Multi-use tool device, tool therefor and method of using the same

A multi-use tool device is provided with an actuator that is moveable to turn a tool relative to the tool device to change the angle of attack of the tool to the work or to change to a different work surface on the fool. Further, the tool device is releasably connected to the tool without the use of threaded fasteners or wrenches. An actuator on the tool is moved to release the tool and preferably to push the tool from the tool device so that the user need not touch a dirty or spent tool that may be coated with an adhesive, mastic or the like. Conversely, the tool may be attached by pushing the tool relative to the tool device. Also, the preferred tool is made in one piece with a connecting portion and a turning portion thereon. The illustrated tool has an upstanding post and angularly spaced teeth that cooperate with the tool device to allow the connected tool to be turned relative to the tool body. In the preferred method of use of the tool, a common actuator in the form of a push button is pushed with a light force to turn the tool relative to the tool device and is pushed with a greater force to eject the tool from the tool device. The preferred tool is made inexpensively and in one piece. The tool device is lightweight and made mostly of inexpensive plastic parts. The tool device may have a body shaped to fit a person's hand or have a handle projecting therefrom for gripping by the user or to receive an extension pole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a tool device having a body with a handle portion to be manually used by a user for typically spreading, scraping, sanding or the like with one of a number of detachable tools which may be desired to be turned to provide different edges or different working surfaces for use or to change the angle of the tool relative to the tool device. For example there is a multi-use spreader/stapler tool in the shape of a flat blade having three different edges, each with serrated teeth thereon which can be used for applying or spreading various materials, such as mastic adhesive, sealers, or the like. This flat blade tool itself is relatively inexpensive being made of one piece plastic and having a central opening therein by which it may be secured by a threaded fastener to a handle or the like for use. A wide range of various tools other than this flat blade disc can be provided and made more easy to operate and to be readily attached and detached to a multi-use tool device. The multi-use tool of this invention is not limited to any specific tool as it can be used with various tools other than the tools desired herein.

One problem with tools of the above-described type used for spreading mastic or adhesives is that they become quickly coated with the material, which may be sticky and which desired to be removed and disposed of with or cleaned from the tool at a later time without having the person using the tool getting his hands dirty with the material being moved by the tool. If the user's hands get covered with the material there is a chance to apply it to surfaces that are not to be coated or otherwise treated and there is a problem of cleaning one's hands so that the tool device having the handle being used is not also sticky and coated with the material.

Also, there is also a need for relatively inexpensive and simple lightweight handle tool devices which can be used with various types of tools and which can manipulate the tools and be releasably attached and detached thereto with a simple operation. For example, it is most desirable that the tool be attached to the tool device without having to use wrenches or threaded fasteners. Likewise, it is desirable that the tool be detached from the tool device without using wrenches for unthreading fasteners. Preferably the tool device as well as the tool are relatively inexpensive and adaptedly be produced in mass quantities for use in hardware stores, building supply stores, or the like, and for use not only by professionals but also by homeowners or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a new and improved multi-use tool device and tool for various tools such as spreading tools, scraping tools, sanding tools or the like and a new method of using the same. This is achieved by a simple tool device that has an actuator moveable to turn the tool to change the working edge of the tool or to change the attack angle for use of the tool such as for positioning the edge of a tool close to a wall so that one does not bang his knuckles against wall. Further, in accordance with the invention, a used, spent, or dirty tool can be removed without the user gripping the tool or otherwise having to unthread fasteners or use wrenches to release the tool from the tool device.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the tool device is made inexpensively and lightweight and is preferably made mainly of plastic molded parts. The preferred tool device has an actuator in the form of a push button which if pushed lightly turns the tool, for example through 45° or 90° to change the attack angle or through 90° to rotate a new edge into use. A harder push of the button causes the ejection of the tool from the tool case with a positive push-off force.

