Patent Application
20240017381
The present disclosure relates to cutting tools and more specifically to a handheld pair of cutting pliers.
A nut cutter or splitter is used to remove a rusted nut from a bolt. It can be extremely difficult to remove a nut which is rusted, or otherwise stuck, onto a bolt. It may be impossible to remove the nut with a wrench. In such situations, it is customary to split the nut using a nut splitter or a hammer and chisel. A traditional nut splitter includes a clamp, typically an open c-frame, a cutting blade, and a mechanical tightener such as a screw for pressing the cutting blade into the nut. Therein, the cutting blade cuts into the outer surface of the nut and accordingly splits the nut apart.
A pair of pliers is a handheld tool for gripping onto a workpiece. Each pair of pliers usually includes a fixed member and a movable member that is pivotally connected to the fixed member. Each member includes a handle portion and a jaw portion. Some pliers also include a locking mechanism which selectively locks or fixes the movable member relative to the fixed member. Hence, the pliers will remain firmly locked in place without the continuous application of force by the user. In operation, the user squeezes the handles together so that a linkage member of the locking mechanism locks the pliers onto the workpiece. The gripping force applied by the jaws onto the workpiece may be adjusted by an adjustment screw located on the fixed handle. The adjustment screw engages with and axially slides the locking mechanism to change the force it applies to the jaws.
What is needed in the art is an improved handled pair of cutting pliers to more easily remove a rusted nut.
In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a hand tool in the form of handheld and selectively lockable cutting pliers for cutting an element. The hand tool includes a fixed assembly that includes a fixed handle and a fixed jaw along with a movable assembly that includes a movable handle and a movable jaw. The hand tool also includes a force-application assembly that includes a link member and a link adjustment member. The link member has a first end that engages with and slides against the inside of the fixed handle and a second end that is pivotally connected to the movable handle. The link adjustment member is movably connected to the fixed handle. The link adjustment member engages with and axially moves the first end of the link member in order to adjust the force applied by the jaws onto the element. The hand tool also includes a cutting assembly for engaging with and splitting the element. The cutting assembly may be fixed or rotatable relative to the movable jaw.
In another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a hand tool. The hand tool includes a first assembly that includes a first handle and a first jaw connected to the first handle and a second assembly. The second assembly includes a second handle pivotally connected to the first handle. The second handle is movable relative to the first handle between an open position and a closed position. The second assembly also includes a second jaw having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The proximal end of the second jaw is pivotally connected to the second handle. The first jaw and the second jaw are configured for engaging with an element in the closed position. The hand tool also includes a link member which has a first end engaging with and axially movable relative to the first handle and a second end pivotally connected to the second handle. The hand tool also includes a link adjustment member which is movably connected to the first handle. The link adjustment member is configured for engaging with and axially moving the first end of the link member for adjusting a force applied by the first jaw and the second jaw onto the element in the closed position. The hand tool also includes a cutting assembly that includes a cutting member connected to the distal end of the second jaw. The cutting member is configured for cutting the element.
In another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a pair of locking pliers. The locking pliers includes a first assembly that includes a first handle and a first jaw connected to the first handle and a second assembly. The second assembly includes a second handle pivotally connected to the first handle. The second handle is movable relative to the first handle between an open position and a closed position. The second assembly also includes a second jaw having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The proximal end of the second jaw is pivotally connected to the second handle. The first jaw and the second jaw are configured for engaging with an element in the closed position. The locking pliers also includes a link member which has a first end engaging with and axially movable relative to the first handle and a second end pivotally connected to the second handle. The locking pliers also includes a link adjustment member which is movably connected to the first handle. The link adjustment member is configured for engaging with and axially moving the first end of the link member for adjusting a force applied by the first jaw and the second jaw onto the element in the closed position. The locking pliers also includes a cutting assembly that includes a cutting member connected to the distal end of the second jaw. The cutting member is configured for cutting the element.
One possible advantage of the handheld cutting tool is that a user may easily position and lock the jaws in place and subsequently apply a cutting force for easily cutting an element which would otherwise be difficult to remove.
Another possible advantage of the handheld cutting tool is that the cutting member may be easily rotated 360 degrees relative to the movable jaw, allowing the user to easily and efficiently select a desired cutting position of the cutting member.
