Patent Application
20160184904
The present invention relates to a device for forming a hole in a surface for insertion of a tack into the surface so that an object such as a picture, mirror or household object may be hung against the surface and in particular to a hand-held, hand-operated device for forming a hole in a surface such as wood, plasterboard as well as brick and concrete block to facilitate the insertion of a tack into the hole for hanging of an object against the surface.
A number of problems arise when hanging pictures and mirrors on a wall surface. The conventional way of doing this requires drilling a hole (e.g. 6-8 mm wide and 20-30 mm deep) into the wall using a power drill, inserting a plastic or metal anchor (e.g. a rawlplug or other wall plug) into the hole in the wall and subsequently screwing a screw into the plastic or metal anchor. The drill uses masonry or multipurpose drill bits which have been designed to be used with electric power drills. Other methods of hanging pictures and mirrors on a wall involve hammering a nail directly into the wall.
When using conventional methods and devices such as electric power drills, hammers, nails and wall plugs, damage is often caused to the surface, e.g. to the plaster on the wall. The known methods are time consuming and leave the wall with a large hole if the object is moved to another location. Furthermore, more importantly, the drill bit may make contact with electric wires/pipes which may be close to the wall surface. Additionally, many people are reluctant to hang objects on walls because of the need to use electric power drills and associated equipment as they are not comfortable or competent with handling power tools. When using conventional methods, walls with hard surfaces are demanding to work with and difficult to repair if something goes wrong.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device and method that seek to alleviate the aforementioned problems.
Thus according to a first aspect, the invention provides a device for forming a hole in a surface for subsequent insertion of a tack into the hole, the device comprising:
The device according to the invention restricts the movement of the hole forming rod member such that the size and shape of the hole is controlled to facilitate the secure insertion of a tack. Any movement of the hole forming rod member other than rotation to create a substantially circular hole is restricted by the device.
Preferably, the base receiving portion is at or towards one end of the housing. The internal profile of the base receiving portion corresponds to the external profile of the top portion of the base.
Preferably, the housing encases each of the means for holding a detachable hole forming rod member, the means for turning the hole forming rod member and the means for urging the hole forming rod member out of the housing.
Preferably, the means for holding a hole forming rod member and the means for urging the hole forming rod member out of the housing co-operate to hold, at all times, the hole forming rod member in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the transverse plane of the base receiving portion of the housing.
Preferably, the device includes one or more levelling and/or measurement devices to facilitate the hole being formed substantially parallel to the ground and/or perpendicular to the surface. The levelling device may be a spirit level, e.g. a spirit level in the housing, a laser levelling device or the like. The measurement device is preferably a ruler embossed on the base or a laser measurement device incorporated in the housing.
Preferably, the base is configured to be moveable laterally with respect to the housing of the device.
Preferably, the device is adapted to ensure that, in use, a hole forming rod member protrudes from the device on compression of base. This enables a worn hole forming rod member to be easily removed from the device for replacement purposes.
In a preferred embodiment, in use, a hole forming rod member protrudes from a locating hole in the base. That is, when the device is placed with its base against a surface into which the hole is to be formed and the means for turning the hole forming rod member is turned, the hole forming rod member is urged through a locating hole in the base. The locating hole is preferably located in the centre of the base. The base preferably further comprises a detachable dust collector which fits into the locating hole. The dust collector has a hole in the middle from which the hole forming rod member protrudes in use. That is, the dust collector surrounds the locating hole and a detachable cap fits into dust collector, the dust collector cap having a hole in the middle from which the hole forming rod member protrudes in use.
Preferably, the means for holding a hole forming rod member is located generally in or towards the centre of the device. This has the advantage that a user can be left or right handed and will not have to adapt the manner in which they use the device.
In use, a detachable hole forming rod member is located in the means for holding the detachable hole forming rod member. The hole forming rod member is configured to penetrate the surface and to be urged forwardly so as to form the hole in the surface without causing damage to the surrounding surface. A tack may then be inserted into the hole formed in the surface.
