EP1075901A1

EP1075901A1 - Improved hand tool

Info

Publication number: EP1075901A1
Application number: EP00906383A
Authority: EP
Inventors: José Antonio Iriondo Gaztanaga
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-03-05
Filing date: 2000-03-01
Publication date: 2001-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 2020-03-01
Also published as: KR20010052295A; EP1075901B1; ES1042850Y; ES1042850U; DE60002404D1; WO2000053373A1; BR0005256A; JP2002538013A; DE60002404T2

Abstract

It is of the pressure gripper-type in order to secure pieces (5) between two clamps (3, 4), a fixed one (3) and the other a moveable one (4).

It has a fixed arm (1) and another moveable arm (2) articulated by one of the ends thereof. The fixed arm (1) has in its end the fixed clamp (3) and a cylinder (12) supporting the moveable clamp (4) screwed to its free end is moveable axially in its body. The cylinder (12) is actuated by the moveable arm (2) as these elements (12, 2) are connected jointedly by means of a connecting rod (6). The rotary movement of the fixed arm (2) is converted into linear forward movement of the cylinder (12) and therefore of the moveable clamp (4), gripping the piece (5) or pieces to be secured.

The moveable clamp (4) is in turn a screw that adjusts the separation between the clamps (3, 4) in order to achieve optimum blocking.

The moveable arm (2) is abutted on and concealed in the fixed arm (1) and in turn an unblocking cam or lever (13) that facilitates this operation is mounted jointedly.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

As expressed in the title of this specification, the present invention refers to an improved hand tool of the gripper-type used to secure one or several pieces and that due to its special structure and shape has some advantageously minimum dimensions.
The tool of the invention is of the type that consists of a fixed arm and another moveable arm, as well as a fixed clamp and another moveable clamp in order to secure pieces securely and totally correctly.
Furthermore, the tool includes a locking mechanism in order to ensure the blocking position. Precisely, the novelty of the invention is centered essentially on this effective and simple blocking mechanism that has an advantageous structure and functioning.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The improved hand tool that constitutes the object of the invention is of the gripper-type for securing pieces, which at the same time due to its special shape has reduced dimensions.
It comprises two arms, a fixed one and another moveable one, the same having a fixed clamp and a moveable clamp, respectively, both being face to face and between which one or several pieces to be secured will be placed. The piece or pieces will be pressed between both clamps when the tool assembly is in its active blocking or locking position.
The tool includes a locking mechanism that is defined by a connecting rod that is jointedly coupled by one of its ends to a cylinder where the moveable clamp itself is connected and which is conveyed in a guiding hole of the fixed arm.
On the other hand, the other end of the connecting rod is connected, also jointedly, to the moveable arm itself, that is in turn jointedly connected to an end point of the fixed arm.
With this described arrangement, in order to place the tool in the blocking position it will be necessary to tilt the moveable arm until it abuts against the fixed arm. During this operation, the cylinder and the moveable clamp itself will approach the fixed clamp with a linear movement and will be conveyed in the guiding hole, until the piece or pieces to be secured are pressed between both clamps.
In order to release the blocking position the cam-type rod coupled in the moveable arm will be actuated, an end of said cam initially pressing on the cited fixed arm.
It should be noted that in the blocking or locking position of the tool, the two articulation points of the connecting rod, as well as the articulation point of both arms will be aligned in the same direction.
Some figures in which the object of the invention has been represented in an illustrative and nonrestrictive manner are attached hereto in order to provide a better understanding of this specification and forming an integral part hereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 represents a raised view of the improved hand tool, object of the invention. The tool in question is in a blocking or locking position.
Figure 2 is a raised view of the tool of the invention wherein same is in an unblocking position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Making reference to the numbering used in the figures, the improved hand tool comprises a fixed arm (1) and another moveable arm (2), both including a fixed clamp (3) and a moveable clamp (4), respectively. The fixed arm (1) constitutes the main body of the tool.
The tool of the invention includes a blocking or locking mechanism in order to ensure the securing by pressure of one or several pieces (5) located between both clamps (3) and (4). This blocking or locking mechanism is defined by a connecting rod (6) that is jointedly coupled by an end point (7) in a piston (8) that is conveyed in a guiding hole (9) of the fixed arm (1). On the other hand, the other end of the connecting rod (6) is jointedly coupled in an intermediate point (10) of the moveable arm (2), both arms (1) and (2) also jointedly connecting in an end point (11).
On the other hand, the moveable arm (2) is connected to a cylinder (12) integral with the piston (8) and wherein the moveable clamp (4) screws.
The moveable arm (2) also includes a cam-type bar (13) that is jointed in a top point (14) of said moveable arm (2), the purpose of said cam (13) being to facilitate the unlocking or unblocking of the moveable arm (2) and in general of the tool assembly of the invention.
The fixed clamp (3), although it forms an integral part of the fixed arm (1) like an elbowed extension thereof, said fixed clamp (3) could be defined by a detachable-type independent element secured to the cited fixed arm (1).
The two clamps (3) and (4) are face-to-face, in such a way that in order to place the tool in an active blocking position, it will be necessary to tilt the moveable arm (2) until the same abuts against the fixed arm (1), in such a way that in this process, the piston (8) will move conveyed in the guiding hole (9) of the fixed arm (1), the moveable clamp (4) approaching the fixed clamp (3), between which the pieces to be secured (5) (figure 1) are located. In this locking position the two articulation points (7) and (10) of the connecting rod (6) and also the articulation point (11) that connects both arms (1) and (2), are advantageously aligned in the same direction.
On the other hand, in order to proceed to unblock the tool assembly the bottom end section of the cam (13) will be actuated in such a way that the opposite section thereof will press on the fixed arm (1), whereby the unblocking of the tool where a spring (15) established in the inside of the guiding hole (9) of the fixed arm (1) also participates and helps, will be produced instantly. This spring (15) abuts at one end against the piston (8) of the fixed arm (1) pushing it downward, while the opposite top end of this spring (15) abuts against a seat (16) of the fixed arm (1) established in correspondence with the top part of above-cited guiding hole (9).
In the blocking position of the tool, the spring (15) is compressed, in such a way that in the unblocking operation, the spring will assist in said operation.
The distance between the two, clamps (3) and (4) may be advantageously adjusted, depending on the needs thereof, thanks to that the moveable clamp (4) has a screw-type structure that screws on the cylinder (12) that acts like a nut, although it could also be done reversely. This moveable screwed clamp (4), carries out the same task as the conventional adjusting screw of this type of pressure tool.

