Tools – Tool jaw – Jaw-actuating means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-07
2001-05-29
Smith, James G. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Tool jaw
Jaw-actuating means
C081S322000, C030S101000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237449
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to hand tools in general, and more particularly to a tool that firmly grips a work object, is adjustable, can be locked on the work object easily and quickly, and can be released from the locked position just as easily and quickly.
2. Description of the Background Art
This invention is an improvement over the hand tool described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,904 issued on Apr. 25, 1995 “QUICK-ADJUSTABLE AND LOCKING TOOL”, incorporated herein by reference, and the hand tool described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,049 issued on Jan. 5, 1993 “COMPOUND LEVERAGE GRIPPING TOOL WITH CONSTANT PARALLEL JAWS”, also incorporated herein by reference, both of which are owned by the assignee hereof.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally comprises a hand-held tool for firmly gripping or advancing a cutting blade on a work object, that is adjustable, that can grip or engage a cutting blade on a work object easily and quickly, and can be released from the gripping or cutting position just as easily and quickly. By way of example, and not of limitation, the invention comprises a body with an integral fixed jaw extending from one end and an integral fixed handle extending from the opposite end, a jaw adjusting handle pivotally coupled to the body, and an adjustable jaw slidably and pivotally coupled to the body.
Both the adjustable jaw and the jaw adjusting handle carry gear teeth that are normally maintained in engagement under the tension of a spring. The gear teeth, which are of a conjugate involute design, are positioned such that the gripping surfaces of the jaws are maintained in a substantially parallel orientation when the adjustable jaw moves toward the fixed jaw and, in particular, the gear teeth on the adjustable jaw are positioned along an axis that is canted by approximately one to four degrees in relation to a line perpendicular to the axis along the gripping or cutting surface of the adjustable jaw. As the jaw adjusting handle is pivoted toward the fixed handle, a jacking action quickly adjusts the adjustable jaw toward the fixed jaw for engaging and cutting an object. In order to open the jaws, the user can grasp the lower portion of adjustable jaw and pull it outward from the body to disengage the gears and then away from the fixed jaw in a single motion.
In an embodiment configured for gripping an object, each jaw carries a set of teeth which, instead of directly opposing each other, are laterally offset to reduce the likelihood of the teeth cutting into the object being gripped. Alternative embodiments include jaws with smooth gripping surfaces, jaws with arcuate teeth for gripping cylindrical objects, and jaws with V-shaped gripping surfaces.
In an embodiment configured for cutting an object, the engaging surface of each jaw has an elongate blade which faces the engaging surface and blade of the opposing jaw. The blades are preferably positioned in the same vertical plane such that the blades are brought together as the jaws advance. However, a configuration where the blades are brought together side by side is also contemplated. Yet other embodiment includes a number of cutting discs mounted within the jaws of the tool. The cutting disks engage the surface of a pipe and the tool is revolved around the pipe as the jaws are slowly advanced together.
An object of the invention is to provide a hand-operated tool for gripping or cutting objects that is self-adjusting.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hand-operated tool for gripping or cutting objects that has jaws that maintain substantially parallel alignment while being closed.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hand operated tool for gripping or cutting objects that has a self-adjusting jaw that will close and lock against an object.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hand-operated tool for gripping or cutting objects that has locking jaws that can be easily opened for removal of the tool from an object being gripped or cut.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a hand operated tool with cutters that apply constant force to the cutting surfaces as the jaws close incrementally.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodiments of the invention without placing limitations thereon.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 358746 (1995-05-01), Neff
patent: 1460294 (1923-06-01), Wegner
patent: 3283624 (1966-11-01), Neff
patent: 5005449 (1991-04-01), Sorensen et al.
patent: 5176049 (1993-01-01), Neff
patent: 5385072 (1995-01-01), Neff
patent: 5408904 (1995-04-01), Neff
patent: 5581886 (1996-12-01), Sesser et al.
patent: 6026716 (2000-02-01), Orlosky
patent: 1094703 (1954-12-01), None
O'Banion John P.
Smith James G.
Tool Research Corporation
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