WO2003086712A1

WO2003086712A1 - Large-travel actuating, automatic approach and large force multiplication device for pliers. scissors and tools having two handles

Info

Publication number: WO2003086712A1
Application number: PCT/ES2003/000167
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eduardo García Sánchez
Original assignee: Garcia Sanchez Eduardo
Priority date: 2002-04-15
Filing date: 2003-04-11
Publication date: 2003-10-23
Also published as: ES2237226A1; ES2237226B1; AU2003219190A1

Abstract

A toothed, integral part is built into one of the handles while the other handle is divided with a hinge. Rigidity of the tool is preserved during the approach stage of the tool by means of a pre-stressed spring and a stop. A deformation actuating a ratchet and modifying the mechanism is then enabled. A second lever system transmitting a large force is then engaged. The device also has additional ratchets for successive approaches and for blocking the tool. Fast and automatic approach is thus achieved, whereby adaptation to the tool is obtained without any prior manipulation. The force exerted can be up to twenty times higher than the force normally applied on the handles. The tool preserves the same agility and operational properties of the original tool while requiring reduced pressure on the part of the user.

Description

GREAT TRAVEL DRIVING DEVICE. AUTOMATIC APPROXIMATION AND GREAT MULTIPLICATION OF FORCE FOR PLIERS. SCISSORS AND TOOLS THAT CONSIST OF TWO HANDS

DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a drive device with large travel, automatic approach and large multiplication of force applicable to pliers, scissors and most tools consisting of two handles and which must be closed manually as tongs, riveters or shears.

. The tool, incorporating this device, automatically adapts to the size of the piece without the need for any previous manipulation. Applying this system for the realization of scissors, an important feature is that every time the handles are closed and opened the blades are closed a small amount until the total closure is completed. In addition to avoiding the need to use other tools with very long handles, this system is handled with the speed and agility of traditional scissors until contact with the piece is established.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNIQUE

To date, a wide variety of pliers has been presented, and some examples of them are US Patent Nos. 4,651,598 and 4,662,252 arheit. There are other patents such as FR-A-2 456 592 which describes a quick approach pliers, or US-A-5,660,089 with similar characteristics.

Most of these patents describe automatic approach systems to adapt to the various thicknesses of the pieces. They usually produce a force in the jaws four or five times greater than that exerted on the handle. The present invention achieves, with a small number of parts, which is a guarantee of reliability and low cost, an automatic tool capable of multiplying the operator's force up to 20 times. The second objective is to adapt the system to make scissors capable of achieving a progressive closing of their blades that is added to the previous one, each time the handles are opened and closed, maintaining the agility of use of traditional scissors in the phase Approach to the piece. The current achievements in this field do not match its effectiveness with the comfort of work that traditional scissors made up of only two pieces. They need manipulations and previous adjustments to adapt to the various thicknesses, a circumstance that is avoided with the present invention.

EXPLANATION

The tool, using the drive system according to the present invention patent, comprises a first member composed of the jaw, or specific piece of the tool, followed by an intermediate piece, where the main shaft is located, and the handle.

The second member consists of the jaw, or specific piece of the tool, and the intermediate part that is articulated in its central area with the first member or is moved by a slide with respect to the first member.

The third member is the handle of the second member described above and articulates with it at the opposite end to the specific jaw or piece of the tool.

This joint, in addition to being a joint, consists of a prestressed spring and a stop that prevents this spring from rotating the handle indefinitely with respect to the second member. The action of the joint, spring and stop make these two members behave as if they were a single kinematic link, similar to member one, as long as there is no force that modifies the length of the spring. In this situation, the system behaves like a conventional tool with a large path in the jaws or specific parts of the tool.

Near the articulation of the handle with the second member there is another axis, integral to the handle, with respect to which a ratchet rotates. This ratchet tends to turn outwards from the handle due to the action of a spring. However, while the handle and the second member do not rotate relative to each other, a stop prevents the ratchet from moving and forces it to remain retracted inside the handle.

If, after the specific jaws or parts of the tool have made contact with the workpiece, the handles continue to close, the spring that joins the handle and the second member yields and a rotation occurs between them. The handle will stop touching the stop and the ratchet, also separating from its stop, will be released and will move forward until it touches the integral teeth of the first member. In this way, the system becomes a new mechanism consisting of a new lever constituted by the handle that is divided into two very unequal parts: one is practically its length and the other the distance between the axis that joins it with the second member and ratchet shaft. Being the disproportion of these distances very large the force that is achieved in the jaws is considerable.

In order to avoid the recoil of the jaws or specific piece of the tool, when acting on an elastic material, a second ratchet can optionally be mounted so that the angle of closure gained does not recede when opening the handles. In this way it is achieved, opening and closing the handles successively, so that the blades are progressively closed from the initial position until the piece is pressed or cut.

