JPH04310376A - Self locking tool - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To perform locking and unlocking with a lock pin suitable for a slot in response to the laminating condition by providing a chin part in a tip of two handle pieces to be manually operated, connecting the chin part to other chin piece through a shaft pin freely to be rotated, and providing a slot in each chin piece. CONSTITUTION: A first handle piece 2 is formed with a chin part 5 in an upper part thereof, and a shaft hole 6 is provided under the chin part 5. A slot 7 is formed under a shaft hole 6. A lock pin 8 is moved in the slot 7. The lock pin 8 is also passed through a slot 9 of a second handle piece 3 and a slot 10 arranged vertical to the chin piece. A shaft pin 15 is inserted into shaft holes 6, 16, 17 provided in each piece 2, 3, 4. When the lock pin 8 is pushed to the wall of the slots 7, 9 at the lock position, the pin 8 is inclined for lock, and an article pinched by the chins 5, 11 is held in the holding condition.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to locking tools, and more particularly to tools for locking objects in position by applying pressure.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known to use various tools to hold and lock workpieces in place. Other tools utilize connecting parts that are rotatable on a common axis. Some of these tools are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 682,701, 644,825, 1,026,270,
No. 01,931, No. 1,450,875, No. 1,71
No. 7,726, No. 2,574,909 and No. 4,63
No. 3,558.

US Pat. No. 682,701 (Howland) discloses locking pliers having multiple pieces movable along multiple pivot points. There is a pivot A with five or six pieces around which it can move. When the Howland pliers are in the locked position, the object is held between jaws B and C, which are pivotally connected to D, H, J, and r in turn. Howland's device is relatively complex in use and construction. The Howland's two handles also must be held during use to keep the object locked in place. Howland's device also requires high friction surfaces to function properly.

US Pat. No. 644,825 (Jensen) discloses a wrench having handle means that can be locked in place by spring means n. The spring is located at the bottom of one of the handles. When Jensen's pin g is pushed out of socket h, pin g holds it in place. Jensen's retainer is also relatively complex in construction and relatively expensive to manufacture.

US Pat. No. 1,026,270 (Leonard) discloses a pipe wrench having a retention device that allows the wrench to be applied to a pipe or rod. Leonard's spring 15 engages the handle 13 and its opposite end is fixed to the handle of the wrench. Spring 15 locks the handle in place between jaws 5 and 6. As with many locking tools, Leonard relies on spring means to provide the locking mechanism in its device.

Whelan US Pat. No. 1,401,93
No. 1 discloses an adjustable pipe wrench that uses a quadrant attachment element with two jaws to hold an object in place. Whelan's wrench holds pipes or the like of various diameters with a three-point grip;
Each of the two elements has a gripping surface.

McGill No. 1,717,726 and Burroughs No. 2,574,909 each disclose a wrench having a retaining means for holding an object firmly. Each discloses a wrench with several parts and several pivot points for each section. Included in both patents are adjustment means for tightening and loosening objects held within the respective wrench jaw assemblies.

Tesselsky No. 1,450,875 discloses pliers having a third jaw that cooperates with the other two jaws of the plier to prevent the gripped object from slipping. There is. The Tesselski handle means 5 and 6 each terminate in a jaw with a handle mounted around the outside of one of the jaws. This handle acts as a third jaw that cooperates during the grasping motion.

Spaulding US Pat. No. 4,633
, 558 discloses a tool for applying a spring clamp to an object. Spaulding utilizes a cam supported on one of the jaws and a pair of side plates pivotally supported on the other jaw having a cam control therein to direct the radial movement of the cam. This is performed and controlled to complete the closing of the clamp. The jaws have means for controlling the rotation of a cam, which engages a hook on the spring clamp to provide closure.

0010

All of the prior art devices mentioned above are relatively complex in construction, most require springs for locking effect, and some are difficult to use. There is a need for a tool of relatively simple construction that locks objects in place without the need for springs or other such means.

[0011] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a locking tool which does not have the above-mentioned disadvantages.

Another object of the invention is that it is relatively easy to use;
Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a locking tool that is effective in holding objects securely.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tool that has the advantage of a cam lever system either as a primary pressure application force or as a secondary function of tilting and locking the tool.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a locking means which has two handle means and only one of which needs to be held after pressure has been applied to lock the object.

Another object of the invention is to provide a locking tool that can be used to easily lock and unlock objects held therein.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tool having means for locking in four directions: counterclockwise rotation, clockwise rotation, radially inwardly, and radially outwardly.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a locking tool which, once locked, can release handle pressure without affecting the locking.

[0018]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These objects are achieved by the present invention which provides a novel locking tool consisting of a combination of two handle pieces and one jaw piece. In a first embodiment of the invention, the first handle piece is provided with an axial hole through which it is connected to the other two pieces. A pin or other suitable means passes through the three holes and is movably mounted in position so as to close the holes at each end. All three pieces rotate around a pin that serves as a central point for the locking tool. The shaft hole and the shaft pin can be provided on one plane or above or below the arcuate slot described below. The first handle piece has a jaw at its upper end opposite the handle grip. There is an axle hole under the jaw of the first handle piece, and an arcuate slot below (or above) the axle hole. The second handle piece does not have a jaw at its upper end, but has an axle hole below (or above) this axle hole.
is provided with an arcuate slot. The third individual piece or jaw piece does not have a handle, but it does have a jaw which together with the jaw of the first handle piece forms a gripping means. The term "jaw" is used throughout this disclosure and claims to include all gripping surfaces. The arcuate slot can be provided in the handle portion or, in other embodiments, in the third piece. Conversely, a vertical slot can be provided in one of the handle pieces. In a preferred embodiment, this third piece has an axle hole under the jaw, and below (or above) this axle hole there is an upright or vertically arranged slot. "Vertically arranged"
throughout this disclosure and the claims refers to an upright slot that varies from exactly vertical to about 25° as measured from the direct center of the shaft bore. A locking pin passes through the slots in all three pieces and is movable across the slots when in use. Multiple slots can be used, allowing for the respective axial positioning of all slots (top, bottom, or side).