The embodiments illustrated herein are not limited to the precise arrangements, sequential steps, and dimensions shown. Like numerals indicate like elements throughout the drawings. In the drawings:
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
The fixed assembly 14 includes a first, fixed handle 22 and a first, fixed jaw 24 connected to the fixed handle 22. For instance, the fixed jaw 24 can be rigidly attached to or integrally formed with the fixed handle 22. As shown, the fixed jaw 24 is a separate component that is rigidly attached to the fixed handle 22 at proximal end the fixed jaw 24. The fixed handle 22 can be any desired handle and comprise any desired material, such as metal and/or plastic. The fixed jaw 24 can be in the form of any desired jaw design. As shown in
The movable assembly 16 is pivotally coupled to the fixed assembly 14. The movable assembly 16 is located underneath the fixed assembly 14. The movable assembly 16 includes a second, movable handle 26 and a second, movable jaw 28 pivotally connected to the movable handle 26.
The movable handle 26 is movable relative to the fixed handle 22 between the open position and the closed position. The movable handle 26 may pivot relative to the fixed handle 22. The movable handle 26 can be in the form of any desired handle. The movable handle 26 may comprise any desired material. It should be anticipated that the handles 22, 26 may include grips to improve ergonomic comfort.
The force-application assembly 18 can be in the form of a dual locking and cutting force adjustment assembly. The force-application assembly 18 can be configured to lock the cutting tool 10 in a closed position and/or apply a variable cutting force to split the nut 12. Therein, the force-application assembly 18 can lock in the closed position, or otherwise retain, the cutting tool 10 in its partially closed position, wherein the fixed jaw 24 and cutting assembly engage with the nut 12. Additionally, or alternatively, the force-application assembly 18 may adjust the distance between and the force applied by the jaws 24, 28 onto the nut 12. Hence, if the grip of the user alone is not strong enough to split the nut 12, then the force-application assembly 18 can apply additional force to split the nut 12. The force-application assembly 18 includes one or more link members 30, a biasing member 32, a link adjustment member 34, and a release lever 36.
The link member 30 has a first end 30A and a second end 30B, as shown in phantom in
The biasing member 32 is connected between the fixed handle 22 and the movable jaw 28. For example, the biasing member 32 can be pivotally connected to the fixed handle 22 at one end and to the movable jaw 28 at its opposing end. The biasing member 32 can be in the form of a coil spring.
The link adjustment member 34 is movably connected to the end of the fixed handle 22. The link adjustment member 34 engages with and moves the link member 30. The link adjustment member 34 can be in the form of a threaded member, such as a screw with a knob, which is received within a corresponding threaded bore 38 in the distal end of the fixed handle 22. The link adjustment member 34 has a proximal end 34A and a distal end 34B. As the distal end 34B of the threaded member 34 is rotated, the proximal end 34A of the threaded member 34 engages with and slides the link member 30. Therein, the threaded member 34 changes the distance between the end of the link member 30 and the first pivot point (corresponding to the center of pin 52) of the movable jaw 28. In other words, the threaded member 34 rotates to move the link member 30 to adjust the force that the jaws 24, 28 exert on the nut 12 when the cutting tool 10 is in the closed position.
The release lever 36 is configured to release the cutting tool 10 from its closed position. The release lever 36 is pivotally connected to the movable handle 26 by a pivot pin 40 and is accordingly rotatable about a pivot point defined by the pivot pin 40. The release lever 36 may act against and move the link member 30 in order to unlock the handles 22, 26.
Referring now particularly to
The jaw body 42 pivotally mounts the handles 22, 26 and the cutting assembly 20. The jaw body 42 has a top portion 42T, a bottom portion 42B, a left side, i.e., distal, portion 42LS, and an inwardly sloping right side, i.e., proximal, portion 42RS between the top and bottom portions 42T, 42B (
Therefore, the handles 22, 26, the movable jaw 28, and the link member 30 are connected by a compound-type pivot joint. As the handles 22, 26 articulate toward and away from one another, the handles 22, 26 move the movable jaw 28 between the open and closed positions, thereby increasing or decreasing the distance between the jaws 24, 28.