In the preferred embodiment of the tool device it is pressed down over the top of the preferred tool blade which has a projecting post thereon which snaps into the tool. This preferred tool device provides the ability to put on a tool very easily, to turn the tool to provide a new edge or angle of attack and to snap off a dirty tool without the user getting his hands messy from touching the tool.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the tool is easily snapped off by pushing an actuator on the tool device so that the dirty tool can be readily disposed of. Likewise it is preferred to make an easy attachment and a quick attachment of the tool to the tool device by merely pushing the tool onto the tool device.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, it is preferred to provide an inexpensive, lightweight tool which is made in one or very few pieces and which has a connecting portion for connecting the tool to the tool device. Further, the tool is provided with turnable portions such as teeth which cooperate with the tool device to allow turning of the tool relative to the tool device to present a new working surface or edge or to change the angle of attack. The preferred tool may be inexpensively made in one piece by molding or may be stamped from metal.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of using a tool device and a tool adapted to be turned relative to the tool device and releasably connected to the tool device; the method comprising providing a manual handle portion on the tool device for manipulation by the user to present a first working surface or angle of attack on the tool to the work; providing a releasable, turnable tool for connection to the handle with multiple working surfaces thereon; moving an actuator on the tool device with a first movement of the actuator turning the tool to present another working surface or a second angle of attack; and moving an actuator with a second movement to release the tool from the tool device preferably by ejection. Preferably the method also involves the detaching of the tool by a snapping or pushing off of the tool so that one does not need to grip or grasp the dirty tool at the time of removal so that the user may keep his hands clean. In the preferred method, it is preferred to attach a tool merely by putting the tool device over the tool and pushing the tool device relative to the tool to clamp the tool onto the tool device.

Further and in accordance with another aspect of the method, the actuator may be in the form of a push button and the method may involve pushing the push button with a first light force to cause a movement of the tool in an angular direction with respect to the tool device and with a second greater force to eject the tool from the tool device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, there is provided a tool device10having a handle12for gripping and use by the user with respect to a releasably detachable tool14which has one or more working surfaces15. In the tool shown inFIG. 1, the tool is provided with three working surfaces15aq,15band15cwhich are located on the edges of the tool so as to provide a different size and/or spacing of teeth along the respective edges of the tool. It is to be understood that the working surfaces for various tools may not be on the edge, as shown inFIG. 1, and may be located elsewhere on the tool.

In accordance with the present invention, the tool14may be rotated or turned relative to the tool device10and handle12by operation of an actuator16which will turn the tool in the direction shown by the directional arrow18inFIG. 1to present a new working surface or a new angle of attack. Herein, the actuator16may also be used to eject the tool or to snap the tool off by pushing it off from a bottom end20of the tool as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2so that the tool is spaced therefrom such as shown inFIG. 2. Thus, a person need not touch the tool, particularly if it is coated with an adhesive or mastic or other material which would dirty the hands of the user, or for other reasons need not be touched. The used tool may be deposited in a magazine or the like, as will be explained hereinafter.

In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, it is preferred to provide a push button type of actuator16having a push button16awhich is pushed in relative to a flat side22on the palm handle such that a slight pressure and short movement of the push button results in the turning of the tool relative to the handle12as shown by the directional arrow18through predetermined increments of turning, e.g., through 45° increments of turning. Usually a 45° increment will allow a different angle of attack for the tool edge or working surface to be positioned close to a wall or into a different spot. To provide a new tool edge, such as the tool edge15b, the push button is pushed twice to provide two 45° increments of travel so that the edge15bwill then be in the location of the edge15aqinFIG. 1and spaced opposite the flat side22of the handle12. Manifestly, the amount of turning movement of the tool relative to the tool device may be varied from the 45° and 90° increments described herein by way of example only. Indeed, the tools may take various forms and shapes from that illustrated herein and the tool may be triangular in shape or elongated rather than generally square-shaped as shown in the views in this preferred embodiment of the invention.

