hinge, said first and second leg
stowable into an interior receiving portion of said housing.
15. The multi tool according to claim 13 wherein said first and
second legs further comprise spring-loaded hinges arranged near
said hinge to provide outward biasing of said first and second legs
to form two legs of a three-legged stand comprising said first and
second legs and said handle.
16. The multi tool according to claim above wherein said multi tool
further comprises: a third leg rotatably attached to either said
handle or said second handle at an outer wall location wherein said
handle, second handle, and third leg form a three legged stand.
17. The multi tool according to claim 1 wherein said prop further
comprises: a telescoping leg along the radial length of said
prop.
18. The multi tool according to claim 1 wherein said mount further
comprises: a multi-angular mount configured to rotate about said
longitudinally aligned axis, a transverse axis, and a vertical
axis.
19. The multi tool according to claim 1 wherein said prop further
comprises: a first leg comprising a first leg hinge interoperably
attached to a hinge of said handle, a first leg member disposed
between said first leg hinge and a second leg hinge, and a distal
leg member rotatably connected to said second hinge, whereby said
distal leg member provides stability against overturning while
supporting said device.
20. The multi tool according to claim 1 wherein said mount further
comprises: a threaded mount for connecting to a standard threaded
female camera mount receptacle, a spring mount, a component plug
for connection to digital device, a USB device, a USB dummy
plug.
21-27. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/841,950 filed Jul. 22, 2010 (now U.S. Pat.
No. 8,726,439), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/230,493 filed Jul. 31, 2009. Both of the
aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties.
BACKGROUND
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 5,390 885 discloses a locking mechanism for a
portable tripod of a "Q-Pad" which has a casing assembly jointly
assembled by a lower casing and an upper casing. At least three
legs are rotatably attached to the casing assembly. The casing
assembly further includes a retaining cut out. A supporting body
defines a supporting surface for supporting a camera which is
pivoted at the cutout of the casing assembly. The casing assembly
further includes a locking mechanism wherein the supporting body
can be held at a desired angle with respect to the casing assembly
when the locking mechanism is held in a locked position.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 7,290,740 discloses a portable tripod and
universal mounting assembly for an object to act as a stand for a
device. The mounting assembly includes a body having a support
surface, front face and an opposed mounting surface configured to
mount to the support stand. The body further defines an elongated
slot extending along and into the receiving socket from the support
surface. The mounting assembly further includes a resilient
retaining arm cantilever deposed in the receiving socket. The
retaining arm includes a contact portion movable between a release
position and a locked position . . . in column 3 around line 63
"the stand assembly includes a portable stand device and a
universal mounting assembly for removably securing the camera phone
or object to the portable stand device via a mounting button.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 7,490,429 discloses a vertical fore grip with
bipod, which includes an ergonomic fore grip/gun handle with a
concealable and collapsible bipod. One version can have a tubular
recess consisting of a first cylindrical housing encompassing the
bipod legs when concealed and a sliding piston that deploys the
legs and a second cylindrical cutout housing a release mechanism
and a void space for other accessories . . . the grip proportion
has an outer surface with a flat surface on sides of the grip to
provide a more stable grip, assist in orientating a mounted weapon
and support pressure pads for lights.
[0005] US 2006/0087845 discloses a knife structure which has a main
body and at least a foldable tool on one side thereof and a media
player mounted on the other side, wherein the media player has a
plurality of function keys, microphone, camera lens, a speaker, a
storage device and an output/input device. The knife structure,
provides the knife tools and can be used as an entertaining object
to listen to digital music, take photographs and film, or make
audio recording.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,592 discloses a camera support for
mounting a camera having a threaded opening and an external wall.
