Ax

Abstract

A handtool in the form of an ax having a removable handle that may be screwed or otherwise fastened to the axhead which will render the device to be adapted for compactness. This tool carries various tool elements within the handle in order that it may be used for a variety of purposes.

Description

This invention relates to handtools, and more particularly to a multitool combination.

It is therefore the main purpose of this invention to provide an ax which will have a removable handle portion which when removed may be attached to the head of the ax.

Another object of this invention is to provide an ax which will have various blade elements which may be interchangeable within the handle portion of the device allowing the tool to be used for various purposes such as sawing, cutting, etc.

A further object of this invention is to provide an ax which may be depended from the belt of the user by wire clip means and will be compact with the respect that the handle element may be secured to the head, thus shortening the tool in order that it will be less apt to interfere with the user while executing various types of work.

Other objects of this invention are to provide an ax which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will become readily apparent upon a study of the following specification together with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the present invention shown in elevation and partly broken away, with the handle also shown in phantom lines in the storage position;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along the lines 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal side view of the handle shown in elevation and removed from the ax portion of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a modified form of the tool that may be placed in the handle of the ax portion;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a case in phantom lines and a rubber-covered wire clip for securing the invention to the user's belt;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view showing a modified form of handle; and

FIG. 7 is a side view of FIG. 6 shown partly broken away.

According to the present invention, an ax 10 is provided with a conventional head 11 having a cutting edge 12. The stem 13 of ax 10 is secured to a hollow handle 14 by means of an extended bolt 15. Bolt 15 is threaded into opening 16 of stem 13 when the head 11 is put to use. For storage purposes, bolt 15 is threaded into opening 16' of head 11, thus making the unit compact. Within the cavity 17 of handle 14, is pivotally received a knife blade 18 by means of a transverse pin 19.

As seen in the drawing in FIG. 4, a saw blade 20 may be placed within the cavity 17 as also other tool elements, (not shown). Ax 10 may be covered by means of case 21 as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawing and a rubber-covered wire clip 22 serve to support ax 10 and its associated case 21 from the belt (not shown), of the user. A safety lock 23 of the conventional type, is used to prevent the rotation of handle 14 when ax 10 is in use.

When the knife blade 18 or saw blade 20 is needed for a particular job, handle 14 is removed from opening 16 and the blade 18 pivot outwards, thus forming a separate cutting tool or sawing tool, if blade 20 is in use within handle 14.

Looking now at FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings, one will see a modified form of ax 24 having a conventional head 25, stem 26, and a removable handle 27. Handle 27 is provided with an extension 28 which is disengaged by means of latch 29 which urges against a spring 30. A pair of spherical balls 31 and a spring 32 provide the locking means for handle 27 within stem 26. When handle 27 is removed from stem 26 by means of latch 29, it may be then placed into the opening 33 of the axhead 25.

While various changes may be made within the detailed construction, it is understood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

What I now claim is:

1. A tool comprising an axe head, a stem connected at one end to said head and extending transversely thereof, an opening formed in said head having an axis extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said stem, a similar opening formed in the other end of said stem extending axially thereof, a handle having a reduced shank at one end to be selectively received in one of said openings, means in each of said openings for cooperating with means carried by said reduced shank on said handle for detachably securing said handle in one of said openings whereby said handle may be secured in either an operating position substantially axially with said stem or a storage position substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of said stem.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein said means in said openings and said means on said reduced shank are screw threads.

3. The tool of claim 1 wherein said means carried by said reduced shank includes an axially slidable latch.