For the purpose of ejecting the tool, the push button16amay be pushed inwardly by a substantially greater degree of movement and with a greater force to cause a camming or ejecting of the tool away from the bottom flat face20of the tool device10to a position such as shown inFIG. 2where the tool is spaced from the tool device10. It should be appreciated that the tools usable with the tool device10may represent a considerable and volume of sales and require features that make them usable with the tool device such as to allow the turning of the tool with operation of the actuator16and also to allow removal of the tool with the operation of the actuator. Preferably the tool is also readily attached to the tool device10by simple pushing of the tool device onto the tool. To this end, the tool15illustrated inFIGS. 17 to 19comprises a body25having a releasable retention portion26for connection to the handle device and herein the preferred retention portion26comprises an upstanding post or male part28to be fitted into a hollow receiving portion30(FIG. 2) on the tool device10. To facilitate turning of the tool body25relative to the handle device10with operation of the actuator16, it is preferred to provide a plurality of turning portions32such as in the form of spaced teeth34, as shown inFIGS. 17 and 18adjacent the upstanding post28. Herein there are eight such teeth34which are spaced apart by spaces36and which cooperate with the handle device to turn the tool body25through 45° increments of turning movement with each operation of the actuator push button16athrough a turning stroke.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the tool15is made in one piece and of molded plastic including the integral, upstanding, inner connection post28as well as the teeth34which are integral with the body25. The illustrated tool has a flat plate-shaped tool portion having a top substantially planar surface38aand a parallel lower flat planar surface38bwith the central post28and centrally located teeth34being projecting upwardly at the center of flat plate body25, as shown inFIGS. 18 and 19. In the tool illustrated inFIG. 17the respective working surfaces15aq,15band15care serrated teeth of various sizes and shapes. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this particular flat disc or plate tool, but is intended that the tool device be used with various other types of tools. For instance, the tool may have a sanding surface thereon or may have other types of spreading surfaces thereon for handling various materials and substances. Further it would be appreciated that the preferred tool shown inFIGS. 17–19can likewise be made of stamped metal rather than molded plastic to provide a one piece tool of inexpensive manufacture. Also, the tool15may be made of multiple pieces, rather than a single piece for various other types of tools from that illustrated in these drawings and still fall within the purview of the invention. This invention is not limited to a specific tool illustrated and described hereon which is done by way of example only and not by way of limitation as to any particular tool.

The handle shown inFIG. 1is a palm-shaped handle which can be fitted into the palm of the hand being located over a circular top40of the handle12and with finger grooves42being located along the circumferential edges of the handle adjacent an upper portion44of the handle. The upper portion44of the handle12is shown in exploded view2as being mateable with a lower portion45of the handle within which is located the retention and turning mechanism50. The flat side22with the handle orients handle for gripping with the rear of the user's palm being at the flat side22. The palm-shaped handle is readily gripped with the fingers and thumb gripping in the grooves42so that the hand does not fatigue and does not slip on the handle when gripping the same, particularly if the user's hand becomes sweaty. In many instances the user may want to turn the orientation of the tool relative to the handle if the person becomes tired or fatigued and wants and to change the angle of the handle. In some instances the angle of attack close to a wall or the like is more readily used when the tool is rotated through 45° so that the edges are at 45′ rather than having two edges parallel to the flat side22of the handle. Also when near the edge of a roof or other place for spreading adhesive or tar-like substance, the angle at 45° may work well and keep the hand away from the edge.

Referring now in greater detail to the preferred and illustrated pieces which comprise the tool device10, the top cover portion44as best seen inFIGS. 2,5and6is provided with a one piece molded plastic body44awhich has a downwardly projecting post52on which is pivotally mounted the cam turning/retention device50, which is pivotally mounted for turning movement with operation of the push button actuator16. Herein the turning and retention device will hereinafter be called a cam56. The cam56is biased to its tool retention position by a one piece spring58, which performs multiple functions and is located within the handle12(FIG. 2). As will be explained in greater detail, the moveable cam is also operated by the push button actuator to turn the tool and to push the tool from the tool device.

