Patent Application
20180009095
The present invention relates to weights for wheels of vehicles and, more particularly, to a scratch-proof pair of pliers.
Weights are attached to rims of wheels of vehicles to keep the wheels in balance because unbalanced wheels vibrate when rolling and such vibration gets worse as the vehicles go faster. Such vibration makes drivers and/or passengers uncomfortable. Moreover, such vibration causes the vehicles to rattle and could therefore endanger the drivers and/or passengers. Therefore, every wheel must be spun and tested to find points in need of weights to reduce undesired vibration immediately after a new tire is attached to the rim thereof.
Weights are attached to rims by hooking or adhering. U.S. Pat. No. 9,044,844 discloses a pair of pliers 10 for removing hooking-type weights from rims. The pair of pliers 10 includes a first member 12 pivotally connected to a second member 22. The first member 12 includes a weight removal hook 18. A rim protector cap 40 that is made of nylon is provided on a tip 42 formed on the second member 22. The members 12 and 22 are closed or opened to move the weight removal hook 18 toward or from the rim protector cap 40 in operation. The rim protector cap 40 is placed against a rim to facilitate insertion of the weight removal hook 18 in a gap between the rim and a tire. The rim protector cap 40 is made with a rounded profile to protect the rim from scratching. However, the weight removable hook 18 might damage the rim in use.
Taiwanese Patent M505385 discloses a multi-functional pair of pliers for removing adhering-type weights from rims. The pair of pliers includes a first operative unit 20 pivotally connected to a second operative unit 30. The first operative unit 20 includes a catch 26 while the second operative unit 30 includes a catch 36. The operative elements 20 and 30 are closed or opened to move the catch 26 toward or from the catch 36 in operation. A soft layer 62 is provided on the catch 26 to protect a rim from scratching in operation. However, the catch 36 might damage the rim in operation.
The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.
It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a scratch-proof pair of pliers.
To achieve the foregoing objective, the scratch-proof pair of pliers includes two operative units and a protective cap. The first operative unit includes a first catch formed near an end. The first catch is adapted for engagement with a portion of a weight. The second operative unit includes a second catch formed near an end. The second catch is adapted for engagement with another portion of the weight. The protective cap includes a first end, a second end, a lower portion formed between the first and second ends, and an entrance made in the second end. The protective cap further includes an opening with a portion made in the first end and another portion made in the lower portion. The protective cap is provided on the end of the first operative unit while the catch of the first operative unit is exposed via the opening.
Other objectives, advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description referring to the attached drawings.
The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment referring to the drawings wherein:
Referring to
The first operative unit 20 includes a first handle 27, a connective portion 24 pivotally connected to the first handle 27, and a first jaw 22 formed on the connective portion 24. The first handle 27 extends substantially perpendicular to the first jaw 22. The first jaw 22 includes a striking face 28 formed at a first end, an inclined face 29 formed at a second end, a catch 26 formed near the inclined face 29, and two grooves 12 made in two lateral portions near the catch 26. The catch 26 includes a recess 25 made in a lower face.
The second operative unit 30 includes a second handle 31, a connective portion (not numbered) formed on the second handle 31, a second jaw 32 formed on the connective portion thereof, and an aperture 37 made between the connective portion thereof and the second jaw 32. The second handle 31 extends substantially perpendicular to the second jaw 32. The aperture 34 is a ∞-shaped aperture that includes two portions for reasons to be given later. The second jaw 32 includes a catch 36 formed at an end. The catch 36 is shaped corresponding to the catch 26. The catch 36 includes a recess 38 made in a lower face. The recess 38 is shaped corresponding to the recess 25.
A pivot 21 includes a portion inserted in the connective portion 24 and another portion inserted in a selected one of the portions of the aperture 34. Thus, the second operative unit 20 is pivotally connected to the second operative unit 30. Furthermore, the pivot 21 is inserted in a washer 16. The pivot 21 can be a rivet for example. The first jaw 22 and the connective portion 24 together provide a space for receiving the second jaw 32.
A torsion spring 14 is formed with two ends 18. One of the ends 18 hooks a rivet attached to the first handle 27 while the other end 18 hooks a rivet attached to the second handle 31. Thus, the operative units 20 and 30 are normally opened.
Referring to
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The second protective cap 72 includes a first end 74, a second end 76, and an upper portion 73 formed between the ends 74 and 76. The first end 74 of the second projective cap 72 is a closed end. An entrance 78 is made in the second end 76 of the second projective cap 72. The upper portion 73 of the second projective cap 72 is made with an opening 71.
The second protective cap 72 is provided on the second jaw 32 when the end of the second jaw 32 is inserted in the second protective cap 72 via the entrance 78. The first end 74 is placed against the end of the second jaw 32. The catch 36 is exposed through the opening 71. The second protective cap 72 covers the end of the second jaw 32 except the catch 36.
Referring to
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The distance S1 is larger than the distance S2. The scratch-proof pair of pliers 10 is hence suitable for removing larger weights when the pivot 21 is in the position shown in
Referring to
The present invention has been described via the detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.
