System and Methods for Loose Debris Chip Shielding

Abstract

Methods and devices relating to loose debris chip shielding for dust free tile removal and ordinary tile removal projects. During the tile removal process, a chipping hammer powers a chipping hammer blade that breaks up tiles into pieces. The larger, heavier pieces are simply pushed away, but smaller debris chips break off with enough force to send them flying up in the air and in different directions landing in undesirable locations. The methods and devices herein protect equipment, environments, and individuals from damage caused by loose debris chips during tile removal. A shield with several degrees of freedom moves freely in response to chipping hammer vibrations and blocks loose flying debris chips, deflecting them toward the ground.

Claims

1. A loose debris chip shield comprising: a mobile arm comprising: a first rotatable elbow joint at a first end configured to allow the mobile arm to move about the first rotatable elbow joint, and a second rotatable elbow joint at a second end configured to allow the mobile arm to move about the second rotatable elbow joint; a clasp coupled to the first rotatable elbow joint at the first end of the mobile arm and configured to couple to a chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff; and a shield coupled to the second joint at the second end of the mobile arm wherein the shield comprises a hollow interior configured to pass a blade of the chipping hammer therethrough so that the shield at least partially encloses the blade of the chipping hammer.

2. The loose debris chip shield of claim 1 wherein the clasp further comprises a locking mechanism configured to lock to the chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff such that the clasp is restricted from rotational movement about the chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff.

3. The loose debris chip shield of claim 1 wherein the clasp further comprises a protruding ledge configured to fit within a gap on the chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff such that the gap's sides partially restrict rotational movement of the clasp about the chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or chipping hammer vacuum cuff.

4. The loose debris chip shield of claim 1 wherein the clasp further comprises a protruding ledge configured to fit between partner protruding ledges on the chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff such that the partner protruding ledges partially restrict rotational movement of the clasp about the chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff

5. The loose debris chip shield of claim 1 wherein the clasp is further configured to slideably couple to a chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff

6. The loose debris chip shield of claim 5 wherein the clasp movement is restricted by a lip or other barrier on the chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff.

7. The loose debris chip shield of claim 1 wherein the mobile arm further comprises a plurality of locking pins coupled to the arm at a position proximal to the clasp.

8. The loose debris chip shield of claim 1 wherein the clasp further comprises a plurality of locking pin docks coupled to the clasp proximal to the first joint.

9. A method of manufacturing a loose debris chip shield comprising: coupling a mobile arm to a first rotatable elbow joint at a first end configured to allow the mobile arm to move about the first joint; coupling the mobile arm to a second rotatable elbow joint at a second end configured to allow the mobile arm to move about the second joint; coupling the second joint at the second end to a shield; coupling the first joint at the first end to a clasp configured to couple to a chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff; and shaping the shield so that it comprises a hollow interior configured to pass the blade of the chipping hammer therethrough so that the shield at least partially encloses the blade of the chipping hammer.

10. The method of manufacturing a loose debris chip shield of claim 9 wherein the method further comprises locking the clasp to the chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff such the clasp is restricted from rotational movement about the chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff.

11. The method of manufacturing a loose debris chip shield of claim 9 wherein the method further comprises shaping a protruding ledge on the clasp configured to fit within a gap on the chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff such that the gap's sides partially restrict rotational movement of the clasp about the chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or chipping hammer vacuum cuff.

12. The method of manufacturing a loose debris chip shield of claim 9 wherein the method further comprises shaping a protruding ledge on the clasp configured to fit between partner protruding ledges on the chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff such that the two partner protruding ledges partially restrict rotational movement of the clasp about the chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff.

13. The method of manufacturing a loose debris chip shield of claim 9 wherein the method further comprises slideably coupling the clasp to the chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff.

14. The method of manufacturing a loose debris chip shield of claim 9 wherein the method further comprises slideably coupling the clasp to a chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff both so that the clasp may slide up and down along the chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff and the clasp's movement sliding up and down along the chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff is limited by a lip or other barrier on the chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff.

15. The method of manufacturing a loose debris chip shield of claim 9 wherein the method further comprises coupling a plurality of locking pins on the mobile arm at a position proximal to the clasp to a plurality of locking pin docks coupled to the clasp proximal to the first joint.

