Patent Application
20090000039
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a multi-functional demolition utility tool and methods for the manufacture thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
There are many hand tools that are traditionally used for demolition of construction or building materials. A “crow bar,” for instance, typically has a straight pry bar end attached to a long lever arm and a hooked pry bar end at its opposite terminus. Some tools have pry bar ends that are forked for use in removing nails or other fasteners and otherwise wedging into building materials. Additional demolition tools include various sledge hammers, grasping equipment, and other tools.
However, some of these demolition tools present certain drawbacks or limited capabilities. For example, typical board grasping equipment is unsuitable for successfully demolishing lumber or grasping materials or boards of different thicknesses. In addition, certain tools with pry bar ends do not enable full range of motion due to other implements located at opposite ends of the tool bottoming out on a work surface. Furthermore, the configuration of these pry bar ends often interferes with the comfortable use of the implements located at the other ends of the tool.
Other demolition tools are made from material that is not intended to be struck by a striking tool to enable it to be used in a chisel-like manner. Some tools that are used for demolition, but designed for other purposes, are made from multiple parts as opposed to being integrally formed. This adds to the cost and complexity of the structure, and potentially reduces the strength thereof.
Additionally, certain demolition tool users such as, for example, fire and rescue professionals or other users, must carry a variety of specialty tools in addition to a demolition tool. A demolition tool with additional capabilities would be advantageous.
The present disclosure relates to a demolition tool for demolishing construction material, building material, or other material and for providing other capabilities. In one embodiment, the demolition tool comprises a handle with a head at a first end of the handle, the head having a longitudinal central plane. In one embodiment, the head includes a strike contact face. The strike contact face includes a flat surface that can be struck by a hammer or other striking tool or that can be used to strike building or other material for demolition purposes or for other purposes. In one embodiment, the plane or surface of the strike contact face is parallel with the main axis of the handle and perpendicular to the longitudinal central plane of the head.
In one embodiment, the head also includes grasping jaws. In one embodiment, the grasping jaws may be utilized to grasp, manipulate, and/or otherwise demolish building materials such as, for example, lumber or other building materials. The grasping jaws include one or more steps on one or both of an upper jaw or a lower jaw. The grasping jaws having one or more steps may form multiple gaps. The multiple gaps may accommodate materials or boards having different thicknesses. In some embodiments, the grasping jaws include one or more teeth on their interior grasping surfaces. In one embodiment, the opening formed by the grasping jaws is perpendicular to the main axis of the handle. In one embodiment, the grasping jaws extend generally along the longitudinal central plane of the head.
In some embodiments, the demolition tool includes a chisel blade on the opposite side of the head from the strike contact face. In one embodiment, the chisel blade is formed as part of the upper jaw of the grasping jaws. The chisel blade may be used to penetrate building materials such as wood (or other materials) for the purposes of demolition or for other purposes.
In one embodiment, the demolition tool includes a bent end pry bar at a second end of the handle. Bent end pry bar may enable the removal of fasteners such as, for example, nails, brads, staples, or other fasteners, or may enable general prying apart of materials. In one embodiment, the bent end pry bar is bent in a direction that is 90 degrees offset from the central longitudinal plane of the head. This offset enables the use of the bent end pry bar without interference from the head or any implements thereon (e.g., the grasping jaws, the strike contact surface, or other implements). Additionally, the 90 degree offset moves the bent end pry bar out of the plane of use of implements on the head.
In one embodiment, the demolition tool includes a blunt blade edge located on the head, below the strike contact face. The blunt blade edge may include a tapered wedge that may be utilized to break apart or otherwise demolish construction materials such as, for example, wood, softer metals, or other materials by striking blows upon the material.
