IT201800005894A1 - MULTIFUNCTIONAL GRIPPER - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

MULTIFUNCTIONAL CLAMP

The present invention relates to a multifunctional gripper of the type specified in the preamble of the first claim.

In particular, the present invention relates to a multifunctional pliers that can be used in the medical-sanitary field and / or for markings, tattoos or piercings.

As is known, the pliers currently in use for tattoos, piercings or for medical or even mechanical purposes are generally made of metallic material and substantially comprise two arms and a fulcrum, arranged in an intermediate position with respect to the arms, able to keep the arms coupled.

By mutually rotating the arms with respect to the fulcrum, or pin, through a handle it is possible to open or close the gripping portion of the aforesaid pliers. In general, when the opening of the gripping portion is required to remain open in a stable and firm manner, the pliers make use of some additional portions. These additional portions substantially consist of grooved guides which avoid, through the grooves, a reciprocal displacement of the arms during the gripping step.

Basically, the grooves define interlocking constraints that can be easily solved by the operator.

Said pliers are generally made of metal, in particular of steel, and are therefore expensive. Furthermore, the forceps for medical or piercing uses and the like must be carefully sterilized after each use in an autoclave or with ultraviolet rays.

The known art described includes some important drawbacks.

In particular, the sterilization procedure is complex, expensive and takes a lot of time for the operators, particularly in the field of piercings.

In some cases, the sterilization procedure even requires environments specifically dedicated to sterilization.

To obviate said drawbacks, disposable pliers made of polymeric material have been made.

However, the disposable pliers currently on the market have the same shapes and proportions as the pliers made of metallic material, but characterized by a lower mechanical resistance due to the use of plastic materials.

Consequently, the lower flexural stiffness of these materials determines a lower effectiveness of the disposable pliers when subjected to torsional stresses generated during the clamping operations.

These forces, out of the plane defined by the gripper, lead to misalignment or warping of the arms which results, at least, in a significant reduction in the tightening torque.

However, some improved calipers are known.

In particular, the document US-A-2011098538 describes a gripper comprising an additional intermediate portion replacing the fulcrum and adapted to limit the torsional stresses to which the gripper can be subjected.

These grippers also have the important drawback of being not very resistant to stresses outside the plane defined by the gripper and, in addition, involve a greater manufacturing effort than the previously described prior art.

Document WO-A-9211813, on the other hand, describes a gripper comprising a torsional locking mechanism defined by a slot obtained inside an arm and by a portion protruding from the opposite arm and able to be trapped inside the slot .

This mechanism also allows the grippers to be locked by means of a bolt which can be constrained to the protruding portion, but entails important drawbacks in terms of construction.

In this situation, the technical task underlying the present invention is to devise a multifunctional gripper capable of substantially obviating at least part of the aforementioned drawbacks.

Within the scope of said technical task, it is an important object of the invention to obtain a multifunctional gripper which is capable of ensuring excellent torsional rigidity, ie for forces outside the plane defined by the gripper.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a multifunctional gripper which is easily achievable both from a structural point of view and from a purely economic point of view.

In conclusion, a further technical task of the invention is to produce a versatile forceps whose structure is easily adaptable to a plurality of uses, for example not necessarily connected to the medical sphere.

The technical task and the specified aims are achieved by a multifunctional gripper as claimed in the attached claim 1.

Preferred technical solutions are highlighted in the dependent claims.

