Patent Application
20210276157
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
This application claims benefit of the following patent application(s) which is/are hereby incorporated by reference: U.S. Ser. No. 16/083,187 filed Sep. 7, 2018; PCT/GB2017/050612 filed Mar. 7, 2017; GB1603929.9 filed Mar. 7, 2016; and GB 1603922.4 filed Mar. 7, 2016.
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
The invention relates to hand operated gripping tools gripping tools that are adjustable within the range of the jaws of the tool. One form of hand operated gripping tool is pliers of the type generally referred to as pliers or vice grip pliers as they are commonly known.
Existing locking pliers such as US2015283681, US2015273664 comprise two robust handles connected to two robust jaws, and a locking mechanism connected to the two jaws. The handles can be squeezed to close the jaws. The locking member is attached to an over centre linkage which when utilized prevents the lower handle from pivoting from its closed configuration and until opened retaining the jaws in a closed position. The clamping width of the jaws is adjusted by an adjustment screw, the adjustment screw further determining the clamping pressure exerted upon the clamped workpiece. As the clamping pressure has to be pre-set it can take several attempts to correctly adjust the screw to the required position in order to clamp the workpiece the best way. The clamping width of the jaws once set by the adjusting screw is finite, any movement, vibration or relaxing of the clamped material normally results in the failure of the clamping action. This is most prevalent when the device is used to initially clamp bodywork parts during a panel beating process prior to welding or bolting the panels being worked on. Inadvertent over pressure applied by the clamping jaws usually results in damage or distortion of the clamped parts.
U.S. D742194 shows a set of pliers having a toothed strut with a locking mechanism attached to one operating arm. As the arms are closed the teeth “ratchet” past the lock. As the operating arms are not designed to resiliently deform during robust operation, the toothed arc of the strut remains in substantially the same locking angle relative to the locking mechanism.
EP2818280 comprises pliers or clamps having a bow or arcuate portion to permit limited flexing of one of the handles. A pivotal strut is retained between the handles and the strut is slidably held in a channel within one handle and pivotally held within the other handle. The pivotal end of the strut has a toothed arc, which acts with a switched pawl to lock or unlock the handle positions relative to one another. Compression of the handles closes the gap between the fixed and moveable jaws, the moveable jaw sliding up a clamp bar portion until the jaws robustly contact the workpiece, the further operation of the handles resulting in the clamping of the workpiece, the resilient arcuate portion acting to impose a limited sprung grip upon the workpiece, further usefulness imported by the locking action of the pawl teeth within the strut arc teeth when the pawl is switched into its ratchet locking position retaining the handles substantially in their closed position providing a limited spring grip upon the workpiece. The arc of the toothed strut in conjunction with the corresponding toothed arc of the pawl being capable of compensating for the changes in angles of one handle relative to the other as the resilient portion flexes as differing pressures are applied to the handles during use, any normal locking switch being rendered suspect as the angle of one locking tooth to the other changing as the handle flexes, which may prevent the teeth interlocking sufficiently to provide a dependable locking mechanism.
The present invention incorporates clamping widths within its specification that are automatically adjusted, the locking pressure can be further be usefully determined by the operator by the straightforward gripping pressure of the handles, the simple release of the handles initiating the locking of the jaws upon the clamped parts. The utilization of bowed resilient portions within the handle or handles providing superior constant jaw clamping pressure of the part or parts clamped whilst normally preventing surface damage to the parts claimed. The present invention further works on a reasonable range of workpiece sizes and shapes whilst utilizing superior sprung gripping force of the workpiece. Furthermore, the main parts are capable of being stamped in order to further reduce their cost.
It is an object of the invention to at least partially alleviate one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages or to provide an alternative to existing products.
The invention provides a hand operated gripping tool comprising a first handle, a first jaw connected with said first handle, a second handle pivotably connected with said first handle to permit relative pivoting movement of said first and second handles and a second jaw connected with said second handle, wherein one of said first jaw and second jaw is a removable jaw and said removable jaw is push-fit attachable to the respective said handle.
In some examples said removable jaw comprises an outboard portion defining a gripping region and an inboard portion that projects from said outboard portion and is received the respective said handle.
In some examples said inboard portion comprises first part and a second part disposed opposite said first part to define a slot between said parts, said respective handle defines respective recesses to receive said first and second part and said recesses define a blade that complementary engages in said slot when said removable jaw is push-fit attached to said respective handle.
In some examples said blade comprises a leading end provided with a plurality of formations that complementarily engage a plurality for formations defined by said removable jaw to define a plurality of selectable orientations of said removable jaw with respect to the respective said handle.
