Abstract:
A multi-functional demolition tool is disclosed including a head assembly having a tip, a plurality of blades, and one or more movable talons; a handle shaft connected to the head assembly; an actuating mechanism for engaging and disengaging the talons; and a handle assembly, which may include a hammer end and/or pry bar end. The demolition tool is useful for, among other things, firefighters. The tool may be used to puncture a ceiling or other structure and to remove the ceiling material with the aid of the movable talons. The movable talons will automatically disengage if they hit an obstruction. The movable talons can be manually disengaged to prevent the tool from getting stuck in the ceiling or other structure.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/064,955 filed Apr. 28, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a demolition tool. More particularly, the invention relates to a demolition tool having movable talons that move to and from disengaged and engaged positions. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Demolition tools are known in the art. One primary use for such tools is in firefighting. The firefighter responding to a fire requires a tool useful in, among other things, getting to a fire in a building or other structure or to prevent the spread of the fire by removing flammable material in the path of the fire. The tool should be multi-functional having the ability to accomplish, including, but not limited to, (1) puncturing a hole in a ceiling, wall or similar structure; (2) the ability to pull the ceiling or wall material away from the supporting structure once the ceiling, wall or other structure has been punctured; (3) having a blunt end for knocking down or rupturing structures in the path of the firefighter; and (4) having a prying means to pry material from a ruptured structure out of the way. 
     For example, when a firefighter needs to get to a fire in the ceiling, or just needs to get into the ceiling to prevent the spread of a fire, he or she preferably needs to puncture the ceiling with a tool having a small cross-sectional area, to focus the energy of impact to improve its effectiveness and decrease physical stress on the user, and then expand the tool to remove large areas of the ceiling material to get to the fire or to prevent the spread of the fire. Most known demolition tools do not have this capability. Additionally, there may be joists, HVAC ducts or other structures in the ceiling that current demolition tools may catch on. Accordingly, present demolition tools may get hung up on such structures making it difficult, if not impossible, to remove the tool from the punctured ceiling. A tool is needed that is able, at the user&#39;s option, to decrease in size to allow it to be withdrawn without getting stuck on those structures. 
     Besides performing the above functions, a demolition tool must be easy to carry; not too heavy; durable to withstand the forces and impacts in firefighting or other demolition tasks; easy to grip and swing; made of a material sufficiently non-conductive to avoid electrical shock; easy to store, including on a fire truck; and generally easy to use. 
     The firefighting tools currently on the market are difficult to use in breaking through a ceiling, and once the ceiling is broken through, to pull down large areas of the ceiling material. As stated above, such tools may often get caught upon a structure in the ceiling such as a joist, duct or the like. The present demolition tools are not multi-functional requiring the use of different tools for different functions. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the market for a multi-functional demolition tool for use by firefighters, police, SWAT teams, construction workers, fire restoration workers, or other similarly situated workers. The present invention meets this need and provides for an improved demolition tool. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a multi-functional demolition tool. 
     Another primary object of the present invention is to provide a demolition tool that includes a head assembly having a small head for puncturing a structure, and movable talons that move from a disengaged position to an engaged position, enlarging the size of the head, for pulling down more of the structure material. 
     Another primary object of the present invention is to provide a demolition tool having a head assembly having movable talons that move from a disengaged position to an engaged position and, when in the engaged position, may be moved back to a disengaged position at the operator&#39;s choice to reduce the size of the head to avoid getting stuck or hung up on material behind the structure that has been punctured. 
     A further primary object of the present invention is to provide a demolition tool having a head assembly having a tip for puncturing a structure, blades adjacent the tip for entering the structure, and movable talons that may be engaged once the structure is punctured, wherein the talons are used to enlarge the size of the head to pull down more of the structure material; a means for engaging and disengaging the talons; a handle end for gripping the tool; and a handle end having a hammer end and/or pry bar end. 
     A further primary object of the present invention is to provide a demolition tool having a head assembly having movable talons that may be moved by the operator from a disengaged position to an engaged position utilizing a rotatable, slidable collar at a handle end of the demolition tool and a cooperating piston and gear mechanism at the head of the tool, and when in the engaged position, may individually move automatically downward to a disengaged position if pushed against an obstruction, as well as a means for the operator to choose to move the talons to the disengaged position to reduce the size of the head in order to clear an entanglement. 
     Other objects of the present demolition tool invention include, but are not limited to, providing a durable and easy to use tool that is simple in construction; providing a tool that can be used for multiple purposes; providing a tool that is able to be used to force entry into a building; providing a tool that can be used to remove structural framing, trim, windows, doors, window and door frames, and other structural elements; providing a tool that can be used as a striking tool; providing a tool that can be used as a prying tool; and providing a tool that can be used as an emergency escape aid for firefighters. 
     The demolition tool invention comprises a head assembly having a tip, a plurality of blades, and one or more movable talons; a handle shaft connected to the head assembly; means for engaging and disengaging the talons; and a handle end, which may include a hammer end and/or pry bar end. 
     The demolition tool further comprises a head assembly having a tip, a plurality of blades, and one or more movable talons; a handle shaft connected to the head assembly; means for engaging and disengaging the talons comprising a collar assembly which rotates and slides to actuate a piston and gear means to move the talons; and a handle end which may include a hammer end and/or pry bar end. 
     These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following detailed description of specific non-limiting embodiments of the present invention can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structures are indicated with like reference numbers. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the demolition tool invention with talons in a disengaged position. 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the demolition tool invention with talons in an engaged position. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the head assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the demolition tool of  FIG. 1A  showing a head assembly with a tip, blades and talons in an engaged position. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view in partial cross-section of the head assembly of the demolition tool invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view in partial cross-section of the handle assembly of the demolition tool invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view in partial cross-section of a talon and part of the talon actuating means with the talon in a disengaged position. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view in partial cross-section of a talon and part of the talon actuating means with the talon in an engaged position. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view in partial cross-section of the handle assembly of the demolition tool invention showing a part of the means for engaging and disengaging talons. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-section taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-section taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The demolition tool  20  of the present invention is shown assembled in  FIGS. 1 and 1A .  FIG. 1  shows the demolition tool invention with the talons of the head assembly in a disengaged position and  FIG. 1A  shows the talons of the head assembly in an engaged position, all as discussed in greater detail hereafter. Generally, the demolition tool comprises a head assembly  22 , a handle shaft  24 , a handle assembly  26 , a handle end  28 , wherein the handle end may include a hammer end  30  and a pry bar end  32 . The head assembly  22  is attached to the handle shaft  24  by a collar  34  and the handle assembly  26  is attached to the handle shaft  24  by collar  36 . Head assembly  22  is connected to collar  34  by any suitable fastening means such as screws  38  and handle assembly  26  is connected to collar  36  by any suitable fastening means such as screws  39 . 
     The demolition tool invention will be further described by the major components thereof, namely the head assembly  22 , the handle shaft  24 , the handle assembly  26  and the handle end  28 . Thereafter, the actuating mechanism for engaging and disengaging the talons will be discussed in greater detail, including the parts thereof. 
     The head assembly  22  generally includes a cone-shaped member  40  having a shaft  42 . Cone-shaped member  40  includes a tip  44 , preferably chisel-shaped as best shown in  FIG. 2 , and a plurality of blades  46 . Shaft  42  includes apertures  48  for receiving a plurality of talons  50 . The portion of the head assembly including the cone member  40  and shaft  42  with blades  46  may be made of aluminum and preferably as one piece, although any other durable metal material or hard resin material may be used. It should also be understood that the blades may be made as a separate and replaceable component of the head assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the head assembly includes three blades  46 , although a different number of blades may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. The blades in a preferred embodiment are tapered and include a sharp edge  52  for cutting through structural material such as a drywall ceiling. The blades also, while not shown, may have serrated edges. Talons  50  are inserted through apertures  48  in the head assembly as discussed below and may have a tapered or sharp edge  54 . The talons  50  are movable from a disengaged position to an engaged position by an actuating means as discussed hereafter. The talons  50 , when in the engaged position, are constructed so that they will collapse and disengage if they hit a structure, e.g. a HVAC duct, when the tool is in use. Three talons  50  are disclosed in the presently preferred embodiment, although a different number of talons may be used. 
