Patent Publication Number: US-2015082951-A1

Title: Customizable tool

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/881,607 filed Sep. 24, 2013. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a customizable hand tool. More specifically and without limitation, this invention is directed towards a system for modifying the appearance of a handle of a hand tool. 
     Hand tools are old and well known in the art. Countless forms of hand tools exist which are used by craftsmen in countless ways for an unlimited amount of purposes. Conventionally, hand tools have a basic a handle the appearance of which cannot be easily altered. While this arrangement is effective it has a number of disadvantages. Namely, this causes one set of hand tools to be indistinguishable from other hand tools of the same kind. 
     This often results in unintentional mistakes in ownership. In addition, when one&#39;s hand tool is misplaced, lost, or found by another, conventionally, there is no way to determine the true ownership of the hand tool so that the hand tool can be returned to the owner. 
     Thus it is a primary objective of the invention to provide a hand tool system that improves upon the state of the art. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a hand tool system that reduces misidentification. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a hand tool system that reduces theft. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a hand tool system that increases recovery when lost. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a hand tool system that allows for personalization. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a hand tool system that allows for repeated modification. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a hand tool system that is inexpensive. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a hand tool system that is easy to use. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a hand tool system that is durable. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a hand tool system that provides a long and useful life. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a hand tool system that has an intuitive design. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a hand tool system that has a minimum number of parts. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a hand tool system that is simple. 
     These and other objects, features, or advantages of the inventions will become apparent from the specification and claims. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A customizable hand tool system is presented. The customizable hand tool system includes a blade which is connected to an inner frame. The inner frame extends a length between a first end and a second end and includes a front stop positioned adjacent the front end and a rear stop positioned adjacent the second end. A cover is positioned around the inner frame between the front stop and the rear stop. A label, which the user or owner can customize, is positioned between the inner frame and the cover. As the cover is transparent or translucent, the label is easily seen through the cover. In this way, presented is a customizable hand tool that prevents misplacement or theft of the hand tool. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION FO THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the customizable hand tool system; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective exploded view of the customizable hand tool system; 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the customizable hand tool; 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the customizable hand tool with the handle disassembled. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that mechanical, procedural, and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
     As used herein, the terminology such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, front, back, end, sides, and the like, are referenced according to the views presented. It should be understood, however, that the terms are used only for purposes of description, and are not intended to be used as limitations. Accordingly, orientation of an object or a combination of objects may change without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     With reference to the figures, a customizable hand tool system  10  is presented. Any variation of a hand tool is hereby contemplated for use in the system such as a rake, shovel, trowel, screwdriver, hammer, wrench, pliers, etc., and without limitation. In addition, the system  10  has applicability outside of mere hand tools and instead applies to any object, system or device which has a handle. 
     In the embodiment shown, the hand tool system  10  includes a blade  12 . The blade  12  is connected to an elbow  14 . In the arrangement shown, as one example, blade  12  is in the form of a mason&#39;s trowel blade, however any other form of a blade or tool is hereby contemplated such as a flat or Philips head. The elbow  14  connects to a handle  16  having a first end  18  and a second end  20 . In another arrangement, as is shown in  FIG. 2 , elbow  14  has a threaded portion that threadadly connects to the handle  16 . In an alternative arrangement, elbow  14  is connected to blade  12  in any other manner, such as permanently connecting elbow  14  to blade  12  by welding, by forming the two components  12 ,  14  out of a single piece of material, snap fitting, frictional engagement, or the like. 
     A front stop  22  and is positioned adjacent the first end  18  of the handle  16 . In the arrangement shown, front stop  22  is connected to and positioned around an inner frame  24 . Inner frame  24  extends a length in a direction opposite blade  12  from front stop  22 . As is shown, front stop  22  has a larger outer diameter than inner frame  24 . In one embodiment shown, the front stop  22  and the inner frame  24  are welded together or formed of a single piece of material. Alternatively, the front stop  22  and inner frame  24  are formed of separate components. In this arrangement, front stop  22  is connected to inner frame  24  by method or means such as threading, welding, frictional engagement, press fitting, snap fitting, adhesively bonding, or the like are hereby contemplated. 
     The inner frame  24  is formed of any suitable size, shape, and design and serves to provide structural rigidity to the system  10  such that a user may adequately manipulate blade  12  to serve the user&#39;s desired purpose. In the arrangement show, inner frame  24  is formed of a generally cylindrical or tubular member which extends a length between a first end  18 , which is positioned adjacent to or connected to the front stop  22 , and a second end  20 , which is positioned adjacent to or connected to a rear stop  25 . 
     In the arrangement shown, inner frame  24  has a hollow interior to reduce the weight of system  10  as well as reduce the raw material costs of the system  10 . In addition the hollow interior provides for a convenient area for attachment of other components, such as through threading, snap fitting, press fitting, frictional engagement, or the like. Alternatively, inner frame  24  is formed of any other size, shape, and design such as a square or rectangular post, an I-beam, or any other object or device or design that provides adequate strength and rigidity to system  10 . 
     A label  26  is connected to or positioned around the inner frame  24 . Label  26  is formed of any suitable material that can be removably inserted, removed and/or replaced around inner frame  24  or/or within handle  16 . Suitable materials for use as label  24  include paper, cloth, plastic, metal, composite, and the like. In an alternative arrangement, the label  26  is non-removable and is therefore permanently or semi-permanently affixed to the exterior surface of inner frame  24 , such as by spraying, adhesively attaching, painting, molding or the like. 
     A cover  28  is removably positioned around the label  26  and inner frame  24 . In the arrangement shown, the entire cover  28  is formed of a translucent or transparent rubber, plastic, or composite-type material that allows the label  26  to be seen through all portions of cover  28 . In another alternative arrangement, cover  28  includes portions which are transparent or translucent, (such as windows) so as to enable sight of label  26 , whereas other portions of cover  28  are not transparent or translucent. In other yet another arrangement, however, the cover  28  can have a design or have a texture of its own. 
     Cover  28  is formed of any suitable size, shape, and design and is formed of any suitable material. In the arrangement shown, cover  28  has a generally tubular form which extends from first end  18  to second end  20 . The inner diameter of cover  28  is sized and shaped to receive the inner frame member  24  with close tolerances such that inner surface of cover  28  frictionally engages and tightly holds onto the outer surface of inner frame  24 . As is also shown, the exterior diameter of cover  28  bows out at its middle and tapers at its first end  18  and opposite second end  20 . This ergonomic design provides a comfortable feel and grip to the system  10  and improves ease of use. Alternatively, cover  28  is form fitting to a user&#39;s hand and in this arrangement has a plurality of protrusions and grooves which are sized and shaped to receive a user&#39;s fingers in a fitting and comfortable position. 
     In one arrangement, cover  28  is formed of a material that is at least somewhat compressible so as to further provide a comfortable feel for a user. In another arrangement, cover  28  is formed of more than one type of material. In this arrangement, portions of cover  28  are more or less compressible than others, such as a dual-durometer material. 
     In the arrangement shown, rear stop  25  is removably connected to the inner frame  24  at the second end  20  of the handle  16 . As is shown, rear stop  25  has a flange  30  connected at its inward side to a shaft  32  which extends inwardly therefrom. Shaft  32  larger outer diameter than inner frame  24  whereas shaft  32  has a diameter which fits within the open interior of inner frame  24  so as to connect rear stop  25  to the system  10 . In this arrangement, shaft  32  connects with inner frame  24  by any suitable means such as treading, snap fitting, frictional engagement, press fitting, or the like. 
     In an alternative arrangement, with reference to  FIG. 4 , rear stop  25  is formed of a screw or bolt  34  which connects to inner frame  24  and a washer  36  positioned between a portion of screw of bolt  34  and cover  28 . Any other method of removably connecting the rear stop  25  and the inner frame  24 , such as screwing, threading, snap fitting, frictional engagement, or the like are hereby contemplated. 
     In another arrangement, the rear stop  25  is permanently connected to the second end  20  after label  26  is connected to inner frame  24  or inserted between inner frame  24  and cover  28 . Methods of connecting the rear stop  25  and the inner frame include gluing, fusing, bolting, screwing, threading, snap fitting, frictional engagement, or the like are hereby contemplated. 
     To provide additional give to the system  10 , in one arrangement a compressible member  38  is positioned between front stop  22  and cover  28  as well as between rear stop  25  cover  28 . Compressible members  38  allow for the handle  16  to be tightened and help to maintain the tightness of handle  16 . In addition, compressible members  38  help to take us some of the dimensional variance between component parts of the system. 
     In Operation:  
     A user desiring a customizable hand tool selects the system  10 . Next, the user removes the rear stop  25 . In one arrangement this is accomplished by unscrewing the bolt  34  and washer  36  from the inner frame  24  at the second end  20 . Once the rear stop  25  is removed, the user removes the cover  28  and label  26  by sliding them laterally away from blade  12  around inner frame  24 . The user modifies the label  26  such as by writing identifying information on the label  26  or replacing  26  with a customized label. Alternatively, as shown in one arrangement, the user can use anything of the same size and shape as the label  26  that is capable of wrapping around the inner frame  24 . Alternatively, the user can scribe on the exterior surface of inner frame  24 , paint inner frame  24 , write on inner frame  24  or modify inner frame  24  by any means so as to identify the hand tool system  10  as the user&#39;s. 
     Now with the label  26  customized, or other marking indicia in place, the user wraps the label  26  around the inner frame  24 . Next the user slides the cover  28  over the label  26  and the inner frame  24 . The user then places the rear stop  25  at the second end  20  of inner frame  24  and affixes using the appropriate manner, such as screwing, snap fitting, or the like. 
     In another arrangement, the user removes the cover  28  as described above and replaces the cover  28  with a cover  28  of a different design, material, translucence, or grip, or a new customized cover  28  altogether. 
     In the arrangement wherein the system  10  is designed to prevent theft or conversion one&#39;s hand tools, it is desirable to have the rear stop  25  be non-removable once installed. That is, it reduces the effect of theft prevention if a thief can simply steal a hand tool, remove the customized label  26  and replace it with their own label  26 . In this arrangement, it is desirable to have rear stop  25  and/or inner frame  24  have at least one locking member, such as a barb, flange or other member that locks rear stop  24  to inner frame  24  once the two components are connected to one another, such that the two components cannot be separated without breaking the system  10 . In this way, even if the hand tool system  10  is stolen, the thief cannot remove the label  26  without destroying the tool. In this arrangement, hand tool system  10  must be sold in a disassembled state such that once it is assembled, it is assembled once and for all. 
     Alternative Arrangement: 
     While the figures shown herein are specifically directed to a trowel-type hand tool, and more generally to hand tools, it is hereby expressly contemplated that the system and method is also applicable to cooking devices and grilling tools such as spatulas, knives, spoons, forks, skewers, tongs, brushes, and any other cooking tool or utensil. In this way, the term “tool” broadly encompasses all of these cooking tools and grilling tools as well. 
     From the above discussion, it will be appreciated that the customizable hand tool system presented improves upon the state of the art. That is, the customizable hand tool system presented improves upon the state of the art; reduces misidentification; reduces theft; increases returns when lost; allows for personalization; allows for repeated modification; is inexpensive; is easy to use; is durable; has a long and useful life; has an intuitive design; has a minimum number of parts; and is simple. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other various modifications could be made to the device without parting from the spirit and scope of this invention. All such modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims and are intended to be covered thereby.