GB1579078A - Scissors - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATED TO SCISSORS (71) We, IMCA ITALIA S.p.A., a Joint Stock Company, organized and existing under the laws of Italy, of Via Marcoiano, S.

Agata di Mugello (Province of Firenze) Italy, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to scissors.

A multiplicity of scissors are currently available on the market for the purpose of cutting paper, cardboard, metal foil, cables of various materials, and the like.

These prior art scissors have some drawbacks, substantially determined by the following factors: a) The travel limit stops at the scissors widest opening position are obtained as tabs cut off and folded from the blades, thereby the blades themselves are weakened; and b) The blade locking devices, for the scissors in their closed position, are located at the handle ends and require use of both hands to release them.

It is an object of this invention to obviate such drawbacks.

According to the invention there is provided scissors comprising a pair of mutually articulated blades extending to form respective handles, the blades having widened areas in wiping contact with each other at their articulation axis, an elastic means intervening between the handles to open the blades, a pair of L-shaped slots formed in the widened areas having a first arm extending radially to the articulation axis and a second arm which follows an arcuate path concentric with said articulation axis, the slots being arranged in mirror image relationship with respect to the scissors plane of symmetry such that the said second arms lay opposite each other and the radial arms are opposite each other when the scissors are closed, and a pin in engagement relationship with the slots and displaceable between a position of engagement in the concentric arms, when the scissors are in operation, and a position of engagement in the radial arms, when the scissors are in their closed condition.

Further features will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing, where: Figure 1 is a side view, partly cut away, of scissors according to the invention, in their closed position; Figure 2 is a side view, partly cut away, of scissors according to the invention, in their open position; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the scissors taken along the line III-III of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of the scissors shown in Figure 1.

With reference to the cited figures, there are generally indicated at 1 scissors comprising two parts 2a and 2b similar to each other; each of said parts 2a,2b consists of a blade 3 and handle 4. The blades 3 comprise cutting areas 5a, Sb of substantially triangular shape with rounded tips, which are slightly dished centrally for rigidity, the articulation areas 7, substantially circular and radiused to the areas 5a and 5b near which the dished portions 6 configurate a fork, and elongate tangs 8 for insertion into the handles 4.

The handles 4 have a substantially rectangular cross section configuration of appreciable thickness, with edges 9,10 outwardly oriented and rounded off; at the ends carrying the blades, the handles have a rounded configuration 11 the radius whereof is substantially equal to the radius of the blade area of articulation 7, whereas at the opposite ends, the handles define a rounded portion 12 substantially as a quarter circumference; the handles are of plastics.

Running lengthwise to the handles 4, there are two side grooves 13 and 14, which open to the symmetry plane A of the scissors, for the accomodation therein of elongate springs 15 and 16 of substantially horse-shoe shape: the springs have their ends 17 bent to engage with detent teeth 18 formed in the grooves.

When the scissors are being operated, the springs 15 and 16 undergo deformation, while still remaining within the handle figure, excepting for a short section next to the areas 7. It should be noted that the tangs 8 of the blades are imbedded in the handles in offset positions with respect to the handle centerplane, such as to provide, as the blades are coupled to each other by means of the articulation pin 19, perfect alignment and an optimal coplanarity for the handles. In the articulation areas 7 of the blades, and more precisely between the pin 19 and the respective handles, there are formed respective slots 20 of substantially L-like shape, having an arm 21 aligned to the inner edge corner of the respective handles and the other arm 22 arcuate to a curvature radius which is substantially equal to the distance between the arm 22 and the axis of the pin 19.

A pin 23 is inserted through the slots 20 which is made rigid, at one end, with a button or nut 24, whereas at the other end, it is press fit in the central hole of a button or nut 25.

The pin 23 is manually caused to slide lengthwise to the blades from the position of Figure 1, wherein it engages with the portions 21 of the slots 20 and prevents the scissors from being opened, to the position of Figure 2, where it engages with the portions 22 of the slots 20 and allows the scissors to be opened. It should be noted here that the buttons 24 and 25 exert a slight friction onto the blades, such as to avoid an inadvertent and undesired sliding movement of the pin.

Furthermore, the slots 20 and pin 23 act as travel limit stops with the blades at their widest open position. The travel limit stops are formed at areas of the blades such as not to weaken the blade themselves, the springs providing the opening action can be easily kept clean and are of pleasing aesthetics, the handles move coplanarly even under load and have a sufficient thickness dimension to permit a comfortable grip. The blade latching devices may be actuated with one hand only, regardless of how the scissors are held, and the blade extension tangs virtually extend for the whole length of the handles, thus strengthening considerably the scissors structure.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Scissors comprising a pair of mutually articulated blades extending to form respective handles, the blades having widened areas in wiping contact with each other at their articulation axis, an elastic means intervening between the handles to open the blades, a pair of L-shaped slots formed in the widened areas having a first arm extending radially to the articulation axis and a second arm which follows an arcuate path concentric with said articulation axis, the slots being arranged in mirror image relationship with respect to the scissors plane of symmetry such that the said second arms lay opposite each other and the radial arms are opposite each other when the scissors are closed, and a pin in engagement relationship with the slots and displaceable between a position of engagement in the concentric arms, when the scissors are in operation, and a position of engagement in the radial arms, when the scissors are in their closed condition.

2. Scissors as claimed in Claim 1, in which each handle is provided with a pair of parallel grooves opening to the scissors plane of symmetry in order to accomodate springs of horse-shoe configuration.

3. Scissors substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. to the symmetry plane A of the scissors, for the accomodation therein of elongate springs 15 and 16 of substantially horse-shoe shape: the springs have their ends 17 bent to engage with detent teeth 18 formed in the grooves. When the scissors are being operated, the springs 15 and 16 undergo deformation, while still remaining within the handle figure, excepting for a short section next to the areas 7. It should be noted that the tangs 8 of the blades are imbedded in the handles in offset positions with respect to the handle centerplane, such as to provide, as the blades are coupled to each other by means of the articulation pin 19, perfect alignment and an optimal coplanarity for the handles. In the articulation areas 7 of the blades, and more precisely between the pin 19 and the respective handles, there are formed respective slots 20 of substantially L-like shape, having an arm 21 aligned to the inner edge corner of the respective handles and the other arm 22 arcuate to a curvature radius which is substantially equal to the distance between the arm 22 and the axis of the pin 19. A pin 23 is inserted through the slots 20 which is made rigid, at one end, with a button or nut 24, whereas at the other end, it is press fit in the central hole of a button or nut 25. The pin 23 is manually caused to slide lengthwise to the blades from the position of Figure 1, wherein it engages with the portions 21 of the slots 20 and prevents the scissors from being opened, to the position of Figure 2, where it engages with the portions 22 of the slots 20 and allows the scissors to be opened. It should be noted here that the buttons 24 and 25 exert a slight friction onto the blades, such as to avoid an inadvertent and undesired sliding movement of the pin. Furthermore, the slots 20 and pin 23 act as travel limit stops with the blades at their widest open position. The travel limit stops are formed at areas of the blades such as not to weaken the blade themselves, the springs providing the opening action can be easily kept clean and are of pleasing aesthetics, the handles move coplanarly even under load and have a sufficient thickness dimension to permit a comfortable grip. The blade latching devices may be actuated with one hand only, regardless of how the scissors are held, and the blade extension tangs virtually extend for the whole length of the handles, thus strengthening considerably the scissors structure. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Scissors comprising a pair of mutually articulated blades extending to form respective handles, the blades having widened areas in wiping contact with each other at their articulation axis, an elastic means intervening between the handles to open the blades, a pair of L-shaped slots formed in the widened areas having a first arm extending radially to the articulation axis and a second arm which follows an arcuate path concentric with said articulation axis, the slots being arranged in mirror image relationship with respect to the scissors plane of symmetry such that the said second arms lay opposite each other and the radial arms are opposite each other when the scissors are closed, and a pin in engagement relationship with the slots and displaceable between a position of engagement in the concentric arms, when the scissors are in operation, and a position of engagement in the radial arms, when the scissors are in their closed condition.

2. Scissors as claimed in Claim 1, in which each handle is provided with a pair of parallel grooves opening to the scissors plane of symmetry in order to accomodate springs of horse-shoe configuration.

3. Scissors substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.