Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6655235
-
Patent Number
6,655,235
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, May 9, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, December 2, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Hail, III; Joseph J.
- Thomas; David B.
Agents
- Fogg and Associates, LLC
- Ryan; Laura A.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 081 38
- 081 531
- 081 355
- 081 4245
- 081 427
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A tool for installing and extracting a fuse is provided. The tool has a first bar that has a jaw at one end of the first bar. The tool has second bar that is slidably attached to the first bar and that has a jaw at one end of the second bar. The respective jaws are adapted to align by sliding the respective bars relative to each other to retain the fuse between the respective jaws.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to the field of tools and, in particular, to a tool that can be used to install and extract fuses.
BACKGROUND
Fuses are often difficult to extract or install without using a tool because of their location or because of the force required to perform the installation or extraction. For example, many of the environmentally protected housings used by the telecommunications industry are located on utility poles or suspended from cables and contain a multitude of fuses. Typically, these fuses are accessible through access ports that are often smaller than the average adult hand and are often located several inches from the plane of the access port. Moreover, the fuses often have exposed electrically charged surfaces and/or are often surrounded by electrically charged surfaces.
Frequently, tools that are made from electrical conducting materials, that apply incorrect forces to the fuse, or the like are used for installing or extracting fuses, e.g., “needle-nose” pliers, screwdrivers, or the like. Using tools made from electrically conducting materials frequently cause the user to receive electrical shocks, cause electrical shorts that often damage electrical equipment, or the like. Using tools that apply incorrect forces frequently damage the fuses or the equipment to which the fuses are coupled or do not enable the installation or extraction of the fuse. Moreover, many of the tools conventionally used for installing and extracting fuses often require the user to use both hands and/or to apply a continuous force to the tool to maintain engagement of the tool and fuse. This is undesirable and causes safety issues when changing fuses located in housings that are located on utility poles or suspended from cables.
For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for tools for installing or extracting fuses that reduce the user's risk for electrical shocks, reduce the risk of electrical shorts, can be operated with one hand, and do not require the user to apply a continuous force to maintain engagement between the tools and the fuses.
SUMMARY
The above-mentioned problems with the tools used to install and extract fuses and other problems are addressed by embodiments of the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. Embodiments of the present invention provide tools for installing and extracting fuses that reduce the user's risk for electrical shocks, reduce the risk of electrical shorts, can be operated with one hand, and do not require the user to apply a continuous force to the tools to maintain engagement between the tools and the fuses.
More particularly, in one embodiment, a tool for installing and extracting a fuse is provided. The tool has a first bar that has a jaw at one end of the first bar. The tool has second bar that is slidably attached to the first bar and that has a jaw at one end of the second bar. The respective jaws are adapted to align by sliding the respective bars relative to each other to retain the fuse between the respective jaws.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1
a
is the embodiment of
FIG. 1
viewed along line
1
a
—
1
a
of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 1
b
is the embodiment of
FIG. 1
viewed along line
1
b
—
1
b
of
FIG. 1
a.
FIG. 2
a
is a top perspective-view of an embodiment of the present invention prior to insertion into a fuse protector-mount.
FIG. 2
b
is a bottom perspective-view of an embodiment of the present invention prior to insertion into a fuse protector-mount.
FIG. 2
c
is a front elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention prior to insertion into a fuse protector-mount.
FIG. 2
d
is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention prior to insertion into a fuse protector-mount.
FIG. 3
a
is a top perspective-view of an embodiment of the present invention as inserted into a fuse protector-mount.
FIG. 3
b
is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention as inserted into a fuse protector-mount.
FIG. 3
c
is a cross-sectional view of a jaw engaging a fuse as viewed from the back of
FIG. 3
a.
FIG. 4
is a side elevation view showing the jaws of an embodiment of the present invention being aligned to retain a fuse.
FIG. 5
a
is a top perspective-view of an embodiment of the present invention as inserted into a fuse protector-mount and retaining a fuse.
FIG. 5
b
is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention as inserted into a fuse protector-mount and retaining a fuse.
FIG. 6
a
is a top perspective-view of an embodiment of the present invention after extracting a fuse from a fuse protector-mount and retaining the fuse.
FIG. 6
b
is a bottom perspective-view of an embodiment of the present invention after extracting a fuse from a fuse protector-mount and retaining the fuse.
FIG. 6
c
is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention after extracting a fuse from a fuse protector-mount and retaining the fuse.
FIG. 6
d
is a cross-sectional view of the jaws of an embodiment of the present invention retaining a fuse as viewed from the right of
FIG. 6
c.
FIG. 7
is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention releasing a fuse.
FIGS. 8
a
through
8
i
demonstrate an embodiment of a method of the present invention for installing a fuse in a fuse protector-mount.
FIG. 9
is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 10
a
through
10
e
demonstrate a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 11
a
through
11
d
demonstrate a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific illustrative embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Embodiments of the present invention provide tools for installing and extracting fuses that reduce the user's risk for electrical shocks, reduce the risk of electrical shorts, can be operated with one hand, and do not require the user to apply a continuous force to the tool to maintain engagement between the tool and the fuse.
A first embodiment of the present invention is exemplified by tool
100
in
FIG. 1
, an exploded view of tool
100
. Tool
100
includes bar
102
that has jaw
104
at end
105
of bar
102
. Tool
100
includes bar
106
that is slidably attached to bar
102
and that has jaw
108
at end
107
of bar
106
. Jaws
104
and
108
are adapted to align by sliding bars
102
and
106
relative to each other to retain fuse
110
between jaws
104
and
108
, as demonstrated in
FIGS. 6
a-
6
c.