The cutting assembly 20 includes a cutting member 54 and a cutter adjustment member 56 for adjusting a position of the cutting member 54. The cutting assembly 20 may also include a biasing member 58 and a fastener 60 for attaching the cutter adjustment member 56 to the cutting member 54. The cutting assembly 20 is positionable in multiple different positions for engaging with the nut 12 at various angles in order for the user to more easily engage with and split the nut 12.
The cutting member 54 is connected to the distal end of the movable jaw 28. For instance, the cutting member 54 can be disposed within the bore 48 of the jaw body 42 of the movable jaw 28. The cutting member 54 can be movably connected to the jaw body 42 of the movable jaw 28, e.g., rotatable within the bore 48 thereof. The cutting member 54 may comprise a cutting head 62 and an elongated body 64 (
The cutter adjustment member 56 is configured to move the cutting member 54 to adjust the position of the cutting head 62. The cutter adjustment member 56 is connected to the cutting member 54. For instance, the cutter adjustment member 56 may have a receiving hole 68 for receiving the fastener 60 wherein to secure the cutter adjustment member 56 to the cutting member 54 (
The biasing member 58 of the cutting assembly 20 is positioned between the bottom of the jaw body 42 and the cutter adjustment member 56. The biasing member 58 may apply biasing forces onto the jaw body 42, cutter adjustment member 56, and/or cutting member 54. The biasing member 58 may apply sufficient biasing forces to rigidly couple the cutter adjustment member 56 and the cutting member 54 together so that the cutting member 54 may be repositioned upon rotating the cutter adjustment member 56. Also, the biasing member 58 may apply sufficient biasing forces onto the jaw body 42 and the cutter adjustment member 56 in order to rigidly fix the cutting member 54 relative to the jaw body 42, unless the user applies a greater amount of force via rotating the cutter adjustment member 56. As can be anticipated, the frictional forces between the cutting head 62 and the jaw body 42 may be enhanced by the biasing force of the biasing member 58. The biasing member 58 is shown as a washer, such as a wavy washer. However, the biasing member 58 may be in the form of another biasing member, such as a coil spring. As shown in
The fastener 60 is connected to the cutting member 54 and the cutter adjustment member 56. The fastener 60 may comprise any desired fastener, such as a screw, a locking pin, or a tongue and groove connector. As shown, the fastener 60 is in the form of a screw 60. The screw 60 is disposed within the receiving hole 68 of the cutter adjustment member 56 and threaded into the receiving hole 66 of the cutting member 54.
In operation, the user may rotate the movable handle 26 and set the position of the jaws 24, 28 to grip the nut 12. Therein, the jaws 24, 28 can be engaged with the nut 12. For instance, the teeth of the fixed jaw 24 can contact the top of the nut 12 and the cutting member 54, connected to the distal end of the movable jaw 28, can contact the bottom of the nut 12. The teeth of the movable jaw 28 may also be used to engage with the nut 12, if desired. Then, the user may lock the jaws 24, 28 in place using the link adjustment member 34. Thereafter, or concurrently therewith, the user may further tighten the link adjustment member 34 to apply more force on the movable jaw 28 in order to split the nut 12. Before splitting the nut 12, the user may rotate the cutter adjustment member 56 to change the position of the cutting member 54. The cutter adjustment member 56 may be adjusted at any time before, during, and after the cutting process.
In an alternative embodiment, the cutting member 54 and the bores 44, 46, 48 of the jaw body 42 may each include one or more grooves and/or protrusions to thereby create two or more indexed positions of the cutting member 54. For instance, the elongated body of the cutting member 54 may have a rectangular or hexagonal cross-section and the bores 44, 46, 48 of the jaw body 42 may include grooves and/or protrusions. Additionally, for instance, the cutting member 54 may include a biased spring pin and the bores 44, 46, 48 of the jaw body 42 may include two or more corresponding receiving holes in the surface of the bores 44, 46, 48 for receiving the spring pin, or vice versa.
In an alternative embodiment, the cutter adjustment member and the fastener may be configured as a single component. For instance, the cutter adjustment member may be in the form of a threaded knob, which is threaded into the receiving hole of the cutting member 54.
Referring now to
Other embodiments, which differ from the aforementioned embodiments, may be recognized by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the following claims.
