GB2433223A - Hammer with striking face at right angles to grip axis - Google Patents

Abstract

A hammer with a very short shaft 10 and a striking face 14 at right angles to the axis of the shaft. A claw 16 may extend from one side of the shaft.

Description

<p>Hammer This invention relates to a hand-held hammer.</p>

<p>A conventional hammer has a handle or shaft with a hammer head at one end, the head having a striking face parallel to the shaft axis, and offset from the shaft axis.</p>

<p>A very common and potentially dangerous problem with a conventional hammer when used by an inexperienced user is glancing blows and under strikes. The standard advice on using a conventional hammer is to hold the end of the handle/shaft at the end remote for the hammer head and create a fast arch with your elbow. For users who do not regularly use a hammer this can be dangerous and problematic. An experienced operator when hammering nails to join two things together -for example a stud to a top plate, or gypsum board to studs, or roofing to underlay, can use a conventional hammer in this way without difficulty. However for lighter tasks, for example tacking up a picture hanger, a gentle touch is needed. Additionally those who rarely use hammers often have problems of accuracy, which can result in damage to walls, fixtures and even fingers.</p>

<p>According to the invention, there is provided a hammer having a grip portion and a striking face, wherein the grip portion has an axis and the plane of the striking face is at right angles to the axis and is substantially centred on the axis.</p>

<p>Preferably the grip portion comprises a generally cylindrical shaft, with an elastic grip sleeve fitted around the shaft, to form a gripping surface. The sleeve may for example be of rubber or other soft-feel, energy absorbing materials.</p>

<p>The hammer may include a claw portion, for extracting nails or the like, extending laterally from the striking face.</p>

<p>A hammer in accordance with the invention does not require a long handle/shaft. The grip portion acts as the shaft and allows the user's elbow and shoulder motion to create an arc to precisely strike a surface.</p>

<p>The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section through a hammer in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is an end view taken in the direction of the arrow A. The hammer consists of a one-piece steel component (for example made by forging) which makes up the shaft 10 and the head 12. The head has a striking face 14 and a claw portion 16.</p>

<p>The shaft is surrounded by a sleeve 18 of rubber or a similar shock-absorbing material. The sleeve fits between a collar 20 which is an integral part of the shaft 190, and a retaining screw 22 which screws into the end of the shaft 10 remote from the striking face, to keep the sleeve in place. The sleeve is formed with an external surface shaped to provide locations for the user's fingers when grasping the shaft, and a flange 24 to prevent the fingers sliding off the sleeve towards the striking face.</p>

<p>The screw 22 can be screwed into a threaded recess in the top of the shaft 10 or fixed to the shaft by an other convenient method. It may alternatively be possible for the shaft to have a second collar 20 at the top of the shaft, with the sleeve being stretched over the collar to be fitted around the shaft 10, so that the two collars retain the sleeve in place.</p>

<p>The claw portion 16, as can be seen in Figure 2, has two prongs 26 with a slot 28 between them. The prongs can be either curved or nearly straight. The curved claw is designed for the most effective pulling of nails.</p>

<p>This design has many benefits due to its unique design. These benefits include improved accuracy, power control and safety. In essence the design eliminates the use of the handle or shaft of a conventional hammer essential to create an arch. In use, the user's arm and elbow action will create the arc of swing while the rubber grip and the weight of the hammer will serve as a shock absorber. This enables every blow to strike squarely with the striking parallel to the surface being struck. The hammer can ensure a square blow every time even for the inexperienced user because the design and method of use allows the user to create a perfect square blow with the motion of elbow and shoulder every time.</p>

<p>The hammer described here has four particular attributes. First it allows you to comfortably grip and use the tool with control and accuracy. Secondly it creates a perfect square arch by using the shoulder and elbow action. Thirdly it can be used to pull out nails. Fourthly the handle serves as a shock absorber and cushions and protects your hand, wrist and arm from the impact of striking the nail.</p>

<p>The steel shaft and hammer head with claw portion can be cast in one piece with high grade steel or similar material. The retaining screw 22 bolts/screws onto the opposite end of the shaft with the claw securely holding the rubber in place and in addition acting as a second strike face.</p>

<p>The hammer described here has some very advantageous points to note; 1. With this hammer you will never need to shorten your grip again for control because the grip is closer to the hammer's head/strike face than ever before.</p>

<p>2. With conventional hammering you are advised to never bend your wrist, bend your elbow as little as possible and to swing from the shoulder. With this invention your form will be perfect every time and is much easier to repeat perfect form instantly. No wrist bending, a brilliantly bent elbow and perfect swinging from the shoulder all come naturally with this revolutionary design.</p>

<p>3. The compact design and grip allows you to use your back to provide a stable, comfortable platform from which to swing.</p>

<p>4. With this hammer you will never need to flex your wrist upward and bend your elbow more for lighter, more precise blows. Every blow is lighter and more precise than ever before.</p>

<p>5. Because of the additional weight in the hammer head, each blow will be powerful and precise, no more adjusting to flex your wrist downward while straightening your elbow to increase power. You will control the power of each blow with the swing from your shoulder and the hammer will ensure each blow is delivered with precision.</p>

<p>6. No more awkward hammering. This hammer allows you to tap in nails in confined spaces, eg. under a sink or in a cupboard, because it does not have a long awkward handle which requires a large arch of motion to create power.</p>

<p>Thus the hammer as described will enable persons with little manual hammer experience to expertly apply both light and powerful strokes in all household applications including confined spaces unreachable with an awkward conventional hammer. Precise soft and powerful hammering for can be achieved by new users as well as significantly reducing the risk of injury to hand, fingers and needlessly damaging surfaces with inaccurate swings from a conventional hammer.</p>

Claims (1)

1. <p>Claims 1. A hammer having a grip portion and a striking face, wherein

   the grip portion has an axis and the plane of the striking face is at right angles to the axis and is substantially centred on the axis.</p>

   <p>2. A hammer as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the grip portion comprises a generally cylindrical shaft, with an elastic grip sleeve fitted around the shaft, to form a gripping surface.</p>

   <p>3. A hammer as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the sleeve is of rubber.</p>

   <p>4. A hammer as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the sleeve is of a soft-feel, energy absorbing material other than rubber.</p>

   <p>5. A hammer as claimed in any preceding claim, including a claw portion, for extracting nails or the like, extending laterally from the striking face.</p>

   <p>6. A hammer as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the shaft does not extend any significant distance beyond the grip portion.</p>

   <p>7. A hammer substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.</p>