The arcuate slots of the first and second handle pieces are spiral in opposite directions (as shown in FIG. 3, discussed below), which is important to the invention. When the first and second handle pieces are stacked adjacent to each other (or alternatively stacked together with a third individual piece or jaw piece), the spiral slots overlap each other to form a diamond-shaped opening. A locking pin passes through this diamond-shaped opening. When the handle pieces rotate relative to each other, the walls of the slot push against the pin by contacting it on two adjacent sides of one of the four diamond-shaped corners. Applying squeezing pressure to the two handles together with the resisting force acting on the pin will cause the locking pin to move or tilt since the pin is not supported at the other end of the stacked pieces. When the locking pin is tilted, it locks the jaws together to securely hold the object between the jaws. At all times, the locking pin movably extends through the first and second handle pieces and the third jaw piece. To release an object locked between the jaws, the user pulls apart the handle pieces to straighten the pin, thereby releasing the lock and freeing the object. In use, when the arcuate slots of the first and second handle pieces intersect each other, they form an X-shaped configuration with each other, thereby forming a diamond-shaped opening at their point of overlap or intersection. In use, the locking pin moves in an arcuate trajectory within the slot in the handle, while it advances in an up-and-down motion within the slot in the jaw piece. When the handle parts are pushed together, the locking pin advances into the slot in the jaw pieces towards the axle pin. The locking pin locks both radially and rotationally. All three piece slots should have a width dimension slightly larger than the diameter of the locking pin to allow free movement of the locking pin therein. Although the preferred embodiment of the invention includes one slot in each of the three pieces, two or more slots in each piece will work equally well. However, whether the first and second handle pieces have one or more arcuate slots, they are provided in a spiral shape in the opposite direction to the corresponding slots in the adjacent handle pieces. This is very important. These slots can be used if necessary (Fig.
It can be concave or convex (as shown in FIG. 6). Each of these corresponding slots must form an X-shaped pattern when crossed to form a diamond-shaped opening common to both slots. The slot in the jaw piece is substantially vertical and aligned with each of the plurality of slots in the handle piece. The locking pin is substantially horizontal when the locking tool is in the unlocked condition, but tilts horizontally toward at least one side of each slot or the diamond-shaped wall when in the locked condition, and is substantially horizontal when the locking tool is in the unlocked condition. To point to one corner of a hole or opening. This produces the locking effect of the invention.

Each of the three pieces can be provided with one slot or a plurality of slots, but each piece must have at least one slot, at least one pivot pin and at least one locking pin. It is also possible, if desired, to provide a substantially vertical slot in one handle piece and an arcuate slot in another handle piece and a third individual piece.

Regardless of whether the handle pieces are rotated relative to the pin or the pin is pushed outwardly relative to the pieces, the pin will tilt when a disturbance occurs. Since there is nothing to hold the locking pin parallel to the axle pin, any external force on the pin from rotation of the handle piece or any interference with the pin's movement will cause the pin to move in the direction of the force on the pin. It starts to lean.

Tilt occurs when the pin slides down the nearest upper or lower slot wall. The pin will try to fall into this nearest slot. The pin continues to lower until the opposite end of the pin hits the opposite two adjacent sides of the diamond-shaped hole. The opposite end of the pin then tries to rise into its nearest slot (towards the original force in the opposite direction). Once the edges of these slots are contacted, swirling begins. The points that are actually connected along all four diamond walls are such that they are exactly balanced or cancel each other out. The force of the pin toward one corner is
It is equal to the opposite reaction acting in the opposite direction on the other end of the pin from the opposite diamond corner.

[0023] The locking pin remains parallel to the shaft pin.
However, when external pressure is applied to this locking pin, it is pushed toward one of the four corners that touch the two adjacent sides of the diamond-shaped hole. This causes the handle pieces to begin to rotate in opposite directions as the pin advances along the wall of the slot. Usually (and especially for pins with a diameter much smaller than the slot width) the opposite corner of the diamond-shaped hole with its two adjacent sides is completely unaffected. These two walls rotate together with two walls that normally do not even make contact with the pin.

As the pin becomes tilted, it still moves toward the corner against its two adjacent walls, but now the tilt of the pin causes the opposite end of the pin to contact the other adjacent wall. I will do it. When the pin is pushed further from the outside, the handle piece begins to rotate. The opposite corner and its two walls now have no room or clearance to rotate and slide around the pin. The wall is obstructed by the diameter of the pin which is beveled and contacts said pin before and after its circumference. The pin is held in place by a blocking force in one direction and by opposing walls (on each of the two plates) in the other direction. Another force would only tend to tip the pin, causing the opposite two adjacent walls to further impede open rotation.

In the second embodiment, all three pieces have shaft holes through which they are connected to the other two pieces. A pin or other suitable means passes through the three holes and closes at each end to movably secure the pin in place. All three pieces rotate around a pin that serves as the pivot point for the locking tool. The axle hole and axle pin can be provided in one plane above or below the slot, as described below. The first and second handle pieces have jaw portions at their upper ends opposite the handle gripping portions of the individual pieces. There is an axle hole under the jaw portion of the handle piece, and an arcuate slot below (or above) the axle hole on the first handle piece. The second handle piece has a jaw portion at its upper portion and an axial hole below the jaw portion. A vertically disposed slot is provided below the jaw portion of the second handle piece. This second handle piece, which has a vertically disposed slot, is sandwiched between the first handle piece and the third or remaining piece when the tool is assembled. The third or remaining piece has a short handle with an arcuate slot spiraling in the same direction as the arcuate slot of the first handle piece. The term "jaw" is intended to include all gripping surfaces throughout this disclosure and claims. The arcuate slots can be of any size as long as they spiral in the same direction and are of approximately the same size and configuration, ie, arcuate radius, etc.

