WO2003100193A1

WO2003100193A1 - Hand tools

Info

Publication number: WO2003100193A1
Application number: PCT/GB2003/002256
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leonard Roy Meacock
Original assignee: Easy Tools Ltd
Priority date: 2002-05-25
Filing date: 2003-05-23
Publication date: 2003-12-04
Also published as: GB0212087D0; AU2003244744A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hand tool for use in removing elongate objects from an underlying structure. The hand tool (10) comprises an elongate member (12) defining a handle (14), a tool head (15) having a working face (16) disposed at one end of the elongate member for bearing against the underside of the object, and a support (18) disposed between the handle and the working face. The support has a surface extending transversely to the elongate member for pivotally engaging an underlying frame-structure when applying leverage to urge the tool head against the underside of the object being dislodged. The working face has a blunt profile to prevent the tool head from digging into the object when urged against it.

Description

TITLE: HAND TOOLS

DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to hand tools for use in removing objects from an underlying frame-structure and, more particularly, to lifting such objects individually from a side-by-side arrangement of a plurality of such objects. The present invention is especially concerned with removing board-like elongate objects from existing constructions, such as floorboards from existing floors in buildings and roof battens from roofing joists.

Floorboards are typically laid side-by-side across a series of joists supported in the building; usually the floorboards are fastened to the joists by nails. The floorboards may need to be removed so that work can be carried out in the space beneath, for example electrical wiring, or so that they may be removed from buildings being demolished/refurbished.

In the past floorboards have been raised using a crowbar or the like, which is forced (e.g. jemmied) under the exposed side edge of a board to prise the board from the supporting joists. This is repeated for each board requiring removal . It has been found that the crowbar often damages the boards, denting faces, and boards can even split along lines of weakness, for instance along lines connecting nail holes. Approximately 20% of boards are lost in removal. This makes worse an already existing shortage in the United Kingdom of old boards for recycling, for example in building renovation or where boards have been irrevocably damaged in removal .

Replacement boards also have the problems of being costly, typically in the region of £20 each, and difficult to match in shade to pre-existing boards. Boards newly manufactured to the same quality as original boards, which might have been made using different kinds of processes/machinery decades ago, would again be difficult to match and would be even more expensive. Furthermore certain types of wood can be difficult to obtain today.

A demolition tool for prying boards from an underlying frame-structure is known from US 4,183,503. The tool comprises a stem with two differently shaped prying members at opposite ends thereof, and a dual function pivot-and-handle bar near each end. One prying member has a flattened and widened and chisel-like tip, whilst the bifurcated tip. However, the tool is expected to inflict severe damage to the boards during prying, with the flattened and widened tips digging into the boards.

There is therefore a desire to alleviate these disadvantages by making it easier to remove original boards for subsequent re-use.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hand tool for dislodging an object (e.g. floorboard) from an underlying frame- structure (e.g. joist), comprising an elongate member defining a handle, a tool head having a working face disposed at one end of the elongate member for bearing against the underside of the object, and a support disposed between the handle and the working face, the support having a surface extending transversely to the elongate member for pivotally engaging an underlying frame-structure when applying leverage to urge the tool head against the underside of the object being dislodged, characterised in that the working face has a blunt profile to prevent the tool head from digging into the object when urged against it. In this way, the risk of the applied leverage giving rise to stress concentrations which are capable of severely damaging the object { e . g. floorboard) may be avoided. The present applicants have appreciated that it is beneficial to use the underlying support frame

(hereinafter "joist") as a fulcrum, so that the hand tool underside of the object (hereinafter "floorboard"). By reducing or avoiding the introduction of torsional forces in the floorboard as it is being prised from the joist, the risk of seriously damaging or marking the working face and sides of the floorboard is also reduced or even avoided altogether. Indeed, the hand tool has been found to be surprisingly effective in lifting floorboards quickly and with little or no visible sign of damage. The lift is frequently so clean that headless or so-called cut nails used to secure floorboards to joists are often left behind in the joist. If this happens, it is possible to reuse existing nail holes in the floorboard when relaying the floorboard.

The tool head may be hook-like and the working face may be spaced laterally from the elongate member adjacent the support. The working face may be pivotally coupled to the tool head. In this way, the working face may maintain a flush fit against the floorboard as it is prised from the joist. The working face may be planar and may have an enlarged or oversized footprint in order to spread further the load on the floorboard arising from the applied leverage .

The support may project laterally of the elongate member. In this way, the support may engage the joist whilst leverage is applied to the floorboard on one side of the joist. The support may project on both sides of the elongate member, thereby enabling the hand tool to be The support may be configured to allow the elongate member to be positioned close to the object (e.g. floorboard) to be dislodged. Thus, where the working face is spaced laterally from the elongate member, full use can be made of the working face's reach underneath the floorboard. This configuration can be advantageous where the width of the floorboard is large compared with the reach of the working face .

The support may be configured by having a planar surface lying in substantially the same plane as an edge of the elongate member.

