Combination Pliers and Spudding Tool with Interlocking Handles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spudding tools have limited functionality and require multiple tools for alignment and manipulation tasks, leading to increased economic and logistical burdens for workers due to their specific design for alignment and hole-clearing, necessitating a multi-functional tool that combines pliers and spudding functions.
Innovation Solution
A combination hand tool with conically shaped handles that interlock to form a reinforced, pointed rod-like spudding tool when closed, allowing it to function as both pliers and a spudding tool, with a slot on one handle for the second handle to fit within, enhancing versatility and reducing tool costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional spudding tools are designed as single shaft-like devices for alignment and hole-clearing, then they can perform their specific alignment function, but they require multiple separate tools to be carried for different tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a spudding tool and a punch tool into a single integrated device. The spudding tool includes a shaft with a handle, and a punch tool is positioned within a cavity of the handle. This merging allows workers to perform both alignment/spudding functions and punching functions with one tool instead of carrying separate tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The spudding tool is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating a punch tool within its handle structure. The tool can function as a conventional spudding tool for alignment and hole-clearing, and also as a punch tool for creating holes or shaping metal. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized tools.
2Reliability
If workers carry multiple separate tools for alignment and manipulation tasks, then each tool can be optimized for its specific function, but the economic and logistical burdens increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple tool functions into a single device, reducing the tool set size while maintaining task performance capability. The spudding tool with integrated punch functionality allows workers to perform both alignment and punching tasks without needing separate tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional design enables a single tool to perform multiple tasks that previously required separate specialized tools. The spudding tool can be used for alignment, hole-clearing, and punching operations, providing universal functionality that reduces the number of tools needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single tool is designed to combine pliers and spudding functions, then versatility is improved, but the structural complexity of the tool increases
Solution Approach 1:
The punch tool is nested within a cavity in the handle of the spudding tool. This nesting arrangement allows the punch tool to be stored within the handle structure, creating a compact multi-functional tool. The punch tool can be accessed by removing it from the handle cavity when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the spudding tool structure with an integrated punch tool. The handle of the spudding tool incorporates a cavity that houses the punch tool, merging two separate tool functions into one integrated device with reduced structural complexity compared to carrying separate tools.
Data Source
AI summary
A combination tool that includes opposing jaws and handles that function as conventional pliers and wherein the handles are configured to be abutted with one another to form a spudding tool having a generally circular cross section and wherein one of the handles cooperatives seats within and fills a slot in the opposing handle when the handles are abutted with one another.