Jaws
104
and
108
are actuated out of alignment by sliding bars
102
and
106
relative to each other to remove fuse
110
from jaws
104
and
108
or to ready tool
100
for positioning fuse
110
between jaws
104
and
108
(see
FIGS. 2
a
,
2
b
,
2
d
,
7
,
8
a
and
8
i
).
Jaw
104
and bar
102
are integral and can be fabricated from any electrically nonconducting material having a suitable resiliency, such as glass-filled polycarbonate, glass-filled nylon, or the like. Likewise, jaw
108
and bar
106
are integral and can be fabricated from any electrically nonconducting material having a suitable resiliency, such as glass-filled polycarbonate, glass-filled nylon, or the like.
Fuse
110
is demonstrated in
FIG. 2
b
. Fuse
110
has central contact ring
110
a
that encircles and protrudes from the circumference of fuse
110
and a pair of contact rings
100
b
that encircle and protrude from the circumference of fuse
110
adjacent each of its ends. Contact rings
110
a
and
110
b
electrically couple fuse
110
to various electrical circuits. In some applications, fuse
110
has three electrical leads instead of three contact rings. Fuse
110
is placeable in protector-mount
112
(see
FIGS. 2
b
,
2
c
, and
2
d
). In one application, protector-mounts
112
are used to mount fuses
110
within environmentally protected housings, such as those used by the telecommunications industry.
Bar
106
is slidably attached to bar
102
by butting bars
106
and
102
together so that protrusions
116
of bar
106
extend into slots
118
of bar
102
, as shown in
FIGS. 2
a
,
5
a
, and
6
a
. Slots
118
each have ends
118
a
and
118
b
that are opposite each other, as shown in
FIGS. 1
,
2
a
,
5
a
, and
6
a
. Slots
118
and protrusions
116
are respectively distributed along the lengths of bars
102
and
106
so that each protrusion
116
bears against end
118
a
of the corresponding slot
118
when jaws
104
and
108
are aligned (see
FIG. 6
a
). The distance between ends
118
a
and
118
b
of each slot
118
is greater than the longitudinal extent of protrusions
116
, as seen in
FIGS. 1
,
2
a
,
5
a
, and
6
a
. This enables each of protrusions
116
to move between ends
118
a
and
118
b
of the corresponding slot, thus enabling bars
102
and
106
to slide relative to each other. Note that the distance between ends
118
a
and
118
b
determines the extent to which jaws
104
and
108
are actuated out of alignment by sliding bars
102
and
106
relative to each other.
Fasteners
120
are inserted into apertures
122
of protrusions
116
, as shown in
FIG. 1
, to maintain slidable contact between bars
102
and
106
, as shown in
FIG. 2
a
. In one embodiment, protrusions
116
and bar
106
are integral. In another embodiment, protrusions
116
are glued to bar
106
. Although the protrusions
116
shown in
FIGS. 1
and
2
a
are rectangular blocks, they can be square blocks, cylinders, or the like. In one embodiment, fasteners
120
are pressed into apertures
122
. In another embodiment, fasteners
120
are threaded into apertures
122
.
Apertures
122
extend through protrusions
116
and through bar
106
, as shown in
FIGS. 2
b
and
2
d
. In another embodiment, apertures
122
terminate in bar
122
. In another embodiment, apertures
122
terminate in protrusions
116
. Although tool
100
is shown to have three protrusions
116
and three slots
118
, other embodiments have a single slot
118
and a single protrusion
116
, two slots
118
and two protrusions
116
, etc. In another embodiment bearings, e.g., roller, ball, or the like, are disposed between bars
102
and
106
.
Jaws
104
and
108
have arced profiles (see
FIG. 1
,
FIGS. 2
a
and
2
d
and
FIG. 6
c
) that have substantially the same radii. The radii of jaws
104
and
108
are substantially the same as the radius of fuse
110
. Jaws
104
and
108
are sufficiently resilient to accommodate variations in the fuse radius, such as variations due to manufacturing, e.g., fuse radii can vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer. As demonstrated in
FIGS. 2
d
and
6
c
, the arc length of jaw
104
is greater than that of jaw
108
. In one embodiment, the respective arc lengths are equal. In another embodiment, the arc length of jaw
104
is less than that of jaw
108
.
Jaw
108
is forked and includes a pair of tines
108
a
separated by slot
108
c
(see FIG.
1
). Jaw
104
includes groove
104
a
, as demonstrated in
FIG. 1
a
,
FIG. 1
b
, and
FIG. 2
b
, that extends along the length of jaw
104
. When fuse
110
is retained between jaws
104
and
108
, groove
104
a
receives a portion of central contact ring
110
a
and contact rings
110
b
straddle jaw
104
, as shown in
FIG. 6
d
. Moreover, tines
108
a
straddle central contact ring
110
a
and are respectively located between central contact ring
110
a
and one of contact rings
110
b.
Each of bars
102
and
106
has several gripping elements
124
that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of bars
102
and
106
(see FIG.
1
). It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement of gripping elements
124
that facilitates gripping tool
100
can be used, e.g., gripping elements
124
can have various profiles, such as triangular, truncated triangles, semi-circular, etc., gripping elements
124
can be oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axes of bars
102
and
106
, or the like.
