Metal folding tool

Abstract

A metal folding tool may include a first working side which may include a first pair of sidewalls and a first base, a second working side which may include a second pair of sidewalls and a second base, a body which may be operably coupled to the first working side and the second working side, and a depth adjustment assembly operably coupled to the body. The depth adjustment assembly may define a working depth of one of the first and / or second working sides.

Description

[0001] AttyDktNo: 717745-01019-P4249PCT01

[0002] METAL FOLDING TOOL

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] Example embodiments generally relate to hand tools, and more particularly, relate to a metal folding tool.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] Metal folding tools may be used in numerous settings to fold and bend sheet metal for varying purposes. Commonly used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) settings, as well as metalworking settings, metal folding tools may be useful for creating precise and clean folds, bends, seams, and edges in sheet metal. Metal folding tools are often limited to being used to make folds of a single depth on a single thickness of material, which may limit the breadth of the tool’s potential use cases. Thus, operators of the metal folding tool may need to change which tool they are using throughout their specific task if they wish to make folds on thicker material or folds of multiple layers of material. As such, it may be desirable to create a metal folding tool that may be capable of making folds on thicker material or folds of multiple layers of material to be more useful in a wider range of scenarios to reduce the frequency with which the operator may need to change tools.

[0007] BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

[0008] Some example embodiments may provide for a metal folding tool. The tool may include a first working side which may include a first pair of sidewalls and a first base, a second working side which may include a second pair of sidewalls and a second base, a body which may be operably coupled to the first working side and the second working side, and a depth adjustment assembly operably coupled to the body. The depth adjustment assembly may define a working depth of the second working side.

[0009] Some example embodiments may provide for a depth adjustment assembly for a metal folding tool. The depth adjustment assembly may include a first stopper slidably operably coupled to a body of the tool, a second stopper slidably operably coupled to the body of the tool, a first stopping channel into which the first stopper may extend, a second stopping channel into which the second stopper may extend, and a plurality of locking orifices which AttyDktNo: 717745-01019-P4249PCT01 may be disposed in the body of the tool. The first and second stoppers may slide to change a working depth of a pair of sidewalls of the tool.

[0010] Some example embodiments may provide for a metal folding tool. The tool may include a first working side which may include a first pair of sidewalls, a first base, a first width measured perpendicularly between the first pair of sidewalls and a first depth measured from an outer edge of the first pair of sidewalls to the first base, a second working side which may include a second pair of sidewalls, a second base, a second width measured perpendicularly between the second pair of sidewalls and a second depth measured from an outer edge of the second pair of sidewalls to the second base, and a body which may be operably coupled to the first working side and the second working side. The first width may be greater than the second width. The first depth may be fixed and the second depth may be non-fixed.

[0011] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0012] Having thus described some example embodiments in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a metal folding tool according to an example embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the metal folding tool in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a left side view of the metal folding tool according to an example embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a close up perspective view of a depth adjustment assembly in a first predetermined position, taken from box 4 in FIG. 1, according to an example embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a close up rear perspective view of the depth adjustment assembly in the first predetermined position according to an example embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a close up perspective view of the depth adjustment assembly in a second predetermined position according to an example embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a close up rear perspective view of the depth adjustment assembly in the second predetermined position according to an example embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates a left side view of the metal folding tool with the depth adjustment assembly in the second predetermined position according to an example embodiment; AttyDktNo: 717745-01019-P4249PCT01

[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates an isolated perspective view of a stopper of the depth adjustment assembly according to an example embodiment;

[0022] FIG. 10 illustrates an isolated rear perspective view of the stopper of the depth adjustment assembly according to an example embodiment; and FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded view of the metal folding tool according to an example embodiment.

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] AttyDktNo: 717745-01019-P4249PCT01

[0025] Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and pictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “or” is to be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. As used herein, operable coupling should be understood to relate to direct or indirect connection that, in either case, enables functional interconnection of components that are operably coupled to each other.

