Abstract:
A tamper having a foldable or pivotal handle assembly for substantially reducing the area occupied by the tamper during transportation, display, and storage of the tamper is provided. The invention particularly pertains to a tamper tool assembly that includes a pivoting handle configured to pivot between various orientations relative to a tamping base. The tamper tool assembly includes an elongated handle assembly having a collar attached to a distal end, a tamping base having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a housing member disposed on the upper surface of the tamping base, wherein the housing member comprises a plurality of clamping surfaces and a joint configured to pivotally receive the elongated handle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to tools and tool storage and display mechanisms. The invention more particularly relates to tampers or tamping tools. Still further, the invention pertains to a tamper or tamping tool that includes a pivoting handle assembly configured to pivot between various orientations relative to a tamping base.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     In the tool industry, it is desirable to display tools in an organized and presentable manner while conserving space in a retail environment. In addition, it is desirable for the consumer to be able to transfer and store a tool with less space requirements. One way in which, this can be achieved is through the incorporation of a pivotal or foldable handle on the tool.  
         [0005]     Folding handle mechanisms for particular tools are readily known within the art. For instance, camping or “army” shovels generally incorporate a spade on a shank or handle, wherein the spade is adjoined to the handle by a pivoting mechanism. In general, the pivoting mechanism is located at the business end or head of the spade, thereby allowing the spade to be pivotally fixed in a variety of orientations relative to the handle. The pivoting mechanism typically incorporates a collar threaded on to the handle that is tightened against one of a plurality of planar surfaces within the pivoting mechanism. Each planar surface is configured to rigidly orient the spade in a particular direction by allowing the shank to securely tighten against the surface. In order to change the orientation of the spade, the collar is loosened from the planar surface until the distance required for the collar to clear the planar surface is achieved, thereby allowing the handle to pivot away from the surface. The handle can then be pivoted to another direction, wherein a planar surface is configured to secure the handle in that particular direction.  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  provides a schematic view of an exemplary tamper or tamping tool  10  well known by a person of ordinary skill in the art. A tamper is generally used for packing or compressing material, such as clay, sand, or dirt, by a sequence of strikes. For instance, a tamper can be used to compress stone dust or sand, in order to form a solid foundation for walkways or patios made from brick or stone. It is also common practice to tamp clay, sand, or dirt into a drill hole above an explosive device to effectively direct the force of the explosion. A tamper can also be used to simply tamp a section of earth or loose soil to create a smooth area. Typically the tamper  10  includes a square tamping base  12  with the dimensions of 8 inches by 8, inches or 10 inches by 10 inches along the edge of the base  12 . The base  12  is fixably attached to an elongated handle or shank  11 . The handle  11  and base  12  are affixed at a juncture  14  disposed at the center of the base  12  on an upper portion thereof. The handle  11  includes a gripping surface  15  disposed at an end of the handle  11  opposite to the base  12 . The gripping surface  15  allows the user to ergonomically operate the tamper  10  by providing a non-slip surface for the user to manually elevate and lower the tamper  10  onto the desired surface. The soil or dirt is compressed by lowering the bottom surface  13  of the base  12  onto the soil or dirt and applying a downward force. The base  12  is generally manufactured as one piece from steel or iron to allow a significant amount of force to be applied to the surface desired for tamping. The handle  11  can be constructed from iron, steel, fiberglass, wood, or hardened plastic so long as the handle  11  can resist the force imparted on the surface by the base  12 .  
         [0007]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the tamper  10  does not include a pivoting mechanism or a foldable handle. The bottom surface  13  of the tamping base  12  is, as shown, substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the handle. Furthermore, since the handle  11  is disposed on a center portion of the tamping base  12 , the base  12  occupies a significant amount of space being that the base  12  protrudes axially in all directions from the handle  11 . Therefore, a need exists for a tamper having a foldable or pivotal handle for substantially reducing the area occupied by the tamper during transportation, display, and storage of the tamper. Further, there is a need for a tamper having a foldable or pivotal handle that has the structural integrity to shoulder the amount of force required during a tamping operation.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention provides apparatus and methods for pivoting a handle on a tamper tool between a plurality of positions. In one embodiment of the present invention, a tamper tool assembly first includes a pivoting handle assembly. The tamper tool assembly includes an elongated handle having a collar attached to a distal end, a tamping base having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a housing member disposed on the upper surface of the tamping base. The housing member includes a plurality of clamping surfaces and a joint configured to pivotally receive the elongated handle.  
