US3206842A

US3206842A - Assembly tool

Info

Publication number: US3206842A
Application number: US209731A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ray D Baker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-07-13
Filing date: 1962-07-13
Publication date: 1965-09-21
Anticipated expiration: 1982-09-21

Description

Sept. 21, 1965 R. D. BAKER 3,206,842

ASSEMBLY TOOL Filed July 13, 1962 I NVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,266,842 ASSEMBLY TOOL Ray D. Baker, Utica, Mich, assignor of fifty percent to Ralph F. Blackett, Utica, Mich. Filed July 13, 1962, Ser. No. 209,731 8 Claims. (C1, 29-203) This invention relates to a tool to facilitate assembly of a member through an eyelet in a post or pin normally covered by one end of a coiled retaining spring in its unstressed condition and, in particular, relates to such a tool to facilitate assembly of an electrical conducting wire through an eyelet in the electrode post of an electrical condensor having an axially coiled compression-type retaining spring surrounding the post and adapted to hold the wire in the eyelet once assembled therein.

The present invention 'was conceived as a solution to the problem of assembling or connecting an electrical conducting wire through an eyelet in the electrode post of an electrical condenser including a retaining compression spring therefor and, accordingly, in order to facilitate an understanding of the invention and not obscure the latter, particular reference will be made hereinafter to such problem and the manner in which the tool of this invention completely solves it in an efficient, economical and otherwise commercially acceptable manner. However, as the description of the invention proceeds, it will become readily apparent that the tool of this invention may be utilized to advantage in other environments.

More specifically, electrical condensers are in use today in the ignition systems of certain small internal combustion engines such as, for example, engines used on power lawnmowers and the like, which condensers comprise a body member from one end of which there projects a cylindrical current-conducting electrode post having an eyelet extending completely therethrough to receive a bare electrical conducting wire forming a part of the ignition system as will be readily appreciated. An axially coiled compression-type retaining spring surrounds the aforementioned electrode post with a base end abutting the end of the condenser body from which the post projects, the spring in the unstressed condition thereof extending away from the aforementioned end of the condenser body and along the length of the post to an extent to which the other free end thereof covers the aforementioned eyelet in the electrode post. Such retaining spring is adapted to be compressed axially so as to expose the aforementioned eyelet sufiiciently to permit insertion of the electrical conducting wire therethrough, followed by release of the retaining spring enabling the latter to expand to engage its free end with the conducting wire to retain the latter within the eyelet.

To facilitate this assembly operation, particularly by servicemen working on engines equipped with such condensers, one engine manufacturer at least has provided a tool consisting essentially of a handle member having a bifurcated head at one end thereof defining spaced legs, the object being for the serviceman to grasp the handle of the tool and bring the bifurcated head thereof down along the electrode post to engage the legs of the head with the free end of the spring to depress the latter for insertion of the wire through the eyelet in the electrode post. Considerable difficulty has been encountered in performing this assembly operation using such tool; as a matter of fact, such tool and its use in such an assembly operation have been found to be totally unsatisfactory because it is extremely difiicult for one person to maintain control over the condenser and the retaining spring thereof.

3,295,842 Patented Sept. 21, 1965 More specifically, no insurmountable problem is encountered if the body of the condenser is grasped firmly in one hand and the tool aforementioned is manipulated in the other to depress the spring. The difficulty here, of course, is that the servicernan then has no free hand available to insert the conducting wire through the eyclet once the retaining spring is compressed. If the base of the condenser, rather than holding the latter in one hand, is placed on a table or other suitable support surface and the tool used to compress the spring thereby freeing one hand for insertion of the conducting wire through the eyelet, it has been found that quite often the instability of the condenser on the support surface results in the condenser tipping or the tool otherwise slipping from the spring, resulting in the compressive forces stored in the latter propelling the spring from the condenser. As a result, the spring is often lost. As a consequence, in actual practice, two persons have been required to complete this assembly operation with facility. The tool of the present invention is directed. to a solution to these and other problems in the art.

It is, therefore, a principal object and feature of this invention to provide a tool to facilitate assembly of a member through an eyelet in a post or pin for retention therein by engagement thereof with one end of an axially coiled compression-type spring retaining means, and particularly for assembling a conducting wire through an eyelet in the electrode post of an electrical condenser having such a coiled retaining spring, the tool comprising a pair of lever members each including a handle portion and a jaw portion, means pivotally interconnecting the lever members intermediate their respective handle and jaw portions for movement of the latter relative to each other during the assembly operation, the jaw portion of one of the lever members being adapted to support the base of an object such as a condenser thereon with the pin or post of the latter extending toward the jaw portion of the other of the lever means, and sleeve means secured to the jaw portion of the other of the lever means and being telescopically movable relative to the post or pin in closely confining relation thereto to compress the retaining spring sufliciently to enable insertion of the member or wire through the eyelet while positively preventing displacement of the .object or condenser from between the jaw portions of the tool.

It is yet another object and feature of this invention to provide a tool of the type aforedescribed further comprising means on the aforementioned sleeve establishing communication therethrough with the aforementioned eyelet to permit assembly of the member or wire through the sleeve into the eyelet.

It is yet another object and feature of this invention to provide a tool of the type aforementioned further comprising means, preferably associated with the aforementioned sleeve, cooperable with the post or pin in which the member or wire is being assembled to limit relative telescopic movement of the sleeve about the pin or post so as to compress the retaining spring to a predetermined extent merely sufiicient for insertion of the member or wire through the eyelet, thereby avoiding overstressing of the spring and the imposition of unnecessary forces on the tool while insuring that the eyelet is exposed to receive the member or wire.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter as the description thereof proceeds, reference being made to the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical elevation of an electrical condenser assembly of the type to which a conducting wire is adapted to be assembled, the components of the condenser assembly being shown in the position they assume prior to the assembly operation;

FIGURE 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the tool of this invention, and the relationship of the latter to the condenser assembly of FIGURE 1 at the start of an assembly operation;

FIGURE 3 is a view corresponding generally to FIG- URE 2, but illustrating the tool and certain components of the condenser assembly in the positions they assume just after assembling the wire to the condenser, and before releasing the tool;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 44 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 55 of FIGURE 3.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral generally indicates a condenser assembly comprising a sub stantially cylindrical condenser body 12 having a base surface 14, an opposite end surface 16 and an electrode post 18 of circular cross section projecting from the latter. An eyelet 20 extends completely through the electrode post a predetermined distance below the upper end of the latter, and an axially coiled compression-type retaining spring 22 is disposed closely circumjacent the post with one end abutting the end surface 16 of the condenser body and the other or free end thereof extending beyond the eyelet in the unstressed condition of the spring, all as illustrated in FIGURE 1. A preferred embodiment of the assembly tool of this invention is indicated generally at 24, and comprises a pair of lever members 26 each including at one end thereof a handle or grip portion 28 and, at the other ends thereof, the respective jaw members or portions 30 and 32. Suitable fastener means as indicated at 34 pivotally interconnects the lever members 26 intermediate the handle and jaw portions thereof whereby manipulation of the handle or grip portions of the lever members in one hand moves the jaw members or portions relative to each in a pliers-like fashion. A hollow cylindrical-like sleeve 36 is open at one end and includes a base portion 38 opposite the open end thereof and adapted to be suitably rigidly secured to the jaw member or portion 30 so as to project therefrom toward the jaw portion or member 32. In this regard, however, it will be obvious that the sleeve may be open at both ends with the adjacent portion of the jaw member or portion 30 forming the base thereof, or even be formed integrally with the jaw portion or member 30. A pair of opposed longitudinal slots 40 are formed in the sleeve 36 and extend from the open end thereof toward the base portion 38 to a suitable predetermined extent in accordance with considerations which will appear more fully hereinafter. The internal diameter of the sleeve 36 is just slightly greater than the external diameter of the post 18 so as to closely confiningly retain the latter and engage the free end of spring 22 during the assembly operation as indicated particularly in FIGURES 3 and 4.

