| US 7,497,015 B2 | ||
| Scissors-action tool with adjustable opening angle | ||
| Hollan Akio Tsuda, Portland, Oreg. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Leatherman Tool Group, Inc., Portland, Oreg. (US) | ||
| Filed on Apr. 12, 2007, as Appl. No. 11/786,844. | ||
| Application 11/786844 is a continuation of application No. 10/794245, filed on Mar. 05, 2004, granted, now 7,204,022. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2007/0193037 A1, Aug. 23, 2007 | ||
| This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer. | ||
| Int. Cl. B26B 13/00 (2006.01); B26B 13/16 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 30—194 [81/408; 7/128] | 15 Claims |
| 1. A scissors-action hand tool, comprising:
(a) first and second tool elements, each of said tool elements having a base and a working portion, and said tool elements
being interconnected by a pivot joint located between said base and said working portion of each said tool element, said pivot
joint providing for scissors-action movement of the tool elements with respect to each other;
(b) a pair of handles, a respective one of said handles being interconnected with said base of each of said tool elements;
(c) a spring associated with one of said handles, said spring being arranged to urge said tool elements apart from each other
in an opening direction by pressing on a limit stop; and
(d) said limit stop being mounted movably on said base of said first tool element and movable between a first location with
respect to said base, in which said limit stop is in position to be encountered by said second tool element and thereby limits
said scissors-action movement of said tool elements in said opening direction to a predetermined first angle, and a second
location with respect to said base, in which there is sufficient clearance between said limit stop and said second tool element
to permit said tool elements to be moved in said opening direction to a larger second angle providing greater clearance around
said working portions.
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