In a preferred embodiment, the locking tool comprises at least three movably connected pieces: a first handle piece, a second handle piece and at least one third piece. The first handle piece has an upper jaw portion with an axle hole below the jaw portion and at least one arcuate slot located at a point below the axle hole. The second handle piece includes an upper jaw portion with an axle hole below the jaw portion and at least one vertically disposed slot below the axle hole. The third piece has a shaft hole and at least one arcuate slot below the shaft hole. Segment 4 is typically held in alignment with segment 2 by supporting handles 34 and 12 together as shown later in the figures. The arcuate slots of the first handle piece and the third piece are approximately the same size, and the first handle piece, the second handle piece, and the third piece are connected to the lock. When assembled into a tool, they form a spiral shape in the same direction. The jaw portions of said first and second handle pieces are complementary jaw portions which together form a gripping means. A locking pin is provided through each of the arcuate slots and the vertically oriented slots.

The arcuate slots of the first handle piece and the third piece are spiral in the same direction, which is important for the second embodiment of the invention. 1st and 2nd
When the handle pieces are stacked and assembled together with the remaining third piece, the spirals are of approximately the same size, the spirals in the same direction have substantially the same arc radius, and their configurations are substantially the same. be. The slots must be aligned such that the locking pin can fit through the vertically disposed slot opening of the second handle piece, at least in that portion of the second handle piece. A locking pin extends through the three piece slot and through this opening. As the handle pieces rotate around each other, the walls of the slot push against the pin by connecting it with two adjacent sides of each arcuate slot. When the third piece is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction in which the second piece is pressed against the first piece, the arcuate slots become misaligned. This misalignment causes the locking pin to move and tilt because the pin is not supported at the other end of the stacked pieces. When the locking pin is tilted, it locks the jaws and securely holds the object between the jaws. At all times, the locking pin passes through three slots in the first and second handle pieces and the third individual piece. To release an object locked between the jaws, the user rotates the third piece relative to the first piece until the arcuate slots are aligned with each other, and then removes the pin. Straighten it, thereby releasing the lock, and the object will be free. In use, the locking pin advances in an arcuate motion within the arcuate slot, but travels up and down in the vertically disposed slot. When the handle parts are pushed together, the locking pin advances up the vertically disposed slot toward the axle pin. The locking pin locks both radially and rotationally. All three individual slots should have a width dimension slightly larger than the diameter of the locking pin so that the locking pin can move freely therein. Although the preferred embodiment of the invention includes one slot in each of the three pieces, more than two slots in each piece will work equally well. However, it is important that the arcuate slots of the first handle piece and the third piece, whether one or several, are spirally arranged in the same direction. These arcuate slots can be concave or convex if desired. The slot or slots in the second handle piece are arranged substantially vertically and aligned with each of the slots in the other two pieces. The locking pin is substantially horizontal when the locking tool is in the unlocking mode, but is tilted from horizontal relative to at least one side of each arcuate slot when the locking tool is in the locking mode. This produces the locking effect of the invention.

Each of the three pieces can be provided with one slot or a plurality of slots, but each piece must have at least one slot, at least one pivot pin and at least one locking pin.

Whether the handle piece is rotated relative to the pin or the pin is pushed outwardly relative to the individual pieces, the pin will tilt if a disturbance occurs. Since there is nothing holding the locking pin parallel to the axle pin, the locking pin will begin to tilt in the direction of the force on the pin from rotation of the handle piece, whether it is an external force applied to it or an obstruction to its movement. . As the pin slides down the nearest upper or lower slot wall, a tilt is created and the pin tends to fall into this nearest slot. The pin continues to fall until the opposite end of the pin hits the opposite two adjacent sides of the diamond hole. The opposite end of the pin then tries to rise (towards the original force in the opposite direction) into its nearest slot. Pivoting begins when the pins contact the edges of these slots. The points of actual contact along the slot walls are such that they closely balance or cancel each other out. The force of a pin on one wall is equal to the opposite force acting in the opposite direction at the opposite end of the pin on the opposite wall.

Although the locking pin remains parallel to the axis, the pin is pushed towards one of the walls on at least two adjacent sides of the slot when an external force is applied. This causes the handle pieces to begin rotating in opposite directions as the pin advances along the wall of the slot. These two walls rotate together with two walls that normally do not even touch the pin.

[0031] Once the pin begins to tilt, the pin can still proceed toward the corner against its two adjacent walls, but now the tilt of the pin causes the opposite end of the pin to contact the opposite adjacent wall. . When the pin is pushed further from the outside, the handle piece begins to rotate. The opposite corner and its two walls now have no room or clearance to rotate and slide around the pin. The wall is in an inclined shape and is obstructed by the diameter of the pin that connects it around and behind the pin. The pins are held in place by the blocking force in one direction and by the opposing walls (on each of the two plates) in the other direction. Other forces only tend to tilt the pin and cause the two adjacent walls to further impede release rotation.

Rather than using one slot in each handle piece (as shown in the figures), the tool of the present invention uses multiple arcuate slots, such as multiple arcuate slots as shown in Figures 5-6 of this application. slots can be used. These arcuate slots are arranged around the shaft hole, and several locking pins run within these arcuate slots. This or other suitable configurations may be utilized using the rotational and radial enhancement concepts of the present invention.

