Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6532636
-
Patent Number
6,532,636
-
Date Filed
Friday, December 7, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, March 18, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 029 270
- 029 272
- 029 242
- 029 243
- 254 1315
- 254 113
- 294 58
- 294 49
- 294 545
- 294 59
- 294 57
- D08 10
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A hand-held tool for guiding an integral piece of sheet metal into a pair of sheet metal connectors positioned end-to-end and oriented at an angle relative to each other so as to form a corner. Each sheet metal connector has a pair of spaced-apart walls that define a channel therebetween for receiving the integral piece of sheet metal, and a flange that extends outwardly from one wall thereof. The tool includes a handle and a blade that extends axially from the handle. The blade is shaped for inserting into the channel of each of the pair of sheet metal connectors simultaneously, at the corner, and defining with the other wall of each of the pair of sheet metal connectors a converging pathway for guiding the integral piece of sheet metal into the channel of each of the pair of sheet metal connectors simultaneously, at the corner.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hand-held tool for guiding sheet metal. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hand-held tool for guiding an integral piece of sheet metal into a pair of sheet metal connectors positioned end-to-end and oriented at an angle relative to each other.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Heretofore it has been conventional to employ duct connectors, which used screws, bolts, clips, drives, and other external hardware to connect ducts end-to-end. The prior art connectors also required use of welding and metal working tools of various kinds.
These prior art techniques made installation of rectangular air conditioning ducts slow and laborious. Furthermore, in service, these connectors permitted leakage of conditioned air under pressure in air conditioning systems.
Thus, there existed a need for a duct connector that makes installation of rectangular air conditioning ducts fast and not laborious and which does not permit leakage of conditioned air under pressure in air conditioning systems.
This need has been met by a sheet metal connector for joining two pieces of sheet metal together end-to-end that we teach in a copending application. A first wall and a second wall define a first channel therebetween, into which a ledge extends, and which lockingly receives one piece of sheet metal, by virtue of at least one reverse button lock on a raw free end of the one piece of sheet metal snapingly engaging against the ledge. A third wall terminates in a free edge that is folded onto itself, and together with the first wall, defines a second channel therebetween that lockingly receives the other piece of sheet metal, by virtue of at least one reverse button lock on a raw free end of the other piece of sheet metal snapingly engaging against the folded free edge of the third wall.
When a pair of these sheet metal connectors are positioned end-to-end and oriented at an angle relative to each other so as to form a corner and are both intended to lockingly receive an integral piece of sheet metal, then there exists a need for a hand-held tool that will guide the integral piece of sheet metal into the first channels of both of the sheet metal connectors simultaneously, at the corner.
Numerous innovations for hand-held guiding tools have been provided in the prior art. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention in that they do not teach a hand-held tool for guiding an integral piece of sheet metal into a pair of sheet metal connectors positioned end-to-end and oriented at an angle relative to each other, and would therefore be not suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
ACCORDINGLY, AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a hand-held tool for guiding an integral piece of sheet metal into a pair of sheet metal connectors positioned end-to-end and oriented at an angle relative to each other that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a hand-held tool for guiding an integral piece of sheet metal into a pair of sheet metal connectors positioned end-to-end and oriented at an angle relative to each other that is simple to use.
BRIEFLY STATED, STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a hand-held tool for guiding an integral piece of sheet metal into a pair of sheet metal connectors positioned end-to-end and oriented at an angle relative to each other so as to form a corner. Each sheet metal connector has a pair of spaced-apart walls that define a channel therebetween for receiving the integral piece of sheet metal and a flange that extends outwardly from one wall thereof. The tool includes a handle and a blade that extends axially from the handle. The blade is shaped for inserting into the channel of each of the pair of sheet metal connectors simultaneously, at the corner, and defining with the other wall of each of the pair of sheet metal connectors a converging pathway for guiding the integral piece of sheet metal into the channel of each of the pair of sheet metal connectors simultaneously, at the corner.
