Abstract:
A scrapbooking instrument set comprises three elongated hole punches of different bit sizes and three elongated setters of different bit sizes, each hole punch and setter of substantially identical size and shape except for the bits. The hole punches and setters are arranged in a base, in a circle around a larger mounting tool configured with an axially extending hole of identical radial shape and slightly larger radial size as the hole punches and setters, such that the hole punches and setters each fit inside the tool. The base contains holes into which the hole punches, setters and mounting tool fit, such that the hole punches, setters and mounting tool are stored vertically in the base. A transparent cover screws onto the base to protect the instruments stored therein while allowing them to be displayed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/396,857, filed Jul. 17, 2002. 
     
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not applicable.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    This invention relates to making and using scrapbooks. More particularly, this invention relates to instruments and methods for making and using scrapbooks.  
           [0004]    From small beginnings in the early 1990s, the scrapbooking industry has exploded into a multi-billion-dollar industry. Methods of constructing scrapbook pages have evolved from simply cutting and pasting to ever-more-elaborate decorations, with various borders, attachments, covers, layouts, etc.  
           [0005]    One popular method of constructing and embellishing scrapbook pages uses eyelets made of metal or other malleable material to attach different sections of the page together. Since eyelets are manufactured in various decorative shapes, they may also be used simply for decoration.  
           [0006]    The eyelets are installed by first punching a properly sized hole out of the page material, be it paper, pasteboard, cardboard, foam, or other material. Using a tool known in the industry as a setter, the scrapbooker then installs the eyelet.  
           [0007]    Scrapbookers have been inconvenienced, however, with the varying sizes of hole punches and setters to accommodate differently sized eyelets. Scrapbookers must individually purchase three or four different hole punches and three or four different setters. Storing the hole punches and setters is inconvenient and damaging, since most storage methods comprise laying the instruments loosely in storage compartments where their sharp edges, necessary for effective work, are dulled and otherwise damaged.  
           [0008]    The present invention provides an apparatus whereby hole punches and setters of varying sizes can be sold and used in a single unit, and provides an apparatus for storing the instruments wherein they are free from damage and wear other than from their intended uses, by storing them vertically and spaced from each other.  
           [0009]    Various patents describe interchangeable bits for tools into a common mount. Fruhm, U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,011 B1, describes two-ended screwdriver bits, either end of which can be inserted and used in a mounting tool. Sanger, U.S. Pat. No. 532,823, describes a multiple screwdriver wherein various bits can be inserted. Glover, U.S. Pat. No. 438,150, describes a tool holder wherein various tools can be mounted. Graham, U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,038, describes a multi-purpose tool wherein various tips are stored. A rotational apparatus exposes the needed tip for the job. Lin, U.S. Pat. No. 4,480,668, describes a screwdriver kit containing four driver blades in a magazine tube inside the handle, wherein the handle can be manipulated to cause the desired driver blade to protrude out of the handle. Hsiao, U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,820 B1, describes a hand tool for driving a fastener about an axis wherein a handle contains an axially extending bore which receives a fastener engaging member, ensuring engagement with an annular deformable member inside the bore. The engaging member receives various bits.  
           [0010]    No one, however, has ever put scrapbooking tools into such a configuration, as the present invention does. In addition, no one has provided for the present invention&#39;s particular type of storage apparatus for scrapbooking tools.  
           [0011]    In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that providing a scrapbooking instrument set and method would be a significant advancement in the art.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    An illustrative embodiment of the present invention comprises a handheld combination hole puncher and eyelet setter tool comprising:  
           [0013]    an elongated handle having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises an axially extending hole and the second end is adapted to receive an impact force;  
           [0014]    a plurality of interchangeable hole punches and setters, each of the hole punches and setters adapted to be slidably mounted in the axially extending hole; and  
           [0015]    a holder disposed in the axially extending hole whereby a hole punch or setter mounted in the axially extending hole is removably held in place such that when the impact force is delivered to the second end of the elongated handle, the impact force is transferred to the hole punch or setter.  
           [0016]    In certain embodiments of the invention, this tool further comprises an air pressure relief hole in communication with the axially extending hole, and the elongated handle is substantially cylindrical in shape. The holder can be an o-ring, for example. The hole punches illustratively comprise a cylindrical shank having a bit at one end. The bit comprises a sharp annular edge for cutting. The hole punches further comprise a disposal tunnel extending from the sharp annular edge through the cylindrical shank to a disposal hole thereby providing an exit for cut material. The setters comprise a cylindrical shaft having a bit at one end, the bit adapted to set eyelets.  
           [0017]    Another illustrative embodiment of the invention comprises a storage apparatus for storing a handheld combination hole puncher and eyelet setter tool and a plurality of hole punches and setters, the apparatus comprising:  
           [0018]    a cylindrical base having a top, a bottom, and a side wall;  
           [0019]    a main hole in the top of the base adapted to receive the handheld combination hole puncher and eyelet setter tool such that the handheld combination hole puncher and eyelet setter tool is maintained in an upright position; and  
           [0020]    a plurality of secondary holes in the top of the base, each of the secondary holes adapted to receive one of the hole punches or setters.  