Some examples further comprise a locking mechanism by which said removable jaw is lockable to the respective said jaw.
In some examples said locking mechanism comprises a snap-fit mechanism.
In some examples said snap-fit mechanism comprises a detent mechanism.
In some examples said locking mechanism comprises a rotatable switch carried by the respective said handle and removable jaw comprises a recess engageable by said rotatable switch to lock said removable jaw to the said respective handle.
In some examples each of said movable and first jaws is a said removable jaw.
The invention also includes a hand operated gripping tool comprising a first handle, a first jaw connected with said first handle, a second handle pivotably connected with said first handle to permit relative pivoting movement of said first and second handles, a second jaw connected with said second handle, a strut having first end pivotally attached to said second handle, a locking switch pivotally attached to said first handle and a biasing member acting on said locking switch, wherein said locking switch has at least one tooth engageable with teeth provided on said strut, said biasing member biases said locking switch towards said strut so that said at least one tooth engages said strut and slides over said teeth on said strut when, in use, said first and second handles move towards one another.
In some examples said teeth on said strut are provided on a first side of said strut, said strut has a second side disposed opposite said first side and said first handle defines a bearing surface engaging said second side to control pivoting movement of said strut when, in use, said whereby the relative orientation of said locking switch and strut is maintained during said movement of said first and second handles towards one another.
In some examples said locking switch further comprises a guide face and said guide face is configured such that pivotal movement of said locking switch by a user applied force to release said at least one tooth from engagement with said teeth on said strut causes said guide face to engage said strut to cooperate with said bearing surface to define a channel through which said strut slides guided by said bearing surface and guide face when, in use, said first and second handles move away from one another.
In some examples said biasing member comprises a first portion engaging said locking switch and a second portion engaging said first handle and third portion engaging said second handle whereby said biasing member biases said locking switch and biases said second handle away from said first handle.
In some examples at least one of said first and second handles comprises a flexure portion configured to allow flexing of the respective handle in response to a force applied by a user to move said first and second handles towards one another when movement of said second jaw towards said first jaw is prevented by a workpiece held between said jaws whereby said at least one tooth engaged with said teeth on said strut can be moved at least one strut tooth closer to said first end.
In some examples one of said first jaw and second. jaw is a removable jaw and said removable jaw is push-fit attachable to the respective said handle.
The invention also includes a hand operated gripping tool comprising a first handle, a first jaw connected with said first handle, a second handle pivotably connected with said first handle to permit relative pivoting movement of said first and second handles, a second jaw connected with said second handle, a strut having first end pivotally attached to said second handle, a locking switch pivotally attached to said first handle and a biasing member, wherein said biasing member comprises a spring extending between said first and second handles to bias said first and second handles away from one another, said strut extends within said spring and said spring engages said locking switch to bias said locking switch towards said strut.
In some examples said locking switch has at least one tooth engageable with teeth provided on said strut, said biasing member biases said locking switch towards said strut so that said at least one tooth engages said strut and slides over said teeth on said strut when, in use, said first and second handles move towards one another.
In some examples one of said first jaw and said second jaw is a removable jaw and said removable jaw is push-fit attachable to the respective said handle.
The invention also includes a hand operated gripping tool comprising a first handle, a first jaw connected with said first handle, a second handle pivotably connected with said first handle to permit relative pivoting movement of said first and second handles, a second jaw connected with said second handle, a strut having first end pivotally attached to said second handle, a locking switch pivotally attached to said first handle and having at least one tooth engageable with teeth provided on said strut and biasing member biases that said locking switch towards said strut, wherein each said handle comprises a flexure portion configured to allow flexing of the respective handle in response to a force applied by a user to move said first and second handles towards one another when movement of said second jaw towards said first jaw is prevented by a workpiece held between said jaws whereby said at least one tooth engaged with said teeth on said strut can be moved at least one strut tooth closer to said first end.
In some examples each said flexure portion is defined by an arch portion disposed intermediate said strut and said first and second handles.
In some examples said arch portions arch in opposite directions and are disposed in opposed spaced apart relationship.
In order that the invention may be well understood some examples will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:
Following is a listing of the various components used in the best mode preferred embodiment and alternative embodiments. For the ready reference of the reader the reference numerals have been arranged in ascending numerical order.
Handle portion 300 comprising said first handle 301, said inner plate 311, said outer plates 309, said second handle 302, said inner plate 315, said outer plates 314, said assembly holes 306 with said fixings 604, said pivotal strut 400 comprising said pivotal strut.