In this preferred embodiment of the invention as best seen inFIG. 2, the handle also includes the lower handle portion45which is secured by fasteners60and61inserted through holes or openings62and63at the bottom of the cover as seen inFIGS. 2 and 10. Shanks of the screws pass through elongated openings or holes66and68in the cam member56without interfering with the pivoting of the cam56about an axis through the center of the pivoting post54(FIG. 13) in the cam and through the center of the aligned receiving post52on the top cover44. The bottom cover45is secured to the to cover portion44by the screws60and61which have enlarged heads60aand61awhich are seated respectively within enlarged seats62aand63a(FIG. 8) opening into the bottom surface of the lower handle portion45. The distal, upper threaded ends of the fasteners60and61extend through the enlarged openings66and65in the cam56and are threaded into respective posts68and69in the top portion44. The posts68and69have bores69aand68ato receive the threaded ends of the screws which are threaded into the posts in order to connect the two core halves44and45together.

As best seen inFIGS. 2,5,6and7, the top cover portion44is a one piece molded plastic with an outer shell70, which is generally in the shape of a dome with the finger grooves42therein on the outer side of the shall70. Integrally molded in the interior of the shell70are a series of downwardly projecting strengthening ribs72a–72ewhich have their upper ends integrally connected to the shell70of the cover portion44. The respective, radially inner ends of the respective ribs72a–72eare connected directly of indirectly to a central retention member or retention post74of generally circular configuration as best seen inFIGS. 5 and 6. Radially outer ends of the respective ribs72a–72eare connected to the shell wall70to provide a rigid strong construction for the handle.

Herein, the upper portion44has a shorter height than the height of the lower portion45. The two portions44and45are nested at a parting line therebetween. More specifically, a downwardly internal projecting rim80,FIG. 5on the top portion44is sized and positioned to be seated within a peripheral groove82, as best seen inFIGS. 10 and 11. The mating or parting line between the upper and lower handle portions is defined by an annular end wall81on the top portion abutting an upper, outer shoulder85on the lower portion.

The flat side22of the palm-shaped handle is comprised of a first or upper flat side portion22aon the top portion44which meets with and is co-planar with the flat side portion22bon the lower cover portion45. The push button actuator is received within an elongated opening84in the flat portion22bon the lower cover.

As best seen inFIG. 2and inFIGS. 20 and 21, the illustrated push button actuator16acomprises a first inner piece86which has an internal threaded portion88for threading into a hole89in a wall90of the cam56. The push button has a threaded bore92into which is snap fitted a push button end cap92. The preferred connection between the portion of the push button86and the end cap92is by a pair of spring biased detent portions94which are inserted within the internal bore82and the fixed portion to connect the two pieces to form the push button16a. This push button actuator is located in the opening84and is provided to swing the cam56about an axis100(FIG. 2) through the center of the post54on the cam and the center of the pivot post52on the top cover portion44. That is the pushing of the push button inwardly will cause the cam to pivot about the axis100relative to both the top cover portion44and the lower cover portion45which are held stationary and together by the two screws60and61. As will be explained in greater detail hereinafter, a light pressure and a small movement of the cam50by pushing on the push button will cause the rotation of the tool through a predetermined increment such as 45° whereas a full pushing of the push button with a greater pressure and stroke causes a larger pivotal movement and causes an ejection of the tool from the tool device.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the tool is retained on the tool device when the male upstanding post28on the tool14as best shown inFIGS. 18 and 19is positioned to project through the opening68in the cam56and to project an enlarged head28aon the post28into the internal central hollow post74of the upper cap portion45. To this end it is preferred that the post28on the tool14have its enlarged shouldered head have a narrow neck portion28bbeneath a retention larger diameter shoulder28cat the bottom of the head28a. Inclined camming surfaces28dare provided on the vertical sides of the post28to cam the cam56, when the tool is positioned over and pushed downwardly, to allow the enlarged head to move through the enlarged opening68in the cam and upwardly into the hollow interior of the hollow post74to connect the tool14to the tool device10. Herein, the tool connecting post28extends significantly upwardly that it projects through the opening68in the cam56to position its head portion28cabove the cam portion56, as best seen and illustrated by dotted lines inFIG. 18. The head portion also projects upwardly into the hollow bore. When the post28on the tool14is positioned within the tool device, the post is captured by wall102on the cam56at a small opening103formed as part of the larger opening68in a flat portion104of the locking lever cam56.

