US3552451A

US3552451A - Power tool

Info

Publication number: US3552451A
Application number: US698085A
Authority: US
Inventors: James A Pawloski
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1967-12-11
Filing date: 1967-12-11
Publication date: 1971-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 1988-01-05
Also published as: FR1600945A; DE1813832C2; GB1249141A; DE1813832A1

Abstract

This invention is directed to a power tool for cutting and bending or laying over wire and the tool is particularly adapted for use in the manufacture of printed circuits or circuit boards. The tool comprises a housing having a fluid-actuated piston to which a cutting quill is mounted for movement relative to a quill guide extending forwardly of the housing. The tip end of the quill guide is provided with a notch for receiving a wire extending transversely to the movement of the quill; and a valve means is provided in the housing for controlling the flow of an actuating fluid to the piston and connected quill for effecting the actuation of the piston and connected quill with a positive quick-acting impact to result in severing and bending a wire lead.

Description

James A. Pawloski [721 Inventor East Woodstock, Conn. 06224 21 A l. No. 698,085

Dec. 11, 1967 Jan. 5,1971

[22] 'Filed [45] Patented [54] POWER TOOL 7 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 140/123, 29/203, 72/326 [51] ,Int. Cl. B21f1/00, B25b 25/00 [50] Field of Search 29/2038,

20311, 203HM; 30/180, 228; 72/325, 326; 81/301; 140/117, 123, 124; 242/7A; 7/(lnquired) 2,990,613 7/1961 Keane et al. 30/180 3,177,583 4/1965 Fischer et al. 30/180 3,255,525 6/1966 Frenzel 81/301 3,429,170 2/1969 Romeo 29/203 Primary Examiner-Charles W. Lanham Assistant ExaminerE. M. Combs AttorneyArthur T. Fattibene ABSTRACT: This invention is directed to a power tool for cutting and bending or laying over wire and the tool is particularly adapted for use in the manufacture of printed circuits or circuit boards. The tool comprises a housing having a fluid-actuated piston to which a cutting quill is mounted for movement relative to a quill guide extending forwardly of the housing. The tip end of the quill guide is provided with a notch for receiving a wire extending transversely to the movement of the quill; and a valve means is provided in the housing for controlling the flow of an actuating fluid to the piston and connected quill for effecting the actuation of the piston and connected quill with a positive quick-acting impact to result in severing and bending a wire lead.-

In the manufacture of circuit boards and/unprinted circuits, the leads of the circuit components, eg resistors; condensers and the like are required tobe 'trimmedprior; to suring the same in circuit with the circuit conductors ofthe circuit board or printed circuit. Usually such. circuit boards or printed circuits are provided with holes through which the leads of the various resistor and/6r capacitor components of the circuit are extended, andthe extended leads soldered in. electrical connection to the printed circuit. To provide foramore positive mechanical connection it is customary .to extend the leads slightly beyond .the end of the board after trimming whereby the extended end can then be bentQinto the plane parallel to the board prior to soldering. In the manufacture of such circuit boards and/or printed circuits,-the individual cutting and bending over of the relatively large number of leads of such resistors, capacitors and the like'forming a given circuit constituted atedious, time-consuming and costly operation.

OBJECTS It is, therefore, an object of this inventionto provide an improved power tool for effecting substantially simultaneously both the trimming or cutting of the excessive lead lengths and the laying over of the ends of the wire in an efficient and positive manner to minimize the time heretofore required for performing such operations. 1 r

It is another object of this. invention to provide a fluid-actuated power tool which will uniformly sever the excessive lengths of the-leadsof the resistor, transistors,- capacitor or the like elements utilized in making a printed circuit, and thereafter effecting "the bending of the trimmed lead in a dircction'suhstantially parallel tothe surface or a circuit board or printedeircuit. F I

Another object of the invention. is to provideapower-actuated tool having improved valvi'ng system which; enables the tool to be actuated witha quick, positivesacting- 'impact to-ef feet substantially simultaneous severing and bendingof such leads. i

Another object is. to provide a fluid-actuated power tool; which is capable of eliminating operating fatigue thereby resulting in more efficient, accurate and productive work.

