US3132550A - Combination stretching and squeezing tool - Google Patents

Description

May 12, 1964 F. sloN 3,132,550

coMINATIoN STRETCHING AND sQuEEzING TOOL Filed Feb. 19, 1962 I5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. PQI-:DE RICK SION ANVR/V5' V May 12, 1964 F. SION COMBINATION STRETCHING AND SQUEEZING TOOL 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 19, 1962 INVENTOR.

.-AfR/VEV FREDERICK SION May 12, 1964 F. sloN 3,132,550

COMBINATION STRETCHING AND SQUEEZING TOOL Filed Feb. 19, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTO FR E DE RICK SI United States Patent O 3,132,550 CMIBINATION STRETCHHNG ANI) SQUIEFZHNG TUL Frederick Sion, M94 Marilyn Ceurt, Englewood, NJ. Filed Feb. i9, 19162, Ser. No. 174,036 2 Claims. (Cl. dI--d This invention relates generally to hand tools and more particularly to new and useful improvements in a convertible hand tool of the pliers type.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a hand tool of the pliers type that is adapted selectively either to pinch or squeeze a device for compressing the device or to spread or stretch a device for extending the device, during the operation of pressing the handles toward each other.

Another object of the invention is to provide a convertible hand tool ofthe pliers type having a pair of superimposed or juxtaposed annular disk-shaped bodies, pivotal relative to each other, provided with radial handles, one disk-shaped body having a pair of peripheral spaced sockets disposed to one side of the pivot point of the bodies between the handles and the other disk body having a pair of peripheral spaced sockets disposed to the other side of said pivot point of the disk bodies, to receive a pair of detachable jaw members in operative position for either squeezing a device or spreading or extending a device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a hand tool of the pliers type having a pair of superin1- posed or juxtaposed annular disk-shaped bodies, pivotal relative to each other, provided with radial handles, `and a pair of detachable jaw members so that one and the same pair of jaw members can be used for either squeezing a device for compressing the same or spreading or stretching a device for extending the same.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a hand tool of the pliers type with pairs of spaced sockets adapted to be brought to operative position interchangeably in order to receive a pair of detachable jaw members.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a convertible hand tool of the pliers type with a pair of detachable jaws adapted to be placed in operative position for either squeezing a device for compressing the same or stretching or spreading a device for extending the same, speedily and simply without the use of any additional tools as well as without the application of any considerable amount of skill, and which is so constructed that the jaw members are rmly and safely fastened to the handle members once they have been secured thereto so that they will not shake thereon and. so that they cannot be lost.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a convertible, multi-purpose hand tool of the pliers type that is light in weight, handy in use, and simple in construction so that it can be manufactured and sold inexpensively but which is also sturdj/,durable and well adapted to withstand the rough usage to which tools of this type ordinarily are subjected.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a convertible multi-purpose hand tool of the pliers type that is adapted to be converted into a screw driver capable of supporting screw driver bits of various constructions for operating on screws of different constructions.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure: j

FIG. 1 is a top perspective View of a hand tool of the ICC pliers type, embodying one form of my invention, the jaw members being shown in closed condition.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of one-half of the tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2A is a similar view of the other half.

FIG. 3 is a spread edge View of the parts shown in FIG. 2, the jaw members being shown in operative position on the handles.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a modilied form of hand tool with the handles and jaw members in closed condition, the handles and jaw members being shown open in dot-dash lines.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the hand tool of FIG. 4 with the jaw members converted into position for opening upon movement of the handles toward each other, as shown in dot-dash lines therein.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged top view of the top female diskshaped body showing a fragment of the handle, the sleeve being omitted.

FIG. 7 is a similar View of the bottom male disk-shaped body.

FIG. 8 is an end view of the disk-shaped bodies in superimposed relation.

FIG. 9 is a sectional View through the center of the parts shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on line Iil--Itl of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on line 11.-11 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a set of operating jaw members embodying a modied form of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line l3 13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a side elevational View of a set of operating jaws of modified form capable of use with the tool.

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of another modiiied form of the invention capable of use as a screw driver.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged View looking from the top thereof, the screw driver being omitted.

Referring in detail to the drawings, in FIG. 1 a metal hand tool of the pliers type embodying one form of the invention is shown and designated generally by the reference numeral 20. The pliers 20 comprises a pair of superimposed circular disk- shaped body portions 22 and 24 with radiating elongated handles 26 and 23, respectively. The handles 26 and `28 are thicker than the body portions providing curved shoulders 30 and 32, respectively, on the inner ends thereof to receive the peripheries of the adjacent body portions thereby positioning the handlesin the same plane as shown in FIG. l. The handles are slightly curved to space the outer ends thereof away from each other. The surface of the handles may be rubberized as indicated at 34 to provide better gripping surfaces and to insulate the handles for use in electrical work.

