Patent Application
20130270758
The disclosure generally relates to a wire holding device. More particularly to a wire holding device that is capable of holding a wire at various positions.
Wire repairs in tight spaces are difficult to complete effectively. It takes a high level of skill to create a good solder joint and heat sink the joint. Typically the heat sink starts to sink prior to being placed in position after the solder joint has been created. Butt connectors are easy to use but have a high failure rate especially in areas where the wire moves such as in a vehicle door jamb.
When working in space constrained areas such as vehicle door jambs, under a hood or dash of a vehicle, there is a need to be able to repair wires that are damaged as a result of too much flexion, being pinched, or scraped. These areas are extremely tight and it is difficult to hold two wires together to solder them together. Additionally, there is a risk of damaging other wires while the damaged wire is being repaired.
The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present disclosure, wherein in one aspect, a flexible wire holder is provided that can hold wires together during soldering.
In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, a flexible holding device that includes a first connector having a first body and a first head, a second connector having a second body and a second head, wherein the second head is positioned within a receiving portion of the first body to form a first shaft, a first holding portion positioned at a first end of the first head and configured to hold a first work piece, a third connector having a third body and a third head, a fourth connector having a fourth body and a fourth head, wherein the fourth head is positioned within a receiving portion of the third body to form a second shaft, a second holding portion positioned at a first end of the third head and configured to hold a second work piece, and a clamping portion, wherein the first and second shafts coupled are coupled to the clamping portion.
In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, a flexible holding device that includes a first connector having a first body and a first head, a second connector having a second body and a second head, wherein the second head is positioned within a receiving portion of the first body, a third connector having a third body and a third head, wherein the third head is positioned within a receiving portion of the second body, a fourth connector having a fourth body and a fourth head, wherein the fourth head is positioned within a receiving portion of the third body, a first holding portion positioned at a first end of the first head and configured to hold a first work piece, and a second holding portion positioned at a first end of the fourth body and configured to hold a second work piece, wherein the first, second, third and fourth connectors form a shaft.
In accordance with yet other aspects of the present invention, a method of holding a wire that includes adjusting connectors that form a shaft, wherein the shaft is coupled to clamp, gripping a first wire with a first holding portion and a second wire with second holding portion, and gripping a portion of a vehicle with the clamp.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain aspects of the invention in order that the detailed description herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional aspects of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
A wire holding device that includes a flexible shaft having a clamping portion at each end according to one embodiment. The clamping portion can be configured to hold two wires that need to be connected together via a connection process, such as being soldered together. The flexible shaft is capable of being configured by the user.
At the ends 16 of the shaft 12 are where the clamping portion 14 are coupled or attached to the shaft 12. The clamping portion 14 are designed to hold a work piece in place. In one embodiment, the work pieces are two wires 32, 34 (
The clamping portion 14 in one embodiment is an alligator clip configured to hold the wire 32, 34. The alligator clip is designed to hold the wire without stripping the insulation therefrom. In other embodiments, the clamping portion may be a quick action clamp that includes adjustable jaws to adjust to fit the work piece, a plier head (needle nose, etc.), T-bar clamp, vice grip, pipe clamps, spring clamps or other similar clamps. The clamp portion can be any device that clamps or hold the work piece and can be configured to fit any sixe work piece. The clamp portion 14 can also be detachable from the shaft 12 so that different types of clamping portion can be used depending on the work piece.
The clamping portion can be connected to the shaft 12 in any number of ways including being welded, screwed, press fitted, glued and the like. In one embodiment, the clamping portion 14 can be coupled to an end 16 and be rotatable around the end 16 so even more flexibility is available to the wire holding device 10.
The clamp 16 includes a handle portion 18 and an engagement portion 20. The engagement portion may include an elastomeric cover for better gripping on to a work surface, such as a table. In other embodiments, the clamp portion may be replaced by a vice grip, suction cup or other means that attaches the shaft to a table, work bench or a portion of vehicle.
In certain embodiments, the body 28 and head 24 may covered with a sheath. The sheath may be made from any material including elastomeric material. The connector 22 may be made from any material including tin, aluminum, steel, alloy and the like.
In operation, the clamp 16 can be used to secure the wire holding device to the table or workbench 30. In other embodiments, the clamp 16 can clamp to a portion of a vehicle such as a door jamb or a hood. The wires 32, 34 can be held securely with holding portion 14 so that the wires can be connected together. The wires 32, 34 can be held at different angles by manipulating the shaft 12 and/or the holding portion 14. The wire may be of various gage such as 18-20 or 8-10 and other gages.
Although a wire holding device is generally is described herein, any the holding device can hold any work piece. Further, the wire holding device can be used to isolate a single wire from a wiring loom to prevent damage to the insulation on the other wires when repairing a broken wire in the wiring loom.
In another embodiment, a conducting material can be threaded the length of the shaft (hollow portion) so that the holding portion can be used to clip to the work piece and provide electricity thereto. For example, one of the shafts in
In yet another embodiment, a fluid conducting material, such as a hose can be threaded the length of the shaft (hollow portion) so that the fluids can be delivered to a device in need of the fluid. Because the shaft is flexible but yet holds its shape when the manipulation is completed, fluid can be delivered to a device that is located where a hose would need to be bend around objects but still retain its shape to deliver the fluid. The shaft also will prevent the hose from being crimped during use so that the fluid deliver is not interrupted.
In still another embodiment, the wire holding device 10 shown in
The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to that fall within the scope of the invention.
