Abstract:
Hammers suitable to different tasks are described. Each hammer includes features to reduce vibration and provides advantageous balance and mass distribution. The hammers have a handle portion comprising an I-shape sectional profile and a head comprising a cavity formed therethrough. Each hammer may further comprise various nail or other fastener removal structures, such as a claw, slots, notches, or the like. The hammer may further include a nail-starter with magnetic nail retention.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit as a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/296,135, filed on Nov. 14, 2011, presently pending, which in turn claimed priority as a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/967,936, filed on Dec. 14, 2010, currently issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,056,443, which in turn is a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 12/589,846 filed on Oct. 28, 2009, currently issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,874,231, which in turn claims priority to U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 12/387,761 filed on May 6, 2009 currently abandoned, which in turn claimed priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/050,963 filed on May 6, 2008, presently abandoned, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to hand tools, and, more particularly, to a striking tool, such as a hammer, or the like. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    For many different purposes, striking tools, such as hammers, or the like, have been employed for delivering or imparting an impact force to a selected target. Forces generated by even light-duty striking tools can be considerable due to the mechanical advantage involved with such tools. Accordingly, striking tools have been developed having durable, sometimes hardened materials, at least in a striking head or striking surface thereof, and are typically of robust design. Such durable materials, commonly metal, and such robust design, have produced massive tools. 
         [0004]    While such tools exhibit acceptable durability characteristics, they are frequently disadvantageously heavy. As a result, a user may become strained or fatigued from use, resulting in poor control of strikes, damage to materials, or even injury. Consequently, efforts have been made to reduce the weight of striking tools to avoid strain or fatigue during use. Reduction of weight, however, affects a striking force delivered to the selected target when struck at a given velocity. Since certain tasks require substantial striking forces, reducing the weight of a striking tool is not always possible or beneficial. Instead, selective distribution of the mass of a striking tool may provide beneficial properties with respect to durability, ease and/or comfort of use, and strike force capacity. 
         [0005]    Additionally, and particularly when used to deliver large force strikes, striking tools may disadvantageously transmit impact vibrations to a user through the handle. Such vibrations can accelerate the onset of strain or fatigue, and cause the user to experience discomfort. Furthermore, such vibrations can contribute to material strain and fatigue, causing damage to the tool itself, reducing tool life and posing a threat of injury. In order to avoid transmissions of such vibrations, striking tools have been provided with cushioned handles or the like. Such cushioned handles, however, fail to prevent vibrations within the tool, and merely serve to isolate a user&#39;s hand for comfort. 
         [0006]    Finally, as is well known in the art, proper balance of a striking tool, i.e. distribution and location of mass between and within the head and the handle of the tool, contributes to reducing strain and/or fatigue and to improving accuracy. 
         [0007]    Thus, it is clear that there is an unmet need for a striking tool that advantageously provides beneficial distribution of sufficient mass to safely and reliably allow accurate delivery of forceful strikes without causing excessive strain or fatigue. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Briefly described, in an exemplary embodiment, the striking tool of the present disclosure overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a tool by providing a monolithic steel hammer having a head, a striking surface, a nail-pulling tool, and including one or more cavity and/or void, and a handle having a strong yet lightweight I-beam construction. 
         [0009]    More specifically, the exemplary striking tool includes a generally extended handle portion, such as in the form of an I-beam, and a striking head integrally carried at a first end of the handle portion. The handle portion preferably includes a generally broad, flat forward surface adapted to reduce damage caused by overstrikes, i.e. poorly aimed strikes where an impact force is borne by the handle portion. A medial section of the handle portion, however, is generally thin compared to the broad forward surface. A broad rearward surface is preferably also included for stability and strength of the handle portion. The handle portion preferably additionally includes a comfortable grip operable therewith to provide a comfortable and secure gripping surface by which a user may grasp the striking tool. 