The features and advantages of the invention are clarified below by the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a multifunctional gripper according to the invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates a top view of a multifunctional gripper according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is a side view of a multifunctional pint according to the invention;

Fig. 4 represents detail A of the locking guide of a multifunctional gripper according to the invention;

Fig.5 shows detail D of the pin of a multifunctional caliper according to the invention;

Fig. 6 illustrates detail B of the support guide of a multifunctional gripper according to the invention;

Fig. 7a is a top view of a multifunctional pint according to the invention in total tightening;

Fig. 7b represents detail E of the support guide of a multifunctional pint according to the invention in total tightening;

Fig.7c shows a rear view of a multifunctional gripper according to the invention in total tightening;

Fig. 8a illustrates a top view of a multifunctional pint second in maximum opening;

Fig.8b is detail F of the support guide of a multifunctional pint according to the invention in maximum opening;

Fig. 8c represents a rear view of a multifunctional gripper according to the invention in maximum opening;

Fig.9a shows a first variant of the gripping areas of a multifunctional gripper according to the invention;

Fig. 9b illustrates a second variant of the gripping areas of a multifunctional gripper according to the invention;

Fig. 9c is a third variant of the gripping areas of a multifunctional gripper according to the invention;

Fig.9d represents a fourth variant of the gripping areas of a multifunctional gripper according to the invention;

Fig.9e shows a fifth variant of the gripping areas of a multifunctional gripper according to the invention; And

Fig. 9f illustrates a sixth variant of the gripping areas of a multifunctional gripper according to the invention.

In this document, measurements, values, shapes and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism), when associated with words such as "about" or other similar terms such as "almost" or "substantially", are to be understood as less than measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and / or manufacturing errors and, above all, unless there is a slight divergence from the value, measurement, shape or geometric reference to which it is associated. For example, these terms, if associated with a value, preferably indicate a divergence of no more than 10% of the value itself.

Furthermore, when used, terms such as "first", "second", "superior", "inferior", "main" and "secondary" do not necessarily identify an order, relationship priority or relative position, but can simply be used to more clearly distinguish different components from each other.

The measurements and data reported in this text are to be considered, unless otherwise indicated, as carried out in the ICAO International Standard Atmosphere (ISO 2533: 1975).

With reference to the Figures, the multifunctional gripper according to the invention is globally indicated with the number 1.

The multifunctional pliers 1 is preferably a pliers intended for use in the medical field. However, the multifunctional pliers 1 can be used in all areas where pliers are used with which clamping operations or precision manipulations are carried out, such as in the field of piercings, tools from chemical or electronic laboratories, as well as possible applications in mechanics. precision and modeling.

Preferably, the multifunctional gripper 1 defines a main plane 1a.

The main plane 1a is preferably the prevailing development plane of the gripper 1. Therefore, the main plane 1a is substantially the plane within which the gripper 1 is moved.

Furthermore, the gripper 1 comprises at least a first arm 2, a second arm 3 and a pin 4.

The first and second arms 2, 3 are preferably arranged along the main plane 1a. Said first and second arms 2, 3 are also preferably mutually identical, so that they can be made with a single mold.

Furthermore, the pin 4 is preferably adapted to mutually loosely constrain the arms 2, 3. Conveniently, the pin 4 preferably defines an axis of rotation 4a.

The axis of rotation 4a is preferably perpendicular to the main plane 1a. Furthermore, the arms 2, 3 are mutually loosely constrained by the pin 4 so that they can rotate reciprocally around the rotation axis 4a.

In detail, preferably, the first arm 2 comprises a first grip area 2a and a first grip area 2b and the second arm 3 comprises a second grip area 3a and a second grip area 3b.

Preferably, the first gripping area 2a and the second gripping area 3a are adapted to mutually cooperate to allow the gripping of an external object.

For example, the gripping areas 2a, 3a are two halves of a jaw structure. Alternatively, as shown in Figs.9a-9f, the gripping areas 2a, 2b can comprise geometry and define tools of various types and usable in different fields of interest.

The grip areas 2b, 3b preferably comprise a slot each of the type, for example, present on common scissors and are adapted to cooperate in such a way as to allow a user to use the pliers 1.

However, alternatively, the grip areas 2b, 3b could simply consist of portions of arms 2, 3 such as, for example, in common gripping pliers for bolting or the like.

Conveniently, preferably, the gripping areas 2a, 3a and the grip areas 2b, 3b are respectively structurally separated by means of the pin 4.

