AU2015201600A1

AU2015201600A1 - Scaffolding Hammer

Info

Publication number: AU2015201600A1
Application number: AU2015201600A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jim Rozakis
Original assignee: CACIC DIJANA
Current assignee: CACIC DIJANA
Priority date: 2010-04-23
Filing date: 2015-03-27
Publication date: 2015-04-16

Abstract

A scaffolding hammer; said hammer comprising a head portion, a handle portion and an angled tapered extension of said handle portion; said hammer characterized in that 5 said handle portion includes a narrowed section extending between a generally cylindrical section of said handle portion and said head portion. 'P-4 ell4

Description

1 SCAFFOLDING HAMMER [0001] The present invention relates to scaffolding and, more particularly to specialized hammers used by scaffolding professionals. 5 BACKGROUND [0002] 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. [0003] 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. [0004] Nevertheless, known hammers are not as versatile as possible or desirable, in that certain operations 2 require the changing over to other specialised tools. Another problem with known scaffolding hammers is that they are not secured to the user, so that there is a constant risk that a hammer slipping from the grasp of a user, may 5 inflict serious injury to workers or pedestrians below. [0005] Typically also, the heads of known scaffolding hammers 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 10 impact. This sometimes results in an unbalanced and less than optimum to use configuration. [0006] It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages. 15 Notes [0007] The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of". 20 [0008] The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country.

3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION [0009] Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention as provided scaffolding hammer; said hammer comprising a head portion, a handle portion and an angled tapered spike 5 extension of said handle portion; said hammer characterized in that said handle portion includes a narrowed section extending between a grip section of said handle portion and said head portion. [0010] Preferably a cross section of said narrowed 10 section is generally in the form of a narrow diamond shape; a long axis of said diamond shape parallel to an axis of said generally cylindrical head portion. [0011] Preferably sharp edges of said narrow diamond shape are scraping edges. 15 [0012] Preferably a cross section of the narrowed section is generally in the form of an oval; a long axis of said oval parallel to an axis of said generally cylindrical head portion; said cross section further including laterally extending scraping ridges tapering to sharp 20 edges. [0013] Preferably said narrowed section is of a width so as to pass between adjoining scaffolding elements; said narrowed section adapted to allow use of said hammer as a lever between said adjoining sections.

4 [0014] Preferably said narrowed section provides a strengthened section; said strengthened section having greater resistance to impact forces when struck against an object than said generally cylindrical section of said 5 handle. [0015] Preferably said handle portion includes a first profile section comprising said narrowed section and a second profile section; said second profile section adapted for overmoulding of a grip element. 10 [0016] Preferably said second profile section is of a generally I-beam form; said second profile section extending between said first profile section and a junction section from which projects said angled tapered spike extension. 15 [0017] Preferably said grip element is in the formed of an overmoulded polymer; said grip element increasing in cross section from a smallest cross section abutting a shoulder at an end of said first profile section to a maximum abutting a shoulder of said junction section. 20 [0018] Preferably said junction section is provided with a through aperture for securing therethrough a safety lanyard.

5 [0019] Preferably head portion is of generally cylindrical form. [0020] Preferably said head portion provided with recessed side portions and a recessed front portion; said 5 recessed portions adapted to maintain a desired ratio of head length, cylinder diameter and mass. [0021] Accordingly, in a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a scaffolding hammer; said hammer comprising a head portion, a handle portion and an 10 angled tapered 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. [0022] Preferably, the cross section of said narrowed 15 section is 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. [0023] Preferably, said narrowed section is of a width so as to pass between adjoining scaffolding elements; said 20 narrowed section adapted to allow use of said hammer as a lever between said adjoining sections. [0024] Preferably, said narrowed section provides a strengthened section; said strengthened section having 6 greater resistance to impact forces when struck against an object than said generally cylindrical section of said handle. [0025] Preferably, said head portion is of generally 5 cylindrical form; said head portion provided with recessed side portions and a recessed front portion; said recessed portions adapted to maintain a desired ratio of head length, cylinder diameter and mass. [0026] Accordingly, in a further broad form of the 10 invention there is provided a scaffolding hammer; said hammer comprising a head portion, a handle portion and an angled tapered extension of said handle portion; said hammer characterized in that said handle portion includes a narrowed section extending between a generally cylindrical 15 section of said handle portion and said head portion. [0027] Preferably the cross section of said narrowed section is 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. 20 [0028] Preferably said narrowed section is of a width so as to pass between adjoining scaffolding elements; said narrowed section adapted to allow use of said hammer as a lever between said adjoining sections.