Another optional accessory is a toothed arm that is articulated at the end of one of the handles and can be deployed and attached to an elastic hook attached to the other handle. In this way a piece can be kept pressed without operator manipulation. This tool can be combined with articulated levers that can serve as an extension of the handles if you need a large lever arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figs. 1 to 3 represent part of the number one, two and three members. Fig. 4 represents the assembly formed by members two and three joined together. In this Fig. Two stops are observed, (12) and (13), integral to the member 2 that limit the rotation produced by a spring (14).

Fig. 5 shows the deformation of the previous assembly when external forces are applied. Fig. 6 shows a ratchet (16) articulated to member 3.

Fig. 7 shows the assembly formed by the previous pieces. Figs. 8 and 9 show in detail the situation when no effort is being made on the tool. In this case the member 3 touches the foraia stop (13) that the assembly formed by the member 2 and 3 behave like a single kinematic link without relative movement with each other as shown in Fig. 4. The ratchet (16 ) is turned towards link 3 by making contact with the stop (13). Next _, Figs. 10 and 11 show the rapid approach to the work piece.

In Fig. 12 it is shown how, as the handles continue to join together, the assembly formed by members 2 and 3 begins to fold, which allows the spring (18) of the ratchet to act causing it to meet the teeth. This process ends in the position corresponding to Fig. 13.

From this moment on, the whole assembly is transformed into a new mechanism Fig. 14. which produces a very slow approximation of the jaws and very large force.

Additional components that increase the utility of the tool are shown in Fig. 15. There is a second ratchet (20) articulated to link 2 whose purpose is to prevent the jaws or blades from receding, Fig. 16 and 17, if the tool handles are separated again.

Fig. 18 shows how the toothed retaining part (19) engages in the part (22) and locks the tool. Fig. 19 shows the fully assembled tool.

Figs. 20 and 21 show another embodiment of the tool, based on the same principles, where the joint (8) between members 2 and 3 has been replaced by a slide joint. (108)

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings and firstly to Figs. 1 to 7, the present invention consists of a drive device for tools consisting of two handles which, used for pliers as a non-limiting example, is essentially composed of the members whose parts are shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Fig. 1 represents part of the member 1 which is formed by the first jaw, intermediate part and handle and has the toothed part (6) attached. The ratchet (16) will act on these teeth. In the middle there is the hole (5) designed to form the main joint with the shaft (8).

Fig. 2 represents part of member 2, formed by the second jaw and the intermediate part. In the central area of the intermediate part there is the shaft (8) that is coupled with the hole (5) mentioned above. There is a second shaft (7) on the back that will form articulation with the hole (11). Fig. 3 represents part of member number 3 that constitutes the lower handle of the tool and is articulated with member 2 thanks to its bore (11). The projections (10) and (9) will serve to limit the angle of rotation by being able to contact the stops (12) and (13). Fig. (4) represents the assembly formed by members two and three joined by the joint (15). In this Fig. Two stops are observed, (12) and (13), integral to member 2. The stop (13) limits the rotation produced by a prestressed spring (14) that forces, in the absence of other forces, link 3 make contact with the stop (13).

Fig. (5) shows how the assembly shown in Fig. (4) is modified when external forces are applied.

Fig. (6) shows a ratchet (16) articulated on an axis (17) close to the axis (15). On this acts a spring (18) that tends to rotate it by pulling it towards the outside of the handle.

Fig. 7 shows the assembly formed by the pieces described above. Figs. 8 and 9 show in detail the situation when no effort is being made on the tool, this happens as long as the two jaws or blades do not press the work piece together. In this case, the member 3 touches the stop (13) so that the assembly formed by the member 2 and 3 behaves like a single kinematic link without relative movement with each other. The ratchet (16) is forced to enter the link 3 because its upper corner makes contact with the stop (13). Its possible action with the teeth belonging to (6) and integral to link 1 is annulled in this situation: these circumstances mean that in this first phase of operation the assembly behaves like a conventional tool with a relatively large jaw path, which It allows a quick approach to the work piece. This is illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11 that show this approximation.

In Fig. 12, as the handles continue to come together and because the jaws do not move, the assembly formed by members 2 and 3 begins to fold, as shown in Fig. 5. This causes the distance between the ratchet shaft and the stop (13) increase with which the ratchet spring is allowed to act causing the ratchet to meet the teeth belonging to (6). In this way, the situation represented by Fig. 13 is reached, where it is observed that at this stage the tip of the ratchet is fitted at the base of the integral teeth to the number one member. From this moment the whole set is transformed into a new mechanism. Taking as reference the member 2, it is observed that a large rotation of the member 3 produces a small movement of the ratchet shaft, the end of this ratchet and the teeth against which it acts. This causes the jaw to move very little which entails, due to the conservation of mechanical energy, to achieve a very large force.

In Fig. 15, additional components are shown that increase the utility of the tool.

A second ratchet (20) is observed articulated with link 2. In this Fig. The ratchet is in its resting position, which is achieved because its U-shaped spring (21) tends to open and thanks at the alignment of the ends of the spring and the ratchet joint acts a pair clockwise.

Manually forcing the spring towards the handle, the process is reversed and the ratchet ends up making contact with the teeth, as illustrated in Fig. 17. The purpose of this second ratchet is to prevent the jaws or blades from receding if they are separated again. the tool handles, necessary operation if you want to close again to get an additional closure. In this way using this system in the realization of the tool as shears a great cutting force is achieved together with a large opening of the blades that will allow to cut wide pieces without using tools with very large lever arms.

Fig. 18 shows how the toothed retaining part (19) that is usually retracted acts, a situation shown in Fig. 15, to engage in the piece (22) and thus allow one or more pieces to be held without need for operator manipulation. The piece (22) is attached to the member 3 by one end in such a way that it can be flexed enough to fit the teeth (22).

Another possible use is to apply this drive device for tools consisting of two handles to a tool such as that described in Figs. 20 and 21 where the joint (8) that joins members 1 and 2 has been replaced by a slide (108). In this embodiment, the teeth of (106) are arranged along a straight line. The springs have not been represented in the figure. The rest of the other elements are similar and their correspondence is highlighted by adding a hundred to the numbering.

Claims

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N E S

1) Long-distance drive device, automatic approach and large force multiplication, for pliers, scissors and tools consisting of two handles, which, once incorporated into the tool: a) A set (1) of parts without movement relative to each other formed by an upper handle, an intermediate zone and a specific jaw or part of the tool, lower. b) A set (2) of parts without relative movement of each other formed by an intermediate area and a jaw, or specific piece of the tool, upper, this assembly being attached to the assembly (1) by means of an articulation (8) or a system of slide (108). c) A set (3) of parts without relative movement between them that constitutes the lower handle, this handle being articulated with the assembly (2) thanks to an axis (7) located in the intermediate zone of said assembly. d) A movement transmitter assembly formed by at least one ratchet (16) and a toothed part (6) or (106) Characterized:

Because the union of the assembly (3), formed by the lower handle, with the intermediate piece belonging to the assembly (2), consists of an articulated shaft, a spring (14) that tends to rotate said handle in the opposite direction to which it would be given to close the handles and a stop (13) integral to the intermediate piece (2) that limits the rotation of this handle with respect to the rest of the assembly, the spring acting on the handle being prestressed causing:

In the absence of forces from the contact with the workpiece, said spring forces the assembly formed by the jaw, or specific piece of the tool, intermediate piece and lower handle to keep extending from each other, operating without relative movement as if It will be a single cinematic link.

When there are forces from the contact of the jaw, or specific piece of the tool, with the workpiece, by continuing to press the lower handle, this rotates with respect to the intermediate piece in which it is articulated, deforming the spring and causing the assembly formed by (2) and (3) to fold.

And because it consists of, at least, a ratchet (16) articulated on an axis (17) belonging to the lower handle and next to the axis (15), a spring (18) acting on said ratchet, which tends to rotate and remove the teeth integral to the set (1).

And because it consists of at least one stop (13), integral to the assembly (2), which approximates a protrusion of the ratchet, acting on it when the assembly formed by (2) and (3) is not folded and then forces to the ratchet to stay retracted without the possibility of touching the teeth belonging to the set (1), causing the entire tool to behave as if it were formed by only two kinematic links during the approach phase to the work piece.

And because the stop (13) acting on the ratchet is arranged so that it separates from it when the assembly formed by 2 and 3 bends, causing said ratchet, driven by its spring (18), to meet the teeth belonging to the set (1) until touching them, then transforming the initial mechanism into another, where a new lever appears. The ratio of this lever, which is the ratio between the measurement of the lower handle to the axis that joins it with the intermediate part (15) and the distance between this axis and the axis of the ratchet, is designed very large, an arrangement that produces a small displacement of the jaw and great transmission of force. 2) Long-distance drive device, automatic approach and large force multiplication for pliers, scissors and tools consisting of two handles according to claim (1) characterized by having a second ratchet (20) articulated to the assembly (2) that it prevents in the working position Fig. (17) that the jaws or specific parts of the tool recede in the case of loosening the handles of the tool, in order to achieve an additional closure by tightening them again, and because on the second ratchet a spring (21) acts, in the form of a U whose ends are aligned with the ratchet joint producing two stable positions, the working and the retracted. 3) Long-distance drive device, automatic approach and large force multiplication for pliers, scissors and tools consisting of two handles according to claim (1) characterized by having a retention toothed part (19), articulated at the end of the upper handle, being able to unfold and hook to a piece (22) attached to the lower handle, allowing the tool to be locked, said piece (22) being joined at one end in such a way that it can flex enough to fit the teeth (19) . 4) Long-distance drive device, automatic approach and large force multiplication for pliers, scissors and tools consisting of two articulated handles according to claim (1) characterized in that it can be complemented with articulated levers at the ends of the magicians so that they can be deployed, being in prolongation of the same torque used in the case of needing a larger lever arm.