U.S. patent application number 11/109408 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-19 for eyelet setting tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to Provo Craft and Novelty, Inc.. Invention is credited to James R. Gunter, M. Ann Merrill.
Application Number | 20060230812 11/109408 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37107164 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060230812 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Merrill; M. Ann ; et
al. |
October 19, 2006 |
Eyelet setting tool
Abstract
An eyelet setting tool is comprised of an elongate member having
a first end and a second end. An eyelet splayer is coupled to the
first end for splaying one end of an eyelet. A pressing member is
coupled to the second end of the elongate member and is configured
for pressing with a palm of a hand of a user to force the first end
against the eyelet and to splay the end of the eyelet in contact
with the eyelet splayer. The pressing member is of a size that is
comfortable to the user when used to press the pressing member with
the palm of the user's hand to set the eyelet.
Inventors: |
Merrill; M. Ann; (Draper,
UT) ; Gunter; James R.; (Provo, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORRISS O'BRYANT COMPAGNI, P.C.
136 SOUTH MAIN STREET
SUITE 700
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84101
US
|
Assignee: |
Provo Craft and Novelty,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
37107164 |
Appl. No.: |
11/109408 |
Filed: |
April 19, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
72/479 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B42B 5/02 20130101; B42B
7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
072/479 |
International
Class: |
B21J 15/40 20060101
B21J015/40 |
Claims
1. A tool for setting an eyelet, comprising: an elongate member
having a first end and a second end; an eyelet splayer coupled to
said first end for splaying one end of an eyelet; and a pressing
member coupled to said second end configured for pressing with a
palm of a hand of a user to force the first end against the eyelet,
said pressing member of a size that is comfortable to the user when
used to press the pressing member with the palm of the user's hand
to set the eyelet.
2. The tool of claim 1, where said elongate member defines a recess
at said first end for receiving said eyelet splayer at least
partially therein.
3. The tool of claim 2, further comprising a magnet inserted within
said recess and wherein said eyelet splayer is held to said first
end by a magnetic force of said magnet.
4. The tool of claim 2, wherein said eyelet splayer has a proximal
end for coupling to said first end of said elongate member and a
distal end having a generally, conical-shape configured for
splaying an eyelet.
5. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a hole punch configured
for coupling to said first end of said elongate member.
6. The tool of claim 5, wherein said hole punch has a proximal end
for coupling to said first end of said elongate member and a distal
end defining a sharpened circular edge for cutting a circular
hole.
7. The tool of claim 6, wherein said distal end of said hole punch
has a generally frustoconical shape and defines a longitudinally
extending bore, said hole punch defining a side opening in
communication with said longitudinally extending bore for
retrieving material cut by said hole punch entering said
longitudinally extending bore.
8. The tool of claim 1, wherein said elongate member has an outer
surface defining a texture for gripping by a user.
9. The tool of claim 1, wherein said pressing member has a
generally oval shape.
10. The tool of claim 9, wherein said pressing member has a width
of approximately 1.75 inches and a length of approximately 2.75
inches.
11. An eyelet setting kit, comprising: a hand tool having an
elongate member, said elongate member having a first end and a
second end, a pressing member coupled to said second end configured
for pressing with a palm of a hand of a user to place a force on
said second end, said pressing member of a size that is comfortable
to the user when used to press the pressing member with the palm of
the user's hand to set an eyelet; and at least one eyelet splayer
configured for being releasably coupled to said first end.
12. The kit of claim 11, where said elongate member defines a
recess at said first end for receiving at least a portion of said
eyelet splayer and for releasably retaining said eyelet splayer
thereto.
13. The kit of claim 12, further comprising a magnet within said
recess for releasably retaining said eyelet splayer to said first
end.
14. The kit of claim 11, wherein said eyelet splayer has a proximal
end for coupling to said first end of said elongate member and a
distal end having a protrusion extending therefrom for splaying an
eyelet.
15. The kit of claim 11, further comprising at least one hole punch
configured for releasable attachment to said first end of said
elongate member.