[0026] Some example embodiments may therefore provide a metal folding tool that may be used to fold sheet metal of varying thicknesses, and may also include a depth adjustment assembly that may enable the operator to adjust the effective working depth of at least one of the working sides of the tool. In one example embodiment, the depth adjustment assembly may include at least one stopper that may be slidably operably coupled to the tool. The at least one stopper may include a base portion that may extend through the width of at least one of the working sides of the tool, and the sheet metal may contact the base portion responsive to being inserted into the working side. The at least one stopper may also be slidable between a plurality of predetermined positions, which may correspond to different positions of the base portion and therefore also to different depths / working depths of the working side. In this regard, the at least one stopper may be slid to define the working depth of the working side to a desired measurement to perform a fold of a desired size. Accordingly, the metal folding tool may be useful in a wider range of settings, which may reduce the need to switch tools as often while performing a specific task.

[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the metal folding tool 100 may have a substantially rectangular profile shape. In other words, when viewed from above, the tool 100 may be substantially rectangular and may therefore include a pair of opposite parallel long side edges and a pair of opposite parallel short side edges, which may be disposed perpendicularly to the pair of opposite parallel long side edges. The folding tool 100 may be constructed by joining a first plate 102 and a second plate 104 together at a central body 110 portion of the tool 100. The first and second plates (102, 104) may not be entirely planar, but may instead include planar portions throughout each plate (102, 104). In this regard, each of the first and second plates (102, 104) may begin as a piece of material that may be bent or pressed into shape. The particular shape that the first and second plates (102, 104) may be bent into may define gaps AttyDktNo: 717745-01019-P4249PCT01 disposed between the first and second plates (102, 104) at a first working side 120 of the tool 100 and a second working side 130 of the tool 100. At the body 110 of the tool 100, the first and second plates (102, 104) may contact each other and be operably coupled to each other. Thus, in an example embodiment, each of the first and second plates (102, 104) may include three distinct planar portions that may correspond to the first working side 120, the body 110 and the second working side 130.

[0028] The first working side 120 may include a first pair of sidewalls 122, a first base 124, and the gap formed in between the first pair of sidewalls 122 and the first base 124. Similarly, the second working side 130 may include a second pair of sidewalls 132, a second base 134, and the gap formed in between the second pair of sidewalls 132 and the second base 134. The first and second working sides (120, 130) may be disposed on opposing sides of the body 110 from each other. In other words, the first and second working sides (120, 130) may be the opposite parallel long side edges of the rectangular profile shape of the tool 100 described above. The first and second working sides (120, 130) of some cases may be operably coupled to each other via the body 110. Each individual sidewall in the first and second pairs of sidewalls (122, 132) may extend parallel to the other sidewalls. The first base 124 may be formed where the first and second plates (102, 104) come together at the intersection of the body 110 with the first working side 120. The second base 134 may be disposed / defined at a depth adjustment assembly, as will be described below in reference to FIGS. 4-10. However, in addition to the depth adjustment assembly, the second working side 130 may still include the location at which the first and second plates (102, 104) may transition from the body 110 portion into the second working side 130. In this regard, each of the first and second working sides (120, 130) may substantially resemble a U-shaped cross section where the respective base (124, 134) forms the bottom of the U-shape and the respective pair of sidewalls (122, 132) forms the upright portions of the U-shape. In some cases, the first base 124 may form a point rather than a rounded shape. In this regard, the point may help seat the sheet metal into the first working side 120 so that the sheet metal may naturally find a bottom of the first base 124.

[0029] This may help in the operation of the metal folding tool 100. In this regard, to use the metal folding tool 100, the operator may grasp the tool 100 and align either of the first or second working sides (120, 130) with an edge of sheet metal that they wish to fold. While holding the tool 100 substantially parallel to the sheet metal, the tool 100 may be inserted onto the sheet metal such that an edge of the sheet metal may slide into the gap between either the first pair of sidewalls 122 or the second pair of sidewalls 132. The tool 100 may be AttyDktNo: 717745-01019-P4249PCT01 slid onto the sheet metal until the edge of the sheet metal comes into contact with either of the first or second bases (124, 134). Once the edge of the sheet metal is in contact with the first or second base (124, 134) all along the edge of the sheet metal, the operator may then pivot the folding tool 100 a desired amount to fold the metal. The pivot may occur about a pivot axis disposed at a point of contact between an individual sidewall from the first or second pairs of sidewalls (122, 132) and the sheet metal itself. In this regard, the individual sidewall may form the crease of the fold along the sheet metal as the tool 100 is pivoted relative to the remaining portion of the sheet metal that is uncovered by the tool 100. As such, the operator may pivot the tool 100 as far as needed to achieve a desired angle of fold for the sheet metal. For instance, to achieve a 90° fold, the operator may pivot the tool 100 90° from the original sheet metal orientation before removing the metal folding tool 100 from the sheet metal. In this regard, the metal folding tool 100 not only affords the operator greater leverage on the sheet metal, but it also forms a clean and uniform crease via the first and second working sides (120, 130) for the entire length of the tool 100. In some cases, the tool 100 may be produced in varying lengths and sizes. Some common lengths of the long side edges of the folding tool 100 may be 12 inches, 18 inches, and 24 inches, but other lengths may be possible as well.