16. A method of protecting an individual from loose debris chips comprising: covering a blade of a chipping hammer with a shield comprising a hollow interior configured to pass the blade of the chipping hammer therethrough so that the shield at least partially encloses the blade of the chipping hammer; and moving a shield in response to a vibration of the chipping hammer, a chipping hammer accessory, a vacuum cuff, or debris chips so that a majority of debris chips are deflected by the moving shield.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising coupling the clasp to a chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising slideably coupling the clasp to a chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising locking the mobile arm in place while not in use by inserting a plurality of locking pins located on the mobile arm into a plurality of locking pin docks on the clasp and unlocking the arm to move freely while in use by removing the plurality of locking pins from the plurality of locking pin docks.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising locking the arm in place while not in use by inserting a plurality of locking pins located on the mobile arm into a plurality of locking pin docks on the chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff and unlocking the arm to move freely while in use by removing the plurality of locking pins from the plurality of locking pin docks.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the figures, like reference numbers refer to like elements or acts throughout the figures.

[0035] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a loose debris chip shield at an isometric perspective, where the loose debris chip shield is coupled by the clasp to a chipping hammer by the vacuum cuff. The chipping hammer and vacuum cuff are marked out and present for clarifying the invention's context.

[0036] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a loose debris chip shield at a front perspective.

[0037] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a loose debris chip shield at a side perspective.

[0038] FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a loose debris chip shield at a side perspective, where the loose debris chip shield is coupled by the clasp to a chipping hammer by the vacuum cuff. The chipping hammer and vacuum cuff are marked out and present for clarifying the invention's context.

[0039] FIG. 5A depicts an exemplary embodiment of a loose debris chip shield at an isometric perspective, where the loose debris chip shield is raised in an upright position compared to FIG. 1 and the locking mechanism is disengaged. The loose debris chip shield is coupled by the clasp to a chipping hammer by the vacuum cuff, and the chipping hammer and vacuum cuff are marked out and present for clarifying the invention's context.

[0040] FIG. 5B depicts an exemplary embodiment of a loose debris chip shield at an isometric perspective, where the loose debris chip shield is raised in an upright position compared to FIG. 1 and the locking mechanism is engaged. The loose debris chip shield is coupled by the clasp to a chipping hammer by the vacuum cuff, and the chipping hammer and vacuum cuff are marked out and present for clarifying the invention's context.

[0041] FIG. 6 depicts the exemplary embodiment of a loose debris chip shield at a side perspective while the loose debris chip shield is in an upright and locked position. The loose debris chip shield is coupled by the clasp to a chipping hammer by the vacuum cuff, and the chipping hammer and vacuum cuff are marked out and present for clarifying the invention's context.

[0042] FIG. 7A depicts a zoomed in view of a locking mechanism in an exemplary embodiment, wherein the lock is disengaged.

[0043] FIG. 7B depicts a zoomed in view of a locking mechanism in an exemplary embodiment, wherein the lock is engaged.

[0044] FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a loose debris chip shield at an isometric perspective.

[0045] Elements and acts in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence or embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below.

[0047] The present invention may perform the role of blocking flying debris chips. Utilizing the present invention workers no longer need to cover an area over the chipping hammer blade with their hands.

[0048] In one application, the inventions herein are used to control the flying debris chips by deflecting the majority of them back down towards the ground. This is done with a shield 300 with a hollow interior 420, which shields an area above and around a chipping hammer blade 520. When the chipping hammer 510 is in operation and flying debris chips launch upward into the air, the shield deflects these flying debris chips back down to the ground. In one embodiment, the shield 300 is both longer and wider than the chipping hammer blade 520, and curves downward but still around the chipping hammer blade 520 at the front end furthest from the chipping hammer 510 as well as the two sides substantially perpendicular to this front end. By not curving the shield 300 downward at the back end closest to the chipping hammer 510, the chipping hammer blade 520 is not blocked and is able to pass therethrough.

[0049] When the chipping hammer 510 is in operation and flying debris chips launch upward into the air, the shield deflects these flying debris chips back down to the ground. As debris chips are sent up in various directions during chipping hammer 510 use, this shield 300 with a hollow interior 420 blocks the debris chips flying in several directions.

[0050] A valuable aspect of the inventions is the mobility of the shield 300, which has several degrees of freedom providing mobility. These different degrees of freedom arise out of the inventions' structures. Several degrees of freedom allow the loose debris chip shield 010 great mobility in operation so that the shield 300 is able to move around and block the loose debris chips without hindering the worker by blocking the chipping hammer blade 520 or otherwise getting in the way or requiring additional movement aside from its free movement along the degrees of freedom.

