Patent Publication Number: US-2023141899-A1

Title: Dead blow hammer head

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims the priority benefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/929,553, filed Jul. 15, 2020, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to hammers. More particularly, the present invention relates to dead blow hammer heads having dampening material disposed inside. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hammer heads are well known tools for striking a work piece. Hammer heads are coupled to the end of a handle and swung towards the work piece to impart an impacting blow. A hammer head can include a striking face that strikes the work piece and, upon impact, drives the work piece into a working surface. The force felt by the user upon impact is often referred to as a “rebound” that skilled artisans have worked to dampen. 
     Dead blow hammer heads often include an internal cavity partially filled with “shot” or other flowable material that dampens the rebound force of the hammer. For example, the flowable material acts on the hammer head after the hammer head has impacted a work piece to impart a force opposing the rebound motion and “deaden” the rebound of the hammer. However, in sensitive environments, these hammers cannot be used because in the event the internal cavity is breached, the flowable material can escape. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates broadly to a hammer head with an internal cavity including weights that are sized to confine the weights from escaping from a crack in the hammer, or are otherwise easily collected and accounted for should the hammer separate to ensure foreign objects and debris do not contaminate sensitive work spaces. In an example, the weights are weighted discs that slide longitudinally along a guide rod in the internal cavity. In this example, the weights can be shaped as flat discs or other shapes to closely fill a cross section of the internal cavity. The discrete weights may have at least one hole for an axial guide rod that restricts the weights from binding in the internal cavity. The combined height for all of the weights is also less than the overall length of the internal cavity, thus allowing the weights to slide along the axis of the guide rod to provide the dead-blow effect. 
     In another example, weights are longitudinally aligned spherical masses. In this example, the diameter of the spherical weights is less than a smallest dimension of the cross section of the internal cavity. The total height of all of the spherical weights is also less than the length of the internal cavity. 
     In an embodiment, the invention relates to a hammer head that includes a body having first and second ends, an end cap coupled to the second end, and an internal cavity formed in the body and having a longitudinal axis. A guide rod is disposed in the internal cavity and extends longitudinally along the longitudinal axis. A weight including a through hole is disposed in the internal cavity and the guide rod extends through the through hole. 
     In another embodiment, the invention relates to a hammer head that includes a body having first and second ends, an end cap coupled to the second end, and an internal cavity formed in the body, and having a longitudinal axis. Weights are disposed in the internal cavity and stacked linearly along the longitudinal axis. 
     In yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a hammer head that includes a body having first and second ends, an end cap coupled to the second end, and an internal cavity formed in the body, and having a longitudinal axis. Weights are longitudinally disposed in the internal cavity, and each of the weights includes a deformable end. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawing embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages, should be readily understood and appreciated. 
         FIG.  1    is a plan view showing the exterior of an exemplar hammer head, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a cross sectional view of the hammer head taken along line A-A of  FIG.  1   , and including disc shaped weights according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    is a cross sectional view of the hammer head taken perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the hammer head of  FIG.  2    according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of an exemplar weight of the hammer head of  FIG.  2    according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  5    is a cross sectional view of the hammer head taken along line A-A of  FIG.  1   , and including spherical shaped weights according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    is a cross sectional view of the hammer head taken perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the hammer head of  FIG.  5    according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  7    is a cross sectional view of the hammer head taken along line A-A of  FIG.  1   , and including longitudinal rod shaped weights according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  8    is a cross sectional view of the hammer head taken perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the hammer head of  FIG.  7    according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of a weight of the hammer head of  FIG.  7    according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to embodiments illustrated. As used herein, the term “present invention” is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention and is instead a term used to discuss exemplary embodiments of the invention for explanatory purposes only. 
     The present invention broadly comprises a hammer head with an internal cavity including weights that are sized to restrict the weights from escaping from a crack in the hammer or are easily collected and accounted for should the hammer separate to ensure foreign objects and debris do not contaminate sensitive work spaces. The weights are shaped to allow the weights to longitudinally move in the internal cavity to provide a dead-blow effect. The weights may take the form of a number of different embodiments. For example, in one example, the weights can be shaped as long, thin rods. The lengths of the rods are less than a length of the internal cavity, and the rod geometry is chosen to maximize packing efficiency based on the size and shape of the internal cavity. Further, the rods may be tapered or rounded at the ends to allow for deformation of the ends after striking the ends of the internal cavity. 
