The present application relates generally to the field of multi-function tools. More specifically, the present application relates to a multi-function tool including locking pliers.
Multi-function tools typically include a pair of handles and an implement such as a pair of scissors or pliers, along with a number of pivotally attached ancillary tools used to perform any number of tasks. There have been several attempts to integrate a locking pliers into a multi-function tool with varying results. For example, some multi-function tools include locking pliers having non-retractable jaws that result in a device that is not as compact as a tool with retractable jaws. Other multi-function tools with locking pliers require several non-intuitive steps to unfold the jaws from the handles.
One embodiment of the invention relates to a locking pliers. The locking pliers include a pair of handles and a pair of interconnected jaws coupled to the handles. The pair of jaws are movable between a retracted position within the handles and an extended position extending from the handles. The jaws are slidably coupled to the handles and configured to slide between the retracted position and the extended position without opening the handles. When the jaws are in the extended position, the jaws have an unclamped configuration in which the jaws are adjustable by a user to permit the jaws to lock onto objects of various sizes and a clamped configuration in which the jaws are releasably locked onto an object.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a multi-function tool. The multi-function tool includes a first handle, a second handle, and an ancillary tool pivotally coupled to a first end of the first handle. The multi-function tool further includes a first jaw having a tang coupled to the first handle and a second jaw pivotally coupled to the first jaw and having a tang coupled to the second handle. The jaws are slidably coupled to the handles and configured to slide between a retracted position within the handles and an extended position extending from the handles. When the jaws are in the extended position, the jaws have an unclamped configuration in which the jaws are adjustable by a user to permit the jaws to lock onto objects of various sizes and a clamped configuration in which the jaws are releasably locked onto an object.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a multi-function tool having a pair of handles, each having a first end and a second end. A pair of jaws is coupled to the handles and the jaws have an unclamped configuration in which the jaws are adjustable by a user to permit the jaws to lock onto objects of various sizes and a clamped configuration in which the jaws are releasably locked onto an object. An adjustment mechanism is located between the handles and between the first end and the second end to permit adjustment of the clamped configuration distance between the jaws.
The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.
Referring to
Referring to
The first handle 20 and second handle 30 are coupled together at one end with a pivot mechanism, such as a pair of rivets 38. The rivets 38 allow the handles 20 and 30 to pivot relative to each other and operate jaw assembly 40. As shown best in
Referring now to
The first saddle 50 and the second saddle 60 are each coupled to one of the tangs 46 and to an adjustment linkage or a mechanism, shown as a toggle assembly 80, that allows a user to adjust positioning of the second saddle 60 relative to the first saddle 50 and positioning of the working portions 44 relative to each other. The first saddle 50 and the second saddle 60 are slidably coupled to the first handle 20 and the second handle 30, respectively.
The jaw assembly 40 is slidably coupled to first handle 20 with a sliding mechanism in the form of a slide cap 52 that is coupled to the first saddle 50 with fasteners 54. The slide cap 52 and the first saddle 50 are provided on opposite sides of a wall of the first handle 20 and the fasteners 54 are received by a first slot 22 (e.g., a narrow slot) that runs along the first handle 20. A second wide slot or opening 24 is provided on one end of the first slot 22 (e.g., proximate to rivets 38) and is connected to the first slot 22. The fasteners 54 are also coupled to a button retainer 55 (
To deploy the jaw assembly 40 (e.g., to move the jaw assembly 40 from the compact or retracted configuration to the deployed or extended configuration) a user forces the jaw assembly 40 forward either by pushing forward on the button 56 or by “flicking” the tool 10 such that momentum of the jaw assembly 40 forces jaw assembly 40 forward (e.g., towards the end of the handles 20, 30 coupled together with rivets 38). As the jaw assembly 40 moves forward, the button 56 slides along the first slot 22, and jaw assembly 40 does not pivot forward. When the button 56 is aligned with the second slot 24, the spring 58 forces the button 56 upward such that the shoulder 57 is received in the second slot 24. Because the shoulder 57 is too wide to be received in the first slot 22, the button 56 cannot slide until the shoulder 57 is disengaged and therefore functions as a lock for the jaw assembly 40 locking jaw assembly 40 in the deployed configuration.
