Patent Abstract:
A multi-purpose hand held tool is provided which allows an individual to perform several tasks and reduces the need for additional tools. Specifically, the tool includes a hammer and a claw with an extension providing additional leverage to the claw for prying objects apart and for pulling nails. Additionally, the tool provides a ring and catches useful for pulling fence wiring, such as barbed wire during the installation of a fence.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation-in-part application, claiming priority to the co-pending United States patent application entitled “Multi-Purpose Hand Held Tool” and bearing Ser. No. 12/011,688, filed Jan. 29, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    This present invention relates, generally, to hand tools and methods for using the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a multi-purpose hand tool usable for a variety of tasks, such as manipulating barbed wire and other elongate members usable in the construction of fences and other barricade systems. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    The drawings contained herein exemplify a preferred embodiment of the claimed invention. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. The embodiment shown is purely an example, and the invention is capable of variations of said embodiment. In the drawings: 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an embodiment of a multi-purpose tool usable within the scope of the present disclosure. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the multi-purpose tool of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the multi-purpose tool of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is an elevated isometric view of the multi-purpose tool of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of a multi-purpose tool usable within the scope of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]      FIG. 1  through  FIG. 4  illustrate an embodiment of a multi-purpose tool  10 . It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the material for manufacturing any portion of the tool  10  can vary and can include a variety of materials such as, but not limited to, steel, wood, plastics, fiber glass, magnetic materials, polymers, composites, or any combinations thereof. 
         [0010]    The depicted embodiment of the tool  10  is shown having a head  12  with a striking surface  14 , usable to drive nails, posts, dowels, or similar items, to shape deformable objects, to break frangible objects, and other similar tasks, facilitated by the weight and density of the head  12 . For example, in an embodiment, the head  12  can be a generally solid member, formed from steel or a similar member. The head  12  is further shown having a claw  16  disposed opposite the striking surface  14 . The claw  16  is shown having two prongs separated by a generally V-shaped slot, however other shapes and configurations known in the art are also usable. The claw  16  is usable for pulling and/or removing nails, some varieties of screws, staples, and the like through use of the shaft  22  of the tool  10  as a lever arm, facilitated by the length and curvature of the claw  16 . The head  12  is further shown having a generally semi-circular loop  18  attached thereto and/or integral therewith. In various embodiments, the loop can be integral with the head  12 , welded or glued thereto, or attached to the head  12  in any other manner known in the art. In an embodiment of the invention, the loop  18  can be sized for engagement with a T-post or a similar member of a fence or barricade, and used to pull, straighten, and/or remove such a member. The loop  18  is also usable a hanger for the tool  10  when not in use, such as by placing the loop  18  over a nail, hook, or similar object. The tool  10  can also be hung from a tool belt, wearable hook, strap, or the like to facilitate carrying of the tool. The loop  18  is also usable to provide additional leverage when pulling a nail or similar object. 
         [0011]    While conventional hammers typically provide a curved claw that extends to a curved portion at the top of the hammer head to define a fulcrum point, the loop  18  provides a different path for the head  12  to roll while pulling a nail in a single motion, due to the fact that the loop  18  extends farther beyond the top of the tool  10  than the head of a conventional hammer. The extra distance provided by loop  18  increases the distance between the fulcrum point and the nail being pulled, resulting in a mechanical advantage when compared to conventional hammer heads, because less movement of the handle is required to generate the same displacement of the claw  16  and the nail being pulled. 
         [0012]    Additionally, the extension provided by the loop  18  allows the claw  16  to remain in pulling contact with the nail for a greater distance, which is of great use when pulling a longer nail or similar item. Smaller conventional hammerheads begin to lose vertical pulling power when pulling longer nails. Thus, the loop  18  of the tool  10  enables the pulling of nails of substantially any length with more ease and accuracy. The loop  18  can also be used in conjunction with the handle for pulling a “come-a-long” cable attached to a hook. 
