EP1623796A1 - Pliers - Google Patents

Abstract

The notching positions are defined by toothed strips (48,50;52,54) lined up along the aligned slots in the strap (12) and leg of the tongs. The notcher itself (62) engages these teeth strips by means of two axially spaced noses (66,68; 70,72). The tongs joint (14) has a bearing ring (86) which encircles the notcher and is axially dimensioned equal to the strap (12) so the endfaces of the ring (86) are guided between the inside surfaces of the strap slot (28). The tongs leg on the other hand pivots on the ring (86), itself profiled with a center hole (90) radially sized to complement the notching noses (66,68) and so engage in the second axial position. The notcher (62) has a pair of diametrically opposed axially spaced noses (66,68; 70,72) and both the strip teeth and the noses are roof-shaped in section to engage snugly in the respective positions.

Description

The innovation relates to a tongs, commonly referred to as "water pump pliers". Under a water pump pliers, the expert understands a pair of pliers, with a first and a second leg ("bracket" and "handle"), each having a handle portion and a jaw and are connected between handle parts and jaws by a joint, which in a with Snap provided slot of the first leg is guided. By adjusting the joint in the slot, the opening width of the pliers can be changed, i. the distance that the jaws have at substantially parallel gripping surfaces of each other. Such a design makes it possible to adapt the opening width to the dimensions of the parts to be packed and to grasp parts with greatly different diameters in the same way. In this case, a flat portion is provided with a longitudinal slot through which the Siel protrudes in the bracket between the handle part and jaw. On both sides of this longitudinal slot parallel cheeks are formed.

Gripping tongs of this type are known, in which the joint is displaceable in a first axial position in the slot and in a second axial position in one of a series of locking positions can be latched (catalog of the company KNIPEX, page 73: "KNIPEX - Cobra", EP 0 116 305 A1, EP 0 528 252 A1, EP 0774 324 A2). In these known gripper tongs a single slot is provided on the middle bracket. The cheeks of the stem have bearing bores of different diameters The detent positions are defined by two toothed racks with teeth of triangular basic shape. The joint has a locking body, which has a cylindrical bearing surface of larger diameter, a section with opposite, engageable in the rack toothings and a cylindrical bearing surface of smaller diameter has, which protrudes as a push button from the stem. In a first axial position of the detent body of the push button is depressed. In this position, the larger diameter bearing surface is pushed out of the stem, the toothed portion is seated in a bore of the larger diameter stem, and the smaller diameter bearing surface extends between the teeth of the two gears, this smaller diameter being less than the distance between opposite teeth of the toothing. Thus, the stem can be adjusted relative to the bracket along the slots. In the second axial position, the toothed section engages in the toothings. This locks the joint. The larger diameter bearing surface is rotatable in the corresponding bore, and the smaller diameter portion is rotatable in the smaller diameter bore. Now the stem can be pivoted in the new detent position with the two cylindrical bearing surfaces opposite the bracket.

EP 0 904 898 B1 describes a grasping forceps in which two aligned longitudinal slots are provided in the cheeks. The longitudinal slots are each formed by overlapping holes. Each of these holes defines a detent position for a joint. A first longitudinal slot is formed by holes with a relatively small diameter, while the second longitudinal slot is produced by holes with a relatively large diameter. A hole in the stem also has the relatively large diameter. The joint is formed by a doubly stepped, axially displaceable pin, which protrudes with a push button of small diameter from the bracket. In a first axial position, the small diameter push button is in the first longitudinal slot, and the opposite relatively large diameter section is forced out of the second longitudinal slot bore. In this axial position, the joint can be moved with the handle in the bracket along the longitudinal slots. In a second axial position, the central portion of the stepped pin rotates in a bore forming the first longitudinal slot, while the end portion of the stepped pin is rotatable in a bore in a bore forming the second longitudinal slot.

In this known gripping pliers, the locking points are formed by the overlapping holes of the longitudinal slots. These holes also form the Bearing surfaces for the joint forming the pin. In this gripping tongs the distance of the locking positions is determined by the dimensions of the holes. These holes must have a certain size, which defines the possible distance of the locking positions.

The innovation is based on the object, on the one hand to improve the stability of the joint bearing in such tongs, on the other hand to allow a fine adjustment of the opening width of the gripping tongs.

