GB2178993A

GB2178993A - Improvements in or relating to mauls

Info

Publication number: GB2178993A
Application number: GB08520652A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Dawson
Original assignee: SWINTEX
Current assignee: SWINTEX
Priority date: 1985-08-17
Filing date: 1985-08-17
Publication date: 1987-02-25
Also published as: GB8520652D0

Abstract

The conventional maul has a striking face in a plane parallel to its shaft. To bring the face into contact with a horizontal surface such as a flagstone the maul must be held with its shaft parallel to the ground which is very tiring. The invention provides a maul having a head (12) with striking faces (14) parallel to the shaft axis and a further striking face (18) normal to the shaft axis. The striking face 18 is provided on a boss 16 which protrudes from the head 12. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to mauls This invention relates to a maul.

The maul that is most commonly used for flagstones and paving is in the form of a large, heavy mallet.

Considerable effort is required to swing the maul.

Moreover, since the striking face of the conventional maul is in a plane parallel to the maul shaft, in order to bring the face into contact with a flagstone or ground being prepared for a flagstone, the maul shaft must, as far as possible, be parallel with the ground at the moment of impact. To bring that about the user of the maul must stoop as the maul is swung down and this unnatural stance is exceedingly fatiguing.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of this disadvantage.

According to the invention there is provided a maul comprising a head and a shaft, the head having a first striking face in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft and a second striking face in a plane substantially normal to the axis of the shaft.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the head has two first striking faces at opposite sides thereof, the second striking face being located on the head, intermediate the two first striking faces. The maul can be used for compacting earth and flagstones by raising and dropping it along the axis of the shaft so that the second striking face is employed. It can also be used in the conventional manner, like a mallet, so that a first striking face is employed.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompany drawing in which: Figure 1 is a maul in side elevation; and Figure 2 is an end view of the maul of Figure 1.

The head is preferably of rubber or plastics but it can, if desired, be made of metal or wood.

Referring to the drawing the maul comprises a shaft 10 which is conveniently of wood having a head 12 at one end. The head in the embodiment illustrated is of substantially circular cross-section and of diabolo or dumb bell form. It is to be understood that other shapes can be used and that the head need not be of non-uniform cross-section.

Opposite sides 14 of the head are flat and lie in a plane which is substantially parallel to the shaft axis. A boss 16 protrudes from the side of the head on the opposite side to the shaft and provides a flat surface 18 which lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the shaft.

A rectangular section bore 20 extends through the head which receives the tapered end 22 of the shaft 10. The shaft is inserted in the bore in the head in the direction indicated by the arrow 24. When the maul is used as a mallet the head will tighten on the shaft.

However, when the maul is raised and dropped along the axis of the shaft so as to fall on the surface 18, the resultant reaction will tend to loosen the head on the shaft. To prevent that the shaft and head are preferably secured together, for example by adhesive or by mechanical means.

The invention is not restricted to the above described embodiment and many modifications and variations are possible.

1. A maul comprising a head and a shaft, the head having a first striking face in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft and a second striking face in a plane substantially normal to the axis of the shaft.

2. A maul as claimed in Claim 1, wherein two first striking faces are provided on opposite sides of the head.

3. A maul as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the second striking face is provided intermediate the two first striking faces.

4. A maul as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the head is of diabolo or dumb-bell form.

5. A maul as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second striking face is located on the side of the head opposite to the side from which the shaft projects.

6. A maul as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second striking face is provided on a boss protruding from the head.

7. A maul substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to mauls This invention relates to a maul. The maul that is most commonly used for flagstones and paving is in the form of a large, heavy mallet. Considerable effort is required to swing the maul. Moreover, since the striking face of the conventional maul is in a plane parallel to the maul shaft, in order to bring the face into contact with a flagstone or ground being prepared for a flagstone, the maul shaft must, as far as possible, be parallel with the ground at the moment of impact. To bring that about the user of the maul must stoop as the maul is swung down and this unnatural stance is exceedingly fatiguing. The present invention has been made from a consideration of this disadvantage. According to the invention there is provided a maul comprising a head and a shaft, the head having a first striking face in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft and a second striking face in a plane substantially normal to the axis of the shaft. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the head has two first striking faces at opposite sides thereof, the second striking face being located on the head, intermediate the two first striking faces. The maul can be used for compacting earth and flagstones by raising and dropping it along the axis of the shaft so that the second striking face is employed. It can also be used in the conventional manner, like a mallet, so that a first striking face is employed. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompany drawing in which: Figure 1 is a maul in side elevation; and Figure 2 is an end view of the maul of Figure 1. The head is preferably of rubber or plastics but it can, if desired, be made of metal or wood. Referring to the drawing the maul comprises a shaft 10 which is conveniently of wood having a head 12 at one end. The head in the embodiment illustrated is of substantially circular cross-section and of diabolo or dumb bell form. It is to be understood that other shapes can be used and that the head need not be of non-uniform cross-section. Opposite sides 14 of the head are flat and lie in a plane which is substantially parallel to the shaft axis. A boss 16 protrudes from the side of the head on the opposite side to the shaft and provides a flat surface 18 which lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the shaft. A rectangular section bore 20 extends through the head which receives the tapered end 22 of the shaft 10. The shaft is inserted in the bore in the head in the direction indicated by the arrow 24. When the maul is used as a mallet the head will tighten on the shaft. However, when the maul is raised and dropped along the axis of the shaft so as to fall on the surface 18, the resultant reaction will tend to loosen the head on the shaft. To prevent that the shaft and head are preferably secured together, for example by adhesive or by mechanical means. The invention is not restricted to the above described embodiment and many modifications and variations are possible. CLAIMS