The tool of the invention can be used in hand tools such as pliers or wrenches, or in vises, other gripping devices, hinge devices with fixed positions, and actuated clutches or locking devices depending on the relative rotational speed of the plates. It can be used as

The disclosed disclosure describes locking as occurring when the pin tilts toward one of the four corners created when the first and second plates with curved slots overlap. FIGS. 4A and 4B only show these two plates and pins in motion performing the locking action. When describing the socket and its operation, it appears that the third plate is working in a rotating pliers action. The rotational and radial situations are independent of each other (jaws are unnecessary). In the radial movement, the slot in the plate 3 is only a guide, but the pin as a wedge produces and maintains the locking action. This locking action can be described as an outward/inward run-up inside the radial slot of the plate 3. Since both features (wedge and slot) are primarily radial, the slot can only possibly serve to maintain radial stability of the pin. The size of the pin and the thickness of the curved slot and the stability of the inserted object or force are such that this radial stability itself can be maintained, making an actual slot in the plate unnecessary in a socket lock. can. The wedge acts with a radial locking action as the third plate does with a rotational movement and can be used in place of the third plate in the device of the invention.

[0035]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a locking tool 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention in its assembled state. The tool 1 in this embodiment has three main component pieces: a first handle piece 2;
, a second handle piece 3, and a jaw piece (third individual piece) 4. The first handle piece 2 has a jaw 5 on its top and a shaft hole 6 (see FIG. 2) below the jaw 5. Below the shaft hole 6 of the first handle piece 2 there is a first slot 7 in which a locking pin 8 moves. The locking pin 8 is provided through and moves in a slot 9 of the second handle piece 3 and a slot 10 arranged perpendicularly to the jaw piece 4 . The locking pin 8 is attached to the handle piece 2,
3 as the handles move together or as they are pushed apart. When an object is placed between the jaws 5 and 11 and the handles 12 and 13 are squeezed together, the locking pin 8 moves in an arcuate trajectory in the slots 7 and 9 and in the vertical slot 10. Move up and down. As the jaws 5, 11 close to grip an object and closing pressure is applied to the handles 12, 13, the locking pin 8 tilts from its original horizontal position and pushes the wedge up against the walls of the slots 7, 9;
This locks the jaws 5, 11 in place. The slots 7, 9 intersect or overlap each other in an X-shape (Fig.
) and a diamond-shaped aperture 14 (of FIG. 3) is formed. The locking pin 8 is forced into the wall of this diamond-shaped opening 14 at some point along its length, and the pin 8 then locks in its position. The shaft pin 15 becomes the center point around which the individual pieces 2, 3, 4 rotate when all of them are used. The axle pin 15 is installed substantially horizontally through all three pieces 2, 3, 4 through their respective holes 7, 9, 10. When the locking pin 8 is in its normal state (unlocked), the pin 8 is substantially parallel to the horizontally arranged axial pin 15. When the locking pin 8 is pressed against the walls of the slots 7, 9 in the locking pin position, it tilts away from its parallel position with the axle pin 15. Either the individual pieces 2 and 3 rotate relative to the locking pin 8 via the shaft pin 15, or the locking pin 8 is inserted into the individual pieces 2 and 3 from the outside.
Regardless of whether it is pushed by the locking pin 8, the locking pin 8 will tilt when locked. Since there is nothing to hold the pin 8 parallel to the locking pin 15, whether an external force is applied to the pin 8 from the rotation of the pieces 2, 3 or an obstruction to the movement of the pin 8, the pin 8 begins to tilt in the direction of the force applied to it. When the pin 8 is tilted, it slides down the wall of the nearest upper or lower slot 7,9. The pin 8 continues to fall until the opposite end of the pin 8 hits the opposite two adjacent sides of the diamond-shaped opening 14 (see FIG. 3). The opposite end of pin 8 then rises (toward the original force in the opposite direction) into its nearest slot. When the pin 8 contacts the edges of these slots 7, 8, the pivoting or tilting of the pin 8 begins. The force of the pin 8 towards one corner of the diamond-shaped aperture 14 is equal to the opposite reaction force acting in the opposite direction on the opposite end of the pin at the opposite corner of the diamond-shaped opening 14.

FIG. 2 shows the three component pieces 2 and 3 of the lock tool 1.
, 4 are shown. The first handle piece 2 has a jaw 5 at its upper end and a handle 12 at its opposite end. There is a shaft hole 6 under the jaw portion 5, and a shaft pin 15 passes through this shaft hole 6 when the tool 1 is assembled. An arcuate slot 7 is provided below the shaft hole 6, and a locking pin 8 passes through this slot 7 when the tool 1 is assembled. slot 7
is slightly larger than the diameter of locking pin 8 (locking pin 8
(enough to allow the objects to move freely within it)
.

