P/00/009 Regulation 3.2B AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR AN INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: SCAFFOLDING HAMMER The invention is described in the following statement together with the best method of performing it known to us. Our Reference: 106002 - 2 SCAFFOLDING HAMR The present invention relates to scaffolding and, more particularly to specialized hammers used by scaffolding professionals. 5 BACKGROUND Steel and aluminium scaffolding is now almost universally used, at least in the so-called developed countries, and in many jurisdictions is covered by 10 stringent safety codes. A number of specialised tools are used in the scaffolding industry, among which are hammers. Scaffolding relies for its security on mechanical clamping components and on friction between those components and connecting 15 pipes. Both to erect scaffolding and to dismantle it, sharp impact blows are often required. In addition, in the dismantling process, a combination of impact blows and the prising open of clamps make it convenient to combine these functions into the one tool, so that typically, hammers 20 used by scaffolders are provided with a tapered spike extending, preferably at an angle, from the end of the handle. Nevertheless, known hammers are not as versatile as possible or desirable, in that certain operations require 25 the changing over to other specialised tools. Another problem with known scaffolding hammers is that they are not - 3 secured to the user, so that there is a constant risk that a hammer slipping from the grasp of a user, may inflict serious injury to workers or pedestrians below. Typically also, the heads of known scaffolding hammers 5 are of a simple cylindrical shape. It is desirable that the head be of a certain depth, be of sufficient diameter and the volume such as to provide the required impact. This sometimes results in an unbalanced and less than optimum to use configuration. 10 It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages. Notes 1. The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations 15 thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of". 2. The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any 20 information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country. 25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Accordingly, in a broad form of the invention, there is provided a scaffolding hammer; said hammer comprising a head portion, a handle portion and an angled tapered 5 extension of said handle portion; said hammer characterized in that said handle portion includes a narrowed section extending between a generally cylindrical section of said handle portion and said head portion. Preferably, the cross section of said narrowed section is 10 generally in the form of a narrow diamond shape; a long axis of said diamond shape parallel to the axis of said generally cylindrical head portion. Preferably, said narrowed section is of a width so as to pass between adjoining scaffolding elements; said narrowed 15 section adapted to allow use of said hammer as a lever between said adjoining sections. Preferably, said narrowed section provides a strengthened section; said strengthened section having greater resistance to impact forces when struck against an object 20 than said generally cylindrical section of said handle. Preferably, said head portion is of generally cylindrical form; said head portion provided with recessed side portions and a recessed front portion; said recessed - 5 portions adapted to maintain a desired ratio of head length, cylinder diameter and mass. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 5 Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a scaffolding hammer according to prior art, 10 Figure 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the scaffolding hammer according to the invention, Figure 3 is a view of the scaffolding hammer of Figure 1 as seen from above, 15 Figure 3A is a sectioned view of a narrowed portion of the handle of the scaffolding hammer of Figures 1 and 2, Figure 4 is a perspective view of a further preferred embodiment of a scaffolding hammer according to the invention, provided with a safety strap or lanyard, 20 Figure 5 is a further preferred embodiment of a scaffolding hammer incorporating a claw. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to Figure 1, a typical scaffolding 25 hammer according to the prior art, is distinguished from other specialized hammers by an angled, tapered extension - 6 of the handle. This angled extension provides the user with a means of pricing apart certain scaffolding components. First Preferred Embodiment Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, in a preferred 5 embodiment of the present invention, the scaffolding hammer 10 is a drop-forged tool. It is provided with a handle 12 comprising a generally cylindrical section 14, similar to that found in hammers of the prior art, but is additionally provided with a narrowed section 16 for a portion of the io handle extending from the head portion 18. Conventionally, the hammer 10 of the invention is provided with an angled tapering spike 20 extending from the end of the cylindrical handle section 14. The narrowed section 16 of handle 14 is, in section, 15 of a generally narrow diamond shape, as best seen in the sectioned view of Figure 3A, The long axis of this diamond shape is parallel