Multi-purpose tool

Claim 2

A multi-purpose tool comprising: a plurality of working tips; a cylinder assembly comprising first and second barrel portions and a cylinder mounted between said barrel portions, said cylinder having a plurality of chambers for housing said plurality of working tips; a shaft for engaging said working tips, said shaft being mounted to said cylinder assembly in longitudinal sliding engagement, said shaft being movable through said cylinder assembly between a first position and a second position; means for coupling one of the working tips to said shaft when said shaft is in its first position and the working tip is housed within one of the chambers, the working tip coupled to said shaft being advanced to a working position as said shaft is slidably moved from its first position to its second position; and means for permitting rotation of said cylinder independent of said barrel portions and said shaft when said shaft is in its first position, and for permitting rotation of said shaft independent of said barrel portions and said cylinder when said shaft is in its second position.

Claim 3

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 1 further comprising means for selecting which of the plurality of working tips is to be coupled to said shaft and for feeding the desired working tip into coupling engagement with said shaft without removing the desired working tip from the cylinder assembly.

Claim 4

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for selecting and feeding the desired tip for coupling engagement with such pin comprises means for rotating said cylinder when said shaft is in its first position.

Claim 5

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 3 wherein the axis for rotation of said cylinder is substantially parallel to and offset from the longitudinal axis of said shaft.

Claim 6

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for coupling one of the working tips to said shaft comprises an arcuate tongue and groove assembly.

Claim 7

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 5 wherein each working tip has an arcuate tongue for coupling engagement with said shaft.

Claim 8

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 6 wherein said cylinder assembly has an annular channel for receiving the arcuate tongue of each working tip and for maintaining each working tip in alignment for coupling engagement with said shaft.

Claim 9

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 7 wherein said cylinder assembly further comprises a guide ring for holding the arcuate tongue of each working tip in arcuate alignment for coupling engagement with said shaft.

Claim 10

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for permitting independent rotation of said shaft comprises a pin guide which protrudes from said shaft in a longitudinal keyway in said cylinder assembly for receiving said pin guide in sliding engagement, thereby preventing rotation of said shaft independent of said cylinder assembly when the pin guide is within the keyway.

Claim 11

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 9 wherein said means for permitting independent rotation of said shaft while said shaft is in its second position comprises a recess within said cylinder assembly disposed for receiving said pin guide and being positioned to accommodate rotation of said pin guide when said shaft is rotated about its longitudinal axis.

Claim 12

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 9 wherein said keyway has a transverse duct disposed for receiving said pin guide when said shaft is in its first position, said transverse duct thereby permitting limited rotation of the shaft with respect to said cylinder assembly to assure positive engagement of the working tip to the shaft.

Claim 13

A multi-purpose tool comprising: a handle; a shaft having one end affixed to the handle and a distal end extending outwardly from the handle; a cylinder assembly slidably engaging the shaft comprising: a first barrel having a first bore for receiving the shaft in longitudinal sliding engagement; a second barrel spaced from the first barrel having a second bore aligned with the first bore; and a cylinder rotatably disposed between the first and second barrels and having a plurality of chambers formed in said cylinder, and said cylinder having an axis of rotation offset from and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft such that each chamber, in turn, aligns with the first and second bores as the cylinder is rotated; a plurality of working tips each stored within one of said chambers and each having a connecting end and a working end; means for coupling, in turn, the connecting end of each of said tips with the distal end of the shaft so as to enable each tip to be connected to said shaft so that when connected a tip can be extended and retracted through said first bore, as desired; and means for locking said shaft to prevent rotation thereof independent of said cylinder assembly except when said shaft is in its fully extended position.

