1. Field
The present invention is generally related to chisels. More particularly, the application relates to foldable chisels.
2. Description of Related Art
Chisels typically include a blade with a cutting edge and one or more handles. The one or more handles are adapted for carrying the chisel and for being struck by another tool, such as a hammer, to drive the cutting edge to carve, shave, or cut a work piece. When the chisel is being transported, it may be carried in a bag to protect the blade against damage and to protect users from the cutting edge of the blade.
One embodiment comprises a chisel having: a blade; a first handle rotatably coupled to the blade and forming a first channel adapted to receive a first side of the blade; and a a second handle rotatably coupled to the blade and forming a second channel adapted to receive a second side of the blade opposite the first side of the blade. The first handle and second handle are rotatable between an open position in which the blade is substantially exposed and a closed position in which the blade is at least partially contained in the first channel and the second channel. The first handle and the second handle comprise a rotatable coupling such that the first handle and the second handle rotate with one another in opposite directions between the closed position and the open position. The foldable chisel further comprises an over-center structure configured to impede rotation of the first handle and the second handle from the closed position toward the open position.
One embodiment comprises a chisel having a blade; a first handle rotatably coupled to the blade; and a second handle rotatably coupled to the blade. The first handle comprises a first interlocking component and forms a first channel adapted to receive a first side of the blade. The second handle comprises a second interlocking component and forms a second channel adapted to receive a second side of the blade opposite the first side of the blade. The first handle and the second handle are rotatable between an open position in which the blade is substantially exposed and a closed position in which the blade is at least partially contained in the first channel and the second channel. The first interlocking component and the second interlocking component are adapted to releasably couple the first handle and the second handle when the two handles are rotated to the open position.
Aspects of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. In one embodiment of the invention, the structural components illustrated herein can be considered drawn to scale. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. It shall also be appreciated that the features of one embodiment disclosed herein can be used in other embodiments disclosed herein. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Referring now more particularly to the drawings,
Blade 110 may have one or more cutting edges adapted to, for example, carve, shave, or cut work pieces. As shown in
Blade 110 may have a width W that is constant along blade 110 or that varies along the blade 110. For example, as shown in
Each of handles 120 and 130 (and particularly the rear ends 125, 135 thereof) may be configured for being struck by another tool or striking instrument, such as a hammer. In some embodiments, the rear of each handle may comprise an end cap that may be made of materials (e.g., steel) known to withstand impact from the striking instrument. Alternatively, each handle may be entirely formed from a material suitable for being struck. Each handle may be made of metal, wood, a composite material, or a synthetic material. Each handle may be contoured, shock absorbent, or ergonomic. For example, handles 120 and 130 may each have a recessed portion 128 and 138, respectively, adapted for gripping handles 120 and 130 when they are to be pivotally moved from the deployed position shown in
Each of handles 120 and 130 may be coupled to blade 110 in a manner that allows each of the handles to rotate relative to the blade. The rotation allows the two handles to collapse around the blade, reducing the size of foldable chisel 100 and making storage and transport of the chisel 100 more convenient. In the example shown in
Each of handles 120 and 130 may be rotatable between the open, or unfolded position illustrated in
Each channel may have a height H that is substantially the same, greater, or substantially greater than a thickness of blade 110. In some embodiments, the height H of the channel may be uniform, as shown in
Channels 124 and 134 each have a depth D that may together be sufficiently deep to contain at least a partial portion of blade 110. For example, each of channels 124 and 134 may have a depth D that is about half the width of blade 110. When the two handles are folded to the closed position, blade 110 may be substantially contained in a combination of channels 124 and 134. In another example, each of channels 124 and 134 may have a depth D that is substantially less than the width of blade 110 (e.g., one-third or one-quarter of the width of blade 110), such that only a partial portion of the blade 110 (e.g., two-thirds or one-half of blade 110) is contained in the combination of channels 124 and 134. In some embodiments, each channel may have a depth that varies along the length of its handle. For example, if blade 110 widened from back side 114 toward front edge 111, each channel 124, 134 may be shallowest near back side 114 and may deepen toward the opposite side 125, 135 of the handle. The slope of deepening may follow a slope at which blade 110 widens, or may be steeper or shallower. In some embodiments, each channel may have a depth that varies along a top-to-bottom direction of the handles. The depth may be varied, for example, to match the shape of the blade 110 of
In some embodiments, when handles 120 and 130 are rotated to the open position, channels 124 and 134 may be separated by a wall on a back side of handle 120 and a wall on a back side of handle 130. In some embodiments, the back sides of handles 120 and 130 may have no wall, or may have a wall with an opening, such that channels 124 and 134 form a contiguous cavity when the handles are rotated to the open position.