As best shown by phantom lines inFIGS. 18 and 19, the wall102of the cam56extends under the shoulder wall28cof the post28and is positioned to rest on the top end surface114at the top of the teeth34. The spring58biases the small opening103and its end wall102into this capturing position in which the top head portion28bof the post is positioned within the hollow bore74aof the large post74in the upper handle portion44. More specifically the spring58rotates the cam56in a counter-clockwise direction as seen inFIG. 2causing the shoulder wall102to be within the neck portion28bon the post28and under the head28cand pushing the head of the post against a sidewall within the central post74in the top portion44. Because the bottom of the post head portion28crests on the top of the wall102of locking lever cam56, the tool post28and the tool cannot be pulled directly from the tool device through the opening in the bottom portion. The spring58acting on the locking lever cam56pushes its wall102in the clockwise direction on the neck28bof the tool post28forcing the opposite upper side or shoulder28cof the post head against inside spaced arcuate wall portions74bon the hollow retention post74. That is, the head of the post is positioned with the hollow post substantially on the axis of the hollow bore74aof the retention post74with shoulder28cof the post head28apushed against the arcuate and axially extending surface74bin the bore74by the spring58. The spring pushes the locking lever wall102tight against the neck28bof the post28.

To release the post for removal, the push button16ais pushed to push the locking lever locking lever cam53to swing about the axis100against the urging of the spring58to position the large diameter portion of the opening68in alignment with the post28so that the post's neck28bis no longer captured or held by the wall102in the small diameter opening103.

To bias the locking lever cam56to its retention position to retain the tool and to allow replacement of a tool with pivoting of the locking lever cam, the spring58is preferably formed inexpensively of one piece and easily assembled within the tool device. Further, the illustrated spring58also serves to bias the push button actuator outwardly of the lower cover portion45and in position to resist the inward manual pressure during actuation of the push button against the spring force. To this latter end, a leaf spring leg58a(FIG. 2) on the spring58has a distal end58bpositioned or tacked to the bush button16a. A central portion58cof the spring58is positioned on the upper cover portion25with a curved portion58dof the spring positioned about the outer side of the post68. Another leaf spring biasing leg58ehas a curved end58fthat is engaging the locking lever cam56at a integral, bent projection56a(FIG. 12) projecting from the flat plate portion104of the locking lever cam56. The leaf spring leg58ebiases the locking to turn in the counterclockwise (FIG. 2) locking direction, as seen inFIG. 2. That is, the spring biases the locking lever cam56to bring wall102athereon against the neck28bof the connecting post28on the tool15and force the wall28cof the head against interior post wall portions74b(FIGS. 2,5and6) of the post74. Manifestly, the illustrated spring may be replaced by other shapes or kinds of springs and by multiple springs rather than the illustrated spring58, which provides a low cost biasing means that is easily assembled in the tool device to perform multiple functions.