Claim 14

A multi-purpose tool comprising: a handle; a shaft having one end affixed to the handle and a distal end extending outwardly from the handle; a cylinder assembly slidably engaging the shaft comprising: a first barrel having a first bore for receiving the shaft in longitudinal sliding engagement; a second barrel spaced from the first barrel having a second bore aligned with the first bore; and a cylinder rotatably disposed between the first and second barrels and having a plurality of chambers formed in said cylinder, and said cylinder having an axis of rotation offset from and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft such that each chamber, in turn, aligns with the first and second bores as the cylinder is rotated; a plurality of working tips each stored within one of said chambers and each having a connecting end and a working end; means for coupling, in turn, the connecting end of each of said tips with the distal end of the shaft so as to enable each tip to be connected to said shaft so that when connected a tip can be extended and retracted through said first bore, as desired; and means for locking said shaft to prevent rotation thereof independent of said cylinder assembly except when said shaft is in its fully extended position.

Claim 15

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 12 wherein said means for coupling, in turn, the connecting end of each tip with the distal end of said shaft comprises an arcuate tongue and groove assembly.

Claim 16

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 13 wherein said first barrel further comprises a first flange for supporting the cylinder and having an annular channel for receiving and maintaining alignment of the connecting end of each said tip.

Claim 17

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 13 wherein said shaft is cylindrical and wherein said shaft further comprises a pin guide which protrudes from the shaft, and said first barrel further comprising a longitudinal keyway for receiving said pin guide in sliding engagement, thereby preventing rotation of said shaft within the first bore when the pin guide is within the keyway.

Claim 18

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 15 wherein said cylinder assembly further comprises a recess disposed for receiving said pin guide when said shaft is fully extended through the first barrel and a chamber of said cylinder, said recess being formed at the opening of said second bore and being positioned to accommodate rotation of said pin guide when said shaft is rotated about its longitudinal axis.

Claim 19

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 15 wherein said keyway has a transverse duct disposed for receiving said pin guide when the shaft is fully retracted, said transverse duct thereby permitting limited rotation of the shaft to assure positive engagement of said connecting end of said tip to the distal end of said shaft.

Claim 20

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 12 further comprising means for releasably locking said cylinder assembly when said shaft is in its fully extended position, thereby preventing said shaft from being retracted until said locking means is released.

Claim 21

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 18 wherein said means for releasably locking the shaft in its fully extended position comprises a sleeve and catch assembly.

Claim 22

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 19 wherein said sleeve and catch assembly comprises a sleeve affixed to said first barrel and a catch affixed to said handle, said catch releasably capturing the sleeve when the shaft is fully extended in relation to the cylinder assembly.

Claim 23

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 20 wherein said catch comprises a spring and a button, said button actuating the spring to release the sleeve when the button is depressed.

Claim 24

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 12 wherein said cylinder is constructed of a transparent material to enable visual selection of the desired tool.

Claim 25

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 12 further comprising a chamber indicator which releasably engages in turn each said chamber of said cylinder so as to position the engaged chamber in alignment with said first and second bores.

Claim 26

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 23 wherein the chamber indicator is a spring-loaded detent.

Claim 29

A method as set forth in claim 25 wherein said step of manipulating said tool comprises rotating the handle to impart a torque to the shaft of said tool.

Claim 30

A method as set forth in claim 25 wherein the shaft has a pin guide and the cylinder assembly has a keyway for receiving the pin guide in slideable engagement, said pin guide and keyway preventing rotation of the shaft independent of the cylinder assembly when the pin guide is within the keyway.

Claim 31

A method as set forth in claim 27 wherein the cylinder assembly has a recess for receiving the pin guide and permitting the rotation of the shaft independent of the cylinder assembly when said shaft is fully extended.

Claim 32

A method as set forth in claim 28 wherein said step of manipulating said tool comprises rotating the handle independent of the cylinder assembly to impart a torque to the shaft of said tool.

Claim 33

A method as set forth in claim 27 wherein the cylinder assembly has a transverse duct which permits limited rotation of the cylinder assembly about the shaft during said step (b) of selecting the desired tip, and said step (b) further comprising wiggling the shaft to assure proper engagement of the shaft with the selected tip.

Claim 36

A method as set forth in claim 31 wherein the step of retracting the shaft includes sliding a pin guide within a keyway in the cylinder assembly for receiving the pin guide in slidable engagement, said pin guide and keyway preventing rotation of the shaft independent of the cylinder assembly when the pin guide is within the keyway.