To extract a fuse
110
from protector-mount
112
, jaws
104
and
108
are actuated out of alignment, as shown in
FIGS. 2
a
,
2
b
, and
2
d
, by sliding bars
102
and
106
relative to each other. Tool
100
is then inserted into protector-mount
112
so that the arc of jaw
104
engages a portion of the circumference of fuse
110
, as shown in
FIGS. 3
a
and
3
b
. In this position, groove
104
a
receives a portion of central contact ring
110
a
and contact rings
110
b
straddle jaw
104
, as shown in
FIG. 3
c
, a cross-sectional view of fuse
110
and jaw
104
as viewed from the back of
FIG. 3
a.
Jaw
108
is then actuated into alignment with jaw
104
by sliding bar
106
relative to bar
102
. As jaw
108
contacts fuse
110
, as shown in
FIG. 4
, the resiliency of jaw
108
enables jaw
108
to be deflected by fuse
110
. Continued actuation of jaw
108
slides jaw
108
over the surface of fuse
110
in the circumferential direction until fuse
110
is retained between jaws
104
and
108
, as shown in
FIGS. 5
a
and
5
b
. Note that when the jaws are aligned, as shown in
FIGS. 5
a
,
5
b
,
6
a
and
6
b
, each protrusion
116
bears against end
118
a
of the corresponding slot
118
, as shown in
FIGS. 5
a
and
6
a
. Note further that when fuse
110
is retained between jaws
104
and
108
, groove
104
a
receives a portion of central contact ring
110
a
, contact rings
110
b
straddle jaw
104
, and tines
108
a
straddle central contact ring
110
a
and are respectively located between central contact ring
110
a
and one of contact rings
110
b
, as shown in
FIG. 6
d.
Fuse
110
is extracted from protector-mount
112
, as shown in
FIGS. 6
a
-
6
c
, by applying a generally longitudinal force to tool
100
that is directed away from protector-mount
112
. Fuse
110
is released from tool
100
by actuating jaws
104
and
108
out of alignment by sliding bars
102
and
106
relative to each other, as shown in FIG.
7
. During the initial portion of the actuation, jaw
108
slides over the surface of fuse
110
in the circumferential direction and is deflected away from fuse
110
. This is the reverse of that which occurs when the jaws are actuated into alignment, and the deflection of jaw
108
is similar to that demonstrated in FIG.
4
.
To install a fuse
110
in protector-mount
112
, jaws
104
and
108
are actuated out of alignment, as shown in
FIG. 8
a
, by sliding bars
102
and
106
relative to each other. Fuse
110
is positioned in jaw
104
, as shown in
FIG. 8
b
. In this position, groove
104
a
receives a portion of central contact ring
110
a
and contact rings
110
b
straddle jaw
104
, as shown in
FIG. 8
c
, a cross-sectional view of fuse
110
and jaw
104
as viewed from the right of
FIG. 8
b.
Jaws
104
and
108
are then actuated into alignment by sliding bars
102
and
106
relative to each other. As jaw
108
contacts fuse
110
, as shown in
FIG. 8
d
, the resiliency of jaw
108
enables jaw
108
to be deflected by fuse
110
. Continued actuation slides jaw
108
over the surface of fuse
110
in the circumferential direction until fuse
110
is retained between jaws
104
and
108
, as shown in
FIG. 8
e
and
FIG. 8
f
.
FIG. 8
f
is a cross-sectional view of fuse
110
and jaws
104
and
108
as viewed from the right of
FIG. 8
e
.
FIG. 8
f
demonstrates that groove
104
a
receives a portion of central contact ring
110
a
, contact rings
110
b
straddle jaw
104
, and tines
108
a
straddle central contact ring
110
a
and are respectively located between central contact ring
110
a
and one of contact rings
110
b.
Fuse
110
is inserted into protector-mount
112
, as shown in
FIG. 8
g
, by applying a generally longitudinal force to tool
100
that is directed toward protector-mount
112
. Tool
100
is released from fuse
110
by actuating jaws
104
and
108
out of alignment by sliding bar
106
relative to bar
104
, as shown in
FIG. 8
h
. During the initial portion of the actuation, jaw
108
slides over the surface of fuse
110
in the circumferential direction and is deflected away from fuse
110
. This is the reverse of that which occurs when the jaws are actuated into alignment, and the deflection of jaw
108
is similar to that demonstrated in
FIG. 8
d
. Tool
100
is then removed from protector-mount
112
, as shown in
FIG. 8
i.
A second embodiment of the present invention is exemplified by tool
900
in
FIG. 9
, an exploded view of tool
900
. Elements in
FIG. 9
that are common to both
FIGS. 1 and 9
are numbered as in FIG.
1
and are as described above.
FIG. 9
shows that bar
102
of tool
900
has jaw
908
at end
905
in addition to jaw
104
at end
105
and that bar
106
of tool
900
has jaw
904
at end
907
in addition to jaw
108
at end
107
.
Jaw
908
is forked and includes a pair of tines
908
a
separated by slot
908
c
. Jaw
904
includes groove
904
a
that extends along the length of jaw
904
. When fuse
110
is retained between jaws
904
and
908
, groove
904
a
receives a portion of central contact ring
110
a
and contact rings
110
b
straddle jaw
904
. Moreover, tines
908
a
straddle central contact ring
110
a
and are respectively located between central contact ring
110
a
and one of contact rings
110
b.
In one embodiment, the radii of jaws
904
and
908
are different than the radii of jaws
104
and
108
. This enables tool
900
to be used for fuses of two different diameters.
A third embodiment of the present invention is exemplified by tool
1000
in
FIGS. 10
a
and
10
b
. Elements in
FIGS. 10
a
and
10
b
that are common to FIG.
1
and
FIGS. 10
a
and
10
b
are numbered as in FIG.
1
and are as described above.
