MULTI-FUNCTIONAL CLAMP ACCESS TOOL

Abstract

A multifunctional clamp access tool adaptable for use in diverse rescue scenarios including a spring clamp having a pair of arms, each having jaw members with grip ends extending to handle ends. The pair of arms are pivotally coupled at a spring point such that the grip ends are forcibly separable into an open position when pressure is applied to the handle ends and release of the handle ends releases the spring joint so as to compress the grip ends in abutted alignment and an inner surface between one of the grip ends. An angled offset grip portion between at least one of the grip ends and the spring point form a clearance space are configured to span a side edge of a door such that the grip end and the offset grip portion contact surfaces are offset from a transverse plane between opposing adjacent front and rear door faces. At least one handle end is tapered in a wedge and includes recesses. Opposed handle ends and a proximate aperture provide a peg spanner wrench and a lip protruding at an acute angle from a grip end provide a lug spanner wrench for loosening, tightening or otherwise manipulating a fire hydrant or hose.

Claims

1. A multifunctional clamp access tool, comprising: a spring clamp having a pair of arms with an inner surface and an outer surface including a corresponding pair of jaw members having a corresponding pair of grip ends extended from a corresponding pair of handle ends, wherein the pair of arms are pivotally coupled at a spring point such that the grip ends are forcibly separable into an open position when pressure is applied to the handle ends and release of the handle ends releases the spring joint so as to compress the pair of grip ends in abutted alignment, and wherein at least a portion of the inner surface between at least one of the pair of grip ends and the spring point is configured to form a clearance space for receiving a side edge of a door; and a spanner lug wrench formed by a flange disposed outwardly from one of the pair of grip ends, wherein the flange forms an angle of less than 90 degrees from the longitudinal plane of the corresponding arm and wherein the flange is configured for coupling a lug.

2. The multifunctional clamp access tool of claim 1, wherein the handle ends are configured to form a spanner wrench, wherein at last one aperture is disposed in at least one of the handle ends, and wherein the at least one aperture is configured for coupling a protruding peg.

3. The multifunctional clamp access tool of claim 1, wherein the pair of grip ends include coextensive planar inner surfaces positioned in abutted alignment when the spring joint is released.

4. The multifunctional clamp access tool of claim 3 wherein the pair of jaw members are configured for receiving a door side edge within a clearance space between corresponding inner surfaces of the jaw members, wherein a portion of at least a portion of the inner surface of at least one of the pair of jaw members includes an angled portion between the corresponding grip end and the spring joint with an adjacent planar surface having an offset grip portion, wherein the offset grip portion is configured such that when an inner surface of the offset grip portion of the one of the pair of jaw members grips a contact surface of an adjacent rear face of the door and an inner surface of the grip end of another of the pair of jaws grips a contact surface of an adjacent front face of the door, wherein the contact surface of the adjacent rear face of the door and the contact surface of the adjacent front face of the door are offset from a transverse plane between the adjacent rear face of the door and front face of the door.

5. The multifunctional clamp access tool of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the inner surface of at least one of the pair of grip ends includes a ribbed portion.

6. The multifunctional clamp access tool of claim 1, wherein the inner surface and the outer surface of at least one of the pair of handle ends are tapered in a wedge end.

7. The multifunctional clamp access tool of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the wedge end includes a plurality of transverse recesses.

8. The multifunctional clamp access tool of claim 1, further comprising a protective layer affixed to at least a portion of the inner surface of at least one of the pair of arms.

9. The multifunctional clamp access tool of claim 4, wherein the at least a portion of at least one of the grip ends comprises a protective layer forming a grip cap affixed about at least one of the pair of jaw members adjacent to at least one grip end and a protective layer is affixed about at least a part of the offset grip portion.

10. The multifunctional clamp access tool of claim 9, wherein the protective layer is composed of a material including a member of the group consisting of a polymer, a thermoplastic polyurethane, a rubber, and a nylon.

