Abstract:
A multi-purpose tool includes a weighted driver that can carry either of a pair of rods having different widths for driving different sized fasteners or can carry various other attachments to provide six different tool configurations. Each rod slides within a correspondingly sized hollow sleeve. The weighted driver is repeatedly translated causing one of the rods to slide within its corresponding sleeve and repeatedly impact the head of a fastener to drive the fastener into a desired surface. The rods are each selectively threadably attached to the driver and readily removed therefrom thus permitting the tool to be easily switched between first and second configurations and easily disassembled for storage in a tool belt or in a tool box. A plumb bob tip and a string brace are attachable to the weighted driver to provide a relatively heavy plumb bob, the plumb bob tip being directly attachable to the string brace to provide a relatively lightweight plumb bob. A punch tip and an impact head can be attached to the weighted driver to provide a heavy duty center punch. The impact head and the first rod can be attached to the weighted driver, the first rod slidingly received in the correspondingly sized hollow sleeve, to provide another tool that can direct the blows of hammers to very small areas for use in numerous capacities.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates generally to hand tools and, more particularly, to a hand tool used for multiple purposes such as driving nails into surfaces in locations where the nail is inaccessible to a conventional hammer as well as other purposes. Specifically, the invention relates to a device having a weighted driver and a number of attachments that can be used in various combinations and can be used to drive different-sized nails, punch center holes, and operate as a plumb bob. 
     2. Background Information 
     Nails are common fasteners utilized in diverse fashions in the construction of building structures and the manufacture of other articles. While fasteners such as screws, staples, adhesives, and the like are well suited to many applications, nails are particularly prevalent in construction and manufacturing capacities inasmuch as nails are inexpensive to produce and can be readily installed with relatively simple tools. 
     As is well understood in the art, nails are driven into surfaces by application of a compressive force to the head of the nail in the direction of the pointed tip. Such compressive force can be applied to the nail with a conventional hammer. Alternatively, the compressive force can be provided by compressed gases that drive a bolt against the nail head. The compressed gases can be produced either by a compressed air source or an explosive charge, both of which are well-known in the art. Still alternatively, the compressive force can be created by an electric solenoid that magnetically drives a bolt against the nail head, as is likewise known in the art. Each of the aforementioned methods of driving nails are well understood in the relevant art and are suited to driving large numbers of nails with minimal effort. Such devices are not, however, without limitations. 
     In the construction of building structures, nails must often be driven into corners between adjacent walls and between a wall and the floor or the ceiling. The application of nails in such areas can be difficult inasmuch as conventional hammers and power nailers are too large to gain access to these areas. 
     For instance, a conventional sixteen ounce claw hammer, as is generally used in the building industry, has a driving head approximately one inch in diameter. Such hammers are difficult to use in accurately tight areas. The use of conventional hammers in tight areas can result in the hammer accidentally hitting the walls, floors, or ceilings, resulting in damage to these structures. 
     Power nailers have had only limited success in such tight applications because power nailers are rather bulky mechanical devices that are not adapted to be used in tight areas. While power nailers utilizing explosive charges may sometimes be used in tight areas, their utility is limited to the specific application for which the particular explosive charges employed therein are suited. The need thus exists for an inexpensive device that can drive a variety of nails into tight areas such as corners. 
     A number of devices have attempted to overcome the problems associated with driving nails into such tight areas. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,979,040 to Denin discloses a weighted rod telescopingly disposed within a hollow cylinder. The weighted rod is used to apply a compressive force to the nail head for driving the nail into a surface. While the invention disclosed in Denin is effective for driving nails of a particular size, Denin does not disclose a device that can drive nails of various sizes. 
     Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 4,299,021 to Williams discloses a weighted rod telescopingly disposed within a hollow cylinder. Again, the weighted rod is used to apply a compressive force to the head of a nail for driving the nail into a surface. While this invention is useful for driving nails of a specific size into a surface, the invention cannot be used to drive nails of a variety of sizes into tight areas. 
