Hammer Head Recessed Blade for Safe Material Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hammer-type hand tools for demolition lack a safe and effective method to split or cut construction materials like lumber and drywall, as they often have dulled cutting edges or exposed, dangerous cutting surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A hammer design featuring a head portion with a recessed sharpened blade between two extensions, allowing for safe engagement and cutting of materials, with the blade protected from accidental contact and adjustable to accommodate different substrate sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a sharpened blade is exposed on a swinging hammer tool for cutting or splitting materials, then cutting effectiveness is improved, but user safety deteriorates due to accidental contact risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting effectivenessVSAvoiduser safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The blade is nested within a recess in the hammer head, with the cutting edge positioned inside a cavity formed by the head and an extension. This nesting configuration allows the blade to be protected from accidental contact while remaining functional for cutting and splitting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The extension acts as an intermediary element that bridges the hammer head and the blade, providing both structural support and protective coverage. The extension partially covers the blade, serving as a mediator that allows the blade to perform its cutting function while reducing direct exposure to users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a specialty hammer includes a blade for cutting stone or other materials, then functional versatility is improved, but the cutting edge becomes relatively dulled or the tool becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidcutting edge sharpness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The blade is configured with a specific local geometry where the cutting edge is positioned at an angle within the recess, optimized for cutting and splitting construction materials. The blade's orientation and the recess geometry work together to provide effective cutting performance while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The hammer head with the recessed blade configuration provides multi-functionality, enabling the tool to perform both hammering operations and cutting/splitting operations on various construction materials including lumber, drywall, and other substrates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the blade is fully exposed for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but safety and protection from accidental contact deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade accessibilityVSAvoidaccidental contact risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The blade is nested within a recess in the hammer head, with the cutting edge positioned inside a cavity formed by the head and an extension. This nesting configuration allows the blade to be protected from accidental contact while remaining functional for cutting and splitting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The extension acts as an intermediary element that bridges the hammer head and the blade, providing both structural support and protective coverage. The extension partially covers the blade, serving as a mediator that allows the blade to perform its cutting function while reducing direct exposure to users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3235598B1A tool
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 STANLEY BLACK & DECKER INC
  • EP3235598B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3235598B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A tool includes a handle portion, a head portion at an end of the handle portion, a hammer strike surface at a forward region of the head portion, an upper extension and a lower extension of the head portion extending away from the head portion, defining a gap between the upper extension and the lower extension, and a blade formed in the head portion, recessed within the gap between the upper extension and the lower extension.