The support has a shaft and a second end and a longitudinal axis
there between. Coarse self tapping anchor threads are disposed on
the first end of the shaft for threadingly engaging a support
structure. Machine type support threads are disposed on the second
end of the shaft for threadingly engaging the threaded opening of
the camera. A handle extends transversely to the axis of the shaft
for manually rotating anchor threads into the support
structure.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,079,908 discloses a camera support apparatus
where a camera is supported in a position by providing a support
screw for engagement with the usual threaded opening of the camera
base, in association with a sharply pointed member, such as a knife
blade, which is inserted into earth, snow, ice, wood or other
supporting material pierceable by the pointed member. The camera
support member has the support screw on one end attached to the
tang of the knife blade by a clevis allowing pivotable movement of
the camera to a desired, angular position relative to the
supporting surface.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,329 discloses a light source holder for
maintaining a flashlight or other instrument in a desired location.
The holder has an interface unit which is secured to a gripping
device such as a vice grip or pliers. A connector for the
instrumentality also is provided as part of the combination [which]
connector is attachable to the interface unit.
[0009] Add a vice grip connection for attaching onto rigid vertical
locations. For example the multi-tool which has the stand component
and the device holding component, in combination with vice grip
pliers or other type of gripping mechanism.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 7,146,667 discloses a pocket tool,
particularly a pocket knife or plate like tool card, which has a
housing, at least one receiving area, and at least two functional
components movable from a storage position within this receiving
area into a working position outside of the receiving area. The
first functional component is designed as a tool, particularly a
pair of scissors or a knife. The second functional component has a
support casing and is equipped with a recordable and readable
non-volatile memory, as well as an interface. A releaseable locking
device and a longitudinal guide are pivot bearing and are arranged
around the support casing of the second functional component and
the housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective overall view of a multi-tool with
prop;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the same;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the prop
axle;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective overall view of a multi-tool with
mount;
[0015] FIG. 5 is an elevational cross-sectional view of the
same;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective overall view of the multi-tool with
mount and device;
[0017] FIG. 7 is perspective overall view of a multi-tool stand
with mount;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional detail view of the pivot hinge
axle;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective overall view of the multi-tool stand
with mount and device;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective overall view of the multi-tool
swing leg with mount;
[0021] FIG. 10A is a perspective overall view of the same in a
closed position;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a perspective overall view of the same with
device;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a perspective overall view of a multi-tool with
spring-loaded radially aligned V-legs and mount;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the
same;
[0025] FIG. 14 is a perspective overall view of the same with
device;
[0026] FIG. 15 is a perspective overall view of a multi-tool with
mount and telescoping leg;
[0027] FIG. 16 is an elevational view of the same;
[0028] FIG. 17 is a perspective overall view of a multi-tool with
mount and dual telescoping side legs;
[0029] FIG. 18 is a perspective overall view of the same with
device;
[0030] FIG. 19 is a perspective overall view of a multi-tool with
mount and split spring-loaded hinge legs;
[0031] FIG. 20 is a perspective overall view of the same with
device;
[0032] FIG. 21 is a perspective overall view of a multi-tool with
multi-angular mount and telescoping leg;
[0033] FIG. 22 is a perspective overall view of the same with
device;
[0034] FIG. 23 is a perspective overall view of a multi-tool with
mount and two hinge leg;
[0035] FIG. 24 is a detailed perspective view of a full round
mount;
[0036] FIG. 25 is a detailed perspective view of a slice mount;
[0037] FIG. 26 is a detailed perspective view of the spring
mount;
[0038] FIG. 27 is a detailed perspective view of a first locking
mechanism;
[0039] FIG. 28 is a detailed perspective view of a second locking
mechanism;
[0040] FIG. 29 is a perspective overall view of a multi-tool with
dual telescoping legs and component plug;
[0041] FIG. 30 is a perspective overall view of a multi-tool with
dual telescoping legs and USB mount;
[0042] FIG. 31 is a perspective overall view of a multi-tool with
dual telescoping legs and a power source mount.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0043] The present concept will now be described fully herein with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all,
embodiments of the concepts are shown. Indeed the multiple
embodiments may be utilized in many different forms and should not
be construed as limited to just the embodiments as set, forth
herein; rather, these multiple embodiments are provided so that
this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like
numbers refer to like elements throughout, the disclosure.