         [0013]    The head  12  is shown mounted on an elongate member  22 . The elongate member  22  is depicted as a shaft with a first end and a second end, usable as a handle and to provide leverage for numerous purposes. The method of attachment between the head  12  and the handle  22  can include any manner of welding, integral construction, use of adhesives, screws, bolts, nails, or other fasteners, or any other method of attachment known in the art. 
         [0014]      FIGS. 1 through 4  further depict a ring  26  disposed around the elongate member  22  for use as a wire stretcher, such as when erecting a barbed wire fence or a similar type of barricade having flexible members tensioned between posts or other fixed members. For illustrative purposes,  FIGS. 1 and 2  show a length of barbed wire  34  being stretched by the tool  10 . 
         [0015]    The ring  26  is axially movable along and rotatable about the elongate member  22 . A notch  31  in the ring  26  enables the wire  34  to be placed between the ring  26  and the elongate member  22 . The notch  31  further enables the ring  26  to be removed from the elongate member  22 . Specifically, the elongate member  22  is shown having a depressed region  23  formed thereon. The notch  31  of the ring  26  and the depressed region  23  of the elongate member  22  are sized such that when the notch  31  is aligned with the depressed region  23 , the depressed region  23  may pass through the notch  31  such that the ring  26  can be selectively removed or associated with the elongate member  22 . In further embodiments of the disclosure, the ring  26  and/or the elongate member  22  can be magnetized to facilitate retention of the ring  26  in a generally stationary orientation when not in use. 
         [0016]    While the head  12  of the tool ultimately limits axial movement of the ring  26 , the elongate member  22  is also shown having a protrusion  24  formed thereon. The protrusion  24  serves as a ring holder, further limiting the axial movement of the ring  26 . In an embodiment, the notch  31  and protrusion  24  can be sized to permit the ring  26  to be passed over the notch  31  when the notch  31  is aligned with the protrusion  24 . When the notch  31  is not aligned with the protrusion  24 , the protrusion  24  will interfere with axial movement of the ring  26 , such that the ring  26  remains within a space  36  defined between the protrusion  24  and the head  12 , thereby preventing the ring  26  from interfering with a user&#39;s hand while manipulating the tool  10 . It should be understood that the elongate member  22  can include any number of protrusions, positioned at any point thereon. The elongate member  22  is also shown having a stopper  28  formed thereon, having a generally conical shape. The stopper  28  also serves to limit movement of the ring  26  along the elongate member  22 . Use of the ring  26 , stopper  28 , and elongate member  22  as a wire-stretching tool is described below. 
         [0017]    At the end of the elongate handle  22  a pry bar  32  is shown, which includes a generally wedge-shaped member, having a slot  38  therein to define two prongs. The wedge shape of the pry bar  32  can narrow to a generally flat face, enabling the pry bar  32  to be forced between objects. The depicted pry bar  32  is shown having side walls  33  surrounding a depressed region formed at the end of the elongate member  22 , further enabling the pry bar  32  to be used to engage and stretch a length of barbed wire or a similar flexible object by engaging a barb or other enlarged region between the prongs. 
         [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates the ring  26  held in place above the protrusion  24 . In the alignment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the cross-section of the handle  22  at the protrusion  24  is such that the inner diameter of the ring  26  will not pass over the protrusion  24  and is retained in the space  36  to prevent interference with the hand of a user. As previously described, the ring  26  can be passed over the protrusion  24  by rotating the ring  26  to align the notch  31  with the protrusion  24 . Further, as described above, the ring  26  can be wholly removed from the elongate member  22  and reattached thereto by aligning the notch  31  with the depressed region  23  of the elongate member  22 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the tool  10  having a second striking surface  20  disposed on an end of the loop  18 . The second striking surface  20  is shown as a generally flat portion of the loop  18 . In an embodiment, the second striking surface  20  can be of a smaller and/or differing size than the face  14  of the head  12 , and can therefore be used for making small adjustments to a nail or similar object. Further, orienting the second striking surface  20  in the manner shown in  FIG. 5  enables driving a nail or striking an object without requiring rotation of the tool  10 . 