     In another example, the weights are weighted discs that longitudinally slide along a guide rod in the internal cavity to provide the dead-blow effect. In this example, the weights can be shaped as flat discs or other shapes to closely fill a cross section of the internal cavity. The discrete weights may have at least one hole for an axial guide rod that restricts the weights from binding in the internal cavity. The combined height or length for all of the weights is also less than the length of the internal cavity. 
     In another example, the weights are longitudinally aligned spherical weights. In this example, the diameter of the spherical weights is less than a smallest dimension of the cross section of the internal cavity to allow the weights to move longitudinally within the cavity to provide the dead-blow effect. The total length of all of the spherical weights combined is also less than the length of the internal cavity to provide a space for the weights to longitudinally move. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , an embodiment of the present invention includes a hammer head  100 . It will be appreciated that the embodiment of the hammer head  100  shown in  FIG.  1    is usable with the different weight embodiments discussed herein, which is why, for example, the above Figure descriptions of the different embodiments of the weights reference  FIG.  1    for purposes of cross-sections. The hammer head  100  includes a body  102  and an end cap  104  coupled to the body  102 . The body  102  may include a first end  106  having a conical type shape that is used for striking a work piece and driving the work piece into a working surface. For example, the first end  106  may be used in situations where a work piece is located within a recess or in situations in which a ball point hammer or similar tool would be used. 
     The end cap  104  is coupled to a second end  108  of the body opposite the first end  106 . The end cap  104  may include a substantially straight striking surface  110  that is used for striking a work piece and driving the work piece into a working surface. The end cap  104  may be coupled to the body  102  in a variety of different manners. For example, the end cap  104  may be coupled to the body  102  via a threaded connection, a friction/interference fit, a weld, an adhesive, etc. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to have the end cap  104  releasably coupled to the second end so that it is removeable and capable of being re-coupled to the body  102 , to allow, for example, user interchangeability of weights (e.g., weights of different masses could be selected by a user for incorporation in the hammer head to achieve a desired dead-blow effect). In these situations, a threaded connection or friction/interference fit may be desirable. 
     The hammer head  100  may also be coupled to a handle in a known manner. For example, the hammer body may include one or more protrusions or ribs  112  that may assist in coupling the hammer head  100  to the handle. 
     The hammer head  100  may also include an internal cavity adapted to receive discrete weights that dampen or absorb a rebound force of the hammer head  100  when the hammer head  100  is used to strike a work piece, which is known as the dead-blow effect. In an embodiment, as shown in  FIGS.  2 - 4   , the hammer head  100  includes an internal cavity  114  formed by a first axial bore  116  extending from the second end  108  of the body  102  in a direction towards the first end  106 , and a second axial bore  118  extending into the end cap  104  and extending in a direction towards the striking surface  110 . The internal cavity has a length extending substantially along a longitudinal axis  120  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ) of the hammer head  100 , and a cross sectional size (which may be a width or diameter) extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  120 . 
     In this embodiment, one or more discrete weights  202  are disposed in the internal cavity  114 , and are adapted to slide longitudinally along a guide rod  204  disposed in the internal cavity  114  to provide the dead-blow effect. Each of the weights  202  can be shaped as a flat disc or other shape that corresponds to a cross sectional shape of the internal cavity  114  to closely fill a cross section of the internal cavity  114 . Each of the weights  202  may also include at least one through hole  206  through which the guide rod  204  extends. 
     The guide rod  204  may have a length substantially corresponding to the length of the internal cavity  114  to restrict axial movement of the guide rod  204  with respect to the hammer head  100 . The guide rod  204  may also guide axial movement of the weights  202  within the internal cavity  114 , and restrict the weights  202  from binding in the internal cavity  114 . A plurality of weights  202  may be disposed in the internal cavity  114 , and a combined height or length for all of the weights  202  is less than the length of the internal cavity  114  to form a gap  208  between the combined height or length for all of the weights  202  and an end of the internal cavity  114 . This gap  208  allows the weights  202  to move longitudinally along the guide rod  204  within the internal cavity  114  to provide the dead-blow effect when the hammer head  100  is used to strike a work piece. 
     While the cross sectional shapes of the internal cavity  114  and the weights  202  are illustrated as circular, the cross sectional shapes can be square, rectangular, triangular, or any other shape. The weights  202  are also sized to restrict the weights  202  from escaping from a crack in the hammer head  100  or are easily collected and accounted for should the hammer head  100  separate to ensure foreign objects and debris do not contaminate sensitive work spaces. For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  2   , eight weights  202  are linearly arranged relative to each other. However, it should be appreciated that more or less than eight weights  202  may be used depending on the size of the internal cavity  114 . Moreover, it will be appreciated that if the end cap is removable from the hammer head  100 , then user adjustment of the number and/or mass of the weights in the internal cavity  114  can be made to obtain the desired dead-blow effect. 