     The handle shaft  24  is made of a non-conductive material such as fiberglass or other durable non-conductive material. This may preclude injury in the event the demolition tool comes into contact with a live electrical line. 
     The handle assembly  26  includes a rotatable and slidable collar  60  that is attached at the handle end  28 . Collar  60  may have a non-smooth surface, such as a knurled surface, for ease of gripping. Handle end  28  includes hammer end  30  and pry bar end  32 . The handle end  28  is preferably a unitary part, although it may be made of separate components. Extending from handle end  28 , and preferably part thereof, is an actuating end  70  that forms part of the handle assembly  26  for use in actuating the talons  50 . End  70  includes a sleeve end  71  that fits inside collar  36  and is connected by fastening means such as screws  39  in screw apertures  39   a.    
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 ,  9 ,  10 , and  11 , the actuating mechanism for actuating talons  50  will now be described in greater detail and generally comprises a rotatable and slidable collar  60  that slides over top of actuating end  70  of handle end  28  that includes a track  72  and notches  73  and  74 . Additionally, end  70  includes a longitudinal drain  79  to allow for drainage of any water entering the tool. The collar  60  includes a pin  62  that slides in track  72  and will engage notches  73  or  74  when the collar  60  is slid in track  72  and then rotated. Collar  60  is connected to a rod  80  by pin  62  as discussed below. Rod  80  is located inside handle shaft  24  and is preferably made of fiberglass or other non-conductive material. Rod  80  includes end pieces  82  and  84  at each end of the rod. The end pieces  82  and  84  are preferably made of aluminum and attached to rod  80  by any suitable fastening means such as screws  86 , although other fastening means such as an adhesive may be used. Rod  80  is attached to handle assembly  26  and head assembly  22  for moving talons  50  as discussed below, and moves in a longitudinal direction in cooperation with the actuating means to engage and disengage talons  50 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 ,  9  and  11  in reference to the handle assembly  26 , pin  62  fits through annular recess  64  in collar  60 , through track  72  of actuating end member  70 , and engages threads  88  in end piece  84  to allow rod  80  to slide in track  72  of actuating end member  70  toward handle end  28  as shown in  FIG. 1A  when engaging or opening talons  50 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , when engaging talons  50 , collar  60  may be rotated so that pin  62  moves out of first forward notch  73 , slides in track  72  toward handle end  28 , and is rotated back to engage notch  74  to hold collar  60  in place. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4  and the head assembly  22 , rod  80  includes end piece  82  having a threaded member  90  extending therefrom for engaging a piston means  100  that cooperates with talons  50  for moving talons  50  from a disengaged position to an engaged position (and back) in conjunction with the handle assembly  26 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 ,  6 ,  7  and  8 , the piston means  100  will be described in further detail. In a preferred embodiment, the piston means  100  includes three pistons  102  for individually moving each of the three talons  50 . It should be understood that a single piston may be used to engage and disengage all three of the talons  50 . At the end of the pistons  102  is gear member  104  held in place by any suitable fastening means such as screw  106 . Gear member  104  includes gear teeth  108  and  110 . Gear teeth  108  and  110  mate with corresponding gear grooves  112  and  114  of talon  50  as best shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 .  FIG. 7  shows the talons  50  in the disengaged or closed position and  FIG. 8  shows the talons  50  in the engaged or open position. 