The present applicant has appreciated that the hand tool thus far described cannot be used until at least one floorboard has been removed; the mode of operation requires clear access to one side of the floorboard.

Accordingly, the present applicants have considered how to raise a floorboard sandwiched between other floorboards, for example a floorboard in the middle of a boarded floor. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an edge guard for protecting an edge of an object (e.g. first floorboard) when an adjacent object (e.g. second floorboard) is being dislodged from an underlying frame-structure (e.g. joist), comprising a first member joined at right angles to a second member, with the second member configured for insertion between the objects, wherein the first member leverage to the adjacent object when inserted between the objects to one lateral side of the second member.

In use, the second member is pushed between the objects (hereinafter first and second floorboards respectively) so that the first member sits on top of the first floorboard. In this way, the second member anchors the guard in place when leverage is applied with the lever bearing against the first member. As leverage is applied, the lever is supported by the fulcrum (e.g. edge) of the first member and so does not damage or mark the first floorboard.

The guard may comprise a third member joined at right angles to the first member, extending in the same direction as and spaced from the second member. The third member may be inserted between the floorboards in the same way and at the same time as the second member. The spacing between the second and third member defines a recess or slot for receiving the lever, and together the members prevent the guard from twisting as leverage is applied.

Each member may be planar. The first member may have a lip on the edge adjacent the second member. The lip may amplify the fulcrum action of the first member. The first, second and/or third members may be formed from sheet metal and may be of unitary construction.

The present applicant has appreciated that the edge guard may be invaluable in partially lifting a second may be very time-consuming to repeat the exercise along the entire length of the floorboards. Accordingly, the present applicants have proposed another hand tool to exploit the opening or gaping between the floorboards which is introduced by using the edge guard device as proposed.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for dislodging a loosened object (e.g. floorboard) from an underlying frame-structure (e.g. joist), comprising an elongate member defining a handle, a plate-like member disposed at one end of the elongate member, the elongate member being inclined relative to the plate-like member, and a support disposed between the plate-like member and the elongate member, the support being configured to provide pivotal movement of the handle about an axis such that in use the plate-like member applies leverage to the underside of the loosened object.

The plate-like member may be inserted underneath the loosened object (hereinafter "floorboard") and leverage may be applied to increase separation between the floorboard and underlying support frame (hereinafter "joist") .

The support may comprise a rocking arrangement. The rocking arrangement may bear against an adjacent floorboard in use. By providing the rocking arrangement, the risk of damage to the adjacent floorboard may be contoured portion of the support .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for dislodging a loosened object ( e . g. floorboard) from an underlying frame structure ( e . g. joist) , comprising an elongate member defining a handle at one end, a base plate pivotally coupled to the other end of the elongate member, and a side member mounted on and projecting laterally from the elongate member, the side member being spaced from the base plate and handle and being configured for insertion under a loosened object when the base plate is positioned adjacent thereto.

In use, the side member applies leverage to the underside of the loosened object (hereinafter "floorboard") as the elongate member is pivoted about the base plate, in a direction away from the underlying frame structure. The base plate may be supported by the underlying frame structure, or by an adjacent object ( e . g. neighbouring floorboard) when the underlying frame structure is not yet exposed. The applied leverage raises the loosened object clear of the underlying frame structure, at least in the immediate vicinity of the device. If the object flexes along its length, the device may need to be moved along the object so that leverage may be reapplied in order to free the object completely from the underlying frame structure .

The base plate may extend substantially to one lateral In this way, the device may be positioned immediately adjacent an edge of the loosened floorboard, without the base plate fouling the latter.

The side member may be pivotally coupled to the elongate member. In this way, the orientation of a leading portion of the side member (which, in use bears against the underside of the loosened object) may remain substantially constant relative to the loosened object as the elongate member is pivoted about the base plate. The leading portion of the side member may be spaced from the pivotal coupling between the side member and the elongate member. Such spacing (which may be achieved with an L- shaped side member) allows the leading portion of the side member to be inserted under the loosened object without the handle being the same level as the base plate. The leading portion of the side member may have a low profile (e.g. may be plate-like) to facilitate insertion through a narrow opening, e . g. between a loosened floorboard and adjacent floorboard. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tool kit comprising at least a hand tool according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows schematically a lifting device Figure 2 shows schematically an edge guard embodying the second aspect of the invention;

Figure 3 shows schematically a device embodying the third aspect of the invention; Figure 4 shows schematically a device embodying the fourth aspect of the invention; and

Figure 5 shows an alternative configuration of support for a lifting device according to the first aspect of the invention. Figure 1 shows a hand tool 10 embodying one aspect of the present invention. The hand tool 10 comprises an elongate member 12 having a handle 14 at one end and a tool head 15 having a working face 16 disposed at the other end. A support (e.g. a cylindrical projection) 18 is disposed between the handle 14 and the working face 16 and projects laterally from the elongate member 12. The support 18 is configured to rest on an underlying joist

(not shown) such that the working face 16 may be positioned against the underside of a floorboard (not shown) attached to the joist. In use, movement of the handle 14 such that the elongate member 12 pivots around the joist acting as a fulcrum will cause leverage to be applied to the underside of the floorboard. Such leverage will dislodge the floorboard from the joist without damaging the lateral edges or upper surface of the floorboard.