16. The kit of claim 15, wherein said at least one hole punch has a
proximal end for coupling to said first end of said elongate member
and a distal end defining a sharpened circular edge for cutting a
circular hole.
17. The kit of claim 16, wherein said distal end of said at least
one hole punch has a generally frustoconical shape and defines a
longitudinally extending bore, said hole punch defining a side
opening in communication with said longitudinally extending bore
for retrieving material cut by said hole punch entering said
longitudinally extending bore.
18. The kit of claim 11, wherein said elongate member has an outer
surface defining a texture for gripping by a user.
19. The kit of claim 11, wherein said pressing member has a
generally oval shape.
20. The kit of claim 19, wherein said pressing member has a width
of approximately 1.75 inches and a length of approximately 2.75
inches.
21. The kit of claim 11, wherein said at one eyelet splayer
comprises a plurality of eyelet splayers of various sizes, each
configured for splaying an eyelet of a different size.
22. The kit of claim 15, wherein said at least one hole punch
comprises a plurality of hole punches of various sizes, each
configured for creating a hole of a different size.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to hand operated
tools for setting eyelets and more particularly to an eyelet
setting tool used for setting eyelets to paper products and the
like in a manner that significantly reduces the sound normally
associated with eyelet setting.
[0003] 2. State of the Art
[0004] As scrapbooking has become a national phenomenon, various
new products have been introduced to the mark to embellish and
customize scrapbook pages. No longer is it enough to simply insert
one's photographs into an photo album. Scrapbook pages are now
highly customized works of art that include various background
papers, stickers, and text that accompany personal photographs to
create an entire visual display. As such, various items that may
have been known are used to embellish scrapbook pages to add to
their customized look. One such embellishment is the use of colored
eyelets that are attached to scrapbook pages to attach papers,
ribbons, string, yarn or other items to a scrapbook page or to
simply provide an interesting look and feel to a scrapbook page
thorough the placement of such colored eyelets.
[0005] The tool presently used to set eyelets is an eyelet setting
tool that is stricken on one end with a hammer to cause one end of
the eyelet to splay out in order to secure the eyelet. Often it
takes several hits to set each eyelet. As the popularity of adding
eyelets to a scrapbook page has increased, the use of an eyelet
setting tool has become more prevalent at scrapbooking events.
[0006] Scrapbooking events often involve the gathering of numerous
individuals (25 to 100 or more) in a large room, such as a hotel
conference room, where the individuals produce their album pages
while socializing. Many of these events last for twenty-four hours
or more. At such scrapbooking events, the use of typical eyelet
setting tools results in constant hammering noise. To most
individuals attending such scrapbooking events, this loud,
persistent noise is not only annoying, but often significantly
diminishes the individual's enjoyment of the event.
[0007] As such, there exists a need in the art to provide an eyelet
setting tool that easily and quickly sets an eyelet with little or
no perceivable noise to individuals in the vicinity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An eyelet setting tool of the present invention is comprised
of an elongate member having a first end and a second end. An
eyelet splayer is coupled to the first end for splaying one end of
an eyelet. A pressing member is coupled to the second end of the
elongate member and is configured for pressing with a palm of a
hand of a user to force the first end against the eyelet and to
splay the end of the eyelet in contact with the eyelet splayer. The
pressing member is of a size that is comfortable to the user when
used to press the pressing member with the palm of the user's hand
to set the eyelet.
