The present invention relates to a tool device for generating a curved terminal.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a tool device for generating a curved terminal from an insulation stripped end of an electrical wire.
During electrical wiring of a house or other building, considerable time is taken trying to bend the insulation stripped end of a wire with flat or long-nose pliers or the like such that the bent wire will receive an electrical anchoring screw so that the bent wire terminal can be electrically disposed adjacent to the electrical outlet or electrical switch. The present invention provides a unique tool device that enables a user of the tool to rapidly and easily generate a curved loop on the wire for the reception therein of the anchoring screw.
Therefore, it is a primary feature of the present invention to provide a tool device for generating a curved terminal that overcomes the problems associated with the prior art arrangements.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a tool device for generating a curved terminal that is easy to use.
A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a tool device for rapidly generating a curved terminal.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art by a consideration of the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention contained herein.
The present invention relates to a tool device for generating a curved terminal from an insulation stripped end of an electrical wire. The tool device includes a first member having a first and a second end, the first member having a longitudinal axis. A second member is disposed adjacent to the first member, the second member having a first and a second extremity. The second member defines a further longitudinal axis which is disposed substantially parallel to and spaced from the longitudinal axis of the first member. The arrangement is such that a space is defined between the first member and the second member for the reception therein of the insulation stripped end of the electrical wire. The curved terminal is generated during relative movement of the axes around the insulation stripped end of the electrical wire in a plane extending through the insulation stripped end of the electrical wire and substantially normal to the axes.
In a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the first member includes a portion of cylindrical configuration disposed adjacent to and spaced from the second member. The portion is disposed between the first and the second end of the first member.
Also, the second member includes a further portion of cylindrical configuration disposed adjacent to and spaced from the first member. The further portion is disposed between the first and the second extremity of the second member.
More specifically, the portion has a first diameter and the further portion has a second diameter and the first and the second diameters are different relative to each other.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the first diameter is the same as the second diameter.
Preferably, the first member and the second member are fabricated from steel.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a handle is secured to the first member and the second member such that when the handle is rotated, the first member and second member move relative to each other such that the insulation stripped end of the electrical wire disposed in the space between the first member and the second member is bent so that the curved terminal is generated.
Additionally, the handle is secured to the first end of the first member and the first extremity of the second member.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the first member defines a plurality of cylindrical portions disposed between the ends of the first member. Each of the plurality of cylindrical portions has a different diameter and the plurality of cylindrical portions are disposed axially spaced relative to each other and coaxially relative to the longitudinal axis. The arrangement is such that the space between the first and second members accommodates the insulation stripped ends of various gauge electrical wires.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the second member defines a plurality of cylindrical further portions disposed between the extremities of the second member. Each of the plurality of cylindrical further portions has a different diameter. The plurality of cylindrical further portions are disposed axially spaced relative to each other and coaxially relative to the further longitudinal axis. The arrangement is such that the space between the first member and the second member accommodates the insulation stripped ends of various gauge electrical wires.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the first member defines a surface which is roughened so that the surface of the first member tends to grip the insulation stripped end of the electrical wire during the generation of the curved terminal.
In still a further embodiment of the present invention, the second member defines a face which is roughened so that the face of the second member tends to grip the insulation stripped end of the electrical wire during the generation of the curved terminal.
Also, in another embodiment of the present invention, the first member defines a surface which is roughened and the second member defines a face which is roughened so that the surface and the face grip the insulation stripped end of the electrical wire during the generation of the curved terminal.
Many modifications and variations of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art by a consideration of the detailed description contained hereinafter taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings which show a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, such modifications and variations fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the various views and embodiments of the present invention as shown in the drawings but with a suffix added thereto.
As shown in
In a more particular embodiment of the present invention, the first member 18 includes a portion 38 which is disposed adjacent to and spaced from the second member 26, the portion 38 being of cylindrical configuration. The portion 38 is disposed between the first and the second end 20 and 22 respectively of the first member 18.
Also, the second member 26 includes a further portion 40 which is disposed adjacent to and spaced from the first member 18, the further portion 40 being of cylindrical configuration. The further portion 40 is disposed between the first and the second extremity 28 and 30 of the second member 26.
More specifically, the portion 38 and the further portion 40 are disposed adjacent to each other.
Moreover, the portion 38 has a first diameter 42 and the further portion 40 has a second diameter 44 with the first and the second diameters 42 and 44 being different relative to each other.
Preferably, the first member 18 and the second member 26 are fabricated from steel.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a handle 46 is secured to both the first member 18 and the second member 26 such that when the handle 46 is rotated as indicated by the arrow 48, the first member 18 and second member 26 move relative to each other as indicated by the arrow 48 such that the insulation stripped end 14 of the electrical wire 16 disposed in the space 34 between the members 18 and 26 is bent so that the curved terminal 12 is generated.
More particularly, the handle 46 is secured to the first end 20 of the first member 18 and the first extremity 28 of the second member 26.
A
The concept of the present invention is particularly useful when combined with a screw driver so that the user thereof may screw the generated terminal 12 to a power socket or the like.
In this regard,
In operation of the tool device 10 according to the present invention, the insulation 60 is stripped from the end of the electrical wire 16 and the stripped end 14 of the wire 16 is positioned in the space 34 between the members 18 and 26. When the handle 46 is twisted or turned relative to the stripped end 14 of the wire 16 as indicated by the arrow 48, the members 18 and 26 interact with the end 14 of the wire 16 to generate a curved terminal 12.
Furthermore, if the user of the tool 10 wishes to generate a looped terminal 62 to the end 14 of the wire 16, the distal end 64 of the wire 16 is moved as indicated by the arrow 66 a little further away from the members 18 and 26 (72 and 78) so that the members 18 and 26 are closer to the insulation 60. Further twisting or rotating of the handle 46 as indicated by the arrow 46 will generate a longer curved terminal 12 that will result in the generation of a looped terminal in which the distal end 64 of the stripped end 14 of the wire 16 will be disposed adjacent to the juncture 68 of the insulation 60 and the stripped end 14 of the wire 16 as shown in
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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D278027 | Tang | Mar 1985 | S |
4539873 | Freed | Sep 1985 | A |
6164172 | Huang | Dec 2000 | A |
8621961 | Burch | Jan 2014 | B2 |
20080243133 | Heinz | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20090133705 | Smith | May 2009 | A1 |
20120312413 | Bullard | Dec 2012 | A1 |
Entry |
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Plier, Wikipedia article, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pliers (Year: 2015). |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20190081447 A1 | Mar 2019 | US |