Patent Application
20180111181
The present disclosure relates to tools for ornamenting or decorating jewelry and a method of using such tool. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to jewelry tools constructed in the form of texture hammers and related methods, which can be used to create different textures in a material.
Jewelers have long relied on a variety of tools to fabricate jewelry or the materials used in jewelry designs. Among the tools a jeweler or other craftsperson often employs is a tool for making textures or designs on the jewelry materials. Textured hammers are available with hammer heads of different shapes and designs, the majority of which are round and larger in scale. The ends of the hammer heads are available with a plurality of patterns, including stripes, polka dots, and interconnected triangles. The hammer heads are usually formed via a die cast, which allows hammer heads of different sizes, shapes, and textures to be fabricated.
However, the current market for texture hammers is limited to certain hammer designs. There are limited shapes of hammer heads that allow a jeweler to work on various shapes and types of metal. For example, conventional texture hammers are shaped like mallets or meat tenderizers, with little variance in the sizes or shapes of the ends of the hammer head. These large round hammer heads shaped like mallets or meat tenderizers do not allow for the detail work required for delicate jewelry making. The currently available texture hammers are not made in the shapes and sizes needed for small, delicate, detailed work. Furthermore, jewelers cannot use the currently available texture hammers in tight spots or for efficiently making consistent borders on metal. This would require precision that is currently unavailable when using existing texture hammers. The limited hammer designs now available have limited the number of methods that can be used to create new textures or new texture designs on jewelry.
The current market for texture hammers does not have hammers with complementary texture designs on the same hammer. A jeweler may decide to add a border texture to jewelry but may find that the texture hammer cannot be used for such precision work or that the texture pattern created by the texture hammer does not aesthetically complement the already existing texture pattern on the jewelry.
In view of the foregoing deficiencies of conventional approaches, the disclosed principles provide for a texture hammer tool and related methods of use that overcome the deficiencies in the prior art.
The present disclosure provides tools and related methods of use for creating a design in a metallic material without distorting the material. In one embodiment, a hammer for ornamenting metallic surfaces as disclosed herein may comprise a handle with two ends as well as a hammer head attached to one of the two ends of the handle With such an exemplary hammer, the hammer head has a first end and a second end, wherein a cross-section of the first end of the hammer head is a different shape from a cross-section of the second end of the hammer head, and wherein the first end of the hammer head comprises a first plurality of indentations to create a texture on a surface of the first end of the hammer head. In addition, in exemplary embodiments, the second end of the hammer head may comprise a second plurality of indentations to create a texture on a surface of the second end of the hammer head. Moreover, in such embodiments, the second plurality of indentations may be complementary to the first plurality of indentions.
In other embodiments, a hammer for ornamenting metallic surfaces as disclosed herein may comprise a handle with two ends as well as a hammer head attached to one of the two ends of the handle. With such an exemplary hammer, a first end and the second end of the hammer head may have a triangle cross-section shape, and wherein the first end of the hammer head comprises a first plurality of indentations to create a texture on a surface of the first end of the hammer head. In addition, the second end of the hammer head may comprise a second plurality of indentations to create a texture on a surface of the second end of the hammer head, and the second plurality of indentations may be complementary to the first plurality of indentations.
In another aspect, methods for creating textures on a metallic material using a texture hammer in accordance with the disclosed principles are also disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, such a method may comprise applying the first end of the hammer head to the metallic material, wherein applying the first end to the metallic material comprises contact between the rounded edges of the first end and the material; and creating a first texture marking on the material by the contact between the rounded edges of the first end and the material, wherein the first texture marking is different from a second texture marking created by contact between the first end and the material when the length of the hammer head is approximately perpendicular to the material.
A second exemplary method may comprise applying the first end of a hammer head to the flat material; and while the first end of the hammer head contacts the flat material, dragging the first end across the metallic material in a first direction to create a texture marking on the material. A third exemplary method may comprise applying the first end of the hammer head to a first edge of the material to create a plurality of markings on the first edge; and creating a texture border on the first edge of the material, wherein the texture border comprises the plurality of markings created by applying the first end of the hammer head to the first edge of the material.
The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The above figures are provided for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended to define the limits of the disclosed invention. Use of the same reference number in multiple figures is intended to designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “top,” “bottom,” “first,” “second,” “upper,” “lower,” “height,” “width,” “length,” “end,” “side,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawing and are utilized only to facilitate describing the particular embodiment. The extension of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.