       Exemplary Operation of the Device 
     Fence Stretcher/Wire Puller 
       [0020]    The tool  10  as described herein provides a particular advantage in its compact design, its light weight, and its ability to perform various and multiple functions. Embodiments of the multi-purpose tool  10  are usable for many tasks, such as erecting wire fences and similar barricade systems. In one aspect, the multi-purpose tool  10  as described herein can be used to tension flexible members of a fence, such as lengths of barbed wire  34 , chain links, or the like. Small gauge wire used in fencing, especially barbed wire  34 , can injure the hands of an individual attempting to tension the wire by hand, even through protective gloves. In one aspect, the multi-purpose tool  10  can be used to tension fence wire, which prevents these injuries. 
         [0021]    To use the multi-purpose tool  10  in this capacity, the ring  26  can be placed axially below the protrusion  24 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . A length of barbed wire  34  is secured at a first end, i.e. to a fence post or similar vertical member, while the free end of the wire  34  is passed through the notch  31  of the ring  26 . The inner diameter of the ring  26  and the outer diameter of the elongate member  22  are dimensioned to allow the wire  34  to fit therebetween. To apply tension to the wire  34 , the tool  10  can be held by the head  12 , by the elongate member  22 , or by the loop  18  and pulled. The ring  26 , which grips the wire  34  against the outer diameter of the handle  22 , can axially move toward the stopper  28  during use, such that the conical shape of the ring stopper  28  grips the wire  34  against the inner diameter of the ring  26 . As the tool  10  is pulled, the stopper  28  and the inner diameter of the ring  26  tightly grip the wire  34 , such that lifting or otherwise raising the tool  10  tensions the wire. 
       Hammer 
       [0022]    The multi-purpose tool  10  as described herein can be used as a conventional hammer. As described above, the ring  26  can be placed in the small space  36  above the protrusion  24  by aligning the notch  31  with the protrusion  24 , to prevent the ring  26  from interfering with use of the tool  10 . Alternatively, the ring  26  can be removed by aligning the notch  31  with the depressed region  23  of the elongate member  22 . Once the ring  26  is secured or removed, the tool  10  can be held by the elongate member  22  and swung such that the face  14  strikes a desired object, facilitated by the weight of the head  12 . 
       Claw 
       [0023]    The claw  16  is usable to pull nails and similar objects by wedging the prongs of the claw  16  beneath the nail such that the head of the nail engages the slot between the prongs of the claw  16 . The claw  16  is also usable to pry objects apart due to its generally wedge-shaped profile, and to impact objects in the manner of a pick. 
       Pry Bar 
       [0024]    The pry bar  32  similarly has a wedge shape, allowing it to be forced between objects. The elongate member  22  is usable as a handle, and provides leverage for prying such objects apart. The slot  30  of the pry bar  32  is also usable to remove nails and similar objects, in the manner described above. 
       U Nail Puller 
       [0025]    Embodiments of the tool  10  are also usable to pull U-shaped nails and staples. Such fasteners are often hammered securely into place, such as when installing a wire fence. Typically, the prongs of a conventional hammer claw are too wide to insert beneath a staple or a U-shaped nail. The slot  38  of the pry bar  32  can define two prongs  33  that are more narrow than those of a conventional hammer claw, and can thus be used to pull U-shaped nails, staples, and similar fasteners. 
       Second Striking Surface 
       [0026]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the loop  18  can be provided with a second striking surface  20 , which is operable in the same manner as the face  14 . However, the second striking surface  20  provides an advantage, in that the tool  10  does not require reorientation when alternating between two tasks, such as both pulling and hammering nails. Additionally, in an embodiment, the second striking surface  20  can be smaller than the face  14  of the head  12 , to enable final driving of nails and/or small adjustments to hammered nails. 
