BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to a hand tool with a scraper blade. The hand tool includes an elongated handle for operation in a standing position. Typically, a flat scraper blade with a single scraping edge is disposed at a distal end of a long handle and is specialized for a single application, e.g., tile demolition, floor scraping, detail scraping, etc., but not for different applications. An operator must choose a different tool for each application.
SUMMARY
In one aspect, the invention provides a floor scraper hand tool having an elongated handle, a concave scraper blade, and a guard. The elongated handle is at least two feet long defining a longitudinal axis and having a first distal end in the longitudinal direction and a second distal end generally opposite the first distal end. The scraper blade is coupled to the elongated handle proximate the first distal end and includes a first scraping edge and a second scraping edge. The first scraping edge has a different form than the second scraping edge. The guard at least partially covers one of the first scraping edge or the second scraping edge. The concave scraper blade is coupleable to the elongated handle in a first position in which the first scraping edge is opposite the second distal end of the elongated handle and in a second position in which the second scraping edge is opposite the second distal end of the elongated handle. The guard at least partially covers the first scraping edge when the scraper blade is in the second position and at least partially covers the second scraping edge when the scraper blade is in the first position.
In another aspect, the invention provides a floor scraper hand tool having an elongated handle and a scraper blade. The elongated handle defines a longitudinal axis and has a first distal end in the longitudinal direction and a second distal end generally opposite the first distal end. The scraper blade is coupled to the elongated handle proximate the first distal end and includes a first scraping edge and a second scraping edge. The first scraping edge has a different form than the second scraping edge. The scraper blade is coupleable to the elongated handle in a first position in which the first scraping edge is opposite the second distal end of the elongated handle and in a second position in which the second scraping edge is opposite the second distal end of the elongated handle.
In yet another aspect, the invention provides a floor scraper hand tool having an elongated handle, a scraper blade, and a guard. The elongated handle defines a longitudinal axis and has a first distal end in the longitudinal direction and a second distal end generally opposite the first distal end in the longitudinal direction. The scraper blade is coupled to the elongated handle proximate the first distal end and includes a first scraping edge and a second scraping edge different from the first scraping edge. The guard at least partially covers one of the first or second scraping edges.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a scraper tool with a handle according to one construction of the invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the scraper tool shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is side view of the scraper tool shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a side view of another construction of the scraper tool shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a side view of another construction of the scraper tool shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a side view of yet another construction of the scraper tool shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of yet another construction of the scraper tool shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the construction of the scraper tool shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a side view of the construction of the scraper tool shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another construction of the handle shown in FIG. 1.
Before any constructions of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other constructions and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIGS. 1-9 illustrate a scraper tool 10 having an elongated handle 12 with first and second grips 14, 16 and a scraper blade 18 removably mounted to a first distal end 28 of the handle 12. The handle 12 is a long handle for use by a standing operator. For example, the handle 12 is at least 2 feet long. More specifically, the handle is between 2 feet and 6 feet long. Even more specifically, the handle is between 3 feet and 5 feet long. The handle 12 defines a longitudinal axis A in a direction of elongation of the handle 12. The first grip 14 is disposed proximate a second distal end 30 of the handle 12, and the second grip 16 is disposed between the first and second distal ends 28, 30 of the handle 12 and spaced from the scraper blade 18 and the first grip 14. For example, the second grip 16 may be disposed at or near a center of the elongated handle 12 along the axis A. The first and second grips 14, 16 may be generally concentric around an outer surface of the handle 12 and formed from an elastic material having gripping properties, such as rubber or other suitable polymer.
The scraper blade 18 includes a first scraping edge 20 at a first end 32 of the scraper blade 18 and a second scraping edge 22 at a second end 34 of the scraper blade 18 generally opposite the first end 32. Thus, the scraping edges 20, 22 are disposed on generally opposite distal ends of the scraper blade 18. In the illustrated construction, the scraper blade 18 is concave and generally forms a quadrilateral shape. The scraper blade 18 includes a concave surface 86 and a convex surface 88 opposite the concave surface (FIG. 3). The first and second scraping edges 20, 22 are generally straight and substantially parallel and may be disposed at opposite sides of the quadrilateral shape. In other constructions, the first and second scraping edges 20, 22 may be non-parallel, the scraper blade 18 may have other shapes, and the scraper blade 18 may be flat or a combination of flat and concave, or curved.
The first and second scraping edges 20, 22 may have different forms for different scraping applications. For example, the first and second scraping edges 20, 22 may have any combination of one or more of differing sharpness, bluntness, shape, bevel angle, texture, grit, etc. In the illustrated construction, the first scraping edge 20 is a blunt edge and the second scraping edge 22 is a razor edge. As such, the first and second scraping edges 20 have different forms, e.g., different sharpness. In the illustrated construction, the first scraping edge 20 has a length L1 (FIG. 2) that is greater than a length L2 of the second scraping edge 22. For example, L1 may be about 14 inches (e.g., about 11 to about 17 inches, or more specifically about 13 to about 15 inches). L2 may be about 8 inches (e.g., about 5 inches to about 11 inches, or more specifically about 7 inches to about 9 inches). In other constructions, other lengths may be employed. In other constructions, the first and second scraping edges 20, 22 may have the same form and/or the same length.
In the illustrated construction, the first and second scraping edges 20, 22 are scraping edge members that are removably fastened to the first and second ends 32, 34 of the scraper blade 18, respectively. For example, the first and second scraping edges 20, 22 are removably fastened by one or more fasteners 36 such as screws, nuts and bolts, clamps, clips, pins, etc. In other constructions, the first and second scraping edges 20, 22 may be formed at the first and second ends 32, 34 of the scraper blade 28, e.g., from the same single piece of material as the scraper blade 18 or fixedly coupled thereto, e.g., by rivets or welding.
A connecting member 24 extends from the convex surface 88 of the scraper blade 18 generally normal to the convex surface 88 of the scraper blade 18 and defines an axis B (FIG. 3). Thus, the axis B is generally normal to the scraper blade 18.
In the construction illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the connecting member 24 includes two generally planar, generally parallel mounting members 24a, 24b (such as lobes or brackets) projecting from the convex surface 88 of the scraper blade 18 and defining a cavity 38 therebetween for receiving the handle 12. The connecting member 24 is fixed to the scraper blade 18 and is generally symmetrical about the axis B (FIG. 3) such that the handle 12 can be received in the cavity 38 from either side of the axis B, e.g., from the first end 32 of the scraper blade 18 or from the second end 34 of the scraper blade 18. The mounting members 24a, 24b each include an aperture 40. In the illustrated construction, the aperture 40 is a slot elongated generally perpendicular to the axis B and configured to receive one or more fasteners 42. In other constructions, the aperture 40 may have other shapes, orientations, etc. or may include two or more discrete and separate apertures, one for each fastener 42. In the illustrated construction, the fasteners 42 are removable and include nuts and bolts, but may include other types of fasteners in other constructions, such as a screw, a pin, a clip, a clamp, etc. The elongated handle 12 includes apertures or a corresponding slot therethrough (not shown) proximate the first distal end 28 of the handle 12 for receiving the fasteners 42.
The scraper blade 18 is removably and adjustably mounted to the elongated handle 12 by an adjustable coupling 26. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the adjustable coupling 26 includes the connecting member 24 (including the mounting members 24a, 24b), the apertures 40, and the fasteners 42. The coupling 26 is adjustable by being capable of receiving the handle 12 from the first end 32 or from the second end 34 such that the scraper blade 18 can be mounted with the first scraping edge 20 in a working position 44 (which will be defined in greater detail below) or the second scraper edge 22 in the working position 44.
In the construction illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the adjustable coupling 26 allows the scraper blade 18 to be rotationally repositioned about the axis B. For example, the scraper blade 18 is selectively repositionable about the axis B between a first position and a second position by uncoupling, rotating 180 degrees, and re-coupling. Or, the scraper blade 18 is selectively repositionable about the axis B between the first position and the second position by removing one of the two fasteners 42, swinging the scraper blade 18 around to face the opposite direction with the other of the two fasteners 42 still attached, and then reattaching the second fastener 42 to secure the scraper blade 18 in the second position. In the first position (as shown in FIGS. 1-3) the first scraping edge 20 is located in the working position 44 at a distal end of the scraper tool 10 generally opposite the second distal end 30 of the handle 12, and in the second position (e.g., as shown in phantom in FIG. 5) the second scraping edge 20 is located in the working position 44. In other constructions, the scraper blade 18 may include third, fourth, or more scraping edges and may be repositionable between additional (e.g., third, fourth, etc.) positions by rotation at other angles, such as 120 degrees, 90 degrees, etc., to place the respective scraping edge in the working position.
The scraper tool 10 also includes a guard 46 for covering one of the first or second scraping edges 20, 22 not in the working position 44 (i.e., in a non-working or storage position 90). The guard 46 covers the first scraping edge 20 when the scraper blade 18 is in the second position and covers the second scraping edge 22 when the scraper blade 18 is in the first position.
The guard 46 includes a generally linear recess 48 (or channel) formed therein for receiving the one of the first or second scraping edges 20, 22 in the non-working position 90. The guard 46 substantially covers the edge 20, 22 in the non-working position 90. For example, the guard 46 may be formed from a piece of sheet metal, or other material, bent or formed to define the recess 48.
The guard 46 is jointly coupled to the elongated handle 12 and the connecting member 24 of the scraper blade 18 by way of the fasteners 42. However, in other constructions, the guard 46 may be coupled to the scraper blade 18 or to the elongated handle 12 independently. In the illustrated construction, the guard 46 includes a pair of mounting brackets 50 spaced in a generally parallel fashion to receive the first and second mounting members 24a, 24b and the elongated handle 12 therebetween. The mounting brackets 50 include apertures therethrough for receiving one of the fasteners 42, which sandwiches the mounting brackets 50, the mounting members 24a, 24b, and the elongated handle 12 together. In other constructions, the guard 46 may be mounted in other suitable ways.
The scraper tool 10 also includes stomps 52a, 52b. Each of the stomps 52a, 52b extends transverse to the axis A, e.g., substantially perpendicular to the axis A as illustrated. The stomps 52a, 52b are coupled to the handle 12 proximate the first distal end 28 and extend from opposite sides of the handle 12. In other constructions, the stomps 52a, 52b may be coupled to the scraper blade 18 or to the guard 46. In the illustrated construction, each stomp 52a, 52b is formed from a bar fixedly coupled to the handle 12, e.g., by welding or the like, which extends transverse to the axis A. The bar may be straight or bent, as shown. In some constructions, only one stomp is employed.
FIGS. 4-9 illustrate other constructions of the adjustable coupling 26. These alternate constructions are denoted by the same reference numerals used above plus “100” added for each subsequent construction. Like parts are numbered the same as they are above. The adjustable couplings 26, 126, 226, 326 allow the scraper blade 18 to be adjusted relative to the handle 12. For example, the angle of the handle 12 with respect to the scraper blade 18 can be adjusted, the angle of the scraper blade 18 can be adjusted with respect to the handle 12, the scraper blade 18 can be rotationally repositioned about the axis B, and the scraper blade 18 can be removed and re-attached in an opposite-facing orientation along the length of the axis B, all of which will be described in greater detail below.
In the construction illustrated in FIG. 4, the adjustable coupling 126 includes a connecting member 124 having mounting members 124a, 124b (not shown) having a pivot aperture 54 and a plurality of positional apertures 56. The handle 12 is coupleable to the mounting members 124a, 124b at various angles relative to the scraper 12 by using fasteners (not shown) through a combination of the pivot aperture 54 and one of the positional apertures 56. Fasteners, such as any of the fasteners described above, may be employed. The handle 12 is illustrated in a first position and a second position, which is shown in phantom, in FIG. 4. In this construction, it may be possible to select which of the scraping edges 20, 22 is placed in the working position 44 by adjusting the handle 12 accordingly. For example, in the second position, the first scraping edge 20 is in the working position 44. In a third position (not shown), in which the handle position is substantially a mirror image of the second position about an axis defined by the first position, the second scraping edge 22 is in the working position 44.
In the construction illustrated in FIG. 5, the adjustable coupling 226 includes a collar 58, a removable pin 60, and a connecting member 224. The connecting member 224 is constructed as a cylindrical projection. The collar 58 has a corresponding shape and receives the connecting member 224. A removable pin 60 passes through apertures in the collar 58 and the connecting member 224, and a securing member 62 (e.g., such as a bent wire) secures the removable pin 60 to hold the connecting member 224 in place with respect to the collar 58. The securing member 62 and pin 60 cooperate to secure the scraper blade 18 and are removable to release the scraper blade 18. Thus, the scraper blade 18 is removably coupled to the handle 12.