FIG. 10
b
shows that bar
102
of tool
1000
includes blind hole
1002
, and
FIGS. 10
a
and
10
b
show that bar
106
of tool
1000
includes slot
1004
. In another embodiment, bar
102
includes slot
1004
, and bar
106
includes blind hole
1002
.
Tool
1000
also includes ball plunger
1006
, as shown in
FIGS. 10
a
—
10
e
and available from M. J. Vail Company, Inc. and Jergens, Inc. Ball plunger
1006
includes housing
1008
containing ball
1012
that is biased by spring
1014
so that ball
1012
protrudes from housing
1008
, as shown in
FIG. 10
c
. Housing
1008
is secured in blind hole
1002
by pressing, threading, gluing, or the like. Ball
1012
rides in slot
1004
when bars
102
and
106
slide relative to each other.
FIGS. 10
d
and
10
e
are enlarged views respectively showing the position of ball
1012
when jaws
104
and
108
are aligned and are out of alignment.
FIGS. 10
d
and
10
e
also show that slot
1004
includes recess
1004
a
and elevated portion
1004
b
. When jaws
104
and
108
are aligned, ball
1012
extends into recess
1004
a
of slot
1004
and locks jaws
104
and
108
in the aligned position, as shown in
FIG. 10
d
. When jaws
104
and
108
are out of alignment, elevated portion
1004
b
of slot
1004
pushes ball
1012
into housing
1008
, compressing spring
1014
, as shown in
FIG. 10
e.
A fourth embodiment of the present invention is exemplified by tool
1100
in
FIGS. 11
a
—
11
c
.
FIG. 11
a
is atop view of tool
1100
, and
FIGS. 11
b
and
11
c
are side views, where
FIG. 11
c
illustrates a feature for pivoting jaw
104
. Elements in
FIGS. 11
a
—
11
c
that are common to both FIG.
1
and
FIGS. 11
a
—
11
c
are numbered as in FIG.
1
and are as described above. Bar
102
of tool
1100
includes head
1102
that is pivotally attached to bar
102
by pin
1104
. Pin
1104
is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of bar
102
, as shown in
FIG. 11
a
. Jaw
104
is located at end
1105
of head
1102
. Head
1102
pivots jaw
104
about pin
1104
when jaws
102
and
108
are out of alignment, as shown in
FIG. 11
c.
Head
1102
includes protrusion
1106
. Protrusion
1106
has a T-shaped cross-section, as shown in
FIG. 11
d
, a cross-sectional view of protrusion
1106
as viewed from end
1105
of bar
102
. In another embodiment, protrusion
1106
has an L-shaped cross-section. Bar
106
includes slot
1108
that extends longitudinally from jaw
108
, as shown in
FIGS. 11
b
and
11
c
. In this embodiment, slot
1108
is a T-slot. In another embodiment, slot
1108
is an L-slot.
To bring jaws
104
and
108
into alignment from the non-aligned pivoted position shown in
FIG. 11
c
, head
1102
is pivoted into the position shown in
FIG. 11
b
. Then bars
102
and
106
are slid relative to each other to align jaws
104
and
108
. As
102
and
106
are slid relative to each other, protrusion
1106
is received by slot
1108
to prevent jaw
104
from pivoting while the jaws
104
and
108
are aligned.
Pivoting of jaw
104
enables tool
1100
to be used in tighter spaces than fuse tools without the pivoting provision. For example, when extracting a fuse
110
from a protector-mount
112
, jaws
104
and
108
are actuated out of alignment by sliding bars
102
and
106
relative to each other into the position shown in
FIG. 11
b
. Jaw
104
is then pivoted away from bar
106
to the position shown in
FIG. 11
c
. Jaw
104
is pivoted toward bar
106
to the position shown in
FIG. 11
b
prior to aligning jaws
104
and
108
to retain a fuse
110
therebetween. After inserting a fuse
110
into a protector-mount
112
, tool
1100
is released from fuse
110
by actuating jaws
104
and
108
out of alignment by sliding bars
102
and
106
relative to each other into the position shown in
FIG. 11
b
. Jaw
104
is then pivoted away from bar
106
to the position shown in
FIG. 11
c.
CONCLUSION
Embodiments of the present invention have been described. The embodiments provide tools for installing and extracting fuses that reduce the user's risk for electrical shocks, reduce the risk of electrical shorts, can be operated with one hand, and do not require the user to apply a continuous force to the tools to maintain engagement between the tools and the fuses.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described in this specification, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. For example, the jaws can be modified to accommodate different types of fuses so that the tool is not limited to fuses of the type of fuse
110
. Specifically, the groove in jaw
104
can be removed or additional grooves can be added, or jaw
104
can be forked and have two or more tines. Moreover, jaw
108
can have more than two tines, or the tines replaced by a continuous jaw.
Claims
- 1. A tool for installing and extracting a fuse, the tool comprising:a first bar having a jaw at a first end of the first bar; and a second bar slidably attached to the first bar and having a jaw at a first end of the second bar, wherein the jaw of the second bar is forked and further wherein the respective jaws are adapted to align by sliding the respective bars relative to each other to retain the fuse between the jaws.
- 2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the jaw of the first bar and the jaw of the second bar have arced profiles of substantially the same radii that are substantially equal to the radius of a fuse.
- 3. The tool of claim 2, wherein the arc length of the jaw of the first bar is one of greater than, less than, and equal to the arc length of the jaw of the second bar.
- 4. The tool of claim 1, wherein the jaw of the first bar includes a groove.
- 5. The tool of claim 1, wherein the jaw of the first bar and the jaw of the second bar are resilient.