Claim 37

A method as set forth in claim 32 wherein the cylinder assembly has a transverse duct which permits limited rotation of the cylinder assembly about the shaft during said step (b) of disengaging the tip, and said step (b) further comprising the step of wiggling the shaft to assure proper engagement of the shaft with the selected tool.

Claim 38

A method as set forth in claim 31 wherein said multi-purpose tool further comprises means for releasably securing the cylinder assembly when the shaft is in its fully extended position, and wherein said method further comprises the step of disengaging the means for releasably securing the shaft prior to said step (a) of retracting the shaft.

Claim 39

A method as set forth in claim 34 wherein the means for releasably securing the shaft comprises a sleeve affixed to the cylinder assembly and a catch affixed to the handle and the step of disengaging the means for releasably securing the shaft includes disengaging the catch from the sleeve.

Claim 40

A method as set forth in claim 35 wherein the catch comprises a spring and a button and the step of disengaging the means for releasably securing the shaft comprises the step of depressing the button to actuate the spring which releases the sleeve.

Claim 41

A method as set forth in claim 32 wherein the cylinder assembly has a first mark and the handle has a second mark which, when aligned, indicate the position of the cylinder assembly in relation to the handle required for the pin guide to slidably engage the keyway during extension or retraction of the shaft within the cylinder assembly and wherein said method further comprises the step of aligning the first mark and the second mark prior to said step (a) of retracting the shaft.

Claim 42

A multi-purpose tool for use in conjunction with a power tool, comprising: a plurality of working tips; a cylinder assembly having a plurality of chambers for housing said plurality of working tips; a shaft having an attachment end for attachment to the power tool and a distal end engaging said cylinder assembly in longitudinal sliding engagement, said cylinder assembly movable on said shaft between a first position and a second position; means for coupling one of said working tips to the distal end of said shaft when said cylinder assembly is at its first position and the working tip is housed within one of the chambers; said working tip coupled to the distal end of said shaft being advanced to a working position as the cylinder assembly is slidably moved from its first position to its second position; means for permitting rotation of said shaft as driven by the power tool independent of said cylinder assembly, and for permitting rotation of said cylinder assembly about said shaft, when said cylinder assembly is at its second position; and means for locking said shaft to prevent rotation thereof independent of said cylinder assembly except when said cylinder assembly is at its second position.

Claim 43

A multi-purpose tool for use in conjunction with a power tool, comprising: a plurality of working tips; a cylinder assembly having a plurality of chambers for housing said plurality of working tips; a shaft having an attachment end for attachment to the power tool and a distal end engaging said cylinder assembly in longitudinal sliding engagement, said cylinder assembly movable on said shaft between a first position and a second position; means for coupling one of said working tips to the distal end of said shaft when said cylinder assembly is at its first position and the working tip is housed within one of the chambers; said working tip coupled to the distal end of said shaft being advanced to a working position as the cylinder assembly is slidably moved from its first position to its second position; means for permitting rotation of said shaft as driven by the power tool independent of said cylinder assembly, and for permitting rotation of said cylinder assembly about said shaft, when said cylinder assembly is at its second position; and means for locking said shaft to prevent rotation thereof independent of said cylinder assembly except when said cylinder assembly is at its second position.

Claim 44

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 38 further comprising means for selecting which of the plurality of tips is to be coupled to the distal end of said shaft and for feeding the desired tip into coupling engagement with said shaft.

Claim 45

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 39 wherein said cylinder assembly comprises a cylinder which houses the working tips and said means for selecting and feeding the desired tip for coupling engagement with said shaft comprises means for rotating said cylinder when said cylinder assembly is at its first position.

Claim 46

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 40 wherein the axis for rotation of said cylinder is substantially parallel to and offset from the longitudinal axis of said shaft.

Claim 47

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 38 wherein said means for coupling one of the working tips to the distal end of said shaft comprises an arcuate tongue and groove assembly.

Claim 48

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 42 wherein each working tip has an arcuate tongue for coupling engagement with and arcuate groove in the distal end of said shaft.

