This invention relates to impact tools such as hammers. More specifically, this invention relates to an improved hammer having exposed metallic impact surfaces with the remainder of said hammer covered by a unitary resilient encasement.
Hammers of many sizes and shapes are available throughout the prior art, and typically comprise a handle connected to a head having at least one impact surface. The specific construction of the hammer handle and head, and even the striking surface, varies widely according to the desired specialized use of the hammer. That is, hammers for some applications are provided with heads formed from steel or the like to provide hard metallic impact surfaces. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,341,261. Alternately, for other applications hammers are provided with heads formed from Babbitt or other soft compositions such as lead or rubber to provide soft, non-marring impact surfaces. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,894,550. Further, some hammers are provided with pellet-filled heads for reducing dangerous recoil upon impact. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,604,914 and 2,737,216.
Another specialized hammer construction comprises a skeletal hammer head and handle wholly received within a resilient encasement to provide soft impact surfaces. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 52,696 and 3,844,321. Such encased hammers are advantageous in that they cannot cause sparking when brought in contact with metallic surfaces, and they do not scratch or otherwise mar surfaces during use. Further, hammers having a resilient exterior coating are not susceptible to undesirable chipping during use and thereby have an improved life span over hammers having heads formed from Babbitt or the like.
Resilient encasements have not been used, however, with hammers requiring steel or other hard metal impact surface since it is necessary to keep the hard impact surface exposed. As a result, such hammers are therefore left with extensive exposed steel surface areas over the hammer head, and often over the handle too. These exposed steel surface areas can chip, create sparks, or scratch surface finishes both during use and when the hammer is put down. That is, when the hammer is used near other machinery, etc., portions of the hammer other than the impact surface can contact the machinery to cause sparks, chips, and scratches. Similarly, when the hammer is put down, the portions of the hammer other than the impact surface can contact other metal surfaces to cause sparks, etc.
It is desirable, therefore, to provide an improved hammer having exposed steel or other hard-faced impact surfaces wherein the remainder of the hammer is covered by a unitary, resilient encasement. Moreover, it is desirable to provide such an improved hammer which is quickly and easily assembled, made from economical materials, and of durable construction.