[0030] In some cases, the first plate 102 and the second plate 104 may each be formed from a metal material (e.g. steel). During a process of manufacturing the metal folding tool 100, the first and second plates (102, 104) may be bent or stamped into their respective shapes. After the first and second plates (102, 104) have obtained their shape, they may be operably coupled together at the body 110 portion of the tool 100. In some cases, the first plate 102 may be spot welded to the second plate 104 to form the metal folding tool 100. In an example embodiment, the first and second plates (102, 104) may be operably coupled together via fasteners, an adhesive, interlocking structures, or any other similar manners of operable coupling the plates (102, 104) to one another. In the example embodiment depicted herein, the first plate 102 may be spot welded to the second plate 104 at the body 110 along a plane of symmetry 140 of the tool 100. In this regard, the plane of symmetry 140 may extend through the tool 100, the first working side 120, and the second working side 130, between the first and second plates (102, 104). The first and second plates (102, 104) may be symmetrical about the plane of symmetry 140, but the tool 100 itself may include other features, that will be described at least in reference to FIGS. 4-7 below, that may not necessarily be symmetrical about the plane of symmetry 140. AttyDktNo: 717745-01019-P4249PCT01

[0031] Best seen in FIG. 3, the first working side 120 may further include a first width (Wl) measured perpendicularly between the first pair of sidewalls 122 and a first depth (DI) measured from an outer edge of the first pair of sidewalls 122 to the first base 124. The second working side 130 may further include a second width (W2) measured perpendicularly between the second pair of sidewalls 132 and a second depth (D2) measured from an outer edge of the second pair of sidewalls 132 to the second base 134. In an example embodiment, the first width Wl may be greater than the second width W2. In some cases, the first width Wl may be approximately twice as large as the second width W2. In an example embodiment, the first width Wl may be approximately equal to a thickness (Tl) of the body 110, and the second width W2 may be less than the thickness Tl of the body 110. In any case, the plane of symmetry 140 may bisect each of the first and second widths (Wl, W2). In an example embodiment, the first width Wl may be approximately 0.120 inches and the second width W2 may be approximately 0.060 inches. As such, the first working side 120 may be used to make folds on material that has already been folded over at least once, or on thicker material than the second working side 130, and the second working side 130 may be used to make folds on material that has not been folded over at all yet, or on thinner material than the first working side 120. In some cases, the first depth DI may be less than the second depth D2, and in an example embodiment, the first depth DI may be approximately half as deep as the second depth D2. For example, the first depth DI in some cases may be 0.5 inches deep and the second depth D2 in some cases may be 1 inch deep. The respective first and second depths (DI, D2) of the first working side 120 and the second working side 130 may define a working depth for the particular pair of sidewalls (122, 132). For instance, the first pair of sidewalls 122 may have a working depth equal to the first depth DI and the second pair of sidewalls 132 may have a working depth equal to the second depth D2. As such, the operator may have the ability to make 0.5 inch folds or 1 inch folds, depending on the specific requirements of the task at hand. However, as will be described below with regard to FIGS. 4-11, in some cases, the second depth D2 may be adjustable.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the metal folding tool 100 of the depicted example embodiment may also include a plurality of depth viewing windows 150 formed therein. In this regard, the first and second plates (102, 104) may include cutouts that extend entirely through the thickness of each of the first and second plates (102, 104). The cutouts in the first plate 102 may align with respective cutouts in the second plate 104 when the first and second plates (102, 104) are operably coupled together to form the tool 100. Thus, the depth viewing windows 150 may each include one cutout from the first plate 102 and one cutout from the AttyDktNo: 717745-01019-P4249PCT01 second plate 104 which may be aligned with each other. As such, the depth viewing windows 150 may enable the operator to visually confirm that the edge of the sheet metal is in contact with the respective base (124, 134) of the respective working side (120, 130) that may be in use. For example, if the operator desires to make a 0.5 inch fold on a 0.12 inch thick edge of sheet metal, the operator may insert the first working side 120 of the metal folding tool 100 onto the edge of the sheet metal. The operator may then visually confirm via the depth viewing window 150 that the edge of the sheet metal is fully seated in the first working side 120 by verifying that the sheet metal is in contact with the first base 124. Once they have confirmed the contact, then the operator may proceed to pivot the metal folding tool 100 to make the fold.

[0033] In some cases, the metal folding tool 100 may include a single depth viewing window 150 at each of the first and second working sides (120, 130). In some other cases, the metal folding tool 100 may include two or more depth viewing windows 150 at each of the first and second working sides (120, 130). The depth viewing windows 150 may be disposed anywhere along the intersection of the first and second working sides (120, 130) with the body 110 so that the depth viewing windows 150 may extend through the first base 124 and the second base 134. In some cases, the depth viewing windows 150 may be any shape as well. For instance, the depth viewing windows 150 may be rectangular, circular, triangular, oval / elliptical, hexagonal, octagonal, or any other shape that may enable the operator to see the edge of the sheet metal contact the first and second base (124, 134). In some cases, the first and second working sides (120, 130) may each comprise a plurality of depth viewing windows 150. In an example embodiment, the plurality of depth viewing windows 150 may be disposed at the first and second bases (124, 134), respectively.

[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 4-10, in some example embodiments of the folding tool 100, the folding tool 100 may include a depth adjustment assembly 160 disposed at least at one of the first and second working sides (120, 130). The depth adjustment assembly 160 may be slidably operably coupled to the body 110, and may enable the operator to define the working depth of one of the first and second pairs of sidewalls (122, 132) at which the depth adjustment assembly 160 may be disposed. In the embodiment depicted herein, the depth adjustment assembly 160 may be disposed at the second working side 130. Since the second working side 130 may be deeper than the first working side 120, the second working side 130 may accommodate a larger range of depths. In other words, the depth adjustment assembly 160 may enable the operator to adjust the second depth D2 to a desired working depth, and AttyDktNo: 717745-01019-P4249PCT01 since the second working side 130 is deeper than the first working side 120, then the operator may be able to choose from a wider range of possible depths at the second working side 130.

[0035] The depth adjustment assembly 160 of an example embodiment may include a first stopper 170 slidably operably coupled to the body 110 and a second stopper 180 slidably operably coupled to the body 110. The first and second stoppers (170, 180) may slide relative to the body 110 and the second working side 130 to change the working depth of the second pair of sidewalls 132. In this regard, the first and second stoppers (170, 180) may each include a handle portion 190, an elongated portion 200, and a base portion 210. The handle portion 190 may be disposed at a first end of the first and second stoppers (170, 180) and the base portion 210 may be disposed at a second end of the first and second stoppers (170, 180), opposite the elongated portion 200 from the handle portion 190. The elongated portion 200 may be planar and may extend substantially parallel to the plane of symmetry 140. In some cases, the elongated portion 200 may account for a majority of the length of the first and second stoppers (170, 180). The elongated portion 200 may include a slot 202 through which a fastener 204 may extend to operably couple the first and second stoppers (170, 180) to the body 110. In this regard, the first and second stoppers (170, 180) may be slidable along respective first and second longitudinal axes (172, 182) of their respective slots 202. Therefore, the range of motion of the first and second stoppers (170, 180) may be defined by the length of the slot 202 to which the fastener 204 may be operably coupled. In some other cases, the first and second stoppers (170, 180) may be slidably operably coupled to the body 110 using other structures besides the slot 202 and the fastener 204. In this regard, the fastener 204 could be any sort of fastener such as a rivet, protrusion, hook, pin, button, etc. and the slot 202 could be any sort of groove, channel, basin, etc. for operably coupling to the first and second stoppers (170, 180).

