Patent Application
20180036873
The present invention relates generally to hand tools and more specifically to axes, picks and the like.
The use and manufacture of axes, picks and the like is an old and well-known art. The connection and attachment of working heads with handles with such tools is also well known in the art. Adhesives such as epoxy resins are commonly used to attach wood tool handles to corresponding tool heads. Wedges or wedged handles have also been used to secure a tool head to a corresponding tool handle.
Tool handles have been made and manufactured using wood, molded plastic or other synthetic materials. The connection between a tool head and a handle often includes the use of a bonding resin, an annular trim collar, and a separate metal filler. However, this type of connection is often permanent, except in the case of tool failure. In addition, handles for hand tools are most often formed as a single unitary length of material that must be configured to withstand the force of impact of the head against an object. Such handles are not often able to withstand impact against the handle itself as a result of mishits that occur when the head misses an object to be struck or is deflected away from an object to be struck. Traditional molded plastic handles or wood handles can also develop cracks or fractures within the structure of the handle material at the connection point between the tool head and the handle or at some other point along the handle due to excessive or improper use. Further, the proximal end of the handle opposite the head of prior art hand tools of this nature is not configured to be used as an implement for other uses. In situations where the handle or head is damaged beyond repair, prior art hand tools do not provide for an easy method of replacement of any damaged components.
Thus, there exists a need in the art to provide a hand tool in the form of a axe that includes a head and handle that are configured to be replaceable and wherein the handle is joined to the head in a manner in which the proximal end of the handle includes another working head in the form of a pommel.
According to one aspect of the invention, a utility tool includes a first head having at least one working surface, a second head having at least one working surface, a handle having a first end and a second end, wherein the first head is coupled to the first end of the handle and the second head is coupled to the second end of the handle, and a core coupled to the first head and the second head and extending through the handle.
In another embodiment of the invention, the core is threadedly coupled to the first head and the second head.
In another embodiment of the invention, the first head includes a second working surface.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the utility tool also includes a fastener extending through the first head and threadedly engaging with the core such that the fastener secures the first head to the core and the handle.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the first working surface is an axe blade.
In another embodiment of the invention, the second working surface is a pick.
In another embodiment of the invention, the core is made of a different material than the handle.
In another embodiment of the invention, the second head is a pommel.
In another aspect of the invention a utility tool, includes a head having at least one working surface, a handle having a length extending from a first end to a second end of the handle, wherein the head is coupled to the first end of the handle, and a core threadedly coupled to the head and extending through the entire length of the handle, removably securing the head to the handle.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of assembling a utility tool, includes providing a first head having at least one working surface, providing a handle having a length extending from a first end to a second end of the handle, providing a core, inserting the core into a hole in the handle, wherein the core extends through the entire length of the handle, coupling the first head to the handle and a first end of the core, providing a second head having at least one working surface, and coupling the second head to the handle and a second end of the core.
In another embodiment of the invention, the coupling of the first head to the first end of the core, includes a threaded engagement.
19. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the coupling of the second head to the second end of the core includes a threaded engagement.
These and other aspects of the present invention may be realized in an improved pendant light as shown and described in the following figures and related description.
When considered in connection with the following illustrative figures, a more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description. In the figures, like reference numbers refer to like elements or acts throughout the figures. Various embodiments of the present invention are shown and described in reference to the numbered drawings.
It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims. The embodiments shown accomplish various aspects and objects of the invention. It is appreciated that it is not possible to clearly show each element and aspect of the invention in a single figure, and as such, multiple figures are presented to separately illustrate the various details of the invention in greater clarity. Similarly, not every embodiment need accomplish all advantages of the present invention. Elements and acts in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence or embodiment.
The invention and accompanying drawings will now be discussed in reference to the numerals provided therein so as to enable one skilled in the art to practice the present invention. The drawings and descriptions are exemplary of various aspects of the invention and are not intended to narrow the scope of the appended claims. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. It is noted that the inventor can be his own lexicographer. The inventor expressly elects, as his own lexicographer, to use only the plain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly set forth the “special” definition of that term and explain how it differs from the plain and ordinary meaning. Absent such clear statements of intent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventor's intent and desire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification and claims.
The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be further characterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term, or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts of English grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases be given their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts as set forth above.
Further, the inventors fully informed of the standards and application of the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). Thus, the use of the words “function,” “means” or “step” in the Detailed Description of the Invention or claims is not intended to somehow indicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are sought to be invoked to define the inventions, the claims will specifically and expressly state the exact phrases “means for” or “step for” and the specific function (e.g., “means for filtering”), without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support of the function. Thus, even when the claims recite a “means for . . . ” or “step for . . . ” if the claims also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means or step, or that perform the recited function, then it is the clear intention of the inventor not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are invoked to define the claimed inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the illustrated embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function as described in alternative embodiments or forms of the invention, or that are well known present or later-developed, equivalent structures, material or acts for performing the claimed function.
In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. Thus, the full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below.
As shown in
As further illustrated in
The distal end 105 of the handle 104 is received within the handle receiving recess or bore 103. The bore 103 and distal end 105 of the handle received within the bore 103 may have an oval or other noncircular cross-sectional shape. For such noncircular cross-sectional shapes, the engagement of the distal end 105 of the handle with the bore 103 prevents the handle 104 from rotating relative to the head 102 so that the head 102 cannot spin relative to the handle 104 when in use.