The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The figures of the drawing are briefly described as follows:
FIG. 1
is an exploded diagrammatic perspective view of the hand-held tool for guiding an integral piece of sheet metal into a pair of sheet metal connectors positioned end-to-end and oriented at an angle relative to each other;
FIG. 2
is an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken on LINE
2
—
2
in
FIG. 1
illustrating the converging pathway defined by the blade of the present invention shown in FIG.
1
and the other wall of the pair of spaced-apart walls of one sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified by ARROW
3
in
FIG. 1
of the hand-held tool of the present invention shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 4
is a diagrammatic top plan view taken generally in the direction of ARROW
4
in
FIG. 3
;
FIG. 5
is a diagrammatic side elevational view taken generally in the direction of ARROW
5
in
FIG. 4
; and
FIG. 6
is an enlarged diagrammatic front elevational view taken generally in the direction of ARROW
6
in FIG.
5
.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING
10
hand-held tool of present invention for guiding integral piece of sheet metal
12
into pair of sheet metal connectors
14
positioned end-to-end and oriented at angle
15
relative to each other so as to form a corner
17
12
integral piece of sheet metal
14
pair of sheet metal connectors positioned end-to-end and oriented at angle
15
relative to each other
15
angle pair of sheet metal connectors
14
are oriented relative to each other
16
pair of spaced-apart walls of each sheet metal connector of pair of sheet meal connectors
14
17
corner formed by pair of sheet metal connectors
14
18
channel defined by pair of spaced-apart walls
16
of each sheet metal connector of pair of sheet meal connectors
14
for receiving integral piece of sheet metal
12
20
flange of each sheet metal connector of pair of sheet meal connectors
14
22
handle for fitting in palm of hand (not shown)
24
blade for inserting into channel
18
of each sheet metal connector of pair of sheet metal connectors
14
simultaneously, at corner
17
26
proximal end of handle
22
28
distal end of handle
22
30
converging pathway for guiding integral piece of sheet metal
12
into channel
18
of each sheet metal connector of pair of sheet metal connectors
14
simultaneously, at corner
17
32
body of blade
24
34
head of blade
24
36
wings of blade
24
38
first portion of body
32
of blade
24
40
second portion of body
32
of blade
24
42
innermost edge of first portion
38
of body
32
of blade
24
44
innermost edge of second portion
40
of body
32
of blade
24
46
longitudinal axis of body
32
of blade
24
48
proximal end of longitudinal axis
46
of body
32
of blade
24
50
angle first portion
38
of body
32
of blade
24
and second portion
40
of body
32
of blade
24
are downwardly oriented relative to each other
52
outermost edge of first portion
38
of body
32
of blade
24
54
forwardmost edge of first portion
38
of body
32
of blade
24
56
outermost edge of second portion
40
of body
32
of blade
24
58
forwardmost edge of second portion
40
of body
32
of blade
24
60
first portion of head
34
of blade
24
62
second portion of head
34
of blade
24
64
rearwardmost edge of first portion
60
of head
34
of blade
24
66
forwardmost edge of first portion
60
of head
34
of blade
24
68
rearwardmost edge of second portion
62
of head
34
of blade
24
70
forwardmost edge of second portion
62
of head
34
of blade
24
72
first wing of wings
36
of blade
24
74
second wing of wings
36
of blade
24
76
lowermost edge of first wing
72
of wings
36
of blade
24
78
lowermost edge of second wing
74
of wings
36
of blade
24
80
forwardmost edge of first wing
72
of wings
36
of blade
24
82
forwardmost edge of second wing
74
of wings
36
of blade
24
84
notch in forwardmost edge
80
of first wing
72
of wings
36
of blade
24
for capturing flange
20
of one sheet metal connector of pair of sheet metal connectors
14
therein, and in so doing, stops travel of first portion
60
of head
34
of blade
24
in channel
18
of one sheet metal connector of pair of sheet metal connectors
14
86
notch in forwardmost edge
82
of second wing
74
of wings
36
of blade
24
for capturing flange
20
of other sheet metal connector of pair of sheet metal connectors
14
therein, and in so doing, stops travel of second portion
62
of head
34
of blade
24
in channel
18
of other sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, which are, respectively, an exploded diagrammatic perspective view of the hand-held tool of the present invention guiding an integral piece of sheet metal into a pair of sheet metal connectors positioned end-to-end and oriented at an angle relative to each other, and an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken on LINE
2
—
2
in
FIG. 1
illustrating the converging pathway defined by the blade of the present invention shown in FIG.