The head portion 200, having detachable jaws 213 of various shapes and sizes according to the operator's requirements, the drawings showing but a few variations.
The detachable jaws 213 with their gripping faces 203 having interlocking tongues 214 engaged within the lower jaws 208, 209 detachable jaw recesses 221, and locked in position by the jaw locking pin 605 engaged within the interlocking tongue recess 215.
The handle portion 300 comprises a first handle 301 and second handle 302 with clenching portions 303 pivotal around the jaw pivot pin 600. The said handles 301, 302 contiguous to their corresponding lower jaw elements 208, 209. The handles 301, 302 with their corresponding jaws 201, 202 pivotal around the jaw pivot pin 600.
Though a non-essential integer the most cost effective method of manufacture and assembly of the majority of the said pliers 1 construction is as illustrated a laminate like composition made from cut or stamped generally planar metal plate 210, 211, 222, 223, 309, 311, 314, affixed as required by suitable fixings 604 through assembly holes 204, 219, 306 to the adjoining layers of plate. The 1st handle 301 comprising of outer plates 309 and inner plate 311, the 2nd handle 302 comprising of outer plates 314 and inner plate 311. The first and second jaws 201,202 comprising in the example shown of a first jaw 201 outer lower jaw 208 contiguous with the second handle outer plates 314.
As illustrated in
As further illustrated in
As shown in
Some examples may provide a more immediate locking action with minimal loss of elastic potential energy during the switching process, wherein the toothed wheel switch 514 is provided having an internal positional arc 517 encompassing a corresponding inner toothed wheel 515 with a central axle 516, the arc 514 having an inner smooth unlocking surface 520 and an opposite toothed inner locking surface 519. The toothed wheel 515 is able to traverse within the limitations of its retention of its axles 516 within the switch elongate slots 525. The toothed wheel 515 being optimally kept in constant sprung engagement with the corresponding teeth 402 of the pivotal link 400 by the switch housing guide block face 509 projecting the toothed wheel 515 up the angled elongate slots 524 towards the link teeth 402. The axle 516 in best practice is robustly attached to the toothed wheel 515 although it is not a requirement. The axle 516 and its attached toothed wheel 515 during the actuation of the handles 301, 302 sequence can freely rotate within the switch 514 internal arc 518 and restricted confines of the elongate slots 524 within the corresponding toothed wheel switch housing 522, as the toothed wheel 515 is in the jaw 201,202 closure sequence rotated anti clockwise down the elongate slots 524 by its interaction with the toothed strut 400. The elongate slots 524 are set at an appropriate angle relative to the strut toothed face 401 such that, as the handles 301, 302 are compressed the toothed wheel 515 and its axle 516 rotate anti clockwise down the elongate slots 524 away from any locking action upon the strut toothed face 401. When the handle portions 301, 302 gripping force is released the bowed portions 304 elastic potential energy causes the toothed strut 400 to rotate the engaged toothed wheel 515 and axle 516 clockwise up the angled elongate slots 524 towards the toothed strut 400, until it is robustly wedged by the converging elongate slot 524 angles upon the corresponding toothed strut 400, locking the handles 301, 302 and thereby jaws 201, 202 closed upon the clamped workpiece 80 in a usefully robust sprung gripping action. In order to unlock the jaws 201,202, the toothed wheel's 515 axle's 516 locked position within the elongate slots 524 can be usefully transmuted by the operation of the pivotal switch 514 having an integral arc unlocking surface 516 designed to act upon the periphery of the toothed wheel 515 yet not impede its rotation. As shown in
For demonstration purposes the handle outer top plate 309 is removed to show the workings of the inner switch 500.
In some examples a set of pliers comprises a head portion incorporating gripping faces within the opposing jaws for the clamping of the desired workpiece, pivotal handle portions and a toothed strut positioned between the handles. Bow shaped resilient portion or portions can be usefully incorporated within either or both the jaw or handle portions, when the pliers are operated these resilient portions impart a useful sprung pressure upon the clamped workpiece by the gripping face of the jaws. The jaws can be usefully locked in the required clamping position upon the workpiece, in one example by a toothed strut pivotally attached to one handle and conveniently being locked or unlocked according to the switch operation on the opposing handle.
In some examples a set of pliers comprises a head portion incorporating gripping faces within the opposing jaws for the clamping of the desired workpiece, pivotal handle portions and a sprung toothed link positioned between the handles. Bow shaped resilient portion or portions can be usefully incorporated within either or both the jaw or handle portions, when the pliers are operated these resilient portions impart a useful superior sprung pressure upon the clamped workpiece by the gripping face of the jaws. The Jaws and bend promoting portion are contiguous with each individual handle and gripping portion. The jaws can further be usefully locked in the required clamping position upon the workpiece by a toothed strut pivotally attached to the fixed handle and conveniently being locked or unlocked according to the locking switch pivotal within the opposing moving handle.
