BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to tools and tool storage and display mechanisms. The invention more particularly relates to tampers or tamping tools. Still further, the invention pertains to a tamper or tamping tool that includes a pivoting handle assembly configured to pivot between various orientations relative to a tamping base.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the tool industry, it is desirable to display tools in an organized and presentable manner while conserving space in a retail environment. In addition, it is desirable for the consumer to be able to transfer and store a tool with less space requirements. One way in which, this can be achieved is through the incorporation of a pivotal or foldable handle on the tool.
Folding handle mechanisms for particular tools are readily known within the art. For instance, camping or “army” shovels generally incorporate a spade on a shank or handle, wherein the spade is adjoined to the handle by a pivoting mechanism. In general, the pivoting mechanism is located at the business end or head of the spade, thereby allowing the spade to be pivotally fixed in a variety of orientations relative to the handle. The pivoting mechanism typically incorporates a collar threaded on to the handle that is tightened against one of a plurality of planar surfaces within the pivoting mechanism. Each planar surface is configured to rigidly orient the spade in a particular direction by allowing the shank to securely tighten against the surface. In order to change the orientation of the spade, the collar is loosened from the planar surface until the distance required for the collar to clear the planar surface is achieved, thereby allowing the handle to pivot away from the surface. The handle can then be pivoted to another direction, wherein a planar surface is configured to secure the handle in that particular direction.
FIG. 1 provides a schematic view of an exemplary tamper or tamping tool 10 well known by a person of ordinary skill in the art. A tamper is generally used for packing or compressing material, such as clay, sand, or dirt, by a sequence of strikes. For instance, a tamper can be used to compress stone dust or sand, in order to form a solid foundation for walkways or patios made from brick or stone. It is also common practice to tamp clay, sand, or dirt into a drill hole above an explosive device to effectively direct the force of the explosion. A tamper can also be used to simply tamp a section of earth or loose soil to create a smooth area. Typically the tamper 10 includes a square tamping base 12 with the dimensions of 8 inches by 8, inches or 10 inches by 10 inches along the edge of the base 12. The base 12 is fixably attached to an elongated handle or shank 11. The handle 11 and base 12 are affixed at a juncture 14 disposed at the center of the base 12 on an upper portion thereof. The handle 11 includes a gripping surface 15 disposed at an end of the handle 11 opposite to the base 12. The gripping surface 15 allows the user to ergonomically operate the tamper 10 by providing a non-slip surface for the user to manually elevate and lower the tamper 10 onto the desired surface. The soil or dirt is compressed by lowering the bottom surface 13 of the base 12 onto the soil or dirt and applying a downward force. The base 12 is generally manufactured as one piece from steel or iron to allow a significant amount of force to be applied to the surface desired for tamping. The handle 11 can be constructed from iron, steel, fiberglass, wood, or hardened plastic so long as the handle 11 can resist the force imparted on the surface by the base 12.
As shown in FIG. 1, the tamper 10 does not include a pivoting mechanism or a foldable handle. The bottom surface 13 of the tamping base 12 is, as shown, substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the handle. Furthermore, since the handle 11 is disposed on a center portion of the tamping base 12, the base 12 occupies a significant amount of space being that the base 12 protrudes axially in all directions from the handle 11. Therefore, a need exists for a tamper having a foldable or pivotal handle for substantially reducing the area occupied by the tamper during transportation, display, and storage of the tamper. Further, there is a need for a tamper having a foldable or pivotal handle that has the structural integrity to shoulder the amount of force required during a tamping operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides apparatus and methods for pivoting a handle on a tamper tool between a plurality of positions. In one embodiment of the present invention, a tamper tool assembly first includes a pivoting handle assembly. The tamper tool assembly includes an elongated handle having a collar attached to a distal end, a tamping base having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a housing member disposed on the upper surface of the tamping base. The housing member includes a plurality of clamping surfaces and a joint configured to pivotally receive the elongated handle.
