Firefighter pocket tool
View Patent ↗A firefighter pocket tool combines the functional features of several traditional tools (slip groove pliers of the curved jaw type, 6 in 1 screwdriver, spanner wrench, gas shut off tool and a striking tool) onto a shared single structure. The tool comprises a pair of slip groove plier members each having a jaw portion, a joint portion and a handle portion, a pivotal bolt, nut and spring member. Upon the upper rear portion of the pliers' upper jaw's head there is formed a protrusion that forms a striking surface and a hook and claw which can be used as a spanner for rocker lug type and similar fire hose couplings. A gas shut off loop can be used as a guard for fingers when the tool is being used as a striking implement.
1. A multi-purpose tool apparatus providing a plurality of distinct functions including components to control different valves that may be employed by a firefighter at a burning structure; the tool comprising:
a pair of tongue-in-groove pliers having a pair of handle members pivotally interconnected with a coupling, said handle members respectively terminating by a pair of adjustable jaw members, at least a first of said handle members having an integral extension protruding from said jaw member thereof, said integral extension forming an engaging surface and defining a recess for use as a valve operating tool for tightening and loosening fire hose couplings and for turning small valves; and
at least a second of said handle members comprising an integral loop-shaped extension of selected geometry for grasping a fluid control valve for opening and closing said valve, said integral loop-shaped extension protruding transversely from an intermediate portion of said second handle member and forming an outer engaging surface cooperating with said engaging surface of said integral extension to engage the fire hose coupling.
2. The tool apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said selected geometry is rectangular and said fluid control valve is a gas shut-off valve.
3. The tool apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said integral extension further comprises an arcuate striking surface configured for forceful impact with a breakable surface.
4. The tool apparatus recited in claim 1 , said pivoting handle members having tool bit receptacles at respective ends opposite said jaw members thereof; and at least one tool bit releasably received in a selected one of said receptacles.
5. The tool apparatus recited in claim 1 , wherein said integral loop-shaped extension is positioned relative to said integral extension and recess in angularly adjustable manner.
6. The tool apparatus recited in claim 1 , wherein said handle members are pivotally displaceable between fully open and closed positions, said handle members bearing against one another in said fully open position to form a substantially L-shaped configuration.
7. The tool apparatus recited in claim 1 , wherein said integral extension of said first handle member defines a hook-shaped extension about said recess for cooperative use with said integral loop-shaped extension of said second handle member as a spanner wrench for opening and closing fire hoses and as a valve operating tool.
8. The tool apparatus recited in claim 7 , wherein said hook-shaped extension further comprises an arcuate striking surface configured for forceful impact with a breakable surface.
9. A multi-purpose tool apparatus for firefighters, the tool providing a plurality of distinct functions including multiple valve control operations that may be employed by a firefighter at a burning structure; the tool comprising:
a pair of tongue-in-groove pliers having a pair of handle members pivotally interconnected with a coupling, said handle members respectively terminating by a pair of opposed adjustable jaw members, wherein at least one of said handle members comprises an integral loop-shaped extension of selected geometry for grasping a fluid control valve for opening and closing said valve, said integral loop-shaped extension protruding transversely from an intermediate portion of the one handle member and forming an outer engaging surface; and
wherein at least the other of said handle members includes an integral extension protruding from said jaw member thereof to form an engaging surface and define a recess for use as a valve operating tool, said engaging surface of said integral extension cooperating with said outer engaging surface of said integral loop-shaped extension to engage a fire hose coupling.
10. The tool apparatus recited in claim 9 wherein said selected geometry is rectangular or pentagon and said fluid control valve is a gas shut-off valve or fluid valve.
11. The tool apparatus recited in claim 9 , said pivoting handle members having screwdriver bit receptacles at respective ends opposite said jaw members thereof; and at least one screwdriver bit releasably received in a selected one of said receptacles.
12. The tool apparatus recited in claim 9 , wherein said integral extension of said first handle member defines a hook-shaped extension about said recess for cooperative use with said integral loop-shaped extension of said second handle member as a spanner wrench for opening and closing fire hoses and as a valve operating tool.
13. The tool apparatus recited in claim 12 , wherein said hook-shaped extension further comprises an arcuate striking surface configured for forceful impact with a breakable surface.
14. The tool apparatus recited in claim 9 , wherein said handle members are pivotally displaceable between fully open and closed positions, said handle members bearing against one another in said fully open position to form a substantially L-shaped configuration.
15. A multi-purpose firefighting tool apparatus comprising:
a pair of longitudinally extended plier members pivotally interconnected with a coupling, each of the plier members defining handle and jaw portions at opposed sides of the coupling;
at least a first of said plier members having an integral extension protruding from said jaw portion thereof, said integral extension forming a bulbous striking surface and an engaging surface, said integral extension defining a recess for receiving portions of fire hose and valve couplings; and,
at least a second of said plier members comprising an integral loop-shaped extension defining a polygonal opening for retentively engaging a fluid control valve, said integral loop-shaped extension protruding transversely from an intermediate portion of said second plier member handle portion and forming an outer engaging surface cooperating with said engaging surface of said integral extension to engage the fire hose coupling.
16. The tool apparatus recited in claim 15 , wherein said selected geometry is rectangular and said fluid control valve is a gas shut-off valve.
17. The tool apparatus recited in claim 15 , wherein said pivoting handle members include: tool bit receptacles at respective ends opposite said jaw members thereof; and at least one tool bit releasably received in a selected one of said receptacles.
18. The tool apparatus recited in claim 15 , wherein said integral loop-shaped extension is positioned relative to said integral extension and recess in angularly adjustable manner.
19. The tool apparatus recited in claim 15 , wherein said handle members are pivotally displaceable between fully open and closed positions, said handle members bearing against one another in said fully open position to form a substantially L-shaped configuration.
20. The tool apparatus recited in claim 15 , wherein said integral extension of said first handle member defines a hook-shaped extension about said recess for cooperative use with said integral loop-shaped extension of said second handle member as a spanner wrench for opening and closing fire hoses and as a valve operating tool.