Advantageously, a first hole forming rod member suitable for forming a hole in a first surface can be inserted into the means for holding the hole forming member; and this first hole forming rod member can be substituted by a different hole forming rod member suitable for forming a hole in a different surface such that a variety of suitable hole forming rod members can be inserted in the device, depending on the surface in which the hole is to be formed. Alternatively, the hole forming rod member can be adapted to form a hole in multiple types of surfaces, i.e. the hole forming rod member can be a multipurpose hole forming rod member, so that a single rod member may be used to form a hole in a variety of different surfaces.
Preferably, the hole forming rod member comprises an elongate member adapted at one end to engage with the means for turning the rod member and adapted at the other end to penetrate a surface and form an elongate hole in the surface. Conveniently, a tack may be inserted into the hole and an object may be hung from the tack inserted in the hole.
In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a storage section which is adapted to store alternative types of hole forming rod members for coping with a variety of surface types, e.g. glass, wood, concrete block. Preferably, the storage section is in the housing of the device.
Preferably, the surface in which the hole is formed is a surface made of any construction material such as concrete (e.g. high ratio concrete plaster mix or concrete building block), glass, tile, ceramic, wood, plasterboard, brick, stone, cinderblock or the like, e.g. a concrete wall surface.
The use of the device is not limited to facilitating the insertion of a tack into a wall. Other suitable surfaces include dado rails, cupboards and so on. Preferably, the device is hand-operated. Particularly preferably, the device is solely operated by hand. Alternatively, the device is motorised and battery operated.
When the device is operated by way of a battery and motor arrangement, the device preferably comprises a winding handle and the battery is charged via rotation of the winding handle.
The device of the present invention can be used to form a hole in a surface where the surface is a wall surface constructed of high ratio concrete plaster mix, concrete building block, brick or the like, e.g. the internal or external wall of a building.
The base is adapted to retract into the base receiving portion. The base is moveable between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position. Preferably, the base retracts by way of up and down movement. Furthermore, the base is adapted to be moveable with respect to the housing of the device.
The base is adapted to be both evenly and unevenly retractable into the base receiving portion, i.e. each end of the base is adapted to retract into the housing independently, e.g. one end is adapted to be retractable to a larger or lesser extent than the other end. The ability of the base to move relative to the housing in this way eliminates the likelihood of “stiction”, i.e. avoids the static friction that needs to be overcome when forming a hole in a surface.
In a preferred embodiment, the base is adapted to move in any direction with respect to the housing, particularly preferably from left to right and/or forwards and backwards with respect to the housing in addition to up and down. Preferably, the base is adapted to move up to approximately 3 mm from left to right and/or forwards and backwards with respect to the housing, i.e. in the range of from about 1 mm to about 3 mm. The ability of the base to move relative to the housing in this way eliminates the likelihood of “stiction”, i.e. avoids the static friction that needs to be overcome when forming a hole in a surface.
Preferably, the base is adapted to pivot with respect to the housing. Particularly preferably, the pivoting movement of the base with respect to the housing of the device is about 2 degrees.
Preferably, the base comprises a cross portion for added stability, optionally wherein the cross portion is detachable. This cross portion is a stabilising member which is preferably moveable, e.g. pivotable, from a position substantially perpendicular with respect to the base, i.e. a position which results in the footprint of the device being a cross, or otherwise angled with respect to the base to a position in which it is not angled with respect to the base, i.e. to a position in which the cross portion is hidden when the device is viewed from above. Preferably, the cross portion comprises one or more pivotable feet.
Preferably, resilient means in the device facilitate the retraction and compression of the base into the base receiving portion of the housing. The resilient means comprises biasing means, e.g. a spring. The base is preferably secured to the device by at least one post moveably located in a guide sleeve adapted to receive the at least one post. The resilient means, the at least one guide sleeve and the at least post are preferably encased within the housing. The resilient means are preferably provided on the posts. Preferably, the post comprises a shoulder on which the resilient means rests. Ideally, there are two posts and two respective guide sleeves, i.e. each guide sleeve is adapted to receive one post.
