Metal working – Means to assemble or disassemble – Means to assemble electrical device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-19
2001-09-25
Young, Lee (Department: 3729)
Metal working
Means to assemble or disassemble
Means to assemble electrical device
C029S753000, C029S758000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293004
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND AND FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to crimping tools, and more particularly relates to a novel and improved hand-held crimping tool for compressing fittings of different lengths into sealed engagement with cables of the type used in the cable TV industry.
Various types of hand-held crimping tools have been developed for attaching an end fitting or connector to the end of a coaxial cable in order to facilitate its connection into the terminal of a television set. I have previously devised jointly with others crimping tools of the type which are characterized by effecting the desired reduction in diameter or size of the cable end of the fitting into a generally circular configuration by applying an axially directed force to the fitting, as opposed to direct radial compression. Two patents of direct interest include U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,508 for AXIAL DEFORMATION CRIMPING TOOL and U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,131 for RATCHETED CRIMPING TOOL. More recently, I devised a pre-installed crimping ring as a means of applying axial force to the fitting with the aid of a crimping tool as set forth and described in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 150,154 for END CONNECTOR AND CRIMPING TOOL FOR COAXIAL CABLE assigned to the assignee of this application and incorporated by reference herein.
Although the type of crimping tools described has been extremely effective in practice, there is a continuing need for a universal type of crimping tool which is self-compensating for slight differences in length of the various coaxial cable fittings presently on the market as well as differences in length resulting from manufacturing tolerances, dirt or wear. In achieving a secure, sealed connection between the fitting and cable end, the cable end is first drawn fully into the end of the connector and loosely assembled in the crimping tool as a preliminary to the crimping operation. The pre-installed crimping ring is characterized by being responsive to an axial or lengthwise applied force to impart radial compression to the connector in crimping it firmly against the cable end. It is therefore desirable that the tool be capable of absorbing or compensating for any force applied once the optimum degree of crimping is reached at the end of the crimping stroke. In this regard, it is also desirable that the manual force or pressure applied to the crimping tool during each crimping cycle will be translated into a progressively increased force toward the end of the cycle so as to overcome any increased resistance to crimping.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide for a novel and improved crimping tool adaptable for use in compressing a fitting onto the end of a cable in a highly efficient and dependable manner.
Another object of the present invention is to provide for a novel and improved hand-held crimping tool for rapidly and efficiently crimping a fitting into uniform sealed engagement with a coaxial cable and wherein the crimping tool is self-adjusting, or lengthwise compliant, to achieve a uniform seal notwithstanding differences in length of the fitting or to compensate for the presence of wear or dirt and manufacturing tolerances.
A further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel and improved hand-held crimping tool of simplified manufacture which is lightweight, portable and compact as well as being easy to grip.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide for a novel and improved hand-held, portable crimping tool for use in rapidly and efficiently crimping a fitting onto the end of a coaxial cable which possesses an optimum mechanical advantage in effecting uniform sealed engagement between the fitting and cable toward the end of each crimping stroke.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide for a novel and improved crimping tool which is extremely compact and employs a lever arm which is folded into overlying relation to the main body of the crimping tool as it applies a crimping force to each fitting.
In accordance with the present invention, an improved biasing member has been devised for a hand-held crimping tool of the type which is adapted to connect a sleeve portion of a cable fitting to an end of a coaxial cable wherein the tool is provided with a body having an end stop at one end of a cable-receiving channel, a chuck axially spaced from the end stop for supporting the sleeve in facing relation to the end stop with the cable end extending through the channel and at least partially inserted into the sleeve, and support means mounting the chuck for axial advancement toward and away from the end stop whereby to force a crimping ring on the sleeve axially under sufficient force to radially contract the sleeve into crimping engagement with the cable end, the improved biasing member absorbing any continued axial movement of the chuck after the crimping ring contracts the sleeve to its maximum limit onto the cable end, and force-applying means for axially advancing the chuck toward and away from the end stop. Preferably, the biasing means is defined by a spring member or other reslient member mounted under axial compression between the chuck and end of the force-applying means or on the end stop. In turn, the force-applying means takes the form of a lever arm or handle pivoted at one end to a plunger which carries the chuck at one end thereof and wherein the lever arm is movable into overlying relation to the body as a progressively increasing crimping force is applied to the chuck.
The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of preferred and modified forms of the present invention when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:
REFERENCES:
patent: 2369180 (1945-02-01), Rosenthal
patent: 4307504 (1981-12-01), Davis et al.
patent: 4532691 (1985-08-01), Brandeau
patent: 4534107 (1985-08-01), Maack
patent: 5469613 (1995-11-01), McMills et al.
patent: 5647119 (1997-07-01), Bourbeau et al.
patent: 5842268 (1998-12-01), Arnfield
patent: 5934137 (1999-08-01), Tarpill
patent: 5983489 (1999-11-01), Jee
patent: 6026671 (2000-02-01), Battenfield
patent: 6065326 (2000-05-01), Frenken
Reilly John E.
Trinh Minh
Young Lee
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