Handles 120 and 130 comprise a coupling that generates synchronized movement among the two handles. In one embodiment, handles 120 and 130 have a rotatable coupling that can take the form of two gears. For example, as shown in the figures, a gear 122 and a gear 132 are provided on handles 120 and 130, respectively. Gears 122 and 132 operatively engage and substantially synchronize rotation of the two handles. For example, gears 122 and 132 may force handles 120 and 130 to rotate in opposite directions at substantially the same rate. Each gear may be a separate component coupled to its handle or may be part of its handle's main body. Gears 122 and 132 may operatively engage each other through one or more gear teeth on each gear. For example, the gear teeth of gear 122 may mesh with the gear teeth of gear 132, as shown in
In some embodiments, such as one shown in
The handles 120 and 130 have an over-center structure 140 that impedes rotation of the two handles away from the closed position. Thus, when handles 120 and 130 are folded to the closed position, the over-center structure inhibits the handles from being accidentally unfolded. The over-center structure 140 requires application of a predetermined force to enable the handles to overcome a force that tends to keep the handles closed.
When handles 120 and 130 are rotated to the open position, interlocking features 126 and 136, as shown in
More detail of the interlocking features 126 and 136 is provided in
As handles 120 and 130 are rotated to the open position and interlocking features 126 and 136 engage each other, the bulge portion of each finger 126C and 136C may slide against the other interlocking feature. After the bulge portion of finger 126C slides past end surface 136E, it snaps into a position that opposes reverse motion of finger 126C relative to the other interlocking feature 136. After the bulge portion of finger 136C slides past end surface 126E, it snaps into a position that opposes reverse motion of finger 136C relative to the other interlocking feature 126. When interlocking features 126 and 136 are snapped together, the bulges of finger 126C and 136C tend to keep handles 120 and 130 in the open, unfolded position.
When handles 120 and 130 are pulled from the open position to rotate them toward the closed position, a sufficient pulling force may deflect the fingers 126C and 136C of interlocking features 126 and 136, respectively, so that they release the coupling between the two handles 120 and 130. For example, as shown in
In some embodiments, handles 120 and 130 may not be identical. For example, only one of fingers 126C and 136C may have a bulge formed on the end thereof, or the two fingers 126C and 136C may each have a bulge formed thereon that has a different shape from the bulge of the other finger.
Although embodiments in the figures show a chisel blade, other embodiments of the invention may include a gouge blade, a file blade, a knife blade, or any other type of blade.
While the principles of the invention have been made clear in the illustrative embodiments set forth above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the structure, arrangement, proportion, elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention.
