Modular tool

Abstract

A modular tool is disclosed that includes a blade, a shank coupled to the blade, and a sharpening system coupleable to the shank and configured to form part of the shank. The sharpening system includes: a first half having an outer surface configured to form a portion of an outer surface of a shank, and an inner surface having a grinding surface; the second half body is connected with the first half body in a hinged mode, and the inner surface of the second half body is provided with a grinding face. Wherein the cutter sharpening system can be selectively disengaged from the cutter handle, and the first half body and the second half body are configured to be rotatable relative to each other so as to expose the grinding surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a modular tool. Background Art

[0002] Knives are incredibly useful tools that can be used to perform a wide variety of tasks. Knives come in a variety of styles and sizes, depending on the desired aesthetic and intended use. For example, there are small folding knives that fit in a user's pocket and have one or more blades for typical everyday use (e.g., opening mail / boxes). There are also knives with fixed blades that can be used for more demanding tasks, such as breaking down animals while hunting.

[0003] In many cases, additional tools are often needed, either to perform maintenance on the knife (e.g., a sharpener) or to work with the knife (e.g., small blades, screwdrivers, hex keys, flashlights, fire starters, etc.). However, carrying both the knife and the additional tools can be cumbersome and increase the likelihood of misplacing one or the other, or not having all the necessary tools when needed.

[0004] The subject matter claimed in the present invention is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or operate only in the environment described above. Instead, this background introduction is provided only to illustrate an exemplary technical field in which some embodiments described herein can be implemented. Utility Model Content

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a modular tool is provided, comprising a blade, a handle connected to the blade, and a sharpening system connectable to the handle and configured to form a portion of the handle. The sharpening system comprises a first half having an outer surface configured to form a portion of the outer surface of the handle and an inner surface having a grinding surface; and a second half hingedly connected to the first half, the inner surface of the second half having a grinding surface. The sharpening system is selectively detachable from the handle, and the first and second halves are configured to rotate relative to each other to expose the grinding surface.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a modular tool is provided, comprising: a recess or groove extending to one side of the tool, the recess or groove having one or more fixing features; and a tool that can be selectively placed into and removed from the recess or groove, the tool having one or more corresponding fixing features, the one or more corresponding fixing features being configured to cooperate with the one or more fixing features so as to selectively fix the tool in the recess or groove.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a modular tool is provided, comprising a blade, a handle connected to the blade, and a sharpening system that can be connected to the handle and is configured to form a portion of the handle. The sharpening system comprises: a first half body having an outer surface configured to form a portion of the outer surface of the handle, and an inner surface having a grinding surface; and a second half body hingedly connected to the first half body, having an outer surface configured to form a portion of the outer surface of the handle, and an inner surface having a grinding surface. The sharpening system can be selectively disengaged from the handle, and the first half body and the second half body are configured to rotate relative to each other to expose the grinding surface.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a modular tool is provided, comprising: a tool handle comprising a recess or groove extending to one side of the tool handle; and a tool that can be selectively placed into and removed from the recess or groove, having an outer surface that forms part of the outer surface of the tool handle.

[0009] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a modular tool comprising any of the features described herein.

[0010] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a modular tool comprising a scabbard, comprising any of the features described herein.

[0011] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a modular tool comprising a hinged sharpening system including any of the features described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment of a knife is shown.

[0013] Figures 3 to 8 Another embodiment of a knife is shown.

[0014] Figure 9 and Figure 10 Another example of a knife is shown that includes a pocket knife combined with a handle.

[0015] Figure 11 Various examples of tools that may be incorporated into the tool handle are shown.

[0016] Figure 12 An exemplary structure for selectively securing a tool within a tool handle is shown.

[0017] Figures 13 to 15 Embodiments of knives having different profiles are shown.

[0018] Figures 16 to 18 Various embodiments of bases are shown that contain or can receive additional tools. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to bases that incorporate tools or accommodate tools. Bases according to the present disclosure can include a variety of products, including but not limited to knife handles, hatchets, axes, hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, multi-tools, or other tools or implements. The base can also include accessories for such tools or implements, such as a sheath or case. The base can also include other functional items that are configured to perform one or more primary functions but can also have additional tools mounted or accommodated therein. Such bases can include hooks and loops, etc.

[0020] Additional tools that may be incorporated into or stored in the base may include a sharpener, a knife / blade, a screwdriver, an Allen wrench, a flashlight, a storage container, a fire starter, or any other desired tool or combination of tools.

[0021] Additionally, some embodiments include a base that includes or is formed from a glow-in-the-dark (GID) material.

[0022] Although the present disclosure is directed to a base that is combined with or accommodates additional tools, the following description will focus primarily on a base in the form of a tool handle. However, it is understood that this description is merely exemplary and not restrictive.