Another object of this invention is toprovide an improved cutting and bendingfluid actuatedtoolwhichcan bevariously positioned with respect to the wire lead. so as to direct the bending of the wireleadinany desired direction.

Another object is to provide an improved power-actuated cuttingand bending tool'eonstructedso astobe. used-in closely confined areas with ease and'facility. i

* SUMMARY OFINV Theforegoingobjects, features andiadvantag'esarerattained by a wire cutting and layover toolcomprisinga housinghaving; av piston chamber formeditherein. A pistonmeans is mounted within the piston chamberfor movementbe-tween an=operative and an inoperative,- position. fionnectedito the piston. meansfor movement therewith isacutting quilli 'A-quilliguide: having a bore formed thereinfor receivingthecutting quill ex+ tends forwardly of the housing. The quill is movablerelativeto the guide when: the piston means. is actuated. A. spring; is operatively associated, with" the piston to: normally: bias the piston. means and 1 connected quill towardfit's; retracted, in operative position.

2 tion of the valving means. The'valving means is arranged to prohibit the blow of actuating fluid to the piston chamber until the valve is actuated, and to exhaust the piston chamber to the I atmosphere uponthe return of the piston acting under the influence of the spring means acting thereon when the actuating means is released. In one form of the invention the valving means is normally biased toward its closed position by the fluid pressure acting thereon. A means is provided adjacent the tip end of the guide for effecting the cutting and layover of the wire when the piston and connected quill are actuated. The latter means comprises a notch which opens'to one side of the guide for receiving the extended'lead transversely of the cutting quill. The invention is such that when the piston is actuated under fluid pressure, the quill connected thereto is advanced to sever and bend the lead disposed transversely thereto. A feature of this invention resides in a fluid-actuated hand tool having an improved valve structure to control the flow of fluid to the actuating piston and connected quill in a manner which insures the rapid and positive actuation of the piston.

Another feature of this invention resides in an improved valve structure for use in'a cutting and bending tool which is relatively simple in construction, can be readily fabricated and which is positive in operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a poweroperated cutting and bending tool embodiment in which the valve means is constructed and arranged so as to be normally biased toward inoperative position by the force of the fluid pressure acting thereon.

Other features and advantages will be rendered readily apparent when considered in view of the drawings and specification in which:

FIG. I is an exploded perspective view illustrating the component partsof the cutting and bending toolof this invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an assembled sectional view of the cut and I bend tool of FIG. 1, in which the parts are. illustrated in the Formed in the; housing. adjacent the: piston cha mber isqa.

valving chamber havingafluidfinletiadaptedito;connect toasource of fluid supply, and1a= fluidioutlet; the. latter/being comnected into communicatiorrwiththe pistoncharnber; A-:valv-- i ng means, is disposediin the valving: chamber'forrdirec'ting the flow. of fluid, pressure, frornqthe valvingchamberrtq-the piston chamber-t0 control the actuation-ofthe piston.rneanscandzeon-v nected quill. The valvingmeanscomprises-athree-way valve disposedin the =pathofan actuating-:mearisito effect the operanormal, inoperative positionthereof;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that'of FIG. 2 but illustrating the component parts in the operative position thereof;

FIG. 4' illustratesa fragmentary exploded view illustratinga modifiedform of the invention; FIG. 5 illustrates a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the assembly of the modified valve construction-of FIG. 4, in inoperative position and FIG. 5A in the operative position thereof;

FIG. 6: illustrates an enlarged detail plan view of the quill tip;

EIG..7 illustrates a side view of a circuit board illustrating the manner inzwhichthel'eads of theresistoror'the like arecut and'bent by the tool;

FIG. 8 illustrates thebottom view of the-tip end of the quill guide; and

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are modified'b'ottom views of the tip endofthe. guide.