1
and the other wall of the pair of spaced-apart walls of one sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors shown in
FIG. 1
, the hand-held tool of present invention is shown generally at
10
for guiding an integral piece of sheet metal
12
into a pair of sheet metal connectors
14
positioned end-to-end and oriented at an angle
15
relative to each other so as to form a corner
17
. Each of the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
has a pair of spaced-apart walls
16
that define a channel
18
therebetween that receives the integral piece of sheet metal
12
, and a flange
20
that extends outwardly from one wall of the pair of spaced-apart walls
16
thereof.
The hand-held tool
10
comprises a handle
22
and a blade
24
that extends axially from the handle
22
. The handle
22
is elongated, fits in the palm of a hand (not shown), and has a proximal end
26
and a distal end
28
that is free.
As shown in
FIG. 2
, the blade
24
is shaped to insert into the channel
18
of each sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
simultaneously, at the corner
17
, and defines with the other wall of the pair of spaced-apart walls
16
of each sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
a converging pathway
30
for guiding the integral piece of sheet metal
12
into the channel
18
of each sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
simultaneously, at the corner
17
.
The specific configuration of the blade
24
can best be seen in
FIGS. 3-6
, which are, respectively, an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified by ARROW
3
in
FIG. 1
of the hand-held tool of the present invention shown in
FIG. 1
, a diagrammatic top plan view taken generally in the direction of ARROW
4
in
FIG. 3
, a diagrammatic side elevational view taken generally in the direction of ARROW
5
in
FIG. 4
, and an enlarged diagrammatic front elevational view taken generally in the direction of ARROW
6
in
FIG. 5
, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.
The blade
24
has a body
32
, a head
34
, and wings
36
. The body
32
of the blade
24
extends forwardly and axially from the handle
22
.
The head
34
of the blade
24
extends forwardly and upwardly from the body
32
of the blade
24
and is inserted into the channel
18
of each sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
simultaneously, at the corner
17
, and in so doing, the body
32
of the blade
24
defines with the other wall of the pair of spaced-apart walls
16
of each sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
the converging pathway
30
for guiding the integral piece of sheet metal
12
into the channel
18
of each sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
simultaneously, at the corner
17
(see FIG.
2
).
The wings
36
of the blade
24
extend upwardly from the body
32
of the blade
24
and are for engaging against the flange
20
of each sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
simultaneously, at the corner
17
(see FIG.
2
).
The body
32
of the blade
24
comprises a first portion
38
and a second portion
40
. The first portion
38
of the body
32
of the blade
24
is flat and has an innermost edge
42
, and the second portion
40
of the body
32
of the blade
24
is flat, has an innermost edge
44
, and is a mirror image of the first portion
38
of the body
32
of the blade
24
. The innermost edge
42
of the first portion
38
of the body
32
of the blade
24
is coincident with the innermost edge
44
of the second portion
40
of the body
32
of the blade
24
, and forms therewith, a longitudinal axis
46
of the body
32
of the blade
24
that has a proximal end
48
. The first portion
38
of the body
32
of the blade
24
and the second portion
40
of the body
32
of the blade
24
are downwardly oriented at an angle
50
relative to each other, about the longitudinal axis
46
of the body
32
of the blade
24
. The angle
50
of the body
32
of the blade
24
is equal to the angle
15
that the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
are oriented relative to each other.
The longitudinal axis
46
of the body
32
of the blade
24
extends collinearly from the handle
22
, with the proximal end
26
of the handle
22
being coincident with the proximal end
48
of the longitudinal axis
46
of the body
32
of the blade
24
.