The core 120 may be formed as a cylindrical rod, as shown in
The core 120 can be formed of metal, such as steel, or any other desired material that can add strength to the handle 104 while providing a securement means that couples the first head 102 to the second head 130. The core 120 can also be formed of any desired size or diameter, enabling the core 120 to be received within the handle 104, for example, a ⅓″ diameter.
The core 120 is received in and at least partially through a central, longitudinally extending bore 124 that extends a length of the handle 104. The bore 124 is aligned with the longitudinal center axis A of the handle 104 and can extend the entire length of the handle 104, form the distal first end 105 to a proximal second end 126, thus forming a through hole. The core 120 can also extend through a length of the handle 104 from the fastener 112 to the second head 130. The first end 105 and second end 126 are outwardly flared. That is, the first end 105 at the point of engagement to the first head 102 and the second end 126 at the point of engagement to the second head 130 each have an effective diameter that is greater than an effective diameter of the central portion of the handle 104. This provides for a comfortable diameter for the central portion of the handle 104 when grasped by hand while providing increased structural integrity to the ends 105 and 126 of the handle 104.
The core 120 can include a second end 128 that is opposite to the first end 122. Similar to the first end 122 of the core 120, the second end 128 can also include a male threaded portion 129 such that the core 120 can be threadedly engaged with a second head 130, or cap. The second head 130 may include a threaded recess 132 that is configured to receive and threadedly engage at least a portion of the threaded portion 129 of the second end 128 of the core 120. As the second head 130 is threaded to the core 120, a top surface 138 of the second head 130 is secured into firm contact with a bottom surface 140 of the proximal end 126 of the handle 104. Via this threaded engagement, the second head 130 may be removed from the handle 104 and core 120 and may be replaced with a different type of shaped second head 130, or enable the replacement of the handle 104 with a different handle having a different shape, made from a different material, or the same type of handle can be used to replace an old, worn, and/or broken handle.
As also shown in
As previously described, the second head 130 includes an internally threaded bore or recess 150 that extends from adjacent the proximal end 126 of the handle 104 and into the second head 130. The threaded recess 150 is configured for threaded engagement with at least a portion of the proximal end 128 of the male threaded portion 129. The male threaded portion 129 allows the core 120 to be threadedly engaged with the second head 130, which forms an end cap to the handle 104. The threaded recess 132 allows for the threaded portion 129 to be fully or partially threaded into the second head 130 to retain the second head 130 relative to the proximal end 126 of the handle 104. The second head 130 is comprised of a peen portion 152 and a handle abutment portion 154. The peen portion 152 is generally cylindrical in shape with a rounded or flat striking surface 134. The handle abutment portion is also cylindrical in shape, but is separated from the peen portion 152 by a circumferential recess 156 that directs the shock from blows to the striking surface 134 toward the core 120.
In addition, in order to prevent rotation of the second head 130 relative to the handle 104, the top surface 138 of the second head 130 includes a plurality of protrusions, such as protrusions 160 and 162 that are radially spaced around the cop surface 138 of the second head 130 and that are spaced a distance from the core 120 and a distance from the outer surface 162 of the handle 104. For example, there may be 2, 4 or 6 of such protrusions. The proximal end 126 of the handle 104 also includes a corresponding plurality of recesses 161 and 163, respectively, configured to receive therein the recesses 160 and 162. The protrusions and recesses may be generally frustoconical in shape or other shapes or sizes. The engagement of the protrusions 160 and 162 with recesses 161 and 163, respectively, prevents rotation of the second head 130 relative to the handle 104. This is not only important to prevent the second head 130 from self loosening relative to the core 120 when being used as a hammer-type instrument, but also prevents rotation of the head 130 relative to the handle when the core 120 is being threaded into the second head 130 when the handle is being tightened between the second head 130 and the first head 102 as the fastener 112 is being rotated (see
Due to the configuration of the tool 100 of the present invention as described herein, the threaded coupling of the the second head 130 relative to the first head 102, the tool 100 can be easily disassembled, which allows replacement of any of the components, including either head 102 or 103 or the handle 104 should any one of them become damaged during use. In addition, the use of the central core 120 that couples the first head 102 to the second head 130, provides structural strength and rigidity between the two heads 102 and 130 without overstressing the handle 120. Such a configuration thus reduces stress on the handle 104 caused by impact forces on either of the two heads 102 and 130. Further, the removability of either head 102 and 130 allows for easy replacement with other head types as may be desired, such as pick heads, spike heads or heads of other implements and tools known in the art. Thus, either head 102 or 130 may be replaced with a different type of head, or the handle may be replaced with a different handle having a different shape, made from a different material, or the same type of handle can be used to replace an old, worn, and/or broken handle.
There is thus disclosed an improved utility tool and method of assembling the improved utility tool. In the foregoing specification, the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims, including combinations of elements of the various illustrated embodiments. The specification and figures are illustrative, not restrictive, and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described.
For example, the steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the specific order presented in the claims. Additionally, the components and/or elements recited in any apparatus claims may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the claims.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular embodiments. Any benefit, advantage, solution to problem, or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or components of any or all the claims.
The phrase “consisting essentially of” as used herein is intended to cover additional elements or functions that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed invention. Thus, “consisting essentially of” is intended to encompass not only those components specifically listed, but also separate or additional components that do not materially alter the specifically recited functions or elements.
The terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “having”, “including”, “includes” or any variations of such terms, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used in the practice of the present invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters, or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same.
The present invention is a continuation-in-part of and thus claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/570,408 filed on Jul. 7, 2016, the entirety of which is incorporated by this reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 29570408 | Jul 2016 | US |
| Child | 15730619 | US |