     Another concern with the design of a multi-purpose tool is the weight of the tool and the overall weight of the tools carried by a workman. A multi-purpose tool suited to drive only a single, or a very few number of nail sizes is of limited value to the workman inasmuch as several such tools suited to drive different size nails would be required to be carried by the workman. Each tool carried by a construction worker adds weight to the worker&#39;s workbelt. The weight of the tools requires additional effort to be expended by the workman in moving about the work site, and additionally results in enhanced instability while working on ladders, scaffoldings, and the like. It is thus desired for tools to be versatile and perform as many functions as possible, thereby reducing the overall number of tools in the workbelt and the weight of the workbelt. 
     A versatile tool for driving nails into tight places would preferably include a weighted driver carrying an elongated rod that is slidingly disposed within a hollow cylinder and adapted to drive a nail disposed within the cylinder. The tool would desirably have rods of different sizes having correspondingly sized cylinders for driving different sized nails. The tool would also desirably have a number of attachments that can be used in various configurations to permit the tool to operate in diverse capacities such as a plumb bob or a center punch. It is thus desired to provide a tool that can be inexpensively produced and that is capable of driving a variety of sizes of nails into tight areas such as inside corners and that is capable of performing other functions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, an objective of the present invention is to provide a tool capable of driving nails and other fasteners of different sizes. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a tool that can drive nails and other fasteners into relatively inaccessible locations. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a tool having a driver that can accept rods of different sizes for driving fasteners of different sizes. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a tool having a rod that slides within a sleeve for driving a fastener. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a tool having a plurality of rods that are selectively attachable to a driver, each of the rods having a cooperatively-sized sleeve within which the rod slides. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a tool wherein the weighted driver is located away from the nail while the nail is being driven. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a tool that reduces the tendency of a nail to buckle when being driven into a surface. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a tool having a weighted driver that is formed with holes of two different sizes. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a tool that includes a weighted driver and a plurality of attachments that can be used in various configurations. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a tool wherein one of the configurations is a center punch. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a tool wherein one or more configuration can operate as a plumb bob. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a tool that provides two different plumb bob configurations of two different weights. 
     These and other objectives and advantages of the invention are obtained from the multi-purpose tool device, the general nature of which can be stated as including a weighted driver, a first rod having an impact end and an attachment end, the attachment end of the first rod being selectively connectable to the weighted driver, the impact end adapted to impact the fastener, a first sleeve formed with a first bore therein, the first rod configured to slide within the first bore, the first bore adapted to accept the fastener therein, a second rod having an impact end and an attachment end, the attachment end of the second rod being selectively connectable to the weighted driver, the impact end adapted to impact the fastener, a second sleeve formed with a second bore therein, the second rod configured to slide within the second bore, the second bore adapted to accept the fastener therein, and the widths of the first and second rods being unequal whereby the first and second bores can accept fasteners of different sizes. 
     Other objectives and advantages of the invention are obtained from the method of the present invention, the general nature of which can be stated as including the steps of providing a weighted driver and a first rod, the first rod configured to be selectively carried by the driver, a first sleeve, the first rod adapted to slide within the first sleeve, a second rod, the second rod adapted to be selectively carried by the driver, and a second sleeve, the second rod adapted to slide within the second sleeve, the first and second rods being of different widths, selecting one of the first and second rods, attaching the selected rod to the driver, sliding the selected rod through the correspondingly sized sleeve to contact the fastener, and translating the weighted driver repeatedly and causing the selected rod to repeatedly impact the fastener until the fastener is driven into the surface. 