     In another embodiment, referring to  FIGS.  5  and  6   , one or more discrete weights  302  are disposed in the internal cavity  114 , and are adapted to move longitudinally in the internal cavity  114 . Each of the weights  302  can be shaped as a spherical ball or other shape that corresponds to a cross sectional shape of the internal cavity  114  to closely fill a cross section of the internal cavity  114 . A plurality of weights  302  may be disposed in the internal cavity  114 , and a combined height or length for all of the weights  302  is less than the length of the internal cavity  114  to form a gap  308  between the combined height or length for all of the weights  302  and an end of the internal cavity  114 . This gap  308  allows the weights  302  to move longitudinally within the internal cavity  114  to provide the dead-blow effect when the hammer head  100  is used to strike a work piece. 
     While the cross sectional shapes of the internal cavity  114  and the weights  302  are illustrated as circular, the cross sectional shapes can be square, rectangular, triangular, or any other shape. The weights  302  are also sized to restrict the weights  302  from escaping from a crack in the hammer head  100  or are easily collected and accounted for should the hammer head  100  separate to ensure foreign objects and debris do not contaminate sensitive work spaces. For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  5   , five weights  302  are linearly arranged relative to each other. However, it should be appreciated that more or less than five weights  302  may be used depending on the size of the internal cavity  114 . Moreover, it will be appreciated that if the end cap is removable from the hammer head  100 , then user adjustment of the number and/or mass of the weights in the internal cavity  114  can be made to obtain the desired dead-blow effect. 
     In yet another embodiment, referring to  FIGS.  7 - 9   , one or more discrete weights  402  are disposed in the internal cavity  114 , and are adapted to move longitudinally in the internal cavity  114 . Each of the weights  402  can be shaped as a long, thin rod. The length of each of the weight  402  is less than the length of the internal cavity  114  to form a gap  408  between ends of the weights  402  and an end of the internal cavity  114 . This gap  308  allows the weights  402  to move longitudinally within the internal cavity  114  to provide the dead-blow effect when the hammer head  100  is used to strike a work piece. 
     A cross sectional geometry of each weight  402  may also be selected to maximize packing efficiency based on the size and shape of the internal cavity  114 , and closely fill a cross section of the internal cavity  114 . For example, the cross sectional shape of each of the weights  402  may be circular, and sized to allow for six weights  402  to be disposed in the internal cavity  114  and form a circular arrangement, and one additional weight  402  (making seven total) to be disposed centrally between the six weights  402 . 
     Further, each of the weights  402  may also have opposing first and second ends  410  and  412 . The first and second ends  410  and  412  may be tapered or rounded to allow for deformation of the first and second ends  410  and  412  after striking the ends of the internal cavity  114 . In this embodiment, it may be desirable to have the end cap  104  be removable from the body  102  (as described above) to allow for replacement of the weights  402 . 
     While the cross sectional shapes of the internal cavity  114  and the weights  402  are illustrated as circular, the cross sectional shapes can be square, rectangular, triangular, or any other shape. The weights  402  are also sized to restrict the weights  402  from escaping from a crack in the hammer head  100  or are easily collected and accounted for should the hammer head  100  separate to ensure foreign objects and debris do not contaminate sensitive work spaces. For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  7   , seven weights  402  are disposed longitudinally in the internal cavity  114 , and next to one another. However, it should be appreciated that more or less than seven weights  402  may be used depending on the size of the internal cavity  114 . Moreover, it will be appreciated that if the end cap is removable from the hammer head  100 , then user adjustment of the number and/or mass of the weights in the internal cavity  114  can be made to obtain the desired dead-blow effect. 
     As used herein, the term “coupled” and its functional equivalents are not intended to necessarily be limited to direct, mechanical coupling of two or more components. Instead, the term “coupled” and its functional equivalents are intended to mean any direct or indirect mechanical, electrical, or chemical connection between two or more objects, features, work pieces, and/or environmental matter. “Coupled” is also intended to mean, in some examples, one object being integral with another object. As used herein, the term “a” or “one” may include one or more items unless specifically stated otherwise. 
     The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of the inventors&#39; contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.