GB2310159A - Extractor tool - Google Patents

Description

EXTRACTOR TOOL This invention relates to an extractor tool, and in particular to a tool for use in extracting drawing-pins and the like from surfaces.

Drawings pins, and other temporary fasteners having a head and a shank, are generally removed from surfaces by gripping the edges of the head with the fingernails.

However, this often results in damage to the fingernails, such that many persons improvise extractor tools from everyday utensils, such as cutlery, to prise out stubborn drawing pins. GB-A-2 226 974 describes an extractor tool including an extractor plate which is engageable under the pin head. This tool still requires the plate to pass beneath the head and thus would be difficult to use when attempting to extract pins in which the heads are in contact with the surface. There is also the possibility that the surface or surface covering would be damaged if the plate was forced between the surface and the pin head.

It is among the objectives of the embodiments of the present invention to provide a tool which will obviate or mitigate these disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a tool for use in extracting metal drawing pins and the like, the tool comprising a user grip and a head including magnetic material.

In use, the head may be placed in contact with the head of the pin and the tool then pulled rearwardly to draw the pin from the surface. Tests have demonstrated that a relatively small mass of magnetic material is sufficient to provide the magnetic attraction necessary to allow removal of a drawing pin from the majority of wall surfaces encountered in the home or workplace.

Preferably, the grip is adapted to be held in the hand, but smaller versions of the tool may include finger grips or rings.

Preferably also, the grip is at least partially hollow and includes a closable opening such that pins and the like may be stored in the grip.

Preferably also, the head defines a substantially planar pressure surface which may be used to push a pin into a wall surface. It is thus relatively easy to locate a pin in a wall surface as the magnetic material will retain the pin on the tool head as the pin is pushed into the surface; the tool is then moved laterally off the pin head.

Preferably also, the tool is provided with a removable cap to cover the head when not in use; this prevents the head attracting metal objects.

Preferably also, the user grip includes a retractor member for engaging under the head of a drawing pin or the like. Most preferably, the member defines a slot for accommodating the pin shank. The retractor member may be utilised to remove drawing pins, small nails and the like from wood and other hard surfaces.

This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tool for use in extracting metal drawing pins and the like, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a front elevation of the tool of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 3 - 3 of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a perspective view from below of the tool of Figure 1.

The drawings illustrate a tool 10 for use in extracting metal drawing pins and the like from wall surfaces. The tool 10 comprises a handgrip 12 and a head 14 incorporating a small permanent magnet 16. The free surface of the magnet is planar such that the tool 10 may be used to push drawing pins into place, as will be described.

In this particular embodiment the handgrip 12 is a pistol-grip shape and defines an enlarged lower end 18 such that the grip 12 is unlikely to slip through the user's hand. Further, the handgrip 12 is hollow and includes a sliding access door 20 so that pins may be stored within the handgrip 12.

A cap 22 may be snap-fitted over the head 14 to protect the magnet 16, and to prevent metal objects being attracted to the magnet 16 when the tool 10 is not in use.

The lower end of the handgrip 12 carries a metal extractor member or plate 24 which defines a stepped undercut slot 26. The slot 26 may be used for removing pins and small nails from harder surfaces such as wood.

In use, the tool 10 may be used to apply drawing pins and the like simply by placing a drawing pin on the magnet 16 such that the pin shank extends perpendicularly from the magnet 16. The pin will be held on the head 14 by the magnet 16, such that the user simply locates the point of the shank where desired and pushes the tool 10 towards the surface. Once the pin has been pushed into the surface, the tool 10 is moved laterally off the drawing pin head.

To remove a drawing pin from a wall surface, the magnet 16 is placed in contact with the drawing pin head and the tool 10 then pulled outwardly.

If it is not possible to remove a drawing pin using the magnet 16, the head of the pin may be placed in the slot 26 and the pin pulled from the surface.

From the above-description it will be apparent that the tool 10 provides a simple and convenient means of applying and extracting drawing pins and the like. It will further be clear to those of skill in the art that the above-described embodiment is merely exemplary of the present invention, and that various modifications and improvements may be made thereto, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

1. A tool for use in extracting metal drawing pins and the like, the tool comprising a user grip and a head including magnetic material.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the tool includes finger grips or ring grips.

3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the grip is adapted to be held in the hand.

4. The tool of any of the preceding claims, wherein the grip is at least partially hollow and includes a closable opening such that pins and the like may be stored in the grip.

5. The tool of any of the preceding claims, wherein the head defines a substantially planar pressure surface.

6. The tool of any of the preceding claims, wherein the tool is provided with a removable cap to cover the head.

7. The tool of any of the preceding claims, wherein the user grip includes a retractor member for engaging under the head of a drawing pin or the like.

8. The tool of claim 7, wherein the retractor member defines a slot for accommodating the pin shank.

9. A tool for use in extracting metal drawing pins and the like substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.