To return the jaw assembly 40 to the retracted position, the user may push down on the button 56 to compress the spring 58 and force the shoulder 57 out of the second slot 24, thus unlocking the jaw assembly 40. The user may then pull back on the button 56 to slide it into the first slot 22. The jaw assembly 40 is retracted by either continuing to pull back on the button 56 until the jaw assembly 40 is fully retracted or to turn the tool 10 upright (e.g., in a vertical position) and tapping it against a surface such that momentum of the jaw assembly 40 forces it into the retracted position.
The jaw assembly 40 maintains contact with the second handle 30 with a fore pawl 62 and an aft pawl 70 that are coupled to the second saddle 60. The fore pawl 62 and the aft pawl 70 slide along and are retained by a slide rail 32 (see
The fore pawl 62 and the aft pawl 70 each rotate about their own pivot points. The fore pawl 62 pivots about a first pivot pin 66 (see
Referring now to
A toggle 80 is coupled on a first end 82 to the first saddle 50 and on a second end 84 (opposite to end 82) to the second saddle 60. The first end 82 is provided on a toggle yoke 86 while the second end 84 is provided on a threaded toggle eye 88. The yoke 86 forms a longitudinal shaft or opening that is configured to receive the eye 88.
The yoke 86 further includes an opening 92 that is configured to receive an adjustment wheel 90. The adjustment wheel 90 is a cylindrical member with a threaded central opening that engages the threaded toggle eye 88. The opening 92 in the yoke 86 is aligned with the longitudinal shaft in the yoke 86 and allows the adjustment wheel 90 to rotate while still remaining in the yoke 86. In this way, with the toggle eye 88 engaging the adjustment wheel 90, the adjustment wheel 90 may be turned to move the eye 88 relative to the yoke 86. A retainer, such as a clip 94, may be coupled to an end of the eye 88 to prevent the eye 88 from being moved out of the adjustment wheel 90 and disengage from the threaded opening in the adjustment wheel 90. Moving the eye 88 relative to the yoke 86 in turn moves the second end 84 of the toggle 80 relative to the first end 82 of the toggle 80, effectively lengthening or shortening the toggle 80. By adjusting the toggle 80 with the adjustment wheel 90, a user can change the length of the toggle 80 and the orientation of the first saddle 50 and the second saddle 60 to in turn adjust the orientation and range of motion of the jaws 42.
In the embodiment shown in
Referring now to
The pawls 62, 70 are provided to compensate for a differing pivot axis for the second handle 30 (see
The variation in the positions of the jaws 42 in the minimum and maximum positions is caused by a linkage formed between the saddles 50, 60, the jaws 42, and the handles 20, 30 (see
In the closed or clamped position, the jaws 42 are held in place (e.g., releasably locked) by an over-the-center condition between the forces at the first saddle pivot 78 and the second saddle pivot 79 (see
The jaw assembly 40 opening angle can be adjusted by changing the distance between the first end 82 and the second end 84 of the toggle 80 (i.e., the distance between the toggle pivot pin 96 and the second saddle pivot 79). The shorter the distance, the larger the opening that will be formed by the jaws 42 in the closed or clamped position and the larger an object that can be clamped with the tool 10. As described above, the distance may be adjusted by rotating the adjustment wheel 90 around the threaded portion of the toggle eye 88. The adjustment wheel 90 pulls the toggle yoke 86 towards the second saddle pivot 79.
In the embodiment shown
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the multi-function tool as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. While the detailed drawings, specific examples, and particular formulations given describe certain exemplary embodiments, they serve the purpose as illustration only. The invention is not limited to the specific forms shown. The configuration of multi-function tool may differ depending on chosen performance characteristics and physical characteristics of the components of the multi-function tool. For example, the implement may take a variety of configurations and perform different functions depending on the needs of the user. Furthermore, other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. Elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention
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