In particular, preferably, the first arm 2 comprises a first hole 22 arranged between the first gripping area 2a and the first grip area 2b, while the second arm 3 comprises a second hole 32 arranged between the second gripping area 3a and the second grip area 3b.

Preferably, the first and second holes 22, 32 are adapted to house the pin 4. Therefore, preferably, the holes 22, 32 are centered with respect to the rotation axis 4a. Furthermore, the gripper 1 comprises a locking guide 5.

The block guide 5 is preferably adapted to control the rotation of the arms 2, 3 around the rotation axis 4a. In addition, the block guide 5 is also adapted to obstruct the mutual translation of the arms 2, 3 along or parallel to the axis of rotation 4a in particular in a block direction 5a.

Therefore, preferably, the block guide 5 comprises parts that are mutually obstructed in a single direction of block 5a parallel or along the axis of rotation 4a.

Figures 7c-8c show, in detail, the direction of the block 5a corresponding to the direction of the movement of the arm 2 with respect to the arm 3 and, even more in detail, they represent the movement of the first block portion 20 obstructed and prevented by the second block portion 30.

In particular, the block guide 5 comprises a first block portion 20 and a second block portion 30.

Furthermore, the first block portion 20 is preferably integral with and comprised by the first arm 2 and the second block portion 30 is preferably integral with and comprised in the second arm 3.

The block portions 20, 30 are in fact, respectively, preferably in one piece with the arms 2, 3.

Preferably, the block portions 20, 30 are elements protruding between the arms 2, 3 in a rectilinear or curvilinear manner.

Furthermore, they can be aligned with the main plane 1a or be skewed with respect to it.

For example, if the block portions 20, 30 are curvilinear, they preferably describe an arc of circumference. For example, the arc of circumference can be defined by a portion of a circumference centered with respect to the axis of rotation 4a and passing through the position of the block portions 20, 30.

Preferably, the block portions 20, 30 are respectively arranged in the grip areas 2b, 3b.

Furthermore, each of the block portions 20, 30 defines a first distance d1 with respect to the holes 22, 32 respectively.

The distance d1 may vary depending on the size of the clamp 1. Furthermore, the distance d1 can define the radius of a circumference centered in the axis of rotation 4a and capable of defining the shape of the block portions 20, 30.

For example, as already mentioned, the block portions 20, 30 can be arcs defined by the circumference portions with radius d1 or they can be elements tangent to this circumference and developing in a rectilinear manner.

Regardless of the shape, the first block portion 20 preferably comprises a first serrated groove 20a, while the second block portion 30 preferably comprises a second serrated groove 30a. The grooves 20a, 30a are preferably mutually cooperating in such a way as to allow the reciprocal locking of the arms 2, 3 with respect to the rotation axis 4a in only one direction of rotation, in particular in the direction of approach of the two arms and not in the direction of loosening. The reciprocal locking of the arms 2, 3 occurs at predetermined distances defined by the pitch of the grooves 20a, 30a.

The pitch of the grooves 20a, 30a means the distance between one groove tooth and another and the reciprocal rotation granted to each passage of the groove tooth 20a, 30a to the arms 2, 3. The groove containing the reciprocal movement in the direction in which the diagonal portions of the grooves meet (Fig. 4) and not in the direction where the vertical portions meet.

Obviously, only one of the two grooves 20a, 30a could also be provided and a single protruding element able to be constrained in correspondence with the cavities defined between each serration tooth.

Preferably, the conformation of the block portions 20 and 30, which can be inclined with respect to the main plane 1a, together with the geometries of the possible grooves 20a and 30a, determine the degree of interference of the block portions 20, 30. This interference is in tension perpendicular to the plane 1a which blocks the rotation of the arms 2 and 3 when mutually engaged.

Therefore, at each step of the grooves 20a, 30a, when the arms 2, 3 are reciprocally moved with respect to the plane 1a, a spreading force is generated, i.e. a force which tends to spread the arms due to the engagement of the block portions 21, 31 and which is contrary to the direction of block 5a, i.e. it cannot be controlled by means of the block portions 20, 30 alone.

