Abstract:
A dual headed hammer is a hammer with special features for framing and finishing applications. A first head of the hammer has a smaller head and face for finish carpentry applications, and may have a gridded-face to prevent nail slippage. A nail-extractor is located midway between the head and the handle. The opposite end of the hammer has a larger second head for framing applications. Additionally, the larger second head has a plurality of nail holders, complete with magnets, on the top and lateral sides of the second head. The handle is sized such that the total length of the invention is exactly 17.5 inches to aid in construction of walls that use 2×4 studs, 16 inches on center.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/285,181 filed on Oct. 31, 2002, now abandoned. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to hammer, and more specifically to a dual headed hammer. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Construction and wood working projects require a variety of tools and accessories in order to ensure proper measurements for sizing pieces prior to performing cuts and/or assembly. As a result, there are a variety of core or base tools that are required when performing virtually any physical task. Some of the most common tools used in such tasks are the framing hammer, the finish hammer, and the measuring aid such as a tape measure. The framing hammer, with its large head is commonly used for driving large nails such as would be encountered during wall and roof construction. The finish hammer is used to drive smaller headed nails such as would be encountered in molding installation or cabinetry work. Finally, the tape measure is commonly used to measure repeated dimensions such as wall stud spacing when using 2×4&#39;s. Many construction procedures require the worker to juggle all of these tools while holding the object to be nailed in place. Such actions not only waste time, but accuracy also suffers if the object should move slightly while the other tool is being reached for. Accordingly, there is a need for a means by which the functions of a framing hammer, a finish hammer and a measuring device can be combined into one tool in a manner, which is easy and effective. 
   A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related: 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,562, issued in the name of Gerber, Jr., discloses a multi-purpose hand tool with multiple interchangeable utility heads and safety lock; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,939, issued in the name of Swenson, discloses a hammer head with removable tip; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,085, issued in the name of Liou, discloses a hammer with bifurcated handle portion; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,702, issued in the name of Taylor, discloses a split head hammer; 
   U.S. Pat. No. Des. 350,470, issued in the name of Majors et al., discloses the ornamental design for a combined handle and head for a hammer; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,674, issued in the name of Burnett, discloses a composite hammer with enhanced vibration dampening characteristics; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,902, issued in the name of Burnett, discloses a composite hammer with enhanced vibration dampening characteristics; and 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,761,478, issued in the name of Guida, discloses a hammer head with removable tip. 
   Consequently, there exists a need for new product ideas and enhancements for existing products in the hammer industry. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dual headed hammer. 
   It is a feature of the present invention to provide a dual headed hammer having a first head adapted for use on finish carpentry, and a second head adapted for use on framing carpentry. 
   It is still a further feature of the present invention to provide a dual head hammer having a diamond-shaped nail extractor. 
   It is still a further feature of the present invention to provide a dual headed hammer having a plurality of nail holders with magnets, each nail holder adapted to accommodate a variety of nail sizes. 
   Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a dual headed hammer is a hammer with special features for framing and finishing applications. A first head of the hammer has a smaller head and face for finish carpentry applications, and may have a gridded-face to prevent nail slippage. A nail-extractor is located midway between the head and the handle. The opposite end of the hammer has a larger second head for framing applications. Additionally, the larger second head has a plurality of nail holders, complete with magnets, on the top and lateral sides of the second head. The handle is sized such that the total length of the invention is exactly 17.5 inches to aid in construction of walls that use 2×4 studs, 16 inches on center. The use of the dual headed hammer not only reduces the number of tools that a worker must carry, but also reduces the number of steps that must be taken in common construction procedures while increasing accuracy and improving workmanship. 
   The use of the present invention provides users with all of the materials and tools necessary to ensure that a user may easily use and maintain a dual headed hammer. 
   An advantage of the present invention is that it is specifically adapted for personal use because of the light weight components and the use of inexpensive materials. 
   A further advantage of the present invention is that it is specifically adapted to have dimensions and etchings to accurately measure and mark a series of wall studs. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dual head hammer; 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of a dual head of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  and is an opposite side view of that given in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of the diamond-shaped nail retractor, taken through the line V—V of  FIG. 3 , and illustrating the rectangular shape of the sections comprising the nail retractor; 
       FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of the diamond-shaped nail retractor, taken through the line V—V of  FIG. 3 , and illustrating the angled shape of the sections comprising the nail retractor; 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of a second head and second face, illustrating the grid surface and a top nail holder and a first and second lateral nail holder; 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of the component shown in  FIG. 6 , but instead illustrating a smooth surface; 
       FIG. 8  is a front view of a first head and first face, illustrating the grid surface; 
       FIG. 9  is a front of the component shown in  FIG. 8 , but instead illustrating a smooth surface; and 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  illustrating the proportional dimensions of the handle and dual head as used for accurately measuring a length between wall studs. 
       FIG. 11  is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  illustrating alternate proportional dimensions of the handle and dual head. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures. 
   1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 4 , a dual headed hammer  10 , in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is shown. The dual headed hammer  10  comprises a handle  12  affixed to a triangulated dual head  14 . The dual head  14  comprises a first head  16  and a second head  18  opposite to the first head  16 , a plurality of nail holders  20 ,  22  and  24 , a diamond-shaped nail extractor  26  and a receiving orifice  28  for receiving and securely housing an end of the handle  12 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2  through  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 6  through  FIG. 9 , the first head  16  is approximately three-eighths of an inch (0.375 inches) to one (1) inch in diameter, although the preferable range is one-half inch (0.5 inches) to three-fourths of an inch (0.75 inches). The first head  16  is sized specifically for nailing applications involving “finish carpentry,” which includes nailing of moldings, baseboards, laminates, paneling, cabinets and cabinet-components and other similar items. Typically, finish carpentry involves nailing of nails or tacks that are significantly smaller than a nail used for attaching lumber, thus the smaller head allows greater control and helps to prevent dings and dints on finished items. In one embodiment of the first head  16  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ), a first face  30  has a heat-treated grid surface, which provides a frictionally enhanced surface resistant to slipping when the first face  30  impacts a nail head. In an alternative embodiment of the first head  16  (as shown in  FIG. 7 ), a first face  30  has a smooth surface, which provides the advantage of not imparting a gridded imprint on a surface when the first face  30  impacts a surface. 
   The second head  18  is approximately three-fourths of an inch (0.75 inches) to two (2) inches in diameter, although the preferable range is one (1) inch to one and three-fourths (1.75) inches. The second head  18  is sized specifically for nailing applications involving “framing,” which includes nailing of pressure-treated lumber, plywood, fiberboard, sheet-rock, shingles or a variety of other applications. Typically, framing carpentry involves nailing of nails that are larger than the finishing nails or tacks described above, thus the larger head allows for more power and impact, thereby driving the nails through thick or knotted sections of lumber. In one embodiment of the second head  18  (as shown in  FIG. 8 ), a second face  32  has a heat-treated grid surface, which provides a frictionally enhanced surface resistant to slipping when the second face  32  impacts a nail head. In an alternative embodiment of the second head  18  (as shown in  FIG. 9 ), a second face  32  has a smooth surface, which provides the advantage of not imparting a gridded imprint on a surface when the second face  32  impacts a surface. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , the plurality of nail holders  20 ,  22  and  24  are positioned along the perimeter of and channeled perpendicularly to the second face  32  of the second head  18 . The nail holders  20 ,  22  and  24  include a top nail holder  22  and a first lateral nail holder  20  and a second lateral nail holder  24  opposite to first lateral nail holder  20 . The top nail holder  22  is an arcuate channel formed in the top surface of the second head  18 , wherein the top nail holder  22  is sized to accept the largest sized nails typically used, which generally range from ninepenny up to seventypenny nails. The top nail holder  22  further includes a magnet  34  housed within the arcuate channel thereby providing a means for securely holding a nail in place so that it may be started into a wall without the need of a user positioning the nail with a hand. The first lateral nail holder  20  is an arcuate channel formed in a lateral surface of the second head  18 , wherein the first lateral nail holder  20  is sized to accept the smallest sized nails typically used, which generally range from twopenny up to sevenpenny nails. The first lateral nail holder  20  further includes a magnet  34  housed within the arcuate channel thereby providing a means for securely holding a nail in place so that it may be started into a wall without the need of a user positioning the nail with a hand. The second lateral nail holder  24  is an arcuate channel formed in a lateral surface of the second head  18 , wherein the second lateral nail holder  24  is sized to accept an intermediate size of nails typically used, which generally range from eightpenny up to twelvepenny nails. The second lateral nail holder  24  further includes a magnet  34  housed within the arcuate channel thereby providing a means for securely holding a nail in place so that it may be started into a wall without the need of a user positioning the nail with a hand. 
   The nail size ranges discussed above are listed in the chart below as a reference guide and conversion to lengths more commonly known: 
   
