Abstract
An apparatus for protecting a tool from an overstrike event. The apparatus generally includes a handle, a tool head, and a collar configuration with two or more collar members adapted to separably surround the handle. The collar portions are affixed to the outer surface of the handle by an adhesive means. The tool head is placed over the handle and collar members and is affixed to the outer surfaces of the collar members with a second adhesive means. The tool head secures the collar members which protect the handle around its circumference in the event of an overstrike event in any direction.
Claims
1. A tool comprising: a. a handle having an outer surface, the handle having a first end and a distal second end; b. a plurality of collar members adapted to be placed against the outer surface, the collar members which when placed radially equidistant around and against the outer surface create a plurality of collar gaps, the collar gaps each existing between two collar members across the outer surface, the collar members each having a first surface and a second surface; c. a first adhesive means, the first adhesive means being disposed between the outer surface and each first surface; d. a head, the head having an aperture therethrough, the aperture having a inner surface adapted to fit over the first end and plurality of collar members; and e. a second adhesive means, the second adhesive means being disposed between each second surface and the inner surface.
2. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the first end is adapted to receive at least one wedge, the at least one wedge when embedded into the first end causing the diameter of the first end to increase.
3. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the tool is a hammer.
4. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the tool is an axe.
5. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the tool is a maul.
6. The tool according to claim 2, wherein the tool is a hammer.
7. The tool according to claim 2, wherein the tool is an axe.
8. The tool according to claim 2, wherein the tool is a maul.
9. A method of attaching a head to a handle comprising: a. placing a first adhesive means against and around an outer surface of a first end of a handle, the handle having a second end distal from the first end; b. placing in radially equidistant fashion a first surface of a plurality of collar members onto the first adhesive means, the plurality of collar members having a second surface; c. placing a second adhesive means against and around the second surfaces of the plurality of collar members; and d. placing a head around the first end, the head having an aperture therethrough, the aperture having an inner surface adapted to fit over the first end and plurality of collar members.
10. The method in claim 9, further including embedding at least one wedge into the first end causing the diameter of the first end to increase.
11. The method in claim 9, wherein the head is a hammer.
12. The method in claim 9, wherein the head is an axe.
13. The method in claim 9, wherein the head is a maul.
14. The method in claim 10, wherein the head is a hammer.
15. The method in claim 10, wherein the head is an axe.
16. The method in claim 10, wherein the head is a maul.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying figures and drawings, incorporated into and forming part of the specification, service to further illustrate the present invention, its various principles and advantages, and varying embodiments. It is to be noted, however, that the accompanying figures illustrate only typical embodiments of the present invention and are not to be considered limiting of its scope as the present invention may admit other equally effective embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an assembled tool showing the assembled tool with a handle protected by two collar members and supporting an axe-type head.
[0015] FIG. 2 depicts a vertical cross sectional view of an assembled tool showing the assembled tool with a handle supporting a combination maul-axe head.
[0016] FIG. 3 depicts an exploded perspective view of a tool showing the tool with a handle supporting a maul-type head.
[0017] FIG. 4 depicts an exploded perspective view of a tool showing the tool with a handle supporting a hammer-type head.
[0018] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of an assembled tool showing the assembled tool with a handle supporting a combination maul-axe head.
[0019] FIG. 6 depicts a top cross sectional view of an assembled tool showing the assembled tool head with a handle supporting a maul-type head.
[0020] FIG. 7 depicts a vertical cross sectional view of an assembled tool showing the assembled tool with a handle supporting an axe-type head.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an assembled tool. A longitudinally variable handle 6 having a single-bit cross sectional profile 8 is covered on its top portion by a pair of collar members 1. The paired collar members 1 have lower outer surface 5 which exist beneath the axe tool head 13. The paired collar members 1 are separated by a collar member gap 18. A slot 12 is cut into a top portion of the handle 23 into which a wooden wedge 21 is inserted. Two metal edges 22 are embedded into the top portion of the handle 23. The lower outer surfaces 5 of the paired collar members 1 provide overstrike protection for the axe head 13 as it might be used impacting a target with either end of the axe head. The collar member gap 18 allows each lower outer surface 5 to move, during an impact event, independent of the other lower outer surface, preventing buckling or other structural deterioration of the collar members 1. Those skilled in the art will understand that a collar member gap 18 length, measured across the handle 6 will preferably be at least 0.125″. A slot 12 is cut into the top of the handle 6 to accept a wood wedge 21 to enable the tool operator to further secure the handle 6 against the axe head 13 as the wood wedges 21, and metal wedges 22, when fully inserted into the slot 12 and top portion of the handle, respectively, cause the diameter of the top portion of the handle 23 to increase and press against the inner surface of the axe head inner surface 17 within an aperture 24.