Referring now to
The hammer head 110 of the hammer 100 may be constructed from wood, metal, plastic, or any other rigid material suitable for striking a material to create textures on the surface of another material. The hammer head 110 may be connected to the handle 105 of the hammer 105 with any means of connection, currently known or to be developed. The ends 112 and 118 of the hammer head 110, which will be further discussed below, may be polished or finished so as when the user hammers a metallic material with the hammer 100, the hammering process flattens and burnishes the material, which saves time later spent finishing the material. The shape of the hammer head 110 allows a jeweler to use the hammer 100 for tight spots or for detailed work. The hammer head 110 also allows for greater control of the hammer 100 and therefore, when the hammer 100 is used to create a texture pattern, the resulting texture pattern is more easily placed and better defined in shape than the texture pattern created by the currently available texture hammers.
The hammer head 110 may have any shape of cross-section, like a star shape or a heart shape, and
The oval cross-section portion 114 of the hammer head 110 may be shaped like an elliptic cylinder and may taper in shape from where it connects to the rectangular cross-section portion 115 before coming to a curved oval end 112 having a radius of curvature R1. Of course, any advantageous radius of curvature may be employed for the curved oval end 112 in accordance with the disclosed principles depending on the material for texturing, and the present disclosure is not limited to any specific radius or shape. The curved oval end 112 (and the curved rectangular end 118, which is further discussed below) may be curved or rounded to prevent distortion or mutilation of the metallic material and to provide the user greater control of the hammer 100 so as to not make any unintentional markings.
The curved oval end 112 of the hammer head 110 may have indentations so as to create a texture on the surface of the curved oval end 112, and the indentations may be arranged in any manner or pattern so as to create a texture. When the curved oval end 112 of the oval cross-section side 114 of the hammer head 110 is applied to a flat metallic surface, a texture matching the curved oval end 112 is imprinted into the flat metallic surface. Alternatively, the curved oval end 112 of the hammer head 110 may have protrusions along its surface so as to create a pattern or texture when the hammer 100 is applied to a flat metallic surface.
The oval cross-section portion 114 of the hammer head 110 is connected to a rectangular cross-section portion 115 of the hammer head 110. The rectangular cross-section portion 115 of the hammer head 110 is also connected to a trapezoidal shaped portion 116 of the hammer head 110, which is further discussed below. The rectangular cross-section portion 115 of the hammer head 110 also connects the hammer head 110 to the handle 105. While in the present exemplary embodiment the rectangular cross-section portion 115 has a rectangular cross-section, in alternative embodiments, this portion may have other cross-section shapes.
Connected to the other side of the rectangular cross-section portion 115 is trapezoidal shaped portion 116 of the hammer head 110, and the trapezoidal shaped portion 116 ends with a curved rectangular end 118. The cross-section of the trapezoidal shaped portion 116 of the hammer head 110 is rectangular, and from a side view as shown in
The curved rectangular end 118 may also be textured via indentations in the surface of the curved rectangular end 118, like the curved oval end 112, and the indentations may be arranged in a complementary arrangement to the arrangement of indentations on the surface of the oval end 112. The curved rectangular end 118 is especially designed for making the border textures, which complement the texture on the curved oval end 112.
The present exemplary embodiment of the texture hammer 100 may be manufactured to essentially any width/depth/height combination. In the embodiment shown in
The square cross-section portion 914 of the hammer head 910 of the texture hammer 900 may be shaped like a rounded rectangular prism and may taper in shape from where it connects to the rectangular cross-section portion 915 before into a curved square end 912. The curved square end 912 may have indentations so as to create a texture on the surface of the curved square end 912, and the indentations may be arranged in any manner so as to create a pattern. The curved square end 912 (and the curved rectangular end 918, which is further discussed below) may be curved or rounded to prevent distortion or mutilation of the metallic material and to provide the user greater control of the hammer 900 so as to not make any unintentional markings.
The rectangular cross-section portion 915 of the hammer head 910 is connected to the square cross-section portion 914 and to the trapezoidal shaped portion 916 of the hammer head 910. The rectangular cross-section portion 915 of the hammer head 910, in this second exemplary embodiment, is similar to the rectangular cross section portion 115 of the oval texture hammer 100, and acts to connect the hammer head 910 to the handle 905. While in the present exemplary embodiment, the rectangular cross-section portion 915 has a rectangular cross-section, in alternative embodiments, this portion may have other cross-section shapes.
Connected to the other side of the rectangular cross-section portion 915 is trapezoidal shaped portion 916 of the hammer head 910, and the trapezoidal shaped portion 916 ends with a curved rectangular end 918. The cross-section of the trapezoidal shaped portion 916 of the hammer head 910 is rectangular, and from a side view as shown in
The curved rectangular end 918 may also be textured via indentations or protrusions on the surface of the curved rectangular end 918, like the square end 912, and the pattern of indentations or protrusions may be arranged in an arrangement complimentary to the arrangement on the surface of the curved square end 912. The curved rectangular end 918 is especially designed for making the border textures, which complement the texture on the curved square end 912.
The present exemplary embodiment of the texture hammer 900 may be manufactured to essentially any width/depth/height combination. In the embodiment shown in
The textured triangle portion 1714 is connected to the connector portion 1715 of the hammer head 1710, and ends with a curved textured triangle end 1712. The textured triangle portion 1714 may be shaped like a triangular prism and may have a triangle cross-section, with a vertex of the triangle pointing downwards. The triangle cross-section may have any triangular shape: right, equilateral, isosceles, scalene, etc. The curved textured triangle end 1712 may be curved or rounded to prevent distortion or mutilation of the metallic material and to provide the user greater control of the hammer 1700 so as to not make any unintentional markings. The surface of the curved textured triangle end 1712 may comprise any number or arrangement of indentations or protrusions. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in
The connector portion 1715 is connected to the textured triangle portion 1714, and the smooth triangle portion 1716. The connector portion 1715 acts to connect the other portions of the hammer head 1710, and to stabilize the hammer head 1710 onto the handle 1705 of the hammer 1700. The connector portion 1715 may have any cross-sectional shape. The areas where the connector portion 1715 connects to the other portions of the hammer head 1710 may be arcuate or smoothed out in transitioning between the different portions of the hammer head 1710.
The smooth triangle portion 1716 is connected to the connector portion 1715, and is opposite the textured triangle portion 1714 of the hammer head 1710. The smooth triangle portion 1716 ends with a flat non-textured triangle end 1718. Like the textured triangle portion 1714, the smooth triangle portion 1716 may also be shaped like a triangular prism and may have a triangle cross-section, with a vertex of the triangle pointing downwards. The triangle cross-section may have any triangular shape: right, equilateral, isosceles, scalene, etc.
In the present exemplary embodiment, the surface of the flat non-textured triangle end 1718 is non-textured and is smooth, but in alternative embodiments, may have indentations and protrusions to create a texture complimentary to the textured triangle end 1712. The flat non-textured triangle end 1718 may be used to create a border texture, as further described below, because the shape of the hammer head 910, including the flat non-textured triangle end 1718, allows for creating sharper and more clearly defined texture patterns, especially along the borders of metallic materials.
The present exemplary embodiment of the texture hammer 1700 may be manufactured to essentially any width/depth/height combination. In the embodiment shown in
The textured triangle portion 2414 is connected to the connector portion 2415 of the hammer head 2415, and ends with a textured triangle end 2412. The textured triangle portion 2414 may be shaped like a triangular prism and may have a triangle cross-section, with a vertex of the triangle pointing upwards. The triangle cross-section may have any triangular shape: right, equilateral, isosceles, scalene, etc. The textured triangle end 2412 may be curved or rounded to prevent distortion or mutilation of the metallic material and to provide the user greater control of the hammer 2400 so as to not make any unintentional markings. The surface of the textured triangle end 2412 may comprise any number or arrangement of indentations or protrusions. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in
The connector portion 2415 is connected to the textured triangle portion 2414, and the smooth triangle portion 2416. The connector portion 2415 acts to connect the other portions of the hammer head 2410, and to stabilize the hammer head 2410 onto the handle 2405 of the hammer 2400. The connector portion 2415 may have a quadrilateral cross-section in the present exemplary embodiment, but may have any cross-sectional shape in alternate embodiments. The areas where the connector portion 2415 connects to the other portions of the hammer head may be arcuate or smoothed out in transitioning between the different portions of the hammer head 2410.
The smooth triangle portion 2416 is connected to the connector portion 2415, and is opposite the textured triangle portion 2414 of the hammer head 2414. The smooth triangle portion 2416 ends with a flat non-textured triangle end 2418. Like the textured triangle portion 2414, the smooth triangle portion 2416 may also be shaped like a triangular prism and may have a triangle cross-section, with a vertex of the triangle pointing upwards. The triangle cross-section may have any triangular shape: right, equilateral, isosceles, scalene, etc. In the present exemplary embodiment, the surface of the flat non-textured triangle end 2418 is non-textured and is smooth, but in alternative embodiments, may have indentations and protrusions to create a texture complimentary to the textured triangle end 2412.
The present exemplary embodiment of the texture hammer 2400 may be manufactured to essentially any width/depth/height combination. In the embodiment shown in
Referring now to
The user may also alter the angle of the hammer 100 so that when the oval end 112 meets the flat metallic material 3110, a different marking or texture pattern appears on the material 3110. As shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
As shown in
As shown in
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is established by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. Further, the recitation of method steps does not denote a particular sequence for execution of the steps. Such method steps may therefore be performed in a sequence other than recited unless the particular claim expressly states otherwise.