In operation, the tool is initially manipulated in one hand and the condenser assembly 10 of FIGURE 1 in the other to permit insertion of the condenser assembly between the jaw portions 30 and 32 with the base surface 14 of the condenser body resting on the substantially flat surface of the jaw portion 32 and the sleeve 36 initially slightly telescoped over the upper end of electrode post 18 as illustrated in FIGURE 2. In this position, the end of the sleeve 36 on opposite sides of the longitudinal slots 40 therein engages the upper end coil of the spring 22 whereby, upon subsequent squeezing movement of the handle or grip portions 28 toward each other, the respective jaw members or portions likewise move toward each other to the position shown in FIGURE 3 in which sleeve 36 is telescoped about the upper end of post 18.

In the position of FIGURE 3, retaining spring 22 has been compressed sufiiciently so as to completely expose the eyelet 20 in the electrode post. If not initially so oriented, the condenser body 12 may be easily turned about the axis of the electrode post so as to align the eyelet with the opposed slots 40 in the sleeve 36. At this time, the conducting wire 42 may be inserted through one slot in the sleeve, through the eyelet and out the other slot. Subsequent release of the handle or grip portions 28 then releases the spring 22 which will re-expand so as to engage its free or upper end core with the conducting wire 42 at opposite ends of the eyelet to firmly and positively hold the conducting wire in position therewithin.

At this juncture it should be noted that, from the time that the condenser assembly 10 is initially installed between the jaw members or portions of the tool 24 as illustrated in FIGURE 2, positive control is maintained thereover with the use of but one hand. Thus, upon squeezing the handle or grip portions 28 in one hand to move the tool from the position of FIGURE 2 to that of FIGURE 3, the condenser body is firmly held between the jaw members or portions 30 and 32 and positively prevented from being displaced in any direction therefrom due to the fact that the sleeve 36 relatively closely confines a considerable length of the electrode post 18. Yet, the condenser body may be easily turned about its axis to align the slots in the sleeve with the eyelet for the assembly operation aforedescribed.

In the course of squeezing the handle or grip portions 28 to move the tool from the position of FIGURE 2 to that of FIGURE 3, means are provided for positively limiting telescopic movement of the sleeve 36 about the post 18; that is, and referring particularly to FIGURE 4, it will be noted that the base portion 38 of the sleeve is adapted to abut the upper end of the post 18 to limit such squeezing movement. Sever-a1 desirable results are obtained from this cooperation between the sleeve and the electrode post. Thus, abutment of the base portion of the sleeve and the electrode post positively limits squeezing movement of the tool without any attention whatsoever being given to this operation by the operator of the tool. As a consequence, when the operator feels the resistance of such abutment, he is assured of the fact that the eyelet 20 is completely exposable between the slots 40 upon rotative manipulation, if required, of the condenser body 12 as aforementioned. Secondly, he knows that the sleeve 36 has telescoped suificiently about the electrode post to positively prevent any lateral displacement in any direction whatsoever of the condenser body 12 from between the jaws of the tool. Thirdly, this stop action prevents unnecessary compression and stressing of the spring 22.

It should also be noted that the tool of this invention s relatively inexpensive and simple to f b i t i mg, essentially, of two pieces of identical metal stock bent or otherwise formed in the configuration shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, and provided with the sleeve 36. As lndlqated o e, the sleeve may be formed integrally from the aw member or portion 30, as by being struck th from, or be a separate piece suitably secured thereto.

In vlew of the foregoing description, it will now be apparent that the present invention provides a relatively simple, eificient, inexpensive and otherwise commercially acceptable means for very rapidly assembling a member such as a conducting wire through an eyelet in the pin or post of a device such as an electrical condenser as specifically referred to in this application, the tool positively preventing mis-manipulation of the object or condenser during the assembly operation which can be readily and efficiently accomplished by but a single person.

While but one form of the invention has been shown and described, other forms will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it will be understood that the embodiment shown in the drawing and described above is merely for illustrative purposes, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. A tool to facilitate assembly of a member through an eyelet in a post of an object having coiled compression spring means surrounding said post with one end thereof abuttingly engageable with said member when the latter is installed in said eyelet, said tool comprising a pair of lever members each including a handle portion and a jaw portion, means pivotally interconnecting said lever members intermediate their respective handle and jaw portions for movement of the latter relative to each other, the jaw portion of one of said lever members being adapted to support one of the objects thereon with the post thereof extending toward the jaw portion of the other of said lever members, and a sleeve secured to the jaw portion of said other of said lever members and including an open end thereof telescopically movable about the post to confine the latter within said sleeve and between said jaw portions and to compress the spring means and expose the eyelet to permit insertion of the member therethrough.