Referringto'FIGSLl", 2sand3of the drawings, thereisshown' prises generally of a-rigidibaeking member 22:'on=which"th'ere istprinted. a. suitable circuit; Such circuit boards 2Z having a= plurality. ofhol'es- 23* which" extend. through portions of the printed eircuitonthe. boardi22i Theholes 23*are' to accommodate the leads 24 of'a .component element, e.'g. a resistor;

transistor; capacitor and? the like '25: The. circuit components in :the. form ofresistors or the-like -25are'connected incircuit by extending: the leads 24 thereof through an appropriate opening-23and'connectingthem in electrical contact with the printed'circuitias byzsolderingz' The excess leadi' lengths may then be 'cutor trimmed;

With the cut-andbend ltool 20 of this invention the electrical bondior -connectionnof the leads-24km the'printed' circuit' is mechanicallyenhanced' by bending the trimmed lead"24- to apositionzparallel to the'board; as shown'at26 in" FIG. 7-'pri'ort,o

soldering. The bent lead thus increases the strength of the connection to the board.

The tool for cutting and bending such leads prior to soldering of FIGS. 1 to 3 comprises a housing 27 which includes a power end portion 27A having an open end cylinder chamber 28 formed therein in which a piston means 29 is reciprocally mounted, an end cap 30 having a central opening 31 fitted to the open end of the piston chamber 28 to define the chamber 28, and a pin housing or tip end portion 32. As shown, one end 30A of the end cap 30 is snugly received within the chamber 28 and the other end 308 is provided with a threaded connection by which the pin housing 32 is detachably secured thereto.

The pin housing 32 is provided with longitudinally extending bore 32A disposed in axial alignment with the central opening 31 of the end cap 30. In the illustrated form of the invention the end cap 30 is secured to the power end portion 27A of the housing 27 by suitable lock pin 33 which extends through aligned openings 34, 35 formed in the power end portion 27A of the housing 27 and the end cap 30.

A piston means 29 is reciprocally mounted for movement within the piston chamber 28. As shown, the piston means 29 comprises a piston head 29A formed with an annular groove 36 in which there is fitted a sealing ring or piston cup 37 formed of resilient material as for example rubber or the like. As best seen in FIG. 2 the outer periphery of the piston cup or seal bears against the internal surface of the chamber 28 to form a seal against the loss of fluid pressure when the piston is actuated. A stem 38 is connected to the piston 29 and extends forwardly thereof, the forward end thereof having opposed flats 38A adapted to be received in the bifurcated end portion 39 of a quill guide 40 which extends through and forwardly of the pin housing 32. A quill 41 is connected to the stem portion 38 and it extends through the central opening 31 of the end cap 30 and through a bore 40A formed in the quill guide 40. A spring means in the form of a coil spring 42 is interposed about the stem 38 between the end cap 30 and the piston head 29A in a manner so that the spring normally biases the piston head 29A toward an inoperative position as seen in FIG. 2.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the quill 41 is mounted within the bore 40A of the quill guide 40 for limited relative movement with respect thereto. The tip end 41A of the quill 41 is tapered to define a cutting edge.

As seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the bore or valve chamber 43 extends into the power end portion 27A in a direction substantially transversely thereof. Counterbored in the bottom wall 44 of the valving chamber 43 is a guide well or recess 45. The valving chamber 43 is connected in communication with the piston chamber 28 by means of a longitudinally extending passageway 46. Formed in the end wall 278 of the power end portion 27A of the housing 27 is an opening 47 defining a fluid inlet which communicates with the interior of the valving chamber. It will be understood that the inlet 47 is formed to provide for a quill disconnect coupling with a conduit or hose adapted to connect to a source of fluid supply, e.g. compressed air. A valve body 48 in the form of an annular sleeve is secured within the valving chamber 43. The valving sleeve or body 48 is provided with an outlet 49 disposed in communication with the passageway 46 to the piston chamber 28. The arrangement is such that one end of the valve body or sleeve 48 is disposed substantially coincident with the plane or surface of the housing 27A. Each end of the valve body or sleeve 48 is formed with an

annular valve seat

48A, 48B and a valve member 50 is disposed within the valve body 48 for sequentially valving said valve seats 48A, 4813. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the

respective valve seats

48A, 48B are disposed on either side of the fluid outlet 49.