The first portion
38
of the body
32
of the blade
24
further has an outermost edge
52
and a forwardmost edge
54
that extends outwardly from one side of the longitudinal axis
46
of the body
32
of the blade
24
. The second portion
40
of the body
32
of the blade
24
further has an outermost edge
56
and a forwardmost edge
58
that extends outwardly from the other side of the longitudinal axis
46
of the body
32
of the blade
24
.
The head
34
of the blade
24
comprises a first portion
60
and a second portion
62
. The first portion
60
of the head
34
of the blade
24
is flat and tapered to facilitate insertion into the channel
18
of the one sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
, at the corner
17
. The second portion
62
of the head
34
of the blade
24
is flat, tapered to facilitate insertion into the channel
18
of the other sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
, at the corner
17
, is a mirror image of the first portion
60
of the head
34
of the blade
24
, and is independent of the first portion
60
of the head
34
of the blade
24
.
The first portion
60
of the head
34
of the blade
24
extends forwardly and upwardly from the first portion
38
of the body
32
of the blade
24
, at an obtuse angle, and the second portion
62
of the head
34
of the blade
24
extends forwardly and upwardly from the second portion
40
of the body
32
of the blade
24
, at the obtuse angle, and in so doing, provide the converging pathway
30
by virtue of the first portion
38
of the body
32
of the blade
24
being angled away from the other wall of the pair of spaced-apart walls
16
of the one sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
so as to diverge therefrom when the first portion
60
of the head
34
of the blade
24
is inserted into the channel
18
of the one sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
, at the corner
17
, and the second portion
40
of the body
32
of the blade
24
is angled away from the other wall of the pair of spaced-apart walls
16
of the other sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
so as to diverge therefrom when the second portion
62
of the head
34
of the blade
24
is inserted into the channel
18
of the other sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
, at the corner
17
(see FIG.
2
).
The first portion
60
of the head
34
of the blade
24
has a rearwardmost edge
64
that is coincident with the forwardmost edge
54
of the first portion
38
of the body
32
of the blade
24
and a forwardmost edge
66
that is free and leads the insertion into the channel
18
of the one sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
, at the corner
17
. The second portion
62
of the head
34
of the blade
24
has a rearwardmost edge
68
that is coincident with the forwardmost edge
58
of the second portion
40
of the body
32
of the blade
24
and a forwardmost edge
70
that is free and leads the insertion into the channel
18
of the other sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
, at the corner
17
.
The wings
36
of the blade
24
comprise a first wing
72
and a second wing
74
that is independent of the first wing
72
of the wings
36
of the blade
24
and is a mirror image of the first wing
72
of the wings
36
of the blade
24
. The first wing
72
of the wings
36
of the blade
24
extends perpendicularly upwardly from the first portion
38
of the body
32
of the blade
24
, is flat, triangular-shaped, and has a lowermost edge
76
that is coincident with the outermost edge
52
of the first portion
38
of the body
32
of the blade
24
. The second wing
74
of the wings
36
of the blade
24
extends perpendicularly upwardly from the second portion
40
of the body
32
of the blade
24
, is flat, triangular-shaped, and has a lowermost edge
78
that is coincident with the outermost edge
56
of the second portion
40
of the body
32
of the blade
24
.
The first wing
72
of the wings
36
of the blade
24
further has a forwardmost edge
80
that is free and the second wing
74
of the wings
36
of the blade
24
further has a forwardmost edge
82
that is free. The forwardmost edge
80
of the first wing
72
of the wings
36
of the blade
24
has a notch
84
that extends therein and partially upwardly from the lowermost edge
76
of the first wing
72
of the wings
36
of the blade
24
and which captures the flange
20
of the one sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
therein, and in so doing, stops travel of the first portion
60
of the head
34
of the blade
24
in the channel
18
of the one sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
, at the corner
17
. The forwardmost edge
82
of the second wing
74
of the wings
36
of the blade
24
has a notch
86
that extends therein and partially upwardly from the lowermost edge
78
of the second wing
74
of the wings
36
of the blade
24
and captures the flange
20
of the other sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
therein, and in so doing, stops travel of the second portion
62
of the head
34
of the blade
24
in the channel
18
of the other sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors
14
, at the corner
17
(see FIG.
2
).