     Still other objectives and advantages of the invention are obtained from the multi-purpose tool of the present invention, the general nature of which can be stated as including a weighted driver, a first rod and sleeve assembly, a second rod and sleeve assembly, a plumb bob tip, a string brace formed with a cavity, a punch tip, and an impact head, the weighted driver having first and second opposite ends, the weighted driver having a first hole in said first end and a second hole in said second end, the first rod and sleeve assembly including a first rod and a first sleeve, the first rod being slidably receivable in the first sleeve, the first rod being selectively received in the first hole of the weighted driver, the second rod and sleeve assembly including a second rod and a second sleeve, the second rod being slidably receivable in the second sleeve, the second rod being selectively received in the second hole of the weighted driver, the first rod having a smaller width than the second rod, the plumb bob tip being selectively received in the first hole, the string brace being selectively received in the second hole, the punch tip being selectively received in the first hole, and the impact head being selectively received in the second hole. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles of the invention, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the weighted driver of the multi-purpose tool of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the weighted driver of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the weighted driver of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a front elevational view that is partially in section of a first configuration of the tool of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a front elevational view that is partially in section of a second configuration of the tool of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged front elevational view, partially in section, of a portion of the first configuration; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged front elevational view, partially in section, of a portion of the second configuration; 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a third configuration of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged front elevational view, partly in section, of a portion of the third configuration; 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged front elevational view, partly in section, of a portion of the third configuration; 
     FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a fourth configuration of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is an enlarged front elevational view, partly in section, of the fourth configuration; 
     FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a fifth configuration of the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the fifth configuration; and 
     FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of a sixth configuration of the present invention. 
     Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the specification. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The multi-purpose tool of the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral  2  in the accompanying drawings. Tool  2  includes a weighted driver  4 , a first rod  6 , a second rod  10 , a first sleeve  8 , a second sleeve  12 , a plumb bob tip  63 , a string brace  64 , a punch tip  73 , and an impact head  74 . First and second rods  6  and  8  are selectively attachable to weighted driver  4 , with first rod  6  telescopingly received within first sleeve  8  and second rod  10  being telescopingly received within second sleeve  12 . In use, at most only one of first and second rods  6  and  8  is attached to weighted driver  4  at any given time. 
     Tool  2  has a first configuration (FIG. 4) in which first rod  6  and first sleeve  8  are used with weighted driver  4 . Tool  2  has a second configuration (FIG. 5) in which second rod  10  and second sleeve  12  are used with weighted driver  4 . Both the first and second configurations are intended primarily for the driving of nails, but may be used for other appropriate purposes as needed. 
     Weighted driver  4  is an elongated body fabricated from a relatively heavy material such as cast iron, although other materials can be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Driver  4  is an elongated, preferably solid body terminating at a first end  14  and at a second end  15  at opposite ends of driver  4 . Driver  4  includes a substantially cylindrical handgrip  13  of a diameter and length suited to allow it to be held in the hand. Handgrip  13  may additionally contain optional knurling (not shown) to assist in gripping driver  4 . 
     Driver  4  is formed with a substantially cylindrical first hole  16  extending inwardly from first end  14 . First hole  16  is axially disposed and is substantially perpendicular to first end  14 . First hole  16  includes a plurality of internal threads  18  formed on driver  4 . Driver  4  is additionally formed with a substantially cylindrical second hole  20  extending inwardly from second end  15 . Second hole  20  is also axially disposed and is substantially perpendicular to second end  15 . Second hole  20  contains a plurality of internal threads  22  formed on driver  4 . 
     First rod  6  is an elongated body of a strong, tough material such as steel, aluminum, or titanium, although other materials may be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. First rod  6  is a substantially cylindrical body having an arcuate outer surface  24  and an attachment end  26  at one end thereof. Outer surface  24  of first rod  6  has an external width  36  of substantially constant cross section. First rod  6  terminates at a planar impact end  34  opposite an attachment end  26 . 
     Attachment end  26  contains a plurality of external threads  28  formed thereon. External threads  28  cooperate threadably with internal threads  18 . 
     First rod  6  additionally contains a jam nut  30  having a planar locking surface  32 . While jam nut  30  may be a conventional nut threaded onto external threads  28 , jam nut  30  may likewise be formed integrally with first rod  6  without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     In accordance with the objectives of the present invention, attachment end  26  of first rod  6  is selectively received in first hole  16  of driver  4 , with external threads  28  cooperating threadably with internal threads  22 . Attachment end  26  is threaded into first hole  16  until locking surface  32  of jam nut  30  is tightened against first end  14 . As is best shown in FIG. 6, first hole  16  is preferably of a depth sufficient to allow attachment end  26  to be fully inserted into first hole  16  with locking surface  32  locking against first end  14 . Jam nut  30  is preferably formed with at least a pair of parallel and spaced apart flats  35  which can be engaged by the jaws of a wrench (not shown) for installing and tightening attachment end  26  into first hole  16 . 