           [0021]    The storage apparatus can further comprise a cover, the cover being cylindrical in shape and having a closed top and an open bottom, the cover being transparent. The cover can also comprise a threaded portion, wherein the cylindrical base further comprises a set of threads in the side wall, and the threaded portion of the cover is adapted to rotatably engage the set of threads in the side wall of the base. Various materials may be used for fabricating the base, but a foam material is one illustrative material that can be used.  
           [0022]    Another illustrative aspect of the invention comprises a method for installing an eyelet into a piece of material using a combination hole punch and eyelet setter tool, said method comprising:  
           [0023]    selecting a hole punch corresponding in size to the eyelet and installing it into the combination hole punch and eyelet setter tool;  
           [0024]    punching a hole in the material at the desired location by striking the combination hole punch and eyelet setter tool with a mallet or hammer such that the hole punch cuts the material;  
           [0025]    interchanging the hole punch with a setter of corresponding size in the combination hole punch and eyelet setter tool; and  
           [0026]    setting the eyelet using the setter installed in the combination hole punch and eyelet setter by striking the combination hole punch and eyelet setter with a mallet or hammer such that the setter sets the eyelet.  
           [0027]    Still another illustrative embodiment of the invention comprises a hole puncher and eyelet setter kit comprising:  
           [0028]    a handheld combination hole puncher and eyelet setter tool comprising  
           [0029]    an elongated handle having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises an axially extending hole and the second end is adapted to receive an impact force,  
           [0030]    a plurality of interchangeable hole punches and setters, each of the hole punches and setters adapted to be slidably mounted in the axially extending hole, and  
           [0031]    a holder disposed in the axially extending hole whereby a hole punch or setter mounted in the axially extending hole is removably held in place such that when the impact force is delivered to the second end of the elongated handle, the impact force is transferred to the hole punch or setter; and  
           [0032]    a storage apparatus comprising  
           [0033]    a cylindrical base having a top, a bottom, and a side wall,  
           [0034]    a main hole in the top of the base adapted to receive the handheld combination hole puncher and eyelet setter tool such that the handheld combination hole puncher and eyelet setter tool is maintained in an upright position, and  
           [0035]    a plurality of secondary holes in the top of the base, each of the secondary holes adapted to receive one of the plurality of hole punches and setters. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0036]    [0036]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the scrapbooking instrument set, showing the base, with the cover screwed on, and the mounting tool, hole punches and setters stored vertically in the base.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 2 is an elevation cutaway view of the mounting tool, with a hole punch or setter mounted into it.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 3 is an elevation cutaway view of a large hole punch.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 4 is an elevation cutaway view of a small hole punch.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 5 is an elevation cutaway view of a medium hole punch.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 6 is an elevation view of a universal setter.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 7 is an elevation view of a medium setter.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 8 is an elevation view of a large setter.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the base.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cover. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0046]    Before the present scrapbooking instrument set and method are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular configurations, process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such configurations, process steps, and materials may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.  
         [0047]    The publications and other reference materials referred to herein to describe the background of the invention and to provide additional detail regarding its practice are hereby incorporated by reference. The references discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.  
         [0048]    It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a handheld combination hole puncher and eyelet setter tool comprising “a holder” includes references to such a tool comprising two or more of such holders, reference to “an impact force” includes reference to one or more of such impact forces, and reference to an air pressure relief hole includes reference to two or more of such air pressure relief holes.  
         [0049]    In describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below.  
         [0050]    As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted as including the more restrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.” 
         [0051]    As used herein, “consisting of” and grammatical equivalents thereof exclude any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim.  
         [0052]    As used herein, “consisting essentially of” and grammatical equivalents thereof limit the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic or characteristics of the claimed invention.  
         [0053]    Referring to FIG. 1, an illustrative aspect of the invention comprises a cylindrical base  1 , covered by a cylindrical transparent cover  2 . The base contains a vertical cylindrical central hole  3 , into which a cylindrical mounting tool  4  is placed. Around the central hole  3  are placed, in circular arrangement, holes  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  and  10 , which are of substantially equal size and shape. Into holes  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10  are vertically placed a large setter  11 , a medium setter  12 , a universal setter  13 , a medium hole punch  14 , a large hole punch  15 , and a small hole punch  16 , respectively. Hole punches  14 ,  15 ,  16  and setters  12 ,  13 ,  14 , except for their different bits located on one end of each instrument thereof, are of substantially equal length and diameter, such that they can be placed interchangeably into holes  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 , and such that they each fit into mounting tool  4 .  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 2 shows medium hole punch  14  mounted in mounting tool  4 , although any one of hole punches  14 ,  15 ,  16  or setters  11 ,  12 ,  13  could just as easily be shown. Mounting tool  4  is, in an illustrative embodiment, made of hardened steel, and has an axially extending cylindrical hole  17 , extending from an open end  18  to a closed end  19  within mounting tool  4 . Hole  17  is of substantially equal shape and of slightly larger diameter than setters  11 ,  12 ,  13  and hole punches  14 ,  15 ,  16 . A conformable O-ring  20  made of rubber or similar material is placed within hole  17  in a seating groove  21  to grip hole punch  14  securely. A small hole  22  leads from hole  17  to the outer surface of mounting tool  4  to relieve air pressure changes in hole  17  when hole punch  14  is installed or removed.  