It will thus be seen that the objects of this invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It will be realized, however, that the foregoing preferred specific embodiments have been shown and described for the purpose of illustrating the functional and structural principles of this invention and are subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
229706 | Jansen | Jul 1880 | A |
237498 | Deasey | Feb 1881 | A |
365086 | Miller | Jun 1887 | A |
447185 | Hollweg | Feb 1891 | A |
508273 | Brauch | Nov 1893 | A |
847206 | Saunderson | Mar 1907 | A |
881294 | Billings | Mar 1908 | A |
952744 | Johnson | Mar 1910 | A |
1203840 | Bailey | Nov 1916 | A |
1549545 | Hickman | Aug 1925 | A |
1659418 | Werner | Feb 1928 | A |
1665955 | Gatewood | Apr 1928 | A |
D154482 | Hill | Jul 1949 | S |
2475041 | Mattson | Jul 1949 | A |
2714249 | Clark et al. | Aug 1955 | A |
2735179 | Stanton | Feb 1956 | A |
2823561 | Opocensky | Feb 1958 | A |
4047298 | Philippar | Sep 1977 | A |
4330937 | Cope | May 1982 | A |
4364174 | De Asis | Dec 1982 | A |
4507863 | Rowe | Apr 1985 | A |
D280179 | Miceli | Aug 1985 | S |
4547965 | Moore | Oct 1985 | A |
4555822 | Miceli | Dec 1985 | A |
4586496 | Keller | May 1986 | A |
4648145 | Miceli | Mar 1987 | A |
D289368 | Mann | Apr 1987 | S |
4669140 | Miceli | Jun 1987 | A |
4672743 | Grahm | Jun 1987 | A |
4722140 | Miceli | Feb 1988 | A |
5809599 | Frazer | Sep 1998 | A |
5953820 | Vasudeva | Sep 1999 | A |
D420883 | Zaha | Feb 2000 | S |
D420884 | Zaha | Feb 2000 | S |
D422190 | Zaha | Apr 2000 | S |
D424398 | Zaha | May 2000 | S |
D429615 | Zaha | Aug 2000 | S |
6170158 | Daily | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6195898 | Lemisch | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6550142 | Moser | Apr 2003 | B1 |
D487494 | Glesser | Mar 2004 | S |
6715208 | Lemisch | Apr 2004 | B2 |
6848183 | Lemisch | Feb 2005 | B2 |
D566222 | Hawk et al. | Apr 2008 | S |
7533465 | Frazer | May 2009 | B1 |
D596472 | Cook | Jul 2009 | S |
7634858 | Frazer | Dec 2009 | B1 |
7676930 | Demko | Mar 2010 | B1 |
D710166 | Cook | Aug 2014 | S |
20010005941 | DiMatteo et al. | Jul 2001 | A1 |
20040025354 | Lemisch | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20040181946 | Lemisch | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20050132577 | Henriksen | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050284909 | Munoz | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20060196056 | Davis | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20080236210 | Frazer | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20090142127 | Glesser et al. | Jun 2009 | A1 |
20100139101 | Cooper | Jun 2010 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2013200102 | Aug 2013 | AU |
482885 | Dec 1948 | BE |
2802248 | Jul 2013 | CA |
684635 | Nov 1994 | CH |
201195333 | Feb 2009 | CN |
2614929 | Jul 2013 | EP |
2 554 036 | May 1985 | FR |
606631 | Aug 1948 | GB |
2433911 | Jul 2007 | GB |
WO 9955498 | Nov 1999 | WO |
WO 03051584 | Jun 2003 | WO |
WO 2008001138 | Jan 2008 | WO |
Entry |
---|
Kitchen, D. Pocket Chisel [online], Toolmonger, Apr. 25, 2008 [retrieved on Oct. 21, 2013]. Retrieved from the Internet <URL:http://toolmonger.com/2008/04/25/pocket-chisel/>. |
2009 FastCap Innovative products for the serious woodworker. Pocket Chisel [online]. FastCap, 2009 [retrieved on Oct. 21, 2013]. Retrieved from the Internet: <URL: http://www.fastcap.com/doc/CAT08—web.pdf>. |
Extended Search Report, including the Search Opinion, as issued for European Patent Application No. 13150745.1, dated Apr. 15, 2013. |
Pocket Chisel. [online] FastCap, 2011 [retrieved on Jan. 12, 2012]. Retrieved from the Internet <URL: http://www.fastcap.com/estore/pc/Pocket-Chisel-3p2470.htm>. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20130180114 A1 | Jul 2013 | US |