Small Handle Production Method and Apparatus

Abstract

A way of making small, fragile, decorative handles on a lathe is disclosed along with tools for gluing pen-tubes into these handles is shown. Use of these tools and methods of use allows wood turners to avoid excessive rework and mess associated with the gluing process of making pen blanks while assuring better product due to more complete and uniform distribution of the adhesive layer.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Brief Description of the Drawings

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a pen-tube insertion tool shaft and insertion tip,

FIG. 2 a is a side sectional view of a pen-tube insertion tool driver;

FIG. 2 b is a bottom sectional view of a pen-tube insertion tool driver;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a pen-tube insertion tool driver mounted onto a pen-tube insertion tool shaft;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a pen-tube roughing tool inserted into a pen pen-tube;

FIG. 4 a is a front view of the end of a holding rod showing the expansion slot arrangement;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a pen-tube insertion tool assembly which consists of pen-tube being mounted onto a pen-tube insertion tool shaft followed by a pen pen-tube insertion tool driver mounted behind it;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a hand holding a pen-tube insertion tool assembly with a pen-tube between an insertion tip and the leading end of a driver assembly such that adhesive can be applied;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a pen-tube insertion tool assembly with adhesive being inserted into a turning blank;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a pen-tube insertion tool assembly partially inserted into a turning blank;

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a driver tool being removed from the proximal end of a pen-tube blank;

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a pen-tube insertion tool being removed from the distal end of a turning blank; For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a side view of the pen-tube insertion shaft tip and assembly (10) which consists of an insertion shaft distal extension (12) for removing the pen-tube insertion shaft tip and assembly at a step that will be shown hereafter. Approximately one inch behind the leading end of the insertion shaft distal extension (12) is the insertion tip (14). The insertion tip (14) is approximately equal in diameter to the outer diameter of the pen-tube (40) introduced in FIG. 4. The preferred shape for the insertion tip (14) is a substantially parabolic cone as this has been shown to be optimal to distribute and spread the adhesive. But most any shape can be used. The insertion seal and alignment guide (16) is approximately equal in diameter to the inner diameter of the pen-tube (40). This allows the pen-tube to fit over the insertion seal and alignment guide (16) and seals the inside to keep adhesive (64) from working its way into the pen-tube. Immediately connected with the insertion tip (14) is the insertion shaft (18). The insertion shaft (18) should be long enough to function properly as will be explained hereafter. The diameter is not critical, but should be matched to the diameter of the guide slot (30) which is first introduced in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 2 a and 2b are a side sectional view and bottom sectional view respectively of a driver tool (20). The function of the driver tool is to hold the trailing end of the pen-tube (40) in place along with other advantages that will become apparent as the discussion continues. The pen-tube driver is comprised of a driver seal and alignment guide (22) which performs essentially the same constraints and functions as the insertion seal and alignment guide (16). Immediately connected with the driver seal and alignment guide (22) is the barrel (24). The barrel (24) is approximately equal in diameter to the outer diameter of the pen-tube (40). The length of the barrel (24) should be sufficient to keep adhesive (64) from working onto the driver handle (28) during the gluing operation. The driver handle (28) is connected with the barrel (24) and gives the craftsman a handle for extraction of the driver tool (20) at the appropriate step of the gluing process. It should be larger in cross-sectional area than the barrel (24). It has also been found that one or more facets or faces (26) is useful to keep the driver tool (20) from rolling off the table after being set down. A guide slot (30) runs down the center of the driver tool (20) and is slightly larger in diameter than the insertion shaft (18).

FIG. 3 shows a side perspective view of a pen-tube driver tool (20) mounted onto a pen-tube insertion shaft tip and assembly (10). The guide slot (30) allows the driver tool (20) to mate with the pen-tube insertion shaft tip and assembly (10) in such a way that the insertion seal and alignment guide (16) and the driver seal and alignment guide (22) can be aligned to hold pen-tubes (40) in a variety of lengths.

FIG. 4 shows a side perspective view of a pen-tube roughing and reaming tool (50) inserted into a pen-tube (40). The roughing and reaming tool (50) serves two purposes. Firstly it can be used to hold a pen-tube (40) to make it easier to roughen the outside, usually by the process of sanding. Secondly, should glue, adhesive or other foreign matter find its way into the pen-tube (40), the roughing and reaming tool (50) can also be used to ream out the inside. In the event the reamer cannot get all of the glue out of the tube, a stiff copper bristle brush or similar scrubbing item can be inserted into the pen-tube (40) and rotated to remove any residual glue. The roughing and reaming tool (50) is comprised of a holding rod (52) which is slightly smaller in diameter than the pen-tube (40) being worked on. An expansion slot (54) or plurality of expansion slots are cut into the end of the holding rod (52) and the ends are flared out slightly to provide a friction fit. The pressure exerted must be sufficient to prevent the pen-tube (40) from spinning with roughing with sandpaper while being turned on a lathe. The length of the holding rod (52) should be such that it can adequately support the pen-tube (40). A pry hole (56) is provided to allow easy extraction of the handle (58) from a lathe. The handle (58) is generally provided with a morse taper to facilitate mounting the roughing and reaming tool (50) onto a lathe.

FIG. 4A shows a front view of a holding rod (52) showing one possible arrangement for expansion slots (54).

FIGS. 4 through 10 illustrate how the above-described tools are used to secure a pen-tube (40) into a turning blank (60).

