Abstract: A multipurpose hand tool with folding handles each including a central channel to receive pliers jaws or the like when the tool is folded, and including troughs holding outer blades alongside the central channel so that the outer blades can be opened without unfolding the tool. The troughs face opposite the direction of the central channels, and the bases of the outer troughs act as comfortable places to grip the handles when they are extended for use of the pliers. Blade locking mechanisms are incorporated in the walls of the central channels to lock each of the outer blades in an extended position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming rivet joints that allow pivotal motion of the parts interconnected by such joints with a desired amount of clearance. Parts to be riveted together are aligned with each other and held in place on a parts support anvil, and a rivet is placed into aligned holes. A rivet support anvil is positioned against the head of the rivet to establish an initial condition. The rivet support is adjusted a required amount with respect to the parts support anvil prior to formation of the second head on the opposite end of the rivet. The rivet is allowed to move a controlled amount prior to formation of the second head, to provide the desired amount of clearance.

Abstract: A multipurpose hand tool with folding handles each including a central channel to receive pliers jaws or the like when the tool is folded, and including troughs holding outer blades alongside the central channel so that the outer blades can be opened without unfolding the tool. The troughs face opposite the direction of the central channels, and the bases of the outer troughs act as comfortable places to grip the handles when they are extended for use of the pliers. Blade locking mechanisms are incorporated in the walls of the central channels to lock each of the outer blades in an extended position.

Abstract: A folding scissors of a type suitable for inclusion in a compact multipurpose tool, in which an operating lever securely engages one of the scissors blades to move it with respect to the other, and in which a spacer takes up excess clearance to keep the operating lever drivingly engaged with one of the scissors blades and to keep the sharp edges of the scissors properly close together during use of the scissors. Inclined mating surfaces are provided on the lever arm and on a hook on one of the scissors blades to keep the operating lever engaged with the scissors blade. A cavity is provided to receive the spacer when the scissors is in its folded configuration in order to facilitate relative movement of the parts of the scissors during the process of folding and unfolding the scissors.

Abstract: A multipurpose hand tool with folding handles each including a central channel to receive pliers jaws or the like when the tool is folded, and including troughs holding outer blades alongside the central channel so that the outer blades can be opened without unfolding the tool. The troughs face opposite the direction of the central channels, and the bases of the outer troughs act as comfortable places to grip the handles when they are extended for use of the pliers. Blade locking mechanisms are incorporated in the walls of the central channels to lock each of the outer blades in an extended position.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for holding a selected blade or tool kit of a multi-purpose folding tool in an extended position. A base portion of each blade is mounted on a pivot pin mounted in a tool handle. The base portion includes a cam and a notch, and a spring included in the handle biases a flange against the cam and urges the flange into the notch to hold the selected blade in an extended position. The notch has a sharp lip and the flange is attached to the spring by a bend formed in a way leaving effectively a zero radius of curvature inside the bend. As a result, the lip of the notch and the inside corner surface of the bend defining the flange do not interact as cam and follower to urge the flange out from the notch, and a shorter flange and shallower notch are effective to lock the blade in position. A channel which receives and holds blades in a folded configuration of the tool has inside corners between sidewalls and a base, each corner having effectively a zero radius of curvature.

Abstract: A multipurpose folding tool including a pair of pivoted scissors blades or pliers jaws, each having a handle in the form of a channel, attached through a pivot joint permitting the handles to fold around the scissors blades or pliers jaws. Each handle includes a pair of parallel legs, separated by a deep notch defined in the base of the channel forming the handle. Parts of the scissors blades or pliers jaws pass through the notch as the handles are folded, and the channel base faces outward when the handles are extended for use of the scissors or pliers. Other blades are stowed inside the handles and have back surfaces which are coplanar, giving the tool a generally smooth overall configuration when it is folded.

Abstract: A multi-purpose folding tool including a pair of folding scissors, in which a scissors blade is movable about a pivot shaft, between a stowed position and a deployed position. A rocker is moved by a spring in the tool handle and urges a movable scissors blade toward an open position. In one embodiment two handles are folded about respective scissors blades to house the blades, and four springs hold the handles together with the folded scissors stowed within the handles. A pair of tweezers of sheet metal includes a pair of parallel arms each perpendicular to a base portion of the tweezers. When the scissors and other tools are folded into their stowed positions in the handle of the multi-purpose tool of the invention the tool has a smooth outside configuration allowing the tool to be carried in a pocket without causing undue wear.