According to the present invention, the slot 7 can be replaced with another piece 3.
. The jaws 5 form a grip when moved towards the mating jaws 11. Second handle piece 3
has a shaft hole 16 in its upper part, and the pin 15 is connected to the individual pieces 2 and 3.
, 4, when passing through the respective shaft holes 6, 16, 17, the shaft pin 15 is received. Beneath the hole 16 in the piece 3 is an arcuate slot 9 which intersects the slot 7 in a criss-cross pattern when stacked and assembled. Parts 2, 3, 4 can be stacked in any order as long as the desired locking effect is achieved. The third individual piece, that is, the jaw piece 4, is provided with a jaw part 11, and the jaw part 5 of the first handle piece 2 is provided with a jaw part 11.
Together, they form a biting part or a gripping part. Chin part 1
A shaft hole 17 is provided below 1, and concentric holes 6, 16
and accepts pin 15. Below the axial bore 17 there is a slot 10 arranged substantially vertically (when assembled as in FIG. 1) for receiving the locking pin 8 together with the slots 7,9. When we use the terms "substantially vertically disposed" or "vertically disposed" throughout this relationship, we mean that the axis of slot 10 is zero from a vertical line of fall drawn perpendicularly from the center of hole 17. ~25°C away. The slot 10 in FIG.
It is drawn at an angle of 4°. Although the pins 8, 15 are shown as having umbrella-shaped ends, as long as the pins are free to move within the slots 7, 9, 10 (when locking),
Or as long as it can work properly as the shaft pin 8,
Any type of bolt, screw, rod, or similar may be used.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded plan view of the individual pieces 2, 3, and 4. What is shown in FIG. 3 is an X-shaped pattern formed by slots 7 and 9 criss-crossing to form a diamond-shaped opening 14. It is through this diamond-shaped opening 14 that the locking pin 8 presses in when the jaws 5, 11 are tightened against the object to be held. When the handle parts 12, 13 are pressed together, the jaws 5, 11 are pressed against the object to be held, and the force exerted thereon causes the pin 8 to tilt against the wall 14,
Lock the jaws 5, 11 in place. To release the locking effect, the locking pin 8 is released from its locked state against the wall of the diamond-shaped opening 14 by straightening the pin by spreading the handle parts 12, 13 apart from each other.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the locking pin 8 in the unlocked position parallel to the shaft pin 15 in FIG. 4A. Initially, handle piece 2 is shown stacked against handle piece 3, with slots 7, 9 substantially perfectly aligned. The locking pin 8 is free to move within the slots 7, 9 until locking pressure is applied to the handle parts 12, 13, when the locking pin 8 is applied to the handle parts 12, 13. Out of parallel slot 7,
9 (or diamond-shaped opening 14), the first and second
Both handle pieces 2 and 3 are held in the locked position as shown in FIG. 4(B). Although the axle pin 15 remains substantially in place throughout the locking and unlocking process, the locking pin 8 moves out of parallel when locked.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show other configurations of the locking tool. Rather than using one slot in each handle piece as shown in previous figures, multiple slots, such as slot 18, may be used in the first handle piece 19 of FIG. 5A. can. These slots 18 are arranged around the axial bore 20 and four separate locking pins can be moved within the slots 18.

As shown in FIG. 5B, since the mating slot 21 is installed in the second handle piece 22, each slot 21 crosses its corresponding adjacent slot 18 (FIG. (as shown in FIG. 1). These slots 21 are also arranged around the shaft hole 23. The third piece 24 (as shown in FIG. 5C)
It is provided with a vertical slot 25 which works in the same way as the vertical slot 10 shown in the previous figure. Similarly, each piece 24 is provided with a shaft hole 26 at its center which aligns with the holes 20 and 23 when the tool is assembled. The shaft pin passes through each hole 20, 23, 26.

In this embodiment, the jaws 27, 28 can be used with the central grip 29, or the central grip 29 can be used without the jaws 27, 28. In the embodiment using the center gripping part 29, (D) of FIG.
The movable wedge 30 is connected to the shaft pin 3 as shown in FIG. 6(B).
move towards or away from 1. these wedges 30
are connected to the locking pin 32 and move inwardly (towards the axle pin 31) during a locking movement and outwardly (away from the axle pin 31) during a releasing or unlocking movement. The wedge 30 moves through a gap formed by a wedge block or guide 33. The article or object to be locked is thus held in the central grip 29 by the wedge 30 which is locked in place. In FIG. 6(B),
Components 19, 22 of (A), (B), and (C) in FIG.
24 is connected by an axle pin 31 to four separate locking pins 32, both located in slots 18, 21, 25, also shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C. The object to be locked in place can be placed between the jaws 2728 or placed in the central grip 29. When placed in the central grip 29, the tool acts like a socket. The wedges 30 use the radial features of the locking slope (described above in connection with FIG. 4) to form a socket-like feature that allows the four wedges 30 to be pushed into an object placed in the grip 29. . In this mode all locking pins 32 act primarily outward. In (A) and (B) of FIG.
4 respective slots 18, 21, 25 and 4 wedges 30
Although shown, any number of slots or wedges may be used as desired. As used in the claims and throughout the disclosure, the term "wedge" includes structures in which the pin acts as a wedge.

In FIG. 6A, the jaws or gripping means 2
The side view of the tool showing 7 and 28 is the wedge block guide 3.
3 and wedge 30. A first handle piece 19 and a second handle piece 22 are shown extending outwardly from the grip and wedge 30.