     
       
             
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               Nail Size 
               Inches 
               Centimeters 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
                 
                2d (twopenny) 
               1.00 
               2.540 
             
             
                 
                3d (threepenny) 
               1.25 
               3.175 
             
             
                 
                4d (fourpenny) 
               1.50 
               3.810 
             
             
                 
                5d (fivepenny) 
               1.75 
               4.445 
             
             
                 
                6d (sixpenny) 
               2.00 
               5.080 
             
             
                 
                7d (sevenpenny) 
               2.25 
               5.715 
             
             
                 
                8d (eightpenny) 
               2.50 
               6.350 
             
             
                 
                9d (ninepenny) 
               2.75 
               6.985 
             
             
                 
               10d (tenpenny) 
               3.00 
               7.620 
             
             
                 
               12d (twelvepenny) 
               3.25 
               8.255 
             
             
                 
               16d (sixteenpenny) 
               3.50 
               8.890 
             
             
                 
               20d (twentypenny) 
               4.00 
               10.160 
             
             
                 
               30d (thirtypenny) 
               4.50 
               11.430 
             
             
                 
               40d (fortypenny) 
               5.00 
               12.700 
             
             
                 
               50d (fiftypenny) 
               5.50 
               13.970 
             
             
                 
               60d (sixtypenny) 
               6.00 
               15.240 
             
             
                 
               70d (seventypenny) 
               7.00 
               17.780 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B , the diamond-shaped nail extractor  26  is positioned on the top surface of the dual head  14 , and adjacent to the first head  16 . The nail extractor  26  comprises a diamond-shaped opening formed by a first, second, third and fourth section  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42 , wherein the first and second sections  36  and  38  converge at an acute angle “∠a” and the third and fourth sections  40  and  42  converge at an acute angle “∠b” opposite to angle “∠a”. The first and fourth sections  36  and  42  converge at an obtuse angle “∠c” and the second and third sections  38  and  40  converge at an obtuse angle “∠d” opposite to angle “∠c”. As best seen in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 5A , the first, second, third and fourth section  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42  may have a rectangular form, or alternatively, a angled form (see  FIG. 5B ). A space  44  is formed below the first, second, third and fourth section  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42 , which receives a nail head for preparation in extracting a nail from a wall, a board or other similar objects. The diamond-shaped arrangement of the nail extractor  26  is provided to accommodate a variety of nail sizes, from the smallest tacks to the largest of carpentry nails. Referring now to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 10 , the handle  12  is a linearly elongated member having an upper portion  46  and a lower portion  48  opposite to the upper portion  46 . The handle  12  may be manufactured from wood, metal, plastic or a variety of other resilient and durable materials. The handle  12  is sized so that when the handle  12  is affixed to the dual head  14 , the length from the top surface of the dual head  14  to the base of the handle  12  is in a range between sixteen (16) inches and eighteen (18) inches. In one embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 10 , the length from the top surface of the dual head  14  to the base of the handle  12  is seventeen and one-half (17.5) inches. In another embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 11 , the length from the top surface of the dual head  14  to the base of the handle  12  is sixteen and three-fourths (16.75) inches. If the handle  12  is manufactured from wood, the handle  12  will be affixed through a receiving orifice  28  (discussed below) and supported by a boss  56 . The handle  12  can have a variety of design shapes, including soft curves or ergometrically directed shapes. For example, and as illustrated by  FIG. 10 , the handle may have a gradual curve toward the posterior of the apparatus. At the lower portion  48  a vertical front edge is included having etchings  52  to designate one and one-half (1.5) inches. The etchings  52  have at least two functions. In framing a wall, wall studs are place sixteen (16) inches on center, with the width of the stud generally being one and one-half (1.5) inches. Generally, a carpenter would use a tape measure to measure the length accurately. Because the hammer  10  is provided with a seventeen and one-half (17.5) inches length, and because the etchings  52  measure one and one-half (1.5) inches, a user can place the top surface of the hammer  10  at one wall edge or stud and measure up to the uppermost ringed etching  54 , which indicates sixteen (16) inches, thereby providing an accurate on-center or off-center measuring of one stud in relation to the next stud. As a second example, and using the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 11 , wherein the length of the hammer  10  measures sixteen and three-fourths (16.75) inches, the etchings  52  measure one and one-half (1.5) inches as in the previous example. However, the length between the top surface of the hammer  10  and the uppermost ringed etching  54  measures fifteen and one-fourth (15.25) inches. A second ringed etching  58  is provided at a distance three-fourths (0.75) inches from the base of the handle  12 . In this embodiment, the length from the top surface of the hammer  10  and the second ringed etching  58  measures sixteen (16) inches, thereby providing an accurate on-center or off-center measuring of one stud in relation to the next stud. 
   Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the receiving orifice  28  is an elliptically shaped orifice which receives and houses the upper portion  46  of a wood or plastic based handle  12 . The upper portion  46  is physically impinged within the receiving orifice  28  and is further held in place by a pair of metal eye supports. 
   It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of the scope. 
   2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
   The dual headed hammer  10  may be used as a hammer is used, which is to drive or extract nails from various materials. The dual head  14  is included to provide flexibility of use, depending upon the size of the nail used and/or the surface through which the nail will be driven. If a user wishes to use the second head  18  to drive a framing nail, the user may choose to employ the nail holders  20 ,  22  and  24  to help start the nail into the material. The nail is placed within the nail holder  20 ,  22  or  24  and the user provides an initial tap to start the nail into the material. The nail will slide away from the magnet  34 . The user may then proceed in driving the nail with the dual headed hammer  10 . 
   To measure for placement of a stud during the framing process, a user may place the top surface of the dual head  14  so that it aligns with an edge or a previous stud. The user may then use the length of the handle  12  to measure to the etching ring  54 , which is sixteen (16) inches and corresponds to the standard length between wall studs. 
   To extract a nail using the nail extractor  26 , place the widest portion of the opening over the nail head that will be extracted. Then, slide the hammer  10  until the nail head is impinged within the sections  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42  and then pull to extract the nail. 
   The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.