The demolition tool, including the handle, the head, the bent end pry bar, and/or other portions of the demolition tool, may comprise a single integrally molded metal material, as opposed to multiple parts jointed or fastened together. In some embodiments, the demolition tool is manufactured to weigh between 3.5 to 4.5 lbs., and in some embodiments, approximately 4 lbs. This weight provides a tool with enough mass and inertia to aid in demolition of construction materials or other materials. In some embodiments, the demolition tool is manufactured to weigh between 8.0 and 8.25 lbs. In one embodiment, the demolition tool may be hardened to Rockwell C 38-44. Thus, the demolition tool is softer than conventional tools that can be used to strike it, but harder than the materials it is used to strike (e.g., wood, aluminum, or other materials).
In some embodiments, the demolition tool may include one or more additional features such as, for example, a fixed wrench element for manipulating nuts, bolts, or other fasteners and/or a spanner wrench element for manipulating water handling plumbing or other hardware. In some embodiments, the demolition tool may include a gas shut off valve wrench element incorporated into the forked arms of the bent end pry bar. In some embodiments, the demolition tool may include one or more recesses in the handle. Inserts may be secured to these recesses to provide various features such as, for example, improved grip, shock absorption, heat transfer resistance, electrical insulation, differential indication, and/or other features.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent through the detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the drawings attached hereto. It is also to be understood that both the foregoing summary and the following detailed description are exemplary and not restrictive of the scope of the invention.
The invention provides a demolition utility tool for demolishing construction material, building material, or other material and for performing other functions.
In one embodiment, head 103 includes grasping jaws 107. In one embodiment, grasping jaws 107 comprise an upper jaw 109 and a lower jaw 111. In some embodiments, grasping jaws 107 may be utilized to grasp, manipulate, and/or otherwise demolish building materials such as, for example, lumber or other building materials. Grasping jaws 107 include one or more steps on one or both of upper jaw 109 or lower jaw 111.
In one embodiment, the surface on upper jaw 109 carrying or defining teeth 117 is generally parallel to the surface on lower jaw 109 carrying or defining teeth 117. Similarly, the teeth 117 on step 113 extend along a line that is generally parallel to the teeth 117 on lower jaw 111. Otherwise stated, the points of the teeth 117 on the lower jaw 111 are parallel to the points (or lines extending through the points) on the upper jaw 109 and step 113. In another embodiment, some of the steps included within grasping jaws 107 do not have teeth 117. In one embodiment, the opening formed by grasping jaws 107 is perpendicular to the main axis of handle 101.
Demolition tool 100 includes a chisel blade 135, on the opposite side of head 103 from strike contact face 105, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, demolition tool 100 includes a bent end pry bar 123 at a second end of handle 101. In some embodiments, bent end pry bar 123 includes a forked end having a V-shaped gap 125 in between tapered ends 127 and 129. The bent end pry bar 123 may enable the removal of fasteners such as, for example, nails, brads, staples, or other fasteners from a workpiece or may enable general prying apart of materials.
In one embodiment, bent end pry bar 123 is bent in a direction that is 90 degrees offset from plane 131 that bisects the head 103.
In one embodiment, demolition tool 100 includes an opening 137. Opening 137 may include a hole extending completely through the width of demolition tool 100.
In one embodiment, demolition tool 100 includes a blunt blade edge 139.
In one embodiment, demolition tool 100, including handle 101, head 103, bent end pry bar 123, and/or other portions of demolition tool 100, comprise a single integrally forged or molded metal material, as opposed to being formed from multiple parts jointed or fastened together.
In one embodiment, demolition tool 100 includes a grip material such as, for example, rubber, plastic, or other material on handle 101 or other portions of demolition tool 101. The gripping material may be placed over or secured to demolition tool 100 to aid in its use as a hand tool by providing a slip resistant and comfortable grip for a user's hands. In some embodiments, demolition tool 100 is manufactured to weigh approximately 3.5-4.5 lbs. and may weigh approximately 4 lbs. In some embodiments, demolition tool 100 or other demolition tool of the invention may be manufactured to weigh between 8.0 and 8.25 lbs.