         [0010]    The striking head preferably includes a transverse cavity extending therethrough, and a plurality of voids formed therein. The cavity preferably defines an upper beam portion and a lower beam portion. The beam portions preferably reduce vibrations caused by strikes, and substantially prevent transmission of vibrations to the handle portion, while allowing beneficial force transference from mass located on an opposite side of the cavity from the striking surface. More specifically, the striking face is preferably provided on a forward surface of the head, and the beam portions, particularly the upper beam portion, are arranged to substantially prevent compression along an axis of the head extending from the striking face to a rear portion of the head. The nail-pulling tool is preferably disposed proximate the rear portion of the head, as is conventional. The beam portions, particularly the lower beam portion, are arranged to substantially prevent bending between the nail-pulling tool and the handle portion. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, one feature and advantage of the tool of the present disclosure is its ability to provide a strong, yet lightweight handle portion having a broad flat forward surface adapted to reduce damage caused by overstrikes. 
         [0012]    Another feature and advantage of the tool of the present disclosure is its ability to provide a durable striking tool capable of delivering great impact forces while providing a beneficial weight distribution and balance for ease of use. 
         [0013]    These and other features and advantages of the tool of the present disclosure will become more apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reading the following Detailed Description of the Invention and Claims in light of the accompanying drawing Figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Accordingly, the present disclosure will be understood best through consideration of, and with reference to, the following drawings, viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description of the Invention referring thereto, in which like reference numbers throughout the various drawings designate like structure, and in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hammer according to the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the hammer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the hammer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a detail view of the head of the hammer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the handle of the hammer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the head of the hammer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the hammer; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a top-front view of another alternate embodiment of the hammer; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 9A-B  is a front view of yet another alternate embodiment of the hammer. 
       
    
    
       [0024]    It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the scope of the disclosure to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    In describing exemplary embodiments of the hammer of the present disclosure illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The claimed invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
         [0026]    In that form of the hammer of the present disclosure chosen for purposes of illustration,  FIGS. 1-6  show hammer  100  including body  101  and grip  103 . Body  101  is preferably formed as a monolithic or unitary member from a suitable metal, composite, or synthetic material, or the like, defining handle  110  and head  120 , and includes grip  103  formed or installed thereon. Body  101  is preferably formed from steel. Grip  103  may be formed from natural or synthetic rubber, plastic, composite, or the like, and may be resilient and/or sculptured or contoured to provide a comfortable and secure grasping surface. Grip  103  is preferably disposed proximate first end  101   a  of body  101  proximate a distal end of handle  110 . Head  120  is preferably disposed proximate a distal end of handle  110  at second end  101   b  of body  101 . 
         [0027]    Head  120  preferably includes claw  121  disposed on a rearward portion thereof and is adapted to pry articles, such as nails, boards, or the like, via application of force to handle  110 . Striking surface  123  is preferably disposed on a forward portion of head  120  and is adapted to deliver a striking force to a selected target. Striking surface  123  may optionally include a plurality of teeth or other texture, such as a waffle pattern, a diamond pattern, or the like. Head  120  preferably further includes cavity  125  formed therethrough and a plurality of beams  127 . Cavity  125  preferably serves to reduce a total mass of head  120  and to reduce transmission and/or creation of vibrations as may occur from striking impacts. Additionally, beams  127  preferably function to transmit force applied to handle  110  and momentum force from the mass of head  120  proximate claw  121  in order to deliver the striking force. Accordingly, beams  127  are substantially incompressible in a direction of such force transmission, i.e. along a respective longitudinal axis of each such beam  127 . Beams  127  are operable, however, to absorb and/or dissipate off-axis forces, such as those that may cause vibration. Thus, vibrations are preferably not substantially transmitted to handle  110 . Head  120  preferably additionally includes voids  129  formed therein at selected locations to both reduce the mass of head  120  and to produce a desired balance of head  120  while not substantially reducing a strength and/or durability thereof. 