The valve member 50 comprises a spool-type valve having spaced valve heads 50A, 50B interconnected by the spool stem 50C. Each valve head 50A. 50B is formed with an annular groove 51 in which a resilient sealing or O ring 52. 53 is seated. It will be noted that the spool stem 50C is of sufficient length so that the valve member is free to reciprocate within the valve body to valve one or the other valve seats 50A, 508. An extension 50D connected to one end of the spool valve 50 is received in the well 45 or recess for guiding the movement of the spool valve 50. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower valve head 50B and the sealing ring 53 secured therein is arranged so that it is at all times disposed above the center line of the fluid inlet 47, and that its limit of movement is confined between the centerline of the inlet 47 to the valve chamber 43 and the bottom seat 408 of the valve body or sleeve 48.

The end cap 30 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending bores to form passageways 55 for venting the piston chamber 28 to the pin housing 32, the latter in turn being provided with a vent opening 56 which exhausts to the atmosphere. The arrangement is such that in operation, the air or fluid in the chamber 28, being displaced by the piston 29 as it moves from the normal inoperative position as seen in FIG. 2 to the operative position as seen in FIG. 3, will be exhausted through the longitudinal passageways 55 of the end cap and the vent opening 56 of the pin housing 32 to atmosphere. On the return stroke of the piston 29 under action of spring 42, the air or fluid being displaced in chamber 28 is exhausted out through passageway 46 and the open seat 48A of the valve sleeve 48.

The tip end of the quill guide 40 is provided with a notch 57 which opens to one side. The notch 57 extends substantially transversely to the bore 40A of the quill guide 40. The arrangement is such that when the quill guide 40 is presented to the lead 24 to be cut and bent, the lead 24 extending beyond the circuit board is received in the notch 57 so as to extend in the path of movement of the quill 41 upon actuation of the piston. The movement of the quill 41 toward the tip end of the quill guide causes the cutting end 41A of the quill to sever the extended length of the lead 24, and at the same time due to the inclined tip end 41A of the quill the lead is bent or layed over to a position parallel to the circuit board as seen in FIG. 7.

The tip end of the quill guide 40 is truncated to define an elliptically-shaped surface 58, which it has been discovered enables the tip end of the quill guide 40 to be used in closer, more confined areas, thereby permitting the tool to be used for close work. It will be noted that the angle in which the tip end of the quill guide is truncated with respect to the horizontal determines the angle at which the tool may be positioned relative to the circuit board. FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C illustrate the guide tip truncated at angles of 20, 30 and 45.

An actuator means in the form of a treadle lever 59 is connected to the housing to effect actuation of the tool 20. As shown, a lever mount 60 is suitably secured to the end of the housing 27A by suitable fasteners 61 as for example screws or the like. Pivotly connected at 62 to the extended end of the lever mount 61 is the treadle lever 59. The arrangement is such that the treadle lever 59 extends forwardly of the housing 27 so as to engage the head end 50E of the valving member 50 which normally extends beyond the housing when the tool is connected to a source of fluid pressure. Thus to effect operation of the too] the treadle lever 59 is depressed and released. The operation of the tool is as follows:

With the inlet 47 of the tool 20 connected to a source of fluid pressure, e.g. compressed air, the pressure of the fluid flowing through the inlet 47 will normally tend to displace the valve member 50 upwardly as viewed in FIG. 2 to position the lower valve head 50B in sealing position against the valve seat 488. In this position the head 50E of the valve member 50 extends beyond the housing 27A, as seen in FIG. 2. Because the lower seat 488 is valved closed and is maintained closed because of the fluid pressure acting thereon, the force of the spring 42 acting on the piston 29 tends to maintain the piston 29 and connected quill 41 in a protracted position as seen in FIG. 2.

When the treadle lever 59 is actuated the head 50E of the valve member 50 is displaced into the valve body 48 causing the lower valve seat 4813 to be valved open and the upper valve seat 48A to be valved closed by piston head 50A. In doing so, the activating fluid is directed through the lower i so the air being displaced on the other side of the piston 29 is exhausted to atmosphere through passageway 55 and vent opening 56 of the housing portion 32. Displacement of the piston 29 causes the quill 41 to be moved relative to the quill guide 40, the force thereof being sufficient to cut and bend any wire lead 24 disposed within the notch 57in the tip end of the guide 40. So long as the treadle lever 59 is depressed, the fluid pressure acting on the piston 29 maintains-the connected -quill41 extended.