Preferably, in general, the block portions 20, 30 can flex to allow mutual engagement and disengagement.

The gripper 1 also comprises also a support guide 6.

The support guide 6 is preferably adapted to obstruct the reciprocal translation of the arms 2, 3 along the rotation axis 4a. In particular, preferably, the support guide 6 obstructs the translation along a single support direction 6a.

Conveniently, preferably, the support direction 6a is opposite to the locking direction 5a of the locking guide 5.

Therefore, the support guide 6 and the block guide 5 cooperate in a complementary manner to prevent the reciprocal translation of the arms 2, 3 along the axis of rotation 4a avoiding the onset of stresses and deformations outside the main plane 1a and, in particular, due to twisting moments. Moments of this type can, for example, arise in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation 4a, included in the plane 1a and between the arms 2, 3.

In fact, the support guide 6 is adapted to counterbalance the spreading tension generated by the interference of the grooves 20a and 30a, realigning the arms 2 and 3 reciprocally.

The spreading and compensating forces act respectively in the opposite direction respectively to the locking direction 5a and to the support direction 6a in such a way as to balance each other.

In addition to what has been described, preferably, the support guide 6 is also adapted to control the rotation of the arms 2, 3 around the rotation axis 4a.

Preferably, the support guide 6 comprises a first support portion 21 and a second support portion 31.

In particular, the first support portion 21 is included in the first arm 2, while the second support portion 31 is included in the second arm 3. The first support portion 21 is, moreover, preferably in one piece with the first arm 2 and the second support portion 31 is in one piece with the second arm 3.

The first support portion 21 and the second support portion 31 are preferably protruding elements between the first arm 2 and the second arm 3.

Preferably they protrude along planes parallel to the main plane 1a.

Furthermore, the first portion 21 is preferably adapted to cooperate with part of the second arm 3, while the second portion 31 is adapted to cooperate with part of the first arm 2.

The supporting portions 21, 31 can, for example, be tabs adapted to rest on the arms 3, 2 respectively in such a way as to block and obstruct the reciprocal translation between the arms 2, 3 along the axis of rotation 4a in the direction support 6a.

Figures 7c-8c show, in detail, the direction of support 6a corresponding to the direction of displacement of the first arm 2 with respect to the second arm 3 and, even more in detail, represent the displacement of the first support portion 21 obstructed and prevented by second arm 3 on which the first support portion 21 rests.

Furthermore, the support portions 21, 31 each realize a compensation force on the opposite arm 2, 3 which opposes the spreading force and is therefore acting in the opposite direction to the support direction 6a. These forces act as anti-twisting forces which give greater stability to the grip during tightening operations.

Alternatively and preferably, the first arm 2 comprises a first housing 23 and the second arm 3 comprises a second housing 33. Preferably the first housing 23 is suitable for housing part of the second support portion 31, while the second housing 33 is suitable for housing part of the first portion of support 21.

In this way, the support portions 21, 31 can translate in a controlled manner within the housings 33, 23, respectively.

Therefore, the displacement of each support portion 21, 31 is obstructed by the respective housings 33, 23 which do not allow the reciprocal translation between the arms 2, 3 along a predetermined direction, defined by the support direction 6a, and they realize a compensating force to the dividing force induced by the portions by the grooves 20a, 30a.

Both the housings 23, 33 and the support portions 21, 31 can define straight or even curvilinear trajectories.

Preferably, they describe curvilinear and, in particular, circumferential trajectories.

Preferably, the support portions 21, 31 are elements that protrude defining an arc of circumference centered in the rotation axis 4a.

In particular, the support portions 21, 31 are preferably arranged, also, respectively, in the grip areas 2b, 3b.

More conveniently, they are arranged between the holes 22, 32 and the block portions 20, 30.