Preferably, the base comprises one of said post and guide sleeve, the post or guide sleeve preferably upstanding from the base, and the base receiving portion comprises the other of said post and guide sleeve.
Preferably, at least one guide sleeve and at least one post are located towards one end of the device and at least one guide sleeve and at least one post are located towards an opposing end of the device.
Particularly preferably, the means for holding the hole forming rod member is located in between at least two guide sleeves such that the guide sleeves are each equally distanced from the means for holding the hole forming rod member.
In use, this position of the guide sleeves with respect to the hole forming rod member advantageously ensures that the hole forming rod member rotates as smoothly as possible and facilitates the stable operation of the base and hole forming rod member.
In a most preferred embodiment, in order to increase stability during operation, the means for holding the hole forming rod member is located generally in or towards the centre of the device and the guide sleeves are located at equal distances from the means for holding the hole forming rod member.
The profile of the guide sleeves corresponds substantially to the profile of the posts. The posts may be cylindrical, rectangular, of an oval cross section or of any other suitable shape, e.g. having a T-shape or X-shape cross section. Resilient means, e.g. springs, may be provided on the posts. On compression of the base, forces travel between the posts. Preferably, the top of the posts are provided with a section of smaller cross section and it is on this section that the resilient means are conveniently provided. In this embodiment, the larger cross-section of the post provides a shoulder on which the resilient means rests.
The base preferably comprises at least one post for engagement with the base receiving portion of the housing, particularly preferably 2 or 4 posts. However, any number of posts may be present.
The base receiving portion preferably comprises at least one guide sleeve for receiving a post. Particularly preferably, each post has a respective guide sleeve. The guide sleeve is preferably larger than the post so as to provide the base with movement with respect to the housing in a direction other than up and down, e.g. with movement in a lateral direction. Particularly preferably, the width of the guide sleeve is in the range of from approximately 0.05 mm to approximately 0.25 mm larger than the width of the post, i.e. approximately 0.15 mm wider. This results in the clearance of the posts being in the range of approximately 0.1 mm to approximately 0.5 mm, e.g. approximately 0.3 mm.
Alternatively, rather than the base comprising a post and the base receiving portion comprising a guide sleeve, the base comprises a guide sleeve and the base receiving portion comprises a post. In this embodiment, resilient means, e.g. a spring, are preferably provided in the base receiving portion, e.g. around a post, to enable the base to have movement with respect to the housing in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the post, i.e. up and down. As above, the posts may have a section with a smaller cross section than the remainder of the post and it is here, on the portion with a smaller cross section, that the resilient means are preferably provided.
In a preferred embodiment, the angle of the base with respect to the housing is fixed to compensate for a non-perpendicular wall, especially a wall that leans inwards, so that the hole is parallel to the ground rather than perpendicular to the wall. This ensures that an inserted tack remains in the hole and an object hung on the tack is secure. Alternatively and preferably, the angle of the base with respect to the housing may be set by the user. In this embodiment, the angled base is pivotable with respect to the device.
Preferably, the device is configured to form a hole in uneven surfaces. In this embodiment, the base contacts the wall at three or more fixed points rather than being totally flush with the surface in which the hole is to be formed. In this embodiment, the base comprises feet which contact the surface in which the hole is to be formed. The remainder of the base does not contact the surface. The feet are preferably spherical. However, the feet may have any suitable shape which serves to distance the remainder of the base from the surface in which the hole is to be formed.
Preferably, the device is a hand-held device, particularly preferably a hand-held device comprising a handle. Preferably, the handle is configured such that the user's hand is directly above the hole forming rod member. Particularly preferably, the handle is configured such that the device can be held in the optimum orientation for forming a hole. The handle is preferably arcuate and indented to receive a user's left or right hand.