• (a) die Raststellungen durch längs jedes der beiden fluchtenden Langlöcher verlaufende, fluchtende Zahnleisten definiert sind und
• (b) der Rastkörper wenigstens zwei im axialen Abstand voneinander angeordnete Rastnasen zum Eingriff in die Zahnleisten besitzt,
• (c) das Gelenk einen Lagerring aufweist, der den Rastkörper umgibt, dessen axiale Abmessungen etwa denen des Stiels entsprechen und der mit seinen Stirnflächen zwischen den Innenflächen des Längsschlitzes des Bügels geführt sind.
• (d) der Stiel auf dem Lagerring drehbar gelagert ist und
• (f) der Lagerring ein Profilring ist, dessen zentraler Durchbruch radiale Ausnehmungen im wesentlichen komplementär zu den Rastnasen des Rastkörpers aufweist in welche ein Paar von Rastnasen des Rastkörpers in dessen zweiter Axialstellung eingreifen.

According to the innovation, this object is based on a gripping pliers with a bracket and a handle, each having a handle portion and a jaw, wherein the bracket between handle and jaw has a longitudinal slot through which extends the handle, the bracket on both sides of the longitudinal slot aligned slots Has detent positions and a joint for articulated connection of stirrup and handle is provided which has a movable between a first and a second axial locking body which allows in the first axial position movement of the joint in the longitudinal slots and in the second axial position in the locking positions latched is, solved by that

• (A) the locking positions are defined by along each of the two aligned slots extending, aligned toothed racks and
• (B) the latching body has at least two axially spaced apart latching lugs for engagement in the toothed strips,
• (C) the hinge has a bearing ring which surrounds the locking body whose axial dimensions approximately correspond to those of the handle and which are guided with its end faces between the inner surfaces of the longitudinal slot of the bracket.
• (D) the stem is rotatably mounted on the bearing ring and
• (F) the bearing ring is a profile ring whose central aperture radial recesses substantially complementary to the latching lugs of the detent body in which engage a pair of locking lugs of the locking body in the second axial position.

In this way, the joint is on the one hand stably supported in two detent positions provided on both sides of the middle, second leg. As a result, the joint is held more stable. On the other hand, a fine adjustment in accordance with the tooth spacing of the toothed racks is possible.

It is advantageous if the toothed strips are formed by teeth which are essentially triangular in cross-section and tooth spaces and the latching noses are formed by essentially roof-shaped projections of the latching body. This allows a very fine adjustment of the opening width of the gripping pliers.

It is advantageous if the latching lugs of the latching body partially engage in the recesses of the profile ring even in its second axial position. Then, the relative orientation of the profile ring is ensured to the locking lugs in the first axial position of the joint, so that the movement of the locking body from the first to the second axial position is always possible.

The locking body may be biased by resilient means in the direction of the second axial position, wherein the resilient means are supported on the profile ring. To reduce the friction when moving the joint while the profile ring can be stepped on its lateral surface and stored in a correspondingly stepped bore of the second leg so that the spring means remote from the end face of the profile ring is held at a distance from the adjacent inner surface of the longitudinal slot.

Fig.1

ist eine Ansicht einer Greifzange von einer Seite her gesehen.

Fig.2

zeigt eine Greifzange von der gegenüberliegenden Seite her gesehen.

Fig.3

zeigt einen Schnitt längs der Linie III - III von Fig.2 bei einer ersten Ausführung der Greifzange.

Fig.3A

zeigt einen Schnitt längs der Linie III - III von Fig.2 bei einer abgewandelten Ausführung der Greifzange.

Fig.4

ist eine Einzelteildarstellung und zeigt bei der Greifzange von Fig.1 und 2 einen Einsatz mit Langloch und Rasten.

Fig. 5

ist eine vergrößerte Darstellung und zeigt eine Ansicht in Richtung der Gelenkachse der Greifzange mit dem mit Rasten versehenen Langloch, einem Profilring für die Lagerung des Stiels und einem Rastkörper.

Fig.6

ist eine Vorderansicht des Profilringes bei der Ausführung von Fig.3

Fig.7

ist eine zugehörige Seitenansicht.

Fig.6A

ist eine Vorderansicht des Profilringes bei der Ausführung von Fig.3A.