     In accordance with the objectives of the present invention, first rod  6  is telescopingly received within first sleeve  8 . First sleeve  8  is an elongated body formed with a substantially cylindrical first bore defining an inner surface  38 . Inner surface  38  has an internal width  40  of substantially constant circular cross section. External width  36  of first rod  6  is preferably nominally smaller than internal width  40  of first sleeve  8  thus allowing first rod  6  to slide smoothly within first sleeve  8 . 
     As can be seen in FIG. 4, and in accordance with the objectives of the present invention, impact end  34  of first rod  8  is adapted to contact the head of a nail  42  which has been placed into first sleeve  8 . First rod  6  is sufficiently long to fully drive nail  42  into a desired surface before nut  30  contacts first sleeve  8 . 
     In use, nail  42  is inserted into first sleeve  8  as is shown in FIG.  4 . The nail-containing end of first sleeve  8  is then placed against the surface where it is desired to drive nail  42 . Driver  4  containing first rod  6  is repeatedly translated, thus sliding first rod  6  within first sleeve  8 , causing impact end  34  to repeatedly contact nail  42  and to drive nail  42  into the surface. In accordance with the objectives of the present invention, the kinetic energy possessed by driver  4  while being translated is directed against nail  42  causing nail  42  to be driven into the surface. The risk of driver  4  accidentally contacting a wall or other such surface is greatly minimized because driver  4  does not need to be swung like a conventional hammer. The likelihood that impact end  34  slipping off nail  42  or entirely missing nail  42  is likewise greatly minimized because first rod  6  and nail  42  are both contained within first sleeve  8 . The tendency of nail  42  to buckle upon impact is similarly minimized because nail  42  is contained within first sleeve  8 . The elongated nature of first rod  6  and first sleeve  8  permit nail  42  to be driven into relatively inaccessible or tight places such as internal corners, blind holes, and the like. 
     Second rod  10  is of similar configuration to first rod  6 , with second rod  10  having an outer surface  44 , a attachment end  46  containing a plurality of external threads  48 , a jam nut  50  with a locking surface  52  adjacent attachment end  46 , and terminating at an impact end  54 . Jam nut  50  contains at least a pair of parallel and spaced apart flats  55 . Outer surface  44  has an external width  56  of substantially constant circular cross section. 
     In accordance with the objectives of the present invention, attachment end  46  is threadably received within second hole  20  of driver  4 , with external threads  48  cooperating with internal threads  22 . Attachment end  46  is threadably inserted into second hole  20  and tightened therein until locking surface  52  of jam nut  50  is tightened against second end  15 . As is best shown in FIG. 7, second hole  20  is preferably of sufficient depth to allow attachment end  46  to be fully threaded into second hole  20  with locking surface  52  of jam nut  50  tightened against second end  15 . 
     In accordance with the objectives of the present invention, second rod  10  slides with respect to second sleeve  12 . Second sleeve  12  is an elongated body formed with a substantially cylindrical second bore defining an arcuate inner surface  58  having an internal width  60 . External width  56  of second rod  10  is preferably nominally smaller than internal width  60  of second sleeve  12  thus permitting second rod  10  to slide smoothly within second sleeve  12 . Impact end  54  of second rod  10  contacts a nail  62  and drives nail  62  into a desired surface upon repeated translation of driver  4  with second rod  10  telescoping within second sleeve  12 . 
     In accordance with the objectives of the present invention, external width  56  of second rod  10  is greater than external width  36  of first rod  6  thus permitting second rod  10  to drive larger nails than can be driven by first rod  6 . While each of first and second rods  6  and  10  can drive nails within a certain range of sizes, the ability of driver  4  to accept either of first and second rods  6  and  10  permits driver  4  to be utilized to drive a greater range of nail sizes. The versatility afforded by driver  4  permits a wide variety of nail sizes to be driven by a single tool thus resulting in a significant weight savings for the workman who must carry his tools with him. As such, the workman need only carry a single driver  4  along with first and second rods  6  and  10  and first and second sleeves  8  and  12 . All of the aforementioned parts of tool  10  will fit easily into a conventional tool belt of the type known and understood in the relevant art. 