         [0028]    Handle  110  is preferably likewise configured to provide durability and/or strength while reducing a total mass thereof and while providing a beneficial balance or distribution of mass. Specifically, handle  110  preferably includes an I-shape cross-sectional profile, at least along a portion thereof. Such I-shape cross-sectional profile includes front and rear flanges  111  and  112 , respectively, and web  113 . Front flange  111  preferably provides a broad surface adapted to reduce damage to handle  110  and/or a target caused by striking contact therebetween, such as due to an overstrike. Web  113  preferably resists bending and provides strength for handle  110  to allow generation and delivery of substantial striking forces by striking surface  123 . 
         [0029]    Now referring particularly to  FIGS. 4 and 6 , nail-starter  130  may optionally be included on an underside of head  120  for use in setting a nail for subsequent driving. Specifically, nail-starter  130  includes channel  131  for receiving a shaft of a nail therein and anvil surface  133  for engaging a head of the nail. Magnet  135  may be included in head  120  for magnetically retaining the nail in the channel during the starting process. As will be understood by those ordinarily skilled in the art, nail-starter  130  may alternatively be formed on a top of head  120  if desired, or in another location. However, the underside of head  120  is the preferred location for nail-starter  130  due to a user&#39;s ability to accurately start a nail which is enhanced by such positioning of nail-starter  130 . Furthermore, when nail-starter  130  is disposed on a bottom or underside of head  120 , the arc of travel of head  120  made during a striking motion used to start the nail preferably tends to retain the nail within channel  131  and in secure engagement with anvil surface  133  during setting. 
         [0030]    As a further option, and with particular reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  6 , nail-puller slots  141  and nail-puller notches  143  may be provided at convenient locations over body  101 , such as on an underside of head  120  or on a side of head  120 . Nail-puller slots  141  are preferably configured to receive a portion of the head of a nail, whereby a leverage force may be applied thereto to remove the nail from an object. Similarly, nail-puller notches  143  are preferably configured to engage a portion of the nail shaft proximate the head and a lower surface of the nail head to apply a leverage force for removing the nail from an object. 
         [0031]    In use, hammer  100  may be used to drive a nail or the like by engaging a shaft of the nail with channel  131  of nail-starter  130  such that a head of the nail abuts anvil surface  133  and such that the nail is retained within channel  131  via magnet  135 . A user may then drive the nail into a target by swinging head  120  via handle  110  such that anvil surface  133  applies a driving force. Preferably, the nail may be removed from channel  131 , overcoming a retention force, via frictional engagement with the target and a removal force applied to handle  110  by the user. The user may then swing hammer  100  to deliver a striking force by impacting the head of the nail with striking surface  123 . If desired or necessary, a nail may be removed from an object via engagement of claw  121  with the shaft of the nail under the head and applying a levered extraction force via handle  110 . Additionally or alternatively, slot  141  may be engaged with the nail head to apply an extraction force. Likewise, notch  143  may be engaged with the nail shaft beneath the head of the nail to apply an extraction force. 
         [0032]    An alternate embodiment of the hammer is depicted in  FIG. 7 . Depicted in  FIG. 7  is a riveting hammer  200  showing details of the riveting hammer head  220 . The riveting hammer head  220  is attached to a handle  210  in a conventional manner or the head  220  is integrally molded with the handle  210  as was the case with the first embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-6 . 
         [0033]    The embodiment shown in  FIG. 7  is designed for riveting. A striking surface  223  is located on a first end  220   a  of the hammer head. In one embodiment, the striking surface  223  is substantially flat, in another embodiment, the striking surface  223  includes a grooved pattern designed to provide friction during striking action. A secondary striking surface  224  extends from the second end  220   b  of the head  220 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the secondary striking surface  224  features a striking area  224   a  having beveled profile, resulting in the secondary striking surface  224  acting as a bell hammer type of striking surface. In other embodiments, the secondary striking surface  224  features a striking area which is substantially flat. 