Fig.7A

ist eine zugehörige Seitenansicht

Fig. 8

ist eine Seitenansicht des Hauptteils des Rastkörpers.

Fig.9

ist eine Seitenansicht des Hauptteils des Rastkörpers von rechts in Fig8 gesehen.

Fig.10

ist eine Ansicht des Hauptteils des Rastkörpers von unten in Fig.8 gesehen.

Fig.11

ist eine Seitenansicht des Drucktellers des Rastkörpers.

An embodiment of the innovation is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig.1

is a view of a grasping forceps seen from one side.

Fig.2

shows a tongs seen from the opposite side.

Figure 3

shows a section along the line III - III of Figure 2 in a first embodiment of the gripping tongs.

3A

shows a section along the line III - III of Figure 2 in a modified embodiment of the gripping tongs.

Figure 4

is an itemized view and shows in the gripping pliers of Figures 1 and 2 an insert with slot and notches.

Fig. 5

is an enlarged view and shows a view in the direction of the hinge axis of the gripping pliers with the detented slot, a profile ring for the storage of the stem and a detent body.

Figure 6

is a front view of the profile ring in the embodiment of Figure 3

Figure 7

is an associated side view.

6A

Fig. 3 is a front view of the profile ring in the embodiment of Fig. 3A.

7A

is an associated side view

Fig. 8

is a side view of the main part of the detent body.

Figure 9

is a side view of the main part of the detent body seen from the right in Fig8.

Figure 10

is a view of the main part of the locking body seen from below in Figure 8.

Figure 11

is a side view of the pressure plate of the detent body.

In Fig. 1 and 2, a gripper tongs seen from opposite sides is shown. Such gripping pliers are usually referred to in the art as "water pump pliers" designated. The gripping tongs have a first leg or "stirrup" 10 and a second leg or "stalk" 12. Bracket 10 and stem 12 are pivotally connected to each other by a hinge 14. The bracket 10 has a handle portion 16 and a jaw 18. The handle 12 has a handle portion 20 and a jaw 22. The jaws 18 and 22 are angled relative to the handle parts 16 and 20, respectively, that their mutually facing gripping surfaces 24 and 26 are substantially parallel in the closing or gripping position. Each of the gripping surfaces forms a toothed recess in the usual way, so that between the gripping surfaces a pipe o. The like. Can be firmly held.

The bracket 10 has in the region of the joint 14 a through the bracket 10 passing slot 28 (Figure 3 or 3A), whose plane is perpendicular to the axis of rotation 30 of the joint 14. On both sides of the slot 28 bracket halves or cheeks 32 and 34 are formed, which are widened plate-like relative to the end portion of the handle portion 16. In these bracket halves 32 and 34 elongate apertures 36 and 38 are formed. In these openings 36 and 38 are plates 40 and 42, respectively. In the plates 40 and 42 slots 44 and 46 are formed. The slots 44 and 46 are aligned. Along the slots 44 and 46 locking positions are provided. The locking positions are defined by pairs of mutually facing toothed racks 48, 50 and 52, 54 (FIGS. 4 and 5). The toothed racks are formed by teeth which are substantially triangular in cross-section and tooth gaps.

The handle 12 extends through the slot 28. The hinge 14 connects the bracket 10 and the stem 12. In this case, the joint in the various latching positions defined by the toothed bars 48,50 and 52,54 can be latched. In a stop position, the inclined outer surface 56 of the plate-like portion 56 of the bracket 10 comes to a stop 58 on the stem 12 to the plant (Figure 2). In this stop position, the gripping surfaces 24 and 26 of the two jaws 18 and 22 are substantially parallel to each other. Depending on the detent position in which the joint 14 engages, the opening width, ie the distance of the jaws in this parallel position changes. In this way, the opening width can be adapted to the dimensions of the objects to be handled. Objects of very different dimensions can be detected in substantially the same way by the gripping tongs.

