Multi-use tool device, tool therefor and method of using the same
A multi-use tool device has an actuator moveable to turn a tool relative to change its angle of attack to the work or to change to a different work surface. The tool device is releasably connected to the tool without the use of threaded fasteners or wrenches. The tool may be removed from the tool device without the user touching a dirty or spent tool. The tool may be attached by a pushing of the tool device. The illustrated tool has an upstanding post and a turning portion which may be angularly spaced teeth cooperating with the tool device to turn the tool through predetermined increments. The preferred tool is made inexpensively and in one piece. The tool device may be lightweight and made of inexpensive parts.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/411,813, Filed: Sep. 18, 2002 and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/653,654 filed Sep. 2, 2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to a tool device having a body with a handle portion to be manually used by a user for typically spreading, scraping, sanding or the like with one of a number of detachable tools which may be desired to be turned to provide different edges or different working surfaces for use or to change the angle of the tool relative to the tool device. For example there is a multi-use spreader/stapler tool in the shape of a flat blade having three different edges, each with serrated teeth thereon which can be used for applying or spreading various materials, such as mastic adhesive, sealers, or the like. This flat blade tool itself is relatively inexpensive being made of one piece plastic and having a central opening therein by which it may be secured by a threaded fastener to a handle or the like for use. A wide range of various tools other than this flat blade disc can be provided and made more easy to operate and to be readily attached and detached to a multi-use tool device. The multi-use tool of this invention is not limited to any specific tool as it can be used with various tools other than the tools desired herein.
One problem with tools of the above-described type used for spreading mastic or adhesives is that they become quickly coated with the material, which may be sticky and which desired to be removed and disposed of with or cleaned from the tool at a later time without having the person using the tool getting his hands dirty with the material being moved by the tool. If the user's hands get covered with the material there is a chance to apply it to surfaces that are not to be coated or otherwise treated and there is a problem of cleaning one's hands so that the tool device having the handle being used is not also sticky and coated with the material.
Also, there is also a need for relatively inexpensive and simple lightweight handle tool devices which can be used with various types of tools and which can manipulate the tools and be releasably attached and detached thereto with a simple operation. For example, it is most desirable that the tool be attached to the tool device without having to use wrenches or threaded fasteners. Likewise, it is desirable that the tool be detached from the tool device without using wrenches for unthreading fasteners. Preferably the tool device as well as the tool are relatively inexpensive and adaptedly be produced in mass quantities for use in hardware stores, building supply stores, or the like, and for use not only by professionals but also by homeowners or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the present invention there is provided a new and improved multi-use tool device and tool for various tools such as spreading tools, scraping tools, sanding tools or the like and a new method of using the same. This is achieved by a simple tool device that has an actuator moveable to turn the tool to change the working edge of the tool or to change the attack angle for use of the tool such as for positioning the edge of a tool close to a wall so that one does not bang his knuckles against wall. Further, in accordance with the invention, a used, spent, or dirty tool can be removed without the user gripping the tool or otherwise having to unthread fasteners or use wrenches to release the tool from the tool device.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the tool device is made inexpensively and lightweight and is preferably made mainly of plastic molded parts. The preferred tool device has an actuator in the form of a push button which if pushed lightly turns the tool, for example through 45° or 90° to change the attack angle or through 90° to rotate a new edge into use. A harder push of the button causes the ejection of the tool from the tool case with a positive push-off force.
