At a glance
| Patent number | CN205380635U (application CN201620111560) |
| Type | China utility model (实用新型) - protects product shape and structure |
| Original title | Multifunctional geologic hammer (一种多功能地质锤) |
| Patent owner | Yunnan Jingcheng Geological Exploration Co Ltd |
| Inventors | Wang Youde, Yang Rui, Tan Diao, Wang Rui, Xie Jianxiong, Xia, Xia Yi |
| Filing date | 2016-02-04 |
| Grant date | 2016-07-13 |
| Status (China) | Lapsed - terminated for non-payment of annual fees (recorded 2019-01-22) |
| Patent family | Chinese filings only - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 4 later documents |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN205380635U) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - A multifunctional geological hammer comprising a hammer body, a connection handle, and/or a hammer handle. One end of the connection handle is removably mounted on the hammer body, and the hammer handle is removably mounted on the hammer body or the other end of the connection handle. The hammer body has a sawtooth on top, a vertically arranged detachable screwdriver in the middle, a tup (striking face) at the bottom, and a curved hook-shaped crowbar on the inner side of the tup. The hammer handle has a vibration-absorbing rubber sleeve on the outside, a volumetric bin inside containing a pin for carving characters, and an LED embedded in the hammer body.
Claim 2 - The connection handle uses a first threaded joint to screw into the hammer body, and the hammer handle uses a second threaded joint to screw into the connection handle or hammer body. Claim 3 - The detachable screwdriver threads into the hammer body and can be a cross screwdriver, word screwdriver, or stiletto. Claim 4 - The connection handle additionally includes a compass, horizon rule, magnifier, and/or miniature compass. Claim 5 - The volumetric bin has a hinged bonnet, and the carving pin is connected to a spring and enclosed by the bonnet. Claim 6 - Rulers are carved or printed on the upper and lower faces of the connection handle. Claim 7 - A lanyard is provided at the end of the hammer handle. Claim 8 - The detachable screwdriver is made of hardmetal materials. Claim 9 - The connection handle and hammer handle have lengths of about 8 to 25 cm.
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for US production
This patent was filed only in China and is lapsed, so it no longer restricts anyone in China either. It has no US or other foreign counterpart.
Two points to settle early:
- Other patents may exist. Multi-tools and geological hammers involve various mechanical features that may be covered by other active US or international patents held by established outdoor and tool manufacturers, so a freedom-to-operate (FTO) review of the threaded modular assembly, internal storage bin, and integrated tool layout is recommended before committing to production.
- Handle strength and thread wear. The threaded joints connecting the handles to the hammer body must withstand repeated striking forces; thread pitch, engagement depth, and material hardness need to be confirmed on prototypes to prevent loosening or failure during use.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Handle lengths | To be confirmed in design; the patent mentions about 8 to 25 cm |
| Screwdriver type | Cross, flat (word), or stiletto tip; hardmetal material selection |
| Navigation inserts | Compass, horizon rule, magnifier, or miniature compass on the connection handle |
| Rubber sleeve | Compound, durometer, and texture of the vibration-absorbing grip |
| LED system | Battery type, switch mechanism, and brightness to be set in design |
| Finishes | Plating, powder coating, or bare stainless steel for the handles and body |
| Carving pin | Tip geometry and spring tension for the character-marking pin |
Things to plan for (US market)
- CPSC regulations - general consumer product safety rules apply if marketed to non-professional consumers; sharp edges and points on tools sold to the public must meet applicable labeling requirements.
- California Proposition 65 - materials such as certain brass components in compasses, specific rubber compounds, or plating chemicals may require warning labels if sold in California.
- FCC Part 15 - if the embedded LED circuit includes any unintentional radiators or digital switching components, FCC compliance may apply.
- Battery regulations - batteries used for the LED must comply with UN 38.3 for transport if lithium-based.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - define the target user, required functions, handle lengths, and estimated volumes.
- Design - engineer the hammer body forging or casting, thread tolerances for the joints, LED housing, and rubber sleeve mold.
- Prototype - produce machined or cast samples to test thread durability under impact, LED function, and pin ejection.
- Pilot run - manufacture a small batch for drop testing, strike testing, and regulatory pre-screening.
- Production - scale up metal forming, machining, rubber molding, electronic assembly, and final packaging.
Quantities & timeline
Manufacturing requires tooling for the hammer body (forging dies or casting molds), CNC machining setups for the threaded joints, injection molds for the rubber sleeve and the volumetric bin bonnet, and assembly jigs for the LED and spring-loaded pin. Certification tests for battery transport and material compliance add to the schedule. Send us your target specifications, required functions, handle lengths, quantity and target price and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
