Patent Publication Number: US-2018036873-A1

Title: Hand tool with axe head and pommel

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present invention is a continuation-in-part of and thus claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/570,408 filed on Jul. 7, 2016, the entirety of which is incorporated by this reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to hand tools and more specifically to axes, picks and the like. 
     State of the Related Art 
     The use and manufacture of axes, picks and the like is an old and well-known art. The connection and attachment of working heads with handles with such tools is also well known in the art. Adhesives such as epoxy resins are commonly used to attach wood tool handles to corresponding tool heads. Wedges or wedged handles have also been used to secure a tool head to a corresponding tool handle. 
     Tool handles have been made and manufactured using wood, molded plastic or other synthetic materials. The connection between a tool head and a handle often includes the use of a bonding resin, an annular trim collar, and a separate metal filler. However, this type of connection is often permanent, except in the case of tool failure. In addition, handles for hand tools are most often formed as a single unitary length of material that must be configured to withstand the force of impact of the head against an object. Such handles are not often able to withstand impact against the handle itself as a result of mishits that occur when the head misses an object to be struck or is deflected away from an object to be struck. Traditional molded plastic handles or wood handles can also develop cracks or fractures within the structure of the handle material at the connection point between the tool head and the handle or at some other point along the handle due to excessive or improper use. Further, the proximal end of the handle opposite the head of prior art hand tools of this nature is not configured to be used as an implement for other uses. In situations where the handle or head is damaged beyond repair, prior art hand tools do not provide for an easy method of replacement of any damaged components. 
     Thus, there exists a need in the art to provide a hand tool in the form of a axe that includes a head and handle that are configured to be replaceable and wherein the handle is joined to the head in a manner in which the proximal end of the handle includes another working head in the form of a pommel. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a utility tool includes a first head having at least one working surface, a second head having at least one working surface, a handle having a first end and a second end, wherein the first head is coupled to the first end of the handle and the second head is coupled to the second end of the handle, and a core coupled to the first head and the second head and extending through the handle. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the core is threadedly coupled to the first head and the second head. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the first head includes a second working surface. 
     In yet another embodiment of the invention, the utility tool also includes a fastener extending through the first head and threadedly engaging with the core such that the fastener secures the first head to the core and the handle. 
     In yet another embodiment of the invention, the first working surface is an axe blade. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the second working surface is a pick. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the core is made of a different material than the handle. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the second head is a pommel. 
     In another aspect of the invention a utility tool, includes a head having at least one working surface, a handle having a length extending from a first end to a second end of the handle, wherein the head is coupled to the first end of the handle, and a core threadedly coupled to the head and extending through the entire length of the handle, removably securing the head to the handle. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of assembling a utility tool, includes providing a first head having at least one working surface, providing a handle having a length extending from a first end to a second end of the handle, providing a core, inserting the core into a hole in the handle, wherein the core extends through the entire length of the handle, coupling the first head to the handle and a first end of the core, providing a second head having at least one working surface, and coupling the second head to the handle and a second end of the core. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the coupling of the first head to the first end of the core, includes a threaded engagement. 
     19. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the coupling of the second head to the second end of the core includes a threaded engagement. 
     These and other aspects of the present invention may be realized in an improved pendant light as shown and described in the following figures and related description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       When considered in connection with the following illustrative figures, a more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description. In the figures, like reference numbers refer to like elements or acts throughout the figures. Various embodiments of the present invention are shown and described in reference to the numbered drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective front side view of a utility tool in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a right side view of the utility tool shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a left side view of the utility tool shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front side view of the utility tool shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a back side view of the utility tool shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top side view of the utility tool shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom side view of the utility tool shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional side view of the utility tool shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a distal end of the utility tool shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a partial cross-sectional side view of a proximal end of the utility tool shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims. The embodiments shown accomplish various aspects and objects of the invention. It is appreciated that it is not possible to clearly show each element and aspect of the invention in a single figure, and as such, multiple figures are presented to separately illustrate the various details of the invention in greater clarity. Similarly, not every embodiment need accomplish all advantages of the present invention. Elements and acts in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence or embodiment. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention and accompanying drawings will now be discussed in reference to the numerals provided therein so as to enable one skilled in the art to practice the present invention. The drawings and descriptions are exemplary of various aspects of the invention and are not intended to narrow the scope of the appended claims. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. It is noted that the inventor can be his own lexicographer. The inventor expressly elects, as his own lexicographer, to use only the plain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly set forth the “special” definition of that term and explain how it differs from the plain and ordinary meaning. Absent such clear statements of intent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventor&#39;s intent and desire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification and claims. 
     The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be further characterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term, or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts of English grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases be given their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts as set forth above. 
     Further, the inventors fully informed of the standards and application of the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). Thus, the use of the words “function,” “means” or “step” in the Detailed Description of the Invention or claims is not intended to somehow indicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are sought to be invoked to define the inventions, the claims will specifically and expressly state the exact phrases “means for” or “step for” and the specific function (e.g., “means for filtering”), without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support of the function. Thus, even when the claims recite a “means for . . . ” or “step for . . . ” if the claims also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means or step, or that perform the recited function, then it is the clear intention of the inventor not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are invoked to define the claimed inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the illustrated embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function as described in alternative embodiments or forms of the invention, or that are well known present or later-developed, equivalent structures, material or acts for performing the claimed function. 
     In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. Thus, the full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below. 
       FIGS. 1-8  illustrate a utility tool, generally indicated at  100 , in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The tool  100  includes a first head  102 , which may be formed as a separate, removable piece being coupled to a handle  104 . The first head  102  may include a first bore  103  which is sized to receive a first end  105  of the handle  104  and maintain a snug fit between the first head  102  and the handle  104  such that the first head  102  remains in a tight fit with the handle during use. The first head  102  may also include at least a first working surface  106  and a second working surface  108 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , the first working surface  106  can be formed as a vertical blade, such as an axe or hatchet blade. The second working surface  108  can also include a horizontal blade, such as a pick. In alternative embodiments, the first and second working surfaces  106  and  108  can be formed as vertical blades, horizontal blades, hammers, or other desired working surfaces. The first head  102  can be made of metal, such as carbon steel, or any other desired material. The handle  104  can be formed of a different material than the first head  102 , for example, the handle may be formed of wood, plastic, metal or any other desired material. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the first head  102  of the tool  100  may also include a second bore  110  that is countersunk into the top surface  111  of the first head. The second bore  110  is configured to receive a cylindrically shaped fastener  112 . The fastener includes a head portion  116  and a longitudinally extending body portion  117 . The head portion  116  includes a recess  116 ′ of a conventional fastener head configuration, such as a hex head, Philips head, flat head, or other desired head configuration that would enable a user to turn the fastener with a corresponding tool, such as a hex key or screw driver, relative to the first head  102 . The body portion  117  of the fastener  112  defines a longitudinally extending threaded recess  118  that is open toward the core and is configured to threadedly receive the core  120 . The length of the recess  118  is greater than the depth of the distal end  122  of the core when the head  102  is fully tightened relative to the handle  104 . This allows for additional tightening of the head  102  relative to the handle  104  if the head  102  becomes loose relative to the handle  104  due to contraction of the handle or compaction of either end of the handle  104  relative to the core  120 . The body portion  117  of the fastener  112  extends through a top portion  107  of the first head  102  and into a central bore  114  of the handle  104 , which includes a fastener receiving recess  121  that is formed in the distal end  105  of the handle  104 . The fastener receiving recess  121  is concentric with the central bore  124 . 
     The distal end  105  of the handle  104  is received within the handle receiving recess or bore  103 . The bore  103  and distal end  105  of the handle received within the bore  103  may have an oval or other noncircular cross-sectional shape. For such noncircular cross-sectional shapes, the engagement of the distal end  105  of the handle with the bore  103  prevents the handle  104  from rotating relative to the head  102  so that the head  102  cannot spin relative to the handle  104  when in use. 
     The core  120  may be formed as a cylindrical rod, as shown in  FIG. 8 , or the core can be formed of any other desired shape or cross-section. A first end  122  of the core  120  may include a male  121  portion such that the core  120  can be threadedly engaged with the threaded recess  118  of the fastener  112 . Via this threaded engagement, the first head  102  may be removed from the handle  104  and core  120  and may be replaced with a different type or shaped first head  102 , or enable the replacement of the handle  104  with a different handle having a different shape, made from a different material, or the same type of handle can be used to replace an old, worn, and/or broken handle. 
     The core  120  can be formed of metal, such as steel, or any other desired material that can add strength to the handle  104  while providing a securement means that couples the first head  102  to the second head  130 . The core  120  can also be formed of any desired size or diameter, enabling the core  120  to be received within the handle  104 , for example, a ⅓″ diameter. 
     The core  120  is received in and at least partially through a central, longitudinally extending bore  124  that extends a length of the handle  104 . The bore  124  is aligned with the longitudinal center axis A of the handle  104  and can extend the entire length of the handle  104 , form the distal first end  105  to a proximal second end  126 , thus forming a through hole. The core  120  can also extend through a length of the handle  104  from the fastener  112  to the second head  130 . The first end  105  and second end  126  are outwardly flared. That is, the first end  105  at the point of engagement to the first head  102  and the second end  126  at the point of engagement to the second head  130  each have an effective diameter that is greater than an effective diameter of the central portion of the handle  104 . This provides for a comfortable diameter for the central portion of the handle  104  when grasped by hand while providing increased structural integrity to the ends  105  and  126  of the handle  104 . 
     The core  120  can include a second end  128  that is opposite to the first end  122 . Similar to the first end  122  of the core  120 , the second end  128  can also include a male threaded portion  129  such that the core  120  can be threadedly engaged with a second head  130 , or cap. The second head  130  may include a threaded recess  132  that is configured to receive and threadedly engage at least a portion of the threaded portion  129  of the second end  128  of the core  120 . As the second head  130  is threaded to the core  120 , a top surface  138  of the second head  130  is secured into firm contact with a bottom surface  140  of the proximal end  126  of the handle  104 . Via this threaded engagement, the second head  130  may be removed from the handle  104  and core  120  and may be replaced with a different type of shaped second head  130 , or enable the replacement of the handle  104  with a different handle having a different shape, made from a different material, or the same type of handle can be used to replace an old, worn, and/or broken handle. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 9 , the second head  130  may include at least one working surface  134 , such as a pommel, which can enable a user to use the second head  130  as a hammer or bludgeon. The working surface  134  of the second head  130 , can be flat, rounded or dome-like in shape, or in alternative embodiments, the second head  130  may be formed of any desired shape. The second head  130  can be made of metal, such as carbon steel, or any other desired material. The second head  130  may also be formed of a different material than the handle  104  and/or the first head  102 . 
     As previously described, the second head  130  includes an internally threaded bore or recess  150  that extends from adjacent the proximal end  126  of the handle  104  and into the second head  130 . The threaded recess  150  is configured for threaded engagement with at least a portion of the proximal end  128  of the male threaded portion  129 . The male threaded portion  129  allows the core  120  to be threadedly engaged with the second head  130 , which forms an end cap to the handle  104 . The threaded recess  132  allows for the threaded portion  129  to be fully or partially threaded into the second head  130  to retain the second head  130  relative to the proximal end  126  of the handle  104 . The second head  130  is comprised of a peen portion  152  and a handle abutment portion  154 . The peen portion  152  is generally cylindrical in shape with a rounded or flat striking surface  134 . The handle abutment portion is also cylindrical in shape, but is separated from the peen portion  152  by a circumferential recess  156  that directs the shock from blows to the striking surface  134  toward the core  120 . 
     In addition, in order to prevent rotation of the second head  130  relative to the handle  104 , the top surface  138  of the second head  130  includes a plurality of protrusions, such as protrusions  160  and  162  that are radially spaced around the cop surface  138  of the second head  130  and that are spaced a distance from the core  120  and a distance from the outer surface  162  of the handle  104 . For example, there may be 2, 4 or 6 of such protrusions. The proximal end  126  of the handle  104  also includes a corresponding plurality of recesses  161  and  163 , respectively, configured to receive therein the recesses  160  and  162 . The protrusions and recesses may be generally frustoconical in shape or other shapes or sizes. The engagement of the protrusions  160  and  162  with recesses  161  and  163 , respectively, prevents rotation of the second head  130  relative to the handle  104 . This is not only important to prevent the second head  130  from self loosening relative to the core  120  when being used as a hammer-type instrument, but also prevents rotation of the head  130  relative to the handle when the core  120  is being threaded into the second head  130  when the handle is being tightened between the second head  130  and the first head  102  as the fastener  112  is being rotated (see  FIG. 8 ). That way, as the fastener  112  is threaded to the core  120 , the top surface  138  of the second head  130  is secured into firm and engaging contact with the bottom surface  140  of the proximal end  126  of the handle  104 . 
     Due to the configuration of the tool  100  of the present invention as described herein, the threaded coupling of the the second head  130  relative to the first head  102 , the tool  100  can be easily disassembled, which allows replacement of any of the components, including either head  102  or  103  or the handle  104  should any one of them become damaged during use. In addition, the use of the central core  120  that couples the first head  102  to the second head  130 , provides structural strength and rigidity between the two heads  102  and  130  without overstressing the handle  120 . Such a configuration thus reduces stress on the handle  104  caused by impact forces on either of the two heads  102  and  130 . Further, the removability of either head  102  and  130  allows for easy replacement with other head types as may be desired, such as pick heads, spike heads or heads of other implements and tools known in the art. Thus, either head  102  or  130  may be replaced with a different type of head, or the handle may be replaced with a different handle having a different shape, made from a different material, or the same type of handle can be used to replace an old, worn, and/or broken handle. 
     There is thus disclosed an improved utility tool and method of assembling the improved utility tool. In the foregoing specification, the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims, including combinations of elements of the various illustrated embodiments. The specification and figures are illustrative, not restrictive, and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described. 
     For example, the steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the specific order presented in the claims. Additionally, the components and/or elements recited in any apparatus claims may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the claims. 
     Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular embodiments. Any benefit, advantage, solution to problem, or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or components of any or all the claims. 
     The phrase “consisting essentially of” as used herein is intended to cover additional elements or functions that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed invention. Thus, “consisting essentially of” is intended to encompass not only those components specifically listed, but also separate or additional components that do not materially alter the specifically recited functions or elements. 
     The terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “having”, “including”, “includes” or any variations of such terms, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used in the practice of the present invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters, or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same.