7 [0029] Preferably said narrowed section provides a strengthened section; said strengthened section having greater resistance to impact forces when struck against an object than said generally cylindrical section of said 5 handle. [0030] Preferably said head portion is of generally cylindrical form; said head portion provided with recessed side portions and a recessed front portion; said recessed portions adapted to maintain a desired ratio of head 10 length, cylinder diameter and mass. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0031] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings 15 wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a scaffolding hammer according to prior art, Figure 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the scaffolding hammer according to the 20 invention, Figure 3 is a view of the scaffolding hammer of Figure 1 as seen from above, 8 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 5 invention, provided with a safety strap or lanyard, Figure 5 is a further preferred embodiment of a scaffolding hammer incorporating a claw, Figure 6 is a perspective view of a further preferred embodiment of the invention, 10 Figure 7 is a perspective view showing details of the shaft of the scaffolding hammer of Figure 6, Figures 8 and 9 are cross section views of two sections of the shaft of the scaffolding hammer of Figures 6 and 7. 15 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0032] With reference to Figure 1, a typical scaffolding hammer according to the prior art, is distinguished from other specialized hammers by an angled, tapered extension 20 of the handle. This angled extension provides the user with a means of prising apart certain scaffolding components. First Preferred Embodiment 9 [0033] Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, in a preferred 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 5 that found in hammers of the prior art, but is additionally provided with a narrowed section 16 for a portion of the 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 10 handle section 14. [0034] The narrowed section 16 of handle 14 is, in section, 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 15 18. Preferably, the upper and lower regions 22 and 24 of the narrowed, diamond sectioned part of the handle, form narrow ridges extending generally from adjacent the cylindrical handle section 14 to adjacent the head portion 18. Preferably these narrow ridges have relatively sharp 20 edges 26. [0035] The narrowed section 16 of the handle 12, allows the 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 25 another tool for this purpose.

10 [0036] The long axis of the diamond shape of the narrow handle section 16 is of similar, or may be slightly longer, than the diameter of the cylindrical handle section 14. However, the diamond shape has been found in practice, to 5 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 delivered to the handle adjacent to the head. [0037] The narrow ridges at upper and lower regions 22 10 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 useful feature in that it allows the scaffolder to chop away obstructing parts of plywood sheeting or other 15 timber where there is interference with scaffolding components. [0038] These sharp edges 26 of the ridges 22 are also useful in scraping off accreted mortar or concrete from scaffolding tubing, again providing a greater usefulness of 20 the scaffolding hammer of the invention. [0039] 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 to combine a desired ratio of head length, cylinder 11 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 5 head 18. The reduction in mass afforded by these recesses 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 10 [0040] In this second preferred embodiment with reference to 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 15 preferred arrangement, the lanyard strap or cord 40 is secured to the 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 20 cylindrical section 14 in a groove 44 provided for that purpose. Alternatively, 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.