The construction of the latchable joint 14 is best seen in Figure 3. The hinge 14 has a spring-loaded push button 60. By depressing this push button 60, the joint is released from its detent position and can be moved in the slots 44 and 46 in a different detent position. The push button 60 forms part of a latching body 62. The latching body 62 has a shaft 64 which is seated centrally on the pushbutton 60. The shaft 64 extends through the slots 44 and 46 of the bracket 10. On the shaft 64 sit two pairs of diametrically opposed locking lugs 66, 68 and 70, 72. The pairs of locking lugs 66, 68 and 70, 72 are in such axial distance from each other arranged that in the working position shown on the right in Figure 3, the locking lugs 66 and 68 with the toothed racks 48 and 50 and the locking lugs 70 and 72 with the toothed racks 52 and 54 are engaged. In the right part of Figure 3, the joint 14 is shown engaged in the working position. In the left part of Figure 3, the joint 14 is shown so that it can be moved after depression of the push button along the slots 44 and 46 in a new detent position. In the lower in Figure 3 end face of the shaft 64, a blind hole 74 is attached. In this blind hole a knurled shaft 76 of a pressure plate 78 is pressed.

8 to 9 are part drawings of the detent body 62. The detent body 62 has the push button 60 on. At the push button 62, a diametrically extending block 80 connects. When the catch body is installed, the block extends in the longitudinal direction of the elongated holes 44 and 46. The block 80 has on both sides of the shaft 64 axial blind holes 82 and 84 on. The blind holes 82 and 84 receive the ends of (not shown) coil springs, which seek to push the locking body 62 in the working position shown on the right in Figure 3. The pair of locking lugs 66, 68 and 70, 72 are seated on the shaft 64. The roof-shaped form of the latching lugs can be seen from FIG. In the end face of the shaft facing away from the push button, the blind hole 74 is shown.

On the latching body 62 sits a profile ring 86. In the embodiment of Figures 3, 6 and 7, this profile ring 86 has a cylindrical surface. With this lateral surface of the profile ring 86 in a corresponding opening 88 of the stem 12th stored the gripping pliers. The thickness of the profile ring 86 corresponds to the thickness of the stem 12 in the region of the slots 44 and 46. The end faces of the profile ring 86 are guided between the inner surfaces of the slot 28 outwardly from the toothed racks 48, 50 and 52, 54. The profile ring 86 has a central opening 90. This central aperture 90 is best seen from the item drawing of Fig.6. The aperture 90 has a circular central portion 92, which are followed in cross-section substantially triangular, diametrically opposed recesses 94 and 96. The recesses 94, 96 are limited in cross-section of the circular center part placed tangents that form an angle of 90 ° with each other. With these recesses 94 and 96 of the profile ring 86 is guided on the latching lugs 66 and 68 of the latching body 62. As can be seen from Figure 3, engage in the working position (right in Figure 3), the locking lugs 66 and 68 only with edge portions in edge portions of the recesses 94 and 96, so that the mutual alignment of locking body 62 and profile ring 86 is ensured. After depressing the push button 60 (left in Figure 3), the locking lugs 66 and 68 engage symmetrically to the transverse center plane of the profile ring 86 in the recesses 94 and 96 over its entire length. Then, with a displacement of the joint 14 along the slots 44 and 46 of the profile ring 86 is symmetrically coupled to the locking body 62, so that no tilting moments occur.

As can be seen from the left part of Figure 3, the hinge 14 is decoupled by depressing the push button 60 of the outer leg. The locking lugs 70 and 72 are out of engagement with the toothed racks 52 and 54. The locking lugs 66 and 68 engage in the recesses 94 and 96 of the profile ring 86 a. The locking lugs 70 and 72 are outside the cheek 34. In this state, the stem 12 can be moved with the joint 14 with the locking body 62 and the profile ring 86 along the slots 44 and 46. As a result, the opening width of the gripping tongs can be adapted to the dimensions of the object to be gripped. Practically this happens in the following way: The gripping tongs are driven far. Then the forceps jaw 18 of the first leg 10 is applied with its gripping surface 24 to the object to be gripped. The push button 60 is depressed, and the joint 14 is displaced together with the second handle 12 in the oblong holes against the first leg until the gripping surface 26 of the jaw 22 of the second leg 12 abuts the object to be gripped.

Then, the push button 60 is released. As a result, the latching body 62 returns to the working position (on the right in FIG. 3). The locking lugs 66 and 68 engage in the toothed racks 48 and 50, and the locking lugs 70 and 72 engage in the toothed racks 52 and 54, respectively. By a finely divided tooth profile of the toothed racks while a fine adjustment of the joint 14 is possible. The joint 14 is held in the two cheeks 32 and 34 of the bracket 10 on both sides of the stem 12. This results in a stable construction.