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a hand-held tool for guiding an integral piece of sheet metal into a pair of sheet metal connectors positioned end-to-end and oriented at an angle relative to each other, however, it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.
Claims
- 1. A hand-held tool for guiding an integral piece of sheet metal into a pair of sheet metal connectors positioned end-to-end and oriented at an angle relative to each other so as to form a corner, wherein each sheet metal connector has a pair of spaced-apart walls defining a channel therebetween for receiving the integral piece of sheet metal and a flange extending outwardly from one wall thereof, said tool comprising:a) a handle; and b) a blade; wherein said blade extends axially from said handle; wherein said blade is shaped for inserting into the channel of each sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors simultaneously, at the corner, and defining with the other wall of the pair of spaced-apart walls of each sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors a converging pathway for guiding the integral piece of sheet metal into the channel of each sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors simultaneously, at the corner; wherein said blade has a body; wherein said body of said blade extends forwardly from said handle; wherein said body of said blade extends axially from said handle; wherein said blade comprises a head; wherein said head of said blade extends forwardly from said body of said blade; wherein said head of said blade extends upwardly from said body of said blade; wherein said head of said blade is for inserting into the channel of each sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors simultaneously, at the corner, and in so doing, said body of said blade defines with the other wall of the pair of spaced-apart walls of each sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors the converging pathway for guiding the integral piece of sheet metal into the channel of each sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors simultaneously, at the corner; wherein said body of said blade comprises a first portion; wherein said first portion of said body of said blade is flat; wherein said body of said blade comprises a second portion; wherein said second portion of said body of said blade is flat; wherein said first portion of said body of said blade and said second portion of said body of said blade are mirror images of each other; wherein said first portion of said body of said blade has an innermost edge; wherein said second portion of said body of said blade has an innermost edge; wherein said innermost edge of said first portion of said body of said blade is coincident with said innermost edge of said second portion of said body of said blade, and forms therewith, a longitudinal axis of said body of said blade; wherein said longitudinal axis of said body of said blade has a proximal end; and wherein said first portion of said body of said blade and said second portion of said body of said blade are oriented downwardly at an angle to each other, about said longitudinal axis of said body of said blade, that is equal to the angle the pair of sheet metal connectors are oriented relative to each other.
- 2. The tool as defined in claim 1, wherein said handle is elongated;wherein said handle is for fitting in the palm of a hand; wherein said handle has a distal end; and wherein said distal end of said handle is free.
- 3. The tool as defined in claim 1, wherein said blade comprises wings;wherein said wings of said blade extend upwardly from said body of said blade; and wherein said wings of said blade are for engaging against the flange of each sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors simultaneously, at the corner.
- 4. The tool as defined in claim 1, wherein said longitudinal axis of said body of said blade extends collinearly from said handle;wherein said handle has a proximal end; and wherein said proximal end of said handle is coincident with said proximal end of said longitudinal axis of said body of said blade.
- 5. The tool as defined in claim 1, wherein said first portion of said body of said blade has a forwardmost edge;wherein said forwardmost edge of said first portion of said body of said blade extends outwardly from one side of said longitudinal axis of said body of said blade; wherein said second portion of said body of said blade has a forwardmost edge; and wherein said forwardmost edge of said second portion of said body of said blade extends outwardly from the other side of said longitudinal axis of said body of said blade.
- 6. The tool as defined in claim 5, wherein said head of said blade comprises a first portion;wherein said first portion of said head of said blade is flat; wherein said head of said blade comprises a second portion; wherein said second portion of said head of said blade is flat; wherein said first portion of said head of said blade and said second portion of said head of said blade are mirror images of each other; wherein said first portion of said head of said blade has a rearwardmost edge; wherein said second portion of said head of said blade has a rearwardmost edge; wherein said rearwardmost edge of said first portion of said head of said blade is coincident with said forwardmost edge of said first portion of said body of said blade; and wherein said rearwardmost edge of said second portion of said head of said blade is coincident with said forwardmost edge of said second portion of said body of said blade.