         [0009]     A method of pivoting a handle on a tamper tool assembly having a tamping base according to one embodiment of the present invention is also provided. The handle is pivoted on the tamper tool by first providing a housing member on an upper surface of the tamping base, wherein the housing member includes a plurality of clamping surfaces and a joint configured to pivotally receive the elongated handle. A collar is provided on a threaded portion of the handle, wherein the collar is frictionally engaged to a first clamping surface. The collar is then loosened along the threaded portion of the handle, thereby disengaging the collar from the first clamping surface. The handle is then pivoted into alignment with a second clamping surface and then the collar is tightened along the treaded portion into frictional engagement with the second clamping surface. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  presents an elevational side view of a tamper tool according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the tamper according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  provides a sectional side view of the tamper according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  provides a schematic view of a topside of the tamping tool according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  provides a perspective view of the tamping tool according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of a topside of the tamping tool as illustrated in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  provides a cross-sectional side view of a tamper having a handle assembly with a two-part construction according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0018]     Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an apparatus and method for providing a folding or pivoting handle assembly for a tamper or tamping tool. Particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to tamper that includes a folding design, thereby allowing a tamping base to be securely and firmly oriented in a plurality of orientations.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  presents an elevational side view of a tamper tool  20  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The tamper tool shown in  FIG. 2  includes a tamping base  22  and a handle assembly or elongated shank  21 . The tamping base  22  includes a planar portion  23  disposed at a bottom portion. The planar surface  23  is shown as a rectangular shape; however, it is understood that other shapes such as a circular or amorphous shape can be used to define the planar surface  23  on the base  22 . A tamping base  22  with straight edges, such as in  FIG. 2 , is advantageous for tamping an area with a defined border. The tamping base  22  also includes a centrally disposed housing member  33 . The housing member  33  serves to receive the distal end of the handle assembly  21 , which will be discussed in further detail below. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the tamping base  22  also includes a plurality of reinforcement members  32  disposed between the tamping base  22  and the housing member  33 . The reinforcement members  32  consist of a planar coupling or gusset that forms a substantially right angle between the housing member  33  and a topside ( 24  in  FIG. 3 ) of the tamping base  22 .  
         [0020]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the handle assembly  21  includes an engagement means  26 , such as a collar, disposed at a distal end adjacent to the tamping base  22 . The collar  26  can be adjoined to the handle assembly  21  by any means well known within the art, such as by a threaded means ( 35  in  FIG. 3 ). In one embodiment of the present invention, the threaded portion  35  of the handle may be an integral part of the handle assembly  21 . In another embodiment of the present invention, the handle assembly  21  has a two-part construction, wherein the threaded portion  35  is manufactured out of a different material than the remaining portion of the handle assembly  21 . For instance, the threaded portion  35  of the handle assembly  21  can be manufactured from aluminum or steel, while the remaining portion of the handle assembly  21  is constructed out of lighter material, such as wood or fiberglass. The embodiment of the present invention having a two-part handle assembly  21  construction will be discussed in further detail with regard to  FIG. 8 . Referring again to  FIG. 2 , a plurality of male coupling members  27  is disposed around the collar  26 . The male coupling members  27 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , are disposed substantially equidistant from each other. The handle assembly  21  also includes a gripping member  25  disposed at a proximal end. The gripping member  25  is designed to provide a non-slip surface for the user to elevate and lower the tamper  20  during operation.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the tamper  20  according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the housing member  33  is open at a top portion and a side portion. These openings allow the handle assembly to pivot downward in the direction of the open side portion until contacting the topside  24  of the tamping base  22 . In this perspective, a threaded portion  35  of the handle assembly  21  is shown disposed within the housing member  33 . In one embodiment, the handle assembly  21  is pivotally adjoined to the housing member  33  and thereby to the tamping base  22  by a bolt  29 . The pivot bolt  29  is disposed through the housing member  33  and through the distal end of the handle assembly  21  and is secured onto the two opposing sides of the housing member  33 . In another embodiment, a pivot bolt  29  is disposed through an angled slot incorporated into the distal end of the handle assembly  21 . This embodiment will be described in further detail below. However, it is understood that any pivoting means, such as a pin, known to a person of ordinary skill in the art can be used to effectively pivot the handle assembly.  