- 6. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a jaw at a second end of the first bar and a jaw at a second end of the second bar.
- 7. The tool of claim 6, wherein the arc length of the jaw at the second end of the second bar is one of greater than, less than, and equal to the arc length of the jaw at the second end of the first bar.
- 8. The tool of claim 6, wherein the jaw at the second end of the first bar is forked.
- 9. The tool of claim 6, wherein the jaw at the second end of the second bar includes a groove.
- 10. The tool of claim 6, wherein the jaw at the second end of the first bar and the jaw at the second end of the second bar are resilient.
- 11. The tool of claim 1, wherein the jaw of the first bar pivots about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first bar.
- 12. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a ball that rides between the first and second bars when respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 13. The tool of claim 12, wherein the ball rides a slot in one of the first and second bars when respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 14. The tool of claim 13, wherein the ball extends into a recess in the slot when the respective jaws are aligned, thereby locking the respective jaws in the aligned position.
- 15. A tool for installing and extracting a fuse, the tool comprising:a first bar having a jaw at a first end of the first bar, the jaw having an arced profile; and a second bar slidably attached to the first bar and having a jaw at a first end of the second bar, the jaw having an arced profile, wherein the respective jaws are adapted to align by sliding the respective bars relative to each other such that the aligned jaws form a substantially continuous arc for bearing against the fuse to retain the fuse and further wherein the jaw of the second bar is forked and includes a pair of parallel tines each having an arced profile.
- 16. The tool of claim 15, wherein the radii of the arced profiles of the jaw of the first bar and the jaw of the second bar are substantially equal to the radius of a fuse and the arc length of the jaw of the first bar is one of greater than, less than, and equal to the arc length of the jaw of the second bar.
- 17. The tool of claim 15, wherein the jaw of the first bar includes a groove along the length of the jaw.
- 18. The tool of claim 15, wherein the jaw of the first bar and the jaw of the second bar are resilient.
- 19. The tool of claim 15, further comprising a jaw at a second end of the first bar and a jaw at a second end of the second bar.
- 20. The tool of claim 19, wherein the radii of the arced profiles of the jaw at the second end of the first bar and the jaw at the second end of the second bar are substantially equal to the radius of a fuse and the arc length of the jaw at the second end of the second bar is one of greater than, less than, and equal to the arc length of the jaw at the second end of the first bar.
- 21. The tool of claim 19, wherein the jaw at the second end of the first bar is forked and includes a pair of parallel tines each having an arced profile.
- 22. The tool of claim 19, wherein the jaw at the second end of the second bar includes a groove.
- 23. The tool of claim 19, wherein the jaw at the second end of the first bar and the jaw at the second end of the second bar are resilient.
- 24. The tool of claim 15, wherein the jaw of the first bar pivots about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first bar.
- 25. The tool of claim 15, further comprising a ball that rides between the first and second bars when respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 26. The tool of claim 25, wherein the ball rides a slot in one of the first and second bars when respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 27. The tool of claim 26, wherein the ball extends into a recess in the slot when the respective jaws are aligned, thereby locking the respective jaws in the aligned position.
- 28. A tool for installing and extracting a fuse, the tool comprising:a first bar having a resilient jaw at a first end of the first bar, the jaw having an arced profile and a groove along the length of the jaw; and a second bar slidably attached to the first bar and having a forked resilient jaw at a first end of the second bar that includes a pair of parallel tines each having an arced profile; wherein the respective jaws are adapted to align by sliding the respective bars relative to each other such that the aligned jaws form a substantially continuous arc for bearing against the fuse to retain the fuse; and wherein the groove of the jaw of the first bar is adapted to receive a portion of a central contact ring that encircles and protrudes from the fuse and the tines of the jaw of the second bar are adapted to straddle the central contact ring.
- 29. The tool of claim 28, further comprising:a resilient jaw at a second end of the second bar, the jaw at the second end of the first bar having an arced profile and a groove along the length of the jaw at the second end of the second bar; and a forked resilient jaw at a second end of the first bar that includes a pair of parallel tines each having an arced profile.
- 30. The tool of claim 28, wherein the jaw of the first bar pivots about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first bar.
- 31. The tool of claim 28, further comprising a ball that rides between the first and second bars when respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 32. The tool of claim 31, wherein the ball rides a slot in one of the first and second bars when respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 33. The tool of claim 32, wherein the ball extends into a recess in the slot when the respective jaws are aligned, thereby locking the respective jaws in the aligned position.
- 34. A method for extracting a fuse from a fuse protector-mount, the method comprising:inserting a fuse tool into the protector-mount so that a jaw that is located at an end of a first bar of the fuse tool engages a portion of the fuse; retaining the fuse between the jaw of the first bar and a jaw located at an end of a second bar that is slidably attached to the first bar by actuating the respective jaws into alignment by sliding the respective bars relative to each other wherein the jaw of the first bar and the jaw of the second bar are resilient; and extracting the fuse from the protector-mount using the tool.
- 35. The method of claim 34, further comprising actuating the respective jaws out of alignment before inserting the fuse tool into the protector-mount by sliding the respective bars relative to each other.
- 36. The method of claim 35, further comprising pivoting the jaw of the first bar after actuating the respective jaws out of alignment so that the jaw of the first bar moves away from the second bar, wherein the jaw of the first bar pivots about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first bar.
- 37. The method of claim 36, wherein retaining the fuse includes pivoting the jaw of the first bar before actuating the respective jaws into alignment so that the jaw of the first bar moves toward the second bar.
