Multi-tool Integrating Hammer Pry Bar and Vault Key
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Utility engineers face challenges in carrying and accessing multiple tools for recurring tasks, leading to tool loss, increased trips, and reduced situational awareness, as they need to carry multiple tools for tasks like opening vault doors, unlocking mechanisms, and dealing with rusted components.
Innovation Solution
A multi-tool that integrates functions of a hammer, pry bar, lifting hook, and vault key into a single device, reducing the need for multiple tools and improving safety by allowing utility engineers to perform multiple tasks with a single tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If utility engineers carry multiple tools for different tasks, then they can perform all required tasks, but they experience increased fatigue and reduced situational awareness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate tools (hammer, pry bar, lifting hook, vault key) into a single integrated multi-tool device. The handle integrates a hammer head at one end and a pry bar with lifting hook and vault key at the other end, allowing engineers to perform multiple tasks with one tool instead of carrying several separate tools
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-tool is designed with universal functionality to perform multiple distinct tasks: the hammer head provides striking capability, the pry bar provides leveraging and prying capability, the lifting hook provides lifting capability, and the vault key provides unlocking capability. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized tools
2Adaptability or versatility
If utility engineers carry multiple tools, then they can complete all tasks, but tools may be forgotten or lost
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple essential tools into a single integrated device, the patent ensures that all necessary functions are contained in one reliable unit. The engineer carries one multi-tool instead of multiple separate tools, eliminating the risk of forgetting or losing individual tools while maintaining full task completion capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If utility engineers carry multiple tools, then they can perform all tasks, but they must make multiple trips to the maintenance truck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple tools that would otherwise require separate retrieval trips into a single multi-tool device. The engineer can obtain one multi-tool from the maintenance truck and perform all required tasks (hammering, prying, lifting, unlocking) without needing to return for additional tools, thereby reducing trip frequency and time loss
4Adaptability or versatility
If utility engineers carry multiple tools, then they can handle different tasks, but the overall tool cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple separate tools into a single multi-tool device, reducing the total quantity of tools from four or more separate items to one integrated tool. This reduction in tool quantity directly lowers the overall tool cost while maintaining the ability to perform all required tasks
Solution Approach 2:
By designing a universal multi-tool that can perform multiple functions (hammering, prying, lifting, unlocking), the patent eliminates the need to purchase and maintain multiple specialized tools, thereby reducing the total number of tools required and the associated costs
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure includes a multi-tool including a handle having a first and a second end opposite the first end and a hammer face attached at the first end of the handle. A pry bar is attached at the first end of the handle along with a lifting hook. A vault key is attached at the second end of the handle. The lifting hook may extend from the first end of the handle or may be formed as a groove or cutout in the first end of the handle or in the pry bar.