IP Library Granted Patent US 9,302,383
Granted Patent B2
US 9,302,383 · App. 14/090,980 · Granted Apr 5, 2016

Utility tool device and related methods and systems

Inventor: Nathan G. Barr (Somerville, MA)
B25F1/00F16M13/00Y10T29/49826
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,302,383
App. No.
14/090,980
Granted
Apr 5, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed are compact and portable devices comprising a combination of tools and that are shaped to facilitate being conveniently carried by a user in an unobtrusive manner.

Claims (26)

1. A device, comprising:

a substantially flat body comprising two or more tools;

wherein the two or more tools are formed in or on the body by one or more of cutouts, apertures, contours and inscriptions;

wherein the body further comprises an undulating curvilinear elongate aperture passing therethrough, the undulating curvilinear elongated aperture being approximately 53.98 mm long and configured to accept and frictionally engage with an approximately credit card-sized supporting member; and

wherein the flat body is formed of a heat treated metal.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the body is irregularly shaped.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the undulating curvilinear elongate aperture has a height being approximately 0.76 mm.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein a difference between the height of the undulating curvilinear elongate aperture and a thickness of the supporting member is less than a height at which a mobile device supported by the supporting member will not overcome a force quantified by a coefficient of static friction between the device and the supporting member.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the undulating curvilinear elongated aperture is configured to accept a supporting member comprising a credit card.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the two or more tools are selected from the group consisting of a screwdriver, a micro screwdriver, a bottle cap opener, a wrench, a cutting apparatus, a lockout tool, a cord wrap tool, and a ruler.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the cutting apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a blade, a peeler, and a letter opener.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the two or more tools comprise a slotted screwdriver, a micro screwdriver, a Philips screwdriver, a bottle cap opener, a wrench, a cutting apparatus, a lockout tool, a cord wrap tool, a peeler, a letter opener or a ruler.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the Philips screwdriver comprises an angled planar protrusion.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is magnetic.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein dimensions of the device body is less than about 85.60 mm long and 53.98 mm wide.

12. A method of supporting a mobile device, the method comprising the steps of:

(i) providing a device, wherein the device comprises a substantially flat body comprising two or more tools, wherein the two or more tools are formed in or on the body by one or more of cutouts, apertures, contours and inscriptions, and wherein the body further comprises an undulating curvilinear elongate aperture passing therethrough and configured to accept and frictionally engage with a supporting member;

(ii) providing an approximately credit card-sized supporting member that is approximately 85.60 mm long by 53.98 mm wide;

(iii) providing a mobile device;

(iv) frictionally engaging the supporting member with the undulating curvilinear elongate aperture of the device such that the supporting member and the device body are oriented substantially orthogonal to one another to form a supporting stand; and

(v) positioning the mobile device onto the supporting stand to thereby support the mobile device.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein orienting the supporting member at an angle greater than 90° relative to the device body causes the device body to frictionally engage the supporting member.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein orienting the supporting member at an angle greater than 90° relative to the device body increases frictional engagement of the device body with the supporting member.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the supporting member comprises a credit card.

16. A system for supporting a mobile device, the system comprising a device and one or more supporting members; wherein the device comprises a substantially flat device body, wherein the device body comprises two or more tools, wherein the two or more tools are formed in or on the device body by one or more of cutouts, apertures, contours and inscriptions, and wherein the device body further comprises an undulating curvilinear elongate aperture configured to accept and frictionally engage the one or more supporting members.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the two or more tools are selected from the group consisting of a screwdriver, a micro screwdriver, a bottle cap opener, a wrench, a cutting apparatus, a lockout tool, a cord wrap tool, and a ruler.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: BARR, NATHAN G.
To: CAFFEINATE LABS, INC.
Reel/Frame 031873/0790 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 61730659 · Nov 28, 2012
Provisional Application 61800388 · Mar 15, 2013
Related Publication 20140143958A1 · May 29, 2014