[0036] The base portion 210 may extend perpendicularly away from the elongated portion 200 at an angle of approximately 90° to both the elongated portion 200 and the plane of symmetry 140. As such, the base portion 210 may extend perpendicularly through the second pair of sidewalls 132, effectively forming the second base 134 of the second working side 130. Thus, the second base 134 may be moved further away from the body 110 depending on the position of the first and second stoppers (170, 180). In some cases, the base portion 210 of the first and second stoppers (170, 180) may extend at least for the entire second width W2 of the second working side 130. To enable the base portion 210 to slide within the gap between the second pair of sidewalls 132, the first and second stoppers (170, 180) may be slidable within first and second stopping channels (220, 230), respectively. The first and second AttyDktNo: 717745-01019-P4249PCT01 stopping channels (220, 230) may be cutouts that may extend from the body 110 towards the outer edge of the second pair of sidewalls 132. Like the depth viewing windows 150, the first and second stopping channels (220, 230) may extend entirely through the tool 100, and in this case, through the second pair of sidewalls 132. In some cases, the first and second stopping channels (220, 230) may also include their own respective depth viewing windows 150 at respective outermost ends of the first and second stopping channels (220, 230). In this regard, with the depth adjustment assembly 160 in a position corresponding to a minimum second depth D2, the operator may still be able to visualize when the sheet metal contacts the base portion 210 of the first and second stoppers (170, 180) to ensure proper fitment of the tool 100.

[0037] The first and second stoppers (170, 180) may be substantially S-shaped, and as such, the handle portion 190 may extend substantially perpendicularly away from the elongated portion 200 in an opposite direction from the base portion 210. In this regard, where the base portion 210 may extend perpendicularly into the first and second plates (102, 104) through the first and second stopping channels (220, 230), the handle portion 190 may extend substantially perpendicularly away from the first and second plates (102, 104) and the plane of symmetry 140. The handle portion 190 may provide the operator with an area of the first and second stoppers (170, 180) to engage with to move the first and second stoppers (170, 180) to alter the working depth of the second pair of sidewalls 132. In other words, the operator may grasp the handle portion 190 and push the first and second stoppers (170, 180) through the first and second stopping channels (220, 230), respectively, to adjust the second depth D2 of the second working side 130.

[0038] The depth adjustment assembly 160 may further include predetermined positions that may define the second depth D2. The first and second stoppers (170, 180) may be fixable at each of the predetermined positions, and the locations of the predetermined positions may correspond to different lengths of the second depth D2. In some cases, the predetermined positions may be defined by a plurality of locking orifices 240 disposed in the body 110. In this regard, the handle portion 190 may include a locking tab 192 that may be operably coupleable to individual ones of the plurality of locking orifices 240. The locking tab 192 may extend substantially parallel to the base portion 210 and may extend from the handle portion 190, past the elongated portion 200, and down into the plurality of locking orifices 240 disposed in the body 110. Each of the plurality of locking orifices 240 may correspond to an individual one of the predetermined positions, which may each correspond to a different measurement for the second depth D2. AttyDktNo: 717745-01019-P4249PCT01

[0039] In an example embodiment, the depth adjustment assembly 160 may include at least two predetermined positions. FIGS. 4 and 5 depict the first stopper 170 operably coupled to an individual one of the plurality of locking orifices 240 at a first predetermined position, and FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 depict the first stopper 170 operably coupled to a different individual one of the plurality of locking orifices 240 at a second predetermined position. In some cases, the second stopper 180 may operate in an identical manner to that of the first stopper 170. As shown in FIGS. 4-7, the first predetermined position may correspond to a deeper second depth D2 than the second predetermined position. In order to transition the depth adjustment assembly 160 from the first predetermined position to the second predetermined position, the operator may first grasp the handle portion 190 of the first stopper 170. Prior to sliding the first stopper 170 towards the second working side 130, the operator may need to apply a force on the handle portion 190 of the first stopper 170 away from the body 110 to lift the locking tab 192 out of the respective individual one of the plurality of locking orifices 240 to which it may be operably coupled. Once the locking tab 192 has been lifted out of the locking orifice 240, the first stopper 170 may then be slid towards the second predetermined position. At the second predetermined position, the locking tab 192 may be inserted into the different locking orifice 240, to secure the first stopper 170 in the second predetermined position.