The working face 16 is planar and part of a block 20 pivotal coupling 22 is spaced from the support 18 and the longitudinal axis AA extending through handle 14. The working face 16 is oversized to provide an enlarged footprint for engaging the underside of a floorboard. Figure 2 shows an edge guard 30 embodying another aspect of the present invention. The edge guard 30 comprises a first planar member 32, and a second planar member 34 mounted at right angles to the first planar member 32. A third planar member 36 is also mounted at right angles to the first planar member 32, and is in the same plane but spaced from the second planar member 34. The second and third planar members 34,36 define a recess 38 between them for receiving a lever (not shown) such as a chisel. The edge 42 of the first member 32 which is contiguous with the other members 34,36 includes a lip 44 which functions as a fulcrum for the lever.

The edge guard 30 is used when prising up a floorboard, perhaps in the middle of a boarded floor. The second and third members 34,36 are forced between two adjacent floorboards, with the first member 32 overlaying one of the boards. A chisel of the like is then inserted between the boards in the recess 38 between the second and third members 34,36. The chisel is then used as a lever, applying a lifting force to the underside edge of one floorboard whilst bearing against the lip 44 of the first member 32. In this way, the first member 32 shields the underlying floorboard from damage by the chisel . aspect of the present invention. The device 50 comprises an elongate member 52 defining a handle 54, a plate-like member 56 disposed at one of the elongate member, and a support 58 disposed between the handle 54 and the plate- like member 56. The support 58 includes a contoured periphery 60 which provides a rocking action. In this way, movement of the handle gives rise to a corresponding see-saw movement of the plate-like member.

The device 50 is used when prising up floorboards, perhaps in the middle of a boarded floor. After using edge guard 30, one of a pair of floorboards will be raised above the other, giving rise to an opening into which the plate-like member 56 is inserted. The support 58 rests on top of an adjacent floorboard. By moving the handle 54 in an arc towards the floor, the curved periphery 60 of support 58 rocks or rolls over the floorboard in contact with it. This causes the corresponding upward movement of the plate-like member 56 and the consequential lifting of the floorboard overlying it. Figure 4 shows a device 80 for prising up a loosened floorboard from an underlying structure of joists when adjacent floorboards are still in place. The device comprises an elongate member 82 defining a handle 84 at one end thereof, and a base plate 86 pivotally coupled to the other end of the elongate member 82. An L-shaped side member 88 is pivotally coupled to the elongate member 82, between the base plate 86 and the handle 84. The side projects laterally from the elongate member 82. The side member 88 and base plate 86 are arranged on opposite sides of the elongate member 82.

In use, the device 80 is positioned alongside a loosened floorboard. After using edge guard 30, one of a pair of floorboards will be raised above the other, giving rise to an opening into which the leading portion 90 of the side member 88 is inserted. The base plate 86 is supported on top of an adjacent floorboard. By pivoting the handle 84 about the base plate 86, in a direction away from the underlying frame structure, the side member 88 will be urged against the underside of the loosened floorboard, prising it clear of the underlying frame structure . Figure 5 shows a support 92 having an alternative configuration to the support 18 of Figure 1. The planar face 94 of the support 92 allows the edge of the elongate member 12 to be positioned against an edge of a floorboard as the working face 16 is brought to bear against the underside of the floorboard. According to the configuration of Figure 5 the planar surface allows a large radius and hence robust support to be provided without reducing the reach of the working face underneath the floorboard.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A hand tool (10) for dislodging an object from an underlying frame-structure, comprising an elongate member (12) defining a handle (14) , a tool head (15) having a working face (16) disposed at one end of the elongate member for bearing against the underside of the object, and a support (18) disposed between the handle and the working face, the support having a surface extending transversely to the elongate member for pivotally engaging an underlying frame-structure when applying leverage to urge the tool head against the underside of the object being dislodged, characterised in that the working face has a blunt profile to prevent the tool head from digging into the object when urged against it.

2. A hand tool according to claim 1, in which the tool head is hook-like and the working face is spaced laterally from the elongate member adjacent the support.

3. A hand tool according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the working face is pivotally coupled to the tool head.

4. A hand tool according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the working face is planar.

5. A hand tool according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the working face has an enlarged or oversized footprint.

5 6. A hand tool according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the support projects laterally of the elongate member.

7. A hand tool according to any one of the preceding 10 claims, in which the support projects on both sides of the elongate member, thereby enabling the hand tool to be used to the left or the right hand side of the underlying support frame .

15 8. A hand tool according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the support is configured to allow the elongate member to be positioned close to the object to be dislodged.

20 9. A hand tool according to claim 8, in which the support is configured by having a planar surface lying in substantially the same plane as an edge of the elongate member .

25 10. A tool kit comprising at least a hand tool according to any preceding claim.