Patent ID: 6364031
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: E02D

Abstract:
A one-piece tool for driving a rod into the ground, comprising:a head including at least one generally flat planar striking face for directly contacting and driving an end of the rod to be driven, the striking face having a surface area substantially larger than a surface area of the end of the rod to be driven; a handle fixedly connected to the head at a first handle end such that the head and the handle are immovable with respect to each other, the head and handle forming a hammer wherein the striking face is substantially parallel to a major axis of the handle, the handle including a first hollow section, a second hollow section, and a rod driving section having a first and a second rod striking surface, the first rod striking surface disposed at an end of the first hollow section and the second rod striking surface disposed at an end of the second hollow section, the rod driving section interposed between the first and second hollow sections, the first and second hollow sections for guiding at least a portion of the rod to be driven; and first and second rod-receiving openings, each located at a respective tool end, the first rod receiving opening for communicating at least a portion of the rod to be driven through the first hollow section to be directly contacted and driven by the first rod striking surface of the rod driving section, the second rod receiving opening for communicating at least a portion of the rod to be driven through the second hollow section to be directly contacted and driven by the second rod striking surface of the rod driving section, whereby an end of the rod to be driven into the ground can be directly contacted and driven by each of the first and second rod striking surfaces of the rod driving section and the at least one striking face of the head, wherein the tool further comprises a rod extractor, the rod extractor comprising a through-hole in the rod driving section of the handle, the through-hole of a diameter larger than the diameter of the rod.