Patent Application
20090235535
This invention relates generally to a scraping tool, and in more particular applications to a scraping and/or cutting tool with a releasable blade which can be retracted within a housing.
Scraping tools can be used for a variety of purposes, such as, for example, removing paint, adhesives, decals, wallpaper and the like from surfaces such as glass and walls. These tools often include a gripping portion whereby a user can grasp the tool comfortably and safely, and a blade portion for scraping the desired surface. Additionally, these tools may, in some instances, be used for cutting.
Scraping tools can become dull or worn at the blade portion as a result of scraping or cutting the respective surfaces. The speed at which the blade becomes dull can depend on a number of factors, such as the surface and the material which is being scraped from the surface. Some scraping tools have been designed to include replaceable blades whereby the user can disassemble the tool and replace the blade when necessary. However, oftentimes, these tools require significant disassembly of the tool to replace the blade which can be time consuming.
Furthermore, blade removal and replacement oftentimes requires the user to exert significant force to separate the blade from the tool and install a new blade. This can be dangerous for the user should the user's hand slip and/or slide along the blade.
Moreover, as some tools have been developed with replaceable blades, it has become necessary to carry extra replacement blades. Oftentimes, the tool will include an extra carrying case that may be attached to the tool or include an internal compartment for carrying extra blades.
Furthermore, scraping tools are used by a variety of individuals and may be carried in the user's pocket or in a tool belt. However, the blade can injure the user if the blade is not properly covered when not in use. Therefore, some tools have been developed that include covers for the blade or have been designed such that the blade is retractable into a housing.
In one form, a tool for releasably securing a blade is provided. The tool includes a housing, a blade retracting mechanism, a blade retaining portion, a blade opening and an actuator. The blade retracting mechanism is movable between a retracted position and a working position. The blade retaining portion is located on the blade retracting mechanism. The blade retaining portion has at least two blade retaining surfaces cooperating to releasably secure the blade to the blade retracting mechanism. The blade retaining surfaces are located a first distance from one another in a blade retaining position and located a second distance from one another in a blade releasing position, the second distance being greater than the first distance. The blade opening is defined by the housing for inserting and removing the blade from the blade retaining portion. The actuator is for manipulating the blade retaining mechanism between the retracted position and the working position.
According to one form, a tool for releasably securing a blade is provided. The tool includes a housing, a blade retracting mechanism, a blade retaining portion, a blade opening, a first actuator and a second actuator. The blade retracting mechanism is movable between a retracted position and a working position. The blade retaining portion is located on the blade retracting mechanism. The blade retaining portion has at least two blade retaining surfaces movable between a blade releasing position and a blade retaining position. The blade opening is defined by the housing for inserting and removing the blade from the blade retaining portion. The first actuator is for manipulating the blade retracting mechanism between the retracted position and the working position. The second actuator is for manipulating the blade retaining surfaces between the blade releasing position and the blade retaining position.
In accordance with one form, a tool for releasably securing a blade is provided. The tool includes a housing, a blade retracting mechanism, a blade retaining portion, a blade opening and an actuator. The blade retracting mechanism is movable between a retracted position, a working position and a blade releasing position. The blade retaining portion is located on the blade retracting mechanism. The blade retaining portion has at least two blade retaining surfaces movable between the blade releasing position and a blade retaining position. The blade opening is defined by the housing for inserting and removing the blade from the blade retaining portion. The actuator is for manipulating the blade retracting mechanism between the retracted position, the working position and the blade releasing position.
According to one form, the blade is substantially enclosed within the housing and is located inwardly relative to the blade opening when in the retracted position.
In one form, the actuator is a button operably coupled to the blade retracting mechanism.
In accordance with one form, the tool further includes a storage drawer and an extension arm extending therefrom, wherein the actuator is the drawer operably coupled to the blade retracting mechanism via the extension arm.
According to one form, the blade retaining portion includes a lever arm to manipulate at least one of the blade retaining surfaces.
In accordance with one form, the lever arm contacts a portion of the housing to pivot at least one of the blade retaining surfaces to the blade releasing position.
In one form, the tool further includes a storage drawer and an extension arm extending therefrom, wherein the arm contacts a portion of the extension arm to pivot at least one of the blade retaining surfaces to the blade releasing position.
According to one form, the blade retaining surfaces are biased to the blade retaining position by a spring.
Other forms are also contemplated as understood by those skilled in the art.
For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its constructions and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.