In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a storage section which is adapted to store tacks for insertion into the hole formed by the device in a surface. Preferably, the storage section is in the handle of the device. Preferably, the storage section is pivotably attached to the device.
Preferably, the device is made from plastics material and may be formed by moulding.
In a preferred embodiment, the hole formed by the device has a diameter in the range of from 1.0 mm up to approximately 6.0 mm, preferably a diameter in the range of from about 2.0 mm up to approximately 4.5 mm, e.g. approximately 3.0 mm. The diameter of the hole is substantially equivalent to the diameter of the detachable hole-forming rod member. This is due to the fact that any movement of the hole forming rod member other than rotation to create a hole is restricted by the device. However, due to the movability of the base, i.e. the float, the hole can deviate from having a circular diameter, i.e. the hole formed by the device is slightly eccentric in shape, and is preferably ellipsoidal. In this embodiment, both the major and minor axes of the hole formed by the device are in the range of from 1.0 mm up to approximately 6.0 mm, preferably in the range of from about 2.0 mm up to approximately 4.5 mm, e.g. approximately 3.0 mm.
The hole formed by the device is shallow to reduce the chances of damaging electric cables or pipes. In a preferred embodiment, the hole formed by the device is up to 20 mm deep, preferably in the range of from about 8.0 mm to about 16.0 mm, e.g. approximately 12 mm. The depth of the hole is substantially equivalent to the amount the base compresses against the housing of the device whilst the hole is being formed.
The advantage of the hole being perpendicular to the surface is that the tack is more secure than if the hole were at any other angle, i.e. the tack is less likely to fall out of the hole. Additionally, the tack can bear heavier loads when it is inserted into a hole which is substantially perpendicular to the surface.
Preferably, the hole is of about 10 mm depth and about 3 mm diameter at a 90 degree angle to the surface.
In a preferred embodiment, the means for turning the hole forming rod member is located generally in or towards the centre of the device.
In one embodiment, the means for turning the hole forming rod member against the surface to penetrate the surface comprises a winding mechanism and associated gearing mechanism. The hole forming rod member breaks the surface with the first turn of the winding mechanism.
Preferably, the winding mechanism comprises a hand-operated winding mechanism, e.g. a winding handle. Preferably, in use, the winding mechanism is turned at a speed of 60-300 rpm. This is a relatively slow speed which is achievable by hand-operation of the winding mechanism.
Preferably, the hole forming rod member is turned slowly, i.e. turned at a speed of up to 30 revolutions per 1 turn of the winding mechanism, particularly preferably at a speed of from 1 to 20 revolutions per 1 turn of the winding mechanism, e.g. 4 revolutions per turn of the handle. The hole forming rod member is especially preferably turned at a speed of from 5 to 10 revolutions per 1 turn of the winding mechanism. Turning with this slow speed causes less damage to the surface than would be caused using a power drill.
In the embodiment wherein the device is operated by way of a battery and motor arrangement, the charged battery supplies current to the motor causing the hole forming rod member to rotate at an appropriate speed as described herein, preferably wherein the speed is set by the user. The advantage of having a battery powered device is that the user can hold the unit with both hands whilst the hole is being formed rather than holding the device in one hand and turning a winding mechanism with the other hand.
In a preferred embodiment, the number of revolutions of the hole forming rod member may be altered depending on the surface in which the hole is to be formed. Preferably, this is achieved by with an automated cut-off of the device which stops the hole forming rod member once the required depth is met. Preferably, the device comprises a counter with means for stopping the rotation of the hole forming rod member after a predetermined number of turns. Other safety devices may be included to ensure the hole forming rod member can only be rotated when it touches a surface.
Preferably, the gearing mechanism comprises bevel gears. Bevel gears or the like may be used to change the direction of rotation, i.e. if the winding mechanism is turned in a vertical direction, the hole forming rod member will rotate in a horizontal direction, i.e. the axes of the shaft of the bevel gears intersect, preferably at 90°.