       Additional Nail Pulling Leverage 
       [0027]    The loop  18 , as previously described, can be used to provide the tool  10  with additional leverage for pulling longer nails. The position, size, and configuration of the loop  18  can determine how much additional leverage is applied, and the length of nails that can be pulled. In use, the claw  16  can be engaged with a nail, as described above, by inserting the nail head between the prongs of the claw  16 . Then the elongate member  22  can be pushed or pulled in order to pull the nail. The additional curvature of loop  18  increases the distance between the nail being pulled and the fulcrum of the tool  10 , increasing the leverage applied to the claw  16 , such that less movement of the elongate member  22  is required to effect a certain displacement of the claw  16  and nail. 
       Loop as a Hooking Device 
       [0028]    In addition to advantages as previously described relating to increased leverage and nail pulling power, the loop  18  is usable to catch hooks, such as when extending a “come-a-long” cable. During such a task, the tool  10  can then be gripped by the elongate member  22  and pulled. Use of the tool  10  in this manner can avoid injuries and overcome the general difficulties inherent when gripping and pulling cables. The loop  18  can also be used to hang the tool  10  from a belt, hook, or similar protruding member. 
       Fence Tightener/Fence Twister 
       [0029]    Once a barbed wire fence, for example, has been erected, each length of wire  34  must be provided with a desired tension. This tension is important for the integrity of the fence. Over time, the weight of the wire itself and other forces, such as those imparted by the wind, animals, humans, or various objects contacting the fence can stretch the wires and reduce the tension therein. The tool  10  is usable as a fence tightener to reestablish the desired tension in the fence wire. Specifically, the slot  30  of the pry bar  32  can be positioned to accept a length of wire  34  that is secured at both ends. The tool  10  can then be rotated about the elongate member  22 . To the extent there is slack in the wire  34 , the wire will begin to wrap around the end of the pry bar  32 , and the slack in the wire  34  will be removed. 
       Magnet 
       [0030]    In one embodiment, a portion of, or the entire elongate member  22 , the ring  26 , or combinations thereof, can be formed from a magnetic material. The magnetic material can be used to pick up nails and other metallic objects that have been dropped out of view, such as in tall grass or into cracks or other separations in cement. 
       Jack Handle 
       [0031]    In an embodiment, the pry bar  32  of the tool  10  can be configured such that the wedge portion can interact with a jack. The elongate member  22  can be used to provide leverage for the tool  10  to be used as a jack handle. The pry bar  32  can be engaged with the jack and twisted or pushed to operate the jack. In one embodiment, the slot  30  of the pry bar  32  can engage a member within the jack, such that rotating the tool  10  can operate the jack. In another embodiment, the tool  10  can engage a portion of the jack and be moved vertically to operate the jack. 
       Tie Down Handle 
       [0032]    Embodiments of the tool  10  are also usable as a tie down handle. Tie downs are used in a number of fields, and typically include a long shaft for insertion into the ground with a loop, hole or other member disposed above for tying down objects such as tents, fences, canopies, trees, airplanes, and other similar objects. In use, tie downs are typically twisted into the ground, and the tool  10 , in one embodiment, can be configured to act as a handle to aid in twisting the tie down. For example, the top of the tie down can be configured to receive the pry bar  32 , such that the tool  10  can be rotated about the axis of the elongate member  22  to twist the tie down into the ground. In another embodiment, the pry bar  32  can be slid through an opening in the tie down, such that the elongate member  22  of the tool  10  is perpendicular to the shaft of the tie down. A user can then grip the pry bar  32  on one side, and the loop  18  or head  12  on the other side, and twist the tool  10  to screw the tie down into the ground. 
         [0033]    Other uses features, and modifications to the specific embodiments of the multi-purpose tool described herein can also be practiced, as would be understood in the art. Embodiments of the present invention thereby provide a compact and portable tool usable to perform a variety of tasks with greater efficacy than conventional counterparts.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4