         [0055]    Mounting tool  4  thus allows for interchangeable installation and removal of setters  11 ,  12 ,  13  and hole punches  14 ,  15 ,  16 , allowing the setters and hole punches to be smaller than they would otherwise have to be, which in turn allows for convenient packaging of multiple setters and hole punches. Thus the setters and hole punches can be stored vertically and spaced from each other to avoid damage and possible loss of one or more instruments.  
         [0056]    When a hole punch or setter is placed in mounting tool  4  as described above, the user can then place the exposed end  23  against the paper or eyelet or other material to be manipulated, and strike the opposite end  24  of mounting tool  4  with a mallet or hammer to achieve the desired effect.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIGS. 3, 4, and  5  show large hole punch  15 , small hole punch  16 , and medium hole punch  14 , respectively. The hole punches are made of hardened steel in an illustrative embodiment. All three hole punches  14 ,  15 ,  16  are similarly constructed. Referring to FIG. 3, hole punch  15  comprises a cylindrical shank  24   a  and bit  25  located on one end of shank  24   a . Bit  25  comprises an annular bevel  26  leading from shank  24   a  to a sharp annular edge  27 , which is placed under sharp pressure against paper or other material to create a hole therein. A disposal tunnel  28  leads through shank  24   a  from annular edge  27  to disposal hole  29 , providing an exit for cut material wedging itself within edge  27  when hole punch  15  is in use.  
         [0058]    In use, shank  24   a  is placed in hole  17  of mounting tool  4 , being secured by O-ring  20  (FIG. 2), with bit  25  exposed.  
         [0059]    Referring to FIG. 4, small hole punch  16  is constructed identically to large hole punch  15 , except that hole punch  16 &#39;s sharp annular edge  30  is smaller in diameter than annular edge  27  (FIG. 3). Disposal tunnel  31  and disposal hole  32  are also smaller than their counterparts in FIG. 3 (tunnel  28  and hole  29 ).  
         [0060]    Referring to FIG. 5, medium hole punch  14  is constructed identically to large hole punch  15  and small hole punch  16 , except that hole punch  14 &#39;s sharp annular edge  33  is smaller in diameter than annular edge  27  (FIG. 3) and larger in diameter than annular edge  30  (FIG. 4). Disposal tunnel  34  and disposal hole  35  correspond in size to annular edge  33 .  
         [0061]    As their names imply, large hole punch  15 , small hole punch  16  and medium hole punch  14  create large, small and medium holes, respectively, when used with mounting tool  4 .  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 6 shows universal setter  13 , which, when mounted in mounting tool  4 , is used to secure small or odd-sized eyelets through holes created by hole punches  14 ,  15  or  16 . Universal setter  13  comprises a shank  36  and bit  37  disposed on one end of shank  36 . Bit  37  comprises a cone  38  whose lower edge  39  meets shank  36  and which ends in a point  40 . In an illustrative embodiment, universal setter  13 , along with large setter  11  and medium setter  12 , is made of hardened steel to withstand wear occasioned by use with mounting tool  4 .  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 7 shows large setter  11 , which, when mounted in mounting tool  4 , is used to secure large eyelets. Large setter  11  comprises a shank  41  and a bit  42  disposed on one end of shank  41 . Bit  42  comprises an annular groove  43  and a circular central protrusion  44  in the center of groove  43 .  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 8 shows medium setter  12 , which is constructed substantially identically to large setter  11  except that its bit  45  has an annular groove  46  narrower in width than annular groove  43  (FIG. 7), leaving a central protrusion  47  larger in diameter than central protrusion  44  (FIG. 7). When mounted in mounting tool  4 , medium setter  12  is used to secure medium-size eyelets.  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 9 shows base  1 , which is constructed of foam or similar material in an illustrative embodiment. Base  1  is cylindrical in shape, with threads  48  running around it in order to enable cover  2  to screw onto it. At the top and center of base  1  is located hole  3 , cylindrical in shape and axially disposed into base  1 . Hole  3  is shaped and sized such that mounting tool  4  fits into it vertically for storage. Surrounding hole  3  in circular arrangement are holes  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 , which are cylindrically shaped and sized slightly larger than hole punches  14 ,  15 ,  16  and setters  11 ,  12 ,  13 , respectively, such that each of the hole punches and setters fit into each hole for vertical storage.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 10 shows cover  2 , which is cylindrical in shape and hollow, with a closed top  49  and open bottom  50 . Cover  2  is constructed of clear plastic in the preferred embodiment, such that the user can see the instruments therein without removing the cover. Cover  2  is fitted with threads  51  on its lower half, which screw onto threads  48  on base  1  (FIG. 9).