         [0022]     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the housing member  33  also includes a primary and a secondary clamping surface,  40  and  41 , respectively, designed to abut a lower planar surface of the collar  26 . The primary clamping surface  40  includes the planar edges of the open top portion of the housing member  33 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the collar  26  is in an engaged position with the primary clamping surface  40 , wherein the collar  26  is tightened against the primary clamping surface  40  thereby preventing the handle assembly  21  from pivoting downward. However, it is understood that the threaded collar  26  is only one way of clamping the handle  21  to the tamping base  22  and other engagement means known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, such as “over-center” cams or cams in conjunction with a threaded means, can be employed. Having been clamped against the primary surface  40 , the handle assembly  21  is oriented in a substantially perpendicular relationship to the tamping base  22 . This orientation allows the user to effectively operate the tamping tool  20  by elevating the tool  20  and pushing the tool  20  downward against the surface desired for tamping. The secondary clamping surface  41  includes the planar edges of the open side portion of the housing member  33  protruding from the top portion  24  of the tamping base  22 . Once the collar  26  is loosened from the primary clamping surface  40  the handle assembly  21  can pivot downward and the collar  26  can then be tightened against the secondary clamping surface  41 . The tamping tool  20  with respect to this position will be described in further detail below. An intermediate arcuate profile  28  is disposed on an upper portion of the housing member  33  between the primary and secondary clamping surfaces  40 ,  41 . The arcuate profile  28  facilitates the pivoting of the handle assembly between the clamping surfaces  40 ,  41  while maintaining a substantially planar surface on the clamping surfaces  40 ,  41  by reducing the length that the collar  25  needs to be loosened in order to pivot.  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  provides a sectional side view of the tamper  20  according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The handle assembly  21  is oriented in a vertical position and is tightened against the primary clamping surface  40  of the housing member  33 . In this operational position, the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly  21  is oriented substantially perpendicular to the planar tamping or working surface  23  of the tamping base  22 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the distal end of the handle assembly  21  has a threaded portion  35  for receiving the collar  26 , which has a threaded inner surface (not shown) configured to mate with the threaded portion  35  of the handle assembly  21 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the handle assembly  21  also includes a washer assembly  30  disposed between the bottom of the collar  26  and the housing member  33 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the washer assembly  30  includes a Teflon washer  53  disposed between two stainless steel washers  51 ,  52 . Teflon is advantageous due to its very low coefficient of friction. In particular when sliding against a polished, stainless steel surface, Teflon experiences a very small amount of friction. Stainless steel washers are preferable due to their resistance to corrosion, thereby maintaining a low coefficient of friction. The stainless steel washers can be effectively replaced by washers that also resist corrosion, such as heat-treated steel washers, coated or plated steel washers, or brass washers. In one embodiment, the Teflon washer can be any polymer having a good impact resistance and a low coefficient of friction, such as nylon. Although the Teflon washer  53  decreases the friction undergone by the washer assembly  30 , the Teflon washer  53  is not an essential component of the washer assembly  30 . In one embodiment, only the steel washers  51 ,  52  are included in the washer assembly  30  to reduce the friction created between the collar  26  and the particular clamping surface,  40  or  41 .  
         [0024]     The washer assembly  30  serves to minimize the friction between the collar  26  and the clamping surfaces  40 ,  41 . This reduction in friction will allow a given amount of torque placed on the threaded collar to result in a greater separation force between the collar  33  and the clamping surfaces  40 ,  41 . As the separation force is increased, the rigidity of the engagement between the handle assembly  21  and the clamping surface  40 ,  41  will increase, thereby minimizing wear resulting from the impact of loading and thus increasing the overall life of the tamping tool  20 . In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer assembly  30  includes a roller thrust bearing (not shown) instead of the Teflon washer  53  and the steel washers  51 ,  52 . The roller thrust bearing will also minimize the frictional forces between the collar  26  and the clamping surfaces  40 ,  41 , thereby maximizing the joint rigidity.  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  provides a schematic view of a topside of the tamping tool  20  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the tamping base  22  has a substantially square profile and the handle assembly  21  is substantially centrally disposed on the tamping base  22  within the housing member  33 . The handle assembly  21  being centrally disposed on the tamping base  22  functions to centrally balance the tamping base  22  while in an operational position, thereby stabilizing the tamping base  22  on the handle assembly  21  during operation. Each reinforcement member  32  extends from the housing member  33  along the vertical edge of the housing member  33  and along the upper surface  24  of the tamping base  22  until reaching a corner of the rectangular tamping base  22  profile. The reinforcement member  32  arrangement provides a substantial amount of support between the tamping base  22  and the housing member  33  while not adding a