The (not shown) coil springs, which are held with one end in the bores 82 and 84 of the latching body 62, based on the profile ring 86 from. They extend through the slot 44. By this support creates a reaction force, which seeks to press the profile ring 86 against the inner surface of the leg half 34. This in turn creates a friction which counteracts a displacement of the joint 14. The profile ring 86 forms a part of the joint 14 and is displaced relative to the leg half in an adjustment.

This friction is avoided in the arrangement of Figure 3A and Figure 6A and 7A. The hinge 14 is similar in construction to that of Fig. 3 and Figs. 6 and 7, and corresponding parts bear the same reference numerals as there.

As can be seen from FIGS. 6A and 7A, the lateral surface of the profiled ring 86A is stepped. The lateral surface includes a cylindrical portion 100 of larger diameter and a cylindrical portion 102 of smaller diameter. The diameter of the portion 102 corresponds approximately to the outer diameter of the profile ring 86 of Figures 3, 6 and 7. Between the portions 100 and 102, a step or annular surface 104 is formed. The opening 88A of the second leg 12, corresponding to opening 88 of FIG. 3, has a complementary inner surface to the profile ring and widens in a stepped manner upward in FIG. 3A.

With such an arrangement, with proper sizing, the reaction force of the coil springs acting between block 80 and profile ring 86A is not picked up by the bracket 10 but by the center post 12 of the tongs. The profile ring 86A then rests with the step or annular surface 104 on the corresponding annular surface of the stepped breakthrough 88A. The profile ring 86A is therefore supported on the stem 12. During the displacement of the joint 14, the stem 12 is moved with the joint 14 in which the slots 44 and 46. It thus occurs no relative movement between these parts and, accordingly, no friction resistance caused by the coil springs during the adjustment of the joint 14.

Claims (7)

Gripper with a bracket (10) and a handle (12), each having a handle portion (16,20) and a jaw (18,22), said bracket (10) between the handle portion and jaw having a longitudinal slot (28), through which the handle (12) extends, the bracket has on both sides of the longitudinal slot (28) aligned slots (44,46) with detent positions and a hinge (14) for the articulated connection of bracket (10) and handle (12) is provided which has a latching body which is movable between a first and a second axial position and which permits movement of the hinge in the longitudinal slots in the first axial position and can be latched into the latching positions in the second axial position, characterized in that (A) the locking positions are defined by along each of the two aligned slots extending, aligned toothed racks and (b) the latching body (62) has at least two latching lugs (66, 68; 70, 72) arranged at an axial distance from one another for engagement in the toothed strips (48, 50; 52, 54), (C) the hinge has a bearing ring (86) which surrounds the latching body (62) whose axial dimensions approximately correspond to those of the handle (12) and guided with its end faces between the inner surfaces of the longitudinal slot (28) of the bracket (10) are. (D) the stem is rotatably mounted on the bearing ring and (F) the bearing ring (86) is a profile ring whose central aperture (90) radial recesses (94,96) substantially complementary to the latching lugs (66,68) of the locking body (62) into which a pair of locking lugs (66,68) of the locking body engage in the second axial position. Tongs according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the elongated holes (44, 46) has on its longitudinal sides two opposing toothed strips (48, 50; 52, 54). Tongs according to Claim 2, characterized in that the latching body (62) has two pairs of diametrically opposed latching noses (66, 68; 70, 72) at an axial distance from each other. Gripping tongs according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the toothed strips (48, 50, 52, 54) of teeth and tooth spaces which are substantially triangular in cross-section and the latching noses (66, 68, 70, 72) of substantially roof-shaped projections the latching body (62) are formed. Gripping tongs according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that locking lugs (66,68) of the detent body (62) partially in the second axial position engage in the recesses (94,96) of the profile ring (86). Gripping tongs according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the latching body (62) is biased by resilient means in the direction of the second axial position and the resilient means are supported on the profile ring (86). Tongs according to claim 6, characterized in that the profile ring (86A) stepped on its lateral surface and in a corresponding stepped bore (88A) of the handle (12) is mounted such that the spring means remote from the end face of the profile ring (86A) at a distance is held by the adjacent inner surface of the longitudinal slot (28).

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