GB2328174A

GB2328174A - A multi-purpose lever tool

Info

Publication number: GB2328174A
Application number: GB9717004A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Torode
Original assignee: PEATFIELD TOBY
Current assignee: PEATFIELD TOBY
Priority date: 1997-08-11
Filing date: 1997-08-11
Publication date: 1999-02-17
Also published as: GB9717004D0

Abstract

A multi-purpose tool comprising an elongate strip 14 formed of spring steel, and having elongate slits 16,18 at each end. One end 10 is bent upwardly by an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the rest of the strip, and the other end 12 is bent downwardly by approximately 135 degrees relative to the rest of the strip. The tool may be used for removing hooks, tacks or nails from a wall or other surface, or as a multi-purpose lever, for example for removing a lid from a paint pot or the like.

Description

A Multi-Purpose Tool This invention relates to a tool and, in particular, to a multi-purpose tool for performing various tasks, such as removing hooks, tacks and screws from a wall and opening paint tins and the like.

It is known to provide on a hammer head a curved extension in which a slit is formed. Such an extension is intended to be used as a lever for removing nails and the like from walls and other surfaces.

However, there are a number of disadvantages associated with such an arrangement. Firstly, such an arrangement is only suitable for removing relatively large nails. Furthermore, a hammer can be heavy and cumbersome to carry around if only the nail removing portion is required for use.

I have now devised an arrangement which overcomes the problems outlined above.

Thus, according to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a multi-purpose tool comprising an elongate strip of spring steel having a slit which extends from an end edge of the strip in an elongate direction.

A portion of the end of the strip which has the slit is preferably bent by approximately 45 degrees or by approximately 135 degrees relative to the rest of the strip. In fact, in a preferred embodiment, both ends of the strip are provided with respective slits, one of the ends being bent upwardly by approximately 45 degrees relative to the strip and the other end being bent downwardly by approximately 135 degrees relative to the strip.

The slits are preferably generally V-shaped, the wider end of the slit being located at the edge of the or each end of the strip.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-purpose tool comprising an elongate strip of rigid material having a slit which extends from each end edge of the strip in an elongate direction.

The tool according to the second aspect of the present invention is preferably formed of spring steel so that further treatment of the metal after forming is not required.

A portion of one or both ends of the strip are preferably bent relative to the rest of the strip. In a preferred embodiment, a portion of one of the ends of the strip is bent upwardly by approximately 45 degrees relative to the strip and a portion of the other end is bent downwardly by approximately 135 degrees relative to the strip The slits are preferably generally V-shaped, the wider end of the slit being located at the edge of each end of the strip.

In the case of both aspects of the invention, the or each end edge of the strip may be clarified.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a tool according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of the tool of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a plan view of the tool of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a tool according to one embodiment of the present invention is formed of an elongate strip of spring steel material. Although any suitable rigid material may be used, spring steel is preferred as it does not require treatment for the prevention of rust. A portion at one end 10 of the strip is bent upwardly by approximately 45 degrees, and a portion at the other end 12 of the strip is bent downwardly by approximately 135 degrees, as shown. The straight central portion 14 of the strip forms a handle.

Each end 10, 12 of the tool is formed with a generally V-shaped central slit indicated by the reference numerals 16 and 18 respectively, the wide end of each of the V-shaped slits 16, 18 being located at the outer edges of the tool. The end edges may be chamfered, as shown.

In use, in order to remove, for example, a nail or tack, the tool is position such that the nail or tack is located within one of the slits 16, 18. The user moves the tool relative to the nail or tack until it engages with the narrow end of the slit. The tool is then rotated so as to form a lever which pulls the nail or tack out of the surface in which it is held. The end of the tool which is used for this purpose will depend on the position, size and length of the nail or tack.

Alternatively, the tool may be used to remove the lid from a paint tin or the like.

In use, one end of the tool is wedged under the edge of the lid, and the tool is again rotated so as to form a lever which prises the lid from the tin.

The tool of the present invention is versatile and may be used as a multi-purpose lever.

In the light of this disclosure, modifications of the described embodiment, as well as other embodiments, all within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims, will now be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A multi-purpose tool comprising an elongate strip of spring steel having a slit which extends from an end edge of the strip in an elongate direction thereof.

2. A multi-purpose tool according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the end of the strip having the slit is at an angle relative to the rest of the strip.

3. A multi-purpose tool according to claim 2, wherein a portion of the end of the strip which has the slit is bent upwardly by approximately 45 degrees or downwardly by approximately 135 degrees relative to the rest of the strip.

4. A multi-purpose tool according to any preceding claim, wherein both ends of the strip are provided with respective slits.

5. A multi-purpose tool according to claim 4, wherein a portion of one of the ends of the strip is bent upwardly by approximately 45 degrees relative to the rest of the strip and a portion of the other end is bent downwardly by approximately 135 degrees relative to the strip.

6. A multi-purpose tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each slit is preferably generally V-shaped, the wider end of the slit being located at the edge of the or each end of the strip.

7. A multi-purpose tool comprising an elongate strip of rigid material having a slit which extends from each end edge of the strip in an elongate direction thereof.

8. A multi-purpose tool according to claim 7, wherein of the strip is formed of spring steel.

9. A multi-purpose tool according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein a portion of one or both ends of the strip are bent relative to the rest of the strip.

10. A multi-purpose tool according to claim 9, a portion of one of the ends of the strip is bent upwardly by approximately 45 degrees relative to the strip and a portion of the other end is bent downwardly by approximately 135 degrees relative to the strip.

11. A multi-purpose tool according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the slits are generally V-shaped, the wider end of the slit being located at the edge of each end of the strip.

12. A multi-purpose tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each end edge of the strip is chamfered.

13. A multi-purpose tool substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.