to the axis of the head portion 18. Preferably, the upper and lower regions 22 and 24 of the narrowed, diamond sectioned part of the handle, form narrow 20 ridges extending generally from adjacent the cylindrical handle section 14 to adjacent the head portion 18. Preferably these narrow ridges have relatively sharp edges 26. The narrowed section 16 of the handle 12, allows the 25 hammer to be used as a wedging device in the prising apart of narrowly separated scaffolding components, which otherwise would have required the scaffolder to carry another tool for this purpose. The long axis of the diamond shape of the narrow handle section 16 is of similar, or may be slightly longer, 5 than the diameter of the cylindrical handle section 14. However, the diamond shape has been found in practice, to confer a much higher strength to this portion of the handle compared with a uniformly cylindrical handle as in the prior art, making it more resistant to inadvertent impacts 10 delivered to the handle adjacent to the head. The narrow ridges at upper and lower regions 22 and 24 and relatively sharp edges 26 of the narrowed section 16 of the handle 12, permit the scaffolding hammer 10 of the present invention, to be used as a crude chisel. This is a 15 useful feature in that it allows the scaffolder to chop away obstructing parts of plywood sheeting or other timber where there is interference with scaffolding components. These sharp edges 26 of the ridges 22 are also useful in scraping off accreted mortar or concrete from 20 scaffolding tubing, again providing a greater usefulness of the scaffolding hammer of the invention. Typically, the head of a scaffolding hammer is generally cylindrical, as shown in the prior art hammer of Figure 1. It is however preferable for a scaffolding hammer 25 to combine a desired ratio of head length, cylinder diameter and mass. To this end, and to achieve a better balance in use, the hammer of the present invention is provided with a modified head geometry by means of recesses 30 and 32 at each side, and recess 34 at the front of the head 18. The reduction in mass afforded by these recesses 5 permits a desired balance between hammer head mass, the head diameter and the length of the head between striking surfaces 36 and 38. Second Preferred Embodiment In this second preferred embodiment with reference to 10 Figure 4, a scaffolding hammer according to the invention, may incorporate all the features described in the first preferred embodiment above, but in addition, incorporates a safety lanyard strap or cord 40. In a preferred arrangement, the lanyard strap or cord 40 is secured to the 15 hammer handle 12 adjacent the angle between the cylindrical handle section 14 and the tapered spike 20. Preferably the flexible strap or cord 40 is attached to a ring element 42 free to rotated about the end of the cylindrical section 14 in a groove 44 provided for that purpose. Alternatively, 20 the handle at that location may be provided with a through aperture through which the strap or cord may be passed or by means of which an attachment element may be secured. Preferably the lanyard strap or cord 40 forms a loop which is passed around the wrist of the scaffolder (not 25 shown). Alternatively, the lanyard may comprise a longer cord provided at its outer end with a Carabiner type - 9 shackle for securing the lanyard to the tool belt of the scaffolder (not shown). In either case the lanyard strap or cord 40 of this embodiment prevents inadvertent loss of the scaffolding hammer 10 if it should slip from the grasp of a 5 scaffolder. Third Preferred Embodiment In a third preferred embodiment of the scaffolding hammer of the invention, the hammer again incorporates the narrowed section 16 of the handle 12, the angled, tapered io spike 20 and at least part of the balance promoting recesses 30, 32 and 34 of the hammer head 18. It may further include the safety lanyard feature described in the second preferred embodiment. In this embodiment however, one end of the head 18 is modified to include a bifurcated 15 claw 46 in the manner of a carpenter's hammer. Again, the addition of this feature adds to the usefulness and versatility of the scaffolding hammer of the invention, providing the functionality of a claw hammer without having to resort to a separate claw hammer where the need arises. 20 Preferably, the claw 46, which extends from the upper end of the head 18 of the scaffolding hammer, melds with the recessed portions 30, 32 and 34 as shown in Figure 5. In Use In use, the features of the invention provide a more 25 versatile tool which may be used for all the operations usually performed by conventional scaffolding hammers in - 10 the erection and dismantling of steel or aluminium scaffolding, but in addition provide for functions which normally require the availability of additional specialized equipment. Since the tool array typically carried by a 5 scaffolder is already extensive and quite heavy, the multi function capability of the scaffolding hammer of the invention provides a significant contribution to the art. In addition, an embodiment of the hammer incorporating the lanyard attachment, provides for improved safety when a 10 scaffolding hammer is used at levels above other personnel or passing pedestrian traffic. The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those 15 skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.