Jig hammer

A carpenter's hammer wherein the handle portion is telescopic using two slidably mating tubes. Two optimal preset positions are made possible by means of a dual spring-nipple. At the 14.5″ stop, the jig hammer can be used to jig the position between studs for 16″ on center. At the 16″ stop, the jig hammer can be used to mark stud locations on wall plates prior to nailing, as well as to locate studs once panel board covers these studs. A built-in safety bar serves as a positional stop, and also to prevent separation of the two telescopic handle portions. A pencil holder at the extremity of the handle portion positions a pencil through the handle in such a manner as to allow marking at the very end of said hammer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a carpenter's hammer wherein the handle portion is telescopic using two slidably mating tubes. Two optimal preset positions are made possible by means of a dual spring-nipple. At the 14.5″ stop, the jig hammer can be used to jig the position between studs for 16″ on center. At the 16″ stop, the jig hammer can be used to mark stud locations on wall plates prior to nailing, as well as to locate studs once panel board covers these studs. A built-in safety bar serves as a positional stop, and also to prevent separation of the two telescopic handle portions. A pencil holder at the extremity of the handle portion positions a pencil through the handle in such a manner as to allow marking at the very end of said hammer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In modern framing practices, the most common spacing is still today 16″, and typical framing material has a width of 1.5″ thus when these materials are placed at 16″ on center, the distance between these members would indeed be 14.5″.

Accordingly, when framing a wall for instance, it would be desirable to easily space the studs at 16″ on center or 14.5″ therebetween without the need to use another tool. And whence nailing panels onto a stud wall, it would be desirable to easily locate hidden studs also without such additional tools.

Furthermore, as an incorporated benefit, the hammer's length can be adjusted to better-fit user's preference.

The applicant is aware of several attempts in prior art to provide means of also using a hammer as a measuring device. For example, reference may be had to U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,058 of Chung, issued Mar. 22, 1988, which describes a hammer having measurements normally used in the construction field, as well this hammer incorporates a nail holding aperture. However, this lacks many of the features of the hammer of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the object of the present invention to provide users with a hammer that is not only fully functional as the common hammer, but one that is safely extendable from 14.5″ and 16″ in length, and has pencil-holding capabilities so as to enable scribing therewith.

In one aspect of the invention, the handle portion may have a square or rectangular profile.

In another aspect of the invention, the hammer's balance weight may be any between 12 and 30 ounces.

Accordingly, the jig hammer of the present invention allows not only the function of a conventional hammer, but also includes a telescopic handle for optimal jig measurements, and scribing means.

While the present invention is primarily described in conjunction with wall studs, it must be understood that roof rafter, floor joists or the like shall be included within the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals.

Turning toFIGS. 1 and 2, which illustrate a perspective view of the jig hammer of the present invention whereinFIG. 1is shown extended, andFIG. 2is shown collapsed. The invention comprising: a hammerhead2, an inner handle4, an outer handle6, and a handle grip8. The inner handle4is slidably movable within a hollow outer handle6. Said inner handle4incorporates a dual spring-nipple16where said nipples16traverse a pair of aligned perforations near the neck area of said inner handle4. Same dual spring-nipples16, when aligned with similar perforation14in the outer handle6, latch both handles4and6at two strategic positions.

Again in bothFIGS. 1 and 2, a pencil holder is incorporated at the extremity of the outer handle6distal from the hammerhead2. A pencil can there be placed traversing the outer handle6and handle grip8so as to protrude slightly thus allowing marking onto a surface when so desired.

Turning now toFIGS. 3 and 4, both partially transparent views wherein the present jig hammer is depicted extended inFIG. 3and collapsed inFIG. 4. The dual spring-nipples16can be seen in a fixed position within the inner handle4, and the perforations14through the outer handle6thereby latchedly engage the dual spring-nipples16when in alignment therewith.

Again inFIGS. 3 and 4, a safety bar10is depicted having one hole at one end, and a lengthwise slot9at the other end of said bar10wherein, the bar10is fixedly positioned with the outer handle6by way of a first pin11traversing the hole in said bar10and engaged within similar size holes through two sides of the outer handle6. Conversely, a second pin13traversing the elongated slot9within the safety bar10and engaged within holes in the inner handle4, limits the longitudinal motion of the outer handle6in relation to the inner handle4to the length of said slot9less the second pin's 13 diameter. Therefore, in the event that the spring-nipples16fail to hold their position, the safety bar10will retain the handles4and6together.

FIG. 5depicts a partial cross-sectional side view of the jig hammer of the present invention wherein the dual spring-nipple16can be better seen in a latched position.

Assembly of the present jig hammer begins with the fixed mating of the hammerhead2and the inner handle4. Then, the spring-nipples16get positioned. The safety bar10gets inserted in the inner handle4while the second pin13gets placed through the inner handle and the elongated slot9of the safety bar10. The outer handle6slides over the inner handle4thereby confining the second pin13from egress, and a first pin11gets placed through the holes of the outer handle6distal from the hammerhead2and through the hole within the safety bar10so as to fix the position of the bar10in relation to the outer handle6. The semi-resilient handle grip8then gets slid over the outer handle6so as to also confine the first pin11from egress.

Turning toFIG. 6, which illustrates the jig hammer in a collapsed arrangement where this hammer length of 14.5″ is conducive to optimal centering of 1.5″ width framing members thus making it easier and faster to frame and erect a stud wall. When using a pneumatic nailer, the jig hammer can be positioned to place the stud being nailed in position thereby freeing a hand from a vulnerably dangerous position. Conversely, whence hammering manually, said jig hammer can be removed once stud is positioned and secured with say, one's foot, or a mark can be made to locate the stud's position.

FIGS. 7 and 8depict the jig hammer in an extended arrangement wherein a pencil20is engaged into the pencil holder12of the jig hammer so as to allow marking or scribing15therewith at an optimal distance of 16″ thus making it even easier to locate hidden wall studs whence covered by wallboard. Additionally, this arrangement can be used to mark stud locations onto wall plates prior to nailing.