- 7. The tool as defined in claim 6, wherein said first portion of said head of said blade extends forwardly and upwardly from said first portion of said body of said blade at an obtuse angle and said second portion of said head of said blade extends forwardly and upwardly from said second portion of said body of said blade at said obtuse angle, and in so doing, provide said converging pathway by virtue of said first portion of said body of said blade being angled away from the other wall of the pair of spaced-apart walls of one sheet metal connector of the pair of connectors so as to diverge therefrom when said first portion of said head of said blade is inserted into the channel of the one sheet metal connector of the pair of connectors, at the corner, and said second portion of said body of said blade is angled away from the other wall of the pair of spaced-apart walls of the other sheet metal connector of the pair of connectors so as to diverge therefrom when said second portion of said head of said blade is inserted into the channel of the other sheet metal connector of the pair of connectors, at the corner.
- 8. The tool as defined in claim 6, wherein said first portion of said head of said blade is independent of said second portion of said head of said blade.
- 9. The tool as defined in claim 6, wherein said first portion of said head of said blade is tapered for facilitating insertion into the channel of one sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors, at the corner; andwherein said second portion of said head is tapered for facilitating insertion into the channel of the other sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors, at the corner.
- 10. The tool as defined in claim 6, wherein said first portion of said head of said blade has a forwardmost edge;wherein said forwardmost edge of said first portion of said head of said blade is free; wherein said forwardmost edge of said first portion of said head of said blade is for leading the insertion into the channel of one sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors, at the corner; wherein said second portion of said head of said blade has a forwardmost edge; wherein said forwardmost edge of said second portion of said head of said blade is free; and wherein said forwardmost edge of said second portion of said head of said blade is for leading the insertion into the channel of the other sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors, at the corner.
- 11. The tool as defined in claim 6, wherein said wings of said blade comprise a first wing;wherein said first wing of said blade is flat; wherein said wings of said blade comprise a second wing; wherein said second wing of said blade is flat; wherein said first wing of said blade and said second wing of said blade are mirror images of each other; wherein said first wing of said blade has a lowermost edge; wherein said second wing of said blade has a lowermost edge; wherein said first portion of said body of said blade has an outermost edge; wherein said lowermost edge of said first wing of said blade is coincident with said outermost edge of said first portion of said body of said blade; wherein said second portion of said body of said blade has an outermost edge; and wherein said lowermost edge of said second wing of said blade is coincident with said outermost edge of said second portion of said body of said blade.
- 12. The tool as defined in claim 11, wherein said first wing of said blade extends perpendicularly upwardly from said first portion of said body of said blade; andwherein said second wing of said blade extends perpendicularly upwardly from said second portion of said body of said blade.
- 13. The tool as defined in claim 11, wherein said first wing of said blade is independent of said second wing of said blade.
- 14. The tool as defined in claim 11, wherein said first wing of said blade is triangular-shaped; andwherein said second wing of said blade is triangular-shaped.
- 15. The tool as defined in claim 11, wherein said first wing of said blade has a forwardmost edge;wherein said forwardmost edge of said first wing of said blade is free; wherein said second wing of said blade has a forwardmost edge; and wherein said forwardmost edge of said second wing of said blade is free.
- 16. The tool as defined in claim 15, wherein said forwardmost edge of said first wing of said blade has a notch;wherein said notch in said forwardmost edge of said first wing of said blade extends therein and partially upwardly from said lowermost edge of said first wing of said blade; wherein said notch in said forwardmost edge of said first wing of said blade is for capturing the flange of one sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors therein, at the corner, and in so doing, stops travel of said first portion of said head of said blade in the channel of the one sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors; wherein said forwardmost edge of said second wing of said blade has a notch; wherein said notch in said forwardmost edge of said second wing of said blade extends therein and partially upwardly from said lowermost edge of said second wing of said blade; and wherein said notch in said forwardmost edge of said second wing of said blade is for capturing the flange of the other sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors therein, at the corner, and in so doing, stops travel of said second portion of said head of said blade in the channel of the other sheet metal connector of the pair of sheet metal connectors.
US Referenced Citations (5)
