Patent Application
20080073404
The present disclosure relates to a hand-held device that is powered by a pneumatic motor. The device is portable and can be easily transported. The devise has a generally L-shaped configuration wherein the base of the L is preferably the grip or handle for the hand. A trigger is within easy reach of the grip or handle. The trigger is used to activate the pneumatic motor that then drives the hammer bar, the blade or the chisel. Attached to the pneumatic motor is an air hose for connecting the pneumatic motor to an external source of pressurized air. The external source of compressed air can be powered by a gas powered engine, a battery, a fuel cell, an outlet for ac current, or the like. The vertical part of the L is a hollow body for receiving the pneumatic motor, the reciprocating springs and the hammer bar. The proximal end of the hammer bar is attached to the hollow housing by a spring or a series of springs. The distal end of the hammer shaft extends beyond the end of the hollow body. A replaceable magnetic tip is located at the distal end of the hammer shaft. The magnetic tip can be easily replaced when it becomes worn. Means of attaching the tip to the hammer shaft are well-known in the art and form no part of the present disclosure.
A cutting blade is fitted into a cutting bit in a removable fashion. The cutting bit is connected to a swivel joint positioned on an alignment sleeve by means of a moveable arm. The moveable arm can be a spring or a resilient material. The arm can be rotated manually to position the cutting blade directly below the hammer bar. This position negates the hammering action and allows for the cutting action. The tool becomes a cutting device when the cutting blade is moved to snugly fit into the end of the hammer bar that contains the magnetic tip. When the cutting action is no longer needed, the cutting blade can be rotated to the side of the device. It can be easily replaced when it is worn. In an alternative embodiment, the hammer shaft itself can be magnetized. A fully magnetized hammer shaft allows for easy and rapid pickup of nails and makes a replaceable magnetic tip unnecessary.
The positioning of the swivel joint on the device can be on the alignment sleeve. The moveable arm with cutting blade attachment (or any other attachment) is positioned on the alignment sleeve by means of a swivel joint. Preferably two swivel joints are employed to attach a pair of moveable arms to the alignment sleeve. In a more preferred embodiment, two swivel joints are employed to attach two pair of moveable arms to the alignment sleeve. A first pair of moveable arms connects a cutting blade to the alignment sleeve; and a second pair of moveable arms connects a chiseling blade to the same alignment sleeve. The design and function of the swivel joints are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art, and as such form no part of the present invention.
The moveable arms themselves can be adjustable in length either by means of springs or some other means. It is also within the scope of the present invention to employ arms that are nonadjustable, but that are of such dimensions that the auxiliary cutting blade or any other auxiliary piece fits snugly on the hammering end of the hammer bar.
Located on the alignment sleeve 6 is a swivel joint 17 for connecting moveable arms 19 and 27 to the tool 4. Located at the distal end of the moveable connecting arms 19 and 27 is a cutting blade 15 and chiseling blade 29. Located within the hollow body 3 is a spring 23 for resiliently attaching a reciprocating hammer bar 5 to tool 4. The hammer bar 5 is useful for driving nails for securing a carpet tack strip. A replaceable magnetic head 7 is attached to the top of the hammer. The magnetic head 7 can hold and position a nail prior to hammering of the nail into the carpet tack strip. Both magnetic head 7 and cutting blade 15 are replaceable once they are in a worn condition. The chiseling blade 29 is also replaceable when in a worn condition.
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The present invention can be employed to retrofit an existing power tool that has a reciprocating piston. The present retrofitting device can be attached to the power tool by a variety of means. Depending on the brand of power tool, the device can be attached by allen screws at the upper part of the housing 13 to the power tool. Alternatively, the present device, including hollow housing 13, alignment sleeve 6, springs 23 and 25, hammer bar 5, can be attached to the existing power tool by means of threaded screws. Other attachment means, such as a clamping means, are also contemplated in the present invention. The present device, used in upgrading an existing power tool, comprises a hollow housing 13 in the shape of a cylindrical tube that has a distal end and a proximal end. An attachment means is attached to the proximal end of the hollow housing. The attachment means provides for attachment of the device to the prior art power tool. A hammer bar 5 is positioned for reciprocal movement within the housing 13. Reciprocating springs 23 and 25, located inside the hollow housing, allow for the connection of the hammer bar 5 and the alignment sleeve 6 in a moveable fashion to the hollow housing 13. The hammer bar 5 can be used for a hammering operation, wherein the alignment sleeve 6 focuses the hammer shaft 5 to a nail to be hammered. This focusing can even be done at an angle of up to 45°. A cutting bit 32 is attached to the outside of the alignment sleeve 6 by means of a movable arm 19. A cutting blade 15 is secured to the cutting bit 32 for stabilizing the blade for reciprocal movement. The movable arm 19 is secured to the power tool by means of a swivel joint 17. The swivel joint 17 can be positioned on the alignment sleeve 6. The swivel joint 17 allows for the cutting blade 15 to be placed in an inoperable position that is to the side of the hammer 5. Manual movement of the arm can then position the cutting bit 32 directly underneath the hammer 5 in a snugly fitting relationship. The cutting blade 5 is then in operational position. The end of the cutting bit 32 that does not contain the blade 15 fits snugly with the distal end of the hammer 5. The snug fit can be obtained by employing a depression in the cutting bit 32 that accepts the distal end of the hammer (the hammering end) in a male-female relationship.
While the invention has been described by specific examples and embodiments, there is no intent to limit the inventive concept except as set forth in the following claims:
