Metal working – Means to assemble or disassemble – With magazine supply
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-27
2003-08-19
Vidovich, Gregory (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Means to assemble or disassemble
With magazine supply
C029S243500, C029S243560, C024S543000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06606786
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a device for forming an enclosure for portions of at least two relatively rigid articles and more particularly to a device for enclosing portions of at least two relatively rigid articles in an adjacent relationship but to permit limited relative movement therebetween.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In many instances, it is desirable to enclose portions of a plurality of relatively rigid articles in a close relationship. In some instances, the close relationship permits relative movement between the relatively rigid articles and in other instances such relative movement is not permitted or at least is restrained. In one such instance, relative movement is permitted during the formation of a final product but is not permitted after the final product has been formed. Such instance relates to the provision of radiant heating for a driveway. In one system for providing such radiant heating, the radiant heating tubing is attached to a wire mesh as the radiant heating tubing is being placed over the wire mesh in a desired relationship. This attachment is accomplished using ties of various constructions which are wrapped around portions of the wire mesh and the radiant heating tubing. In some instances, where additional strength is required, conventional rebar is added to the wire mesh or the conventional rebar is used in place of the wire mesh. In either construction, conventional ties are used either to locate the conventional rebar or to attach the radiant heating tubing to the conventional rebar. In other types of construction wherein conventional rebar is used to strengthen a structure, such as those using cement or concrete, the pieces of conventional rebar are attached together using the conventional ties as or before they are moved into the desired location. While the conventional ties do function for their intended purpose, the workers who use them find them time consuming and bothersome. Therefore, there exists a need for a different system other than the use of the conventional ties.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides a device that can be used in a modification of a conventional tool to enclose in an automatic operation portions of at least two relatively rigid articles in a desired relationship. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the at least two relatively rigid articles comprise portions of the wire mesh or rebar and portions of the radiant heating tubing used in the installation of radiant heating at desired locations.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, a device for enclosing at least two relatively rigid articles in a desired relationship comprises at least two members each having an inner surface and an outer surface. Each of the at least two members is elongated and has a central body portion, an integral pivot portion, an integral locking portion and an abutment portion extending outwardly from a portion of the outer surface. The pivot apparatus provides a pivotal connection for mounting the at least two members for pivotal movement between opened and closed positions. An abutment stop is provided on each of the pivot portions for limiting the pivotal movement of the at least two members in the opened position. The locking portion on one of the at least two members comprises a flexible end portion having a recess formed therein, and the locking portion on the other of the at least two members comprises an end portion having a configuration to mate with the recess. A first guide projects outwardly from a portion of the flexible end portion adjacent toward one side of the recess and a second guide projects inwardly from another portion of the end portion adjacent to an opposite side of said recess. A slot is formed in a portion of the outer surface of the end portion and is located to pass over the first guide and to receive therein at least a portion of the second guide. Also, a recess is formed in an adjacent portion of the outer surface of the other end portion next to the slot to receive therein at least a portion of the second guide.
Apparatus for moving the above-described device from an opened position to a closed position so as to enclose at least two relatively rigid articles uses a modification of a conventional tool wherein a feed track supports a row of devices in an opened position and urges the row of devices in a direction toward an end plate of the tool so that the foreward most device of the row of devices is urged against the end plate. The end plate has a generally planar surface to be contacted by the facing surface of the foremost device. The tool also has a force applying apparatus for applying an equal amount of force to the spaced apart abutment portions of the device. A guide projects inwardly from the generally planar surface toward the row of clips and has a first guiding surface and, spaced therefrom, a second guiding surface. The foremost device in the row of devices is urged against the generally planar surface of the end plate so that a control portion of one of the at least two members is facing one of the first and second guiding surfaces and a control portion of the other of the at least two members is facing the other of the first and second guiding surfaces. The force applying apparatus is located relative to the abutment portions so that the force applying apparatus contacts the abutment portions to apply a force thereto to move the control portions of the at least two members into contact with the first and second guiding surfaces to cooperate in controlling the movement of the control portions of the at least two members over the first and second guiding surfaces. The first and second guiding surfaces are contoured to move the at least two members from an opened position to a closed position containing the at least two relatively rigid members between the at least two members. The flexible end portion and the end portion are located so that the application of force on the abutment portions moves the end portion into contact with the flexible end portion to move the flexible end portion so that the end portion can move into the recess. The pivot portions of the two members of the device have a total thickness which is slightly less than the thickness of the central body portion, the locking portion and the abutment portions so that substantially all of the facing surface of the device contacts the generally planar surface of the end plate. In the one preferred embodiment of the invention, the pivot portion having a pivot pin has a thickness less than the thickness of the other pivot portion having an opening therein. Each of the first and second guiding surfaces has a straight portion and a tapered portion. The force applying apparatus applies substantially the same amount of force to each of the abutment portions. Also, the end plate has two spaced apart prongs projecting from a lower edge thereof to assist in locating the at least two relatively rigid articles into a position to be enclosed by the device. In some instances, the end plate may be provided with a stop projecting from the generally planar surface of the end plate located between the prongs for limiting the movement of the device over the end plate. In the one preferred embodiment of the invention, the cross-sectional area defined by the inner surfaces when the device is in a closed position is substantially greater than the cross-sectional area of the relatively rigid articles contained therein. If desired, the device can be dimensioned so that at least portions of the relatively rigid articles within the device when in a closed and locked position are in contacting relationship with portions of the inner surface of the device and portions of each other.
A method for moving the above-described device from an opened position to a closed position so as to enclose at least two relatively rigid articles uses a modification of a conventional tool wherein a feed track supports a row of devices in an opened position and urges the row of devices in a direction toward an
Cozart Jermie E.
Goodwin, Esq. Michael A.
Kelly, Esq. Joseph J.
Klaas, Law, O'Meara & Malkin, P.C.
Vidovich Gregory
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