Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Having work engaging and force exerting portion inserted...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-19
2001-10-09
Smith, James G. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Having work engaging and force exerting portion inserted...
C081S439000, C081S177400, C081S490000, C007S105000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298755
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to hand tools for forming a smooth spackle receiving cavity at a wall location where a fastener has been removed and, more particularly, to a dimpler tool having interchangeable attachments for forming a smooth spackle receiving cavity or driving a fastener into the wall.
In fastening sheetrock panels to walls, it is often the case that a fastener, such as a nail or screw, is incorrectly positioned such that the fastener does not engage a stud or beam. Missing the stud may occur where the studs are not spaced apart at expected intervals, such as 16-inch centers, in pre-existing structures being renovated, or in uniquely designed wall areas. In these circumstances, the mistakenly positioned fastener may be removed such as with the claw of a hammer or with a screwdriver, as the case may be. However, fastener removal often results in a hole that is rough and may include torn sheetrock paper which needs to be smoothed with spackling prior to painting of the wall.
Various devices have been proposed in the art for forming a smooth cavity at the position where a fastener was removed from a wall. Although assumably effective for their intended purpose, existing devices do not provide for the interchangeability of dimpler tips of various sizes and configurations or for storage of these tips within the tool itself.
Therefore, it is desirable to have a dimpler tool in which tips of various sizes may be interchangeably coupled thereto. Further, it is desirable to have a dimpler tool in which auxiliary attachments having screwdriver tips may also be removably coupled to the tool. Finally, it is desirable to have a dimpler tool in which all of the interchangeable attachments may be stored within a chamber defined by the tool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A dimpler tool according to the present invention includes a handle member having a cylindrical side wall, a closed bottom, and an open top which define an interior chamber. A lid is threadably coupled to the handle member so as to removably cover the open top and selectively enclose the chamber. A shaft includes a first portion fixedly embedded in the closed bottom of the handle member and a second portion projecting therefrom and normal to the closed bottom. A dimpler attachment is removably coupled to the second portion extending from the handle member. The dimpler attachment may be coupled to the shaft by way of complementary threaded configurations, a socket-like snap-fit configuration, or with screws. The dimpler attachment includes a generally cylindrical configuration having a tip that is tapered to a point at a free end thereof. In use, this tip may be positioned in a hole created by the removal of a fastener. Then, a gentle pushing and twisting force may be exerted against the tool for pushing stray sheetrock paper into the hole and forming a smooth cavity for receiving spackling.
The dimpler tool also includes a plurality of auxiliary attachments each having a screwdriver tip. Each screwdriver tip may include a square head bit, Phillips head bit, hex-head bit, a torque bit, or any other bit configuration. The auxiliary attachments are advantageous where a fastener merely needs to be further driven into a wall surface rather than removed therefrom. The auxiliary tips also make the dimpler tool suitable for other applications where a screwdriver is typically used. When not in use, the dimpler attachment or auxiliary attachments may be stored within the chamber.
Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a dimpler tool which is useful to repair holes in sheetrock caused by the removal of a fastener therefrom.
Another object of this invention is to provide a dimpler tool, as aforesaid, which forms a smooth spackle receiving cavity at the hole location.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a dimpler tool, as aforesaid, in which variously sized dimpler attachments are interchangeably attachable to a handle member.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a dimpler tool, as aforesaid, in which variously configured screwdriver tips are interchangeably attachable to the handle member.
A further object of this invention is to provide a dimpler tool, as aforesaid, which can store a plurality of interchangeable tips within a chamber defined by the handle member.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a dimpler tool, as aforesaid, which is easy to grip during use.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 328228 (1992-07-01), Rokita
patent: 3879848 (1975-04-01), Murphy
patent: 4041558 (1977-08-01), Victor
patent: 4355466 (1982-10-01), Quiring
patent: 4658457 (1987-04-01), Rokita
patent: 4776568 (1988-10-01), Perel
patent: 4982632 (1991-01-01), Barmore
patent: 5546625 (1996-08-01), Mealey, Sr.
patent: 5720063 (1998-02-01), Chacon
patent: 5868048 (1999-02-01), Cassutti et al.
Danganan Joni B.
Ream Dale J.
Smith James G.
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