Herein the tool14is pushed or snapped off the bottom face20of the tool device10by an ejection cam110which is located on and is projecting downwardly from the lower face of the cam plate104as best seen inFIGS. 2,13and15. More specifically the ejection cam110has an inclined camming surface110ato push off the tool when swinging against a portion of the tool. A pushing of the push button will swing the cam56and to space the wall102from the neck28bon the post28and to position the large opening68over the post28. Simultaneously, the inclined surface110aon the cam120will be engaging and pushing on rounded camming surfaces114, as best seen inFIG. 19, to eject the tool with the post28passing the aligned opening68and from the tool device10. Thus, it will be seen that there is a positive ejecting action from the inclined cam surface110aagainst the rounded inclined shoulder surface104at the top of the teeth34on the tool. Preferably, the cam surface110pushes the tool from the tool device so that the user need not grip a dirty tool, or a tool that is otherwise coated or contaminated with, the material that is being spread. The release of the push button from its ejection position, the spring58returns the cam56to the position shown inFIGS. 2,13and15where the small opening103will be positioned over the center axis of the opening30in the bottom portion.

When the new tool is positioned centrally, the incline surfaces28don the post28will cam against the side walls102of the small opening103swinging the cam56in the counter-clockwise direction against the spring force on the spring allowing the big opening and the head of the post28to move upwardly into the receiving bore of the central post on the top cover portion44. When the enlarged head passes the top of the cam plate44, the spring58causes the camming plate to move in a counterclockwise direction as seen inFIG. 15to bring the wall102back against the neck portion28bof the post so that the cam plate is positioned under the large head and shoulder28con the post28thereby capturing the new tool which has been inserted by merely pressing down of the tool onto the post28.

To turn the tool15through a predetermined amount of turning, for example 45° with a slight inward movement and lesser pressure of the push button, the camming plate104is provided with another cam or projection120which cooperates with the indexing teeth32on the tool. The inward positioning movement of the cam plate causes the cam120to engage a tooth32and to rotate the tool through 45° and release of the spring allows the cam plate to return to the position desired without any further operation needed. If it is desired to put a new working edge15a,15bor15cinto position rather than change the attack angle, the push button is pressed again and to turn the tool for another 15°. The flat planar body25of the tool15is pressed against the flat bottom20of the lower handle portion45to provide a large stable area of contact and support between the tool15and the tool device10. Also, this bottom end20of the lower cover portion45has an opening20atherein that admits the tool post28and the teeth34about the post. The opening20ais generally circular with cut-out enlargements20binto which projects the cam110on the locking lever cam56. The opening20ahas another cutout enlargement20cinto which project the other cam120that engages the teeth34on the tool15to turn it.

In accordance with a further embodiment, which is illustrated inFIGS. 22 and 23, the tool device10X is provided with a long handle12X rather than the short palm handle12described above. In the long handled tool the user may grip a generally cylindrically shaped outer handle body100which projects outwardly from the upper portion44which has the lower portion45joined thereto for the tool device10X. The tool may be rotated by operation of an actuator push button16X which is located in the handle body and performs the same functions and operations in the same manner as described above for the push button actuator16. Thus, the push button16X may be pushed to eject the tool from the bottom end of the tool device10X with a greater inward push of the actuator push button than is used to turn the tool to present a new edge. Within the tool device10X, there is the same releasable retention device for retaining and for ejecting the tool as used in the first described embodiment ofFIGS. 1–21. Likewise, the same turning mechanism is disposed in the tool device body to turn the tool as is used in the first described embodiment.

The handle body100(FIGS. 20 and 22) is made to be gripped by the tool user's hand and to this end may have spaced finger grip projections101on the underside of the handle as shown inFIG. 23. The actuator push button16is positioned on the side of the handle body to be in alignment with the user's thumb which may be used to push the actuator button16X while gripping the long handle body.

The handle body100is preferably hollow and tubular with a hollow end102to receive the end of a long wooden or plastic broom type entering handle or pole that may be inserted into the hollow end102. The handle body100may be slightly tapered as is the interior hollow bore that receives the extension handle that is pushed into the tool device's handle to have a wedge and friction fit therewith. Thus, the user may stand while using the extension handle fitted into the hollow end of the tool device10X.