.As soon as the force on the treadle lever 59 is removed, the force of the fluid pressure actingon'the piston head 50B will tend to lift thesame into sealing position against the seat 488 thereby shutting off the flow of fluid pressure to the piston chamber 28. The biasor tension of the spring 42 acting on the' piston head29 tends to restore the .piston and connected quill to itsnormal inoperative position. In doing so, the air displaced between the piston head 29 and the end wall 63 of the piston chamber-28 is exhausted or vented to atmosphere through the passageway 46, opening-48 andthe open upper valvcseat 48A. 1

FIGS. 4 and illustrate a modifiedform of the invention. In this embodiment tool 70is identical in every respect to the one hereinbefore described with respect to FIGS. 1 to 3 with the exception that the valve construction differs.- In this form of'the invention the valvebody 71 comprises a cup-shaped member 71A having a closed bottom portion 72 which is snugly receivedin the valve chamber 73 and secured therein as by a retainer ring 74 and'valve body cap 75. The valve body 71 is provided with an inlet opening 76 which is disposed into alignment with the fluid inlet' 47 to the housing 27A. Circumscribing the end portion of the valve body 71 is a groove 77 having a plurality of radial ports 78, the groove. 77 being disposed into communicationwith a passageway 79 defined by a flatformed on the valve body 7l and a wall portion of the valve chamben-Passageway 80,1eading to the piston chamber 28 is disposed in communicationwith passageway 79.

As seen in FIG. 5 the power end portion 27A of the housing 27 is provided with-radial opening8l disposedin axial alignment with one end of the valving chamber 73.

Disposed in the. valve body 71 is a spool-type valve member 82 havinga stern82A and a connected extension 823 extending out through the opening 81 formed in the housing 27A. The valve stem 82A and extension 828 are provided with a longitudinally extending bore 83 in which there is housed a spring 84 which normally urges the extension 828 of the stem 82A outwardly of the housing 27A to engage against the lever 59. Formed in the extended end 82B of the valve stem 82A are a plurality of vents openings 85 arranged to exhaust to the atmosphere'. Disposed about the valve stem 82A are a pair of I spaced valve heads 86, 87 with

seals

86A and 87A.

In operation the spring 84 in the valve 82 normally maintains the upper'valve head 86 portion'against the end wall 73A of the valving chamber 72 with its side seals 86A sealing the valve body against lossof fluid pressure. With the tool connected to a source of fluid pressure the fluid pressure is confined to the chamber 88 defined between valve heads 86, 87 and is prohibited fromentering the piston chamber 28. When the valve member'82 is displaced so that the lower valve head 87 is disposed below the ports 81 opening to groove 77. In this position the fluid pressure entering the inlet 76 is directed through ports 78 to the annular groove. 77. The annular groove 77 defined in the valve body in turn is connected by passageway 79v to the passageway'80, which leads into the valving chamber 28 thereby enabling the pressure of the fluid in chamber 28 to efiect displacement of the piston and the connected quill to the right as viewed in FIG. 5. In doing so, the air between the piston head 29 and the end closure 30 is exhausted through passageways formed in the end cap and the 1 the treadle lever 59 is depressed to a position shown in F IG. 5,

returned to its inoperative position, as seen in FIG. 5, thereby cutting off the flow of fluid pressure to the piston chamber 28. In doing so, the spring acting 42 on the piston head 29A biases the piston 29 toward its inoperative position. thereby displacing the fluid between the piston head 29A and the end of the piston chamber. Upon the return stroke of the piston, is exhausted through passageways80, 79; through port openings 78; and out through the bore of valve member 82 and through the valve stem vents to the atmosphere.

While the illustrated forms of the invention are shown as being actuated by a hand treadle 59 it will be readily understood and appreciated that a foot-actuating treadle may be suitably connected to the end of the tool whereby actuation of the tool may be effected by foot operation.

