US2702060A - Tool with shock absorbing means - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 15, 1955 E. J. BONNESEN 2,702,060

TOOL wrm SHOCK ABSORBING MEANS Filed Dec. 17, 1952 INVENTOR 'ELMER J. BQNNESEN BY 10 ATTORN Y United States Patent TOOL WITH SHOCK ABSORBING MEANS Elmer J. Bonnesen, Summit, N. J., assignor of one-halt to Howard D. Brown, Westfield, N. J.

Application December 17, 1952, Serial No. 326,501

1 Claim. (Cl. 145-29) This invention relates to handled instruments or tools having a blow head and commonly referred to as hammers. More particularly, the invention deals with the provision of means for absorbing shock between the head and handle, particularly in tools of the character described in which heavy blows are struck and, wherein, the likelihood of shock transmission prevails.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed, and in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which the drawing is'a side view of a sledge hammer made according to my invention, with parts of the construction broken away and parts in section.

In the drawing, I have shown what is generally termed a sledge hammer, comprising an elongated handle men;- ber 1 and a sledge or other head 2. The handle member is in the form of a rod having a collar 3 adjacent the outer end thereof, the outer end 4 being slightly reduced and being arranged in a bushing 5 of yielding shock absorbing material. The bushing 5 is arranged in an aperture 6 formed centrally or substantially centrally of the hammer head 2, the aperture being enlarged, as seen at 7, where it opens through the outer surface 8 of the head; the bushing 5 is flanged, as seen at 9, to fit in the enlargement 7.

The end portion 4 has a retaining member 10 which fits in the recess 7 and is countersunk within the surface 8, the member 10 serving to hold the head 2 against displacement from the handle member. In the construction shown, the member 10 is in the form of a rivet head on the end portion 4 of the handle member. It will also be apparent that the bushing 5 includes a flange portion 11 between the surface 12 of the head 2 and the flange 3.

The bushing 5 may be composed of any shock absorbing material, such for example, as rubber or synthetic rubbers of any type or kind and it is preferred that a material be employed which will withstand exposure to weather and rough usages while, at the same time, providing the cushioning effect which is desired. It will be apparent that the bushing 5 will be arranged in the aperture or bore 6 and recess 7 prior to attachment of the handle member with the head and bushing.

The inner or hand grip end portion of the sleeve or hammer is preferably roughened or knurled, as seen at 13, to provide a binding surface for a rubber or synthetic rubber hand grip 14 which can be moulded on the hand grip or cemented or otherwise secured thereto.

By virtue of the structure employed, it will be apparent that, in the use of the hammer, in striking a blow, the shock of the blow is directly taken up through the yielding bushing which is employed and this shock is thus not transmitted to the handle member, at least not to any noticeable or appreciable degree. Further, by utilizing the yielding hand grip, any shock which may be transmitted to the handle member would be taken up through the hand grip, thus producing an outstanding relief to the operator using hammers of the type and kind under consideration.

It will be understood that the shock absorbing characteristics, as here disclosed, can be applied to hammers of various types and kinds and such uses will minimize the physical fatigue which is usually brought about by the shock transmitted to the hand and arm and, in fact, the rest of the body in the operation of tools of this type and kind.

With hammers as usually constructed, a positivev and firm rigid coupling has been provided between the handle member and the hammer head and the shock of a blow has been transmitted directly to the handle and, thus, to the operator in handling the tool. At times, these shocks have been amplified, particularly when the tool strikes an object in an unbalanced manner or, in other words, 01f center with respect to the head of the hammer. Here again, such amplified shocks are absorbed through the shock absorbing medium such as the bushing 5 in the manner herein disclosed.

It will be understood that, by providing the flanged ends 9 and 11 on the bushing, any shock tending to shift the axis of the head with respect to the axis of the handle member will be taken up through the flanges 9 and 11.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A tool of the class described, comprising an elongated handle member having a large diameter collar inwardly of and adjacent one end thereof, a head mounted on the handle member outwardly of said collar, means at said end of the handle member securing the head against displacement from the handle member, an annular bushing of shock absorbing material spacing the handle member from said head, said bushing including shock absorbing flanges disposed between the head, collar and said head securing means, the other end of the handle member having a roughened surface, and a hand-grip portion of shock absorbing material fixed to said roughened surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 222,825 Isham Dec. 23, 1879 1,435,851 Isham Nov. 14, 1922 1,508,395 Isham Sept. 16, 1924 1,581,647 Layton Apr. 20, 1926 1,609,117 Hansen Nov. 30, 1926 1,632,227 Halsey June 14, 1927 2,067,751 Beegle Jan. 12, 1937 2,656,225 Saylor Oct. 20, 1953

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