With further reference to FIG. 5, the collar 58 includes a hollow cavity for receiving the connecting member 24 therein and two axially opposite open ends 64, 66 (e.g., the cavity passes through the collar 28 at both axial ends along axis B) that are generally symmetrical about the axis A such that the scraper blade 18 can be attached to either open end 64, 66 of the collar 58 (at either longitudinal end along axis B). A first position of the scraper blade 18 is shown in FIG. 5, and a second position is shown in phantom in FIG. 5. The second position is opposite-facing relative to the first position. In the illustrated construction, the scraper blade 18 can also be repositioned relative to the collar 58 by rotating the scraper blade 18 with respect to the collar 58 and re-securing the pin 60 and securing member 62. For example, the scraper blade 18 can be repositioned in two positions 180 degrees apart (rotationally about the axis B) to place either the first or the second scraping edge 20, 22 in the working position 44. In other constructions, the scraper blade 18 may include more than two scraping edges and, therefore, more than two positions about the axis B. Thus, the scraper blade 18 can be removed, repositioned, and secured to the handle 12 in a plurality of positions.
The adjustable coupling 226 also includes a pivot plate 68 disposed between the collar 58 and the handle 12. The scraper blade 18 is removably coupled to the collar 58, which is fixedly coupled to the pivot plate 68, and the handle 12 is pivotably coupled to the pivot plate 68 by way of a pivot pin 70. A locking mechanism 72 allows the handle 12 to be held in a plurality of positions with respect to the scraper blade 18. Any suitable locking mechanism may be employed. For example, the locking mechanism 72 includes a locking pin 74, as shown. In other constructions, the locking mechanism 72 may include a biased protrusion coupled to the handle 12, a fastener such a nut and bolt, a screw, or any of the fasteners described above, etc. In the illustrated construction, a plurality of apertures 76 are disposed in the pivot plate 68 for receiving the locking pin 74. The locking pin 74 is selectively received in any one of the plurality of apertures 76, each corresponding to a different angle between the handle 12 and the scraper blade 18. FIG. 5 illustrates the handle 12 in a first position and, in phantom, a second position. In other constructions, other angle adjustment mechanisms may be employed, such as a gimbal mechanism, a locking ball and socket joint, etc.
FIG. 6 illustrates yet another construction of the adjustable coupling 326 having a connecting member 324 in which the collar 58 is fixedly coupled to the handle 12, and the scraper blade 18 is pivotable relative to the collar 58 to adjust an angle C between the scraper blade 18 and an axis (such as axis B) perpendicular to the axis A of the handle 12. Axis B, which is perpendicular to the axis A of the handle 12, is used as a reference in FIG. 6. For example, the scraper blade 18 may be adjustable by way of a locking gimbal mechanism, a locking ball and socket joint, a pivot pin with locking mechanism (as shown and described above), etc. The angle C may be adjustable between an angle of greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees. More specifically, the angle C may be adjustable between an angle of greater than 30 degrees and less than 150 degrees. More specifically, the angle C may be adjustable between an angle of greater than 60 degrees and less than 120 degrees. In this construction, the scraper blade 18 may also be rotationally adjustable about the axis B as described above.
FIGS. 7-9 illustrate yet another construction of the adjustable coupling 426, the connecting member 424, the guard 446, and the stomp 452.
The adjustable coupling 426 includes the connecting member 424. The connecting member 424 includes a tube 478 defining an elongated cavity 438 extending generally perpendicular to the axis B for receiving the handle 12. In the illustrated construction, the tube 478 is generally cylindrical; however, in other constructions the tube 478 may have any extruded shape, or any other shape defining an elongated cavity for receiving the handle 12. The tube 478 is fixedly coupled to the scraper blade 18. The tube 478 may be coupled to or formed as one piece with first and second mounting members 424a, 424b extending fixedly from the scraper blade 18. In some constructions, the tube 478 may be directly coupled to the scraper blade 18, or other mounting members may be employed. The tube 478 has in inner diameter sized to receive the handle 12 therein. A fastener (not shown) such as any of the fasteners described above (e.g., the removable pin 60 with the securing member 62 described above and shown in FIGS. 5-6) may be passed through an aperture 440 in the tube 478 and the handle 12 to removably couple the scraper blade 18 and the handle 12. The aperture 440 also passes through the first and second mounting members 424a, 242b when the mounting members are employed for receiving the fastener therethrough.
