Passive Retaining Lock System for a Hand Tool

Abstract

A passive retaining lock system for hand tools includes a pin mount member mounted on a hand tool that is releasably and lockably retained in a pin retainer assembly. The pin retainer assembly includes a pin retainer having a slot configured to slidably receive a first dimension of a pin post of the pin mount member, and a pin slot base opening dimensioned to have a second dimension that is larger than the first dimension to allow a rotation of the pin post after passing through and along the pin slot entry while preventing a passage back through the pin slot entry. A pin boss extends from an end of the pin post and has an outer dimension that is a third dimension that is larger than the second dimension and accordingly prohibits the pin post and pin mount member from separating from the pin retainer assembly.

1 . A passive retaining lock apparatus for a hand tool, comprising:
 A) a pin mount member attachable to a hand tool;
 I) said pin mount member having a pin post extending from a mounting support; 
   B) a pin boss extending from a distal end of said pin post;
 I) said pin post having a first pair of first opposed surfaces having a first separation dimension; 
 II) said pin post having a second pair of second opposed surfaces having a second separation dimension; said second separation dimension is larger than said first separation dimension; 
 III) said first pair of opposed surfaces alternating with said second pair of opposed surfaces about an outer periphery of said pin post; and 
   C) said pin boss having a pin boss outer dimension that is larger than both said first separation dimension and said second separation dimension.   
     
     
         2 . The passive retaining lock apparatus for a hand tool of  claim 1  wherein:
 A) said pin post is attachable to said mounting support in a plurality of indexed orientations. 
 
     
     
         3 . A passive retaining lock apparatus for a hand tool, comprising:
 A) a pin retainer releasably and lockably receiving said pin mount member;   B) a pin slot member having a pin slot entry and a pin slot with pin slot side walls configured to slidably receive a pin post along a first pair of first opposed surfaces having a first separation dimension while preventing a passage of said pin post along said pin slot side walls in an orientation of a second pair of second opposed surfaces having a second separation dimension; and   C) a pin slot base opening dimensioned to receive said pin post and allow a rotation of said pin post along both said first and said second opposed surfaces and respective said first and said second separation dimensions.   
     
     
         4 . A passive retaining lock system for a hand tool, comprising:
 A) a pin mount member attachable to a hand tool;
 I) said pin mount member having a pin post extending from a mounting support; 
   B) a pin boss extending from a distal end of said pin post;
 I) said pin post having a first pair of first opposed surfaces having a first separation dimension; 
 II) said pin post having a second pair of second opposed surfaces having a second separation dimension; said second separation dimension is larger than said first separation dimension; 
 III) said first pair of opposed surfaces alternating with said second pair of opposed surfaces about an outer periphery of said pin post; 
 IV) said pin boss having a pin boss outer dimension that is larger than both said first separation dimension and said second separation dimension; 
   C) a pin retainer releasably and lockably receiving said pin mount member;   D) a pin slot member having a pin slot entry and a pin slot with pin slot side walls configured to slidably receive said pin post along said first pair of first opposed surfaces having said first separation dimension while preventing a passage of said pin post along said pin slot side walls in an orientation of said second pair of second opposed surfaces having said second separation dimension; and   E) a pin slot base opening dimensioned to receive said pin post and allow a rotation of said pin post along both said first and said second opposed surfaces and respective said first and said second separation dimensions.   
     
     
         5 . The passive retaining lock system for a hand tool, according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 A) a pin retainer support backer attached to said pin retainer;   B) said pin retainer support backer bounding said pin slot while exposing said pin slot entry for operable engagement with said pin post during use.   
     
     
         6 . The passive retaining lock system for a hand tool, according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 A) a pin retainer belt clip affixed to said pin retainer support backer opposite said pin slot; and   B) wherein said pin retainer belt clip configured to releasably engage an external belt clip during an assembly therewith.   
     
     
         7 . The passive retaining lock system for a hand tool, according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 A) said pin retainer, said pin retainer support backer, and said pin retainer belt clip form a pin retainer assembly.   
     
     
         8 . The passive retaining lock system for a hand tool, according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 A) at least one of said pin mount member and said pin retainer are formed from at least one of a plastic material, a nylon material, a reinforced polymer material, a carbon fiber reinforced material, a metallic material, a reinforced cellulose based material, and a toughened amorphous glass material.   
     
     
         9 . The passive retaining lock system, for a hand tool, according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 A) a second pin post member; and   B) a flexible strap securing said pin post member to said second pin post member.