Furthermore, the support portions 21, 31 are preferably arranged at a second distance d2 respectively from the holes 22, 32.

Preferably, therefore, the support portions 21, 31 are arcs defined by the circumferential portion of a circumference with the center respectively in the holes 22, 32, or by the pin 4, and radius d2.

Preferably, the second distance d2 is at least equal to half of said first distance d1, more preferably d2 is comprised between 0.6 and 0.8 times d1.

The support portions 21, 31 can, moreover, slide freely within the housings 33, 23 respectively, or they can only allow reciprocal movements of the arms 2, 3 within certain angular values.

In fact, the support portions 21, 31 can respectively comprise a first obstructing element 21a and a second obstructing element 31a.

The first obstructing element 21a is preferably adapted to obstruct the movement of the first support portion 21 within the second housing 33.

The second obstructing element 31a is preferably adapted to obstruct the movement of the second support portion 21 within the first housing 23.

These obstructing elements 21a, 31a can be extreme parts of the support portions 21, 31 of larger dimensions in the plane parallel to the main plane 1a in such a way as not to allow the passage of these extreme parts beyond the housings 23, 33, as shown in the Fig. 6, 7b and 8b.

The elements 21a, 31a can therefore limit the stroke of the supports 21, 31 within the housings 33, 23.

The gripper 1 can therefore comprise two arms 2, 3 of different shapes, as long as it is possible to couple the same arms 2, 3 with pin 4 and in such a way as to make the guides 5, 6 as well as the functional parts such as the coupling between the gripping areas 2a, 3a and the grip areas 2b, 3b.

However, preferably, the arms 2, 3 are structurally identical.

In particular, in fact, the gripper 1 comprises two arms 2, 3 which have the same shapes and dimensions, but are coupled symmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry 1b of the gripper 1.

This axis of symmetry 1b is perpendicular to the axis of rotation 4a and arranged in the main plane 1a. In detail, it is arranged between the arms 2, 3.

Preferably, the gripper 1 comprises polymeric material.

In particular, the arms 2, 3 are preferably made of polymeric material, and preferably of the same material. They are in particular in thermosetting polymers such as resins and the like or in other polymers. The pin 4 can also be made of polymeric material, for example in the materials indicated above, or in metal material, in particular in steel.

However, the gripper 1 could also comprise a plurality of materials and could also be partially polymeric with some metal inserts in correspondence with some functional parts such as the gripping areas 2a, 3a.

The operation of the multifunctional gripper 1 previously described in structural terms is as follows.

A user can easily grip the gripper 1 by means of the grip areas 2b, 3b and perform the tasks for which the gripper is designed.

As already said, the gripping areas 2a, 3a can comprise tools for the most disparate purposes. In fact, the pliers 1 can be used in the medical field, in piercing activities, in the construction sector since the synergistic effects between the guides 5, 6 give great stability and clamping force to the gripping areas 2a and 3a, in addition to an increase in the mechanical resistance of the gripper 1 itself.

The multifunctional gripper 1 according to the invention achieves important advantages. The gripper is first of all economical and therefore of the disposable type, in particular because at least mainly made of polymeric material and consisting of two arms 2 and 3 identical to each other, by means of which it is possible to optimize production and assembly.

Furthermore, an important advantage is provided by the synergy between the block guide 5 and the support guide 6.

In fact, these guides 5, 6 working parallel to the same rotation axis 4a, but with opposite directions 5a, 6a avoid the occurrence of misalignments of the arms 2 and 3 due to torsional stresses, for example around the symmetry axis 1b, causing the reduction of the effectiveness of the clamping action and consequent loss of handling of the pliers known to the state of the art.

Thanks to this, a consequent advantage is the extreme versatility of the structure of the gripper 1 which lends itself to carrying out activities in which greater or lesser resistance of the tool may be required.

The extreme resistance due to the structure also avoids the use of very resistant and, therefore, expensive materials.

