Multipurpose Tool Handle Cavity for Removable Survival Component

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multipurpose tools lack additional functionality while maintaining a compact and lightweight design, particularly for wilderness survival applications, where features like fire-starting and sharpening tools are essential but often require separate components.

Innovation Solution

A multipurpose tool with a design that includes a removable component, such as a ferrocerium rod for fire-starting and an abrasive surface for sharpening, which is securely stored within the handle and can be accessed by moving the handles from a closed to an open position, utilizing a retention element to maintain the component in place until intentionally released.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional functionality (fire-starting, sharpening) is integrated into the multipurpose tool, then the tool's utility and versatility are improved, but the tool's size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool functionalityVSAvoidtool weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The removable component containing fire-starting and sharpening features is nested within a cavity in the handle of the multipurpose tool. This allows the survival features to be stored compactly inside the existing tool structure without significantly increasing overall size or weight, while still providing access to additional functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The removable component is designed to provide multiple survival functions (fire-starting with ferrocerium rod and sharpening with abrasive surface) in a single integrated unit that can be attached to or removed from the multipurpose tool, allowing one component to serve multiple purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional functionality is integrated into the multipurpose tool, then the tool's versatility is improved, but the tool's complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool functionalityVSAvoidtool complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The survival features are separated into a distinct removable component that can be independently attached or detached from the main multipurpose tool. This segmentation allows the tool to maintain its core functionality while optionally adding survival features, without permanently increasing the complexity of the main tool structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retention element provides a dynamic locking mechanism that allows the removable component to be securely held in place during use, then easily released when needed. This dynamic retention system enables simple attachment and detachment without complex fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Volume of moving object

If the tool is designed to be compact, then portability is improved, but accessibility to additional features is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool sizeVSAvoidfeature accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The removable component is stored within a cavity inside the handle of the multipurpose tool, allowing it to occupy space that would otherwise be empty or unused. This nesting approach keeps the tool compact while preserving access to the survival features when the component is removed from its stored position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The removable component is pre-positioned within the handle cavity in a ready state, allowing the user to quickly access and remove it when needed without requiring additional preparation or complex retrieval mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3034244B1Multipurpose tool
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 LEATHERMAN TOOL GROUP INC
  • EP3034244B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3034244B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3034244B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A multipurpose tool is provided which may be useful for functions relating to survival. The multipurpose tool may include a variety of tools and features while maintaining a compact form. For example, the multipurpose tool may include a first handle and a second handle configured for relative movement between a closed position and an open position. The first handle may define a cavity that is accessible in response to the first handle and second handle being disposed in the open position relative to one another, and inaccessible in response to the first handle and second handle being disposed in the closed position relative to one another. A removable component may be disposed, at least partially, within the cavity of the first handle, where the removable component is accessible in response to the first handle and the second handle being disposed in the open position relative to one another.