         [0034]    The hammer head  220  defines a cavity  225 . The cavity  225  features an oblong shape with the length of the cavity  225  being substantially perpendicular to the axis a of the hammer head and handle. The cavity  225  acts to minimize the weight of the hammer head  220 , limit the amount of material needed to forge the hammer head  220  and the dissipate any vibrations caused by the striking of the hammer head  220  on a work piece. The hammer head  220  further defines one or more vibration reduction beams  227  and voids  229 . The voids  229  act to further decrease the mass of the hammer head and prevent the transmission of vibrations. A further indentation  231  is located opposite of the striking surface  223 . In one embodiment, the indentation  231  is a nail starter akin to nail starter  130  depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0035]    In use the hammer  200  is used to direct a force to a rivet (not shown). A rivet comprises a pliable metal such as iron, steel, copper or brass. For most rivets, a small hammer is used, such as the hammer  200  shown in  FIG. 7  being much smaller than the hammer shown in  FIGS. 1-6 . As force is applied by hitting the striking surface  223  against a rivet, the shank of the rivet is deformed into the head of the rivet. Finally, to form a rounded end of the head of the rivet, the secondary striking surface  224  may be used rather than the substantially flat head striking surface  223 . 
         [0036]    Inasmuch as a riveting hammer, such as the hammer depicted in  FIG. 7 , acts on metal rivets, the hammer  200  experiences vibrations. The hammer beams  227 , voids  229 , and cavity  225  help dissipate the vibrations by spreading the vibrations over the surface area of the beams  227 . The weight of the hammer head  220  is minimized by incorporation the cavity  225  and the voids  229 . A lower weight contributes to less fatigue by the user inasmuch as riveting action may require multiple strikes to form every rivet. While higher weight of the hammer head  220  would impart more force on the rivet, the higher force would result in higher fatigue and lessening of accuracy. Further, given the pliability of rivets, a large force is not required to achieve the closing of the rivets. 
         [0037]    A further alternative embodiment of the invention is depicted in  FIG. 8 . Depicted therein is a rock or brick hammer  300 . The brick hammer  300  features a hammer head  320  extending from a handle  310 . The hammer head defines a first end  320   a  and an opposing second end  320   b.    
         [0038]    A striking surface  323  is defined at the first end  320   a  of the hammer head  320 . A plurality of cutting edges  324 ,  324   a  are defined on the second end  320   b  of the hammer head  320 . The first cutting edge  324  extends beyond the second cutting edge  324   a . In one embodiment, the second cutting edge  324   a  is used for breaking and chipping purposes, such as when the rock or brick hammer  300  is used to break apart a stone surface, such as slate or stone tile. Stone substrate may require chipping or breaking before the substrate may be removed from the work area, for instance should the substrate be too heavy to lift out or if it is attached in place using adhesive or mortar. The second cutting edge  324   a  can therefore be used to pry the substrates loose. 
         [0039]    The hammer head  320  further defines a substantially oblong cavity  325 . The cavity  325  lessens the total weight of the hammer head as well as allow for dissipation of vibrations experienced on the contacting of the striking surface  323  with a rock, brick, or the like. Further vibration mitigation features include beams  327 , and at least one void  329 . A nail starter indentation  331  is defined on the hammer head  330  opposite of the striking surface  323 . 