The adjustable coupling 426 is generally symmetrical about the axis B for receiving the handle 12 in the cavity 438 from either side of the axis B. In a first position, the handle 12 is received from the second end 34 of the scraper blade 18 such that the first scraping edge 20 is in the working position 44 opposite the second distal end 30 of the handle 12. In a second position (e.g., refer to the phantom lines in FIG. 5 above), the handle 12 is received from the first end 32 of the scraper blade 18 such that the second scraping edge 22 is in the working position 44 opposite the second distal end 30 of the handle 12. Furthermore, in the first position the second scraping edge 22 is disposed between the first scraping edge 20 and the second distal end 30 of the elongated handle 12 in the longitudinal direction A, and in the second position the first scraping edge 20 is disposed between the second scraping edge 22 and the second distal end 30 of the elongated handle 12 in the longitudinal direction A.
The guard 446 includes a stomp member 452 having a stomp surface 480 generally facing the second distal end 30 of the handle 12 and disposed proximate the first distal end 28 of the handle 12. The stomp surface 480 may be disposed generally perpendicular to the axis A, e.g., such that the axis A is normal to, or varies slightly from normal to, the stomp surface 480. The stomp surface 480 provides a surface for the operator's foot to stand or stomp on the scraper tool 10. The stomp surface 480 also acts as a guard over the scraper blade 18. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the first and second scraping edges 20, 22 cooperate to define a plane D. The stomp surface 480, or guard 446, is intersected by the plane D proximate the edge 20, 22 closest to the stomp 452 such that the guard 446 at least partially covers the closer of the edges 20, 22. When the scraper blade 18 is in the first position, the guard 446 covers the second scraping edge 22, and when the scraper blade 18 is in the second position, the guard 446 covers the first scraping edge 20. In the illustrated construction, the handle 12 passes through the stomp surface 480. In other constructions, the stomp surface 480 may be coupled to one or more sides of the handle 12.
The guard 446 includes a support, such as first and second support members 482a, 482b, supporting the stomp member 452. The support members 482a, 482b extend from, and are coupled to, the handle 12. The support members 482a, 482b may include bars, tubes, wires, etc. or another suitable framework. The handle 12 may include an enlarged diameter portion 484 acting as an axial stop against the tube 478 and providing a mounting location for the support members 482a, 482b. The enlarged diameter portion 484 may be separate from the handle 12 such that the handle 12 is received therethrough, or may be fixed to the handle 12.
FIG. 10 illustrates another construction of the handle 512 having a bent second distal end 530 such that the first grip 514 is disposed at an angle with respect to the axis A, such as 90 degrees. In other constructions, the second distal end 530 may have other angles with respect to the axis A. In the illustrated construction, the axis A intersects the first grip 514 and the second grip 516 is aligned coaxially with the axis A. The handle 512 may be employed with any of the constructions of the scraper tool 10 described herein and, thus, may be adjustable as described above.
The alternate constructions of the features described herein may be employed in any combination. For example, any of the stomps or guards may be used in any combination with each other and in any combination with the adjustable couplings described herein.
In operation, an operator may move the scraper blade 18 from the first position to the second position to selectively secure one of the scraping edges 20, 22 in the working position 44. The scraper blade 18 may be rotated about the axis B, e.g., by 180 degrees, between the first position and the second position (FIGS. 1-3, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIGS. 7-9). The scraper blade 18 may be rotated within a rotatable coupling (FIG. 5 and FIG. 6) or removed, repositioned, and re-coupled to the handle 12 from the first position to the second position (FIGS. 1-3). The scraper blade 18 may alternatively be pivoted about a pivot between the first position and the second position (FIGS. 1-3, and FIG. 4).
The operator may also change the scraper blade 18 from one side of axis A of the handle 12 to an opposite-facing side of the axis A of the handle 12 (FIGS. 1-3, FIG. 5, FIG. 6). The operator may also adjust the angle of the handle 12 relative to the scraper blade 18 such that the handle 12 may be secured in a plurality of positions (FIG. 4, FIG. 5). The operator may also adjust the scraper blade 18 angle C relative to the handle 12 (FIG. 6).
The scraper tool 10 may be used for scraping a surface, such as a floor, a ceiling, a wall, etc. Different positions of the scraper blade 18 provide different scraping edges 20, 22 having different forms, such as a blunt edge for certain applications and a razor edge for other types of applications. The scraping edges 20, 22 also differ in length L1, L2 to provide different functionality in one tool.
For added power during use, the operator may apply force on the stomps 52a, 52b, 452, e.g., by way of one's foot.
Thus, the invention provides a scraper tool 10 with an adjustable scraper blade 18 having a guard.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred constructions, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.
Patent Application
20170224186