- 38. The method of claim 34, wherein inserting a fuse tool into the protector-mount includes the jaw of the first bar having an arced profile that engages a portion of the fuse along the length of the jaw.
- 39. The method of claim 38, wherein retaining the fuse includes the jaw of the second bar having an arced profile so that when the respective jaws are actuated into alignment, the aligned jaws form a substantially continuous arc for bearing against the fuse.
- 40. The method of claim 39, wherein retaining the fuse includes the jaw of the first bar having a groove along the length of the jaw and the jaw of the second bar having a pair of parallel tines, wherein the groove of the jaw of the first bar receives a portion of a central contact ring that encircles and protrudes from the fuse and the tines of the jaw of the second bar straddle the central contact ring.
- 41. The method of claim 34, wherein retaining the fuse includes a ball riding between the first and second bars as the respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 42. The method of claim 41, wherein retaining the fuse includes the ball riding in a slot in one of the first and second bars.
- 43. The method of claim 42, wherein retaining the fuse includes locking the respective jaws in the aligned position, wherein locking the respective jaws in the aligned position is accomplished by the ball extending into a recess in the slot.
- 44. The method of claim 34, further comprising releasing the fuse from the tool after extracting it by actuating the respective jaws out of alignment by sliding the respective bars relative to each other.
- 45. The method of claim 34, wherein extracting the fuse includes applying a force to the tool that is directed away from the protector-mount.
- 46. A method for extracting a fuse from a fuse protector-mount, the method comprising:inserting a fuse tool into the protector-mount so that a jaw having an arced profile and a groove that is located at an end of a first bar of the fuse tool engages a portion of the fuse along the length of the jaw, wherein the groove of the jaw receives a portion of a central contact ring that encircles and protrudes from the fuse; retaining the fuse between the jaw of the first bar and a forked jaw located at an end of a second bar that is slidably attached to the first bar and having a pair of arced parallel tines by actuating the respective jaws into alignment by sliding the respective bars relative to each other such that the aligned jaws form a substantially continuous arc for bearing against the fuse to retain it, wherein the tines of the jaw of the second bar straddle the central contact ring; and extracting the fuse from the protector-mount using the tool.
- 47. The method of claim 46, further comprising actuating the respective jaws out of alignment before inserting the fuse tool into the protector-mount by sliding the respective bars relative to each other.
- 48. The method of claim 47, further comprising pivoting the jaw of the first bar after actuating the respective jaws out of alignment so that the jaw of the first bar moves away from the second bar, wherein the jaw of the first bar pivots about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first bar.
- 49. The method of claim 48, wherein retaining the fuse includes pivoting the jaw of the first bar before actuating the respective jaws into alignment so that the jaw of the first bar moves toward the second bar.
- 50. The method of claim 46, further comprising releasing the fuse from the tool after extracting it by actuating the respective jaws out of alignment by sliding the respective bars relative to each other.
- 51. The method of claim 46, wherein retaining the fuse includes a ball riding between the first and second bars as the respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 52. The method of claim 51, wherein retaining the fuse includes the ball riding in a slot in one of the first and second bars.
- 53. The method of claim 52, wherein retaining the fuse includes locking the respective jaws in the aligned position, wherein locking the respective jaws in the aligned position is accomplished by the ball extending into a recess in the slot.
- 54. The method of claim 46, wherein extracting the fuse includes applying a force to the tool that is directed away from the protector-mount.
- 55. A method for installing a fuse in a fuse protector-mount, the method comprising:positioning the fuse in a jaw located at an end of a first bar of a fuse tool; retaining the fuse between the jaw of the first bar and a jaw located at an end of a second bar that is slidably attached to the first bar by actuating the respective jaws into alignment by sliding the respective bars relative to each other wherein the jaw of the first bar and the jaw of the second bar are resilient; and inserting the fuse into the protector mount using the tool.
- 56. The method of claim 55, further comprising actuating the respective jaws out of alignment by sliding the respective bars relative to each other before positioning the fuse in the jaw located at an end of the first bar.
- 57. The method of claim 55, wherein retaining the fuse includes a ball riding between the first and second bars as the respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 58. The method of claim 57, wherein retaining the fuse includes the ball riding in a slot in one of the first and second bars.
- 59. The method of claim 58, wherein retaining the fuse includes locking the respective jaws in the aligned position, wherein locking the respective jaws in the aligned position is accomplished by the ball extending into a recess in the slot.
- 60. The method of claim 55, wherein positioning the fuse in a jaw located at an end of a first bar includes the jaw having an arced profile that engages a portion of the fuse along the length of the jaw.
- 61. The method of claim 60, wherein retaining the fuse includes the jaw of the second bar having an arced profile so that when the respective jaws are actuated into alignment, the aligned jaws form a substantially continuous arc for bearing against the fuse.
- 62. The method of claim 61, wherein retaining the fuse includes the jaw of the first bar having a groove along the length of the jaw and the jaw of the second bar having a pair of parallel tines, wherein the groove of the jaw of the first bar receives a portion of a central contact ring that encircles and protrudes from the fuse and the tines of the jaw of the second bar straddle the central contact ring.
- 63. The method of claim 55, wherein inserting the fuse includes applying a force to the tool in the direction of the protector-mount.
- 64. The method of claim 55, further comprising releasing the fuse from the tool after inserting it by actuating the respective jaws out of alignment by sliding the respective bars relative to each other.
- 65. The method of claim 64, further comprising pivoting the jaw of the first bar after actuating the respective jaws out of alignment so that the jaw of the first bar moves away from the second bar, wherein the jaw of the first bar pivots about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first bar.
