MULTI-TOOL SLEEVE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING MULTI-TOOL STORAGE SLEEVE AND BAR END CAP
A multi-tool sleeve assembly includes a storage sleeve and a bar end cap to be inserted into an open end of the storage sleeve.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/953,892 filed on Dec. 26, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference. In this instance, the day that is 12 months after the filing date of the provisional application falls on a Saturday (i.e., Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020). As such, the period of pendency of the provisional application is extended to the next succeeding business day (i.e., Monday, Dec. 28, 2020). See 35 U.S.C. 119(e)(3).
BACKGROUNDThe present disclosure relates generally to a multi-tool sleeve assembly including a multi-tool storage sleeve and a bar end cap and, more specifically, relates to a multi-tool sleeve assembly including a multi-tool storage sleeve and a bar end cap for use with a bicycle.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific examples in which the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Multi-Tool Storage Sleeve (300)In one example, multi-tool storage sleeve 300 (referred to hereinafter as sleeve 300) is a cylindrical or tubular member and has an open end 312 and a closed end 314 opposite open end 312. In the illustrated example, closed end 314 includes a vent hole 315.
In one implementation, sleeve 300 has an opening 318 formed in a side thereof and includes a flap 320 that may be opened and closed to reveal (substantially) and conceal (substantially) opening 318. In examples, an interior of sleeve 300, as accessed through opening 318, forms a pocket or chamber 322 for storage.
In one example, flap 320 is formed by and/or forms a portion of sleeve 300. In one implementation, flap 320 is hinged with sleeve 300 along an axis oriented parallel (substantially) with a longitudinal axis 309 of sleeve 300 such that flap 320 may be opened by rotation in a direction away from opening 318 (for example, clockwise in the illustrated example of
In the illustrated example, sleeve 300 includes outwardly protruding annular rings or barbs 330 at (adjacent or near) open end 312. In examples, barbs 330 provide friction-fit of sleeve 300 within a hollow bar, as disclosed herein. Although sleeve 300 is illustrated as including two barbs 330, sleeve 300 may include any number of barbs 330 (including no barbs).
In one example, sleeve 300 is formed of a polymer material. In one implementation, the polymer material is a flexible polymer material, such as, for example, an EPDM rubber material. As such, in examples, sleeve 300 (including flap 320) is flexible.
In the illustrated example, an outer surface of sleeve 300 includes ribs 340 spaced around a circumference of sleeve 300. In one implementation, ribs extend (generally) longitudinally along a length of sleeve 300. As such, in examples, ribs 340 provide reinforcement to sleeve 300.
In one example, bar end plug or bar end cap 400 (referred to hereinafter as end cap 400) includes a cylindrical body 410 and has a capped end 420 and an open end 440 opposite capped end 420. In the illustrated example, capped end 420 includes a peripheral surface 422, an outer or end face 424, and an inner face 426. In one example, capped end 420 includes a tapered surface 428 extended at a non-orthogonal angle between end face 424 and peripheral surface 422. In one implementation, tapered surface 428 extends less than a full circumference of capped end 420.
In one example, capped end 420 includes a notch or pocket 430 formed in and communicated with inner face 426 and peripheral surface 422. In one implementation, notch or pocket 430 is formed in a region of capped end 420 which excludes (i.e., does not include) tapered surface 428. As such, in one example, as illustrated in
In one implementation, body 410 includes an annular ring or barb 412 at (adjacent or near) open end 440. In examples, barb 412 provides friction-fit of end cap 400 within a sleeve, as disclosed herein. In one implementation, body includes a shoulder 414 to limit insertion of end cap 400 into a sleeve, as disclosed herein.