As mentioned above, although the figures show locking tools having one or four slots, any suitable number of slots, locking pins, or wedges may be used as desired.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the invention in which one handle piece 35 is provided with a vertically disposed slot 36 and a third piece 37 is provided with an arcuate slot 38. The two handle pieces 35, 34 are also provided with jaws 39, 40 for holding and locking the article in place. that there are at least three pieces movably connected by pivot pins, that there are at least two arc-shaped slots such as slots 38, 41, which slots 38, 41 (indicated by 14 in FIG. 3); spirals in different directions to form an X-shaped pattern; at least one piece (here the handle 35) is provided with a vertically disposed slot; It is important to the invention that the slots must be aligned so that the locking pin and axle pin can movably hold all the pieces together. The locking pin must be capable of deflecting or deforming to produce a locking action against the plane of the diamond-shaped opening, as shown in Figures 3 and 4 (A) and (B). . The embodiment of FIG. 7 is an alternative to the first preferred embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 8 shows a locking tool 4 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
2 is shown in its assembled state. The tool 42 in this embodiment has three main component parts: a first handle piece 43, a second handle piece 44, and a third piece 4.
It is equipped with 5. As mentioned above, one or more wedges can be used in place of the third piece. The first handle piece 43 has a jaw 46 at its upper portion and a shaft hole 47 below the jaw 46 (see FIG. 9A). "Bottom" means that when the piece 43 is held vertically, there is a jaw 46 at the top and a hole 47 at the "bottom". Below the axial hole 47 of the first handle 43 is a first arcuate slot 48 through which a locking pin 49 passes and moves. The locking pin 49 also connects the second handle piece 44 (
The vertically disposed slot 50 and the third
It passes through the arc-shaped slot 51 of the individual piece 45 (FIG. 9(C)) and moves therein. Locking pin 49 ((D) in Figure 9)
) moves as a handle when the handle pieces 43, 44 move together or are pushed apart. When an object is placed between the jaws 46,52 and the handles 53,54 are squeezed together, the locking pin 49 runs or moves in an arc through the slots 48,51 and moves up or down in the vertical slot 50. . When jaws 46,52 close to grip an object and closing pressure is applied to handles 53,54, plate 45 rotates about handle 43 toward handle 54. This tilts the locking pin 49 from its original horizontal position and forces it up or down against the wall of the slot 48 and/or 51 overlapping the slot 50, thereby causing the jaws 46, 52 to move into position. be locked. When similar spirally shaped slots 48 and 51 overlap and move relative to each other (see FIG. 10), they form an opening. Locking pin 49 is forced against the wall of this opening 55 at a point along its length when locking it in place. Axial pin 56 provides a central point around which all of the pieces 43, 44, 45 rotate during use. The shaft pin 56 is 3
The two pieces 43, 44, 45 are penetrated through holes 47, 57, 58, respectively, and arranged substantially horizontally. When the locking pin 49 is in its normal state (unlocked), the locking pin 49 is substantially parallel to the horizontally disposed axle pin 56. The locking pin 49 is in the locking position in the slot 4.
When pressed against the walls of 8,51, the pin 49 tilts out of its parallel position with the axle pin 56. Piece 43,
When locking occurs, the locking pin 49 tilts, regardless of whether the locking pin 44 rotates relative to the locking pin 49 via the shaft pin 56 or whether the pin 49 is pushed against the pieces 43, 44 from the outside. Since there is nothing to hold the pin 49 parallel to the shaft pin 56, the pin 49 will not be able to resist the individual pieces 43,
44 begins to tilt in the direction of the force applied to the pin 49. When the pin 49 is tilted, it slides down the wall of the nearest upper or lower slot 48,51. Pin 49 continues to fall until its opposite end hits two opposite adjacent sides of opening 55 (see FIG. 10). The opposite end of pin 49 is in its nearest slot (towards the original force in the opposite direction)
Tends to stand up. Pins 49 are connected to these slots 48.
, 51, the pin 49 begins to pivot or tilt. The force directed toward one corner of the aperture 55
5 is equal to the opposite reaction force acting in the opposite direction at the opposite end of the pin.

FIG. 9 shows three component parts 43, 44, 45 of the locking tool 42, and the individual pieces 43 are shown in FIG.
(A), the individual piece 44 is shown in (B) of FIG. 9, and the individual piece 45 is shown in (B) of FIG.
is shown in FIG. 9(C). The first handle piece 43 has a jaw portion 46 at its upper end and a handle portion 53 at its opposite end. Beneath the jaw 46 is an axle hole 47 through which an axle pin 56 passes when the tool 42 is assembled. An arcuate slot 48 is provided below the shaft hole 47, into which the locking pin 4 is inserted when the tool 42 is assembled.
9 penetrates. The width of slot 48 is slightly larger than the diameter of pin 49 (enough to allow pin 49 to move freely therein). For the second embodiment of the present invention, when the arcuate slot 48 is assembled and stacked on the first handle piece 43 with the other two pieces 44 and 45, the slot 48 is connected to the slot 51 of the third piece 45. It is important that they are arranged in the same spiral or arc in the same direction. When moved relative to or in conjunction with slots 48 and/or 51, slot 50 forms an opening 55 as shown in FIG. The jaws 46 form a grip when moved towards the mating jaws 52 of the second handle piece 44. At the upper part of the second handle piece 44, there is a shaft hole 57 in which the pin 56 passes through the shaft holes 47, 57, 58 of the individual pieces 43, 44, respectively, and receives the shaft pin 56. Piece 44
Locking pin 49 with slots 48 and 51 under hole 57 of
There is a substantially vertically disposed slot 50 (when assembled as in FIG. 8) for receiving the. When the terms "substantially vertically disposed" or "vertically disposed" are used throughout this disclosure, this means that the axis of slot 50 is
It means that it is 0 to 25 degrees away from the vertical line of descent drawn perpendicularly from the center of 7. The slot 50 in FIG.
is drawn at an angle of about 14° from the pure vertical from the center of . The pins 49, 56 are shown umbrella-shaped at their ends, but insofar as they can move freely in the slots 48, 50, and 51 (as locking pins) or stably as pivot pins 49. , any type of bolt, machine screw, rod or similar may be used. Parts 43, 44, 4 as long as the desired locking effect is achieved.
5 can be in any stacking order. The third piece 45 is provided with an arcuate slot 51 which forms an opening 55 when moved relative to the slot 48 of the first handle piece 43 . An axial hole 58 is provided above the slot 51 for receiving and accommodating the pin 56 together with the concentric holes 47 and 57. The piece 45 handles itself 60, 53
Although it has a small handle portion 60 that is used to hold the piece 43 in alignment by holding it together, an external or separate switch could also be used.

