GB2074080A - Tool for handling articles - Google Patents

Abstract

A tool for handling articles in places where direct access by hand is difficult comprises a pair of spring arms 16 extending from a handle 20 and terminating in gripping portions 18. A sleeve 22 controls opening and closing of the gripping portions. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Tool for handling articles This invention relates to a tool for handling articles, especially in places where access is difficult.

Many situations arise where for example it is necessary to screw a nut onto a bolt (or vice versa) but only a very limited access is possible for the purpose of gripping the bolt head to hold it against rotation while the nut is being screwed up or unscrewed.

The object of the present invention is to provide a tool for handling objects especially in places where access is limited.

According to the present invention I provide a tool for handling articles comprising a handle, a pair of elongate elements extending generally alongside one another from the handle while progressively diverging from one another so thatthe distal portions thereof are spaced apart for reception of an article to be gripped, and means slidable towards and away from the handle to control the degree of divergence between said elements and hence the spacing between said distal portions.

In one embodiment of the invention, at least one (preferably both) of said elements is resiliently deflectable so as to be self-biasing towards a fully open condition of the tool. Alternatively some form of spring means separate from said elements may be provided to bias the elements to the fully open condition.

Said control means conveniently comprises a sleeve or ferrule slidable along the diverging portions of said elements so as to displace the distal portions towards or away from one another.

One example of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings to which reference is now made. In the drawings: Figure lisa view of a tool in accordance with the invention, the tool being shown in its fully open condition; and Figure 2 is a similar view to Figure 1 but showing the tool when used to grip an object such as a nut or bolt head.

As shown, the tool comprises two elements 10, 12 in the form of lengths of springy metal, e.g. half round steel wire, arranged with their flat sides contiguous. The elements 10, 12 are preformed to the shape shown in Figure 1 and comprise generally straight sections 14 secured in face to face contact, diverging sections 16 and distal sections 18 which are generally parallei. The handle 20 is provided at one end and may receive the end portions 14 in the manner of a socket.

A ferrule 22 of for example plastics material embraces the elements 10,12 and has an aperture therein whose cross-sectional shape and size generally corresponds to the combined cross-sectional shape and size of the elements 10, 12 when in face to face contact. The arrangement is such that the fer rule 22 has sufficient freedom to enable it to be slidable along the elements 10, 12. It will be understood that the effect of such sliding is to draw the diverging sections 16 towards one another or allow them to restore towards the position of Figure 1, depending on whether the ferrule 22 is displaced away from or towards the handle 20. The frictional forces acting between the ferrule 22 and the elements 10, 12 will serve to resist unintentional displacement of the ferrule from a selected position of sliding adjustment.If desired however some mechanical means may be provided to enable the ferrule to be locked in a selected position of adjustment.

It will be seen that by appropriate manipulation of the ferrule 22, the spacing between the distal sections 18 can be varied and, as shown in Figure 2, the tool can be used to grip an object such as a nut or bolt 24 which may be located in a relatively inaccessible place.

The distal sections 18 may be covered with plastics coatings if desired to avoid damaging the articles being handled.

From the foregoing, it wili be seen that the invention provides a tool which is simple and economical to manufacture and greatly facilitates handling of objects in places where access is restricted. Also the tool is able to grip at any angle.

1. A tool for handling articles comprising a handle, a pair of elongate elements extending generally alongside one another from the handle while progressively diverging from one another so that the distal portions thereof are spaced apart for reception of an article to be gripped, and means slidable towards and away from the handle to control the degree of divergence between said elements and hence the spacing between said distal portions.

2. A tool as claimed in Claim 1 in which at least one of said elements is resiliently deflectable so as to be self-biasing towards a fully open condition of the tool.

3. Atool as claimed in Claim 1 in which spring means separate from said elements is provided to bias the elements to the fully open condition.