The female disk body 22 is formed with a central opening 36, and the male disk body 24 is formed with a central externally threaded plug 3S projecting from its inner surface. An internally screw-threaded connecting sleeve 40 extends through the opening 36 in female body 22 and is threaded over the plug 3S. The inner end of sleeve 40 is turned over as indicated at 42 to prevent complete withdrawal of the sleeve through the opening 36, and the inner surface of male disk body 24 is formed with an annular recess 44 around the base of the plug to accommodate the sleeve 40 and the turned over end 42 thereof. A knurled finger piece or knob 46 is formed on the outer protruding end of the sleeve 40 for manipulating the sleeve. An annular flange 43 is formed on the sleeve adjacent the knob 46 adapted to engage the outer surface of the disk body 22. By turning knob 46 in the proper direction, the disk body 22 is drawn into 3 contact with disk body 24 by means of the flange 48 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9.

In accordance with the present invention, in the periphery of female disk body 22 a pair of spaced sockets 5@ and 52 are formed. Socket Sti is disposed par( lel to the plane of and to one side of a median l-ine 53 running vertically through the opening 316, the left-hand side as viewed in FIG. 4, being disposed close to said line. Socket 52 is disposed on the other or right-hand side of said line 53 at an acute angle to the vertical and being farther removed irom the line.

A similar pair ot sockets 54 and 56 are formed in the periphery of male body portion 24. Socket S4 is disposed parallel to the plane of the median line S3 and close thereto, and socket 56 is disposed at an acute angle to the vertical and farther removed from the line. Line 53 constitutes the vertical pivotal line of the disk-shaped bodies 22 and Z4 as viewed in FIG. 4.

A pair of removable operating jaws 5S and 60 are provided for use with the disk body 24 and disk body 22, respectively. Each jaw has an elongated substantially triangular-shaped body portion 62 with a blunted apical pointed end 6d. The other wider end 66 of the jaw is curved downwardly and outwardly forming a long smooth side edge 68 and a shorter side edge 7i?, the surface of which is recessed adjacent its wide end and formed with teeth 72 and is also formed with teeth 7d adjacent its narrower end and spaced from teeth 72. A non-circular stern 76 extends from the center of the wider curved end 66 and is externally shaped to conform to the shape of the sockets in the disk- shaped bodies 22 and 24. The stem is formed with opposed grooves 73 adjacent its outer free end to accommodate a split ring Sil adapted to seat in an annular groove 82 formed in each socket in the disk bodies so as to hold the stem in the socket when inserted therein.

In assembling the tool, the disk- shaped bodies 22 and 24 are placed in juxtaposed position and the sleeve 4t) threaded over the plug 38 to draw the disk bodies together. The pair of jaws 58 and 69 are plugged into the selected pair of sockets in the disk bodies 22 and Zit. During the insertion of the stems 76 into the sockets, the split rings 8@ will snap into the grooves S2 in the sockets, holding the jaws in the sockets against displacement.

If it is desired to use the tool as an ordinary pliers for gripping or pressing purposes, the handles 26 and 28 are swung towards each other to close relationship as seen in FIG. l. The jaws 58 and 6) are then inserted into the vertically disposed sockets Sil and 54, in disk bodies 22 and 24, respectively. This will position the jaws so that the threaded sides 7@ thereof are contacting each other as shown in FiG. 1. By moving the handles away from each other the jaws may be Separated in the ordinary manner and by subsequently moving the handles toward each other the jaws will be snapped together for gripping and pressing purposes.

lf it is desired to use the tool for the purpose of spreading or distending a device as distinguished from exerting pressure on the device, the handles 26 and 2S are spread apart whereby the angularly disposed sockets 52 and 56 in disk bodies Z2 and 24, respectively, are brought to a vertical position parallel to the center line 53, and the sockets Si? and 54 are moved to oil-center position as viewed in FIGS. 4, 1() and 11. The jaws 58 and dil are then plugged into the vertically disposed sockets 52 and 56 as shown in FIG. 5 wherein the handles 26 and 2S are shown spread apart and the jaws 5S and 60 are shown in intimate contact with each other. By moving the handles Z6 and 23 toward each other, the jaws 58 and et) will be moved away from each other as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5 for spreading or distending a device for any desired purpose.