Some examples may further comprise clamping widths within its specification that are automatically adjusted, the locking pressure can be further be usefully determined by the operator by the straightforward gripping pressure of the handles, the simple release of the handles initiating the locking of the jaws upon the clamped parts.
Some examples may further comprise a plurality of bowed resilient portions within either or both handles providing superior constant jaw clamping pressure of the part or parts clamped whilst normally preventing surface damage to the parts clamped. The present invention further works on a reasonable range of workpiece sizes and shapes whilst utilizing superior sprung gripping force of the workpiece. Furthermore, the main parts are capable of being stamped in order to further reduce their manufacturing cost.
Some examples may include a compression spring encompassing the pivotal link, this spring conveniently propels the handles towards their open position when the switch is unlocked and the handles are relaxed. The strong spring further largely prevents lateral movement of the moving handle down the pivotal strut during the initial clenching of the handle, ensuring that the moving handle can usefully pivot around the switch pivot in the first instance until the converging jaws both contact the workpiece. This spring can be further usefully utilized to operate the switch.
Some examples may include a pivotal switch whereas the guide block which is required to remain substantially opposite the switch teeth is incorporated within a pivotal switch housing instead of being typically statically affixed to the handle outer plates.
Some examples may include a swivel lock or actuator situated within the switch housing, the swivel lock comprising a toggle lever, a toothed engagement portion, a pivot bore, a spring abutment face, smooth guide portion and a spring stop portion.
The housing and its internal pivotal switch both rotate according to the operated movement and angle of the toothed strut. The pivotal switch pivoting as required around the switch pivot pin ensuring the cage switch remains in complete engagement and alignment with the corresponding toothed strut at all times, thereby ensuring positive engagement between the teeth of the toothed strut and the teeth of the switch. The rotation of the switch with the toothed strut therefore being capable of compensating for the obscure changes in angles as one handle pivots relative to the other and as the handle bend promoting portions flex as differing pressures are applied to the handles during use, any normal locking switch being rendered suspect as the angle of the strut teeth to the switch teeth and the guide block change as the handles pivot and flex which can and does prevent the teeth interlocking sufficiently to provide a dependable locking mechanism.
The housing integral smooth guide block guide face providing sufficient span against the opposing smooth surface of the strut back face to ensure the adjoining surfaces remain substantially parallel in all situations.
When the plier grips are operated, the handles are propelled towards one another, the strut being pivotal at the fixed end around its pivot pin. The strut locking teeth semi-engaging the swivel lock toothed engagement portion, this engagement of the switch teeth and the corresponding toothed strut further rotating the swivel lock and its corresponding teeth out of engagement with the strut engagement teeth in a ratchet like manner, against the resilience of the strut spring, the generally smooth back face of the toothed strut being robustly positioned opposite the switch teeth by the switch cage guide block. When the required gripping pressure is attained and the handle clenching grip pressure is relaxed, the resiliently bowed portions move towards their initial pre-stressed position whereby the swivel lock is rotated within the cage housing by the switch teeth engagement with the strut teeth aided by the corresponding strut spring. This action expediently engages the locking interaction between the strut teeth and the switch teeth, the locking stop whether smooth or toothed preventing undue travel. The clamping action of the jaws being determined by the remaining resilience of the bowed portions, the elastic potential energy. The resultant jaw resilient closing force is largely proportional to the force applied to the handles and the pivotal dimension ratio between the handles and jaws less any small losses incurred during the switch locking procedure, the pivot being the jaw fulcrum pin.