12 [0041] Preferably the lanyard strap or cord 40 forms a loop which is passed around the wrist of the scaffolder (not shown). Alternatively, the lanyard may comprise a longer cord provided at its outer end with a Carabiner type 5 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 scaffolder. 10 Third Preferred Embodiment [0042] 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 spike 20 and at least part of the balance 15 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 claw 46 in the manner of a carpenter's hammer. 20 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. [0043] Preferably, the claw 46, which extends from the 25 upper end of the head 18 of the scaffolding hammer, melds 13 with the recessed portions 30, 32 and 34 as shown in Figure 5. Fourth Preferred Embodiment [0044] With reference now to Figures 6 and 9, in a 5 further embodiment of a scaffolding hammer 100 according to the invention, the hammer is provided, as in previously described embodiments above, with a hammer head 118, a handle shaft 112 and an angled tapered spike 120, characteristic of the invention. In this embodiment 10 however, the handle shaft 112 includes a handle section 108 shaped to accommodate an overmoulded grip section 110, preferably formed of high impact polypropylene. [0045] The hammer head 118 of this embodiment may take any one of the forms described in the embodiments above, 15 that is those shown in Figures 2 to 4, but may additionally be in the form of a plain cylinder as shown in Figures 6 and 7. [0046] As best shown in Figure 7, the handle 112 is formed in two profile sections; a first profile section 122 20 which extends for part of the length of the handle shaft 112 from the hammer head 118, and the second profile section 124 extending from the first and which is enveloped by the grip section 110. The preferred forms of the first 14 and second profile sections 122,124 are shown in the sectioned views of Figures 8 and 9. [0047] It can be seen that the first profile section 122 is of a generally oval shape, with the long axis of the 5 oval parallel to the axis of the generally cylindrical hammer head 118. Extending laterally from each side of the oval, in line with the short axis of the oval and extending along the length of the first profile section 122, are scraping ridges 126 and 128, each tapering to a sharp edge. 10 These are adapted to perform the scraping function as described in the first embodiment above. The rearward end of the first profile section 122 is flared outwardly to provide a shoulder 130. [0048] The second profile section 124 is formed with a 15 generally I-beam profile as shown in Figure 9, which extends from the shoulder 130 of the first profile section 122, for maximum strength to weight ratio. Preferably it is provided along the sides of the central web with projections 132 to provide for secure engagement between 20 this section of the handle shaft 112 and the overmoulded grip section 110. [0049] It can be seen that the grip section 110 is preferably tapered, increasing in profile from its smallest at the shoulder 130 of the first profile section 122, to 15 its maximum at its rearward end 134, the more securely to lie in the hand of a user by naturally resisting the hammer sliding from a user's grip. The gripping function of the grip section may be further augmented by the provision of 5 projecting tabs 136 along at least a portion of the sides of the grip section. [0050] In this embodiment, the angled tapered spike 120 extends from a junction section 138 of the handle shaft 112. This junction section 138 is formed to include a 10 shoulder 140 abutting the overmoulded grip section 110, and is provided with a through aperture 142 for the securing of a safety lanyard (not shown) to the hammer 100, as previously described above. In Use 15 [0051] In use, the features of the invention provide a more versatile tool which may be used for all the operations usually performed by conventional scaffolding hammers in the erection and dismantling of steel or aluminium scaffolding, but in addition provide for 20 functions which normally require the availability of additional specialized equipment. Since the tool array typically carried by a scaffolder is already extensive and quite heavy, the multi function capability of the scaffolding hammer of the invention provides a significant 25 contribution to the art. In addition, an embodiment of the 16 hammer incorporating the lanyard attachment, provides for improved safety when a scaffolding hammer is used at levels above other personnel or passing pedestrian traffic, while the overmoulded grip element of the last described 5 embodiment provides a much increased level of comfort and grip security to a user.

Claims

1. A scaffolding hammer; said hammer comprising a head portion, a handle portion and an angled tapered spike extension of said handle portion; said hammer 5 characterized in that said handle portion includes a narrowed section extending between a grip section of said handle portion and said head portion.

2. The scaffolding hammer of claim 1 wherein a cross section of said narrowed section is generally in the 10 form of a narrow diamond shape; a long axis of said diamond shape parallel to an axis of said generally cylindrical head portion.

3. The scaffolding hammer of claim 1 or 2 wherein sharp edges of said narrow diamond shape are scraping edges. 15

4. The scaffold hammer of claim 1 wherein a cross section of the narrowed section is generally in the form of an oval; a long axis of said oval parallel to an axis of said generally cylindrical head portion; said cross section further including laterally extending scraping 20 ridges tapering to sharp edges.

5. The scaffolding hammer of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said narrowed section is of a width so as to pass between adjoining scaffolding elements; said 18 narrowed section adapted to allow use of said hammer as a lever between said adjoining sections.

6. The scaffolding hammer of any one of claim 1 to 5 wherein said narrowed section provides a strengthened 5 section; said strengthened section having greater resistance to impact forces when struck against an object than said generally cylindrical section of said handle.

7. The scaffolding hammer of any previous claim wherein 10 said handle portion includes a first profile section comprising said narrowed section and a second profile section; said second profile section adapted for overmoulding of a grip element.

8. The scaffolding hammer of claim 7 wherein said second 15 profile section is of a generally I-beam form; said second profile section extending between said first profile section and a junction section from which projects said angled tapered spike extension.

9. The scaffolding hammer of claim 8 wherein said grip 20 element is in the formed of an overmoulded polymer; said grip element increasing in cross section from a smallest cross section abutting a shoulder at an end of said first profile section to a maximum abutting a shoulder of said junction section. 19

10. The scaffolding hammer of claim 8 or 9 wherein said junction section is provided with a through aperture for securing therethrough a safety lanyard.

11. The scaffolding hammer of any one of claim 1 to 10 5 wherein said head portion is of generally cylindrical form.

12. The scaffolding hammer of claim 11 wherein said head portion provided with recessed side portions and a recessed front portion; said recessed portions adapted 10 to maintain a desired ratio of head length, cylinder diameter and mass.