[0009] The foregoing advantages and characterizing features will
become apparent from the following description of certain
illustrative embodiments of the invention. The above-described
features and advantages of the present invention, as well as
additional features and advantages, will be set forth or will
become more fully apparent in the detailed description that follows
and in the appended claims. The novel features which are considered
characteristic of this invention are set forth in the attached
claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the present
invention may be learned by the practice of the invention, or will
be obvious to one skilled in the art from the description, as set
forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The following drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments for
carrying out the invention. Like reference numerals refer to like
parts in different views or embodiments of the present invention in
the drawings.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view of an eyelet setting tool in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the eyelet setting
tool illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top view of the eyelet setting tool illustrated
in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the eyelet setting tool
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIGS. 5A and 5B are side and bottom end views, respectively,
of an eyelet splayer in accordance with the principles of the
present invention;
[0016] FIGS. 6A and 6B are side and bottom end views, respectively,
of an alternative embodiment of an eyelet splayer in accordance
with the principles of the present invention;
[0017] FIGS. 7A and 7B are side and bottom end views, respectively,
of yet another embodiment of an eyelet splayer in accordance with
the principles of the present invention;
[0018] FIGS. 8A and 8B are first and second side views of a first
embodiment of a hole punch in accordance with the principles of the
present invention;
[0019] FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are first side, second side and distal
end views of a second embodiment of a hole punch in accordance with
the principles of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a top view of a mat in accordance with the
present invention; and
[0021] FIGS. 11 and 12 are side views of an eyelet setting tool of
the present invention setting an eyelet according to the principles
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a tool,
generally indicated at 10, for setting an eyelet in accordance with
the principles of the present invention. The tool 10 is comprised
of an elongate member 12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16.
The elongate member 12 has a generally cylindrical configuration,
but could have other geometries as desired. The elongate member 12
includes texturing 18 along a portion thereof to aid in grasping
the elongate member 12 by a user. The texturing 18 provides a
roughened surface to prevent slipping of the fingers of a user when
grasping the elongate member 12.
[0023] An eyelet splayer, generally indicated at 20 is configured
for coupling to the first end 14. In this embodiment (as will be
shown in more detail), the eyelet splayer 20 is configured to be at
least partially received within the first end 14 of the elongate
member. That is, the eyelet splayer 20 has a proximal end 22 for
being received within the first end 14 of the elongate member 12
and a distal end 24 configured for splaying one end of an eyelet
when the distal end is pressed against the eyelet.
[0024] A pressing member 30 is coupled to the second end 16 of the
elongate member and is configured for pressing with a palm of a
hand of a user to force the first end 14 and thus the distal end 24
of the eyelet splayer 20 against an eyelet. The pressing member 30
is of a size that is comfortable to the user when used to press the
pressing member 30 with the palm of the user's hand to set an
eyelet. That is, the surface area of the pressing member 30 upon
which the palm of the user is placed is large enough so as to allow
the user to firmly press the eyelet splayer 24 with sufficient
force to set an eyelet while remaining comfortable to the user. Of
course, if the surface area of the pressing member 30 were too
small, the force required to set an eyelet would cause the pressing
member to embed in the palm of the hand so as to impart pain to the
user. The pressing member 30 of the present invention, however, is
provided with a relatively large surface area so as to fit within
the palm of a user's hand and is of a generally oval or elliptical
shape with rounded corners for grasping comfort. Of course, those
of skill in the art will appreciate that other shapes and sizes of
pressing members may be of equal utility without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0025] As further illustrated in cross-section in FIG. 2, the
elongate member 12, the elongate member 12 is coupled to the
pressing member 30 by threaded engagement. That is, the proximal
end 16 is provided with external threads and is threaded into a
threaded bore 32 on the bottom of the pressing member 30. In order
to provide adequate support and strength to the attachment of the
elongate member 12 to the pressing member 30, a frustoconical
protrusion 34 is provided on and depends from the bottom side 36 of
the pressing member 30. The angle of the sides of the frustoconical
protrusion 34 is approximately between 10 and 20 degrees from the
longitudinal axis of the elongate member 12. The bore 32 extends
into the frustoconical protrusion 34 and helps to retain the
elongate member 12 while preventing any bending between the
elongate member and the pressing member 30. A set pin 38 is fitted
within an aperture that extends from the outside of the
frustoconical protrusion 34 and engages the threads 40 of the
elongate member 12 to prevent disengagement of the elongate member
12 from the pressing member 30.
