Patent Application
20060106404
The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing C-clips onto pins.
Referring to
The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.
According to the present invention, an apparatus includes a cartridge for storing C-clips. The cartridge includes two lateral members and a lower member extending between the lateral members. The lateral members extend beyond the lower member by at least the thickness of the C-clips so that first one of the C-clips can be moved past the lower member. A saddle is movably connected with the lower member for carrying some of the C-clips. The saddle includes a slope for contact with the first one of the C-clip. Thus, the saddle is moved as the first one of the C-clips is moved. A pocket is connected with the cartridge below the saddle for receiving a pin. A pusher is put movably in the cartridge for pushing the C-clips. An elastic element biases the pusher. A shell receives the cartridge. A hammering device forces the first C-clip onto the pin against the slope.
An advantage of the present invention is that a user can easily operate it with one hand. Another advantage of the present invention is that the user consumes little energy in operating it for not having to keep a C-clip expanded. Another advantage of the present invention is that the user needs almost no skill to provide a C-clip onto a pin.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the attached drawings.
The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment referring to the drawings.
Referring to the drawings, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus 100 is disclosed for providing C-clips 620 onto pins 612.
Referring to
The lower member 509 includes a slope 507 formed on a lower face at an end thereof and a recess 508 defined in the lower face thereof. A recess 503 is defined in the upper edge of each lateral member 501.
A space 506 is defined between the lateral members 501, below the rail 502, before the lower member 505. The C-clips 620 is put in the space 506. A restraint 540 is attached to the lateral members 501 in order to keep the C-clips 620 in the space 506. A spring 530 is put in the space 506. The spring 530 is fit on an extension extending from an opposite end of the lower member 509. A saddle 520 is pushed by means of the spring 530 in order to support the C-clips 620. The saddle 520 includes a slope 521 formed on an upper face thereof at an end. The C-clips 620 can slide on the slope 521. The saddle 520 includes a hook 522 formed on a lower face thereof at an opposite end.
Between the lateral members 501 is formed a pocket 504 defining a space 505 for receiving the pins 612 referring to
A pusher 240 is put on the rail 502 movably. A spring 250 biases the pusher 240. A rod 230 is inserted through the spring 250 so that the spring 250 is supported by means of the rod 230. Further, the rod 230 is inserted through an aperture (not numbered) defined in the pusher 240.
A shell 200 consists of two halves 210. The shell 200 defines a space 201 for receiving the cartridge 500 and the pusher 240. A restraint 260 is inserted in each recess 503 through an aperture (not numbered) defined in one half 210. Thus, the cartridge 500 is kept with the shell 200. Each half 210 defines a slot 207. In the vertical slots 207 is inserted a latch 280 for entering the recess 508 in order to lock the cartridge 500. In a lower member of the shell 200 is defined an opening 206 through which a curved leaf spring 270 extends into the space 201 from the lower member of the shell 200. The latch 280 is in contact with the curved leaf spring 270.
The shell 200 includes an upper member (not numbered) in which is defined a slot 202 communicated with the space 201. A portion of the pusher 240 extends through the slot 202. On the shell 200 are formed two ears 203 in each of which an end of the rod 230 is fit. An ear 204 is formed on each half 210.
A hammering device includes a lever 300. To an end of the lever 300 is attached a flat head 311 for forcing a C-clip 620 onto a pin 700. At an opposite end of the lever 300 is formed an ear 301 connected with the ears 210 by means of a pin 610 engaged with a C-clip 620. An aperture 303 is defined in the lever 300. A recess 302 is defined in the top of the lever 300.
The apparatus 100 includes a handle 400. The handle 400 includes an upper member 402 for contact with a user's hand. On the upper member of the handle 400 are formed two restraints 403 for restraining the user's hand. Two lateral members 406 extend from the upper member 402.
An ear 401 extends from each lateral member 406. Each ear 401 is linked to one half 210 by means of a link 410. A pin 611 is inserted in an aperture 209 defined in each half 210 through an aperture (not numbered) defined in each link 410. Each ear 401 is put in a recess 208 defined in an external face of each lateral member 406.
A pin 613 is inserted in the aperture 303 through an aperture defined in each lateral member 406. A spring 420 is compressed between the lever 300 and the upper member 402. An end of the spring 420 is put in the recess 302. An opposite end of the spring 420 is put in a recess 405 defined in a lower face of the upper member 402.
In use, the latch 280 is moved from the recess 508. The cartridge 500 is pulled to the position shown in
The present invention has been described via detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.