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross sectional view of an assembled tool. A first adhesive means 19 is disposed between the outer surface 11 of a longitudinally variable handle 6 and an inner surface 3 of collar members 1. A second adhesive means 20 is disposed between the upper outer surfaces 4 of the collar members 1 and the inner surface 17 of the combination tool head 16, as well as between the inner surface 17 and the top portion 23 of the handle 6. The lower outer surface 5 of the collar members 1 remain exposed and in the position to distribute the impact of an overstrike along the entire length of the handle 6 to which the collar members 1 is attached by the first adhesive means 19. A wood wedge 21 rests within a slot 12 on a top portion 23 of the handle 6. Metal wedges 22 are embedded into the handle top portion 23. The wood wedge 21 and metal wedges 22, as they are embedded into the slot 12 and top portion 23, respectively, increase the diameter of the handle top portion 23 to press it against the inner surface 17 of the combination tool head 16. The tool head 16 is thus held in place by an adhesive means in addition to the friction between the tool head inner surface 17 and the handle top portion 23, improving tool performance.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the present invention in a sledge-type embodiment. A longitudinally variable handle 6 has a radially uniform cross section 10. Three collar members 2 are arranged radially equidistant around the handle 6. A maul-type head 15 has an aperture 24 extending therethrough with an inner surface 17. A first adhesive means 19 is disposed onto the handle 6 and a second adhesive means 20 is disposed onto upper outer surfaces 4 of the collar members 2. When assembled, the collar members 2 will collapse around and adhere to the handle 6 by action of the first adhesive means 19. The maul-type head 15 slides onto the handle 6 and over the upper outer surfaces 4 of the collar members 2 affixing thereto by action of the second adhesive means 20. The lower outer surface 5 of the collar members 2 remains exposed below the maul-type head 15 to protect the handle 6 in the event of an overstrike impact.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows another exploded perspective view of the present invention, yet in a hammer-type embodiment. A longitudinally variable handle 6 has two collar members 1 arranged on opposite sides of the handle 6. A hammer-type head 14 has an aperture 24 extending therethrough with an inner surface 17. A first adhesive means 19 is disposed onto the handle 6 and a second adhesive means 20 is disposed onto upper outer surfaces 4 of the collar members 1. When assembled, the collar members 1 will collapse around and adhere to the handle 6 by action of the first adhesive means 19. The hammer-type head 14 slides onto the handle 6 and over the upper outer surfaces 4 of the collar members 1 affixing thereto by action of the second adhesive means 20. A wooden wedge 21 is embedded into a slot 12 on a top portion 23 of the handle 6, causing the top portion to press against the inner surface 17 of the aperture 24. The lower outer surface 5 of the collar members 1 remains exposed below the hammer-type head 14 to protect the handle 6 in the event of an overstrike impact.
[0025] FIG. 5 shows another perspective view of the present invention, yet in a combination maul-axe tool type embodiment. A longitudinally variable handle 6 with a double-bit radially variable cross section 9 has two collar members 1 arranged on opposite sides of the handle 6 forming a collar member gap 18. The combination maul-axe head 16 fits over the handle 6 and collar members 1. A wooden wedge 21 and two metal wedges 22 are embedded into a slot 12 and top portion 23 of the handle 6, respectively, increasing the diameter of the handle top portion 23 to secure it against the inner surface 17 of the head aperture 24. The lower outer surface 5 of the collar members 1 remains exposed below the combination maul-axe type head 16 to protect the handle 6 in the event of an overstrike impact.
[0026] FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view of the present invention in a maul-type embodiment. A first adhesive means 19 is disposed between the outer surface 11 of a handle with a radially uniform cross section 10 and the inner surfaces 3 of three collar members 2 forming three collar member gaps 18. A second adhesive means 20 is disposed between the upper outer surfaces 4 of the collar members 2 and the inner surface 17 of the maul-type head 15.
[0027] FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of the present invention, yet in a fire axe embodiment. A first adhesive means 19 is disposed between the outer surface 11 of a longitudinally uniform handle 7 and an inner surface 3 of a collar members 1. A second adhesive means 20 is disposed between the upper outer surfaces 4 of the collar members 1 and the inner surface 17 of the axe head 13.
[0028] The handle 6, 7 may be made from wood, fiberglass, high-impact plastic, metal, laminated carbon fiber, or other material commonly used for striking tools. The collar members 1, 2 may be made from tempered steel, high impact metal alloy, or other sufficiently durable material. The tool heads 13, 14, 15, 16 may be made from forged or tempered steel or hardened alloy of the type typically used for striking tool heads. The first 19 and second 20 adhesive means may be epoxy resins, bonding compounds, or other adhesives designed to bond wood, metal, fiberglass, high-impact plastic, and carbon fiber materials.
[0029] Although the above detailed descriptions relate to specific preferred embodiments as the inventor presently contemplates, it will be understood that the invention in its broad aspects includes mechanical, chemical, and functional equivalents of the elements described herein. Various details of design and construction may be modified without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention which is set forth in the following claims. Other embodiments, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art and which practice the teachings herein set forth, are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the invention.