Some examples may include a more immediate locking action cage switch incurring minimal loss of elastic potential energy during the switching process, comprising a switch housing with parallel outer laminates through which are situated the pivot pin holes, the inner recess or strut channel incorporating the guide block and the outer face incorporating a strut spring guide. The strut channel containing a pivotal actuator having an internal arc encompassing a corresponding inner toothed wheel with a central axle, the arc having an inner smooth unlocking surface and an opposite toothed inner locking surface, the actuator pivotally operated by a toggle lever around the switch pivot pin. The toothed wheel is able to traverse within the limitations of the retention of its axles within the switch cage elongate slots. The toothed wheel being optimally kept in constant sprung engagement with the corresponding teeth of the locking strut by the switch inner (toothed or smooth) locking surface, projecting the toothed wheel up the angled elongate slots towards the strut teeth. The axle in best practice is robustly attached to the toothed wheel although it is not a requirement. The axle and its attached toothed wheel during the actuation of the handles sequence can freely rotate against the ratchet like action of the sprung toothed locking surface within the switch internal arc and restricted confines of the elongate slots within the corresponding cage housing laminates. The elongate slots are set at an appropriate angle relative to the locking strut teeth such that, as the handles are compressed in the final clenching sequence the toothed wheel and its axle in one example rotate anti clockwise up the elongate slots away from any locking action upon the toothed strut. When the handle portions gripping force is released the bowed portions elastic potential energy causes the toothed strut to rotate the partially pre-engaged toothed wheel clockwise down the angled elongate slot within the cage housing outer laminates, towards the toothed strut teeth, until it is robustly wedged by the converging elongate slot angles upon the corresponding toothed strut, locking the handles and thereby jaws closed upon the clamped workpiece in a usefully robust sprung gripping action. In order to unlock the jaws the toothed wheels locked position within the elongate slot can be usefully transmuted by the operation of the pivotal actuator toggle lever, the pivotal actuator having an integral arc unlocking surface designed to act upon the periphery of the toothed wheel yet not impede its rotation. The operation of the toggle lever pivoting the pivotal actuator around its switch pivot pin bringing the smooth unlocking surface of the positional arc forcefully into contact with the toothed wheel periphery in the release direction, as an inbuilt safety lock measure the handles must first be operated enough to relieve the locking force of the toothed wheel axle within the elongate slots upon the toothed strut, the simultaneous operation of the toggle lever allowing a smooth unlocking action as the handle pressure and therefor jaw clamping pressure is further relieved.
As it is commercially prudent to have a clicking noise to accompany the jaw closure and locking procedure the pivotal actuator inner locking surface can be further toothed, the interaction of the tooth or teeth with the corresponding rotating toothed wheel providing a typical ratchet like sound, the switch rotating as required around the switch pivot pin against the resilience of the strut spring.
In a further iteration in order to provide a more versatile and useful device, the jaw working profiles or outer jaw can be interchanged with other outer jaws with differing working profiles in order to provide a cost-effective equivalent to several set of differing pliers required for different jobs. These interchangeable jaws being usefully locked or unlocked from robust engagement within the lower jaws as required, providing one locking handle set capable of use with a cost-effective range of differing jaws as required.
In one example the lower jaws comprising of a laminate like construction in order to provide a lower cost method of retaining the locking swivel pin which comprises a central axle rotatable within a corresponding thickness and bore within the lower jaw inner plate. The locking swivel pin having a further reduced circumference hereafter termed outer axles, largely level in height to the lower jaw outer plates which have corresponding circular cut out profiles such that the said swivel pin is laterally held within the lower jaw by the outer plates whilst capable of rotation within its afforded enclave. The outer end face of the locking swivel pin can usefully incorporate a screwdriver slot or other drive profile for the required rotation of the said pin, one further alternative being the use of known large head screws screwed into corresponding threads within the said swivel pin, the screw heads adding to the integrity of the outer and inner jaw structure, the screws usefully locked in the correct tolerance position by know locking fluid. The locking swivel pin outer axles comprising a spherical locking face and a generally flat unlocking face, the spherical locking face can be further appropriately cam shaped in order to increase the locking mechanism proficiency. The locking swivel pin is located partially within the lower jaw interlocking tongue recess, by rotating the locking swivel pin the profile of the locking swivel pin outer axle can be chosen to either present a locking or unlocking face into the tongue recess.
The detachable outer jaws having corresponding locking tongues incorporated within their generally planar outer plates, in best practice the tongues are formed in a slow curve to aid their robust engagement within the matching tongue recesses. When the chosen outer jaw tongues are fully inserted within their lower jaw recesses, the lower jaw abutment faces further robustly contact the outer jaw abutment faces. The tongues having suitably positioned indentations for the engagement of the outer axle locking faces when the locking swivel pin is appropriately utilized, conversely the locking swivel pins can be suitable rotated wherein the unlocking faces of the said swivel pins are substantially in line with the profile of the jaw interlocking tongue recess in order to provide straightforward engagement or withdrawal of the chosen outer jaw from the lower jaw.
Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful Hand Operated Gripping Tools it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1603922.4 | Mar 2016 | GB | national |
| 1603929.9 | Mar 2016 | GB | national |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16083187 | Sep 2018 | US |
| Child | 17176006 | US |