- 66. The method of claim 64, further comprising removing the tool from the protector-mount after releasing the fuse.
- 67. A method for installing a fuse in a fuse protector-mount, the method comprising:positioning the fuse in a jaw having an arced profile and a groove that is located at an end of a first bar of a fuse tool so that the jaw engages a portion of the fuse along the length of the jaw and the groove of the jaw receives a portion of a central contact ring that encircles and protrudes from the fuse; retaining the fuse between the jaw of the first bar and a forked jaw located at an end of a second bar that is slidably attached to the first bar and having a pair of arced parallel tines by actuating the respective jaws into alignment by sliding the respective bars relative to each other such that the aligned jaws form a substantially continuous arc for bearing against the fuse to retain the fuse, wherein the tines of the jaw of the second bar straddle the central contact ring; and inserting the fuse into the protector mount.
- 68. The method of claim 67, further comprising actuating the respective jaws out of alignment by sliding the respective bars relative to each other before positioning the fuse in the jaw located at an end of the first bar.
- 69. The method of claim 67, wherein retaining the fuse includes a ball riding between the first and second bars as the respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 70. The method of claim 69, wherein retaining the fuse includes the ball riding in a slot in one of the first and second bars.
- 71. The method of claim 70, wherein retaining the fuse includes locking the respective jaws in the aligned position, wherein locking the respective jaws in the aligned position is accomplished by the ball extending into a recess in the slot.
- 72. The method of claim 67, wherein inserting the fuse includes applying a force to the tool in the direction of the protector-mount.
- 73. The method of claim 67, further comprising releasing the fuse from the tool after inserting it by actuating the respective jaws out of alignment by sliding the respective bars relative to each other.
- 74. The method of claim 73, further comprising pivoting the jaw of the first bar after actuating the respective jaws out of alignment so that the jaw of the first bar moves away from the second bar, wherein the jaw of the first bar pivots about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first bar.
- 75. The method of claim 73, further comprising removing the tool from the protector-mount after releasing the fuse.
- 76. A tool for installing and extracting a fuse, the tool comprising:a first bar having a jaw at a first end of the first bar wherein the jaw of the first bar includes a groove; and a second bar slidably attached to the first bar and having a jaw at a first end of the second bar, wherein the respective jaws are adapted to align by sliding the respective bars relative to each other to retain the fuse between the jaws.
- 77. The tool of claim 76, wherein the jaw of the first bar and the jaw of the second bar have arced profiles of substantially the same radii that are substantially equal to the radius of a fuse.
- 78. The tool of claim 77, wherein the arc length of the jaw of the first bar is one of greater than, less than, and equal to the arc length of the jaw of the second bar.
- 79. The tool of claim 76, wherein the jaw of the first bar and the jaw of the second bar are resilient.
- 80. The tool of claim 76, further comprising a jaw at a second end of the first bar and a jaw at a second end of the second bar.
- 81. The tool of claim 80, wherein the arc length of the jaw at the second end of the second bar is one of greater than, less than, and equal to the arc length of the jaw at the second end of the first bar.
- 82. The tool of claim 80, wherein the jaw at the second end of the first bar is forked.
- 83. The tool of claim 80, wherein the jaw at the second end of the second bar includes a groove.
- 84. The tool of claim 80, wherein the jaw at the second end of the first bar and the jaw at the second end of the second bar are resilient.
- 85. The tool of claim 76, wherein the jaw of the first bar pivots about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first bar.
- 86. The tool of claim 76, further comprising a ball that rides between the first and second bars when respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 87. The tool of claim 86, wherein the ball rides a slot in one of the first and second bars when respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 88. The tool of claim 87, wherein the ball extends into a recess in the slot when the respective jaws are aligned, thereby locking the respective jaws in the aligned position.
- 89. A tool for installing and extracting a fuse, the tool comprising:a first bar having a jaw at a first end of the first bar; and a second bar slidably attached to the first bar and having a jaw at a first end of the second bar, wherein the respective jaws are adapted to align by sliding the respective bars relative to each other to retain the fuse between the jaws and further wherein the jaw of the first bar and the jaw of the second bar are resilient.
- 90. The tool of claim 89, wherein the jaw of the first bar and the jaw of the second bar have arced profiles of substantially the same radii that are substantially equal to the radius of a fuse.
- 91. The tool of claim 90, wherein the arc length of the jaw of the first bar is one of greater than, less than, and equal to the arc length of the jaw of the second bar.
- 92. The tool of claim 89, further comprising a jaw at a second end of the first bar and a jaw at a second end of the second bar.
- 93. The tool of claim 92, wherein the arc length of the jaw at the second end of the second bar is one of greater than, less than, and equal to the arc length of the jaw at the second end of the first bar.
- 94. The tool of claim 92, wherein the jaw at the second end of the first bar is forked.
- 95. The tool of claim 92, wherein the jaw at the second end of the second bar includes a groove.
- 96. The tool of claim 92, wherein the jaw at the second end of the first bar and the jaw at the second end of the second bar are resilient.
- 97. The tool of claim 89, wherein the jaw of the first bar pivots about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first bar.
- 98. The tool of claim 89, further comprising a ball that rides between the first and second bars when respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 99. The tool of claim 98, wherein the ball rides a slot in one of the first and second bars when respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 100. The tool of claim 99, wherein the ball extends into a recess in the slot when the respective jaws are aligned, thereby locking the respective jaws in the aligned position.