In the preferred embodiment of the tool device it is pressed down over the top of the preferred tool blade which has a projecting post thereon which snaps into the tool. This preferred tool device provides the ability to put on a tool very easily, to turn the tool to provide a new edge or angle of attack and to snap off a dirty tool without the user getting his hands messy from touching the tool.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the tool is easily snapped off by pushing an actuator on the tool device so that the dirty tool can be readily disposed of. Likewise it is preferred to make an easy attachment and a quick attachment of the tool to the tool device by merely pushing the tool onto the tool device.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, it is preferred to provide an inexpensive, lightweight tool which is made in one or very few pieces and which has a connecting portion for connecting the tool to the tool device. Further, the tool is provided with turnable portions such as teeth which cooperate with the tool device to allow turning of the tool relative to the tool device to present a new working surface or edge or to change the angle of attack. The preferred tool may be inexpensively made in one piece by molding or may be stamped from metal.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of using a tool device and a tool adapted to be turned relative to the tool device and releasably connected to the tool device; the method comprising providing a manual handle portion on the tool device for manipulation by the user to present a first working surface or angle of attack on the tool to the work; providing a releasable, turnable tool for connection to the handle with multiple working surfaces thereon; moving an actuator on the tool device with a first movement of the actuator turning the tool to present another working surface or a second angle of attack; and moving an actuator with a second movement to release the tool from the tool device preferably by ejection. Preferably the method also involves the detaching of the tool by a snapping or pushing off of the tool so that one does not need to grip or grasp the dirty tool at the time of removal so that the user may keep his hands clean. In the preferred method, it is preferred to attach a tool merely by putting the tool device over the tool and pushing the tool device relative to the tool to clamp the tool onto the tool device.
Further and in accordance with another aspect of the method, the actuator may be in the form of a push button and the method may involve pushing the push button with a first light force to cause a movement of the tool in an angular direction with respect to the tool device and with a second greater force to eject the tool from the tool device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, there is provided a tool device 10 having a handle 12 for gripping and use by the user with respect to a releasably detachable tool 14 which has one or more working surfaces 15. In the tool shown in
In accordance with the present invention, the tool 14 may be rotated or turned relative to the tool device 10 and handle 12 by operation of an actuator 16 which will turn the tool in the direction shown by the directional arrow 18 in
In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, it is preferred to provide a push button type of actuator 16 having a push button 16a which is pushed in relative to a flat side 22 on the palm handle such that a slight pressure and short movement of the push button results in the turning of the tool relative to the handle 12 as shown by the directional arrow 18 through predetermined increments of turning, e.g., through 45° increments of turning. Usually a 45° increment will allow a different angle of attack for the tool edge or working surface to be positioned close to a wall or into a different spot. To provide a new tool edge, such as the tool edge 15b, the push button is pushed twice to provide two 45° increments of travel so that the edge 15b will then be in the location of the edge 15a in
For the purpose of ejecting the tool, the push button 16a may be pushed inwardly by a substantially greater degree of movement and with a greater force to cause a camming or ejecting of the tool away from the bottom flat face 20 of the tool device 10 to a position such as shown in
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the tool 15 is made in one piece and of molded plastic including the integral, upstanding, inner connection post 28 as well as the teeth 34 which are integral with the body 25. The illustrated tool has a flat plate-shaped tool portion having a top substantially planar surface 38a and a parallel lower flat planar surface 38b with the central post 28 and centrally located teeth 34 being projecting upwardly at the center of flat plate body 25, as shown in
The handle shown in
Referring now in greater detail to the preferred and illustrated pieces which comprise the tool device 10, the top cover portion 44 as best seen in
In this preferred embodiment of the invention as best seen in
As best seen in
Herein, the upper portion 44 has a shorter height than the height of the lower portion 45. The two portions 44 and 45 are nested at a parting line therebetween. More specifically, a downwardly internal projecting rim 80,
The flat side 22 of the palm-shaped handle is comprised of a first or upper flat side portion 22a on the top portion 44 which meets with and is co-planar with the flat side portion 22b on the lower cover portion 45. The push button actuator is received within an elongated opening 84 in the flat portion 22b on the lower cover.
As best seen in
In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the tool is retained on the tool device when the male upstanding post 28 on the tool 14 as best shown in
As best shown by phantom lines in
To release the post for removal, the push button 16a is pushed to push the locking lever locking lever cam 53 to swing about the axis 100 against the urging of the spring 58 to position the large diameter portion of the opening 68 in alignment with the post 28 so that the post's neck 28b is no longer captured or held by the wall 102 in the small diameter opening 103.