[0023] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment of a knife 100 is shown, wherein a sharpening system 102 is included within the handle 104 of the knife 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the sharpening system 102 is part of the handle 104 and is removable from the remainder of the knife / handle. In the illustrated embodiment, the sharpening system 102 includes a first half 102a and a second half 102b connected together by a hinge 102c. When connected to the knife 100, the first half 102a forms part of the handle 104 on a first side of the knife 100, while the second half 102b forms part of the handle 104 on a second side of the knife 100. The first half 102a and the second half 102b can be connected to opposite sides of the handle 104 to selectively secure the sharpening system 102 to the remainder of the knife 100. Conversely, the first half 102a and the second half 102b can be selectively detached from the remainder of the knife 100 and used in a rotational manner relative to each other during the sharpening process.

[0024] The first half 102a may include a grinding surface 102d on its inner surface, while the second half 102b may include a grinding surface 102e on its inner surface. The grinding surfaces may be used to sharpen the edge 106a of the blade 106. In some embodiments, the sharpening system 102 may include angle guides 102f and 102g adjacent to the grinding surfaces 102d and 102e to facilitate sharpening the blade 106 at a desired angle.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, at least a portion of the handle 104 may include or consist of a glow-in-the-dark (GID) material 108. For example, the GID material 108 may be formed into stripes or other patterns on the handle 104. Alternatively, a majority of the handle 104 may consist of the GID material 108. For example, Figure 1 All orange portions (ie, handle portions) may be formed from the GID material 108 .

[0026] In some embodiments, the GID material 108 is formed from a transparent resin having GID mica powder mixed or otherwise suspended therein. Forming the GID material 108 in this manner ensures that sufficient GID mica powder is deposited in the resin, thereby providing the handle 104 with high visibility in the dark for extended periods of time.

[0027] Figures 3 to 8 Another embodiment of a knife 120 is shown that includes a sharpening system 122 integrated with a handle 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the sharpening system 122 can be disposed on one side of the handle 124 and can be selectively deployed therefrom. Figure 7 In the illustrated embodiment, the sharpening system 122 includes a first half 122a and a second half 122b connected to each other by a hinge 122c. The inner surfaces of the first half 122a and the second half 122b include grinding surfaces 122d and 122e, respectively, which can be used to sharpen the edge 126a of the blade 126.

[0028] like Figure 8 As shown, the sheath 128 may include a honing rod 128a mounted therein that can be used to sharpen or hone the edge 126a of the blade 126. In some embodiments, the honing rod 128a is permanently mounted in the sheath 128, while in other embodiments, the honing rod 128a is selectively removable from the sheath 128.

[0029] The scabbard 128 may also include or be formed from a GID material 130. For example, Figure 8In the illustrated embodiment, the orange portion of the scabbard 128 (i.e., the main portion excluding the peripheral edge) can be formed of, or include, a GID material 130. As described above, the GID material 130 can be formed from a transparent resin with GID mica powder mixed or suspended therein. The GID material 130 can make the scabbard 128 visible in the dark, thereby reducing the chance of the scabbard 128 being lost when the blade 126 is used in the dark.

[0030] Figure 9 and Figure 10 Another example of a knife 140 is shown, which includes a tool 142 coupled to a handle 144. In the illustrated embodiment, the tool 142 comprises a relatively small knife having a handle 142a and a blade 142b. This knife may be a folding knife, wherein the blade 142b can be folded into or unfolded from the handle 142a.

[0031] Figure 11 Other examples of tools that can be incorporated into the handle are shown 146. As shown, these tools can be a waterproof storage container 146a, a fire starter kit 146b, a screwdriver 146c, a bottle opener 146d, a wrench 146e, a crowbar 146f, a combination tool with a knife and / or saw blade 146g, or essentially any other desired tool.

[0032] like Figure 11 As shown, the tool 146 can be placed inside the handle 148. The knife can also include Figure 1 and Figure 2 That is, the knife can include both the sharpening system and the additional tool 146. Figure 2 As shown, the sharpening system 102 can be at least partially removed from the knife handle (e.g., the first half of the sharpening system can be rotated out of the knife handle) to facilitate use. Figure 11 Shown is the exposed attachment tool 146. The attachment tool 146 can be removed and the sharpening system can be reattached to the knife handle so that the knife and the attachment tool 146 can be used simultaneously.

[0033] Likewise Figure 11 As shown, the scabbard 150 may include an additional tool 146 stored therein or attached thereto. In the embodiment shown, the scabbard 150 may include one or more rings or sleeves 152 for selectively receiving the additional tool 146. The additional tool 146 may be any type of tool discussed herein.

[0034] Figure 12An exemplary embodiment for selectively securing a tool 160 within a tool handle 162 is shown. As can be seen, tool handle 162 (light purple) may include a recess or groove 164 extending into a side thereof. Recess or groove 164 may include a shoulder 166 and a magnet 168. Tool 170 (dark purple) may include a corresponding protrusion 172 and a magnet 174. Recess or groove 164 may be longer than tool 160 to enable tool 160 to slide or move between opposite ends of recess or groove 164. Recess or groove 164 and magnets 168, 174 in tool 160 may be positioned to bias tool 160 into a locked position, in which protrusion 172 on tool 160 engages shoulder 166 in recess or groove 164. The magnets 168, 174 and the engagement between protrusion 172 and shoulder 166 secure tool 160 within recess or groove 164. The tool 160 may be removed from the recess or groove 164 by sliding the tool 160 within the recess or groove 164 to disengage the protrusion 172 from the shoulder 166 and then pulling the tool 160 out of the recess or groove 164 (via finger grips 176 on the tool).

