Abstract:
A tined pry bar hand tool includes a head that is formed by a unitary, one-piece block of metal. The head includes a plurality of tines integrally formed thereon. The construction of the head makes it less prone to breakage, and suitable for a variety of construction/demolition projects.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to a pry bar hand tool useful for a variety of construction/demolition projects including, but not limited to, removing stucco, roofing, siding, decking, wood flooring, tile, drywall, plaster and lath, and millwork. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Pry bar hand tools are known in the prior art that are purportedly suitable for removing items such as shingles, nails, and insulation. These known hand tools suffer from a number of problems. For example, these known hand tools are often designed to perform a single task, such as shingle and nail removal. However, users often try to use the tools to perform other construction/demolition tasks which the tools are not designed for. This can cause damage to the tools. In addition, because the tools are used under rugged conditions, these tools are often designed to have replacement parts which can make the replaceable portions of the tools weak and prone to breakage during use. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    A tined pry bar hand tool is described that is designed for use in a large number of construction/demolition projects including, but not limited to, removing stucco, roofing, siding, decking, wood flooring, tile, drywall, plaster and lath, and millwork. The tool is rugged and long lasting. In addition, since it is a hand tool, the tool is relatively light in weight which is an important consideration as the tool may often be held above a users head during use. For example, the tool can have a weight of about 7 pounds or less, compared with a weight of 9 or 10 pounds or more in some prior pry bar hand tools. 
         [0004]    In one embodiment, the tined pry bar hand tool includes a head formed by a unitary, one-piece block of metal. The head has a substantially horizontal bottom surface with a front edge and a rear edge. A substantially planar, vertical rear surface extends upwardly from the rear edge of the bottom surface to a top edge. A substantially horizontal top surface portion extends forwardly from the top edge, with the top surface portion being parallel to the bottom surface. A continuously angled portion extends from an end of the top surface portion to the front edge of the bottom surface. A plurality of tines extend from the front edge toward the rear surface and end a predetermined distance from the top surface portion. The tines are generally rectangular with front edges that correspond to the front edge of the bottom surface and that are substantially parallel to the rear edge. Gaps are formed between the plurality of tines, with the gaps extending vertically from the continuously angled portion to the bottom surface and extending from the front edges of the tines to rear ends of the gaps. The gaps decrease continuously in width from the front edges to the walls. In addition, a handle is connected to the head, with the handle including a shaft extending from the rear surface. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the tined pry bar tool. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the tined pry bar tool of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the head of the tined pry bar tool. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  illustrates details of the connection between the shaft and the head. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    With reference initially to  FIG. 1 , a tined pry bar tool  10  is illustrated as including a head  12  and a handle  14 . The head  12  is a unitary, one-piece construction of a block of metal such as steel. By making the head out of a single piece of metal, breakage of parts and loosening of connections is minimized. 
         [0010]    With reference to  FIG. 1 and 2 , the head  12  has a substantially flat, horizontal bottom surface  20  extending from a non-continuous front edge  22  of the head to a bottom rear edge  24 . A substantially flat, vertical rear surface  26  extends upwardly from the rear edge  24  to a top, rear edge  28  of the head. A substantially horizontal, solid top surface portion  30  extends forwardly from the top, rear edge  28  to a continuously angled portion  32  that extends from an end  34  of the top surface portion  30  to the front edge  22 . The top surface portion  30  is substantially parallel to the bottom surface  20 . In addition, the head  12  includes substantially vertical, solid side surfaces  36  that extend from the bottom surface  20  to the top surface portion  30  and the angled portion  32 , and extends from the front edge  22  to the rear surface  26 . Only one side surface is visible in  FIG. 2 ; it being understood that the opposite side surface is identical to the surface  36  that is visible in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0011]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , the head  12  includes a plurality of integrally formed tines  40 . The tines  40  are formed by creating spaced gaps or slots  42  in the head  12  that extend from the front edge  22  toward the rear surface  26 , and from the continuously angled portion  32  to the bottom surface  20 . The gaps  42  stop short of the end  34  of the top surface portion  30 , so that there is a section  44  of the angled portion  32  between the ends of the gaps  42  and the end  34  of the top surface portion  30  that is solid. 
