Patent Application
20120042709
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of tools configured for use with cross-linked polyethylene (“PEX”) tubing and accessories, and more particularly, to a tool for fastening PEX tubing clamps including a ratchet for controlling operational movement of the clamping jaws of the tool through handle movement, and a set screw recessed in the handle of the tool for adjusting the position of the ratchet and thus the amount of travel of the handles to provide a tool for fastening clamps of varying dimension.
2. Background of the Invention
Known to those skilled in the art, PEX tubing is commonly used in plumbing applications as an alternative to polyvinylchloride (“PVC”) and copper pipe. Uses of PEX tubing include general plumbing applications, hydronic radiant heating systems, water piping and insulation systems, and the general transportation of fluids and slurries, among other uses. PEX tubing is commonly terminated in a fitting requiring a clamp fastened over the tubing for ensuring sealing engagement of the tubing and fitting.
While clamp fastening tools are known in the art, conventional tool designs either do not include means for adjusting the ratchet mechanism to accommodate clamps of varying size, or include cumbersome adjustment mechanisms difficult to operate or that do not give a clear indication of ratchet mechanism position. Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a PEX clamp fastening tool that provides adjustability of the ratchet while overcoming the disadvantages of prior art tool designs.
In one aspect, an adjustable clamping tool for fastening (i.e. “closing”) an ear-type PEX tubing clamp is provided herein.
In another aspect, the tool includes first and second handles operationally connected to first and second jaw members, respectively, wherein opening and closing of the handles causes simultaneous opening and closing of the jaw members, however to a lesser degree.
In another aspect, the first and second jaw members each define a first end pivotally connected to their respective handle and a second free end terminating in a clamping jaw.
In another aspect, the first and second handles are interconnected at one end at a common pivot point, the first and second jaw members are pivotally connected about their first end to their respective handle, and the first and second jaw members are independently pivotally interconnected through a common jaw connector, wherein closing of the handles causes simultaneous closing of the jaw members.
In another aspect, the tool further includes a ratchet pivotally carried on the common pivot point and between the handles for controlling the operational travel between the handles.
In another aspect, the ratchet includes a toothed member pivotally moveable with respect to the first and second handles, and a pawl carried on one of the handles for engaging the toothed member to permit movement of the handles in only the closing direction when the pawl is engaged with the teeth of the toothed member.
In another aspect, the pawl is spring biased to maintain a predetermined angle of the pawl with respect to the teeth of the toothed member.
In another aspect, the toothed member includes a clearance adjacent the series of teeth for clearing the pawl upon full closing of the handles to provide automatic release of the ratchet.
In another aspect, the first handle defines an internally threaded opening through a sidewall thereof receiving an externally threaded set screw for adjusting through contact the position of the toothed member with respect to the first handle.
In another aspect, advancing the set screw in the first handle in the direction toward the second handle urges the toothed member apart from the first handle.
In another aspect, withdrawing the set screw from the first handle in the direction away from the second handle returns the toothed member toward the first handle.
In another aspect, the set screw defines head geometry corresponding to that of a screwdriver for facilitating turning of the set screw.
To achieve the foregoing and other aspects and advantages, a PEX clamp fastening tool is provided herein including first and second handles pivotally connected at a common pivot point, first and second jaw members pivotally connected to the first and second handles, respectively, and independently pivotally interconnected through a common jaw connector, each of the first and second jaw members defining a free end terminating in a clamping jaw, a ratchet pivotally connected at the common pivot point and positioned between the first and second handles, and an adjustable set screw threadably engaged in an opening through a sidewall of the first handle for physically contacting the ratchet to adjust the position of the ratchet with respect to the first handle.
In a further embodiment, the ratchet includes a toothed member having a series of teeth and a pawl carried on the second handle for engaging the series of teeth to permit movement of the first and second handles in only a closing direction when the pawl is engaged with the teeth.
In a further embodiment, the set screw physically contacts a sidewall of the toothed member to urge the toothed member apart from the first handle when the set screw is advanced in the opening in a direction toward the second handle, and return the toothed member toward the first handle when the set screw is withdraw from the opening in the direction away from the second handle.
In a further embodiment, the pawl is biased in a direction toward the first handle to maintain a predetermined orientation of an engaging portion of the pawl with respect to the series of teeth.
In a further embodiment, the toothed member further defines a clearance adjacent the series of teeth for clearing engagement of the toothed member with the pawl upon complete closing of the first and second handles.
In a further embodiment, the set screw is recessed in the sidewall of the first handle and defines head geometry corresponding to screwdriver geometry for facilitating turning of the set screw.
In a further embodiment, each of the first and second jaw members are pivotally connected at a first end to their respective handle, are pivotally connected to the jaw connector at about their mid-span, and terminate at a second free end in a clamping jaw such that closing of the first and second handles causes simultaneous closing of the first and second jaw members.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are better understood when the following detailed description of the invention is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the representative embodiments set forth herein. The exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be both thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention and enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make, use and practice the invention.
Referring to the figures, an adjustable clamping tool for fastening (i.e. “closing”) an ear-type PEX tubing clamp is provided herein. Referring specifically to
The first and second handles 12, 14 are interconnected at one end through the common pivot point 20. The first and second jaw members 16, 18 are pivotally connected about their first end to their respective handle, and are also independently pivotally interconnected through a common jaw connector 26. Thus, the first and second jaw members 16, 18 are each pivotally connected to the jaw connector 26 at pivot points 28 to allow them to pivot relative thereto in response to movement of the first and second handles 12, 14. The jaw connector 26, with one jaw connector 26, preferably provided on each “side” of the tool 10, locks the first and second jaw members 16, 18 together. Each of the jaw members 16, 18 terminates at a first free end in a pivotal connection with its handle at pivot point 30, and at a second free end in a clamping jaw 32.
Each of the first and second handles 12, 14 generally define an elongate channel for cooperatively receiving the ratchet 24 therein when the handles 12, 14 are in their “closed” configuration, i.e. brought together. As used herein, the term “opened” or “opening” is intended to describe the act pulling the handles 12, 14 apart, and the term “closed” or “closing” is intended to describe the act of bringing the handles 12, 14 together. The tool 10 is closed to fasten a PEX clamp. The tool is opened to release a fastened PEX clamp to a degree sufficient to clear the ears of the fastened clamp.
Referring specifically to
The toothed member 22 includes a series of teeth 36 defining a generally linear path along which the pawl 34 travels as the handles are closed to prevent opening. The toothed member 22 further defines a clearance 42 at the end of the tooth path for clearing engagement with the pawl 34 when the tool is fully functionally closed, thus providing an auto-release feature that in cooperation with the biasing spring 40 positions pawl 34 such that it does not lock in engagement with the teeth 36 when the tool is opened and the pawl 34 passes back over the teeth 36. Referring specifically to
Referring to
Set screw 46 physically contacts a sidewall 48 of the toothed member 22 such that advancing the set screw 46 in the opening 44 in the first handle 12 in the direction toward the second handle 14 urges the toothed member 22 apart from the first handle 12, and withdrawing the set screw 46 from the opening 44 in the first handle 12 in the direction away from the second handle 14 returns the toothed member 22 toward the first handle 12. Compared with conventional adjustment assemblies, adjustment of the toothed member 22 is accomplished with only the single set screw 46.
The ratchet, through the adjustment of toothed member 22 provides adjustability in the travel of the clamping jaws 32 of the first and second jaw members 16, 18 to accommodate a variety of clamp sizes.
While a PEX clamp fastening tool has been described herein with reference to specific embodiments and examples, it is envisioned that various details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.