[0044] A multi-tool with prop and mount is provided as shown in the
following embodiments. The multi-tool may be incorporated with
multiple types of tools where the multi-tool can include pliers,
wire cutters, wire strippers, knife blades, bit drivers,
screwdrivers, saw blades, bottle openers, can openers, saws, files,
razors, gut hooks, scissors, et cetera.
[0045] The multi-tool with prop and mount may be provided with just
the prop or just the mount. If just the mount is provided, to
provide stability, the multi tool can be fixed to a surface
utilizing a knife tool from the multi tool, or a clamping mechanism
from the multi tool to secure onto a stable object. For example,
the mount may be provided as an object or tool component in the
multi tool handle casing and positioned to be secured to the
device. The prop component used may be the spring-loaded pliers of
which the two multi tool handles form a portion of the pliers. Or
the prop component may be the knife which biases out of one of the
multi tool handles and which can then be staked into a ground
engaging location. A description of each of the tools separate and
in combination with one another will be provided herein. The first
discussion of the multi-tool with prop 10 as seen in FIG. 1 will be
provided as an initial discussion.
[0046] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the multi-tool with prop 10
includes in this particular embodiment a first handle 16 which has
a first biasing prop leg 12 and a second biasing prop leg 14
attached on the outer longitudinal faces of the first handle 16.
The first and second biasing prop legs 12 and 14 each are connected
at a pivot end 21 and are formed as a semi-rectilinear outer shell
25 of the first handle 16. Each of the prop legs has a stand end 23
which is arranged to pivot away from the face of the first handle
16 at a biasing angle 24 as seen in FIG. 3, to provide a
three-legged stand the purposes of which will be discussed
below.
[0047] The first and second biasing prop legs are each connected at
the pivot end 21 to the first handle 16 by means of an axle 26
running through the pivot end of the first handle 16 with the axle
26 angled through a pivot surface 13 which provides a pivot plane
11 about which the first and second biasing prop legs 12 and 14
pivot to the standing position. The angled axle 20 extends through
the pivot surface 13 and acts as the connection point for the
biasing first and second prop legs 12 and 14. The angled axle 20 is
arranged at a longitudinal axle angle 22 which provides for the
angular prop stand distance 29.
[0048] Reference will now be, made, to FIGS. 4 through 6 and
discussion, of the multi-tool with mount 30. This particular
embodiment provides a mount 32 which defines a mount pocket 34 for
receiving the mount 32 into the casing 36 of the first handle 16. A
second handle 38 is provided with the multi-tool as is normally the
case where two handles are required for the multi-tool to provide
the gripping of say, for example, the pliers.
[0049] The mount itself is provided for enabling the multi-tool
stand with mount 30 to receive a device 40 which may be a digital
camera, handheld PDA or cell phone, digital video camera, iPhone,
or other optical device which requires to be placed on a stationary
surface and mounted for optical use.
[0050] The mount 32 is aligned along a radially extending mount
axis 44 which is perpendicular to the pivot axis 42a of a pivot
axle 42 to which the mount 32 is rotatably attached. The mount 32
has a securing means 46 which may be a threaded male stud portion
on the mount for connection to the female portion of the device 40.
The securing means 46 may also be a snap, magnetic connector, or
other typical connection means for providing stand connections to
the optical device.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 7 though 9, a discussion of a combination
multi-tool stand with mount 50 will now be provided. Here the mount
32 is rotatably attached to the second handle 38 and the pivot
stands 52 which include a first pivot stand 52A and a second pivot
stand 52B which are pivotably attached to the outer handle face 17
of the first handle 16. Each of the pivot stands 50 has a length 56
which in this embodiment is approximately two thirds of the
longitudinal length of the outer handle face 17. Furthermore, a
pivot stand recess 53 is provided for receiving the pivot stands
52A& B in a stowed position. The pivot stands 52A & B are
each connected to the outer handle face 17 through the use of a
pivot hinge 54 which is provided at a pivot hinge angle 58. This
pivot hinge is aligned along a pivot plane 60. The pivot stands 52
bias outwards at a non-planar angle along the pivot plane 60 to
provide two of the three legged stance 55 for a stable stand to
resist overturning of the digital device 40 or optical device. As
can be seen in FIG. 9, the optical device 40 is combined with the
multi-tool stand with mount 50 to provide an impromptu stand for,
in this particular embodiment, capturing pictures on a stable
surface.