While the present invention has been described with respect to several embodiments thereof, it will be readily appreciated and understood that variations and modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A readily portable wire cutting and mg:

means defining a housing;

apiston means reciprocally mounted in said housing for movement between operative and inoperative positions;

said piston means including a cutting quill connected thereto;

a guide projecting outwardly fromvsaid housing, said guide having a bore extending therethrough for receiving said quill, whereby said quill is moved relative to said guide when said piston means and connected quill are actuated;

means in the form of a notch formed in the end of said guide to one side thereof, said notch being disposed transversely of said bore for receiving and effecting the cutting and layover of the wire when said piston means and connected quill are actuated;

a spring means acting on said guide and said piston means for normally biasing said piston and connected quill toward inoperative position;

a valve means disposed in said housing for introducing an actuating fluid on one side of said piston means whereby the force of the fluid pressure acting on said piston means overcomes the bias action on said quill to effect movement thereof toward operative position;

means for actuating said valve means; and

said guide having a tip end portion which is acutely angled to be placed in contact with the circuit board so as to position the longitudinal axis of said quill at an acute angle with respect to the plane of a circuit board.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing means includes:

a piston housing having a chamber formed therein defining a cylinder for said piston means;

an end cap connected to the end of said piston housing;

said end cap having an opening therein for receiving said quill;

and said piston housing including a valve chamber formed adjacent the other end of said piston housing;

means defining a passageway interconnecting said valve chamber with said piston chamber, and means defining a fluid inlet to said valve chamber;

said valving means including a valve body disposed within said valve chamber;

said valve body having an outlet disposed in communication with said passageway;

and a valve member disposed in said valve body for controlling the flow of fluid pressure from said inlet to said passageway;

said valve body including a cylindrical sleeve having a valve seat formed on each end thereof layover tool comprisand said valve member comprises a spool valve having spaced valve heads adapted to engage in sealing relationship with one of said valve seats; and

said valve head on the inlet side of said valve body is disposed above the centerline of said inlet so that fluid pressure acting on said valve member normally maintains one of said valve heads seated against the inlet end of said valve body to prohibit the passage of fluid to said passageway independently of any springs.

3. A portable hand held, wire-cutting and bending tool comprising:

a housing having a piston chamber formed therein;

a piston means mounted in said piston chamber for movement between operative and inoperative positions;

said piston means including a connected cutting quill;

a quill guide extending outwardly from said housing;

said quill guide having a bore extending therethrough for receiving said quill whereby said quill is moved relative to said guide when the piston means is actuated;

said quill guide having a notch formed in one side thereof adjacent the tip end thereof, said notch extending transversely of said bore;

said quill guide having a tip end acutely angled relative to the longitudinal axis of its bore to dispose the longitudinal axis of said bore at an acute angle when the tip end is placed in contact with a circuit board;

a means normally biasing said piston means and connected quill toward inoperative position;

means defining a valving chamber formed in said housing;

means defining a fluid inlet to said valving chamber;

means defining a passageway connecting said valving chamber in communication with said piston chamber;

a valving means disposed in said valving chamber for controlling the flow of fluid pressure through said valving chamber to said piston chamber to actuate said piston means and connected quill;

an actuating means operating said valve means; and

means for venting said piston chamber to atmosphere when said piston means is actuated.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein:

said valving chamber has its fluid inlet adapted to connect to a source of fluid pressure, and an outlet in communication with said passageway;

and means defining a valve seat interposed between said inlet and outlet;

and said valve means having a valve head adapted to seat on said valve seat to control the flow of fluid through said valve chamber; and

said valve head being disposed above said fluid inlet so that the pressure of said fluid normally maintains said valve head seated against the valve seat independently of any springs to prohibit the flow of fluid therethrough.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 and said valving chamber including a guide recess adjacent one end thereof and said spool valve including a guide extension adapted to be received in said guide recess for guiding said valve between operative and inoperative positions.

6. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said valve body comprises:

a member having a bore extending thereinto;

said member having an opening for communicating said fluid inlet to said bore;

an external annular groove circumscribing said member;

said groove having an opening defining an outlet from said bore to communicate with said passageway;

a valving member disposed in said bore;

said valving member having a hollow stem extending beyond the end of said bore and said housing;

a spring means disposed within said h'ollow stem; and

said stem having a vent opening adapted to exhaust to atmosphere.

7. A portable, freely movable wire cutter and layover power tool comprising:

a housing including a power end portion having an open end piston chamber formed therein; an end cap having a central opening therein closing the open end of said piston chamber;

and a guide end portion connected to said end cap;

a piston means including a piston head reciprocally mounted in said piston chamber;

a cutting quill connected to said piston head;

said cutting quill extending through said central opening of the end cap;

a spring means disposed between said piston head and said end cap for normally biasing said piston head and connected quill toward inoperative position;

a quill guide connected to said guide end portion;

said quill guide having a bore extending therethrough adapted to receive said quill;

a valve chamber formed in said power end portion;

an inlet connected in communication with said valve chamber;

a passageway connecting said valve chamber in communication with said piston chamber;

a cylindrical valve body disposed in said'valve chamber;

a means defining a valve seat on each end of said cylindrical valve body;

said valve seats being disposed on opposite sides of said valve body outlet;

a valving member comprising a spool valve;

said spool valve including a first and second valve head for alternating valving said valve seat whereby one of said valve seats opens to the atmosphere;

means for guiding said spool valve within said valve chamber;

said valve spool being disposed to one side of the center line of said fluid inlet whereby the force of said fluid pressure normally urges said spool valve toward inoperative position to close said outlet from said inlet independently of any spring;

and an actuator operating on said spool valve to actuate said spool valve toward operative position for directing fluid pressure through said outlet and connected passageway to effect displacement of said means for venting said piston chamber to the atmosphere;

and means formed on said quill guide for effecting the cutting and layover ofa wire when the quill is actuated;

said latter means comprising a notch which opens to one side of said guide and extends transversely of said bore for receiving a wire extending transversely through the bore in said guide; and

said quill including a tapered end portion that is acutely angled and said quill guide having a complementary acutely angled tip end whereby said guide and associated quill is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the circuit board in the operative position thereof.

Claims

1. A readily portable wire cutting and layover tool comprising: means defining a housing; a piston means reciprocally mounted in said housing for movement between operative aNd inoperative positions; said piston means including a cutting quill connected thereto; a guide projecting outwardly from said housing, said guide having a bore extending therethrough for receiving said quill, whereby said quill is moved relative to said guide when said piston means and connected quill are actuated; means in the form of a notch formed in the end of said guide to one side thereof, said notch being disposed transversely of said bore for receiving and effecting the cutting and layover of the wire when said piston means and connected quill are actuated; a spring means acting on said guide and said piston means for normally biasing said piston and connected quill toward inoperative position; a valve means disposed in said housing for introducing an actuating fluid on one side of said piston means whereby the force of the fluid pressure acting on said piston means overcomes the bias action on said quill to effect movement thereof toward operative position; means for actuating said valve means; and said guide having a tip end portion which is acutely angled to be placed in contact with the circuit board so as to position the longitudinal axis of said quill at an acute angle with respect to the plane of a circuit board.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing means includes: a piston housing having a chamber formed therein defining a cylinder for said piston means; an end cap connected to the end of said piston housing; said end cap having an opening therein for receiving said quill; and said piston housing including a valve chamber formed adjacent the other end of said piston housing; means defining a passageway interconnecting said valve chamber with said piston chamber, and means defining a fluid inlet to said valve chamber; said valving means including a valve body disposed within said valve chamber; said valve body having an outlet disposed in communication with said passageway; and a valve member disposed in said valve body for controlling the flow of fluid pressure from said inlet to said passageway; said valve body including a cylindrical sleeve having a valve seat formed on each end thereof and said valve member comprises a spool valve having spaced valve heads adapted to engage in sealing relationship with one of said valve seats; and said valve head on the inlet side of said valve body is disposed above the centerline of said inlet so that fluid pressure acting on said valve member normally maintains one of said valve heads seated against the inlet end of said valve body to prohibit the passage of fluid to said passageway independently of any springs.

