Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Combination Construction Tool
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cross-Reference to Related U.S. Patent Applications
We hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 120 of
United States patent application Serial Number 08/876,165 filed June 13, 1997
and of
to United States patent application Serial Number 09/027,434 filed February
20, 1998.
This application is a continuation-in-part of the above stated applications.
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to construction tools and more
specifically it
relates to a single roofing, bricklaying and lumber manipulating tool that is
useful for
twisting and manipulating lumber, creating apertures in hard roofing materials
and tapping
masonry materials such as bricks and cinderblocks into mortar.
2o Often times a craftsman will need to align a piece of lumber that has
become twisted
for various reasons such as misalignment or warping of the lumber. The
craftsman will
typically force the lumber into the desired position with a pry bar or other
striking tool with
one hand, while operating a nailing device with the other hand. In many cases,
multiple
tools will be carried along with the craftsman to assist in aligning lumber.
Such multiple
tools are generally heavy and cumbersome to carry and use.
Also, it is not uncommon for craftsman such as carpenters or bricklayers to
use the
butt end of a hammer for certain applications, such as to tap masonry
materials such as
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bricks or cinderblocks into alignment in mortar when bricklaying. This tapping
deforms and
damages the hammer handle so as to lessen the utility of the hammer as well as
the comfort
of the handle.
When roofing using hard and brittle roofing materials such as clay or slate,
it is often
necessary to use a pointed striking tool to insert apertures in the roofing
materials through
which fastening means are inserted. Prior art tools suitable for this purpose
generally have a
pick-like member. Such tools, however, cannot be used for manipulating lumber.
to One problem with conventional methods of aligning lumber is that by
utilizing
conventional tools therefor, such as prybars, the use of both hands is often
required,
necessitating one person to hold the lumber in place and another person to
nail the lumber.
Alternatively, a single person may have difficulty in ei~iciently manipulating
the various
tools used for straightening lumber and nailing at the same time.
A second problem with conventional methods is that simply striking the lumber
does
not always retain the lumber in the desired position because of stress within
the lumber.
The lumber will sometimes return to its previous position after being hit by
the striking head
or the butt end of the handle thereby requiring increased force from the
striking head or
2o repeated blows to achieve the desired alignment. This increased force
and/or repeated
blows further increases damage to the wood and/or the butt end of the handle,
and
decreases the efficiency of the operator.
A third problem with conventional methods is that by utilizing the butt end of
the
handle, the gripping of the roofing tool will become damaged over time making
the roofing
tool dif~'icult to grasp by the craftsman. Additionally, the handle itself may
become
damaged over time from the constant striking against lumber or masonry
materials.
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Lastly, it is cumbersome and inefficient for the craftsman to care multiple
conventional tools for manipulating lumber, laying masonry materials and
roofing.
Description of the Prior Art
The prior art discloses a hammerhead having a sliding jaw connected to a
socket of
the hammerhead and a plurality of ratchet-teeth for securing the sliding jaw
when adjusted
in relation to the claw of the hammerhead.
1o Also disclosed is a monkey wrench having a shank with
inclined apertures along its front side in combination with a movable jaw and
an inclined
dowel pin adapted to engage the apertures.
One prior art combination tool includes a combination wrench, hammer, screw-
driver and rule, comprising a hammerhead, a jaw slidably mounted on a shank of
the
hammerhead, guiding flanges carried by the movable jaw which are engageable
upon each
side of the shank, and a means for holding the jaw against movement. Such
tools are
typically used for manipulating fasteners and pipes.
2o Additionally disclosed in the prior art is a lumber gripping device
including an
elongated handle and a head having two opposed and spaced apart claws with one
substantially shorter in length than the other. The pair of claws engage
opposing sides of a
piece of lumber and the elongated handle provides leverage to manipulate the
lumber. This
device has no utility for any purpose other than manipulating lumber.
Traditional roofing tools include a striking surface with a hammerhead and a
single
pointed claw extension for making openings in hard roofing materials. These
tools,
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however, cannot be used to manipulate lumber and are not specially adapted to
provide a
tapping surface for setting masonry materials.
While these devices may be suitable for the individual purposes for which they
are
designed, they are not suitable for providing a single combination tool that
is capable of
twisting and manipulating lumber, creating apertures in hard roofing
materials, and
providing a masonry striking surface which minimizes damage to the tool.
Additionally, all
of the prior art devices include moving parts that may break or malfi~nction
compared to a
unitary design with no moving parts. Such moving parts increase the
vibrational stress
to absorbed by the operator during striking, making such tools less
comfortable to use
compared to a non-moveable, unitary design. Additionally, the connections
between the
plurality of moving components have a certain amount of slack and eventually
wear out
over time, thereby providing an unsure grip and excess vibration upon impact
of the
hammer when striking an object such as a nail or bricks.
Therefore, none of the above stated prior art is designed specifically as a
multi-
purpose, durable, construction tool usefizl for framing, roofing and
bricklaying, as well as
striking nails and other purposes.
2o The present invention provides a construction tool for multiple building
uses
including but not limited to nailing, roofing, manipulating lumber and setting
masonry
materials that has no moving components and is approximately the same weight
as
conventional single tool used for such purposes. Since there are no moving
parts, there is a
solid impact of the striking surface when striking an object without any
vibration to the
craftsman. Further, the present invention reduces the amount of weight and
number of
objects that the craftsman must carry while working. Finally, the present
invention
eliminates the need for a second person to hold the piece of lumber in
position with their
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hands; thereby preventing injuries which can occur from nails being air-nailed
from an
adjacent piece of lumber.
In these respects, the combination tool according to the present invention
substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior
art, and in so
doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a
combination tool that is capable of traditional hammering, twisting and
manipulating
lumber, creating apertures in hard roofing materials and setting masonry
materials into
mortar, which minimizes vibrational stresses created during striking as
compared to
1o multiple-piece tools, and which also optionally provides a durable striking
surface on the
handle end of the tool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a combination
construction
tool that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.
Another object is to provide a combination construction tool that eliminates
the
need to carry multiple tools.
An additional object is to provide a combination construction tool that is
approximately the same weight as a conventional hammer.
A further object is to provide a combination construction tool that does not
have
any moving parts that can affect the striking character of a conventional one-
piece striking
tool.
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A further object is to provide a combination tool for hammering, roofing,
manipulating lumber and setting masonry materials wherein the handle and
gripping means
have an extended useful life compared to conventional bricklaying hammers.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a lumber manipulating
tool that
fits various widths of lumber.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination
construction
tool that reduces vibrational strain and reduces the amount of time required
to complete a
1o building project.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to
the
reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the
scope of the
present invention.
The invention comprises a handle, a hammerhead attached to an end of the
handle
having a claw and a striking head, a striking cap optionally attached to the
distal end of the
handle, and a jaw attached to the handle in opposition to the claw of the
hammerhead. The
claw has a first blunt member, and a second pick member which pick member is
used for
2o creating apertures in hard roofing materials. The distal space between the
claw and the jaw
is formed to fittingly engage a piece of lumber to be manipulated. After
engaging the piece
of lumber between the claw and the jaw, the user leverages the handle to
rotate the lumber
into the desired position. If the user desires to tap a brick or piece of
lumber in a desired
position, the user simply engages the object with the striking or head cap or
optionally the
handle includes a grip and an integrally attached striking cap at least
partially embedded in
the grip and/or handle. The striking cap is of a material harder than the
grip, and provides
the hammer with a striking surface at the butt end of the handle. The striking
cap may
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further have at least one rib or groove, which serve to more strongly affix
the striking cap to
the hammer. The invention may also include a reinforced grip.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be
embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being
called to the
fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may
be made in the
specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
to
Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present
invention
will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when
considered in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters
designate
the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
FIG. I is a side view of the present invention in removable engagement with a
piece
of lumber.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the present invention disclosing the jaw in relation
to the
2o claw.
FIG. 3 is a side view of an alternative embodiment that discloses a pick
member.
FIG. 4 is a top view of the alternative embodiment disclosing a channel for
catchably
receiving a nail.
FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of a device of the invention engaging and
manipulating a piece of lumber.
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FIG. 6 is a side view of the optional striking cap of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference
characters
denote similar elements throughout the several view, Figures 1, 2 and 4
illustrate a
combination construction tool 10, which comprises a handle 20, a hammerhead 30
attached
to an end of the handle 20 having a claw 32 and a striking head 36, and a jaw
40 attached to
1o the handle 20 in opposition to the claw 32 of the hammerhead 30, and
optionally having a
striking cap 50 having at least one groove or rib 51 attached to the distal
end of the handle
20. The claw 32 has a groove 34 for removably engaging nails or other
fasteners. The claw
32 further has a blunt member 74 and a pick member 60. The distal space
between the claw
32 and the jaw 40 is formed to fittingly engage a piece of lumber 12 that is
to be
manipulated. After engaging the piece of lumber 12 between the claw 32 and the
jaw 40,
the user leverages the handle 20 to rotate the lumber 12 into the desired
position. If the
user desires to tap a brick or cinder block or stone or piece of lumber 12 in
a desired
position, the user simply engages the object with the butt end of the tool
optionally having
the striking cap 50 thereby reducing the damage to the object and to the
handle 20. The
2o jaw 40 may optionally include at least one tooth 42 for gripping the piece
of lumber 12.
The handle 20, hammerhead 30 and jaw 40 are preferably constructed from metal,
such as steel or other alloy. Preferably, the handle 20, hammerhead 30 and jaw
40 are
forged together in one piece, however it can be appreciated that constructing
the
components separately and then permanently attaching them later is also
possible. It can
also be appreciated by one skilled in the art that various other conventional
materials may be
utilized for constructing the handle 20 such as wood or fiberglass. The handle
20 may be
constructed of an extended length (not shown) for increasing the momentum of
the
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hammerhead 30 and reducing the amount of wrist action required by the
craftsman to
operate the present invention.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the grip 22 is attached about the mid-portion of
the
handle 20 to the distal end of the handle 21. The grip 22 preferably is
constructed of a
polymer vinyl composite material, however, the grip 22 may be constructed of
any other
well known material such as leather, vinyl or rubber. The grip 22 preferably
includes a
plurality of unnumbered indentations within for increasing the ability of the
craftsman to
grasp the handle 20.
As best shown in Figures 1 through 2 of the drawings, the jaw 40 is secured to
the
handle 20 in opposition to the claw 32. The jaw 40 is spaced from the claw 32
a finite
distance for receiving the piece of lumber 12. The distance between the claw
32 and the
jaw 40 is preferably wider than a width of the piece of lumber 12 as best
shown in Figure 1
of the drawings. The typical width of a conventional piece of lumber 12 is
approximately 1
'/z inches and can vary plus or minus 1/8 of an inch, however various other
sizes of lumber
12 are available both in the U.S. and in foreign countries, for which the
present invention is
easily suitable for.
2o As shown in Figure 1, the jaw 40 preferably has a broad end and a narrow
end,
however various other shapes may be appreciated by one skilled in the art. The
broad end
of the jaw 40 is attached to the handle 20 and the jaw 40 preferably tapers
upward towards
the claw 32 where it forms the narrow end. The jaw 40 also includes an
engaging edge 44
that is in opposition to the claw 32 of the hammerhead 30. The engaging edge
44 is in
direct contact to the piece of lumber 12 when manipulating the lumber 12 as
best shown in
Figure 1 of the drawings. The distance between the engaging edge 44 and the
claw 32 is
preferably wider than the width of the piece of lumber 12.
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As shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, the engaging edge 44 of the jaw 40 forms
a
flat surface. It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that various
angles may also be
utilized for the engaging edge 44. The engaging edge 44 may also be
constructed to be
orthogonal with respect to the handle 20 or the claw 32. The engaging edge 44
may also
include at least one tooth 42 or at least one groove for gripping the piece of
lumber 12.
Additionally, the engaging edge 44 may also be swaged or arcuate.
When using the combination tool of the invention to manipulate lumber, when
the
craftsman encounters a twisted or misaligned piece of lumber 12, the craftsman
has two
to options with the present invention. First, the craftsman can tap the lumber
12 with the
striking cap 50 to move the lumber 12 into the desired location. Second, the
craftsman can
engage the piece of lumber 12 between the jaw 40 and the claw 32, and apply
leverage to
the handle 20 so that the jaw 40 is pushing upon the lumber 12 in the
rotational direction
desired by the craftsman. The distal end of the claw 32, or the distal end of
the pick
member 60 for the alternative embodiment, engages the opposing side of the
lumber 12
more towards the center of the piece of lumber 12 thereby providing a quasi-
pivot point.
The craftsman continues applying leverage to the handle 20 until the lumber 12
is in the
desired position. The craftsman then inserts fastener to retain the lumber 12
in the desired
location.
As illustrated in Figures 3 and 6, the striking cap 50 is attached to the end
of the
handle 20 and is surrounded by the grip 22, leaving a striking surface 53
exposed..
Preferably, the striking cap 50 is attached to the grip 22 during the curing
of the grip 22,
which grip 22 is applied to the handle 20 by injection molding or other
process, although
the striking cap may be attached to a wood handle after forming as well. The
striking cap
50 preferably is formed to the shape of the distal end 21 of the grip 22 and
handle 20,
however it can be appreciated that various other shapes may be utilized. At
least one rib or
groove 51 may optionally be present on the striking cap 50, which rib or
groove 51 may be
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surrounded by a grip 22 if such grip is made of moldable materials such as
composite or
rubber, thus strengthening the integral attachment of striking cap 50 to the
grip 22 and
handle 20. The striking cap 50 is generally constructed of a material harder
than the grip 22
yet more resilient than the handle 20 to absorb a portion of the shock from
engaging an
object. When used for bricklaying, bricks or other masonry items are set into
the mortar,
then tapped with the butt end of the hammer optionally having a striking cap
with a striking
surface 53 to set the masonry items into the mortar.
An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 3
through 5
of the drawings. As shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, the hammerhead
30 includes
a claw 32 and a striking head 36 with the striking head 36 preferably having a
rectangular
cross-sectional area. The corner edges 37 of the striking head 36 are
preferably rounded to
avoid chipping of the face of the striking head 36. The striking head 36
preferably includes
a channel 70 shaped to receive a conventional fastener such as a nail. The
channel 70 is
preferably of a constant diameter from the face of the striking head 36, where
after a finite
distance along the surface of the striking head 36 the channel 70 abruptly
broadens to
receive the head portion of the fastener. The channel 70 preferably has a
magnet 72 within
to retain the fastener within the channel 70 during swinging the initial
strike of the
combination tool. Alternatively, the striking head 36 may be magnetized itself
for retaining
2o the fastener within the channel 70. The user utilizes the fastener within
the channel 70 to
start the fastener penetration into an object such as wood. The claw 32 has a
pick member
60 and a flat member 74 (as seen in Fig. 4), each located on either side of
groove 34. Pick
member 60 is preferably attached to and extended from one side of the claw 32
as best
shown in Figure 4 of the drawings.
2~
The pick member 60 is used for penetrating objects such as slate shingles for
allowing insertion of a fastener such as a spike or a nail. The user places
the combination
tool so that the pick member 60 is facing the slate shingle, and then
penetrates the slate
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shingle with the pick member 60 in the desired location thereby creating an
aperture that
receives a fastener. Groove 34 may be used for prying fasteners out of
material.
In use and as described above, the craftsman utilizes the invention as a
conventional
tool for hammering, inserting and removing fasteners, for aligning lumber, for
creatin~~
apertures in slate or similar roofing materials and for tapping bricks, cinder
blocks or similar
items mto mortar.
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present
1o invention, the same should be apparent from the above description.
With respect to the above description then, the user will realize that the
optimum
dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include
variations in size,
materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use,
are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent
relationships to
those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are
intended to be
encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles
of the
2o invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily
occur to those
skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and
operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and
equivalents
may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
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