[0040] In an example embodiment, with the depth adjustment assembly 160 set at the first predetermined position, the second depth D2 may be greater than the first depth DI. In some cases, the first predetermined position may correspond to a second depth D2 of approximately 1 inch. In an example embodiment, with the depth adjustment assembly 160 set at the second predetermined position, the second depth D2 may be approximately equal to the first depth DI. In some cases, the second predetermined position may correspond to a second depth D2 of approximately 0.5 inches. In some other example embodiments, the depth adjustment assembly 160 may include additional predetermined positions between and beyond the first and second predetermined positions. For instance, the depth adjustment assembly 160 may include a third predetermined position between the first and second predetermined positions that may correspond to a second depth D2 of approximately 0.75 inches, and / or a fourth predetermined position beyond the first and second predetermined positions that may correspond to a second depth D2 of approximately 0.25 inches. In some cases, any number of predetermined positions may be utilized to correspond to any number of different measurements for the second depth D2. In some cases, the second depth D2 may be greater than the first depth DI while the first and second stoppers (170, 180) may be disposed at one or more of the at least two predetermined positions. AttyDktNo: 717745-01019-P4249PCT01

[0041] FIG. 11 depicts an exploded view of the metal folding tool 100 according to an example embodiment. In FIG. 11, the first and second plates (102, 104) are shown separated from one another. In this example, the first plate 102 may be a mirror image of the second plate 104, and vice versa. As described above, the first and second plates (102, 104) may be symmetrical about the plane of symmetry 140. The depth adjustment assembly 160 may be operably coupled to the body 110 and the first and second stoppers (170, 180) may contact and slide along the first plate 102. The elongated portion 200 of the first and second stoppers (170, 180) may slide into the second working side 130 from the body 110 portion via the first and second stopping channels (220, 230), respectively. In some cases, the first and second stopping channels (220, 230) may include their own respective depth viewing windows 150 at respective outermost ends of the first and second stopping channels (220, 230). In this regard, with the depth adjustment assembly 160 in a position corresponding to a minimum second depth D2, the operator may still be able to visualize when the sheet metal contacts the base portion 210 of the first and second stoppers (170, 180). As mentioned above, the tool 100 may be assembled by spot welding the first plate 102 to the second plate 104 along the body 110 portion. The depth adjustment assembly 160 may then be operably coupled to the body 110 via fasteners 204 which may enable the slidable operable coupling of the first and second stoppers (170, 180) to the tool 100.

[0042] Some example embodiments may provide for a metal folding tool. The tool may include a first working side which may include a first pair of sidewalls and a first base, a second working side which may include a second pair of sidewalls and a second base, a body which may be operably coupled to the first working side and the second working side, and a depth adjustment assembly operably coupled to the body. The depth adjustment assembly may define a working depth of the second working side.

