Tools – Tool jaw – Jaw-actuating means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-09
2001-08-28
Hail, III, Joseph J. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Tool jaw
Jaw-actuating means
C081S342000, C081S375000, C081S367000, C081S415000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279432
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to hand tools for cutting, crimping, gripping, spreading and otherwise working upon a work piece, and more particularly to such tools which have pivoting jaws and handles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hand tools that use leverage for acting upon a work piece are well known. Tools such as scissors, pliers, tin snips, and crimping tools function by varying the amount of pressure applied to a work piece by varying the amount of pressure applied by the user's hands to the tools. When a task requires an increase in force, more force must be correspondingly supplied by the user through an increase in muscular force applied to the tool.
Utilizing a hand tool generally requires a two-phase cycle. In the first phase, the tool is engages the work piece. In the second phase, the tool performs the desired task upon the work piece, such as gripping or spreading. The first phase requires comparatively less effort and more tool element movement or travel than the second working phase. Most common hand tools make no attempt to differentiate between the two phases of the cycle. During the working phase the operator increases the pressure. Slip-joint pliers are good examples of these types of tools.
Another class of tools uses the first type of applied force and a 3 bar mechanism to maximize pressure at the end of the stroke. Examples of this class are a locking action gripping tool such as the Vice-Grip™, or a cutting tool such as compound metal shears.
Still another class of tool use a ratcheting mechanism and an extra squeeze to trade travel for stored force. The Amp Crimper™, which uses 2-3 strokes to reach the desired pressure, is a good example of this type of tool.
A fourth class of tools is power tools, whether air or electric, which generally have so much force available that no attempt is made to control it.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to the present invention, a force multiplying hand tool is provided which includes a first member having a first handle and a first jaw, a second member comprising a second handle, and a third member comprising a second jaw. All three members are pivotally connected by a common pivot pin and all are cooperatively interconnected by a force multiplying mechanism. A force brought to bear upon the handles by a user is leveraged and applied to a work piece by the jaws, wherein the force multiplying mechanism progressively increases the applied force as the handles travel toward each other. The invention applies force to a workpiece positioned within the jaws when configured as a gripping, cutting or crimping tool. Configured as a spreading tool, the invention applies force to a work piece positioned about the tool. The force multiplication increases greatly during the second or “working” phase of the tool's two-phase cycle. The tool thereby applies an increased force to a work piece positioned within or about the jaws of the tool without requiring a corresponding increase in the force applied by the hand tool user. The amount of force applied to a work piece is dependent upon the separation distance of the handle members and the location of the jaws responsive thereto.
Preferably the force multiplying characteristics of the tool are supported by a “U”-shaped handle structure. This handle structure has two pivot post attachment members, thereby providing additional structural strength when compared to a typical hand tool which has only one pivot post connection point. The base of this “U”-shape also forms a wide hand gripping structure for comfort and stability during use of the tool. Various embodiments of the tool also utilize pneumatic or electromagnetic power assist devices to provide work piece manipulation forces.
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Logan Russell James
Osborn Merritt Armstrong
Daugherty Patrick J.
Driggs Lucas Brubaker & Hogg Co. LPA
Hail III Joseph J.
Merritt Armstrong Osborn
Wilson Lee
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