         [0040]    In use, the hammer  300  is used to shape, form, and break up brick, stone, concrete, and similar natural and man-made materials. Force is applied to the subject of the force by striking the hammer head  320  against the object with the striking surface  323 . Vibrations within the hammer head  320  are minimized by dissipation using the cavity  325 , the voids  329 , and beams  327 . Cutting surfaces  324 ,  324   a  are used to scope, chip, or otherwise change the shape of the brick worked upon by the hammer. The vibration mitigation features of the hammer head are important inasmuch as the striking of the hammer head  320  on solid material such as concrete and brick results in vibrations that are transmitted from the hammer head to the handle  310 . Vibrations fatigue the user holding the handle  310  of the hammer  300 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 9   a  depicts another embodiment of the invention directed to a sledge hammer  400 . The sledge hammer  400  comprises a hammer head  420  attached or integrally molded with a hammer handle  410 . Details of the hammer handle  410  are depicted in  FIG. 9   b . The hammer head  420  comprises a first end  420   a  and a second end  420   b . A first striking surface  423  is defined on the first end  420   a  of the hammer head  420 . A second striking surface  424  is defined on the second end  420   b  of the hammer head  420 . 
         [0042]    The hammer head  420  further defines several vibration mitigation features, including a central cavity  425 , at least two void  429 , and one or more beams  427 . A further nail starter indentation  431  is found within the hammer head  420  opposite of the striking surface  423  and the second striking surface  424 . 
         [0043]    The hammer  400  head  420  is substantially symmetrical in that either striking surface  423 ,  424  may be used to impart force on a structure to be demolished. 
         [0044]    In use, the user holding the hammer by the handle  410  applies a force to the hammer  400  so as to contact a striking surface  423  or  424  with the object to be demolished, such as framing. The top surface of the hammer head  432 , which is substantially flat, may also be used as a striking surface. The cavity  425 , the beams  427 , and the voids  429  act to limit the vibrations experienced by the user of the hammer upon striking the object to be demolished. 
         [0045]    While  FIGS. 8-9   a  depict alternative embodiments of hammer heads from one side of the respective hammer heads, it should be understood that the hammer heads have to opposing sides. The features shown in the figures that are present on at least the one depicted side, with some embodiments having completely symmetrical sides. 
         [0046]      FIG. 9   b  depicts a complete view of the hammer  400 , showing the two parts of the handle  410 . The handle shown in  FIG. 9   b  may be used with any embodiment of the invention, not solely the sledge hammer  400 . 
         [0047]    The handle comprises a I-beam portion  414  and a covered portion  415 . The covered portion  415  is defined as the part of the handle  410  wherein protective webbing  413  extends over the handle I-beam. The I-beam defines a front flange  411  and a rear flange  412 . In one embodiment, the I-beam extends from the handle and into the head  420  with both components being integrally molded from the same metal using a forging process. The I-beam shape of the handle provides a gripping surface for the user inasmuch as the user may apply pressure against opposing sides of the flanges  411 ,  412  while holding either the exposed portion  414  or the covered portion  415 . The covered portion  415  does not completely cover the flanges  411 ,  412  as to result in a handle that has a substantially flat profile. Instead, the flanges  411 ,  412  continue to be defined even in the covered portion  415 . 
         [0048]    For each of the alternate embodiments, the respective hammer body is preferably formed as a monolithic or unitary member from a suitable metal, composite, or synthetic material, or the like. The body defines a handle and the respective head, and includes grip formed or installed thereon. Body is preferably formed from steel. Grip may be formed from natural or synthetic rubber, plastic, composite, or the like, and may be resilient and/or sculptured or contoured to provide a comfortable and secure grasping surface. Grip is preferably disposed proximate first end of body proximate a distal end of handle. Head is preferably disposed proximate a distal end of handle at second end of body. 
         [0049]    For each of the alternate embodiments, a handle having an I-beam shape may preferably be used. Such a handle includes an I-shape cross-sectional profile, at least along a portion thereof. Such I-shape cross-sectional profile includes front and rear flanges  111  and  112 , respectively, and web  113 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The front flange  111  acts as an overstrike plate during mis-strikes. 
         [0050]    Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, while cavity  125  has been described and illustrated as defining a closed-loop aperture through head  120 , cavity  125  may be formed as an open-loop aperture, such as when cavity  125  extends to an exterior perimeter of head  120 . Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims.