Patent Publication Number: US-6655236-B1

Title: Hammer device with interchangeable head members

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a multi-functional hammer and more particularly pertains to a new hammer device with interchangeable head members for providing one hammer which can be used to perform multiple functions. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of a multi-functional hammer is known in the prior art. More specifically, a multi-functional hammer heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 3,821,973; U.S. Pat. No. 3,721,282; U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,939; U.S. Pat. No. 3,185,146; U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,719; U.S. Pat. No. 4,183,385; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 303,208. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new hammer device with interchangeable head members. The inventive device includes a hammer assembly including an elongate handle member and a head member being attached to a top of the handle member; and also includes a plurality of striking members being removably attached to the head member of the hammer assembly; and further includes a plurality of washers being stored in the handle member and being removably mounted to the head member of the hammer assembly. 
     In these respects, the hammer device with interchangeable head members according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing one hammer which can be used to perform multiple functions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of multi-functional hammer now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new hammer device with interchangeable head members construction wherein the same can be utilized for providing one hammer which can be used to perform multiple functions. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new hammer device with interchangeable head members which has many of the advantages of the multi-functional hammer mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new hammer device with interchangeable head members which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art multi-functional hammer, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a hammer assembly including an elongate handle member and a head member being attached to a top of the handle member; and also includes a plurality of striking members being removably attached to the head member of the hammer assembly; and further includes a plurality of washers being stored in the handle member and being removably mounted to the head member of the hammer assembly. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new hammer device with interchangeable head members which has many of the advantages of the multi-functional hammer mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new hammer device with interchangeable head members which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art multi-functional hammer, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new hammer device with interchangeable head members which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new hammer device with interchangeable head members which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new hammer device with interchangeable head members which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such hammer device with interchangeable head members economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new hammer device with interchangeable head members which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new hammer device with interchangeable head members for providing one hammer which can be used to perform multiple functions. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new hammer device with interchangeable head members which includes a hammer assembly including an elongate handle member and a head member being attached to a top of the handle member; and also includes a plurality of striking members being removably attached to the head member of the hammer assembly; and further includes a plurality of washers being stored in the handle Member and being removably mounted to the head member of the hammer assembly. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new hammer device with interchangeable head members that is easy and convenient to use. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new hammer device with interchangeable head members that allows the user to do various types of tasks with just one hammer. 
    
    
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a new hammer device with interchangeable head members according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the striking members of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of one of the striking members of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 3 thereof, a new hammer device with interchangeable head members embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, the hammer device with interchangeable head members  10  generally comprises a hammer assembly including an elongate handle member  11  and a head member  17  being conventionally attached to a top  12  of the handle member  11 . The handle member  11  has a storage compartment  14  disposed therein through a bottom  13  thereof. The hammer assembly further includes an endcap member  16  being threaded into an opening  15  of the storage compartment  14  to cover and close the opening  15 . The head member  17  includes a threaded stub shaft  18  extending outwardly therefrom and forwardly thereof, and also includes an elongate forked portion  19  extending outwardly therefrom and rearwardly thereof. 
     A plurality of striking members  20  are removably attached to the head member  17  of the hammer assembly. Each of the striking members  20  includes a weighted disc-shaped body  21  having a front side  22  and a back side  23 , and also includes a boss  26  being securely and conventionally disposed upon the back side  23  of the weighted disc-shaped body  21 . The striking members  20  also include front sides  22  having waffle-like surfaces  24  and also having flat, smooth surfaces  25 . The weighted disc-shaped bodies  21  are uniquely weighted. Each of the bosses  26  has a threaded bore  27  extending therein through an outer end  28  thereof, and also has multiple sides  29  which are adapted to engage a wrench  31  for attaching the striking members  20  upon the head member  17 . The bore  27  removably receives the threaded stub shaft  18 . The disc-shaped bodies  21  have weights ranging from 26 ounces to 40 ounces. A plurality of washers  30  are stored in the handle member  11  and are removably mounted to the head member  17  of the hammer assembly. The washers  30  are removably disposed in the storage compartment  14  of the handle member  11  and are removably mounted about the threaded stub shaft  18  between the head member  17  and the striking members  20  for securing the striking members  20  upon the threaded stub shaft  18 . 
     In use, the user attaches the striking member  20  desired to accomplish the type of function needed to be performed by threading the selected striking member  20  upon the threaded stub shaft  18 . 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.