Fluid handling – Processes
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-05
2001-04-10
Lee, Kevin (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Processes
C251S009000, C081S318000, C081S422000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213140
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a hose clamp tool and, more particularly, to a hose clamp tool capable of pinching a wide variety of hoses to close or seal the passage through the lease.
In the automobile repair business and the vehicle repair business, it is often necessary to clamp hoses, for example, radiator hoses, waterline hoses, brake line hoses and other hoses that are flexible and filled with fluid. Heretofore, hose clamp tools have been used in the vehicle repair field having the form of a simple pliers. The jaws of the pliers tool are closed and then a ring is placed around the handles of the pliers tool to hold the jaws in the closed position. Multiple sizes of such pliers tools are required in order to accommodate closure of various sizes of hoses. Also, two hands are required to effect the use of such a tool. One hand is used to close the jaws of the hose clamp tool by manipulation of the handles while a second hand is required to manipulate the ring which retains the handles in a locked position. As a consequence, there has developed a need for a hose clamp tool which is capable of utilization on a wide range and variety of hose sizes and types which is also operable with one hand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a principal aspect, the present invention comprises a hose clamp tool in the form of a pliers wherein the manually operated handles include overlapping handle retention members positioned between the handles. The handle retention members include interlocking teeth which are aligned along radii extending from the pivot axis of the tool. The clamping end of the tool includes pincers or jaws which project at an obtuse angle from the plane defined by the handles at an angle in a range from about 120 to 150 degrees. When the tool handles are fully closed, the pincers converge from the pivot point toward one another at a slight angle in order to enable the tool to accommodate and be effective for closing hoses having a wide range of diameters and the thicknesses.
Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved hose clamp tool capable of closing hoses having a wide range of diameters.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a hose clamp tool which may be manually manipulated by one hand and which includes a locking feature to maintain the hose clamp in a closed, locked condition.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved hose clamp tool having manually operable handles that may be locked together in a closed position and may be manually released using a single hand.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved hose clamp tool which is, economical to manufacture, easy to use and which is resistant to degradation due to exposure to corrosive fluids and environments.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5152497 (1992-10-01), Bissell
Automotive Engineering, Feb. 1993, p. 132.
Automotive Engineering, Apr. 1993, p. 52.
765OTC Catalog A-95,Jan. 1995, p. 89, No. 5.
OTC Catalog Supplement A9613,p. 3, No. 7877.
Hazet Specialty Tools Catalog 957,No. 798.
K.D. Tools Catalog 89007-01,Mar. 1992, p. 61, No. 3252.
Snap-On Catalog,p. E63, No. HCP10.
Snap-On Catalog,p. E63, No. HCP20.
Cal-Van Tools Catalog 9500,p. 42, No. 452.
Snap-On Catalog No. 500,p. E23, pre-1999, part Nos. YA2850, TA965, HCP6 and HCP7.
Banner & Witcoff , Ltd.
Lee Kevin
The Lisle Corporation
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