[0052] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a detailed discussion of the
multi-tool with radially aligned swing leg and mount 62 will be
provided. Here the multi-tool with swing leg and mount has a
three-legged stand where the swing out leg 64 radially pivots from
the swing out leg recess 68 maintained within the side wall of the
first handle 16. The second handle 38 holds the mount 32 which
enables the device 40 to be seated on the mounts 32 and positioned
accordingly. In this particular embodiment, the multi-tool 62 has a
first surface engaging location 72 which is at the non-pivot end of
the multi-tool, the second surface engaging location 74 which is
the non-hinged end of the swing out leg 64, and a third surface
engaging location 76 which in this particular embodiment is at the
hinged end of the multi-tool of the first handle 16.
[0053] The multi-tool 62 can be placed in a closed position 70
where the first and second handles are closed upon one another and
the swing out leg 64 is closed into the recess 68. The swing out
leg 64 is rotatable out of the recess 68 through connection with a
sidewall hinge 66.
[0054] Referring now to FIGS. 12 through 14, a multi-tool with
spring-loaded radially aligned V-shaped legs 82 with mount 32 will
now be discussed. In this particular embodiment, the first support
leg 86A and the second support leg 86B are each rotatably attached
to a spring-loaded hinge 84A and 84B. (In an alternative embodiment
the hinge is not spring loaded.) The first and second support legs
86A and 86B can be pressed together and rotated about the hinge
axis or hinge axle 88 to be held within the body of the first
handle 16. The mount 32 is positioned on the outer wall 90 of the
second handle 38 where the mount 32 is rotatable about the second
handle hinge axle 92 from an open position or from an engageable
position to a non-engageable position. When stowed, the mount 32 is
placed into a mount recess 94 which is located in the outer wall
90.
[0055] With the first and second legs 86A and 86B extended and the
first handle 16 positioned on the surface, the first surface
engaging location 72 a second surface engaging location 74 and the
third surface engaging location 76 provide a three-legged stand for
maintaining the device 40 on the mount 32 and positioned in its
proper direction.
[0056] Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, a discussion of the
multi-tool with mount and first telescoping leg 100 will now be
provided. In this particular embodiment, the three-legged stand is
provided by the first leg 16 and second leg 38 along with a first
telescoping leg 102. The first telescoping leg 102 is rotatably
attached to the side wall or outer wall 91 of the first leg 16
through the use of a hinge 104. When not in use, the telescoping
leg 102 is placed in parallel alignment with the outer wall 91 of
the first handle 16. The telescoping leg 102 is arranged with a
outer sleeve 104 slidably engaging an inner leg 106 which is
rotatably attached to the hinge 104a. Referring briefly to FIGS. 27
and 28, the outer sleeve 104 can be extended and maintain its
position through various locking mechanisms. A first locking
mechanism 110 provides for a locking leg element 108 which has a
plurality of female recesses 114 which are arranged to receive a
plurality of male protrusions 112 from the outer sleeve 104. By the
user pressing or extending the outer sleeve 104 along the
longitudinal length of the telescoping leg 102, the user exerts a
force to overcome the recess friction and extend or retract the leg
as desired.
[0057] Similarly, a second locking mechanism 116 includes the outer
sleeve 104 extended over an integral spring element 108 which
provides for continuous friction. The interval spring element 108
in this embodiment is a sinusoidal flat bar which provides for
increased amplitude or depth within the outer sleeve's recess for
creating friction between the top wall 118 and bottom wall 120 of
the outer sleeve 104.
[0058] Referring back to FIGS. 15 and 16, the outer sleeve 104 can
be extended to create the first surface engaging location 72 with
the distal ends of the first handle and second handle creating the
second surface engaging location 74 and third surface engaging
location 76 for three point stable support of the device 40.
[0059] Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, a multi-tool with mounts
and dual telescoping side legs 130 is provided. The first
telescoping side leg 132 and the second telescoping side leg 134
are each attached to the hinge axle 88 and positioned on the first
outer wall 136 and second outer wall 138 respectively of the first
handle 16. The mount 32 is rotatably attached to the hinge axle 88
of the second handle 38. When attached to the mount 32 the device
40 needs to be positioned within the three-point stability support
limits which are defined by the first surface engaging location 72
which in this particular embodiment is the distal end of the first
telescoping leg 132, the second surface engaging location 74 which
is the distal end of the second telescoping leg 134 and the third
surface engaging location 76 which is the distal end of the first
handle 16.
[0060] Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, a multi-tool with mounts and
spring-loaded hinge legs 140 will now be discussed. Again the mount
32 is rotatably attached to the second handle 38 and the first and
second, surface engaging locations are defined by the distal ends
of a pair of split spring-loaded hinge legs 142A and 142B which are
each rotatably attached to a single longitudinally aligned hinge
144. In an alternative embodiment, the pair of split hinge legs
142A and 142B are not spring-loaded with the longitudinally aligned
hinge 144. With the legs closed and in a radially aligned parallel
alignment with one another as can be seen in FIG. 20, the closed
legs 146 can be rotatably placed inside of the first handle 16 for
stowing of the multi-tool.
[0061] Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, a multi-tool with a
multi-angular mount and telescoping leg 150 is provided. Here the
first handle 16 and second handle 38 act as the first and second
surface engaging locations 72 and 74 respectively and the
telescoping leg 102 acts as the third surface engaging location 76.
The device 40 can be supported by the multi-angular mounts 152
where the multi-angular mount 152 is built-in to the first outer
wall 136 of the first handle 16. The multi-angular mount 152 has
2.degree. of positional freedom. This is provided by the radial
hinge 154 which is attached to the multi-angular mount 152 and
provides secure attachment to a longitudinal plane hinge 156. The
longitudinal plane hinge 156 has 360.degree. of rotational freedom
in the longitudinal plane 160 while the radial hinge 154 has at
least 180.degree. of rotation freedom in the radial plane 158. The
multi-angular mount 152 can be seated within a mounting recess 162
or removed from the recess and positioned into a device support
position 164. With a certain amount of rotational resistance within
the radial hinge 154 and the longitudinal plane hinge 156, the
multi-angular mount 152 can support the load from the device 40 and
also provide for proper planer adjustments of the device 40 for the
desired photo etc.
[0062] Referring now to FIG. 23, a multi-tool with mount and two
hinged legs 170 will now be discussed. Here the mount 32 is
positioned as previously discussed in FIG. 12 through 14 on the
outer wall 90 of the second handle 38. The two hinge support leg
172 has a first hinge 174 which provides for certain amount of
angular positioning of the support leg, and a second hinge 176
which connects a first leg member 178 to the second distal end leg
member 180. The second distal leg member 180 can pivot
approximately 270.degree. from the closed position to an open
support position where the second hinge 176 will not allow the
first leg member 178 and second leg member 180 to close down upon
one another.
[0063] Referring to FIGS. 24 through 26, a brief discussion of
various embodiments of the mounts will now be provided. FIG. 24
shows a full round threaded mount 184 which provides for a wider
diameter, but more readily fits the female portion of the device 40
when securing the device in a mounting position.