A method of pivoting a handle on a tamper tool assembly having a tamping base according to one embodiment of the present invention is also provided. The handle is pivoted on the tamper tool by first providing a housing member on an upper surface of the tamping base, wherein the housing member includes a plurality of clamping surfaces and a joint configured to pivotally receive the elongated handle. A collar is provided on a threaded portion of the handle, wherein the collar is frictionally engaged to a first clamping surface. The collar is then loosened along the threaded portion of the handle, thereby disengaging the collar from the first clamping surface. The handle is then pivoted into alignment with a second clamping surface and then the collar is tightened along the treaded portion into frictional engagement with the second clamping surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
FIG. 2 presents an elevational side view of a tamper tool according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the tamper according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 provides a sectional side view of the tamper according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 provides a schematic view of a topside of the tamping tool according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of the tamping tool according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a topside of the tamping tool as illustrated in FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 provides a cross-sectional side view of a tamper having a handle assembly with a two-part construction according to one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an apparatus and method for providing a folding or pivoting handle assembly for a tamper or tamping tool. Particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to tamper that includes a folding design, thereby allowing a tamping base to be securely and firmly oriented in a plurality of orientations.
FIG. 2 presents an elevational side view of a tamper tool 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The tamper tool shown in FIG. 2 includes a tamping base 22 and a handle assembly or elongated shank 21. The tamping base 22 includes a planar portion 23 disposed at a bottom portion. The planar surface 23 is shown as a rectangular shape; however, it is understood that other shapes such as a circular or amorphous shape can be used to define the planar surface 23 on the base 22. A tamping base 22 with straight edges, such as in FIG. 2, is advantageous for tamping an area with a defined border. The tamping base 22 also includes a centrally disposed housing member 33. The housing member 33 serves to receive the distal end of the handle assembly 21, which will be discussed in further detail below. As shown in FIG. 2, the tamping base 22 also includes a plurality of reinforcement members 32 disposed between the tamping base 22 and the housing member 33. The reinforcement members 32 consist of a planar coupling or gusset that forms a substantially right angle between the housing member 33 and a topside (24 in FIG. 3) of the tamping base 22.
As shown in FIG. 2, the handle assembly 21 includes an engagement means 26, such as a collar, disposed at a distal end adjacent to the tamping base 22. The collar 26 can be adjoined to the handle assembly 21 by any means well known within the art, such as by a threaded means (35 in FIG. 3). In one embodiment of the present invention, the threaded portion 35 of the handle may be an integral part of the handle assembly 21. In another embodiment of the present invention, the handle assembly 21 has a two-part construction, wherein the threaded portion 35 is manufactured out of a different material than the remaining portion of the handle assembly 21. For instance, the threaded portion 35 of the handle assembly 21 can be manufactured from aluminum or steel, while the remaining portion of the handle assembly 21 is constructed out of lighter material, such as wood or fiberglass. The embodiment of the present invention having a two-part handle assembly 21 construction will be discussed in further detail with regard to FIG. 8. Referring again to FIG. 2, a plurality of male coupling members 27 is disposed around the collar 26. The male coupling members 27, as shown in FIG. 2, are disposed substantially equidistant from each other. The handle assembly 21 also includes a gripping member 25 disposed at a proximal end. The gripping member 25 is designed to provide a non-slip surface for the user to elevate and lower the tamper 20 during operation.
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the tamper 20 according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the housing member 33 is open at a top portion and a side portion. These openings allow the handle assembly to pivot downward in the direction of the open side portion until contacting the topside 24 of the tamping base 22. In this perspective, a threaded portion 35 of the handle assembly 21 is shown disposed within the housing member 33. In one embodiment, the handle assembly 21 is pivotally adjoined to the housing member 33 and thereby to the tamping base 22 by a bolt 29. The pivot bolt 29 is disposed through the housing member 33 and through the distal end of the handle assembly 21 and is secured onto the two opposing sides of the housing member 33. In another embodiment, a pivot bolt 29 is disposed through an angled slot incorporated into the distal end of the handle assembly 21. This embodiment will be described in further detail below. However, it is understood that any pivoting means, such as a pin, known to a person of ordinary skill in the art can be used to effectively pivot the handle assembly.