As mentioned above, demolition tool 100 may be utilized in the demolition of construction or building materials. For example, demolition tool 100 may be utilized to break apart or otherwise demolish a workpiece when chisel blade 135 is placed on the workpiece and strike contact face 105 is struck by a hammer or other tool, thus, driving chisel blade 135 into the workpiece. Typically, striking tools, such as hammer heads are hardened to minimum hardness of Rockwell C 45 As such, tools or fasteners that are meant to be struck are hardened to a maximum hardness that is less than Rockwell C 45. As stated above, strike contact face 105 of the demolition tool may be struck by a hammer or striking tool to enable demolition tool 100 to be used as a chisel. As such, in one embodiment, strike contact face 105 or the entirety of demolition tool 100 may be hardened to Rockwell C 38-44. Thus, demolition tool 100 will be softer than tools used to strike it, but harder than the materials it will be used to demolish (e.g., wood, aluminum, or other materials).
To achieve a hardness of Rockwell C 38-44, certain manufacturing techniques are used. In one embodiment, demolition tool 100 is integrally formed (e.g., forged or molded) of steel and a two step heat treating process is utilized. First, demolition tool is hardened by heating the steel to between 810° C. to 870° C., and in one embodiment, between 830° C. to 850° C., and in one embodiment, approximately 840° C. At 840° C., the heat treatment temperature is maintained between 60-80 minutes, and in one embodiment, 70 minutes. After heat treatment, the tool is quenched in oil to rapidly cool the tool. At this point the steel is both hard and brittle. The second step of the process is to temper the steel, which reduces the hardness but adds toughness to the steel. Tempering is performed by heating the steel a second time to between 380° C. and 420° C., and in one embodiment, between 390° C. and 410° C., and in one embodiment, 400° C. The steel is then soaked at that temperature for between 140 and 160 minutes, and in one embodiment, 150 minutes.
As mentioned above, in some embodiments, demolition tool 100 may include one or more additional features such as, for example, a wrench element, a spanner wrench element, a hook element, a gas valve wrench element, and/or other features.
Fire hydrants in North America and other localities often utilize a tapered pentagonal nut to open and close their valves.
In some embodiments, the demolition tool may include a wrench element that enables opening/closing or other manipulation of nuts or other fasteners such as, for example, tapered pentagonal nut 700.
In one embodiment, the wrench engaging surfaces may have a sloped or tapered configuration that corresponds to the slope or taper of a pentagonal nut that is to be engaged. In some embodiments, wrench element 801 may be used to manipulate pentagonal nuts or other pentagonal fasteners such as, for example, those on fire hydrants. In some embodiments, the surfaces of a wrench element of a demolition tool according to various embodiments of the invention may arranged such that it may loosen, tighten, or otherwise manipulate nuts or other fasteners having standard configurations other than pentagonal configurations (e.g., hexagonal, square, star-shaped, or other configuration). In some of such other embodiments, the wrench element 801 can have two or more (at least two) surfaces that correspond or mate with surfaces of the fastener.
In some embodiments, nuts or other fasteners may include configurations other than pentagonal (e.g., square or other configuration). Accordingly, wrench elements of demolition tools of the invention may be utilized to manipulate nuts or fasteners having configurations other than pentagonal (e.g., square or other configuration). Accordingly, the surfaces of a wrench element of a demolition tool of the invention may be specifically configured to manipulate fasteners having configurations other than pentagonal. In some embodiments, a wrench element of a demolition tool of the invention may be able to manipulate fasteners of multiple configurations (e.g., pentagonal and square).