[0043] The metal folding tool of some embodiments may include additional features, modifications, augmentations and / or the like to achieve further objectives or enhance performance of the metal folding tool. The additional features, modifications, augmentations and / or the like may be added in any combination with each other. Below is a list of various additional features, modifications, and augmentations that can each be added individually or in any combination with each other. For example, the first working side may further include a first width measured perpendicularly between the first pair of sidewalls and a first depth measured from an outer edge of the first pair of sidewalls to the first base. In some cases, the second working side may further include a second width measured perpendicularly between the second pair of sidewalls and a second depth measured from an outer edge of the second AttyDktNo: 717745-01019-P4249PCT01 pair of sidewalls to the depth adjustment assembly. In an example embodiment, the first width may be greater than the second width. In some cases, the first width may be approximately twice as large as the second width. In an example embodiment, the depth adjustment assembly may include a first stopper slidably operably coupled to the body and a second stopper slidably operably coupled to the body. In some cases, the first and second stoppers may slide to change the working depth of the second pair of sidewalls. In an example embodiment, the first and second stoppers may include a handle portion, an elongated portion, and a base portion. In some cases, the handle portion may be disposed at a first end of the first and second stoppers and the base portion may be disposed at a second end of the first and second stoppers, on an opposite side of the elongated portion from the handle portion. In an example embodiment, the elongated portion may include a slot through which a fastener may extend to operably couple the first and second stoppers to the body. In some cases, the first and second stoppers may be slidable along longitudinal axes of their respective slots within first and second stopping channels, respectively. In an example embodiment, the first and second stopping channels may extend from the body towards the outer edge of the second pair of sidewalls, and entirely through the second pair of sidewalls. In some cases, the depth adjustment assembly may further include predetermined positions that define the second depth. In an example embodiment, the first and second stoppers may be fixable at the predetermined positions. In some cases, the predetermined positions may be defined by a plurality of locking orifices disposed in the body. In an example embodiment, the handle portion may include a locking tab which may be operably coupleable to individual ones of the plurality of locking orifices. In some cases, each of the predetermined positions may correspond to a different measurement for the second depth. In an example embodiment, the depth adjustment assembly may include at least two predetermined positions. In some cases, the second depth may be greater than the first depth while the first and second stoppers are disposed at one or more of the at least two predetermined positions. In an example embodiment, the base portion of the first and second stoppers may extend perpendicularly to both the elongated portion and to the second pair of sidewalls. In some cases, the base portion of the first and second stoppers may extend at least for the entire second width of the second working side. In an example embodiment, the first and second working sides may each include a plurality of depth viewing windows. In some cases, the plurality of depth viewing windows may be disposed at the first and second bases, respectively. In an example embodiment, the second depth may be adjustable between a first position in which the second AttyDktNo: 717745-01019-P4249PCT01 depth is equal to the first depth and a second position in which the second depth is greater than the first depth.

[0044] Some example embodiments may provide for a depth adjustment assembly for a metal folding tool. The depth adjustment assembly may include a first stopper slidably operably coupled to a body of the tool, a second stopper slidably operably coupled to the body of the tool, a first stopping channel into which the first stopper may extend, a second stopping channel into which the second stopper may extend, and a plurality of locking orifices which may be disposed in the body of the tool. The first and second stoppers may slide to change a working depth of a pair of sidewalls of the tool.

[0045] Some example embodiments may provide for a metal folding tool. The tool may include a first working side which may include a first pair of sidewalls, a first base, a first width measured perpendicularly between the first pair of sidewalls and a first depth measured from an outer edge of the first pair of sidewalls to the first base, a second working side which may include a second pair of sidewalls, a second base, a second width measured perpendicularly between the second pair of sidewalls and a second depth measured from an outer edge of the second pair of sidewalls to the second base, and a body which may be operably coupled to the first working side and the second working side. The first width may be greater than the second width. The first depth may be fixed and the second depth may be non-fixed.

[0046] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and / or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. In cases where advantages, benefits or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be appreciated that such advantages, benefits and / or solutions may be applicable to some example embodiments, but not necessarily all example embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits AttyDktNo: 717745-01019-P4249PCT01 or solutions described herein should not be thought of as being critical, required or essential to all embodiments or to that which is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

AttyDktNo: 717745-01019-P4249PCT01WHAT IS CLAIMED:

1. A metal folding tool, the metal folding tool comprising: a first working side comprising a first pair of sidewalls and a first base; a second working side comprising a second pair of sidewalls and a second base; a body operably coupled to the first working side and the second working side; and a depth adjustment assembly operably coupled to the body, wherein the depth adjustment assembly defines a working depth of the second working side.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first working side further comprises a first width measured perpendicularly between the first pair of sidewalls and a first depth measured from an outer edge of the first pair of sidewalls to the first base, wherein the second working side further comprises a second width measured perpendicularly between the second pair of sidewalls and a second depth measured from an outer edge of the second pair of sidewalls to the depth adjustment assembly, and wherein the first width is greater than the second width.

3. The tool of claim 2, wherein the first width is approximately twice as large as the second width.

4. The tool of claim 2, wherein the depth adjustment assembly comprises a first stopper slidably operably coupled to the body and a second stopper slidably operably coupled to the body, and wherein the first and second stoppers slide to change the working depth of the second pair of sidewalls.