In one example, a groove 444 is provided in an inner surface 442 of open end 440. In one implementation, groove 440 is provided in a region of barb 412. In one implementation, as illustrated in the example of
In one implementation, as illustrated in the example of
Although hollow bar 590 is illustrated as being a straight bar, in other examples, hollow bar 590 may be of other shapes, including, for example, a curved bar. For example,
In one example, as illustrated in the example of
As an example of multi-tool system 600, multi-tool system 601 includes bit driver multi-tool 100 and multi-tool storage sleeve assembly 500 for storing bit driver multi-tool 100. In an unassembled (or unstored or unstowed) state, as illustrated in the example of
In an assembled (or stored or stowed) state, as illustrated in the example of
As another example of multi-tool system 600, multi-tool system 602 includes chain break and tire plug multi-tool 200 and multi-tool storage sleeve assembly 500 for storing chain break and tire plug multi-tool 200. In an unassembled (or unstored or unstowed) state, as illustrated in the example of
In an assembled (or stored or stowed) state, as illustrated in the example of
In one implementation, as illustrated in
In addition, as illustrated in the example of
Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific examples shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific examples disclosed herein.
Claims
1. A multi-tool sleeve assembly, comprising:
- a storage sleeve, and
- a bar end cap to be inserted into an open end of the storage sleeve.
2. The multi-tool sleeve assembly of claim 1, the storage sleeve to store a multi-tool.
3. The multi-tool sleeve assembly of claim 1, the multi-tool sleeve assembly to be inserted into an open end of a hollow bar.
4. The multi-tool sleeve assembly of claim 3, the storage sleeve to be positioned within the hollow bar.
5. The multi-tool sleeve assembly of claim 3, the bar end cap to seal the open end of the hollow bar.
6. The multi-tool sleeve assembly of claim 3, the hollow bar comprising a handlebar for a bicycle.
7. The multi-tool sleeve assembly of claim 3, the storage sleeve including a barb at the open end, the barb to provide friction-fit of the storage sleeve within the hollow bar.
8. The multi-tool sleeve assembly of claim 1, the storage sleeve having an opening formed in a side thereof and including a flap to be opened and closed to substantially reveal and substantially conceal the opening.
9. The multi-tool sleeve assembly of claim 8, the flap of the storage sleeve hinged with the storage sleeve along an axis oriented substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the storage sleeve.
10. The multi-tool sleeve assembly of claim 8, the storage sleeve to have a multi-tool removed therefrom or positioned therewithin through the opening.
11. The multi-tool sleeve assembly of claim 1, an outer surface of the storage sleeve including ribs spaced around a circumference thereof.
12. The multi-tool sleeve assembly of claim 11, the ribs extending longitudinally along a length of the storage sleeve.
13. The multi-tool sleeve assembly of claim 11, the storage sleeve formed of a polymer material.
14. The multi-tool sleeve assembly of claim 1, the bar end cap having a capped end and an open end opposite the capped end.
15. The multi-tool sleeve assembly of claim 14, the capped end including a tapered surface extended at a non-orthogonal angle between an end face of the bar end cap and a peripheral surface of the bar end cap.
16. The multi-tool sleeve assembly of claim 15, the tapered surface extending less than a full circumference of the capped end.
17. The multi-tool sleeve assembly of claim 14, the capped end including a notch communicated with an inner face of the bar end cap and a peripheral surface of the bar end cap.
18. The multi-tool sleeve assembly of claim 14, the bar end cap including a barb adjacent the open end, the barb to provide friction-fit of the bar end cap within the storage sleeve.
19. The multi-tool sleeve assembly of claim 14, the open end of the bar end cap having a groove provided in an inner surface thereof, and further comprising an O-ring provided within groove.
20. The multi-tool sleeve assembly of claim 19, the open end of the bar end cap to store one of a chain link for a roller chain or a valve core for a valve stem, the O-ring to retain the one of the chain link or the valve core within the open end of the bar end cap.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 28, 2020
Publication Date: Jul 1, 2021
Inventors: Anthony C. Bacon (Minneapolis, MN), Michael W. Pfeiffer (Eden Prairie, MN), Jack W. Hinkens (Eden Prairie, MN), Jonathan E. Rosemeier (Prior Lake, MN)
Application Number: 17/135,956