[0051] In the exemplary embodiments illustrated by FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5A, 5B, 6, and 8, the shield 300 is coupled to a mobile arm 200 by a second hinge 310. In other exemplary embodiments, the second hinge 310 can be any second rotatable elbow joint 312 that allows the shield 300 to rotate around the joint. This is a first degree of freedom.

[0052] The mobile arm 200 covers a distance from a chipping hammer blade 520 to the point at which the loose debris chip shield 010 couples to a chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff 510. In the exemplary embodiments illustrated by the figures, the mobile arm 200 couples to a clasp 100 by a first hinge 110. In other exemplary embodiments, the first hinge 110 can be any first rotatable elbow joint 112 that allows the mobile arm 200 to rotate around the joint. This is a second degree of freedom.

[0053] In the exemplary embodiments illustrated by FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5A, 5B, 6, and 8, the clasp 100 is removably coupled to a vacuum cuff. The clasp 100 is shaped as a loop, and the vacuum cuff inserts through the opening in the loop and couples to a chipping hammer or chipping hammer accessory 510. In other exemplary embodiments, the clasp 100 can couple to the vacuum cuff through a variety of mechanical couplings or the clasp 100 can couple to a chipping hammer or chipping hammer accessory 510.

[0054] The coupling between the clasp 100 and the chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff 510 is loose enough so that the clasp 100 may slide up and down along the point where it is coupled. This is a third degree of freedom. The amount the clasp 100 is able to slide is restricted by a lip or other barrier 530 on a chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff 510 above the point where the clasp 100 is coupled. Furthermore, the clasp 100 is coupled loosely enough so that it may rotate around the coupling point. In the exemplary embodiments illustrated by the figures, the clasp 100 rotates around a vacuum cuff, which it is also able to slide up and down on because the clasp is coupled loosely. This is a fourth degree of freedom.

[0055] In the exemplary embodiments illustrated by the figures, the amount the clasp 100 is able to rotate is restricted by a slab 410 extending outward on the back of the clasp that fits in a gap between two partner slabs 540 on a chipping hammer, chipping hammer accessory, or vacuum cuff 510.

[0056] In the exemplary embodiments illustrated by FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5A, 5B, 6, and 8 the clasp 100 has a gap that has a larger diameter than the diameter of the vacuum cuff it is looped around. This slight mismatch in size also allows the clasp to tilt, wiggle, jiggle, wriggle or any other sort of small movement loosely about the vacuum cuff. This is a fifth degree of freedom.

[0057] When a chipping hammer 510 is in operation, there is a mechanical vibration force that distributes along the device so that the chipping hammer blade 520 has the force to break apart and dislocate tiles affixed to a floor, wall, or other surface. These degrees of freedom in the inventions allow it to be freely moved by the mechanical vibration force that transfers from the chipping hammer 510 to the loose debris chip shield 010. It is this dynamic movement in response to the chipping hammer 510 vibration that allows the shield 300 to block a majority of the flying debris chips without interfering with them operation of the chipping hammer 510.

[0058] The shield 300 has a hollow interior 420, visible in FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B. This hollow 420 interior allows the blade 520 of the chipping hammer 510 to pass through it. This hollow interior 420 is configured such that the shield is able to cover the area where debris chips fly without interfering with the operation of the chipping hammer 510.

[0059] In some embodiments, the invention also comprises a locking mechanism to fix the loose chip shield 010 in place away from the chipping hammer blade 520 so that a worker may clean or repair the blade without the loose chip shield 010 being in the way. This locking mechanism is best illustrated in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B. The locking mechanism comprises one or more locking pins 220 on a moveable locking pin station 210, where the locking pins 220 lock into a matching set of locking pin docks 120. In some embodiments, the locking pin station 210 slides up and down a groove on the sides of the mobile arm 200. In some embodiments, the locking pin station 210 is moved by pushing or pulling a tab 230 that protrudes from or is indented into the locking pin station 210.

[0060] In some embodiments, the locking pin station may move along one side of the mobile arm by a tab that fits into gaps along the mobile arm; along a belt inside the mobile arm; or a variety of other mechanisms to move the locking pin station toward or away locking pin docks 120. In some embodiments the locking pin station 210 itself is fixed, while the locking pins 220 themselves move toward or away from their locking pin docks 120, such as by a slideable coupling to the locking pin station 210 or a spring loaded mechanism within the locking pin station 210.