In fact, the gripper 1 can easily be made of polymeric material with suitable molds and known technologies, for example in casting, injection and / or molding. The structure is therefore preferably made with identical arms and, therefore, a further advantage is the simplification of both the processing and the object with consequent savings from the point of view of costs.

The invention is susceptible of variants falling within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims.

For example, gripping areas 2a, 3a different from those shown in Figures 9a-9f can be conceived, and other shapes and trajectories of the block portions 20, 30 and of the support portions 21, 31 can be provided as long as the functionality is maintained. of the gripper 1, ie the correct reciprocal rotation of the arms 2, 3 around the rotation axis 4a.

Furthermore, the support portions 21, 31 can comprise printed or graduated indications representing, for example, notches corresponding to the excursions provided on the support portions 21, 31 and deriving from the block portions 20, 30.

In this context, all the details can be replaced by equivalent elements and the materials, shapes and dimensions can be any.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Multifunctional gripper (1) defining a main plane (1a) and comprising: - a first arm (2) arranged along said main plane (1a), - a second arm (3) arranged along said main plane (1a), and - a pin (4) adapted to mutually loosely constrain said arms (2, 3) and defining an axis of rotation (4a) perpendicular to said main plane (1a) around which said arms (2, 3) can rotate, - a locking guide (5) adapted to control the rotation of said arms (2, 3) around said axis of rotation (4a) and to obstruct the reciprocal translation of said arms (2, 3) along said axis of rotation (4a ) in a block direction (5a), and characterized by the fact of understanding - a support guide (6) adapted to obstruct the reciprocal translation of said arms (2, 3) parallel or along said rotation axis (4a) in a support direction (6a) opposite to said locking direction (5a) of said locking guide (5). Gripper (1) according to claim 1, wherein said support guide (6) controls the rotation of said arms (2, 3) around said axis of rotation (4a). Gripper (1) according to claim 1, wherein said locking guide (5) comprises a first locking portion (20) and a second locking portion (30) mutually cooperating and said supporting guide (6) comprises a first support portion (21) and a second support portion (31), said first arm (2) comprising said first portions (20, 21) and said second arm (3) comprising said second portions (30, 31). 4. Gripper (1) according to at least one preceding claim, wherein said first arm (2) and said second arm (3) respectively comprise a first hole (22) and a second hole (32) adapted to house said pin (4) . Gripper (1) according to at least one preceding claim, wherein said first arm (2) comprises a first housing (23) and said second arm (3) comprises a second housing (33), said housings (23, 33) being each adapted to respectively house at least part of said support portions (31, 21). 6. Gripper (1) according to at least one preceding claim, wherein said first support portion (21) comprises a first obstructing element (21a) and said second support portion (31) comprises a second obstructing element (31a), said elements obstructors (21a, 31a) being able to obstruct the movement of said support portions (21, 31) respectively in said housings (33, 23) in such a way as to limit the stroke of said support portions (21, 31). Pliers (1) according to at least one preceding claim, wherein said locking portions (20, 30) comprise respectively a first serrated groove (20a) and a second serrated groove (30a), said grooves (20a, 30a) being suitable to mutually cooperate in such a way as to allow the reciprocal locking of said arms (2, 3) with respect to said axis of rotation (4a) at predetermined distances defined by the pitch of said grooves (20a, 30a). 8. Gripper (1) according to at least one preceding claim, in which said portions (20, 21, 30, 31) are respectively arranged in said grip areas (2b, 3b), each of said locking portions (20, 30) defining a first distance (d1) with respect to said holes (22, 32) and said support portions (21, 31) being respectively arranged between said holes (22, 32) and said block portions (20, 30) to a second distance (d2) with respect to said holes (22, 32) at least equal to half of said first distance (d1). Gripper (1) according to at least one preceding claim, wherein said first arm (2) and said second arm (3) are structurally identical. Gripper (1) according to at least one preceding claim, wherein said first arm (2) and said second arm (3) are made of polymeric material.