large amount of weight to the tamping base  22 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the washer assembly  30  protrudes radially from a lower portion of the collar  26 . The washer assembly  30  covers a significant portion of the primary clamping surface  40 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  provides a perspective view of the tamping tool  20  according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the handle assembly  21  has been pivoted into a “storage” or secondary position, wherein the collar  26  has been tightened against the secondary clamping surface  41 . In the secondary position, the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly is substantially parallel to the planar tamping surface  23 . This position allows the tamping tool  20  to be stored, transported, and displayed in a more efficient and space-saving manner by significantly reducing the amount in which the tool  20  extends axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly  21 . Referring again to  FIG. 6 , the collar  26  has been loosened sufficiently from an engaged position with the primary clamping surface  40  ( FIG. 5 ) to allow the washer assembly  30  and the collar  26  to clear the arcuate intermediate portion  28  between the primary and secondary clamping surfaces  40 ,  41  as the handle assembly  21  is pivoted from an “operational” position to a “storage” position.  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of a topside of the tamping tool  20  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the washer assembly  30  is firmly tightened to the secondary clamping surface  41 . In one embodiment, the threaded portion  35  of the handle assembly  21  extends from adjacent to where the collar  26  is positioned in  FIG. 7  to the tip of the distal end of the handle assembly  21 . This configuration of the threaded portion  35  improves the manufacturing process of the tool  20  by reducing the area that collar will slide on the handle assembly  21  before being threaded onto the handle assembly  21  when attached from the distal end of the handle assembly  21 . However, it is understood that only a small portion of the handle assembly  21  needs to be threaded so long as the collar  26  can be tightened and loosened along the threaded portion  35  sufficiently to pivot the handle assembly  21  into the desired orientation.  
         [0028]     As previously described, the distal end of the handle assembly  21  can include an angled slot as opposed to a standard cylindrical hole for receiving the pivot bolt  29 , wherein the pivot bolt  29  is disposed through the angled slot and the sidewalls of the housing member  33 . The slot is angled such that when the collar  26  is tightened against the secondary clamping surface  41 , the slot will “cam” the handle against a sidewall of the housing member  33 . This added support provides a more rigid interface between the tamper base  22  and the handle assembly  21 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 8  provides a cross-sectional side view of a tamper  20  having a handle assembly  21  with a two-part construction according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the handle assembly  20  includes an upper member  55  and a lower member  56 . The upper member  55  includes a gripping portion (not shown) that allows the user to efficiently control the movement of the tamper  20 . The lower member  56  is attached to both the upper member  55  of the handle assembly  21  and to the collar  26 . As previously described, the lower member  56  can be manufactured from a different material than the upper member  55 . In one embodiment, the upper member  55  of the handle assembly  21  is manufactured from wood or fiberglass and the lower member  56  is manufactured from aluminum or steel.  
         [0030]     This two-part construction allows the handle assembly  21  to be optimized for operation. Manufacturing the lower member  56  out of aluminum or steel allows threads to be adequately created on the handle assembly  21  while preserving the handle&#39;s  21  structural integrity. A wooden or fiberglass upper member  55  of the handle assembly  21  advantageously reduces or dampens the vibrations that reach the user&#39;s hand during normal operation of the tamping tool  20 . The upper member  55  can also be manufactured out of metal. Constructing the upper member  55  out of wood or fiberglass also greatly reduces the overall weight of the tamper  20  thereby allowing for easier operation by the user. However, it is understood that other materials well known in the art that can reduce vibrations in the handle assembly  21  can be used for the upper member  55  and other materials well known in the art that can maintain sufficient structural integrity when threaded can be used for the lower member  56  of the handle assembly  21 .  
         [0031]     In one embodiment of the present invention, the lower member  56  of the handle assembly  21  is adjoined to the upper member  55  by an upper locking mechanism  57  and lower locking mechanism  58 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The locking mechanisms  57 ,  58  serve to effectively lock the lower member  56  to the upper member  55  and to position the lower member  56  at the desired location on the handle assembly  21 . However, it is understood that any attachment means well known to person of ordinary skill in the art can be employed to adjoin the two members  55 ,  56  of the handle assembly. For example, a fiberglass upper member  55  can be securely attached to the lower member  56  using an epoxy glue or resin. A shoulder portion  59 , which protrudes radially from the lower member  56  of the handle assembly  21 , prevents the upper member  56  from sliding too far down over the lower member  56  and serves to transmit the force imparted by the user on the upper member  55  of the handle assembly  21  to the lower member  56 , thereby transmitting force to the tamping base  22 . Force is also transmitted from the upper member  55  to the lower member  56  via the locking mechanism or attachment means used to adjoin the two members  55 ,  56 .  
         [0032]     While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.