CONVERTIBLE PLIER-TYPE TOOL

• US 3,762,019 A
• Filed: 05/20/1971
• Issued: 10/02/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kastar (U.S.A.) Inc.
• Original Assignee: Harry Epstein
• Inventors: Epstein, Harry
• Primary Examiner(s): Simpson, Othell M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bicks, Mark S.
• Application Number:
  US05/145,344
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 29/223,224,229,268 7/3R 81/109,394,405,406,407,411,412
• US Class Current: 29/229
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 27/205 Pliers or tweezer type tools with tow actuated jaws
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5363 Circular spring
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/539 Plier type means

Abstract

Plier-type tool convertible between a crossed handle and a simple pivoted handle configuration having replaceable jaw tips enabling a simple squeezing motion of the handles to be selectively utilized to expand or contract the tips for use, for example, with internal or external spring retaining rings.

Claims

1. Plier-type tool convertible between a simple-pivoted and a crossed handle configuration for enabling selective application of expansive and contractive forces comprising, in combination, a pair of superposed generally flat lever members, an intermediate portion of one of said lever members being provided with a generally dumbbell shaped aperture defined by a narrow central slot extending generally transversely thereof bounded at each end by an enlarged generally circular end portion defining the simple-pivoted and crossed handle pivot locations, respectively, the other of said lever members being provided with a pivot post extending from an intermediate portion thereof through said aperture so as to be slidable along said slot;

a pivot member carried by said other of said lever members for selective mating engagement within either of said end portions of said slot to define a pivot therewith;

bearing means selectively bearing against said one lever member movable along self locking screw thread means connected therewith for enabling selective movement along the axis of said pivot post between a first self-locked position bearing against said one lever member retaining said pivot member engaged within the associated end portion of said slot and locking said members parallel and superposed even in the presence of large forces acting therebetween tending towards separation therebetween so that side wise and twisting forces may be applied without distorting the tool while preventing inadvertent movement of said post within said slot, and a second self-locked position whereat said pivot member may be disengaged from the associated end portion of said slot for movement and association with the other of said end portions of said slot.

2. Plier-type tool defined in claim 1 wherein said bearing means comprises an internally threaded nut-like member, said pivot post being threaded for mating engagement therewithin to define said self locking screw thread means.

3. Plier-type tool defined in claim 1 wherein said pivot member comprises a reduced diameter generally circular tenon extending axially of a shoulder of said bearing means.

4. Plier-type tool defined in claim 3 wherein each of said lever members comprise a handle portion and a tip portion extending generally oppositely of said intermediate portion, each of said tip portions being offset from the plane generally medial said intermediate portions, each of said tip portions being thinly elongated and extending forwardly of its respective intermediate portion, the longitudinal axis of the tip Portion of said one of said lever members passing between said circular end portions of said aperture and the longitudinal axis of the tip portion of said other of said lever members intersecting said pivot post so that in either of said simple-pivoted and crossed handle configurations of said lever members at one limit of their relative rotation said tip portions extend closely parallel one another.

5. Plier-type tool defined in claim 4 wherein the out-board end portion of each of said tip portions is of pin-like configuration for engagement with the apertures of a snap ring for enabling installation and removal thereof.

6. Plier-type tool convertible between a simple-pivoted and a cross handle configuartion for enabling selective application of expansive and contractive forces comprising, in combination, a pair of superposed generally flat lever members, an intermediate portion of one of said lever members being provided with a generally dumbbell shaped aperture defined by a narrow central slot extending generally transversely thereof bounded at each end by an enlarged generally circular end portion defining the simple-pivoted and crossed handle pivot locations, respectively, the other of said lever members being provided with a pivot post extending from an intermediate portion thereof through said aperture so as to be slidable along said slot;

a pivot member carried by said other of said lever members for selective mating engagement within either of said end portions of said slot to define a pivot therewith and means selectively bearing against said one lever member selectively movable along the axis of said pivot post between a first position bearing against said one lever member retaining said pivot member engaged within the associated end portion of said slot and locking said members parallel and superposed even in the presence of large forces acting therebetween tending towards separation therebetween so that side wise and twisting forces may be applied without distorting the tool while preventing inadvertent movement of said post within said slot, and a second position whereat said pivot member may be disengaged from the associated end portion of said slot for movement and association with the other of said end portions of said slot wherein each of said lever members comprise a handle portion extending outwardly of said intermediate portion provided with a slot extending generally through an edge thereof generally opposite said handle portion and screw threaded means with an axis generally perpendicular said lever member adjacent and in longitudinal alignment with said edge slot together with a tip member adapted for removable association therewith, said tip member comprising an elongated tip portion and a flattened attaching portion at one end portion thereof provided with a slot extending generally parallel the longitudinal axis of said tip portion adapted to engage said screw threaded means and an intermediate portion between said attaching portion and said tip portion adapted to simultaneously engage said edge slot to secure said tip member with said lever member and preclude relative rotation therebetween and means associated with said screw threaded means for clamping said attaching portion with said intermediate portion of said lever member.

7. Plier-type tool defined in claim 6 wherein said screw threaded means comprises a set screw engaged in a threaded aperture provided in said intermediate portion of said lever member having an enlarged head, said clamping means being defined by said enlarged head.

8. Plier-type tool defined in claim 7 wherein said attaching portion and said tip portion are offset and generally parallel on opposite sides of said intermediate portion of said tip member, said offset intermediate portion of said tip member engaging said edge slot.

9. Plier-type tool defined in claim 6 wherein said tip portions are of pin-like configuration for engagement with the apertures of a snap ring for enabling installation and removal thEreof.

10. Plier-type tool defined in claim 7 wherein said attaching portion slot comprises a keyhole shape aperture having a narrow portion extending along the longitudinal axis and a generally circular enlarged portion adjacent the end thereof opposite said intermediate portion of said tip member through which said screw head is adapted to be inserted.