US4344901A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of making tool handle
Assignee: IXL Manufacturing Co Inc
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Filing: 1981-06-30
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Granted: 1982-08-17
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Expires: 2001-06-30
Abstract
Abstract An elongated tool handle has a solid wood shaft member and a molded, tool holding section molded directly to the wood at the tool end portion of the shaft member. The tool holding section is composed of a high impact material which is effective to secure a tool in place on the tool holding section. The tool holding section includes a volumetric mass of high impact material which gives off an amount of heat in its molten condition effective to drive moisture out of kiln dried wood. The wood of the shaft member has an amount of moisture sufficient to maintain the natural handle strength characteristics of the wood with the tool holding end section molded directly thereto. When the tool having an eye for the reception of the handle is placed over the molded, tool holding section, a slight outward expansion occurs in the material behind the tool head. A novel method is required to produce the tool handle with a molded tool holding section molded directly to a wood shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Bob N. Keathley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:22
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C70/00; B29C70/68; B29C70/74; B29C70/76; B25; B25G; B25G3/00; B25G3/34; B29C45/00; B29C45/14; B29C45/14336; B29C45/14426; B29C45/14467; B29C45/14491; B29C45/14778; B29C70/84; B29C2045/1486; B29C2045/14868; B29C2045/14877; B29K; B29K2711/00; B29K2711/14; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/28; B29L2031/283; B29L2031/46; B29L2031/463
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of producing an elongated tool handle, said method comprising: (a) forming an elongated blank of kiln dried wood, (b) reducing the moisture level of said kiln dried wood along a delimited length of said elongated blank, (c) placing said moisture reduced delimited length into a mold cavity, and (d) injecting a molten, high impact material into said mold cavity to secure said material directly to said wood in the delimited length of said blank, (e) said molten material having a volumetric mass which gives off an amount of heat in its molten condition effective to drive moisture out of kiln dried wood.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of producing an elongated tool handle, said method comprising: (a) forming an elongated blank of kiln dried wood, (b) reducing the moisture level of said kiln dried wood along a delimited length of said elongated blank, (c) placing said moisture reduced delimited length into a mold cavity, and (d) injecting a molten, high impact material into said mold cavity to secure said material directly to said wood in the delimited length of said blank, (e) said molten material having a volumetric mass which gives off an amount of heat in its molten condition effective to drive moisture out of kiln dried wood.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the elongated blank has a tool end portion and a butt end portion, said delimited length extends along said tool end portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the elongated blank has a tool end portion and a butt end portion, said delimited length extends along said tool end portion, a first delimited length extends along said tool end portion and a second delimited length extends along said butt end portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said wood is hickory.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as defined in claim 4 wherein said high impact material is rubber-modified polystyrene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the temperature of said molten material injected into the mold cavity is at a temperature of from about 400° F. to about 450° F.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the injecting step is effected under a pressure of about 450 to 500 pounds per square inch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the moisture reducing step is effected by treating said delimited length with dielectric heating.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as defined in claim 8 wherein the dielectric heating is effected at a radio frequency of about forty megahertz.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the moisture reducing step is effected by treating said delimited length with microwave energy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the moisture reducing step is effected by treating said delimited length with ultrasonic waves.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the moisture reducing step is effected by treating said delimited length with electrostatic field action.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the moisture reducing step includes driving moisture from said delimited length into an adjacent region of the blank.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the elongated blank has a tool end portion and a butt end portion, said delimited length extends along said tool end portion, the moisture reducing step includes driving moisture from the tool end portion of the blank toward said butt end portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongated blank forming step includes turning said blank to form stop means within said delimited area to aid in securing said molded material in place.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-08-16 | 1986-02-15 | 1986-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-08-16 | 1990-02-15 | 1990-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-08-16 | 1994-02-15 | 1994-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |