folding handle multitool .. leatherman not first.. by a long shot..

[J-sews]

That is a very interesting multi-plier Ausjulius

[Sea Monster]

lovely handles.

Fisherman &/or hunters (or satisfying that market) seem to be at the forefront of many neat designs.


I guess people just love killing stuff!

[ausjulius]

but then with tools like this one floating around for many years i dont see how leathermans tool could be patented.. you see these tools  were mad for export to the u.s.a.,  and would have had  american patent numbers for them .. .
so this is of interest, maybe people overlooked the patent...  oor didnt look it up and sum how this fact slipped through the cracks..

[Anthony]

Do patents expire?  Maybe after a few decades the owners of the patents and their companies closed and families forgot about them.

[joebw]

Yes, patents do expire.  Used to be 17 years in the US and is now 20 years.  At that point, the patented features or product becomes public domain.

Cheers - Joe

[J-sews]

I remember an interview with Tim Leatherman where he said his original patent application was delayed for some time while they researched a turn-of-the-century folding scissor patent. Seems like he had to alter his application somewhat as a result. Wish I could remember more of the details.