In some embodiments, the demolition tool may include a spanner wrench element that enables manipulation of certain water handling plumbing mechanisms such as, for example, fire hydrants with valves, internal building pressurized fire hose lines and hose couplings, and/or other hardware. In some instances, fire hoses or other hoses may be closed by hose clamps. In some instances these hose clamps may be about 5 inches in diameter, and hoses may have an inside diameter of 1 to 6 inches. However, other sizes may be used with a spanner wrench element of a demolition tool as contemplated herein. Demolition tool 800 of
In some embodiments, spanner wrench 805 may include a curved surface 807 and a protrusion 809. In some embodiments, curved surface 807 may correspond to a curved surface of the hose clamp or other hose hardware, enabling protrusion 809 to engage with a protrusion on the hose clamp or other hose hardware. In some embodiments, the radius of curved surface 807 may be about 2.25 inches. In some embodiments, other radius' of curvature may be used. In some embodiments, the radius of curved surface 807 or other curved surfaces of a spanner wrench element of a demolition tool of the invention may be selected to provide strength to the spanner wrench element. In some embodiments, the spanner wrench element may function without a curved surface (e.g., a square configuration or other configuration may be used). In some embodiments, the range of sizes of hose clamp or other hardware that can be manipulated using a spanner wrench element of the demolition tool may be a function of a distance between the handle of a demolition tool (e.g., handle 101) and a line passing through the protrusion (e.g., protrusion 809, 905, or other protrusion) or “claw tip” of the spanner wrench that is drawn parallel to the handle (e.g., line 811 of
Curved surface 807 may enable sufficient leverage and freedom of movement so as to enable a protrusion 809 engaged with the protrusion of the hose clamp or other hardware to act to tighten or loosen the hose clamp or other hardware as needed. In some embodiments, protrusion 809 of spanner wrench portion 805 may be used as a hook for pulling or otherwise manipulating building materials during demolition or during other activities.
In some embodiments, the fixed wrench element 801 and/or the spanner wrench portion 805 of a demolition tool according to the invention may be integrated into different parts of the demolition tool.
In some embodiments, a demolition tool according to the invention may include a gas valve wrench element for manipulating (e.g., opening or closing) natural gas valves or other valves. In some instances, residential or other gas shut-off valves may include shut-off elements that range from ¼ inch to ½ inch thick. Other sizes may exist.
In some embodiments, a gas valve wrench element may be incorporated into the bent end pry bar of a demolition tool of the invention.
In some embodiments, a demolition tool according to the invention may include a handle that has recessed portions. In some embodiments, these recessed portions may reduce the amount of metal used to make the demolition tool and thus may save manufacturing costs and/or tool weight without compromising the structural integrity of the tool.
In some embodiments, recessed portions along the handle of a demolition tool may accept different types of inserts.
Inserts 1403 may provide various functions. For example, in some embodiments, inserts 1403 may be molded from one or more types of plastic or rubber that provide increased grip and/or comfort for a user of a demolition tool. In some embodiments, inserts 1403 may be made from a material (e.g., plastic, rubber, or other material) that provides impact or shock cushioning for a user's hands. In some embodiments, a plurality of differentially indicated inserts 1403 may be available for use with a demolition tool so that demolition tools may be distinguished from one another or otherwise customized. For example, inserts 1403 may be differentially indicated by color, texture, custom text (e.g., “Joe's demolition tool”), or other differential indicator to customize or otherwise distinguish one demolition tool from another. In some embodiments, inserts 1403 may be made from a material that resists heat transfer from the handle to the hands of a user (e.g., certain plastics, rubber, or other material). For example, a firefighter using a demolition tool of the invention may encounter surfaces which are hot. As such, heat transfer resistant inserts 1403 may aid the firefighter in performing demolition or other duties during the course of an emergency. Heat transfer resistant inserts 1403 may also be useful in other situations.
In some embodiments, inserts 1403 may be made from a luminescent (e.g. a chemi-luminescent) material, a phosphorescent material, or a light reflective material that enables demolition tool 1400 and/or its user to be located in low light or no light situations.
In some embodiments, inserts may be made from a material that provides any one or more of comfort grip, shock absorption, differential indication, heat transfer resistance, electrical shock insulation, luminescence, light reflection, and/or other features.
In one embodiment, it is contemplated that
While the invention has been described with reference to the certain illustrated embodiments, the words that have been used herein are words of description, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the associated claims, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects. Although the invention has been described herein with reference to particular structures, acts, and materials, the invention is not to be limited to the particulars disclosed, but rather can be embodied in a wide variety of forms, some of which may be quite different from those of the disclosed embodiments, and extends to all equivalent structures, acts, and, materials, such as are within the scope of the associated claims.
This application includes subject matter related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/391,230, filed Mar. 29, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