     As set forth above, first and second rods  6  and  10  are both of a substantially circular cross section but are of different widths. First and second sleeves  8  and  12  are formed with correspondingly shaped and sized first and second substantially cylindrical bores upon which are defined inner surfaces  38  and  58 . It is understood, however, that in other embodiments (not shown) first and second rods  6  and  10  could be of other non-circular cross sections, such as elliptical or polygonal, without departing from the spirit of the present invention so long as first and second rods  6  and  10  have different effective widths. The effective widths of non-circular first and second rods  6  and  10  could be defined in nearly any fashion by the user, such as the minimum distance between sides, the maximum distance between sides, the cross sectional area divided by the perimeter, or any other appropriate fashion. In such alternate embodiments, first and second sleeves  8  and  12  would be formed with correspondingly shaped and sized first and second bores upon which would be defined inner surfaces  38  and  58  that would telescopingly receive first and second rods  6  and  10 , respectively. As such, the specific cross sectional shapes of first and second rods  6  and  10  can be varied so long as widths  36  and  56  of first and second rods  6  and  10 , respectively, or the effective widths of non-circular first and second rods  6  and  10 , are different. 
     The components of tool  2  will typically be carried in an unassembled fashion with one of first and second rods  6  and  10  being installed onto driver  4  as needed to correspond with a specific nail which is required to be driven into a surface. While it is preferred that driver  4  be manufactured of a material such as cast iron, and that first and second rods  6  and  10  and first and second sleeves  8  and  12  manufactured of materials such as steel, aluminum or titanium, it is understood that the electronegativity differences between the materials which could potentially result in corrosion thereof are relatively insignificant in this application inasmuch as the components of tool  2  are preferably carried and stored in an unassembled configuration. All of this not withstanding, a wide variety of materials can be used to manufacture driver  4 , first and second rods  6  and  10 , and first and second sleeves  8  and  12  without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Among the primary considerations in the selection of such materials will be that driver  4  be of a sufficient mass to readily drive nails, yet be of a small enough size to be carried in a conventional tool belt and held in the human hand, and that impact ends  34  and  54  of first and second rods  6  and  10  will withstand repeated driving of nails without deformation sufficient to interfere with the travel of first and second rods  6  and  10  through first and second sleeves  8  and  12 . 
     It is likewise understood that first and second rods  6  and  10  are of widths corresponding with nails having the greatest prevalence in the applicable trade with which tool  2  will be used. It is also understood that tool  2  may have any of a number of rods and cooperating sleeves corresponding with any of a wide variety of nails and other fasteners used in the relevant trade. Moreover, it is understood that first and second rods  6  and  10  can drive fasteners other than nails, such as pins, tacks, brads, staples, and the like, and that the cooperating rods and sleeves could be of non-circular cross sections to correspond with the shape of the particular fasteners to be driven. 
     A third configuration of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 8-10. The third configuration includes plumb bob tip  63  and string brace  64  attached to driver  4 . Plumb bob tip  63  includes a threaded shank  65  that cooperates threadably with internal threads  18  and is threadably received within first hole  16 . String brace  64  includes a shaft  66  having a plurality of external threads  67  formed thereon. External threads  67  cooperate threadably with internal threads  22  such that shaft  66  is threadably received within second hole  20 . String brace  64  is additionally formed with a substantially cylindrical cavity  68  axially disposed and a plurality of internal threads  69  formed on cavity  68 . String brace  64  is also formed with a string hole  70  axially disposed therein that receives a string  71  therethrough. String  71  preferably terminates at a substantially spherical block  72  disposed inside cavity  68 , although block  72  could be of substantially any shape without departing from the spirit of the present invention so long as block  72  retains string  71  within string hole  70 . 