11. A multifunctional clamp access tool, comprising: a spring clamp having a first arm with a first inner surface and a first outer surface extending from a first grip end of a first jaw member to a first handle end and a second arm with a second inner surface and a second outer surface extending from a second grip end of a second jaw member to a second handle end, wherein the first grip end and the second grip end include coextensive inner planar surfaces, and wherein the first arm and the second arm are pivotally coupled at a spring point such that the first grip end and the second grip end are forcibly separable into an open position when pressure is applied to the first handle end and the second handle end, and release of the first handle end and the second handle end releases the spring joint so as to compress the coextensive planar inner surfaces of the first grip end and the second grip end in abutted alignment when the spring joint is released, wherein at least a portion of the second inner surface between the grip end and the spring point of the second jaw member is configured to form a clearance space for receiving a side edge of a door when the first jaw member and second jaw member are in gripped engagement with an adjacent contact surface of a front face of the door and an opposed adjacent surface of a rear face of the door such that the contact surface of the grip end of the first jaw member grips an adjacent front face of the door and an inner offset grip portion contact surface of the second jaw member grips an adjacent rear face of the door, and wherein the contact surface between the grip end of the first jaw member and the offset grip portion contact surface of the second jaw member are offset from a transverse axis of the front face of the door and the rear face of the door.

12. The multifunctional clamp access tool of claim 11, wherein a portion of the outer surface and a portion of the inner surface proximate to the second handle end are inwardly tapered in a wedge end.

13. The multifunctional clamp access tool of claim 12, wherein the first handle end and the second handle end are configured to form a peg spanner wrench including at least one aperture disposed proximate to the first handle end or second handle end, wherein the at least one aperture is configured for coupling a protruding peg.

14. The multifunctional clamp access tool of claim 11, further comprising a protective grip cap affixed about a portion of the first grip end and a protective grip wrap affixed about at least a portion of the offset grip portion.

15. The multifunctional clamp access tool of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the wedge end has a plurality of alternating transverse ridges and recesses.

16. The multifunctional clamp access tool of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of an inner surface of the wedge end and a portion of an outer surface of the wedge end has a plurality of alternating ridges and recesses.

17. The multifunctional clamp access tool of claim 15, wherein the protective grip cap and the protective grip wrap are composed of a material including a member of the group consisting of a polymer, a thermoplastic polyurethane, a rubber and a nylon.

18. The multifunctional clamp access tool of claim 15, wherein an inner surface of the protective grip cap includes a ribbed portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a right side view of an embodiment of the multifunctional clamp access tool of the present invention in a closed position when not in use.

[0020] FIG. 2. is a left side view of the illustrated embodiment of the multifunctional clamp access tool

[0021] FIG. 3 is a top view of the of the illustrated embodiment of the multifunctional clamp access tool

[0022] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the of the illustrated embodiment of the multifunctional clamp access tool

[0023] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the illustrated embodiment of the multifunctional clamp access tool.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a front view of the illustrated embodiment of the multifunctional clamp access tool.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a rear view of the illustrated embodiment of the multifunctional clamp access tool.

[0026] FIG. 8 illustrates this multifunctional clamp access tool in use as a lug spanner wrench.

[0027] FIG. 9 illustrates this multifunctional clamp access tool in use as a peg spanner wrench.

[0028] FIG. 10 illustrates a use of the multifunctional clamp access tool in use to prop a door open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] Embodiments of the multifunctional clamp access rescue tool according to the present invention such as depicted in FIGS. 1-10 is a multi-functional clamp access rescue tool 10. As illustrated, this embodiment of the present invention features a spring clamp including a first arm 2 and a second arm 3 with a respective contiguous outer surface and inner surface. First arm 2 and second arm 3 have a first jaw member 4 with grip end 4A and a second jaw member 6 with a grip end 6A and a first handle end 16 and a second handle end 12. First arm 2 and second arm 3 are pivotally coupled at a spring point 20 such that first grip end 4A and second grip end 6A are forcibly separable into an open position when pressure is applied to first handle end 16 and second handle end 12 and the spring joint 20 compresses coextensive planar inner surfaces of first grip end 4A and second grip end 6A in abutted alignment.

[0030] Grip ends 4A and 6A include corresponding coextensive planar inner surfaces that pivotally open and dose to form a working clamp. Grip cap 22 affixed on grip end 4A may be composed of a skid resistant material enhances friction and grip of the working damp to thereby more firmly grasp an object secured between first grip end 4A and second grip end 6A. The skid resistant material of grip cap 22 and a grip wrap about offset grip portion 24 can be composed of a nylon that may include fractured glass, a polymer, rubberized or other suitable material. Now referring to FIG. 2, an inner portion of the surface of grip cap 22 and grip wrap of offset grip portion 24 include ribbed portion 23. In various alternative embodiments, surfaces of grip end 4A and offset grip portion 24 may be textured or provided with another type of protective layer to further improve gripping action,

[0031] Now referring to FIG. 8 schematically depicting a function of a spanner lug wrench 5 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided by an acute outwardly angled flange so as to form a notch space 7 capable of coupling with a lug 27 for loosening or otherwise manipulating a fire hydrant cap, coupling or other connector or appliance.

[0032] A yet another feature of clamp access tool 10 is peg spanner wrench 26 illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and in use to manipulate by loosening a fire hydrant cap having a peripheral peg 29 provided by gripped pairing of handle ends 12 and 16 about a fire hydrant cap or other coupling such that an aperture 28 disposed on a portion of first arm 2 between spring joint 20 and handle end 16 is coupled with peg 29 in FIG. 9. Traction for gripping a connector or cap for a fire hose or appliance is provided by transverse recesses 14. Traction may be further enhanced by including ridges between alternating recess 14.

[0033] Spanner peg wrench 26 and spanner lug wrench 5 are adaptable to loosen, shut off or otherwise manipulate various couplings, caps and valves for hydrants, hoses, water pipe caps, natural gas lines and other appliances conveniently thereby providing two of the most commonly used spanner wrench tools used to mitigate hazards encountered in rescue operations.

[0034] Another useful feature provided by clamp access tool 10 is a clearance space 8 configured within opposed inner surfaces of first jaw member 4 and second jaw member 6 between grip ends 4A and 6A and spring point 20. Now referring to FIG. 10, a particularly efficacious use of clamp access tool 10 illustrated in a schematic cross-section representation of coupling of first jaw member 4 and second jaw member 6 to a door 30 and door jamb 34 enables keeping a door 30 propped open when first jaw member 4 and second jaw member 6 are clamped about front and rear door faces adjacent to a portion of a hinged side edge 32 of a door 30. Such clamped engagement is enabled by placing an inner facing surface of grip end 4A of first jaw member 4 in abutted contact with an adjacent front surface of door 30 and inserting the other jaw member 6 between the door jamb 34 and opposing adjacent portion of a rear face of door 30 to thereby clamp an inner facing surface of offset grip portion 24 spaced back from a grip end of one of the jaw members in abutted contact with an adjacent portion of the rear door face. As shown, second jaw member 6 is angled to configure a clearance space 8 dimensioned to receive door side edge 32 when an inner surface of offset grip portion 24 and an inner surface of grip cap 22 simultaneously compress corresponding adjacent opposed surfaces of the front and rear door faces of door 30. Still referring to FIG. 10, second jaw member 6 is configured for insertion between door side edge 32 and door jamb 34 to thereby enable positioning offset grip portion behind and thereby grip a rear face of door 30 to maintain door 30 in a wide-open position. A further feature provided by the configuration of first jaw member 4 and second jaw member 6, including the substantially perpendicular angling of offset grip portion 24. As FIG. 10 illustrates, the respective abutting contact surfaces of grip end 4 and offset grip portion 24 with corresponding portions of front and rear faces of door 30 are offset from a transverse axis of the front and rear faces of door 30.

[0035] As detailed above, such offset compression of the opposed inner facing surfaces of the grip imparts several advantages over conventional clamp systems. In particular, the latter configuration enables the door side edge to be securely seated within inner surfaces of the jaw members as grip end 4A and offset grip portion 24 simultaneously compress opposing adjacent front and back surfaces of the door. Such gripped engagement provided by the stepped or offset inner facing contact surfaces of grip end 4A and offset grip portion 24 maintains the grip of clamp access tool 10 upon the opposing front and back surfaces of door 30 for a prolonged period. A yet further advantage provided by such offset positioning of the contact surfaces is the efficacy of propping a door in an unlatched, open position by clamping the grip end 4A and offset grip portion 24 on adjacent opposed respective front and rear faces adjacent to hinged side edge 32 of door 30.

[0036] As described above, a further functionality of aperture 28 is provided by tethering a lead line through aperture 28 enabling return to a door whereon clamp access tool 10 is secured. An anchor end of the lead line may be directly threaded through aperture 28 and secured by a loop or other knot, or affixed to a clasp, carabiner, or other fastener coupled to aperture 28 and a releasable moveable opposing lead end may be attached by various conventional methods and fasteners to gear or a tool carried on or worn by the firefighter or other rescue worker. Releasing the lead line while scanning a space encroached by fire or other danger provides the rescue worker with a palpable lead line for navigating a path back to the access door. This tethered lead line functionality may enable safe retracement back to an escape or access route in low visibility environments commonly encountered during rescue operations, such as caused by smoke, power interruptions or floating debris and/or nightfall.

[0037] The illustrated embodiment further includes a wedge end formed by tapering of the handle end 12 of second arm 3. Among numerous functionalities of clamp access tool 10 in addition to propping a door open, wedge end 12 can be used to pry a gap facilitating entry through a tight-fitting locked door is provided by shoving wedge end 12 between a door side edge and door jamb to expand the space in order to enlarge a space for insertion of a blade to disengage a lock.

[0038] Clamp access tool 10 may be composed of any durable, rigid and preferably a heat resistant, high grade, lightweight metal, alloy or other suitable material such as, for example, stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, carbon fiber. First handle 2 and second handle 3 may be configured in various shapes and sizes so long as the overall dimensions are suitable for inserting in a pocket or other compact compartment.

[0039] Now referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, a further feature of the illustrated embodiment include a series of cross-linked perpendicular walls forming rectangular cavities 19 lining a portion of the inner surfaces of first arm member 2 and second arm member 3. Such cross-linked construction of modules 19 bolsters the strength and stability of first arm member 2 and second arm member 3 while reducing weight and cost.

[0040] The scope of the present invention is not delimited by the literal language of this specification and the appended claims. For example, embodiments of the present invention may also include on or more aperture wrenches disposed in an arm. Such an aperture wrench can be configured in various shapes and sizes adapted to particular functionalities that could include configurations that are rounded, ovoid, teardrop, parabolic, rectangular, square, triangular, pentagonal or hexagonal or some other configuration. For example, the periphery could be rounded or teardrop shaped to loosen fasteners such as nails, screws, washers, rectangular for coupling with a typical oxygen tank valve, or hexagon shape for coupling with a natural gas tank valve. In other embodiments, the jaw members could be configured as cutters, such as wire or sheet metal cutters or a glass breaking tool. In alternative embodiments, the clamp may be ratcheted. It is further contemplated that the multi-functional rescue tool could include protuberances that could be used for allen wrenches, elevator access keys, hooks and other known rescue tools. Hence, modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations are embraced by the spirit and scope of the invention. Hence, such and other variations are included in the scope of the invention, describe, illustrated and claimed herein.