A tool comprising a handle and an implement. The handle comprises an elongate portion having a first end and a second end, and the implement, removably attachable to the handle, comprises an elongate portion at a first end and a tool portion at a second end. In an embodiment of the invention, the handle has, at the first end, a male portion comprising a reducing taper extending from the elongate portion and terminating in a shoulder, and a threaded portion extending from the shoulder and having a cross sectional area lesser than that of the shoulder. In the same embodiment, the implement has, at the first end, a female portion comprising a reducing taper extending inwardly from the first end, a shoulder portion extending from the taper, and a threaded portion extending further inward from the shoulder.
1 . A tool suitable for use in digging, breaking concrete, cutting roots, loosening earth and stones, and similar operations which involve similar axial impact loads and similar non-axial impact loads, the tool comprising
a shaft comprising a one-piece elongate portion having a first end and a second end, and
a one-piece implement removably attachable to the shaft, comprising an elongate portion at a first end and a tool portion at a second end,
wherein one of the one-piece, elongate portion of the shaft and the implement has, at its first end, a male portion comprising a reducing taper extending from the elongate portion and terminating at a shoulder, and a threaded portion extending from the shoulder and having a cross sectional area lesser than that of the shoulder, and
the other of the one-piece, elongate portion of the shaft and the implement has, at its first end, a female portion comprising a reducing taper extending inwardly from the first end, a shoulder portion extending from the taper, and a threaded portion extending further inward from the shoulder, the shoulder portion being located longitudinally between the reducing taper and the threaded portion, wherein
the male portion further comprises a second threaded portion extending from the taper toward the second end, and a fastener for cooperation with the second threaded portion.
2 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the one-piece, elongate portion of the shaft comprises the female portion and the implement comprises the male portion.
3 . The tool according to claim 2 , wherein the one-piece, elongate portion of the shaft further comprises a cavity extending inwardly from a second end for receiving a portion of a handle.
4 . The tool according to claim 3 , further comprising a handle for gripping when the tool is in use.
5 . The tool according to claim 4 , wherein a portion of the handle is bonded to the one-piece, elongate portion of the shaft.
6 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the one-piece, elongate portion of the shaft comprises the male portion and the implement comprises the female portion.
7 . The tool according to claim 6 , wherein the shaft comprises a handle for gripping when the tool is in use.
8 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the second threaded portion is an opposite-direction thread to threaded portion.
9 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the female portion further comprises an aperture between the threaded portion and an external surface of the tool.
10 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the female portion further comprises an aperture for external venting of the threaded portion.
11 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the implement is any one of a blade, a fork, a hammer, a chisel, a tamper, a dibber, a dobber, a digger, a drill, an auger, a rammer, a puller, a mattock, or a maul.
12 . The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the tool is fabricated from any one of a metal alloy, a polymer, a wood, a composite material, or a combination thereof.
13 . The tool according to claim 12 , wherein the one-piece, elongate portion of the shaft is fabricated from the same material as that of the implement.
14 . The tool according to claim 12 , wherein the one-piece, elongate portion of the shaft is fabricated from a material different from that of the implement.
15 . A kit of parts for a tool suitable for use in digging, breaking concrete, cutting roots, loosening earth and stones, and similar operations which involve similar axial impact loads and similar non-axial impact loads, the tool comprising:
a shaft comprising a one-piece, elongate portion and an implement, wherein one of the one-piece, elongate portion of the shaft and the implement has, at the first end, a male portion comprising a reducing taper extending from the elongate portion and terminating in a shoulder, and a threaded portion extending from the shoulder and having a cross sectional area lesser than that of the shoulder, and
the other of the shaft and the implement has, at the first end, a female portion comprising a reducing taper extending inwardly from the first end, a shoulder portion extending from the taper, and a threaded portion extending further inward from the shoulder, the shoulder portion being located longitudinally between the reducing taper and the threaded portion, wherein
the one-piece, elongate portion of the shaft and the implement area arranged to be removably attached to one another by mating the male and the female portions; and wherein
the male portion further comprises a second threaded portion extending from the taper toward the second end, and a fastener for cooperation with the second threaded portion.
16 . The kit of parts according to claim 15 further comprising a fastener for removable attachment to the male portion, and for cooperation with the first end of the female portion.
17 . The kit of parts according to claim 15 , further comprising a handle for removable attachment to the female portion, and for cooperation with a second end of the female portion.
18 . A one-piece tool implement suitable for use in digging, breaking concrete, cutting roots, loosening earth and stones, and similar operations which involve similar axial impact loads and similar non-axial impact loads, the tool comprising an elongate portion at a first end and a tool portion at a second end, wherein the elongate portion comprises a reducing taper terminating in a shoulder, and a threaded portion extending from the shoulder and having a cross sectional area lesser than that of the shoulder, in which the reducing taper, shoulder and threaded portion are on an internal face of a bore extending within the elongate portion, and in which the bore extends coaxially within the elongate portion; the tool portion further comprises a second threaded portion extending from the taper toward the second end, and a fastener for cooperation with the second threaded portion.