Abstract:
An apparatus for protecting a tool from an overstrike event. The apparatus generally includes a handle, a tool head, and a collar configuration with two or more collar members adapted to separably surround the handle. The collar portions are affixed to the outer surface of the handle by an adhesive means. The tool head is placed over the handle and collar members and is affixed to the outer surfaces of the collar members with a second adhesive means. The tool head secures the collar members which protect the handle around its circumference in the event of an overstrike event in any direction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to tools, typically but not necessarily operated by the human hand, the operation of which involves striking or swinging motions which expose the tools to impacts. 
         [0003]    Description of Relevant Prior Art 
         [0004]    Tools used to strike objects, and features which protect those tools when in use despite their intended functions, are well known. Prototypical striking tools combine a striking mass in the form of a tool head and a handle, attached to the head, with which an operator may control and increase the acceleration of the tool head from a certain distance. This prototypical design, and typical method of use particularly where tool head mass is substantial, creates ample opportunities for the tool to be damaged, e.g., during an overstrike. During an overstrike, the tool head will not impact the target but instead narrowly, yet almost completely, miss the target leaving a portion of the tool handle, immediately proximate to the tool head, to impact the target and suffer greatly increased stress. Over time, a repeatedly-overstruck tool may catastrophically fail turning the tool head into a dangerous projectile. A number of devices have been proposed to help avoid these problems. 
         [0005]    One such device is depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 279,582 entitled “Ax and Tool Handle Guard.” Depicted there is a tool collar in the form of a metal sleeve adapted to wrap around a handle near the tool&#39;s head. The handle sleeve secures against itself through a set of tongues which engage rivets on the sleeve&#39;s surface. Also depicted is a U-shaped collar that wraps around the handle between the sleeve and the tool head, the collar being secured against the handle by a set of teeth. The U-shaped collar prevents the tool head from sliding down the handle when in use and the sleeve, as disclosed, protects the handle “from being split or splintered.” 
         [0006]    Another device is depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 661,523entitled “Protector for Tool Handles.” Depicted there is a shield fitted to one side of a handle, affording limited handle protection. One end of the shield fits between the tool head and the handle and the other end of the shield with an attaching strip. 
         [0007]    Another device is depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 1,310,312 entitled “Ax Handle Guard.” Depicted there is a one-piece, sheet metal guard bent to fit around just the front-facing and side surfaces of the handle of an axe near the axe head. The guard covers the handle from below the axe head and up in between the handle and the inner portion of the axe head. The guard is secured to the handle by rivets which extend from one side portion of the guard, through the handle itself, and into the other side portion of the guard. 
         [0008]    Yet another device is depicted in U.S. Pat. No 5,735,630 entitled “Striking Tool Head System and Common Elongated handle for Multiple Tool Head Assemblies.” Depicted there is a tool handle adapted to accept multiple tool head types, those tool heads being secured against the handle with a one-piece sleeve fitting around the entirety of the handle. The sleeve creates a tapered ledge which frictionally mates with the tapered inner surfaces of the tool heads. The tool heads are prevented from advancing off the top end of the handle as a result of the tool head inner surfaces&#39; top apertures having larger diameters than the bottom apertures, and overstrike protection is provided by the portion of the sleeve that exists below the tool head. 
         [0009]    The litany of prior art tool devices which have features designed to secure a head onto a handle, protect the portion of the handle that meets the head, or both are only partially successful as they are limited to utilizing friction to secure the head onto the handle, do not protect the full circumference of the handle, or fail to adequately distribute overstrike impact along the length of the handle. A need exists for an improved apparatus and method for securing a head to a tool handle that also provides overstrike protection. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention first comprises a handle having an outer surface. The handle has a first end and a second end, the outer surface of the first end being covered by a first adhesive means. A configuration of collar members is applied uniformly to the fist adhesive means and around the first end. A second adhesive means covers the configuration of collar members. A tool head, having an aperture, is generally placed over the second adhesive means, collar configuration, and first end. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a handle with a radially variable cross section. The handle has a first end and a second end, the first end having a first adhesive means applied to its outer surface. A pair of collar members, each shaped to conform to the outer surface of the first end, is placed together onto the adhesive means nearly enclosing the first end, the collar members being separated by a gap on either side of the handle. A second adhesive means is applied to the outer surface of top portions of the collar members. A tool head contains an aperture that corresponds to handle&#39;s first end as it is covered by the top portions of the collar members. The tool head slides into place and is fixed onto the top portions of the collar members by the second adhesive means. The collar members are secured between the handle and tool head by the first and second adhesive means, respectively, though the collar members extend beneath the bottom of the tool head along the handle to protect that portion of the handle susceptible to overstrike impact. 