Bevel gears or the like may be used to increase speed of rotation of the hole forming rod member. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of the amount of teeth in the faces of the bevel gears is up to 1:30, preferably from 1:20 to 1:5, the drive gear having the higher number of teeth and the driven gear the lower number. In a particularly preferred embodiment, one turn of the winding mechanism results in four turns of the hole forming rod member.
Preferably, the hole forming rod member is turned at a speed in the range of from approximately 1 to 300 revolutions per minute, particularly preferably 150 to 250 revolutions per minute, e.g. 240 revolutions per minute. Turning with this slow speed causes less damage to the surface than would be caused using a power drill.
In a preferred embodiment, the base retracts into the device by predetermined amount, e.g. by approximately 1 mm to 15 mm, e.g. 3 mm. Particularly preferably, the base retracts substantially evenly into the device.
Preferably, the housing is provided with flanges at or towards the end of the housing having the base receiving portion. Preferably, the base is provided with corresponding flanges. Such flanges on the housing and/or the base provide extra stability to the device when it is placed against a wall.
In a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises means for inserting a tack into the hole in the surface. The means for inserting a tack into a hole in a surface may take any suitable form. In a preferred embodiment, the means for inserting a tack comprises a protruding member which fits over the head of the tack, preferably fitting over the whole head of the tack and alternatively only fitting over a portion of the head of the tack, thus enabling the device to be used in a hammer-like fashion. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the means for inserting a tack comprises a plunger and resilient means. When the user pulls back the plunger, a tack is loaded. When the plunger is released, the tack is released from the device and inserted into the hole. Preferably the tack is in a form as described herein below.
In a preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention further comprises means for removing a tack from a hole in the surface. Preferably, the means for removing a tack is located on the outside of the device between the handle and the base receiving portion. The means for removing a tack may be a protruding member, preferably a U-shaped protruding member, having an internal profile corresponding to the shape of the head of a tack, preferably the shape of a tack as described herein below.
In another embodiment, the device according to the invention is adapted to be attached to a known device for inserting a tack into a wall. The device according to the invention may be attached to the side or base of the known device. The device in this embodiment of the invention preferably comprises retaining means to secure the known device.
In another aspect, the invention provides a tack for insertion into a hole formed in the surface so as to enable the hanging of objects of up to 10 kg in weight, preferably objects up to 15 kg in weight. The tack comprises an elongate, preferably cylindrical, body, a head and collar, wherein the body comprises a wider elongate section and a narrower elongate section, wherein the head is at the end of the narrower section and the collar is mounted intermediate the sections, wherein the head and collar have a diameter wider than the diameter of the body and wherein, in use an object may be hung from the tack. Preferably, the distance between the collar and the head is equal to a third of the length of the tack.
The length of the tack is preferably in the range of from 8.0 mm to about 24.0 mm, preferably 12.0 mm to 16.0 mm, e.g. approximately 14 mm. The diameter of the collar of the tack is preferably 2 mm to 4 mm, e.g. 3 mm. The diameter of the head of the tack is preferably preferably 3 mm to 6 mm, e.g. 4 mm.
The tack is adapted to be able to carry a weight of up to approximately 10 kg, preferably a weight of up to approximately 1.0 g to approximately 10.0 kg. The tack is adapted to securely fit into a hole that may be oval due to a small amount of movement of the hole forming rod member as the hole is formed. The tacks are designed to work with a hole that is eccentric in shape, i.e. a hole, the area of which deviates from a perfect circle. The tacks also work with circular holes.
Preferably, the tack comprises plastic. Particularly preferably, the head of the tack is made of plastic.