One form of a scraper 20 is illustrated in
The housing 22 includes an interior portion 34, and in some instances, such as shown in
The blade retracting mechanism 24 may comprise multiple components, as illustrated in
In one form, the blade retaining surfaces 38,40 may be configured to cooperate with one another via a pivot 46, as shown in
The blade retracting mechanism 24 may include one or more lever arms 48 that may be used to manipulate the blade retaining surfaces 38,40 at the blade retaining portion 26. As shown in
In one form, the blade opening 28 is defined by the housing 22. The blade opening 28 can be utilized to insert and remove the blade 32 from the scraper 20. The blade opening 28 also provides access for the blade 32 to be retracted and extended from the housing to scrape a surface. The blade opening 28 may also include additional structure and features such as a cover (not shown) which may be used to cover the blade opening 28. It should be noted that the blade opening 28 should be large enough to permit the blade 32 and/or part of the blade retaining portion 26 to pass through. However, it should be understood that the blade opening 28 may be modified as understood by those skilled in the art.
The actuator 30 may take a variety of forms and may include additional structure as understood by those skilled in the art. In one form, as illustrated in
The scraper 20 may also include additional structures or features as understood by those skilled in the art. For example, the scraper 20 may include one or more biasing structures 54. For example, as shown in
Another form of a scraper is illustrated in
Scraper 120 also includes further features, such as a second actuator 130 and a blade drawer or storage area 132. The second actuator 130 may take a variety of forms. As shown in
As best seen in
The storage area 132 can be utilized to store one or more extra blades 32 within the housing 22. In one form, the storage area 132 is simply a recessed area wherein blades 32 can be placed. Individual blades 32 and/or one or more boxes 142 of blades can be placed in the storage area 132. In one form, the blade storage area 132 includes additional features, such as blade carrier 144. The blade carrier 144 can be designed to provide an area to secure the extra blades 32 or boxes 142 within the storage area 132. Furthermore, the blade carrier 144 can be designed to pop up when the blade storage area 132 is exposed outside of the housing 22. In this form, one or more biasing structures, such as springs (not shown) can be utilized to bias the blade carrier 144. Alternatively, grooves or the like can be provided such that the blade carrier 144 follows the groove to pop up when exposed, as understood by those skilled in the art. Additional biasing structure, such as bias member 145 can be utilized to bias the actuator 30.
The operation of these structures will now be discussed in more detail below with reference to the appropriate figures. Referring to
In the retracted position, the blade retaining surfaces 38,40 secure the blade 32 at the blade retaining portion 26. The biasing member 54 provides force to position the blade retaining surfaces 38,40 a first distance from one another, thereby securing the blade 32 while in the retracted position. It should be noted that the actuator 30 is located towards a rear portion of the scraper, away from the blade opening 28.
Referring to
However, it should be noted that the protrusions 36 are not necessary and the shape of the interior 34 can provide sufficient clamping force. In this manner, it should be noted that in one form, the interior 34 of the housing narrows near the blade opening 28. This narrowing shape can be used with or without the protrusions 36. Alternatively, the interior 34 does not have to narrow, but instead, protrusions 36 can be included to provide additional clamping force.
The actuator 30 may be moved even further towards the blade opening 28 to the blade releasing position, as shown in
The blade 32 can be removed as the blade retaining surfaces 38,40 are separated. In one form, the blade retaining surfaces 38,40 are separated as a result of the interior 34 and/or protrusions 36 contacting the blade retaining surfaces 38,40 relative to the pivot 46. For example, the interior 34 contacts the lever arms 48 to pivot the blade retaining surfaces 38,40 relative to one another. The interaction of these components can be modified, made integral or separated into individual components, as understood by those skilled in the art.
The embodiment illustrated in
As shown in
Referring to
Furthermore, the embodiment illustrated in
The scrapers 20,120 may also include additional functionality. For example, referring to
Similarly, while storage area 132 is illustrated with scraper 120, it may also be utilized with scraper 20. With scraper 120, the storage area 132 is accessed as the scraper 120 is manipulated to the blade releasing position shown in
The scrapers 20,120 can be made from a variety of materials, as understood by those skilled in the art. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to plastic, metal, rubber and the like or combinations thereof. Furthermore, the components described above can be manufactured as integral units or as combinations of parts assembled together to form the described components, as understood by those skilled in the art. For example, the housing 22 can be made as a single formed or molded piece or may be made of individual components, such as a top and bottom piece, that are subsequently assembled together. The overall assembly of the scrapers 20,120 should be understood by those skilled in the art in view of the figures and descriptions contained herein.
The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants' contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.
