BACKGROUND

Numerous, variously-configured foldable tools, including folding knives, exist. A folding knife, such as a pocketknife, has one or more blades that fold into a single handle. The foldability of such knives is desirable because they can be rendered more compact for easy storage and carrying, and the sharp blade edges are safely contained within the handle when the knife is not in use.

Some existing folding tools configured with blades other than sharpened cutting blades have been configured as multi-tools having scraping edges, picks, can openers, fastener-bit drivers, and keyed apertures (e.g., hexagonal openings) for turning bolts and nuts. A more specific subset of such tools is variously configured as painter’s tools. Two examples are disclosed in (i) United States Patent No. 5,956,788 granted September 28, 1999 in the name of Henke, and assigned to Warner Manufacturing Company, and (ii) United States Patent No. 9,908,231 (hereinafter, the “’231 Patent”) granted March 6, 2018 in the names of Levand et al., and assigned to The Sherwin-Williams Company.

A shared objective of the painter’s tools cited above, and others like them, is to reduce the need to store, carry, and locate multiple tools to perform various tasks by consolidating multiple functions in a single tool. As noted specifically in the background section of the ‘314 Publication, “[t]o save time and space, a single tool can be provided for painters and drywallers that enables painter/drywaller to perform the variety of tasks. For example, a single tool can be provided for cleaning a paint roller, scraping paint, cleaning cracks, working putty, and opening paint cans.”

Although the painter’s tools cited above, and many like them, are multifunctional, they are themselves limited in that they are single-bladed. Accordingly, a need exists for a bladed folding tool with at least two independently deployable and selectively lockable blades that increases the functionality relative to previous similar tools.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) SUMMARY

In a first embodiment generally illustrative of the invention, a bladed folding tool with locking blades includes an elongated handle having first and second side walls defining handle first and second edges, all of which side walls and edges extend longitudinally along a handle axis between handle rearward and forward ends. A blade-storage channel defined between the handle first and second side walls extends through longitudinally-extending first-edge and second-edge openings defined within, respectively, the handle first and second edges.

The folding tool further includes elongated first and second blades. The first blade has first-blade inner and outer sides extending longitudinally along a first blade axis between first-blade proximate and distal ends. The first-blade inner and outer sides are bounded, at least in part, by first-blade first and second edges that also extend longitudinally along the first blade axis. The first blade is retained within the handle for pivoting about a first-blade pivot axis that is situated more proximate to the first-blade proximate end than to the first-blade distal end and more proximate the handle forward end than to the handle rearward end.

The first blade is pivotable between a “folded” or blade-storage position in which it is housed within the blade-storage channel and a deployed position in which the first blade extends out of the handle for use. In pivoting between the bladestorage and deployed positions, a majority of the lengths and surface areas of the first-blade inner and outer sides pass through the first-edge blade opening. Moreover, in each of various versions, the first blade, in pivoting between the bladestorage and deployed positions, is angularly displaced by -- or “subtends an angle of” - substantially 180 degrees.

Analogously to the first blade, the second blade has second-blade inner and outer sides extending longitudinally along a second blade axis between second- blade proximate and distal ends. The second-blade inner and outer sides are bounded, at least in part, by second-blade first and second edges that also extend longitudinally along the second blade axis. The second blade is retained within the handle for pivoting about a second-blade pivot axis that is situated more proximate to the second-blade proximate end than to the second-blade distal end and more proximate the handle forward end than to the handle rearward end.

The second blade is pivotable between a folded or blade-storage position in which it is housed within the blade-storage channel and a deployed position in which the second blade extends out of the handle for use. In pivoting between the bladestorage and deployed positions, a majority of the lengths and surface areas of the second-blade inner and outer sides pass through the second-edge blade opening. Moreover, in each of various versions, the second blade, in pivoting between the blade-storage and deployed positions, is angularly displaced by -- or “subtends an angle of” - substantially 180 degrees.

Although, in pivoting between their respective blade-storage and deployed positions, the first and second blades pass through opposite first-edge and second- edge blade openings, in each of various configurations, the first-blade and second- blade pivot axes are one and the same. Relative to such versions, and when doing so would not lead to confusion, the first-blade and second-blade pivot axes may be referred to singularly as “blade pivot axis,” “shared blade pivot axis,” or “common blade pivot axis,” indicating that the first and second blades have a pivot axis in common.

According to each of various configurations, each of the first and second blades is selectively lockable in, and unlockable from, its deployed position. An illustrative version includes a central lock plate disposed between the first and second side walls of the handle, and at least partially between the first-blade inner side and the second-blade inner side of, respectively, the first and second blades. At least when the first blade is in the blade-storage position, the first blade is situated (sandwiched) between the lock plate and the first side wall of the handle. Similarly, at least when the second blade is in the blade-storage position, the second blade is situated (sandwiched) between the lock plate and the second side wall of the handle. Stated differently, the first and second blades are arranged within the handle such that (i) the first blade is more proximate the first side wall than is the second blade, (ii) the second blade is more proximate the second side wall than is the first blade, and (iii) the central lock plate is situated between the first and second blades.

The first-blade proximate end terminates at a first-blade proximate edge and the second-blade proximate end terminates at a second-blade proximate edge. Depending from the lock plate are first and second deflectable lock tabs. The first lock tab has a first-tab free end normally mechanically biased by a first-tab biasing force directed outwardly toward the first side wall such that, when the first blade is in the blade-storage position, the first-tab free end bears against the first-blade inner side. Analogously, the second lock tab has a second-tab free end normally mechanically biased by a second-tab biasing force directed outwardly toward the second side wall such that, when the second blade is in the blade-storage position, the second-tab free end bears against the second-blade inner side.

Illustratively configured, the first and second lock tabs - as well as the lock plate from which they depend - are fabricated from metal, such as steel. In such a case, each of the first and second lock tabs is a resilient member having a default attitude and configuration within the assembled handle. When each of the first and second lock tabs is flexed and deformed from its default configuration by an external tab-deformation force, the lock tab exerts a spring force in opposition to the external tab-deformation force that deform ed/flexed it. When the tab-deformation force is removed, the flexible tab returns toward its default - or, “at rest” and unflexed or less flexed - configuration. In various embodiments of the folding tool, each of the flexible first and second lock tabs is deformed inwardly from its default attitude and configuration as the first and second side walls of the handle are urged toward one another during assembly of the folding tool. Accordingly, within the assembled folding tool, each of the first and second lock tabs exerts permanent mechanical bias outwardly toward the respective side wall of the handle to which that lock tab is most proximate and may, in fact, always be at least partially flexed within the assembled tool.

As the first blade is pivoted between its blade-storage and deployed positions, the first-tab free end rides along the first-blade inner side in an arcuate path centered upon the first-blade pivot axis. When the first blade is fully pivoted into the deployed position, the mechanically biased first-tab free end is displaced outwardly toward the first side wall of the handle and behind the first-blade proximate end where it mechanically engages (e.g., mechanically interferes) with the first-blade proximate edge, thereby locking the first blade in the deployed position by preventing its pivoting back toward the blade-storage position.

In a manner analogous to that of deploying and locking the first blade, as the second blade is pivoted between its blade-storage and deployed positions, the second-tab free end rides along the second-blade inner side in an arcuate path centered upon the second-blade pivot axis. When the second blade is fully pivoted into the deployed position, the mechanically biased second-tab free end is displaced outwardly toward the second side wall of the handle and behind the second-blade proximate end where it mechanically engages with the second-blade proximate edge, thereby establishing a mechanical interference and locking the second blade in the deployed position by preventing its pivoting back toward the blade-storage position.

The first blade can be unlocked from the deployed position by a user’s urging the mechanically biased first-tab free end inwardly toward the second side wall of the handle. That is, the user applies a first unlocking force oppositely directed to, and greater in magnitude than, the first-tab biasing force so that the first-tab free end mechanically disengages from the first-blade proximate edge, thereby allowing the first blade to be pivoted toward the blade-storage position. Once the first blade is pivoted only slightly toward the blade storage position, the user can cease application of the first unlocking force and allow the first-tab free end to contact the first-blade inner side. From that point, as the first blade is pivoted back toward its blade-storage position, the first-tab free end rides along the first-blade inner side along the arcuate path centered upon the first-blade pivot axis, as previously described in connection with deployment of the first blade, but in the opposite direction. When fully in the blade-storage position, the first-tab free end simply bears against the first-blade inner side.