In a preferred embodiment, the elongate body, preferably the wider elongate section, of the tack is provided with ribs which distort to the shape of the hole in the surface, e.g. a wall in which the hole is formed using the device of the present invention. This distortion of the ribs to the shape of the hole in the surface has the advantage that the tack is held more securely in the hole in the wall formed by the device. Preferably, the elongate body of the tack has a substantially cruciform shape which adapts to the shape of the hole when inserted.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method for inserting a tack into a surface using the device as described herein. The method of forming a hole and inserting a tack using the device of the invention requires no other tools and takes less than 90 seconds to complete, preferably less than 30 seconds.
The method according to the invention preferably comprises the following steps:
The method according to the invention conveniently further comprises the following step:
Preferably, the method comprises the following steps:
The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show a variety of preferred embodiments of the device in accordance with the invention in which:—
Referring to the drawings and initially to
The footprint of the base 7 is substantially oblong. That is, the part of the base 7 that is placed against the surface in which the hole is to be formed is oblong in shape and has curved edges.
The base 7 is movably secured to the device and adapted to retract and compress into the housing 2 by means of springs 6 on posts 13. The posts 13 are of substantially oval cross section, the upper portion of the post having a smaller cross section than the lower part. The springs 6 are located on the upper part of the posts 13, i.e. on the shoulder provided by the lower part of the post. Guide sleeves 16 within the housing 2 accept the posts 13.
The hole forming rod member 8 and hole forming gear mechanism are located generally in or towards the centre of the device and centrally with regard to the guide sleeves 16 and posts 13 such that the guide sleeves 16 and posts 13 are located evenly and symmetrically either side of the hole forming rod member 8 and hole forming gear mechanism. In other words, the hole forming rod member 8 is located in between the two guide sleeves 16 such that the guide sleeves 16 are each equally distanced from the hole forming rod member 8. This ensures that in use the hole forming rod member 8 rotates as smoothly as possible and ensures the hole forming rod member 8 and base 7 can be operated stably.
Stopping means 18 are provided within the housing 2 above the guide sleeves 16, preventing the springs 6 from moving out of place. The elongate base 7 further comprises a locating hole 15 through which the hole forming rod member 8 protrudes when the device 100 is in use. The locating hole 15 is at the centre of the elongate base 7 and the posts 13 are located at equal distances from the locating hole 15, either side of the locating hole 15.
As can be seen from
The elongate base 7 not only has up and down movement with respect to the housing 2 due to the springs 6 but it also has lateral and pivotal movement with respect to the housing 2 due to the shape of the posts 13 and guide sleeves 16.
Device 100 further comprises a winding handle 21 for turning the hole forming rod member 8 against a surface to penetrate the surface. Winding handle 21 comprises handle body 3, handle arm 5 and handle grip attachment 4 for engagement with the handle arm 5 to assist a user in gripping the winding handle 21.
Furthermore, device 100 comprises pivotable storage section 1 in which tacks may be stored and storage section 17 in which spare hole forming rod members may be stored. Pivotable storage section 1 is part of handle H and has a pivot point at one end and an indent at the other end. Pivotable storage section 1 is opened by pushing the indented end and lifting the storage section 1 up so that it is only attached to the device by its pivot point.
The hole forming rod member 8 is detachable and can be replaced when worn out. This is done by compressing the base so that it retracts into the base receiving portion revealing the hole forming rod member 8 which then protrudes through locating hole 15 in base 7 and pulling out the hole forming rod member 8 with pliers or the like. The device 100 further comprises a socket (not visible) for hole forming rod member 8.
The device further comprises a protruding tack inserter 19 and protruding tack remover 20. Referring to
The method for inserting a tack into a wall surface will now be described based on the drawings and referring especially to
Referring to
Springs 206 by which the base 207 compresses against the housing 202 of device 200 are shown in
The base 207 further comprises a locating hole 215 through which the hole forming rod member 8 protrudes when the device 200 is in use.
Device 200 as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details as herein described, which are given by way of example only, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1309774.6 | May 2013 | GB | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2014/061286 | 5/30/2014 | WO | 00 |