Claim 49

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 43 wherein said cylinder assembly has an annular channel for receiving the arcuate tongue of each working tip and for maintaining each working tip in alignment for coupling engagement with said shaft.

Claim 50

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 44 wherein said cylinder assembly further comprises a guide ring for holding the arcuate tongue of each working tip in arcuate alignment for coupling engagement with said shaft.

Claim 51

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 38 wherein said means for locking said shaft comprises a pin guide which protrudes from said shaft in a longitudinal keyway in said cylinder assembly for receiving said pin guide in sliding engagement, thereby preventing rotation of said shaft independent of said cylinder assembly when the pin guide is within the keyway.

Claim 52

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 46 wherein said means for permitting independent rotation of said shaft when said cylinder assembly is at its second position comprises a recess within said cylinder assembly disposed for receiving said pin guide and being positioned to accommodate rotation of said pin guide when said shaft is rotated about its longitudinal axis.

Claim 53

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 46 wherein said keyway has a transverse duct disposed for receiving said pin guide when said cylinder assembly is at its first position, said transverse duct thereby permitting limited rotation of the shaft with respect to said cylinder assembly to assure positive engagement of the working tip to the shaft.

Claim 54

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 38 further comprising means for releasably locking said cylinder assembly at its second position, thereby preventing longitudinal sliding movement of said cylinder assembly until said locking means is released.

Claim 55

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 49 wherein said means for releasably locking said cylinder assembly at its second position comprises a sleeve and catch assembly.

Claim 56

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 50 wherein said sleeve and catch assembly comprises a sleeve affixed to said cylinder assembly and a catch connected to said shaft, said catch releasably capturing the sleeve when the cylinder assembly is at its second position.

Claim 57

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 51 wherein said catch comprises a spring and a button, said button actuating the spring to release the sleeve when the button is depressed.

Claim 58

A multi-purpose tool comprising: a plurality of working tips; a cylinder assembly having a cylinder with a plurality of chambers, each chamber for housing one of said plurality of working tips; p1 a shaft having an end which selectively engages each said chamber of said cylinder assembly in longitudinal sliding engagement, said shaft end movable through a selected cylinder chamber between a first position and a second position; means for coupling a selected working tip to said shaft end when said shaft end is in its first position and is moved from one chamber to said selected cylinder chamber; the working tip coupled to said shaft end being advanced from said selected cylinder chamber to a working position as said shaft end is slidably moved from its first position through said selected chamber to its second position; and means for locking said shaft to prevent rotation thereof independent of said cylinder assembly except when said shaft is in its second position.

Claim 59

A multi-purpose tool comprising: a plurality of working tips; a cylinder assembly having a cylinder with a plurality of chambers, each chamber for housing one of said plurality of working tips; p1 a shaft having an end which selectively engages each said chamber of said cylinder assembly in longitudinal sliding engagement, said shaft end movable through a selected cylinder chamber between a first position and a second position; means for coupling a selected working tip to said shaft end when said shaft end is in its first position and is moved from one chamber to said selected cylinder chamber; the working tip coupled to said shaft end being advanced from said selected cylinder chamber to a working position as said shaft end is slidably moved from its first position through said selected chamber to its second position; and means for locking said shaft to prevent rotation thereof independent of said cylinder assembly except when said shaft is in its second position.

Claim 60

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 53 further comprising means for selecting which of the plurality of working tips is to be coupled to said shaft end and for feeding the desired working tip into coupling engagement with said shaft.

Claim 61

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 54 wherein and said means for selecting and feeding the desired working tip for coupling engagement with said shaft end comprises means for rotating said cylinder when said shaft end is in its first position.

Claim 62

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 55 wherein the axis for rotation of said cylinder is substantially parallel to and offset from the longitudinal axis of said shaft.

Claim 63

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 53 wherein said means for coupling one of the working tips to said shaft end comprises an arcuate tongue and groove assembly.

Claim 64

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 57 wherein each working tip has an arcuate tongue for coupling engagement with an arcuate groove of said shaft end.

Claim 65

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 58 wherein said cylinder assembly has an annular channel for receiving the arcuate tongue of each working tip and for maintaining each working tip in alignment for coupling engagement with said shaft end.