Again, in a manner analogous to operation of the first blade, the second blade can be unlocked from its deployed position by a user’s urging the mechanically biased second-tab free end inwardly toward the first side wall of the handle. That is, the user applies a second unlocking force oppositely directed to, and greater in magnitude than, the second-tab biasing force so that the second-tab free end mechanically disengages from the second-blade proximate edge, thereby allowing the second blade to be pivoted toward the blade-storage position. Once the second blade is pivoted only slightly toward the blade storage position, and out of the fully deployed position, the user can cease application of the second unlocking force and allow the second-tab to contact the second-blade inner side. From that point, as the second blade is pivoted back toward its blade-storage position, the second-tab free end rides along the second-blade inner side along the arcuate path centered upon the second-blade pivot axis, as previously described in connection with deployment of the second blade, but in the opposite direction. When fully in the blade-storage position, the second-tab free end simply bears against the second-blade inner side.

In various embodiments, as shown in the drawings, at least one of the first and second side walls of the handle includes a notch or notch out. The notch(es) facilitate(s) access by a user’s thumb or other finger to access and actuate either (i) the blade most proximate that side wall or (ii) the lock tab most immediately adjacent that notch, depending on whether the blade is in the folded position and a user seeks to deploy it or the lock tab accessible through that notch is retaining its corresponding blade in a locked/deployed position and needs to be inwardly deflected to unlock that blade. While such access notches are illustratively depicted, they are generally known in the art as it exists, and are, therefore, not expressly labeled and called out by reference numbers in the detailed description.

Each of the first and second blades can be variously configured, and may or may not include cutting edges. Any of the first-blade and second-blade first and second edges may be straight, curved, or otherwise contoured to define disparate implements. Moreover, either of the blades can be rigid or somewhat flexible. In at least one embodiment, including that around which the detailed description revolves, the first and second blades are configured for accomplishing certain tasks associated with surface preparation and painting, including paint-roller cleaning, picking material out of gaps or cracks during surface preparation, and spreading and smoothing spreadable material such as spackle, caulk, or adhesive. In this case, each of the first and second blades includes a distal edge that extends between its first and second edges and is longitudinally opposite its proximate edge. In some configurations, the distal edge of a first or second blade is oriented orthogonally to the first and second edges of the blade, or at least to the blade axis.

Representative embodiments are more completely described and depicted in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a dual-bladed folding tool with both blades folded within the handle;

FIG. 2 is an edgewise view of the dual-bladed folding tool of FIG. 1 with the blades folded within the handle;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the dual-bladed folding tool of FIGS. 1 and 2 with a first blade in between the blade-storage and deployed angular positions and a second blade fully extended from the handle in a deployed angular position;

FIG. 4 is a partially disassembled side view of the dual-bladed folding tool of FIGS. 1-3 showing how the first blade and an included lock plate cooperate to lock the first blade in the deployed position;

FIG. 5 is a partially disassembled view into the side opposite that shown in FIG. 4 of the dual-bladed folding tool of FIGS. 1-3 depicting how the second blade and the lock plate shown in FIG. 4 cooperate to lock the second blade in the deployed position;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the fully assembled dual-bladed folding tool of FIGS. 1-3 with the first blade fully extended from the handle in its deployed position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the fully assembled dual-bladed folding tool as viewed into the side opposite the side depicted in FIG. 6, and with the second blade fully extended from the handle in its deployed position; and

FIG. 8 depicts a user applying an unlocking force to a lock tab of the lock plate in order to unlock a deployed blade and allow it to be pivoted toward the folded, blade-storage position within the handle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of a variously configured dual-bladed folding tool is demonstrative in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or its application of uses. Accordingly, the various implementations, aspects, versions and embodiments described in the summary and detailed description are in the nature of non-limiting examples falling within the scope of the appended claims and do not serve to unduly restrict the maximum scope of the claims.

Shown in the included drawings are various views and illustrative versions of a dual-bladed folding tool generally referenced by the reference number 10. A basic first embodiment is described with general reference to FIGS. 1-8. Moreover, for the sake of efficiency and descriptive clarity, illustrative, non-limiting additions, optional features, and alternative configurations of various elements are described with conjunctive reference to the basic illustrative configuration of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 -8. Additionally, throughout the specification and drawings, like elements across alternative embodiments, or various views of the same embodiment, are referenced by similar or identical numeric and/or alphanumeric reference characters.