[0026] The distal end 14 of the elongate member 12 defines a recess
42 therein. In this embodiment, the recess 42 is essentially a
concentric bore that extends longitudinally into the distal end 14
of the elongate member 12. The diameter (or effective diameter) of
the recess 42 is sized to receive a proximal end 44 of the eyelet
splayer 20. The proximal end 44 of the eyelet splayer 20 is sized
to slidably fit within the recess 42 in a close fitting
arrangement. As such, at least a portion of the eyelet splayer 20
fits within the recess 42 when in use.
[0027] In this embodiment, the eyelet splayer 20 is formed from
steel as is the elongate member 12. A permanent magnet 46 is
positioned within the recess 42 at the bottom 48 thereof. The
magnet 46 may be held in place with an adhesive and/or a retaining
member 50, such as an o-ring abutting the exposed surface of the
magnet 50 and the interior walls of the recess 42. The magnet 46
attracts and thus retains the eyelet splayer 20 within the recess
42 when the eyelet splayer 20 is inserted within the recess 42 as
shown. To remove or replace the eyelet splayer 20, one simply pulls
the eyelet splayer 20 from the recess 42 with sufficient force as
to overcome the magnetic force between the magnet 46 and the
proximal end 44 of the eyelet splayer 20. Of course, other
releasable attachment mechanisms, such as the spring loaded
ball/recess assemblies found on a typical ratchet/socket set.
[0028] The eyelet splayer 20 includes a centrally located abutment
structure 52 that extends circumferentially around the perimeter of
the eyelet setter. The abutment structure 52 has sufficient
longitudinal length and circumferential size so as to resist
shearing from the eyelet splayer 20 under load. In use, the
abutment structure 52 abuts against the distal end 14 of the
elongate member 12 and is prevented from crushing or otherwise
deforming the magnet 46. The distal end 24 is provided with what is
commonly referred to as a "flower" end. The distal end 24 is
provided with a generally conically-shaped center protrusion 54. In
use, the center protrusion 54 is positioned within the end of an
eyelet to be set. As will be described in more detail, when
sufficient force is placed upon the eyelet, the curvature of the
distal end 24 causes the eyelet to splay or spread open. Continued
force causes the eyelet end to essentially fold upon itself as its
spreads to increase the effective diameter of the end being
splayed.
[0029] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate top and bottom views, respectively
of the eyelet setting tool 10. The pressing member 30 has a
generally oval shape with a rounded contour. The Width W of the
pressing member may be approximately 1.75 inches with a length L of
approximately 2.75 inches. Such a size fits comfortably in the palm
of an average sized hand of a user. Of course, the size and shape
of the pressing member may vary as contemplated by the present
invention. For example, the pressing member may be a spherical
shape, a flat rectangular shape, a cylindrical shape, a circular
shape or the like. As shown in FIG. 4, the elongate member 12 is
generally concentric with the center of the pressing member 30.
[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B, there is
illustrated three eyelet splayers 100, 110 and 120, respectively,
in accordance with the present invention. Each eyelet splayer 100,
110 and 120 is configured to splay an eyelet of a different size.
That is, each eyelet splayer 100, 110 and 120 has a proximal end
portion 101, 111 and 121, respectively, that is of the same size to
fit within a recess of an eyelet setting tool of the present
invention. The distal end portions, 102, 112 and 122, of the eyelet
splayers 100, 110 and 120, respectively, are of different diameters
to accommodate eyelets of various sizes. As such, as the diameter
increases, so does the size of the center protrusions, 103, 113 and
123 so as to cause eyelets of larger or smaller sizes to splay
properly. Radial spaced ribs 104, 105, 106 and 107 are provided on
the eyelet splayer 100 to further guide the eyelet as it is being
splayed. Such ribs, are also shown with respect to eyelet splayers
110 and 120. The centrally located abutment structure 108 is
illustrated as having a hexagonal configuration. Of course, other
geometric shapes could also be utilized.