2. The tool as defined in claim 1 further comprising means on said sleeve alignable with the eyelet in the telescoped position of said sleeve to permit insertion of the member into said sleeve and through the eyelet.

3. An assembly tool to facilitate assembly of an electrical conducting wire through an eyelet in the electrode post of an electrical condenser having coiled compression spring means surrounding said post with one end thereof abuttingly engageable with said wire to hold it in said eyelet, said tool comprising a pair of lever members each including a handle portion and a jaw portion, means pivotally interconnecting said lever members intermediate their respective handle and jaw portions for movement of the latter relative to each other, the jaw portion of one of said lever members being adapted to support a condenser thereon with the post thereof extending toward said jaw portion of the other of said lever members, a sleeve secured to the jaw portion of said other of said lever members and including an open end thereof telescopically movable about the post to confine the latter within said sleeve and between said jaw portions and to compression the spring means to expose the eyelet for insertion of the wire therethrough, and means on said sleeve alignable with the eyelet in the telescoped position of said sleeve to permit insertion of the wire into said sleeve and through the eyelet.

4. The tool as defined in claim 3 in which said lastnamed means comprises opposed slots on said sleeve extending longitudinally from the open end thereof toward the jaw portion of said other of said lever members.

5. The tool as defined in claim 3 further comprising means limiting relative movement of said jaw portions in telescoping said sleeve about the post and compression of said spring means to a predetermined position exposing the eyelet.

6. The tool as defined in claim 3 in which said sleeve further includes a base portion abuttable with the end of the post to limit relative movement of said jaw portions and telescopic movement of said sleeve about the post to compress said spring means to a predetermined extent in which said eyelet is exposed.

7. The tool as defined in claim 3 in which the post is substantially circular in cross section and said sleeve closely embrace the post to confine the latter.

8. The tool as defined in claim 7 further comprising means limiting relative movement of said jaw portions and telescopic movement of said sleeve about the post and compression of the spring means to a predetermined extent exposing the eyelet, and in which said means on said sleeve alignable with the eyelet comprises opposed longitudinal slots in said sleeve.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,158,618 11/15 Alefs 29-221 1,791,961 2/31 Frye 29 221 2,505,564 4/50 Meyer 29-227 2,554,623 5/51 Leu 29-219 3,094,774 6/63 Nazarow et a1 29-203 WHITMORE A. WILTZ, Primary Examiner. THOMAS H. EAGER, Examiner.

Claims

1. A TOOL TO FACILITATE ASSEMBLY OF A MEMBER THROUGH AN EYELET IN A POST OF AN OBJECT HAVING COILED COMPRESSION SPRING MEANS SURROUNDING SAID POST WITH ONE END THEREOF ABUTTINGLY ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID MEMBER WHEN THE LATTER IS INSTALLED IN SAID EYELET, SAID TOOL COMPRISING A PAIR OF LEVER MEMBERS EACH INCLUDING A HANDLE PORTION AND A JAW PORTION, MEANS PIVOTALLY INTERCONNECTING SAID LEVER MEMBERS INTERMEDIATE THEIR RESPECTIVE HANDLE AND JAW PORTIONS FOR MOVEMENT OF THE LATTER RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER, THE JAW PORTION OF ONE OF SAID LEVER MEMBERS BEING ADAPTED TO SUPPORT ONE OF THE OBJECTS THEREON WITH THE POST THEREOF EXTENDING TOWARD THE JAW PORTION OF THE JAW OF SAID LEVER MEMBERS, AND A SLEEVE SECURED TO THE JAW PORTION OF SAID OTHER OF SAID LEVER MEMBERS AND INCLUDING AN OPEN END THEREOF TELESCOPICALLY MOVABLE ABOUT THE POST TO CONFINE THE LATTER WITHIN SAID SLEEVE AND BETWEEN SAID JAW PORTIONS AND TO COMPRESS THE SPRING MEANS AND EXPOSE THE EYELET TO PERMIT INSERTION OF THE MEMBER THERETHROUGH.