Claim 66

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 59 wherein said cylinder assembly further comprises a guide ring for holding the arcuate tongue of each working tip in arcuate alignment for coupling engagement with said shaft end.

Claim 67

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 53 wherein said means for locking said shaft comprises a pin guide which protrudes from said shaft in a longitudinal keyway in said cylinder assembly for receiving said pin guide in sliding engagement, thereby preventing rotation of said shaft independent of said cylinder assembly when the pin guide is within the keyway.

Claim 68

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 61 further comprising means for permitting rotation of said shaft independent of said cylinder assembly when said shaft end is in its second position.

Claim 69

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 62 wherein said means for permitting independent rotation of said shaft when said shaft end is in its second position comprises a recess within said cylinder assembly disposed for receiving said pin guide and being positioned to accommodate rotation of said pin guide when said shaft is rotated about its longitudinal axis.

Claim 70

A multi-purpose tool as set forth in claim 61 wherein said keyway has a transverse duct disposed for receiving said pin guide when said shaft end is in its first position, said transverse duct thereby permitting limited rotation of the shaft with respect to said cylinder assembly to assure positive engagement of the working tip to the shaft end.

Claim 71

A multi-purpose tool with a safety barrel comprising: a plurality of working tips; a cylinder assembly having a plurality of chambers for housing said plurality of working tips; a shaft engaging said cylinder assembly in longitudinal sliding engagement, said shaft movable between a first position and a second position; a safety barrel connected to said cylinder assembly and aligned with said shaft such that said shaft slides into said safety barrel as said shaft moves from its first position into its second position; means for coupling one of the working tips to said shaft when said shaft is in its first position and the working tip is housed within one of the chambers, the working tip coupled to said shaft being advanced to a working position as said shaft is slidably moved from its first position into said safety barrel to its second position; means for permitting rotation of said shaft and the working tip coupled thereto independently of said safety barrel, and for permitting rotation of said safety barrel independently of said shaft, when said shaft is in its second position, whereby a user of the multi-purpose tool can grasp said safety barrel and stabilize the tool during use without having said shaft rotating in the user's hand; and means for locking said shaft to prevent rotation thereof independent of said safety barrel except when said shaft is in its second position.

Claim 72

A multi-purpose tool with a safety barrel comprising: a plurality of working tips; a cylinder assembly having a plurality of chambers for housing said plurality of working tips; a shaft engaging said cylinder assembly in longitudinal sliding engagement, said shaft movable between a first position and a second position; a safety barrel connected to said cylinder assembly and aligned with said shaft such that said shaft slides into said safety barrel as said shaft moves from its first position into its second position; means for coupling one of the working tips to said shaft when said shaft is in its first position and the working tip is housed within one of the chambers, the working tip coupled to said shaft being advanced to a working position as said shaft is slidably moved from its first position into said safety barrel to its second position; means for permitting rotation of said shaft and the working tip coupled thereto independently of said safety barrel, and for permitting rotation of said safety barrel independently of said shaft, when said shaft is in its second position, whereby a user of the multi-purpose tool can grasp said safety barrel and stabilize the tool during use without having said shaft rotating in the user's hand; and means for locking said shaft to prevent rotation thereof independent of said safety barrel except when said shaft is in its second position.

Claim 73

A multi-purpose tool with safety barrel as set forth in claim 65 wherein said safety barrel is elongated and extends from said cylinder assembly to a point proximate to the working end of the working tip when said shaft is in its second position, such that the user can grasp the safety barrel near the working end of the working tip without having the working tip rotate in the user's hand.

Claim 74

A multi-purpose tool with safety barrel as set forth in claim 65 wherein the axis for rotation of said cylinder is substantially parallel to and offset from the longitudinal axis of said shaft and the longitudinal axis of said safety barrel is substantially the same as the longitudinal axis of said shaft.

Claim 75

A multi-purpose tool with safety barrel as set forth in claim 65 wherein said shaft has a power tool attachment end for attachment to a power tool and a distal end for engaging said cylinder assembly in longitudinal sliding engagement.