- 101. A tool for installing and extracting a fuse, the tool comprising:a first bar having a jaw at a first end of the first bar; a second bar slidably attached to the first bar and having a jaw at a first end of the second bar, wherein the respective jaws are adapted to align by sliding the respective bars relative to each other to retain the fuse between the jaws; and a jaw at a a second end of the first bar and a jaw at a second end of the second bar wherein the jaw at the second end of the first bar is forked.
- 102. The tool of claim 101, wherein the jaw of the first bar and the jaw of the second bar have arced profiles of substantially the same radii that are substantially equal to the radius of a fuse.
- 103. The tool of claim 102, wherein the arc length of the jaw of the first bar is one of greater than, less than, and equal to the arc length of the jaw of the second bar.
- 104. The tool of claim 101, wherein the arc length of the jaw at the second end of the second bar is one of greater than, less than, and equal to the arc length of the jaw at the second end of the first bar.
- 105. The tool of claim 101, wherein the jaw at the second end of the second bar includes a groove.
- 106. The tool of claim 101, wherein the jaw at the second end of the first bar and the jaw at the second end of the second bar are resilient.
- 107. The tool of claim 101, wherein the jaw of the first bar pivots about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first bar.
- 108. The tool of claim 101, further comprising a ball that rides between the first and second bars when respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 109. The tool of claim 108, wherein the ball rides a slot in one of the first and second bars when respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 110. The tool of claim 109, wherein the ball extends into a recess in the slot when the respective jaws are aligned, thereby locking the respective jaws in the aligned position.
- 111. A tool for installing and extracting a fuse, the tool comprising:a first bar having a jaw at a first end of the first bar; a second bar slidably attached to the first bar and having a jaw at a first end of the second bar, wherein the respective jaws are adapted to align by sliding the respective bars relative to each other to retain the fuse between the jaws; and a jaw at a a second end of the first bar and a jaw at a second end of the second bar wherein the jaw at the second end of the second bar includes a groove.
- 112. The tool of claim 111, wherein the jaw of the first bar and the jaw of the second bar have arced profiles of substantially the same radii that are substantially equal to the radius of a fuse.
- 113. The tool of claim 112, wherein the arc length of the jaw of the first bar is one of greater than, less than, and equal to the arc length of the jaw of the second bar.
- 114. The tool of claim 111, wherein the arc length of the jaw at the second end of the second bar is one of greater than, less than, and equal to the arc length of the jaw at the second end of the first bar.
- 115. The tool of claim 111, wherein the jaw at the second end of the first bar and the jaw at the second end of the second bar are resilient.
- 116. The tool of claim 111, wherein the jaw of the first bar pivots about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first bar.
- 117. The tool of claim 111, further comprising a ball that rides between the first and second bars when respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 118. The tool of claim 117, wherein the ball rides a slot in one of the first and second bars when respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 119. The tool of claim 118, wherein the ball extends into a recess in the slot when the respective jaws are aligned, thereby locking the respective jaws in the aligned position.
- 120. A tool for installing and extracting a fuse, the tool comprising:a first bar having a jaw at a first end of the first bar; a second bar slidably attached to the first bar and having a jaw at a first end of the second bar, wherein the respective jaws are adapted to align by sliding the respective bars relative to each other to retain the fuse between the jaws; and a jaw at a a second end of the first bar and a jaw at a second end of the second bar wherein the jaw at the second end of the first bar and the jaw at the second end of the second bar are resilient.
- 121. The tool of claim 120, wherein the jaw of the first bar and the jaw of the second bar have arced profiles of substantially the same radii that are substantially equal to the radius of a fuse.
- 122. The tool of claim 121, wherein the arc length of the jaw of the first bar is one of greater than, less than, and equal to the arc length of the jaw of the second bar.
- 123. The tool of claim 120, wherein the arc length of the jaw at the second end of the second bar is one of greater than, less than, and equal to the arc length of the jaw at the second end of the first bar.
- 124. The tool of claim 120, wherein the jaw of the first bar pivots about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first bar.
- 125. The tool of claim 120, further comprising a ball that rides between the first and second bars when respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 126. The tool of claim 125, wherein the ball rides a slot in one of the first and second bars when respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 127. The tool of claim 126, wherein the ball extends into a recess in the slot when the respective jaws are aligned, thereby locking the respective jaws in the aligned position.
- 128. A tool for installing and extracting a fuse, the tool comprising:a first bar having a jaw at a first end of the first bar; a second bar slidably attached to the first bar and having a jaw at a first end of the second bar, wherein the respective jaws are adapted to align by sliding the respective bars relative to each other to retain the fuse between the jaws; and a ball that rides between the first and second bars when respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 129. The tool of claim 128, wherein the jaw of the first bar and the jaw of the second bar have arced profiles of substantially the same radii that are substantially equal to the radius of a fuse.
- 130. The tool of claim 129, wherein the arc length of the jaw of the first bar is one of greater than, less than, and equal to the arc length of the jaw of the second bar.
- 131. The tool of claim 128, further comprising a jaw at a second end of the first bar and a jaw at a second end of the second bar.
- 132. The tool of claim 131, wherein the arc length of the jaw at the second end of the second bar is one of greater than, less than, and equal to the arc length of the jaw at the second end of the first bar.
- 133. The tool of claim 128, wherein the jaw of the first bar pivots about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first bar.
- 134. The tool of claim 128, wherein the ball rides a slot in one of the first and second bars when respective bars slide relative to each other.
- 135. The tool of claim 134, wherein the ball extends into a recess in the slot when the respective jaws are aligned, thereby locking the respective jaws in the aligned position.
US Referenced Citations (15)