Claims

Improved hand tool, of the type that is shaped like a gripper in order to secure pieces and that comprises two arms, a fixed one (1) and another moveable one (2), and two clamps, a fixed one (3) and another moveable one (4), including a blocking or locking mechanism; characterized in that the fixed arm (1) that is constituted in the main arm or body of the tool, is articulated with the other moveable arm (2) that is constituted like a handle, in an end point (11), and said fixed arm (1) houses a cylinder (12) that may be moved longitudinally with respect to said fixed arm (1) and in which the moveable clamp (2) is included; hence the tool may be adjusted to the thickness of the piece or pieces (5) that are to be secured.
Improved hand tool, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fixed clamp (3) that is in opposition to the moveable clamp (4) is shaped on the end of the fixed arm (1) opposite the one of the articulation (11) with the other moveable arm (2), the corresponding piece (5) being able to encounter said moveable clamp and being able to be gripped between both clamps.
Improved hand tool, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the moveable arm (2) is articulated at an intermediate point (10), with an end of a connecting rod (6) that at its other end connects and is articulated in art end point (7), with the moveable cylinder (12), transmitting the rotary movement of the moveable arm (2) to said cylinder (12) that is moved longitudinally, in such a way that the articulations (7, 10, 11) may align up and leave the mechanism locked and irreversible.
Improved hand tool, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that in order to unblock the mechanism a cam (13) housed in the moveable arm (2), that is articulated in a point (14) of said moveable arm (2), has been provided for.
Improved hand tool, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that between the fixed arm (1) and the cylinder (12) there is a spring (15) that is compressed as long as the tool is in the locking position and that at the same time that the unblocking takes place, the cylinder (12) is moved in order to permit the opening of the tool.