Referring initially to the side perspective and edgewise views of FIGS. 1 and 2, a dual-bladed folding tool 10 includes an elongated handle 20 having first and second side walls 30 and 40. The side walls 30 and 40 define handle first and second edges 22 and 24 which, like the handle side walls 30 and 40, extend longitudinally along a handle axis AH between handle rearward and forward ends 26 and 28. Additionally, the first side wall 30 has opposed first-wall interior and exterior surfaces 32 and 34, while the second side wall 40 has opposed second-wall interior and exterior surfaces 42 and 44. The first and second side walls 30 and 40 are mutually aligned, oriented, and spaced apart so as to define a blade-storage channel 60 between the first-wall and second-wall interior surfaces 32 and 42. The bladestorage channel 60 extends through longitudinally-extending first-edge and second- edge openings 22o and 24o defined within, respectively, the handle first and second edges 22 and 24.

As shown in various figures, including the assembled view of FIG. 3 and the partially disassembled views of FIG. 4 and 5, the folding tool 10 further includes elongated first and second blades 100 and 200. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first blade 100 has mutually opposed first-blade inner and outer sides 102 and 104 extending longitudinally along a first blade axis ABI between first-blade proximate and distal ends 110 and 120. The first-blade inner and outer sides 102 and 104 are bounded in part by longitudinal (i.e., extending along the first blade axis ABI ) first- blade first and second edges 130 and 140, between which extend longitudinally opposed first-blade proximate and distal edges 150 and 160 that partly define, respectively, the first-blade proximate and distal ends 110 and 120. The first blade 100 is retained within the handle 20 for pivoting about a first-blade pivot axis ABPI that is situated more proximate to the first-blade proximate end 110 than to the first- blade distal end 120 and more proximate the handle forward end 28 than to the handle rearward end 26.

The first blade 100 is pivotable between a blade-storage position in which it is housed within the blade-storage channel 60 and a deployed position in which it extends out of the handle 20 for use. Relative to the first blade 100, the bladestorage and deployed positions are depicted in, respectively, FIGS. 1 and 6, for example. In pivoting the first blade 100 between the blade-storage and deployed positions, a majority of the lengths and surface areas of the first-blade inner and outer sides 102 and 104 pass through the first-edge blade opening 22o, and, at least in the illustrative version depicted in the various drawings, the first blade 100 is angularly displaced by substantially 180 degrees.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5, the second blade 200 has mutually opposed second-blade inner and outer sides 202 and 204 extending longitudinally along a second blade axis AB2 between second-blade proximate and distal ends 210 and 220. The second-blade inner and outer sides 202 and 204 are bounded in part by longitudinal (i.e., extending along the first blade axis AB2) second-blade first and second edges 230 and 240, between which extend longitudinally opposed second- blade proximate and distal edges 250 and 260 that partly define, respectively, the second-blade proximate and distal ends 210 and 220. The second blade 200 is retained within the handle 20 for pivoting about a second-blade pivot axis ABP2 that is situated more proximate to the second-blade proximate end 210 than to the second- blade distal end 220 and more proximate the handle forward end 28 than to the handle rearward end 26. Because, in the embodiment depicted in the various drawings, the first-blade and second-blade pivot axes ABPI and ABP2 are one and the same, they jointly define a “shared pivot axis” or “common pivot axis” that may be referred to jointly as the “blade pivot axis APB” as indicated, for instance, in FIGS. 1 and 3

The second blade 200 is pivotable between a blade-storage position in which it is housed within the blade-storage channel 60 and a deployed position in which it extends out of the handle 20 for use. Relative to the second blade 200, the bladestorage and deployed positions are depicted in, respectively, FIGS. 1 and 7, for example. In pivoting the second blade 200 between the blade-storage and deployed positions, a majority of the lengths and surface areas of the second-blade inner and outer sides 202 and 204 pass through the second-edge blade opening 24o, and, at least in the illustrative version depicted in the various drawings, the first blade 200 is angularly displaced substantially 180 degrees.

Each of the first and second blades 100 and 200 is selectively lockable in, and unlockable from, its deployed position. In order to facilitate selective blade locking, a central lock plate 300 is disposed within the blade-storage channel 60 between the first and second side walls 30 and 40 of the handle 20, and at least partially between the first-blade inner side 102 and the second-blade inner side 202 of, respectively, the first and second blades 100 and 200. At least when the first blade 100 is in the blade-storage position, a majority of the same is sandwiched between the central lock plate 300 and the first-wall interior surface 32 of the handle 20. Similarly, at least when the second blade 200 is in the blade-storage position, a majority of the second blade 200 is sandwiched between the central lock plate 300 and the second- wall interior surface 42 of the handle 20.