         [0012]    In yet another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of securing a head to a tool handle. The head includes an aperture the inner surface of which is adapted to accept an adhesive means and an end of the tool handle, the end of the tool handle being at least partially enclosed by a configuration of collar members, the configuration of collar members being adhered to the tool handle by another adhesive means. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The accompanying figures and drawings, incorporated into and forming part of the specification, service to further illustrate the present invention, its various principles and advantages, and varying embodiments. It is to be noted, however, that the accompanying figures illustrate only typical embodiments of the present invention and are not to be considered limiting of its scope as the present invention may admit other equally effective embodiments. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an assembled tool showing the assembled tool with a handle protected by two collar members and supporting an axe-type head. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  depicts a vertical cross sectional view of an assembled tool showing the assembled tool with a handle supporting a combination maul-axe head. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  depicts an exploded perspective view of a tool showing the tool with a handle supporting a maul-type head. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  depicts an exploded perspective view of a tool showing the tool with a handle supporting a hammer-type head. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of an assembled tool showing the assembled tool with a handle supporting a combination maul-axe head. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  depicts a top cross sectional view of an assembled tool showing the assembled tool head with a handle supporting a maul-type head. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  depicts a vertical cross sectional view of an assembled tool showing the assembled tool with a handle supporting an axe-type head. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an assembled tool. A longitudinally variable handle  6  having a single-bit cross sectional profile  8  is covered on its top portion by a pair of collar members  1 . The paired collar members  1  have lower outer surface  5  which exist beneath the axe tool head  13 . The paired collar members  1  are separated by a collar member gap  18 . A slot  12  is cut into a top portion of the handle  23  into which a wooden wedge  21  is inserted. Two metal edges  22  are embedded into the top portion of the handle  23 . The lower outer surfaces  5  of the paired collar members  1  provide overstrike protection for the axe head  13  as it might be used impacting a target with either end of the axe head. The collar member gap  18  allows each lower outer surface  5  to move, during an impact event, independent of the other lower outer surface, preventing buckling or other structural deterioration of the collar members  1 . Those skilled in the art will understand that a collar member gap  18  length, measured across the handle  6  will preferably be at least 0.125″. A slot  12  is cut into the top of the handle  6  to accept a wood wedge  21  to enable the tool operator to further secure the handle  6  against the axe head  13  as the wood wedges  21 , and metal wedges  22 , when fully inserted into the slot  12  and top portion of the handle, respectively, cause the diameter of the top portion of the handle  23  to increase and press against the inner surface of the axe head inner surface  17  within an aperture  24 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a vertical cross sectional view of an assembled tool. A first adhesive means  19  is disposed between the outer surface  11  of a longitudinally variable handle  6  and an inner surface  3  of collar members  1 . A second adhesive means  20  is disposed between the upper outer surfaces  4  of the collar members  1  and the inner surface  17  of the combination tool head  16 , as well as between the inner surface  17  and the top portion  23  of the handle  6 . The lower outer surface  5  of the collar members  1  remain exposed and in the position to distribute the impact of an overstrike along the entire length of the handle  6  to which the collar members  1  is attached by the first adhesive means  19 . A wood wedge  21  rests within a slot  12  on a top portion  23  of the handle  6 . Metal wedges  22  are embedded into the handle top portion  23 . The wood wedge  21  and metal wedges  22 , as they are embedded into the slot  12  and top portion  23 , respectively, increase the diameter of the handle top portion  23  to press it against the inner surface  17  of the combination tool head  16 . The tool head  16  is thus held in place by an adhesive means in addition to the friction between the tool head inner surface  17  and the handle top portion  23 , improving tool performance. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded perspective view of the present invention in a sledge-type embodiment. A longitudinally variable handle  6  has a radially uniform cross section  10 . Three collar members  2  are arranged radially equidistant around the handle  6 . A maul-type head  15  has an aperture  24  extending therethrough with an inner surface  17 . A first adhesive means  19  is disposed onto the handle  6  and a second adhesive means  20  is disposed onto upper outer surfaces  4  of the collar members  2 . When assembled, the collar members  2  will collapse around and adhere to the handle  6  by action of the first adhesive means  19 . The maul-type head  15  slides onto the handle  6  and over the upper outer surfaces  4  of the collar members  2  affixing thereto by action of the second adhesive means  20 . The lower outer surface  5  of the collar members  2  remains exposed below the maul-type head  15  to protect the handle  6  in the event of an overstrike impact. 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  shows another exploded perspective view of the present invention, yet in a hammer-type embodiment. A longitudinally variable handle  6  has two collar members  1  arranged on opposite sides of the handle  6 . A hammer-type head  14  has an aperture  24  extending therethrough with an inner surface  17 . A first adhesive means  19  is disposed onto the handle  6  and a second adhesive means  20  is disposed onto upper outer surfaces  4  of the collar members  1 . When assembled, the collar members  1  will collapse around and adhere to the handle  6  by action of the first adhesive means  19 . The hammer-type head  14  slides onto the handle  6  and over the upper outer surfaces  4  of the collar members  1  affixing thereto by action of the second adhesive means  20 . A wooden wedge  21  is embedded into a slot  12  on a top portion  23  of the handle  6 , causing the top portion to press against the inner surface  17  of the aperture  24 . The lower outer surface  5  of the collar members  1  remains exposed below the hammer-type head  14  to protect the handle  6  in the event of an overstrike impact. 
         [0025]      FIG. 5  shows another perspective view of the present invention, yet in a combination maul-axe tool type embodiment. A longitudinally variable handle  6  with a double-bit radially variable cross section  9  has two collar members  1  arranged on opposite sides of the handle  6  forming a collar member gap  18 . The combination maul-axe head  16  fits over the handle  6  and collar members  1 . A wooden wedge  21  and two metal wedges  22  are embedded into a slot  12  and top portion  23  of the handle  6 , respectively, increasing the diameter of the handle top portion  23  to secure it against the inner surface  17  of the head aperture  24 . The lower outer surface  5  of the collar members  1  remains exposed below the combination maul-axe type head  16  to protect the handle  6  in the event of an overstrike impact. 
         [0026]      FIG. 6  shows a cross sectional view of the present invention in a maul-type embodiment. A first adhesive means  19  is disposed between the outer surface  11  of a handle with a radially uniform cross section  10  and the inner surfaces  3  of three collar members  2  forming three collar member gaps  18 . A second adhesive means  20  is disposed between the upper outer surfaces  4  of the collar members  2  and the inner surface  17  of the maul-type head  15 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 7  shows a cross sectional view of the present invention, yet in a fire axe embodiment. A first adhesive means  19  is disposed between the outer surface  11  of a longitudinally uniform handle  7  and an inner surface  3  of a collar members  1 . A second adhesive means  20  is disposed between the upper outer surfaces  4  of the collar members  1  and the inner surface  17  of the axe head  13 . 
         [0028]    The handle  6 ,  7  may be made from wood, fiberglass, high-impact plastic, metal, laminated carbon fiber, or other material commonly used for striking tools. The collar members  1 ,  2  may be made from tempered steel, high impact metal alloy, or other sufficiently durable material. The tool heads  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16  may be made from forged or tempered steel or hardened alloy of the type typically used for striking tool heads. The first  19  and second  20  adhesive means may be epoxy resins, bonding compounds, or other adhesives designed to bond wood, metal, fiberglass, high-impact plastic, and carbon fiber materials. 
         [0029]    Although the above detailed descriptions relate to specific preferred embodiments as the inventor presently contemplates, it will be understood that the invention in its broad aspects includes mechanical, chemical, and functional equivalents of the elements described herein. Various details of design and construction may be modified without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention which is set forth in the following claims. Other embodiments, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art and which practice the teachings herein set forth, are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the invention.