4. Atool as claimed in any one of Claims 1-3 in which said control means conveniently comprises a sleeve or ferrule slidable along the diverging portions of said elements so as to displace the distal portions towards or away from one another.

5. A tool substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Tool for handling articles This invention relates to a tool for handling articles, especially in places where access is difficult. Many situations arise where for example it is necessary to screw a nut onto a bolt (or vice versa) but only a very limited access is possible for the purpose of gripping the bolt head to hold it against rotation while the nut is being screwed up or unscrewed. The object of the present invention is to provide a tool for handling objects especially in places where access is limited. According to the present invention I provide a tool for handling articles comprising a handle, a pair of elongate elements extending generally alongside one another from the handle while progressively diverging from one another so thatthe distal portions thereof are spaced apart for reception of an article to be gripped, and means slidable towards and away from the handle to control the degree of divergence between said elements and hence the spacing between said distal portions. In one embodiment of the invention, at least one (preferably both) of said elements is resiliently deflectable so as to be self-biasing towards a fully open condition of the tool. Alternatively some form of spring means separate from said elements may be provided to bias the elements to the fully open condition. Said control means conveniently comprises a sleeve or ferrule slidable along the diverging portions of said elements so as to displace the distal portions towards or away from one another. One example of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings to which reference is now made. In the drawings: Figure lisa view of a tool in accordance with the invention, the tool being shown in its fully open condition; and Figure 2 is a similar view to Figure 1 but showing the tool when used to grip an object such as a nut or bolt head. As shown, the tool comprises two elements 10, 12 in the form of lengths of springy metal, e.g. half round steel wire, arranged with their flat sides contiguous. The elements 10, 12 are preformed to the shape shown in Figure 1 and comprise generally straight sections 14 secured in face to face contact, diverging sections 16 and distal sections 18 which are generally parallei. The handle 20 is provided at one end and may receive the end portions 14 in the manner of a socket. A ferrule 22 of for example plastics material embraces the elements 10,12 and has an aperture therein whose cross-sectional shape and size generally corresponds to the combined cross-sectional shape and size of the elements 10, 12 when in face to face contact. The arrangement is such that the fer rule 22 has sufficient freedom to enable it to be slidable along the elements 10, 12. It will be understood that the effect of such sliding is to draw the diverging sections 16 towards one another or allow them to restore towards the position of Figure 1, depending on whether the ferrule 22 is displaced away from or towards the handle 20. The frictional forces acting between the ferrule 22 and the elements 10, 12 will serve to resist unintentional displacement of the ferrule from a selected position of sliding adjustment.If desired however some mechanical means may be provided to enable the ferrule to be locked in a selected position of adjustment. It will be seen that by appropriate manipulation of the ferrule 22, the spacing between the distal sections 18 can be varied and, as shown in Figure 2, the tool can be used to grip an object such as a nut or bolt 24 which may be located in a relatively inaccessible place. The distal sections 18 may be covered with plastics coatings if desired to avoid damaging the articles being handled. From the foregoing, it wili be seen that the invention provides a tool which is simple and economical to manufacture and greatly facilitates handling of objects in places where access is restricted. Also the tool is able to grip at any angle. CLAIMS

1. A tool for handling articles comprising a handle, a pair of elongate elements extending generally alongside one another from the handle while progressively diverging from one another so that the distal portions thereof are spaced apart for reception of an article to be gripped, and means slidable towards and away from the handle to control the degree of divergence between said elements and hence the spacing between said distal portions.

2. A tool as claimed in Claim 1 in which at least one of said elements is resiliently deflectable so as to be self-biasing towards a fully open condition of the tool.

3. Atool as claimed in Claim 1 in which spring means separate from said elements is provided to bias the elements to the fully open condition.

4. Atool as claimed in any one of Claims 1-3 in which said control means conveniently comprises a sleeve or ferrule slidable along the diverging portions of said elements so as to displace the distal portions towards or away from one another.

5. A tool substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.