AU2016101427A4 - Nail Shooter - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is a tool designed to reach and place nails in tight corners and spots, which would usually be extremely awkward when using your hands and a hammer. The handle (1) is made from metal and is covered with rubber (2) to ensure comfortable grip, it also includes a top metal plate (3). The tool can be hammered manually by hand (pump motion) or the top metal plate (3) of the tool can be struck with a hammer. The handle (1) is fixed to a magnetized metal/steel bar (4), which allows the nail to stick to it and not fall off while positioning the tool. A metal plate (5) is attached to the handle (1) of the tool along with a second metal plate (6), which is attached to the shaft (7). The shaft (7) includes a nail opening (8).

Description

HAND TOOL USEFUL FOR APPLICATION OF NAILS INTO SURFACES BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention, also referred to herein as a tool, relates generally to a hand tool useful for the application of nails into surfaces. It relates specifically to a hand tool useful for more convenient application of nails into surfaces that would otherwise be awkward or difficult to apply nails into. In addition, the invention relates to, amongst other things, design of a hand tool with a magnetic metal core and metal sheath, and the method of applying nails into surfaces using a hand tool.

[0002] Tradesmen and home improvement enthusiasts are presented with a challenge whenever they plan to apply a nail into a surface and they are impeded by some constraint of space or access to that surface. Often, the traditional method of application using a hammer whilst holding the nail is not possible or is at least inconvenient for the operator for any number of reasons, including for example, where the nail cannot be placed and held against a surface easily; where there is not enough space for a hammer to be swung onto the nail for application; where simultaneously holding or placing the nail and using the hammer is not fully safe, convenient, or efficient; and where access to the surface is restricted in some way so that a hammer cannot be used to apply the nail or only one hand can reach the surface.

[0003] These challenges are addressed by the invention on the basis of its design and also by the method of application using the invention. The tool is able to hold and place a nail from its tip, which improves application safety and convenience by removing the need for the operator to hold the nail in place during application. The tool further improves upon the method of application by removing the need to use a hammer if the user prefers and removing the amount of space required around the surface during application. The tool enables this reduced range of motion in the application process by allowing the operator with a single hand grip on the tool, to apply force in the same manner as they would with a hammer. This is especially useful where the operator is on a ladder and needs to hold on with one hand, or if the operator is reaching into a tight nook or around a comer.

DESIGN

[0004] The tool is functional when scale of dimensions is increased or decreased, as the design remains unchanged. The example described here is the prototype that has been developed by the inventor.

[0005] The tool has at its core a fixed bar or internal shaft of magnetised metal, and that extends along the length of the tool. At the base end of the tool a circular metal plate is affixed to the end of the bar. Another metal plate with the same dimensions is affixed around the bar from the base end of the tool to the outside edges of the plates. In between these metal plates is a layer of textured rubber, forming a handle contoured for comfortable grip by the hand. A logo features on the rubber handle. 10006] The tool has a cylindrical tube sheath of copper steel wrapped flush around the core bar. At tip end of the tool, the thickness of the sheath graduates whilst keeping the inside diameter constant. The sheath has a pattern of dimple impressions placed along the length of the sheath. Affixed the base end of the sheath is a circular metal plate with the same dimensions as those affixed to the bar at the base end of the tool and with an opening at the center of its face with the same diameter as that of the inside of the sheath.

[0007] The remaining length of the core bar is inserted into the sheath so that when fully inserted the core bar and the sheath should end at the same point and form an even tip that is capable of being placed flush against a surface.

[0008] A holster attachment rectangular in shape and manufactured from leather features in the lower section a metal plate constituting three circular metal cap heads, arranged in the shape of a triangle and visible on both the front and back side of the holster and set in to the leather. Below the metal plate on the front of the holster, a circular metal hook protrudes outward.

[0009] The top section is flat on the front and back sides and is formed at the top so that the leather is looped back upon itself resulting in a round opening which the belt can be placed through from side to side that is loosely formed along the top section of the sides of the holster.

OPERATION

[0010] The sheath is retracted so that the head of the nail used by the operator can be placed into the opening at the tip of the tool. Contact is made by the nail head with the magnetic internal shaft and the nail is held in place. The nail tip is placed onto the target surface with the tool and is held on the required angle ready for application.

[0011] The operator can commence application of the nail by applying force to the tool using one of two methods. In the first method, by gripping with at least one hand around the textured rubber located at the base end of the tool, and exerting force onto the handle using a vigorous and repeated pumping motion of the hand to and away from the desired surface along the axis of the nail held in place on the angle for application. In the second method, by positioning the tool holster with one hand so that its metal plate is flush with the base end of the tool, and exerting force onto the same metal plate by striking repeatedly at it with a hammer along the axis of application.

[0012] As a result of either method, the application of the nail into the surface is characterised by the movement of the tool’s internal shaft along the axis of application as a result of this force applied by the operator. The forcible impact of the tool’s internal shaft directly onto the head of the nail causes the nail to be driven into the surface either in a single motion, or repeatedly until the nail is applied. The sheath provides a stabilising and guiding function for the movement of the core bar during the application, and the metal plate at the base of the sheath provides a stopping point for the range of motion during application when it comes into contact with the face of the metal plate on the leading edge of the handle. This ensures that the internal shaft cannot drive the head of the nail below the level plane of the surface, and so that the shaft itself is also not driven below the level plane of the surface.

Claims (5)

1. A hand tool for the purpose of the application of a nail into a surface where the tool uses the force applied to it by the operator along the axis of application in order to apply a nail into a surface.

2. A tool according to claim 1 wherein said tool is capable of holding to its tip a nail and keeping in place said nail whilst positioning the tool to the surface for application and during application.

3. A tool according to claim 1 and claim 2 wherein the tool is operated by force applied to it along the axis of application to and away from the surface by the operator using a single handed or double handed movement in a single motion or repeatedly.

4. A tool according to claim 3 wherein the tool can be operated in the alternative by force applied in the same said direction of application by the operator using a hammer to impact the tool.

5. A tool according the above claims and in combination with the above claims, wherein said tool is comprised of a handle fixed to or around a section of magnetic core shaft, with the remaining section of the said shaft encased by a tubular sheath with an opening at each end and through which said shaft may remain flush with as it moves through the sheath during the application of force during which said shaft contacts the nail along the axis of application causing it to be applied into the desired area.