     In accordance with the features of the present invention, the third configuration provides a plumb bob having a substantial weight that is especially useful in applications where a significant height, such as one or two stories or more, are required to have a plumb measurement performed thereon. Additionally, the heavy plumb bob provided by the third configuration is highly useful in windy conditions wherein a plumb bob of a relatively lighter weight might otherwise be blown about, thus preventing an accurate plumb measurement from being provided. In accordance with the features of the present invention, therefore, the heavy plumb bob provided by the third configuration of the present invention further permits tool  2  to be used in various special configurations without adding significant weight to the workman&#39;s toolbelt. 
     A fourth configuration of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12 wherein plumb bob tip  63  is attached directly to string brace  64  without the inclusion of driver  4 . Internal threads  69  are configured to cooperate threadably with threaded shank  65 , thus permitting threaded shank  65  of plumb bob tip  63  to be threadably received within cavity  68  of string brace  64 . As such, the fourth configuration provides a plumb bob of a relatively lighter weight as compared with the third configuration. In accordance with the features of the present invention, the plumb bob presented by the fourth configuration can be used in applications wherein a heavy plumb bob is not required. Further in accordance with the features of the present invention, the fourth configuration provides a plumb bob of a relatively light weight without adding any additional weight to the workman&#39;s toolbelt. 
     A fifth configuration of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 13-14. The fifth configuration includes punch tip  73  and impact head  74  attached to driver  4 . Punch tip  73  includes a threaded shank that is threadably received within first hole  16 , and impact head  74  includes a threaded shank that is threadably received within second hole  20 . The fifth configuration thus provides a heavy duty center punch that can be used by iron workers and other workmen who have a need to drill holes in relatively large and hard materials such as steel girders. 
     As is known and understood in the art, relatively hard, tough materials such as steel plates and girders must be center punched prior to drilling to provide an indentation in the material into which the drill bit can be seated prior to drilling. In the absence of a center punch indentation the drill bit will not drill a hole at the desired location but rather will travel about the surface by virtue of the rotational movement of the drill bit. When large holes are drilled in large steel members, a relatively large center punch must be used to punch a relatively large indentation into the surface prior to drilling. The fifth configuration thus provides a relatively large center punch that can be used to punch such large indentations into a surface. 
     Impact head  74  is formed with an impact face  75  that is configured to withstand repeated striking by a ball peen hammer or a sledgehammer in order to drive punch tip  73  into a surface to form an appropriate indentation (not shown) to facilitate drilling a hole into the surface. In accordance with the features of the present invention, therefore, the fifth configuration provides a heavy duty center punch without substantially increasing the weight that is added to the workman&#39;s toolbelt. 
     A sixth configuration of the present invention is depicted in FIG.  15 . The sixth embodiment provides a device that can drive nails and can additionally accept striking blows from ball peen hammers or sledgehammers to assist in the driving process. As can be seen in FIG. 15, the sixth embodiment essentially includes the first embodiment with the addition of impact head  74  received within second hole  20 . The sixth configuration is useful for driving nails and other articles, and is especially useful in the installation and removal of wedge bolts (not shown) that are used in conjunction with form panels (not shown) into which uncured concrete is poured. Such wedge bolts are often tightly wedged between other cooperative structures and thus can be difficult to install and remove. Moreover, such wedge bolts may additionally be covered with cured concrete, thus making their removal even more difficult. It is understood, however, that the sixth configuration, as well as the first and second configurations, can be used in myriad applications including the installation of nails and the installation and removal of wedge bolts, as well as numerous other such uses. In accordance with the features of the present invention, therefore, the sixth configuration provides a device that can accurately focus the energy of a blow from a ball peen hammer or a sledgehammer onto a very small area. 
     Accordingly, the improved multi-purpose device of the present invention is simplified, provides an effective, safe, inexpensive, and efficient device which achieves all the enumerated objectives, provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with prior devices, and solves problems and obtains new results in the art. 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
     Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described. 
     Having now described the features, discoveries, and principles of the invention, the manner in which the multi-purpose tool device is constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, and combinations are set forth in the appended claims.