         [0012]    The tines  40  thus extend from the front edge  22  toward the rear surface  26 , stopping short of the top surface portion  30 . The tines  40  are generally rectangular when viewed in the top plan view of  FIG. 3 , with front edges that correspond with the front edge  22  and that are substantially parallel to the top, rear edge  28 . Thus, the tines  40  can be described as having front edges  22 , it being realized that the front edge  22  is non-continuous as it is formed by all of the front edges of the tines  40 . The gaps  42  have rear ends that define walls  46  that extend substantially vertically from the angled portion  32  to the bottom surface  20 . The gaps  42  decrease continuously in width W from the front edge  22  to the walls  46  whereby the tines  40  increase continuously in width from the front edges  22 . 
         [0013]    The head  12  can have the following exemplary dimensions. With reference to  FIG. 2 , the length L can be about 4.0 inches, the height H about 1.25 inches, the length L tp  of the top surface portion  30  of about 0.75 inches, and the angle a between the angled portion  32  and the bottom surface  20  of about 20 degrees. With reference to  FIG. 3 , the head  12  can have a constant width W between the side surfaces  36  from the rear surface  26  to the front edge  22  of about 3.75 inches, the tines can have a length L T  of about 2.75 inches, each tine can have a width W T  of about 0.375 inches, each gap can have a width W G  at the front edges of about 0.1875 inches, and the rear ends of the gaps  42  can have a width W W  of about 0.09375 inches. Although it is to be realized that other dimensions could be used, these particular dimensions are beneficial for a number of reasons. The angle α provides more leverage for prying compared to prior art designs which have an angle of about 15 degrees. In addition, the top surface portion  30  helps to reduce the weight of the head  12  compared to a head where the rear surface  26  and the angled portion  32  directly join. Further, the tines are wider than tines on prior art tools, which increases the strength of the tines making them less prone to breakage. 
         [0014]    The handle  14  extends from the rear surface  26  at an angle β of about 40 degrees relative to horizontal. Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , the handle  14  comprises a substantially solid shaft  16  that is connected to the head  12  and extends from the rear surface  26 , and a sleeve  18  that surrounds the shaft  16 . The shaft  16  and sleeve  18  are made of metal, for example aluminum. 
         [0015]    The shaft  16  and sleeve  18  are generally circular, although other shapes, such as square, can be used. The sleeve  18  is slidably disposed around the shaft  16  to permit adjustment in the length of the handle  14 . An adjustable locking mechanism  54  is provided between the shaft  16  and the sleeve  18  to allow adjustment of the handle length. For example, as illustrated, the adjustable locking mechanism  54  can be formed by a spring loaded button  56  disposed toward an end of the shaft  16 , and a number of holes  58  formed in the sleeve  18 . By pushing in the button  56  and sliding the sleeve  18  relative to the shaft  16  until the button snaps into place in a new hole  58 , the length of the handle  14  can be adjusted. Other adjustable locking mechanisms can be used as well. To facilitate the users grip on the tool, the free end of the handle  14  can be provided with a rubber sleeve  60 . 
         [0016]    It is important that a secure connection be provided between the handle  14  and the head  12 . An exemplary connection is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . A hole  70  is drilled into the end  72  of the shaft  16 , and the hole is tapped to create internal threads. The end  72  of the shaft  16  is also cut to provide the proper angle for mating with the rear surface  36 . In addition, a hole  76  is drilled through the head  12  extending from the bottom surface  20  to the rear surface  36 . The hole  76  is also tapped to create threads. A threaded rod  78  is then threaded into the hole  76 in the head  12  and into the hole  70  in the shaft  16 . This draws the end  72  of the handle  16  into intimate contact with the rear surface  36  of the head  12 . Once the rod  78  is fully inserted, any of the rod  78  extending out of the hole  76  from the bottom surface  20  is cut off, and the hole at the bottom surface  20  is welded closed  80 . 
         [0017]    The tined pry bar hand tool described herein may be embodied in other forms without departing from its spirit or characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is therefore indicated 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 to be embraced within their scope.