5. The tool of claim 4, wherein the first and second stoppers comprise a handle portion, an elongated portion, and a base portion, and wherein the handle portion is disposed at a first end of the first and second stoppers and the base portion is disposed at a second end of the first and second stoppers, on an opposite side of the elongated portion from the handle portion.AttyDktNo: 717745-01019-P4249PCT016. The tool of claim 5, wherein the elongated portion comprises a slot through which a fastener extends to operably couple the first and second stoppers to the body.

7. The tool of claim 6, wherein the first and second stoppers are slidable along longitudinal axes of their respective slots within first and second stopping channels, respectively, and wherein the first and second stopping channels extend from the body towards the outer edge of the second pair of sidewalls, and entirely through the second pair of sidewalls.

8. The tool of claim 7, wherein the depth adjustment assembly further comprises predetermined positions that define the second depth, and wherein the first and second stoppers are fixable at the predetermined positions.

9. The tool of claim 8, wherein the predetermined positions are defined by a plurality of locking orifices disposed in the body, wherein the handle portion comprises a locking tab operably coupleable to individual ones of the plurality of locking orifices, and wherein each of the predetermined positions corresponds to a different measurement for the second depth.

10. The tool of claim 8, wherein the depth adjustment assembly comprises at least two predetermined positions, and wherein the second depth is greater than the first depth while the first and second stoppers are disposed at one or more of the at least two predetermined positions.

11. The tool of claim 5, wherein the base portion of the first and second stoppers extends perpendicularly to both the elongated portion and to the second pair of sidewalls.

12. The tool of claim 5, wherein the base portion of the first and second stoppers extends at least for the entire second width of the second working side.

13. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first and second working sides each comprise a plurality of depth viewing windows, andAttyDktNo: 717745-01019-P4249PCT01 wherein the plurality of depth viewing windows are disposed at the first and second bases, respectively.

14. A depth adjustment assembly for a metal folding tool, the depth adjustment assembly comprising: a first stopper slidably operably coupled to a body of the tool; a second stopper slidably operably coupled to the body of the tool; a first stopping channel into which the first stopper extends; a second stopping channel into which the second stopper extends; and a plurality of locking orifices disposed in the body of the tool, wherein the first and second stoppers slide to change a working depth of a pair of sidewalls of the tool.

15. The depth adjustment assembly of claim 14, wherein the first and second stoppers comprise a handle portion, an elongated portion, and a base portion, and wherein the handle portion is disposed at a first end of the first and second stoppers and the base portion is disposed at a second end of the first and second stoppers, on an opposite side of the elongated portion from the handle portion.

16. The depth adjustment assembly of claim 15, wherein the elongated portion comprises a slot through which a fastener extends to operably couple the first and second stoppers to the body, and wherein the first and second stoppers are slidable along longitudinal axes of their respective slots within the first and second stopping channels, respectively.

17. The depth adjustment assembly of claim 14, wherein individual ones of the plurality of locking orifices define predetermined positions that define the working depth of the pair of sidewalls of the tool, and wherein the first and second stoppers are fixable at the predetermined positions.

18. The depth adjustment assembly of claim 17, wherein the handle portion comprises a locking tab operably coupleable to individual ones of the plurality of locking orifices,AttyDktNo: 717745-01019-P4249PCT01 wherein each of the predetermined positions corresponds to a different measurement for the working depth of the pair of sidewalls of the tool, and wherein the depth adjustment assembly comprises at least two predetermined positions.

19. A metal folding tool, the metal folding tool comprising: a first working side comprising a first pair of sidewalls, a first base, a first width measured perpendicularly between the first pair of sidewalls and a first depth measured from a first outer edge of the first pair of sidewalls to the first base; a second working side comprising a second pair of sidewalls, a second base, a second width measured perpendicularly between the second pair of sidewalls and a second depth measured from a second outer edge of the second pair of sidewalls to the second base; and a body operably coupled to the first working side and the second working side, wherein the first width is greater than the second width, and wherein the first depth is fixed and the second depth is non-fixed.

20. The tool of claim 19, wherein the second depth is adjustable between a first position in which the second depth is equal to the first depth and a second position in which the second depth is greater than the first depth.

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