Metal working – Means to assemble or disassemble – With magazine supply
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-28
2001-11-20
Hughes, S. Thomas (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Means to assemble or disassemble
With magazine supply
C029S243560
Reexamination Certificate
active
06317970
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a clip crimping tool, and more particularly, a pneumatic hand-held clip crimping tool for securing clips on wire articles such as furniture springs and frames.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Clip crimping tools are utilized in industries in which it is necessary to have a fast, efficient and effective method of quickly applying and crimping clips on to various objects. In one particular application, clip crimping tools are used to connect two wires in furniture springs, for example, within a mattress or chair assembly. Generally speaking, the clip crimping tool is placed around two wires to be secured and is then operated such that a clip is fed around the wires and is then crimped to secure the wires together.
In the past, clip crimping tools have been available. However, they were large and bulky, using complicated mechanisms to provide the necessary crimping force. In particular, in some pneumatic clip crimping tools, the pneumatic valve system had a large and complex design, involving a main valve that was provided adjacent to the air inlet or that was provided in a separate area from the piston cylinder.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,641,656, there is described a clip crimping tool that includes a pneumatic system for providing the driving force. In this clip crimping tool, the pneumatic system was arranged such that the pneumatic driving force was directed perpendicularly to the required direction of the crimping force. This was necessary because the pneumatic system was large and complex. A linking mechanism was provided to transfer the pneumatic driving force to the direction of the crimping force.
This arrangement had several disadvantages. For example, the use of a large and complex pneumatic system, including the mechanism for transferring the force, required additional materials and was more costly in terms of construction and maintenance. The larger size of the pneumatic system also resulted in more difficult manipulation of and operation of the clip crimping tool.
Further, since the pneumatic system was disposed perpendicular to the direction of the required force, the efficiency of the force transfer was compromised. The requirement of providing a linking mechanism reduced the efficiency of the force transfer and also added extra weight to the clip crimping tool. This weight factor is particularly important in hand-held units.
This prior design of the pneumatic mechanism also had a disadvantage in that the main valve was provided adjacent to the air intake and was only connected to the piston cylinder through a small access tube. The small size of the air intake, main valve, and access tube impeded the free-flow of air and resulted in a slow action of the piston cylinder and thus a slower action of the clip crimping tool.
Clearly there is a need for an improved clip crimping tool that provides a less restricted flow of air, provides a smooth and direct action, and reduces stress on the operator.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to address at least most of the difficulties noted above, there is provided an improved clip crimping tool, including a drive section, a contact section connected to and provided in-line with the drive section, a mechanism for feeding a clip into the contact section, and a mechanism for activating the drive section to crimp the clip in the contact section.
Since the contact section is connected in-line with the drive section, the entire force of the drive section can be applied to crimp the clip and the drive action is very fast and efficient.
In another embodiment of an improved clip crimping tool, the clip crimping tool includes a body, a drive section connected with the body, a contact section connected with the drive section, a compressed air feeding mechanism, a mechanism for feeding a clip into the contact section, and a mechanism for activating the drive section. In particular, the drive section includes a piston cylinder having a predetermined diameter, a main valve disposed in communication with the piston cylinder such that the main valve has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the piston cylinder, and a piston provided in the piston cylinder such that an end of the piston extends from the piston cylinder, and when the drive section is activated, the main valve allows the compressed air into the piston cylinder to drive the piston to crimp the clip in the contact section.
In this tool, the use of a main valve with a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the piston cylinder allows the compressed air to enter the piston cylinder freely and quickly, providing a very fast and efficient action of the drive section to allow clips to be crimped more quickly.
In yet another embodiment, the clip crimping tool is provided with a hollow air storage area in the body thereof. The provision of an air storage area allows the action of the drive section to be faster since the compressed air can enter into the piston valve very quickly.
In appropriate circumstances, the contact section may be either in line or at an angle with the drive section. The arrangement of the contact section in relation to the drive section can be determined according to the environment in which the tool is used. In a particular case, the angle between contact section and drive section may be adjustable.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with more particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2929069 (1960-03-01), Christin
patent: 2968042 (1961-01-01), Yankee
patent: 2969545 (1961-11-01), Allen
patent: 3068485 (1962-12-01), Lingle et al.
patent: 3133288 (1964-05-01), Ohgren
patent: 3237290 (1966-03-01), Frank
patent: 3526944 (1970-09-01), Cherup
patent: 3641656 (1972-02-01), Langas et al.
patent: 3653117 (1972-04-01), Wolfberg et al.
Leistner Herbert E.
Stagnoli Carlo
Hughes S. Thomas
Jimenez Marc
Ohlandt Greeley Ruggiero & Perle LLP
Sigma Tool & Machine
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