[0031] Because the eyelet splayer of the present invention can be
removed from the tool, the present invention also includes a hole
punch, generally indicated at 200, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. The
hole punch includes a proximal end portion 202 of a cylindrical
shape and sized to fit within the distal end recess of the eyelet
setting tool of the present invention. The hole punch may be formed
from steel or other hard metal that may be retained within the tool
of the present invention by magnetic or spring force as previously
described. An abutment structure 204, similar to and generally in
the same relative position as the abutment structure of the eyelet
splayers previously illustrated herein. A frustoconically-shaped
hole punch portion 206 depends from the abutment structure 204. The
hole punch portion 206 defines a longitudinally extending bore 208
extending from the distal end 210 to the abutment structure 204.
The interface 212 between the exterior sides of the hole punch
portion 206 and the bore 210 form a sharpened circular edge having
a diameter equal to the diameter of the bore 208. By placing
longitudinal pressure, as with the eyelet setting tool of the
present invention, upon the distal end 210 will cause the distal
end 210 to cut into and through an engaging material, such as a
sheet of paper. As a hole is formed in the material, the circular
piece of material that is cut will enter the bore 208 at the distal
end 212. If repeated hole punches are performed, each successive
piece that enters the bore 208 will force adjacent pieces through
the bore 208 until they emerge from the side opening 214 formed in
the side of the hole punch portion 206. The side opening 214 is
essentially a semicircular transverse cut through the side of the
hole punch portion that extends to a point away from the distal end
210 so as not to interrupt the circular cutting edge formed at the
distal end 210. In addition, the remaining material of the hole
cutting portion 206 is such that there is sufficient structural
strength and integrity so as to support the distal end 210 when
substantial force is applied thereto during the hole punching
process.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C, there is illustrated
another embodiment of a hole punch, generally indicated at 250, in
accordance with the principles of the present invention. The hole
punch 250 is similar in configuration to the hole punch 200
illustrate din FIGS. 8A and 8B, but is configured to punch a hole
of a larger diameter than the hole punch 200. In order to do so,
the hole punch portion 252 has a steeper taper relative to the
longitudinal axis of the hole punch 250 to create a wider distal
end 254. In addition, the central bore 256, which is concentric
with the frustoconical hole punch portion 252 (see FIG. 9C), has a
larger diameter to form a larger diameter cutting edge 256. If
desired, the cutting edge 256 can be further sharpened to further
increase the cutting ability of the hole punch 250.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 10, a mat, generally indicated at 270,
formed from a hardened rubber or plastic material is provided. The
mat 270 is to be used as a platen for supporting an eyelet when
being set using the tool of the present invention or to receive the
cutting edge of a hole punch when a hole is being formed. The mat
270 is provided with ruler markings 272 and measured lines 274 to
be used as a guide for determining a desired placement of a hole
when the hole punch of the present invention is being used. The
ruler markings 272 and lines 274 are of a high contrast color
compared to the background 276 of the mat so as to allow the
markings 272 and lines 274 to be seen through some materials being
cut.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, there is illustrated an
eyelet setting tool, generally indicated at 300, setting an eyelet
302 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As
shown, an eyelet splayer 304 of the eyelet setting tool 300 is
brought into contact with the unset end 306 of the eyelet 302. The
preformed end 307 of the eyelet 302 is resting upon a mat 308 and
with the unset end 306 inserted through a hole 309 formed in a
sheet 310 of material and exposed. A Force F is applied to the
pressing member 312 so as to cause the unset end 306 to splay as
shown in FIG. 12. Force F is applied to the pressing member 312
until the eyelet 302 is properly set.
[0035] It is understood that the terminology used herein is used
for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is
not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It is
also understood that, as used herein and in the appended claims,
the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural reference,
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0036] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. While
various methods, compositions, and materials of the present
invention are described herein, any methods and materials similar
or equivalent to those described herein may by used in the practice
or testing of the present invention. All references cited herein
are incorporated by reference in their entirety and for all
purposes.
[0037] While the foregoing advantages of the present invention are
manifested in the illustrated embodiments of the invention, a
variety of changes can be made to the configuration, design and
construction of the invention to achieve those advantages. Hence,
reference herein to specific details of the structure and function
of the present invention is by way of example only and not by way
of limitation.
* * * * *