Referring to the assembled edgewise view of FIG. 2, in which the first and second blades 100 and 200 are in the folded position, the partially disassembled view of FIG. 4, in which the first blade 100 is in the deployed position, and the partially disassembled view of FIG. 5, in which the second blade 200 is in the deployed position, the first-blade proximate end 110 terminates at a first-blade proximate edge 150 and the second-blade proximate end 210 terminates at a second-blade proximate edge 250. Depending from the lock plate 300 are first and second deflectable lock tabs 310 and 320. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, the first lock tab 310 has a first-tab free end 312 (concealed in FIG. 6, but indicted by a dashed lead line) normally mechanically biased by a first-tab biasing force FBTI (indicated by a dashed arrow) directed outwardly toward the first side wall 30 such that, when the first blade 100 is in the blade-storage position, the first-tab free end 312 bears against the first-blade inner side 102. Similarly, the second lock tab 320 has a second-tab free end 322 normally mechanically biased by a second-tab biasing force FBT2 (see FIG. 8) directed outwardly toward the second side wall 40 such that, when the second blade 200 is in the blade-storage position, the second- tab free end 322 bears against the second-blade inner side 202.

As the first blade 100 is angularly displaced between its blade-storage and deployed positions, the first-tab free end 312 rides along the first-blade inner side 102 in an arcuate path (not shown, but readily envisioned) centered about the first- blade pivot axis ABPI. When the first blade 100 is fully extended in the deployed position, the mechanically biased first-tab free end 312 is displaced outwardly toward the first side wall 30 of the handle 20 and behind the first-blade proximate end 110 where it mechanically engages with the first-blade proximate edge 150, thereby locking the first blade 100 in the deployed position by preventing its pivoting back toward the blade-storage position.

In a manner analogous to that of deploying and locking the first blade 100, as the second blade 200 is angularly displaced between its blade-storage and deployed positions, the second-tab free end 322 rides along the second-blade inner side 202 in an arcuate path centered about the second-blade pivot axis ABP2. When the second blade 200 is fully extended in the deployed position, the mechanically biased second-tab free end 322 is displaced outwardly toward the second side wall 40 of the handle 20 and behind the second-blade proximate end 210 where it mechanically engages with the second-blade proximate edge 250, thereby locking the second blade 200 in its deployed position by preventing its pivoting back toward the blade-storage position.

The first blade 100 can be unlocked from the deployed position by a user’s urging the mechanically biased first-tab free end 312 inwardly toward the second side wall 40 of the handle 20. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the user applies a first unlocking force FULI in opposition to, and greater in magnitude than, the first-tab biasing force FBTI SO that the first-tab free end 312 mechanically disengages from the first-blade proximate edge 150, thereby allowing the first blade 100 to be pivoted toward the blade-storage position. Once the first blade 100 is pivoted only relatively few degrees toward the blade storage position, the user can cease application of the first unlocking force FULI and allow the first tab 310 to contact the first-blade inner side 102. From that point, as the first blade 100 is pivoted back toward its bladestorage position, the first-tab free end 312 rides along the first-blade inner side 102 on the arcuate path centered upon the first-blade pivot axis ABPI , as previously described in connection with deployment of the first blade 100. When the first blade 100 is fully returned to the blade-storage position, the first-tab free end 312 simply bears against the first-blade inner side 102.

The second blade 200 can be similarly unlocked from its deployed position by a user’s urging the mechanically biased second-tab free end 322 inwardly toward the first side wall 30 of the handle 20. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the user applies a second unlocking force FUL2 in opposition to, and greater in magnitude than, the second-tab biasing force FBT2 SO that the second-tab free end 322 mechanically disengages from the second-blade proximate edge 250, thereby allowing the second blade 200 to be pivoted toward the blade-storage position. Once the second blade 200 is pivoted only slightly toward the blade storage position, and out of the fully deployed position, the user can cease application of the second unlocking force FUL2 and allow the second-tab 320 to contact the second-blade inner side 202. From that point, as the second blade 200 is pivoted back toward its blade-storage position, the second-tab free end 322 rides along the second-blade inner side 202 on the arcuate path centered about the second-blade pivot axis ABP2, as previously described in connection with deployment of the second blade 200. When fully in the bladestorage position, the second-tab free end 322 simply rests against the second-blade inner side 202.

The foregoing is considered to be illustrative of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since modifications and changes to various aspects and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, it is to be understood that the foregoing does not limit the invention as expressed in the appended claims to the exact constructions, implementations and versions shown and described.