FIG. 10 shows an exploded plan view of the individual pieces 43, 44, and 45. Shown in FIG. 10 is an aperture or pattern 55 formed by arcuate slots 48 and slots 50. When the locking pin 49 tightens the jaws 46 to 52 against the object to be held and the pieces 45 are slightly rotated,
It is through this opening 55 that it is pushed. To release the locking effect, rotate the individual piece 45 back to the position where the slots 48 and 51 are aligned, and the locking pin 49 will move into the opening 59.
released from its locked mode against the wall. FIG. 11 shows a side schematic view (FIG. 11A) showing locking pin 49 in an unlocked position parallel to axle pin 56. The first handle piece 43 is shown stacked against the third piece 45, with the slots 48, 51 substantially perfectly aligned. The locking pin 49 applies locking pressure to the handle portion 53 due to the rotation of the individual piece 45 around the individual piece 43.
It is free to move within the slots 48, 51, 50 until pressure is applied to the slots 48, 51 (opening 55), at which point the locking pin 49 is moved out of parallel and
), both the first and second handle pieces 43,
44 is held in the locked position shown in FIG. 11(B). Axial pin 56 remains substantially in place throughout the locking and unlocking process, but locking pin 49 moves out of parallel when locked.

As mentioned above, although the figures show locking tools having one or four slots, any suitable number of slots, locking pins or wedges may be used as desired.

A locking tool having a plurality of arcuate slots and vertically disposed slots can be used with the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the tool described above and shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 in the first embodiment of the invention. The arcuate slots of the first embodiment spiral in opposite directions, while the arcuate slots of the second embodiment of the invention spiral in the same direction. Accordingly, the same tool as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 using arcuate slots spiraling in the same direction is incorporated by reference into this disclosure and is used in a second embodiment of the present invention. include.

While the preferred and best embodiments of the invention have been described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings that illustrate the principles underlying the invention, various modifications and variations may depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should be understood that it can be done without doing anything.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the locking tool of the present invention when assembled.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the main components of a locking tool according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a plan view of the first handle piece, and (B) is a top view of the first handle piece; (C) of the same figure is a plan view of the second handle piece, (D) of the same figure is a front view of the locking pin, and (e) of the same figure is a front view of the shaft pin. be.

3 is an exploded plan view showing the interaction of the slots in the handle piece of the locking tool shown in FIG. 1, showing the X configuration and the diamond-shaped opening; FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the posture of the locking pin and the shaft pin, where (A) in the figure shows the posture of the locking pin in a normal state, and (B) in the same figure shows the posture of the locking pin in a locked state. It is a schematic side view which shows the attitude|position of a stop pin.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention having a plurality of slots and locking pins, in which (A) is a plan view of the first handle piece and (B) is a top view of the first handle piece; (C) is a plan view of the second handle piece, and (C) is a plan view of the third handle piece.
D) is a plan view of the wedge.

6 is a diagram showing the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, in which (A) in the same figure is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part, and (B) in the same figure is a plan view when the component parts are assembled. .

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing disassembled components of another embodiment of the locking tool of the present invention, in which (A) is a plan view of the first handle piece, and (B) is a top view of the first handle piece; A plan view of the third individual piece, and (C) of the same figure is a plan view of the second handle piece.

8 is a plan view of a locking tool assembled with the components of FIG. 7; FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the main components of a locking tool according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a plan view of the first handle piece, and (B) is a top view of the first handle piece; A plan view of the second handle piece, (C) in the same figure is a plan view of the third individual piece, (
D) is a front view of the locking pin, and (E) of the same figure is a front view of the shaft pin.

10 is an exploded plan view showing the interaction of the slots of the handle piece of the present invention shown in FIG. 9, showing a similar spiral shape of the arcuate slot; FIG.

11 is a diagram showing the posture of the locking pin of the locking tool in FIGS. 9 and 10, in which (A) in the same figure shows the posture of the locking pin in a normal state, and (B) in the same figure; ) is a schematic side view showing the posture of the locking pin in the locked state.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Locking tool 2, 3 Handle piece 4. Chin piece 5,11 Jaw part 6, 16, 17 Shaft hole 7, 9, 10 slots 8 Lock pin 12,13 Handle 14 Diamond-shaped opening 15 Axis pin 16 Shaft hole 17 Shaft hole 18 slots 19 Handle piece 20 Shaft hole 21 Slot 22 Handle piece 23 Shaft hole 24 pieces 25 slots 26 Shaft hole 27, 28 Chin 29 Center grip part 30 Wedge 31 Axis pin 32 Lock pin 33 Block guide 34, 35 Handle piece 36 slots 37 pieces 38 slots 39,40 Chin 41 Slot 42 Locking tool 43,44 Handle piece 45 pieces 46 Chin part 47 Shaft hole 48 slots 49 Lock pin 50, 51 slot 52 Chin part 53, 54 Handle 55 Opening 56 Axis pin 57, 58 Shaft hole

Claims (31)

[Claims] Claim 1: A locking tool comprising a combination of at least three individual pieces consisting of a first handle piece, a second handle piece, and a third piece, each of these three pieces axial bores movably connected to each other and substantially aligned with each other, at least two of said three pieces each having at least one axial bore disposed adjacent to said axial bore;
the at least one remaining piece has at least one vertically disposed slot (third slot) adjacent to its shaft hole; wherein said arcuate slot spirals in an opposite direction from at least one other arcuate slot in a different adjacent piece and further moves into each said arcuate slot and said vertically disposed slot; locking means for movably connecting the at least three individual pieces; and means for locking the first handle piece and the second handle piece in a predetermined position. A locking tool. 2. A locking tool according to claim 1, wherein the third piece and the at least one handle piece are provided with jaw pieces forming gripping means. 3. The locking tool of claim 1, wherein the first and second slots are arranged in relation to each other to form an X-shaped pattern when superimposed. 4. One slot in the first handle piece, one slot in the second handle piece, and one slot in the third piece.
The locking tool described in . 5. At least two slots in the first
at least two slots in said second handle piece.
2. A locking tool as claimed in claim 1, including at least two slots in the handle piece and at least two slots in the third piece. 6. The locking tool of claim 1, wherein the third slot is disposed substantially perpendicular to the first and second slots when the locking tool is assembled. . 7. The locking tool of claim 1, wherein said first and second handle pieces include jaws forming gripping surfaces. 8. The first, second, and third slots are provided below the shaft holes of each of the first handle piece, the second handle piece, and the jaw piece. A locking tool according to claim 1. 9. The width of the first, second and third slots is slightly larger than the diameter of the locking means.
The locking tool described in . 10. The tool comprises a plurality of first, second and third slots, a plurality of locking means within the slots, a movable wedge attached to the locking means, and a movable wedge between the movable wedges. A locking tool according to claim 1, further comprising a gripping portion. 11. A locking tool comprising at least three movably connected pieces, a first handle piece, a second handle piece, and at least one jaw piece, the locking tool comprising:
The second handle piece has a shaft hole and at least one arcuate slot (first slot) provided at a point below the shaft hole, and the first handle piece has an upper jaw portion and a first slot. a shaft hole under the jaw portion and at least one arcuate slot (second slot) under the shaft hole, the first slot and the second slot being connected to the first handle piece; and said second handle piece has a reflective spiral shape when assembled as said locking tool, said jaw piece cooperating with a second jaw portion of said first handle piece to provide gripping means. a complementary jaw portion forming a first handle portion, the jaw portion having a shaft hole and at least one vertically disposed slot below the shaft hole; an axle pin connecting a second handle piece and a jaw piece through the axle hole; and a locking pin installed through each of the first, second and third slots. Locking tool. 12. The locking tool of claim 11, wherein the first and second slots are arranged in relation to each other to form an X-shaped pattern when superimposed. 13. One slot in the first handle piece, one slot in the second handle piece, and one slot in the jaw piece.
1. The locking tool according to item 1. 14. At least two slots in the first handle piece, at least two slots in the second handle piece, and at least two slots in the jaw piece. locking tool. 15. The locking tool of claim 11, wherein the third slot is disposed substantially perpendicular to the first and second slots when the locking tool is assembled. 16. The width of the first, second and third slots is slightly larger than the diameter of the locking means.
1. The locking tool according to item 1. 17. A locking tool comprising a combination of at least three pieces, each of which is a first handle piece, a second handle piece, and a third piece. at least two of the three pieces are movably connected to each other and have axial holes substantially aligned with each other;
each piece has at least one arcuate slot adjacent to said axial hole, and at least one remaining piece has at least one vertically disposed slot adjacent to said axial hole. , wherein the arcuate slot is spirally shaped in the same direction from at least one other arcuate slot in a different piece and is further movable into each of the arcuate slots and the vertically disposed slot. and locking means for movably connecting the at least three individual pieces, and means for locking the first handle piece and the second handle piece in predetermined positions. A locking tool. 18. A locking tool according to claim 17, wherein at least two of the at least three pieces are provided with jaw portions forming gripping means. 19. The remaining pieces having at least one vertically disposed slot are sandwiched between the pieces having arcuate slots. Locking tool as described. 20. At least one arcuate slot in the first handle piece, at least one vertically disposed slot in the second handle piece, and at least one arcuate slot in the third handle piece. 18. The locking tool according to claim 17, wherein the locking tool is provided in each individual piece. 21. At least two slots in the first handle piece, at least two slots in the second handle piece, and at least two slots in the third piece. The locking tool described in . 22. The locking tool of claim 17, wherein the vertically disposed slot is disposed substantially perpendicular to the arcuate slot when the locking tool is assembled. 23. A locking tool comprising at least three movably connected pieces, a first handle piece, a second handle piece, and at least one third piece, the locking tool comprising: a first handle piece, a second handle piece, and at least one third piece; The second handle piece includes an upper jaw portion, an axle hole below the jaw portion, and at least one arcuate slot provided at a point below the axle hole; an axial hole under the jaw portion and at least one vertically disposed slot below the axial hole;
The third piece has a shaft hole and at least one arcuate slot under the shaft hole, and the slot of the second handle piece and the third piece is connected to the first handle piece,
When the second handle piece and the third individual piece are assembled into the locking tool, they form a spiral shape in the same direction,
The jaw portions of the first and second handle pieces include complementary jaw portions that cooperate to form a gripping means and further include a locking pin disposed through the arcuate slot and the vertically disposed slot. A locking tool comprising: 24. The second handle piece comprising at least one vertically disposed slot is connected to the first handle piece.
24. The locking tool according to claim 23, wherein the handle piece is sandwiched between the third individual piece. 25. The locking tool of claim 23, wherein the vertically disposed slot is disposed substantially perpendicular to the arcuate slot when the locking tool is assembled. 26. At least one arcuate slot in the first handle piece, at least one arcuate slot in the third piece, and at least one vertically disposed slot in the second handle piece. 24. The locking tool according to claim 23, wherein the locking tool is provided on a handle piece of. 27. At least two vertically disposed slots in the second handle piece, at least two arcuate slots in the first handle piece, and at least two arcuate slots in the third handle piece. 24. The locking tool according to claim 23, wherein the locking tool is provided in an individual piece of. 28. The locking tool of claim 23, wherein the first and second handle pieces include upper jaws forming gripping surfaces. 29. The arcuate slot and the vertically disposed slot are provided below the shaft hole of each of the first handle piece, the second handle piece, and the third individual piece. 24. The locking tool according to claim 23, wherein: 30. The locking tool of claim 23, wherein the width of said arcuate slot and vertically disposed slot is slightly greater than the diameter of said locking means. 31. The tool includes a plurality of arcuate slots and a vertically disposed slot, a plurality of locking means within the slots, a movable wedge attached to the locking means, and a movable wedge. 24. A locking tool as claimed in claim 23, including a gripping portion between the rusts.