Abstract:
This invention includes embodiments which disclose a hand-held tool implement or apparatus which includes among other things, a handle attached to a head with a scraper and a hammering surface thereon.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application does not claim priority from any other application. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention generally relates to a hand-held implement or tool apparatus which includes a scraper portion and a hammer portion, and more particularly to a hand-held tool implement or apparatus with a handle and a head which among other things includes a scraper blade and a hammering surface thereon. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the construction and remodeling trade, there are numerous situations in which one needs to clean and/or prepare an existing surface to apply paint or other coatings and which require that the surface be scraped for one reason or another. In some cases the scraping is to remove existing paint, glue or other material from the surface (which is typically but not always a wood based material). Scraping and preparing the surface can be a physically demanding and time consuming job and in many instances must be done while standing on a ladder, on scaffolding or otherwise off the ground. 
     When scraping and otherwise preparing these surfaces, such as the exterior of a building such as a house or other structure, it is common to encounter nails partially protruding out of the surface being prepared—and these nails need to either be pounded all the way into the surface or removed. Many workers such as painters who are scraping also carry with them (or keep nearby), a hammer which allows them to either pound the nail into the surface or remove it with a claw or other nail remover. 
     With the physical and oftentimes elevated nature of the work, it is desirable to minimize the weight of the scrapers, hammers and other tools to minimize the fatigue and make it easier to perform the scraping, cleaning and preparation tasks at hand. In many instances rough or difficult areas are encountered in which the worker needs to be able to apply additional pressure such as by using their second hand in order to remove the material in the desired way. In addition to having a primary handle for use, many scrapers have some type of secondary or additional handle to provide a way and location for the user to use a second hand to apply more scraping pressure or force and/or to better direct the scraping tool. 
     It is therefore an object of embodiments of this invention to provide an improved scraper which also includes an integral hammering surface. 
     It is also an object of embodiments of this invention to provide such a scraper and hammer wherein the scraper blade may be pulled or pushed during the scraping motion and wherein the scraper blade is oriented generally transverse to the handle. 
     While the invention was motivated in addressing some objectives, it is in no way so limited. The invention is only limited by the accompanying claims as literally worded, without interpretative or other limiting reference to the specification, and in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents. Other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will appear from the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings which form a part hereof. In carrying out the objects of this invention, it is to be understood that its essential features are susceptible to change in design and structural arrangement, with only one practical and preferred embodiment being illustrated in the accompanying drawings, as required. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example of one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of one example of a head that may be used in practicing embodiments of this invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the example of the head illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the example of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 , but in position to remove a nail; 
         FIG. 4A  is an elevation view of the example of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 4  in second position wherein a nail is being removed; 
         FIG. 5  is an elevation view of the example of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 , showing an exemplary head configuration; 
         FIG. 6  is an end view of the hammer side of the example of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an end view of the scraper side of the example of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the scraper head example of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an example of an alternative embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of an example of another embodiment of the invention wherein the blade component of the scraper portion is replaceable. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Many of the fastening, connection, manufacturing and other means and components utilized in this invention are widely known and used in the field of the invention described, and their exact nature or type is not necessary for an understanding and use of the invention by a person skilled in the art or science; therefore, they will not be discussed in significant detail. Furthermore, the various components shown or described herein for any specific application of this invention can be varied or altered as anticipated by this invention and the practice of a specific application or embodiment of any element may already be widely known or used in the art or by persons skilled in the art or science; therefore, each will not be discussed in significant detail. 
     The terms “a”, “an” and “the” as used in the claims herein are used in conformance with long-standing claim drafting practice and not in a limiting way. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms a”, “an” and “the” are not limited to one of such elements, but instead mean “at least one”. 
     Very generally, disclosed is an improved scraper with an integral hammer to facilitate scraping paint, glue and other material from the surface, with the added utility of removing protruding nails, staples and the like. The scraping portion includes one or more scraping surfaces, which may be blades. The one or more blades are preferably on one end of the implement in some embodiments of the invention with the hammer portion of the head informed on the opposing end of the implement. Multiple nail removal apertures may be formed within or defined by the body of the head of the implement. The tool handle is attached perpendicularly to the axis of the tool body and are integral with ferrule. 
     The scraper portion may include one or more scraping surfaces or blades, such as a first scraping surface with a plane at approximately 90° to the handle at a terminal end of the head. The first scraping blade may have a negative rake angle of fifteen (15) to twenty-five (25) degrees—which may have several advantages such as minimizing the chatter of the head while scraping. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that an alternative design would allow for replaceable scraper blade to minimize the maintenance and the need to place the entire head. 
     The head of the implement is preferably one piece (although not required for the invention) and may be made from any one of a number of different materials, with a carbon or alloy steel with a carbon alloy content of 0.45% to 0.65%, being one example for maximum strength and preferable weld-ability. The head may but need not be heat treated, and an exemplary hardness of a Rockwell 45-55 may be utilized. One of many examples of an alternative head material may be a medium carbon martensitic stainless steel. 
     The handle may be attached to the head in any one of a number of different ways, such as by the exemplary welded ferrule attached to the head illustrated in the drawings (which generally illustrate a screw through the head and into the top end of the handle to secure the assembly in certain embodiments of this invention). 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the hammer polygon shape may be formed into a rigid truss-like structure or enclosure and may further utilize welding for maximum rigidity if desired in some embodiments of the invention. 
     Although no particular size is required to practice this invention, the scraping and hammering implement or tool may be preferably in the ten (10) inch to eighteen (18) inch long area. Again although not required to practice this invention, the wooden handle may be press fit into the ferrule and additionally secured by a screw or other fastener through and/or between the head and the handle of the implement. While wood may be one of the preferred materials for the handle for several reasons, this invention is not limited to any particular type of material and any one of a number of different materials may be used for the handle such solid or tubular steel, plastic and others. A typical desired handle may be round, elliptical or arcuate, with no one particular geometry being required to practice this invention. 
     The nail removal or nail pulling portion is integrated with (or formed within) the implement body and located for easy use and maximum leverage on pulling a nail. The nail removal or puller may be a tapered aperture in the head to grip and remove a variety and range of nail types and sizes and there may be one or more of them, all within the contemplation of this invention. 
     It will also be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the hammer portion of the head may additionally serve as a palm rest or surface against which additional pressure my be applied to maximize the scraping force pressure (with the user&#39;s hand that is not engaged or gripping the handle). 
     In some examples of embodiments of this tool, it may feature three or more scraping surfaces (or blades), which may include a scraping plane at a 90° angle to axis of the head or to the handle. The figures further illustrate how in some embodiments of the invention, the first or primary scraping blade may be set at a negative rake angle (for example at a 15° to 25° angle) to minimize chatter. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example of one embodiment of the invention, illustrating a combined scraper-hammer implement  100  with handle  101 , lower portion  101   a  of handle  101 , and upper portion  101   b . The upper portion  101   b  of the handle  101  is secured or attached to the head  102  by in this example, inserting the upper end of handle  101  into the hosel  102   b  of the head  102 . 
       FIG. 1  further illustrates the hammer portion  104  of the head  102  of the implement  100 , including a hammer surface  105 , scraper portion  107  and nail removal slot  108  (slot or aperture). The top surface  102   a  of the head  102  is shown relative to the scraper portion  107  in this figure. 
     In this example of this embodiment of the invention, the handle  101  may be further secured to the head  102  by fastener  103  (a screw being one example), which in this example is a screw which is driven through the top surface of head  102  and into the top end of handle  101 . 
       FIG. 1  further illustrates a front edge  107   a  of the scraper portion  107  of the head  102 , which may be a surface, edge and/or scraper blade.  FIG. 1  also shows a first corner  107   d  which is shown at an approximate right angle, a first side scraper edge  107   c  and a second side scraper edge  107   b , with second side scraper point  107   e  also being shown. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the hammer portion  104 , including the hammering surface  105 , may be utilized as: a location to: additionally grab, direct and/or apply pressure with one&#39;s second hand while scraping. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of one example of an implement head  102  that may be used in practicing embodiments of this invention, illustrating head  102 , fastener aperture  110 , hosel  102   b , hammer surface  105  on the hammer portion  104  of the head  102 .  FIG. 2  further illustrates scraper points  107   d  and  107   e  on the scraper portion  107  of the head, nail removal aperture  108 , arcuate slots  111  and  112 .  FIG. 2  further shows how angle  124  may be utilized in order to provide a desired scraper point  107   e  at a desired angle. The nail removal aperture  108  may be positioned in several different locations on the head  102 , with one preferred location being on the side close to the handle as shown, to provide a desired leverage for removing nails. 
     It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that although the embodiment of the scraper-hammer implement  100  shown in these figures includes a one piece head which includes both the blade or scraper portion and the hammer portion, that in other embodiments it will be desirable to utilize a replaceable blade that can be replaced with newer, sharper or differently configured blade surfaces—all within the contemplation of this invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the example of the head illustrated in  FIG. 2 , illustrating the same items as shown and described in  FIG. 2 , and which will not be repeated herein. 
       FIG. 4  is an elevation of the example of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1  in position to remove a nail  133  from board  130 .  FIG. 4  shows handle  101  secured within hosel  102   b  of the head  102 , scraper portion  107 , and hammer portion  104  with hammer surface  105 .  FIG. 4  also shows angle  139  at which scraper portion  107  is shown in this example of this embodiment of the invention. Further shows that the end of the scraper portion  107  is offset by distance  132  within shed  102  was placed on a flat surface. This offset or gap  132  allows for the removal of nails and  33  without digging in the sharp edge of scraper portion  107 . 
       FIG. 4A  is an elevation of the example of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 4  in second position wherein a nail is being removed. Like numbered items are the same from  FIG. 4  and will not be repeated herein.  FIG. 4  also illustrates scraper it should  107   a , with arrows  136  illustrating the movement of the head  102  while removing a nail  133  using the head  102 . 
       FIG. 4  further shows an embodiment of the invention wherein the scraper portion  107 , which may also be referred to as the blade, is at an angle  139  offset from perpendicular. While there is a range of preferred angles for the blade angle  139 , the angle shown in  FIG. 4  has proven to be effective during use. It can also be seen that in addition to the blade body  107  being at blade angle  139 , the blade portion  107  is partially defined by being cut at an angle relative to itself as further illustrated in  FIG. 5  by blade edge angle  150 . This combination of blade angle  139  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) and the blade edge angle  150 , provides a preferred configuration for typical scraping. 
       FIG. 5  is an elevation view of the example of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 , showing an exemplary head configuration.  FIG. 5  illustrates the combination tool  100 , handle  101  with end portion  101   a , head portion  101 B and the shed  102 , with hosel  102   a , hammer portion  104  with hammer surface  105 , scraper portion  107  and the  151  between the end of the scraper portion  107  and a surface when the head  102  is placed flat on that surface. Blade edge angle  150  is the cut angle of the edge of scraper portion  102 . 
       FIG. 6  is an end view of the hammer side of the example of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 , illustrating handle  101 , with end portion  101   a , head portion  101   b , head  102 , hosel  102   b , hammer surface  105 , scraper portion  107  with first scraper side edge  107   c  and second scraper side edge  107   b , first scraper point  107 E and scraper side is  107   c.    
       FIG. 7  is an end view of the scraper side of the example of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and further illustrating scraper and of the tool. Like numbered items from and discussed relative to  FIG. 6  are the same and will not be further discussed repeated here. 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the head of the example of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 , illustrating an example of an alternative embodiment wherein head  180 , hosel  181 , hosel aperture  182  for receiving a hosel and the handle (not shown in  FIG. 8 ).  FIG. 8  further illustrates hammer surface  183 , hammer  184 , nail slot  186 , first scraper side  187 , scraper portion  185  and scraper inch  185   a  and scraper edge  189 . 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an example of an alternative embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 9  illustrates an a alternative embodiment or the hammering surface portion of the head.  FIG. 9  illustrates a scraper—hammer implement  190 , handle  191  with upper handle portion  191   b , head  192 , hosel  192   b , scraper portion  197  and hammer portion  194 . In this embodiment the hammer portion  194  provides hammering or hitting surface  195 , but the metal is bent differently than in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  for example, being bent in a rectangular or square configuration. Fastener  193  is fastening the head  192  to the handle  191 . Nail removal aperture  198 , head top surface  192   a  are shown, along with a primary or first scraping surface  197   a , second scraping surface  197   b  and third scraping surface  197   d , first scraping point  197   e  and second scraping point  197   d.    
       FIG. 10  is a top view of an example of another embodiment of the invention  200  wherein the blade component of the scraper portion is replaceable.  FIG. 10  illustrates head  201 , fastener aperture  202  in head, hammering surface  203  (striking surface), hammer portion  204  of head  201 , nail removal aperture  210 , and a scraper assembly  207  at the scraper portion  212  of the head such that new scraper surfaces or blades may be installed.  FIG. 10  shows scraper portion  212 , fastener apertures  208   a  in the main body of the head and corresponding fastener apertures  208   b  in the replaceable scraper blade  212 . 
       FIG. 10  further illustrates scraper portion  205  of the head  201  to which the scraper blade  212  may be fastened to then comprise a scraper portion of the implement head  201 .  FIG. 10  shows how a replacement scraper blade system may be used within the contemplation of this invention. 
     As will be appreciated by those of reasonable skill in the art, there are numerous embodiments to this invention, and variations of elements, components and combinations, which may be used, all within the scope of this invention. 
     One embodiment of this invention, for example, is a hand-held scraper and hammer implement, comprising: a handle with a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to be held by a human hand; a head with a top surface mounted to the second end of the handle, the head comprising: a handle mount portion; a scraper portion oriented generally transverse to the handle; a hammer portion opposite the scraper portion on the head and oriented generally transverse to the handle portion but with a hammering surface oriented generally parallel to the handle; and wherein the scraper portion includes a first scraping surface. 
     Further embodiments from that described in the preceding paragraph may be further: wherein the handle mount portion is a polygonal cavity configured to tightly receive the second end of the handle; wherein the polygonal cavity is generally triangular; wherein the head is configured to secure a fastener to both the handle and the head; wherein the handle mount portion is a cylindrical cavity configured to tightly receive the second end of the handle; wherein the first scraping surface is a scraping blade at a terminal end of the scraper portion, and which further comprises a second scraping blade adjacent the first scraping blade (and even further wherein the second scraping blade forms an acute angle relative to the first scraping blade and/or further comprising a third scraping blade adjacent the first scraping blade on the scraper portion of the head and on a side opposite the second scraping blade). 
     In still further embodiments of the invention: the head may further define a nail removal aperture; the top surface of the head is substantially flat such that the implement may be rested on the top surface; the first scraping surface may be a scraping blade at a terminal end of the scraper portion, and oriented at an upward angle relative to the top surface of the head; and/or still further wherein the scraper portion is configured to provide that the scraper blade is releasably fastened to the head such that it is attachable and detachable. 
     In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.