Multi-purpose tire iron and method of use

{
  "publication_number": "US5272942A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Multi-purpose tire iron and method of use",
  "abstract": "A method and apparatus is disclosed for removing a hub cap and wheel from a vehicle which has four separate elongated members and the members are so designed as to allow the members to be fitted together to form a cross section and provide at least 31 different socket sizes of engineering choice, yet may be packaged and stored side by side to form a compact carrying package.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A multi-purpose tool adapted to be used as a tire iron comprising; a first elongated member having a length substantially longer than its circumference, said first member having a head on each of its ends, said first member having a center section, said heads having a socket receptacle in their extreme outer ends, said heads having multiple flat sides, each of said flat sides forming a plane less than 180 degrees to a plane formed by a line drawn parallel to said length, said multiple flat sides each having a socket receptacle, said first member having a traverse bore substantially thru said center section, said first member having a traverse opening forming a slot substantially the length of said first member between said heads, said slot opening into said bore, a second elongated member having a length substantially longer than its circumference, said second member having a head on each of its ends, said last named heads having a socket receptacle in their extreme ends, said last named heads having multiple flat sides, said last named flat sides each forming a plane less than 180 degrees to a plane formed by a line drawn parallel to said length of said second member, said last named flat sides each having a socket receptacle, and at least one of said heads of said second member being of a size and shape to allow said last named head to be inserted thru said traverse bore of said first member, whereby; forming a crossing relationship between said first and said second members.",
    "2. The multi-purpose tool of claim 1 in which said first and second members, respectively, are made of metal.",
    "3. The multi-purpose tool of claim 1 in which said first elongated member is substantially round in cross section.",
    "4. The multi-purpose tool of claim 1 in which said first elongated member is substantially square in cross section.",
    "5. The multi-purpose tool of claim 1 in which said second member is substantially round.",
    "6. The multi-purpose tool of claim 1 in which said second member is substantially square in cross section.",
    "7. The multi-purpose tool of claim 1 including a third elongated member having a length substantially longer than its circumference, said third member having a head on each of its ends, said last named heads having a socket receptacle in their extreme ends, said last named heads having multiple flat sides, said last named flat sides each forming a plane less than 180 degrees to a plane formed by a line drawn parallel to said length of said third member, said last named flat sides each having a socket receptacle, and at least one of said heads of said third member being of a size and shape to allow said last named head to be inserted thru said traverse bore of said first member, whereby; forming a crossing relationship between said first and said third members.",
    "8. The multi-purpose tool of claim 7 in which said third member, respectively, is made of metal.",
    "9. The multi-purpose tool of claim 7 in which said third member is substantially round in cross section.",
    "10. The multi-purpose tool of claim 7 in which said third member is substantially square in cross section.",
    "11. The multi-purpose tool of claim 1 including a fourth elongated member, said forth member having on one of its ends a deep socket adapted to be used as a spark plug socket and on its distal end a flat screwdriver shaped member adapted to be used to remove a hub cap of a vehicle.",
    "12. The multi-purpose tool of claim 11 in which said fourth member is made of metal.",
    "13. The multi-purpose tool of claim 11 in which said fourth member is substantially round in cross section.",
    "14. The multi-purpose tool of claim 11 in which said fourth member is square in cross section."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This invention relates to tire irons or the like, but more particularly to a tire iron having multiple sized sockets.\n\nIn the past many attempts have been made to provide a tire iron which can be used as a multi-purpose tool, such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,555,583 wherein they provide a tire tool comprising a cross arrangement of two perpendicular disposed components for use as a handle, a wrench, a means to support a wheel when being mounted, a skid and hook element, a hub cap hook and a pair of roller wheels. U.S. Pat. No. 3,992,964 combines a lug wrench having an interchangeable handle, socket ends and a gear housing. Also, in the prior art is taught multi-purpose hand tools having variably sized socket attachments such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,926,721, 4,882,958, 4,727,782, 4,620,460 and 3,745,860. However, none of these references would be acceptable to use as a tire iron as is the present invention. A further prior art reference as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,236,286 teaches a collapsible automotive tool which includes a pair of pivotably interconnected arms disposed in a crossing relationship and having a manually releasable spring detent which locks the arms in a perpendicular open position for use as a wrench. Also included is a socket attachment, a curved claw and a hammer, however, this device has many parts and disadvantages which the present invention addresses.",
  "cpc": [
    "B60B 29/003",
    "B25B 13/005",
    "B25B 13/04",
    "B25B 13/56",
    "B25G 1/005",
    "B25G 1/085"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B25B 13/00",
    "B25B 13/04",
    "B25B 13/56",
    "B25G 1/00",
    "B25G 1/08",
    "B60B 29/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "HULL HAROLD L",
    "DALY JOHN"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "HULL HAROLD L",
    "DALY JOHN"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1992-06-08",
  "publication_date": "1993-12-28",
  "grant_date": "1993-12-28",
  "priority_date": "1992-06-08",
  "application_number": "US-89425492-A",
  "family_id": "25402808",
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  ]
}