To bias the locking lever cam 56 to its retention position to retain the tool and to allow replacement of a tool with pivoting of the locking lever cam, the spring 58 is preferably formed inexpensively of one piece and easily assembled within the tool device. Further, the illustrated spring 58 also serves to bias the push button actuator outwardly of the lower cover portion 45 and in position to resist the inward manual pressure during actuation of the push button against the spring force. To this latter end, a leaf spring leg 58a (
Herein the tool 14 is pushed or snapped off the bottom face 20 of the tool device 10 by an ejection cam 110 which is located on and is projecting downwardly from the lower face of the cam plate 104 as best seen in
When the new tool is positioned centrally, the incline surfaces 28d on the post 28 will cam against the side walls 102 of the small opening 103 swinging the cam 56 in the counter-clockwise direction against the spring force on the spring allowing the big opening and the head of the post 28 to move upwardly into the receiving bore of the central post on the top cover portion 44. When the enlarged head passes the top of the cam plate 44, the spring 58 causes the camming plate to move in a counter-clockwise direction as seen in
To turn the tool 15 through a predetermined amount of turning, for example 45° with a slight inward movement and lesser pressure of the push button, the camming plate 104 is provided with another cam or projection 120 which cooperates with the indexing teeth 32 on the tool. The inward positioning movement of the cam plate causes the cam 120 to engage a tooth 32 and to rotate the tool through 45° and release of the spring allows the cam plate to return to the position desired without any further operation needed. If it is desired to put a new working edge 15a, 15b or 15c into position rather than change the attack angle, the push button is pressed again and to turn the tool for another 15°. The flat planar body 25 of the tool 15 is pressed against the flat bottom 20 of the lower handle portion 45 to provide a large stable area of contact and support between the tool 15 and the tool device 10. Also, this bottom end 20 of the lower cover portion 45 has an opening 20a therein that admits the tool post 28 and the teeth 34 about the post. The opening 20a is generally circular with cut-out enlargements 20b into which projects the cam 110 on the locking lever cam 56. The opening 20a has another cut-out enlargement 20c into which project the other cam 120 that engages the teeth 34 on the tool 15 to turn it.
In accordance with a further embodiment, which is illustrated in
The handle body 100 (
The handle body 100 is preferably hollow and tubular with a hollow end 102 to receive the end of a long wooden or plastic broom type entering handle or pole that may be inserted into the hollow end 102. The handle body 100 may be slightly tapered as is the interior hollow bore that receives the extension handle that is pushed into the tool device's handle to have a wedge and friction fit therewith. Thus, the user may stand while using the extension handle fitted into the hollow end of the tool device 10X.
Claims
1. A tool for use with a tool device for an automatic turning through predetermined increments to present a new working edge and for automatic attachment and detachment from the tool device, the tool comprising:
- a tool body having a central axis about which the tool turns and having working surfaces located at different angular positions about the central axis;
- an upstanding post on the tool body projecting upwardly for insertion into the tool device for automatic attachment when the tool device is pushed down over the post;
- an enlarged head on the upstanding post;
- a narrow neck portion on the post below the enlarged head for cooperating with the tool device to attach the tool to the tool device;
- a camming surface on the tool body for being engaged by the tool device to push the tool body from the tool device for automatic detachment from the tool device; and
- spaced turning portions on the tool body spaced at predetermined angular locations about the central axis for engagement by the tool device for turning the tool automatically through predetermined angular increments about the central axis.
2. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein the tool body comprises:
- an integral one piece body being made of a molded plastic material.
3. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein the tool body comprises:
- an integral one-piece body made of stamped metal.
4. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein the spaced turning portions comprise:
- a plurality of upstanding index teeth spaced by openings therebetween; and
- vertical side wall surfaces on the teeth engageable with a turning cam on the tool device to turn the tool body through the predetermined increment.
5. A tool in accordance with claim 1 comprising:
- inclined camming surfaces on the enlarged head of the post for camming the tool device as the tool device is pushed down over the enlarged head to snap under the head and against the narrow neck portion on the post.
6. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein the tool body comprises:
- a flat planar body;
- the turning portions projecting upwardly from the flat planar body at the central axis; and
- the upstanding standing post projecting upwardly above the turning portions.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 13, 2005
Publication Date: May 4, 2006
Applicant:
Inventors: George Smeja (McHenry, IL), Michael Smeia (McHenry, IL), Troy Livingston (Northbrook, IL)
Application Number: 11/301,449
International Classification: A47L 13/08 (20060101);