     A preferred structure of the piston means  100  will now be described in further detail. Again referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  6 ,  7  and  8 , threaded member  90  of end piece  82  engages tubular member  120  by corresponding female threads. Tubular member  120  includes annular grooves  122  that receive the ends of pistons  102 . These pistons are held in tubular member  120  by any suitable fastening members such as alien screws  124  as best shown in  FIG. 6 . Pistons  102  extend through collar member  126  that mates with sleeve  128  of shaft  42 . Collar  126  is connected to shaft  42  by a fastening means  37  such as a screw which mates with aperture  37   a . Collar member  126  includes a sleeve end  127  that fits in collar  34  and attaches to collar  34  by screws  38  at apertures  38   a  to attach the head assembly  22  to handle  24 . Additionally, each piston member  102  includes a spring  130  surrounding a portion of the piston member and held in place on piston  102  by a fastening member such as screw  132  and secured to tubular member  120  by screws  134  as seen in  FIG. 6 . Springs  130  are typically in a non-tensioned, non-compressed state, and thereby aid in maintaining talons  50  in a disengaged position as shown in  FIG. 7 . When the talons are engaged, springs  130  will allow the talons to be pushed into a disengaged position, such as when pushing against an obstruction, and then springs  130  will automatically return the talon to an engaged position once the obstruction is cleared. The talons  50  fit into the head assembly  22  through apertures  48  and are held in place by a fastening member such as knurl pin  49 . 
     The operation of the actuating means for engaging and disengaging talons  50  will now be discussed in relation to the parts described above. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the demolition tool shows the talons  50  in a disengaged position. To engage the talons as shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  2  and  3 , collar  60  is grasped, rotated and slid longitudinally toward handle end  28 . Pin  62  travels in track  72 . When reaching the end of the track, collar  60  is rotated to engage the pin in notch  74 . In such movement, rod  80  is moved toward handle end  28 . This moves pistons  102  and gears  104  toward the handle end. Gear teeth  108  disengage from gear grooves  112  and gear teeth  110  engage gear grooves  114 , thereby causing talons  50  to move into an engaged or open position as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Springs  130  of piston means  100  place tension on pistons  102 , causing talons  50  to remain in an engaged or open position. The talons  50  are held in the engaged position. However, if any talon  50  makes contact with a structure when the tool is in use in such a way that the talon  50  is being pushed inward toward a disengaged position, that corresponding piston  102  is free to move individually and independently from the other pistons  102 , stretching spring  130 , allowing the talon to collapse into a disengaged position. As soon as the obstruction is cleared, since spring  130  is under tension, spring  130  will pull piston  102  back into the engaged position, causing talon  50  to return to the engaged position. 
     The use of the demolition tool  20  will now be discussed in further detail in reference to a firefighter fighting a fire, although it is understood that the tool may be used in other circumstances, including by the police, construction workers or the like. A firefighter carrying the tool and entering a building on fire may come upon a fire in the ceiling of the building. The firefighter grips the handle shaft  24  and handle end  28  and propels the demolition tool upward into the ceiling. Tip  44  punctures the ceiling and blades  46  further puncture the ceiling making a hole in the ceiling for the head of the tool to enter the ceiling. Once the head of the tool enters the ceiling, collar  60  is rotated and slid longitudinally toward handle end  28  that moves talons  50  into the engaged position as shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  2  and  3 . Thereafter, the firefighter may pull down on the tool removing the material. Alternatively, the firefighter may choose to rotate collar  60  first, engaging or opening the talons  50  before puncturing the ceiling, and the talons  50  are able to individually and independently fold inward to a disengaged position as necessary and will then automatically deploy outward to an engaged position as soon as the ceiling is penetrated, allowing the firefighter to then pull down on the tool removing the material. In either operation, if one or more of the talons  50  engages a fixed structure in the ceiling causing that tool to become stuck, the firefighter may choose to rotate collar  60  and slide it toward the head of the tool to disengage all of the talons  50 , reducing the size of the head, thereby clearing the obstruction, and allowing the firefighter to pull the demolition tool from the ceiling. The tool has further uses as a firefighter may grip the tool handle near the head assembly and use the hammer end  30  to break through the desired structure. Once the hammer end has broken through the structure, the pry bar  32  may be used to pry material away from the structure. 
     The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present invention so that others skilled in the art may practice the invention. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, various modifications can be made within the scope of the aforesaid description. Such modifications being within the ability of one skilled in the art form a part of the present invention and are embraced by the appended claims.