[0064] FIG. 25 discloses a slice mount 186 where the threads 188
are provided in proper spiral alignment but the outer diameter
portions of the mounts have been removed for storage space in the
multi-tool. Lastly, as shown in FIG. 26, a spring mount 190 is
provided for fitting various devices which may have varying
diameters of female mounting locations. Here the spring mounts can
be diametrically narrowed to fit a range of diameters.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 29, a multi-tool with dual telescoping
legs and a component plug 192 is provided. Here the first handle 16
has a radially aligned component plug 194 which can be fitted to a
device 40 for example and iPhone. They component plug 194 has the
same shape of the data plug 196 in the device 40. For example, the
component plug 194 may be shaped as a USB connector with the
ability to seat into the data plug of the cell phone. A variety of
component plugs 194 can easily be, provided. For example, the
component plug may have the shape of a type A USB, type B USB, a
Mini-A USB, a Mini-B USB, a Micro-AB USB, or a Micro B USB. In
addition, the plug may be configured to fit various proprietary
connectors and formats for example a Microsoft Xbox format, and
Apple iPhone or iPod format, a Nokia format, or any other device
which is currently on the market.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 30, a multi-tool with dual telescoping
legs and a USB flash drive 200 is provided. Here a USB flash drive
202 is radially attached to the first leg or first handle 16 of the
multi-tool. The flash memory 202 is seated, on a 360.degree. hinge
204 where the USB can be rotated out of longitudinal alignment with
the first handle 16 for positioning of the USB male connector 206
to the USB receptor 208 of the device 40.
[0067] Lastly referring to FIG. 31, a multi-tool with dual
telescoping legs and electronic USB power source 210 is provided.
Here a power source 212 such as a lithium ion battery can be placed
into the power source casing 214 to provide charge to the
electronic device 40 through the USB connection 216.
[0068] Therefore, generally speaking the multi tool has a handle
arranged along a longitudinally aligned axis, the handle has a
first end and a second end, the handle also has a housing and a
first tool contained within the housing. The multi tool also has a
prop configured in conjunction with the first handle to provide
stability against overturning of the multi tool when supporting a
device. The multi tool also has a mount which is
inter-operationally attached to either the handle or the prop and
is configured to connect to the device and maintain the device in
an upright position.
[0069] Another object of the multi tool is to include at the first
end of the handle a hinge; where the prop is pivotably connected to
the a hinge, the prop being configured to rotate away from the
handle about the hinge to a support position to provide stability
to the multi tool when the mount is connected to the device.
[0070] In one embodiment the prop is acts as a second handle of the
multi tool.
[0071] In a further embodiment the prop can have a first leg
pivotably attached to the handle at the hinge, where the hinge is
arranged along a vertically aligned, axis substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinally aligned axis, the first leg
being rotatable about the hinge a radial distance to a support
position, where the prop and the handle provide stability against
overturning of the device when connected to the mount.
[0072] In an alternative embodiment the prop may have a first leg
and a second leg each rotatably attached to the handle near the
first end and the first and second legs would be configured to bias
away from the handle to form two legs of a three-legged stand, the
three-legged stand made of the first leg, the second leg, and the
handle.
[0073] The first tool itself can be considered in one embodiment
the mount which can be pivotably attached to the handle to extend
from a mount pocket location in the housing to a device engaging
location.
[0074] In a further alternative embodiment the first leg and said
second leg may each be connected to the housing at an outer surface
location of the housing and form an outer shell of the handle.
[0075] Also, the first leg and said second leg each can have a
radial length about at least two thirds of the handle longitudinal
length, and each of the first and second legs can be configured to
extend from a housing recess in the handle sidewalls to form two
legs of a three-legged stand which three legged stand includes the
first leg, the second leg, and the handle.
[0076] In a further alternative embodiment the first and second leg
can each pivot about a pivot hinge located substantially at the
first end of the handle. The pivot hinge may be arranged at a pivot
hinge angle in a non-parallel alignment to the longitudinal axis
which provides an angular pivot plane about which the first and
second legs pivot away from the handle to form two legs of a three
legged stand.
[0077] The prop may also be a detachable leg from the multi tool
which is insertable into a slot located on the handle and enabling
the multi tool to provide overturning stability when supporting a
device on the mount.
[0078] The multi tool may have a further alternative embodiment of
the mount that being a detachable mount insertable into a slot
located on the handle enabling the multi tool to provide a mounting
position to the device.
[0079] The multi tool may also have a second handle which is
interoperable with a first handle to form a multi tool plier, the
second handle further has a second handle hinge about which the
mount is rotatably connected.
[0080] In a further alternative embodiment the multi tool may have
a first leg and a second leg interoperable with the first handle of
a two handle multi tool.
[0081] The multi tool may have the first leg and said second, leg
rotatably attached to the handle about a hinge, with the first and
second leg stowable into an interior receiving portion of the
housing of the handle.
[0082] The multi tool may also have the first and second legs
configured with spring-loaded hinges arranged near the handle hinge
to provide outward biasing of the first and second legs to form two
legs of the three-legged stand.
[0083] The multi tool may also have a third leg rotatably attached
to either the first handle or the second handle at an outer wall
location where the first handle, second handle, and third leg form
the three legged stand.
[0084] The multi tool may also have the prop configured as a
telescoping leg along its radial length. In addition the multi tool
may have the mount configured as a multi-angular mount to rotate
about the longitudinally aligned axis, the transverse axis, and the
vertical axis.
[0085] The multi tool may also have a prop configured as a first
leg with a first leg hinge interoperably attached to a hinge of the
handle, a first leg member disposed between said first leg hinge
and a second leg hinge, and a distal leg member rotatably connected
to the second hinge, where the distal leg member provides stability
against overturning while supporting the device.
[0086] The multi tool may also have the mount configured as a
threaded mount for connecting to a standard threaded female camera
mount receptacle, a spring mount, a component plug for connection
to a digital device, a USB device, or a USB dummy plug.
[0087] The multi tool may also have the mount configured as an
electronic USB power source able to receive a portable power supply
into a power source casing and, provide electrical power through a
USB connection to the device (such as a camera, iphone, ipad, pda,
ipod, etc. . . . ) where the device is generally a digital
device.
[0088] The multi tool may also have the first tool configured as a
knife blade, pliers, wire cutters, wire strippers, bit drivers,
screwdrivers, saw blades, bottle openers, can openers, files,
razors, gut hooks, scissors.
[0089] The multi tool may have the prop configured as a knife blade
to be staked into a support location (such as the ground or a tree)
to provide stability against overturning of the multi tool when
supporting the device.
[0090] A multi tool can be a combination of the above including the
first handle arranged along the first longitudinally aligned axis,
the first handle having a first handle hinge end and a first handle
distal end; a second handle arranged along a second longitudinally
aligned axis, the second handle connected to the first handle hinge
and the second handle also has a second handle distal end; the
first handle and second handle each may have respectively a first
handle housing and a second handle housing; a first tool which may
be a knife blade contained within either the first handle housing
or the second handle housing; a mount interoperably attached to
either the first handle, the second handle, or the prop to maintain
the device in an upright position; a prop having a stability
component interoperably attached to either the first handle or the
second handle to provide stability against overturning of the multi
tool combination when supporting a device.
[0091] A multi tool may also be utilized in a propping method which
includes: arranging the handle arranged along a longitudinally
aligned axis onto a first surface engaging location, the handle has
a first end and a second end, a housing, and a first tool contained
within the housing; arranging a prop interoperably attached to the
first handle onto a second surface engaging location where the prop
and the first handle provide stability against overturning of the
multi tool when supporting a device; arranging a mount
interoperably attached to either the, prop or the handle into an
upright position and connecting the device to the mount to maintain
the device in the upright position.
[0092] There may also be a multi tool combination which includes: a
first handle arranged along a first longitudinally aligned axis,
the first handle having a first handle hinge end and a first handle
distal end; a second handle arranged along a second longitudinally
aligned axis, the second handle connected to the first handle hinge
end and the second handle also having a second handle distal end;
the first handle and the second handle each having respectively a
first handle housing, a second handle housing; a first tool which
has a pair of plier jaws pivotably connected to the first handle
and the second handle respectively about the first handle hinge,
the pair of plier jaws contained within the first handle housing
and the second handle housing when closed; a prop which has a first
leg and a second leg each rotatably attached to the first handle
hinge and configured to bias away from the first handle to form two
legs of a three legged stand, the three legged stand having the
first leg, the second leg, and the first handle; the three legged
stand providing stability against overturning of the multi tool
combination when supporting a device; a mount, interoperably
attached to either the first handle, the second handle, or the prop
to maintain the device in an upright position.
* * * * *