[0035] Figures 13 to 15 Other embodiments of knives having different profiles are shown that incorporate tools, GID materials, and / or other additional features in their handles and / or sheaths.

[0036] Figures 16 to 18 Other embodiments of bases are shown that contain or can accommodate additional tools. Figure 16 In the embodiment, the base is in the form of a hook and loop 180 in which one or more tools can be coupled or received. Figure 17 In the , the base takes the form of a hatchet 190. Figure 18 In the embodiment, the base is in the form of pliers or a multi-function tool 200.

[0037] Although certain embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to specific configurations, parameters, components, elements, etc., these descriptions are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection claimed for the present invention.

[0038] Furthermore, it should be understood that for any given element or component in the described embodiments, any possible alternatives listed for that element or component can generally be used alone or in any combination unless otherwise implied or explicitly stated.

[0039] In addition, unless otherwise indicated, numbers used in this specification and claims expressing quantities, components, distances, or other measurements should be understood as being modified by the term "about" or its equivalent. When the terms "approximately," "approximately," "substantially," or similar terms are used in conjunction with an amount, value, or condition, they are understood to mean that the amount, value, or condition deviates from the stated amount, value, or condition by less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 1%, less than 0.1%, or less than 0.01%. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0040] Any headings and sub-headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the description or claims.

[0041] It should also be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", "an" and "the" do not exclude plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, an embodiment referring to a singular referent (e.g., "a widget") may also include two or more such referents.

[0042] It will also be understood that the embodiments described herein may also include the properties and / or features (e.g., components, parts, members, elements, parts, and / or portions) described in one or more separate embodiments, and are not necessarily strictly limited to the features explicitly described for that particular embodiment. Thus, the various features of a given embodiment may be combined with and / or incorporated into other embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the disclosure of certain features associated with a particular embodiment of the present invention should not be understood as limiting the application or inclusion of the features to that particular embodiment. On the contrary, it will be understood that other embodiments may also be applied to specific embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A modular tool comprising blade; a handle connected to the blade; as well as a sharpening system connectable to the knife handle and configured to form a part of the knife handle, It is characterized by: The sharpening system includes: a first half body having an outer surface configured to form a portion of the outer surface of the knife handle and an inner surface having a grinding surface; and a second half body hingedly connected to the first half body, the inner surface of the second half body having a grinding surface. The sharpening system can be selectively detached from the tool holder, and the first half and the second half are configured to be rotatable relative to each other to expose the grinding surface.

2. The modular tool according to claim 1, wherein: The second half of the sharpening system has an outer surface that forms a portion of the outer surface of the knife handle.

3. The modular tool according to claim 1, wherein: The inner surface of the first half and / or the inner surface of the second half further comprises one or more angle guides.

4. The modular tool according to claim 1, wherein: At least a portion of the knife handle is formed of a luminescent material comprising a transparent resin in which luminescent mica powder is mixed or suspended.

5. A modular tool, characterized in that: The tools include: a pocket or groove extending into a side of the tool, the pocket or groove having one or more securing features; and A tool that can be selectively inserted into and removed from the recess or groove has one or more corresponding fixing features, and the one or more corresponding fixing features are configured to cooperate with the one or more fixing features to selectively fix the tool in the recess or groove.

6. The modular tool according to claim 5, wherein: The one or more securing features include shoulders and the one or more corresponding securing features include protrusions.

7. The modular tool according to claim 5, wherein: The one or more securing features include magnets and the one or more corresponding securing features include magnets.

8. The modular tool according to claim 5, wherein: The recess or groove is longer than the tool so that the tool can slide within the recess or groove between its opposite ends.

9. The modular tool according to claim 5, wherein: The tools include a folding knife, a storage container, and / or a sharpening system having a first half and a second half connected together by a hinge.

10. A modular tool comprising: blade; a handle connected to the blade; as well as a sharpening system connectable to the knife handle and configured to form a part of the knife handle, The sharpening system is characterized in that it includes: a first half body having an outer surface configured to form a portion of the outer surface of the knife handle, and an inner surface having a grinding surface; and a second half body hingedly connected to the first half body, the second half body having an outer surface configured to form a portion of the outer surface of the knife handle, and an inner surface having a grinding surface. The sharpening system can be selectively detached from the tool holder, and the first half and the second half are configured to be rotatable relative to each other to expose the grinding surface.

11. A modular tool, characterized in that The tools include: a handle comprising a recess or groove extending to one side of the handle; and A tool is selectively insertable into and removable from the recess or groove, the tool having an outer surface forming part of the outer surface of the shank.

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