Tools – Tool jaw – Handle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-01
2001-03-20
Scherbel, David A. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Tool jaw
Handle
C081S418000, C081S436000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202518
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to lightweight, non- conductive hand tools and more specifically pliers for use by fishermen, electricians and others working near water or an electrical source. The pliers are constructed of a durable plastic, fiberglass or Verton®-type material which provides exceptional strength and durability. The tools have a low density as a result of a gas or foam filled cavity located within a handle portion of the tool, or alternatively by the attachment of a low density foam material positioned around the gripping portion of the tool.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hand held tools such as pliers, channel locks and screwdrivers are commonly used by carpenters, electricians, fishermen, mechanics and homeowners. Unfortunately, these types of tools are generally constructed of a metal material such as steel and may or may not include some form of insulated handle or covering made of a non-conductive material such as plastic or rubber. Thus, when used around any type of electrical source, the tools are capable of conducting electricity and causing severe electrical shock or electrocution.
Furthermore, for fishermen, offshore oil workers and others working or enjoying recreational activities around water, whenever these expensive tools are inadvertently dropped into water, they quickly sink and are rarely retrieved. Additionally, metal tools often rust or corrode when used near water or in locations of high humidity. Although plastic hand held fishing pliers, such as those found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,185,523 have previously been developed, these pliers lack the durability and strength required to be used in industrial applications. Furthermore, the plastic pliers float only as a result of a burdensome styrofoam material positioned between the handle portions of the pliers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide lightweight, non-conductive, non-corrosive hand tools such as pliers, channel locks, and screwdrivers, to name a few, which have the durability and strength for use in industrial applications. It is a further object of the invention to provide a means for flotation in water which is both unobstructive and non-burdensome to the user of the hand tools and which does not detract from the aesthetic qualities of the tool.
In one aspect of the present invention, a non-conductive, non-corrosive floating hand pliers is constructed of two lever members, each having a handle end, a gripping end and pivot means operatively interconnecting the lever members intermediate the gripping end and the handle end. At least one of the lever members has an enclosed cavity capable of holding a fluid medium such as nitrogen gas, air, or a low density foam to reduce the overall density of the hand pliers. In another embodiment, a foam, such as polyethylene or chlorosulfanated polyethylene is used as a sheathing material which extends around at least one of the handles to reduce the overall density of the pliers. Additionally, in certain tool configurations, both cavity holding foam or gas may be used in combination with a low density sheathing material to decrease the overall density of the hand tool.
In another aspect of the present invention, the non- conductive floating pliers or channel locks are constructed of a reinforced plastic, fiberglass or similar synthetic material such as Verton® or Isoplast®. These materials provide exceptional strength and durability, yet have an overall lower density than metallic materials or other commonly used low density plastics without reinforcement.
In another aspect of the present invention, the hand pliers utilize a specific geometric shape, including a rigid “I-beam” which enhances the strength of the hand pliers. The I-beam is generally a substantially linear section extending from the pivot means towards the handle end of the pliers. The I-beam has opposing “cut-out” channels which result in reduced material requirements, lower weight and hence lower manufacturing costs, yet allow extreme pressure to be applied to the gripping member of the pliers without significant deflection in the handle end of the hand pliers.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sharpened edge or blade which can be used to cut fishing line, string or other similar items. Thus in one aspect of the present invention a line cutter is integrally molded into one of the handles. Alternatively the line cutter may be removably interconnected to one or more of the handles by elastic or rubber bands, twine, glue or other means. Finally, the line cutter may be incorporated into wear- resistant jaws positioned in operable relationship to the gripping surfaces of the pliers, or incorporated into the original plastic gripping ends of the pliers.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved jaw gripping surface which is more durable, resilient to wear and which increases the gripping force applied to an object being grasped. Thus, in one aspect of the present invention the jaw teeth are aligned to overlap wherein the teeth on one side of the gripping surface engage the “v” or cavity between the teeth on the opposing jaw gripping surface. This feature allows a greater force to be applied to an object by allowing each of the opposing jaw teeth to mate together. Thus, if a small object is grasped near the front of the slier jaws and a force is applied, the jaw teeth near the rear portion of the jaws will mate together, thus allowing a greater force to be applied to the object being grasped.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a wear-resistant jaw insert may be positioned over the plastic gripping ends on each gripping surface to provide a durable surface which is highly resistant to wear. Preferably the wear-resistant laws are made of a metallic material such as stainless steel. These wear-resistant jaw inserts may be attached to the jaws with an adhesive, screws, wire or other means commonly known in the art. In a preferred embodiment the wear-resistant jaw inserts may incorporate a metal line cutter to facilitate the cutting of fishing line, twine, etc.
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patent: 3881377 (1975-05-01), Evans et al.
patent: 4023450 (1977-05-01), Ygfors
patent: 4185523 (1980-01-01), Kreitz
patent: 4282783 (1981-08-01), Fortune
patent: 4377954 (1983-03-01), Schulze
patent: 4651598 (1987-03-01), Warheit
patent: 5060543 (1991-10-01), Warheit
patent: 5257558 (1993-11-01), Farzin-Nia et al.
patent: 5351584 (1994-10-01), Warheit
patent: 5359911 (1994-11-01), Kruesi
patent: 5865077 (1999-02-01), Moffitt, Jr. et al.
Groseth Allan K.
Moffitt, Jr. Frank A.
Scherbel David A.
Sheridan & Ross P.C.
Wilson Lee
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