3. A portable hand held, wire-cutting and bending tool comprising: a housing having a piston chamber formed therein; a piston means mounted in said piston chamber for movement between operative and inoperative positions; said piston means including a connected cutting quill; a quill guide extending outwardly from said housing; said quill guide having a bore extending therethrough for receiving said quill whereby said quill is moved relative to said guide when the piston means is actuated; said quill guide having a notch formed in one side thereof adjacent the tip end thereof, said notch extending transversely of said bore; said quill guide having a tip end acutely angled relative to the longitudinal axis of its bore to dispose the longitudinal axis of said bore at an acute angle when the tip end is placed in contact with a circuit board; a means normally biasing said piston means and connected quill toward inoperative position; means defining a valving chamber formed in said housing; means defining a fluid inlet to said valving chamber; means defining a passageway connecting said valving chamber in communication with said piston chamber; a valving means disposed in said valving chamber for controlling the flow of fluid pressure througH said valving chamber to said piston chamber to actuate said piston means and connected quill; an actuating means operating said valve means; and means for venting said piston chamber to atmosphere when said piston means is actuated.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein: said valving chamber has its fluid inlet adapted to connect to a source of fluid pressure, and an outlet in communication with said passageway; and means defining a valve seat interposed between said inlet and outlet; and said valve means having a valve head adapted to seat on said valve seat to control the flow of fluid through said valve chamber; and said valve head being disposed above said fluid inlet so that the pressure of said fluid normally maintains said valve head seated against the valve seat independently of any springs to prohibit the flow of fluid therethrough.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 and said valving chamber including a guide recess adjacent one end thereof, and said spool valve including a guide extension adapted to be received in said guide recess for guiding said valve between operative and inoperative positions.

6. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said valve body comprises: a member having a bore extending thereinto; said member having an opening for communicating said fluid inlet to said bore; an external annular groove circumscribing said member; said groove having an opening defining an outlet from said bore to communicate with said passageway; a valving member disposed in said bore; said valving member having a hollow stem extending beyond the end of said bore and said housing; a spring means disposed within said hollow stem; and said stem having a vent opening adapted to exhaust to atmosphere.

7. A portable, freely movable wire cutter and layover power tool comprising: a housing including a power end portion having an open end piston chamber formed therein; an end cap having a central opening therein closing the open end of said piston chamber; and a guide end portion connected to said end cap; a piston means including a piston head reciprocally mounted in said piston chamber; a cutting quill connected to said piston head; said cutting quill extending through said central opening of the end cap; a spring means disposed between said piston head and said end cap for normally biasing said piston head and connected quill toward inoperative position; a quill guide connected to said guide end portion; said quill guide having a bore extending therethrough adapted to receive said quill; a valve chamber formed in said power end portion; an inlet connected in communication with said valve chamber; a passageway connecting said valve chamber in communication with said piston chamber; a cylindrical valve body disposed in said valve chamber; said valve body having an outlet disposed in communication with said passageway; a means defining a valve seat on each end of said cylindrical valve body; said valve seats being disposed on opposite sides of said valve body outlet; a valving member comprising a spool valve; said spool valve including a first and second valve head for alternating valving said valve seat whereby one of said valve seats opens to the atmosphere; means for guiding said spool valve within said valve chamber; said valve spool being disposed to one side of the center line of said fluid inlet whereby the force of said fluid pressure normally urges said spool valve toward inoperative position to close said outlet from said inlet independently of any spring; and an actuator operating on said spool valve to actuate said spool valve toward operative position for directing fluid pressure through said outlet and connected passageway to effect displacement of said means for venting said piston chamber to the atmosphere; and means formed on said quill guide for effecting the cutting and layover of a wire when the quill is actuated; said latter means comprising a notch which opens to one side of said guide and extends transversely of said bore for receiving a wire extending transversely through the bore in said guide; and said quill including a tapered end portion that is acutely angled and said quill guide having a complementary acutely angled tip end whereby said guide and associated quill is disposed at an acute angle with respect to the circuit board in the operative position thereof.