It will be understood that the form of the gripping portions of the jaws is immaterial. It is desirable when using the tool for spreading or distending purposes, that slim- CII mer and thinner jaws be used with pointed ends such as the modified jaws 5S' and ed shown in FlG. 12. Each of the jaws 58 and 6G has an elongated conical-shaped body 52 coming to a point 6d and with a line of teeth 79 extenf ing the length of the body. The stem 76' is similar to stem 76 of the jaws S3 and 60.

In FIG. 14 another modilied pair of jaws 58a and elle is shown. The jaw 5Sa has an elongated body 62a with a straight portion Sd and a curved portion 85, 'the curved portion being formed with teeth 7b@ on its inner surface. The stem portion 76a is similar to stero. 76.

Jaw ons has a straight body portion 72a and a stem 7tiZL similar to stem '76. The body 723L is formed with an enlarged portion @8 for one-half its length. Threads ma are formed on one long edge of the body for one-half its length.

Referring now to the modification of the invention shown in FlGS. 15 and 16, herein is shown a circular body 22X and an elongated straight radiating handle 26X. A pair of sockets Stix and 52X are formed in the periphery of the body. Socket 563x is disposed parallel to the handle 26X and socket 52X at an acute angle thereto. Socket 56X is adapted to detachably mount the shank portion 99 of a screw driver 92. The screw driver 92 may be one of rnany different types of screw drivers for operating on different types and constructions of screws.

The construction, manner of use and the several advantages `of the improved hand tool will lbe readily understood. The tool is of great serviceability in` practical use. The jaws may be of different forms in accordance with the particular purpose for which the tool 4is to be used. Since the forms and shapes of the jaws which might be used are quite numerous, i have not undertaken to illustrate and describe all of the different constructions of jaws which might be provided -for interchangeable connection with the privo-tally connected members ofthe pliers, but have illustrated yand described a tew of the conventional forms of such jaws.

While il have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention` as deiined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what claim as new, `and desire Ito secure by United States Letters l atent is:

l. Pliers comprising a pair of superimposed circular disk-shaped bodies connected to each other by a. pivot, integral handles radiating tangentially from Ithe peripheries of the bodies `for pivoting said bodies, said diskshaped bodies each having a pair of spaced sockets in its periphery, one socket of each pair being parallel to a line 'longitudinal of the handles and passing through the pivot of the bodies, the other socket of the pair being at an acute angle to said line and disposed .on the opposite side of said line from its respective one socket, and `a removable jaw member selectively seated in a socket of each disk-shaped body.

2. Pliers comprising a pair of superimposed circular disk-shaped bodies connected to each other by a pivot, integral hand-les radiating tangentially from the peripheries of the bodies for pivoting said bodies, said diskshaped bodies each having `a pair of spaced sockets in its periphery, `one socket of each pair being parallel to a line longitudinal of the handles and passing through the pivot of the bodies, the other socket of the pair being at an acute angle to said line and disposed on the opposite side of said line from its respective one socket, a removable jaw member selectively seated in a socket of each disk-shaped body, each jaw member comprising ian elongated triangular-shaped body, the wide end of the body being `arcuate-sliaped forming a long side and a short side, threads on the short side of the body, and a stem extending from the bottom suaa of fthe wide end laritmie-d to 792,374 Wolford June 13, 1905 be plugged into ythe socket. 844,903 Wilkins Feb. 19, 1907 1,122,165 Schoening Dec. 22, 1914 References Cited in the le of this patent 1,760,800 WambSgaIlS May 27, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 2,483,383 Heimann et al. Sept. 27, 1949 329,503 Tamm Nov. 3, 1885 FOREIGN PATENTS 677,770 Koeh Iuly 2, 1901 1,043,718 France June 17, l1953 753,456 VVeidngea` Mar. 1, 1904 861,380 Germany Dec. 29, 1952

Claims (1)

1. PLIERS COMPRISING A PAIR OF SUPERIMPOSED CIRCULAR DISK-SHAPED BODIES CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER BY A PIVOT, INTEGRAL HANDLES RADIATING TANGENTIALLY FROM THE PERIPHERIES OF THE BODIES FOR PIVOTING SAID BODIES, SAID DISKSHAPED BODIES EACH HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED SOCKETS IN ITS PERIPHERY, ONE SOCKET OF EACH PAIR BEING PARALLEL TO A LINE LONGITUDINAL OF THE HANDLES AND PASSING THROUGH THE PIVOT OF THE BODIES, THE OTHER SOCKET OF THE PAIR BEING AT AN ACUTE ANGLE TO SAID LINE AND DISPOSED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF SAID LINE FROM ITS RESPECTIVE ONE SOCKET, AND A REMOVABLE JAW MEMBER SELECTIVELY SEATED IN A SOCKET OF EACH DISK-SHAPED BODY.

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