FIG. 4 shows how the pen-tube (40) is mounted onto the roughing and reaming tool (50). It is then sanded lightly to roughen the surface which allows for better glue adhesion to the pen-tube.

FIG. 5 shows a side perspective view of a pen-tube (40) being mounted onto a pen-tube insertion shaft tip and assembly (10). The leading end of the pen-tube (40) is fitted over the insertion seal and alignment guide (16) (not shown). Then the driver is slipped onto the insertion shaft (18) and fitted to the pen-tube (40) such that the driver seal and alignment guide (22) is covered by the trailing end of the pen-tube (40).

Adhesive application on the completed assembly is illustrated in FIG. 6. During this step the craftsman grasps the trailing end of the insertion shaft (18) in a way to apply direct pressure to the back of the driver handle (28) to hold the entire assembly in place. With the opposite hand, the craftsman applies adhesive (64) to the pen-tube (40) with an adhesive applicator (42). It is important to cover the pen-tube (40) evenly and completely. There is no need to worry about adhesive (64) that finds its way to the insertion tip (14) or the barrel (24). The seal and alignment guide (16) and the driver seal and alignment guide (22) are designed to keep adhesive (64) only where it belongs. The craftsman may also choose to apply adhesive to the cavity (62) of the turning blank (64).

Other methods of locking down the assembly have been examined and found to be more cumbersome than the craftsman simply holding it in place. The addition of various holding and locking schemes to hold the pen-tube insertion tool driver (28) in place can be added if preferred.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a pen-tube insertion tool assembly (32) being inserted into the cavity (62) of a turning blank (60). The hands are excluded from the view for clarity. The turning blank (60) can be made of various materials which can be turned on a lathe, but typically is a type of wood. The cavity (82) is typically formed by boring or drilling through the turning blank (60) with a bit approximately equal to the outer diameter of the pen-tube (40). The insertion is made with the leading edge of the insertion shaft distal extension (12).

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a pen-tube insertion tool assembly (32) partially inserted into a turning blank (60). During this phase of the operation, the craftsman will usually work the pen-tube insertion tool assembly (32) transversely and rotationally to work the adhesive (64) into all crevices in the turning blank (60). Once the craftsman is satisfied that the adhesive (64) adequately couples the pen-tube (40) to the turning blank (60), the trailing edge of the pen-tube (40) is aligned with the face of the turning blank (60).

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a pen-tube insertion tool driver (20) being removed from the proximal end of a turning blank (60). This is accomplished by simply holding the turning blank (60) with one hand, while extracting the driver tool (20) by the driver handle (28) with the other hand. The driver tool (20) is then placed on a table top for the rest of the operation. This is where having a facet or face (26) on the driver handle (28) keeps the pen-tube insertion tool driver (20) from rolling around on the work surface.

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a pen-tube insertion shaft and tip assembly (10) being removed from the distal end of a turning blank (60). This is best accomplished by grabbing the pen-tube insertion shaft and tip assembly (10) by the insertion shaft distal extension (12) and continuing to pull until the insertion shaft (18) is free of the turning blank (60). The turning blank (60) is now fitted with the pen-tube (40) securely in place and can be prepared for turning on the lathe.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the examples chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.

Claims

1. A small handle production method and apparatus for making substantially tubular handles for novelty items, generally on a lathe, comprising: (a) providing a holding means which a crafter can use to insert a pen-tube into a blank;(b) providing an applying means which said crafter can use to apply adhesive to said pen-tube or said blank;(c) providing an insertion means which said crafter may insert said pen-tube into said blank causing an even distribution of said adhesive between them;(d) providing a registering means which said crafter can use to place said pen-tube in a predetermined position; and(e) providing a handle means which said crafter may remove said insertion shaft from said blank

2. (canceled)

3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said holding means comprises; a substantially rod-like shaft having a proximal and a distal end,an insertion tip, located at the distal end of said shaft; said insertion tip being substantially comprising a parabolic cone on the leading edge, and a having a trailing edge for holding pen-tube,a substantially tubular driver, comprising a leading edge for holding a pen-tube and a trailing edge with means for applying pressure for holding a pen-tube.

4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said trailing edge of said insertion tip further comprises an alignment guide.

5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said insertion tip is substantially the same diameter as the pen-tube.

6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said driver comprises one or more facets.

7. A small handle production method and apparatus for making substantially tubular handles for novelty items, generally on a lathe, comprising: (a) a substantially rod-like pen-tube insertion shaft tip and assembly, for holding a pen-tube for insertion into a blank;an insertion tip, located at the distal end of said pen-tube insertion shaft tip and assembly, said insertion tip being substantially umbrella shaped, having a parabolic cone on the leading edge, and being substantially beveled or rounded on the trailing edge of said insertion tip;whereby insertion of said pen-tube using said pen-tube insertion shaft tip and assembly, into said blank, evenly distributes adhesive between said pen-tube and said blank;(b) an adhesive applicator, for applying adhesive to said pen-tube or said blank;(c) a substantially tubular driver, comprising a pen-tube insertion tool rod being substantially beveled or tapered on the leading edge;the diameter of said tool rod being substantially equal to the inner diameter of said pen-tube;whereby said driver may be used by a crafter to drive said pen-tube into said blank; and(d) an insertion shaft distal extension which extends approximately 1″ beyond the leading edge of said insertion tip along substantially the same axis as said insertion tip;whereby said insertion shaft distal extension provides a handle for the crafter to remove said insertion shaft from said blank.