Referring again to FIG. 3, the housing member 33 also includes a primary and a secondary clamping surface, 40 and 41, respectively, designed to abut a lower planar surface of the collar 26. The primary clamping surface 40 includes the planar edges of the open top portion of the housing member 33. As shown in FIG. 3, the collar 26 is in an engaged position with the primary clamping surface 40, wherein the collar 26 is tightened against the primary clamping surface 40 thereby preventing the handle assembly 21 from pivoting downward. However, it is understood that the threaded collar 26 is only one way of clamping the handle 21 to the tamping base 22 and other engagement means known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, such as “over-center” cams or cams in conjunction with a threaded means, can be employed. Having been clamped against the primary surface 40, the handle assembly 21 is oriented in a substantially perpendicular relationship to the tamping base 22. This orientation allows the user to effectively operate the tamping tool 20 by elevating the tool 20 and pushing the tool 20 downward against the surface desired for tamping. The secondary clamping surface 41 includes the planar edges of the open side portion of the housing member 33 protruding from the top portion 24 of the tamping base 22. Once the collar 26 is loosened from the primary clamping surface 40 the handle assembly 21 can pivot downward and the collar 26 can then be tightened against the secondary clamping surface 41. The tamping tool 20 with respect to this position will be described in further detail below. An intermediate arcuate profile 28 is disposed on an upper portion of the housing member 33 between the primary and secondary clamping surfaces 40, 41. The arcuate profile 28 facilitates the pivoting of the handle assembly between the clamping surfaces 40, 41 while maintaining a substantially planar surface on the clamping surfaces 40, 41 by reducing the length that the collar 25 needs to be loosened in order to pivot.
FIG. 4 provides a sectional side view of the tamper 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 3. The handle assembly 21 is oriented in a vertical position and is tightened against the primary clamping surface 40 of the housing member 33. In this operational position, the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly 21 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the planar tamping or working surface 23 of the tamping base 22. As shown in FIG. 4, the distal end of the handle assembly 21 has a threaded portion 35 for receiving the collar 26, which has a threaded inner surface (not shown) configured to mate with the threaded portion 35 of the handle assembly 21. In one embodiment of the present invention, the handle assembly 21 also includes a washer assembly 30 disposed between the bottom of the collar 26 and the housing member 33. As shown in FIG. 4, the washer assembly 30 includes a Teflon washer 53 disposed between two stainless steel washers 51, 52. Teflon is advantageous due to its very low coefficient of friction. In particular when sliding against a polished, stainless steel surface, Teflon experiences a very small amount of friction. Stainless steel washers are preferable due to their resistance to corrosion, thereby maintaining a low coefficient of friction. The stainless steel washers can be effectively replaced by washers that also resist corrosion, such as heat-treated steel washers, coated or plated steel washers, or brass washers. In one embodiment, the Teflon washer can be any polymer having a good impact resistance and a low coefficient of friction, such as nylon. Although the Teflon washer 53 decreases the friction undergone by the washer assembly 30, the Teflon washer 53 is not an essential component of the washer assembly 30. In one embodiment, only the steel washers 51, 52 are included in the washer assembly 30 to reduce the friction created between the collar 26 and the particular clamping surface, 40 or 41.
The washer assembly 30 serves to minimize the friction between the collar 26 and the clamping surfaces 40, 41. This reduction in friction will allow a given amount of torque placed on the threaded collar to result in a greater separation force between the collar 33 and the clamping surfaces 40, 41. As the separation force is increased, the rigidity of the engagement between the handle assembly 21 and the clamping surface 40, 41 will increase, thereby minimizing wear resulting from the impact of loading and thus increasing the overall life of the tamping tool 20. In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer assembly 30 includes a roller thrust bearing (not shown) instead of the Teflon washer 53 and the steel washers 51, 52. The roller thrust bearing will also minimize the frictional forces between the collar 26 and the clamping surfaces 40, 41, thereby maximizing the joint rigidity.
FIG. 5 provides a schematic view of a topside of the tamping tool 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the tamping base 22 has a substantially square profile and the handle assembly 21 is substantially centrally disposed on the tamping base 22 within the housing member 33. The handle assembly 21 being centrally disposed on the tamping base 22 functions to centrally balance the tamping base 22 while in an operational position, thereby stabilizing the tamping base 22 on the handle assembly 21 during operation. Each reinforcement member 32 extends from the housing member 33 along the vertical edge of the housing member 33 and along the upper surface 24 of the tamping base 22 until reaching a corner of the rectangular tamping base 22 profile. The reinforcement member 32 arrangement provides a substantial amount of support between the tamping base 22 and the housing member 33 while not adding a large amount of weight to the tamping base 22. As shown in FIG. 5, the washer assembly 30 protrudes radially from a lower portion of the collar 26. The washer assembly 30 covers a significant portion of the primary clamping surface 40.
FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of the tamping tool 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the handle assembly 21 has been pivoted into a “storage” or secondary position, wherein the collar 26 has been tightened against the secondary clamping surface 41. In the secondary position, the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly is substantially parallel to the planar tamping surface 23. This position allows the tamping tool 20 to be stored, transported, and displayed in a more efficient and space-saving manner by significantly reducing the amount in which the tool 20 extends axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly 21. Referring again to FIG. 6, the collar 26 has been loosened sufficiently from an engaged position with the primary clamping surface 40 (FIG. 5) to allow the washer assembly 30 and the collar 26 to clear the arcuate intermediate portion 28 between the primary and secondary clamping surfaces 40, 41 as the handle assembly 21 is pivoted from an “operational” position to a “storage” position.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a topside of the tamping tool 20 as illustrated in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the washer assembly 30 is firmly tightened to the secondary clamping surface 41. In one embodiment, the threaded portion 35 of the handle assembly 21 extends from adjacent to where the collar 26 is positioned in FIG. 7 to the tip of the distal end of the handle assembly 21. This configuration of the threaded portion 35 improves the manufacturing process of the tool 20 by reducing the area that collar will slide on the handle assembly 21 before being threaded onto the handle assembly 21 when attached from the distal end of the handle assembly 21. However, it is understood that only a small portion of the handle assembly 21 needs to be threaded so long as the collar 26 can be tightened and loosened along the threaded portion 35 sufficiently to pivot the handle assembly 21 into the desired orientation.
As previously described, the distal end of the handle assembly 21 can include an angled slot as opposed to a standard cylindrical hole for receiving the pivot bolt 29, wherein the pivot bolt 29 is disposed through the angled slot and the sidewalls of the housing member 33. The slot is angled such that when the collar 26 is tightened against the secondary clamping surface 41, the slot will “cam” the handle against a sidewall of the housing member 33. This added support provides a more rigid interface between the tamper base 22 and the handle assembly 21.
FIG. 8 provides a cross-sectional side view of a tamper 20 having a handle assembly 21 with a two-part construction according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the handle assembly 20 includes an upper member 55 and a lower member 56. The upper member 55 includes a gripping portion (not shown) that allows the user to efficiently control the movement of the tamper 20. The lower member 56 is attached to both the upper member 55 of the handle assembly 21 and to the collar 26. As previously described, the lower member 56 can be manufactured from a different material than the upper member 55. In one embodiment, the upper member 55 of the handle assembly 21 is manufactured from wood or fiberglass and the lower member 56 is manufactured from aluminum or steel.
This two-part construction allows the handle assembly 21 to be optimized for operation. Manufacturing the lower member 56 out of aluminum or steel allows threads to be adequately created on the handle assembly 21 while preserving the handle's 21 structural integrity. A wooden or fiberglass upper member 55 of the handle assembly 21 advantageously reduces or dampens the vibrations that reach the user's hand during normal operation of the tamping tool 20. The upper member 55 can also be manufactured out of metal. Constructing the upper member 55 out of wood or fiberglass also greatly reduces the overall weight of the tamper 20 thereby allowing for easier operation by the user. However, it is understood that other materials well known in the art that can reduce vibrations in the handle assembly 21 can be used for the upper member 55 and other materials well known in the art that can maintain sufficient structural integrity when threaded can be used for the lower member 56 of the handle assembly 21.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the lower member 56 of the handle assembly 21 is adjoined to the upper member 55 by an upper locking mechanism 57 and lower locking mechanism 58, as shown in FIG. 8. The locking mechanisms 57, 58 serve to effectively lock the lower member 56 to the upper member 55 and to position the lower member 56 at the desired location on the handle assembly 21. However, it is understood that any attachment means well known to person of ordinary skill in the art can be employed to adjoin the two members 55, 56 of the handle assembly. For example, a fiberglass upper member 55 can be securely attached to the lower member 56 using an epoxy glue or resin. A shoulder portion 59, which protrudes radially from the lower member 56 of the handle assembly 21, prevents the upper member 56 from sliding too far down over the lower member 56 and serves to transmit the force imparted by the user on the upper member 55 of the handle assembly 21 to the lower member 56, thereby transmitting force to the tamping base 22. Force is also transmitted from the upper member 55 to the lower member 56 via the locking mechanism or attachment means used to adjoin the two members 55, 56.
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
Patent Application
20050025580
