TWI593520B - Adjustable locking pliers - Google Patents

Description

Adjustable locking pliers

The present invention relates to an adjustable lock pliers type that allows a strong clamp force to be applied to an object or more generally two items that need to be held together for a long period of time without operator intervention.

French Patent Publication No. FR1100105 discloses a robust design of an adjustable locking pliers that has been produced for nearly 60 years with only relatively minor modifications. A side view of one of the locking tongs of this type is described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 .

The overall shape of the locking caliper 2 is flat and consists of an upper fixed assembly 4 and a lower movable assembly 6. The fixed assembly 4 is formed along a front end portion of a fixed jaw 8 to constitute a rear end portion of a fixed handle 10, and an intermediate connecting portion 12 is elongated. The rear end portion 10 and the intermediate connecting portion 12 are formed of a metal sheet formed in a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape. The movable assembly 6 includes a generally V-shaped movable jaw 14 and a latching mechanism 16 equipped with an adjustment device 18. The upper apex is coupled to the fixed assembly via one of the trunnions in the form of a locating pin 20 after the movable jaw. The locating pin is received in one of the notched rails 22 in the intermediate connecting portion 12.

The latch mechanism 16 includes an operating lever 24 having a forward end coupled to the apex of the lower jaw of the movable jaw 14 by a first pivot 26. The midpoint of the operating lever is coupled to one end of the actuating lever 28 by a second pivot 30. The rear end of the operating lever 24 is coupled to a locking lever 32 by a cam pivot 34. The locking lever has a curved cam surface 36 and an abutment surface 38 that are both proximate to the cam pivot 34. The free end of the locking lever 32 can be manually pivoted toward the handle 10 in the direction of arrow A and away from the handle 10 in the direction of arrow B.

The adjustment device 18 includes a cylindrical knurled nut 40 and a screw 42 that passes through the nut. The nut is mounted in one of the recesses 44 in the handle 10 such that it can be manually rotated although it does not have the ability to translate relative to the handle 10. The rear end of the screw 42 is free to rotatably pass through a U-shaped clip 46 coupled to one of the other ends of the actuating lever 28 by a third pivot 48. Rotation of the knurled nut 40 causes the screw 42 to translate forward or backward, and the latch mechanism 16 is coupled to the screw to pivot the movable jaw 6 about the locating pin 20 to perform a fine adjustment of the clamping force of the jaws.

The notched track 22 is in the form of one of the opposing metal sheet sides of the intermediate connecting portion 12 that is also aligned with each other. Each of the windows 22 has a series of four notches 50a to 50d on a front side. The pairs of mutually aligned notches 50a to 50d are adapted to the bracket positioning pin 20 when the latch mechanism 16 is clamped. When the clamp of the latch mechanism 16 is released, the positioning pin 20 is movable between the notches 50a to 50d to perform a coarse adjustment of the gripping ability of the jaws.

The lock caliper of the FR1100105 has a traction spring (reference feature 11 of FR 1100105) that is in tension between the nose of the fixed jaw and one of the apertures directly behind the apex of the upper jaw of the movable jaw. The currently commercially available lock tongs of Figures 1 and 2, which differ from this configuration but perform substantially the same task, have an aperture 56 behind one of the pin 54 and the upper apex of the movable jaw 14 inside the handle 10. One of the compression springs 52 is bent into a U shape. The compression spring 52 tends to straighten and thus urges the aperture 56 up and forward by one of the forces in the direction of arrow C (which is approximately adjacent one of the dashed lines between pin 54 and aperture 56). The aperture 56 and the movable jaw 14 are biased to rotate about the positioning pin 20 away from the fixed jaw 8 in a counterclockwise direction. When the latch mechanism 16 releases the jaws, the counterclockwise rotation of the movable jaw 14 is permitted and the compression spring 52 moves the movable jaw 14 to open the jaws 8, 14 and move the first pivot 26 rearward. The locating pin is also biased to remain fixed in one of the indentations 50a through 50d by one of the forces C of the force C of the compression spring 52 acting on the aperture 56. This effectively engages the locating pin 20 with one of the indentations 50a through 50d unless or until it is changed by an operator. In order to adjust the clamping ability of the jaws 8, 14, the operator pulls the movable jaw 14 against the compression spring 52 in the opposite direction of the force D and the positioning pin 20 from a notch 50a to 50d Change to another gap.

In use, an article is inserted between the jaw 8 and the jaw 14 and performs a coarse adjustment and/or fine adjustment of the gripping ability of the jaw until the article is held tightly or loosely on the movable jaw 6 and fixed Between the jaws 8.

With particular reference to Figure 1, when the locking lever 32 is pivoted toward the handle 10 (in the direction of arrow A), the abutment surface 38 contacts the operating lever 24 to pivot the two levers 24, 32 together until the cam surface 36 contacts Moving rod 28. The second pivot 30 spans one of the first pivot 26 and the third pivot 48 by a movable jaw 6 against the fixed jaw 8 to tighten the clamp member over the central device. The dashed line IL is the same as the side of the handle 10 where the latching mechanism 16 is in a locked position.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, when the locking lever 32 pivots away from the handle 10 (in the direction of arrow B), the cam surface 36 slides against the actuating lever 28 and as such gradually forces the two levers 24, 32 Pivoting away from the actuating lever 28. Having the second pivot 30 straddle a dashed line IL between the first pivot 26 and the third pivot 48 to the opposite side of the handle 10 where the latch mechanism 16 has moved into an unlocked position, wherein The movable jaw 14 is free to rotate about the positioning pin 20 and the positioning pin 20 is movable between the notches 50a to 50d. The object is released between the movable jaw 6 and the fixed jaw 8.

Although the FR1100105 locking pliers are known for their robustness, they can be difficult to unlock from a tightly clamped object. To unlock the locking pliers 2, the locking lever 32 is rotated away from the handle 10 in the direction of arrow B. There is no limit to the first 90 degrees of the arc of rotation of the locking lever that makes it difficult to control, especially when a high load is suddenly released between the jaw 8 and the jaw 14. To protect the operator's hand from this unrestricted explosive release of energy, a tamper hit lock lever can be used to unlock the lock caliper. However, this can also damage the lock pliers.

When the latch mechanism 16 releases the jaws, the traction springs 11 of the FR 1100105 or the compression springs 52 of the jaws 2 shown in Figures 1 and 2 are suitably tensioned to securely pivot the jaws 8 and jaws 14 apart. A tensioning spring facilitates the automatic opening of the jaws, but it is in the adjustment jaws 8, 14 This can cause problems when clamping. Due to the position of the aperture 56 near the locating pin 20, a substantial portion of the force C for pivoting the movable jaw 14 also serves to bias the locating pin 20 toward the indentations 50a through 50d. The force C required to rotate the movable jaw 14 about the locating pin 20 is significantly greater than the force normally required to secure the locating pin 20 in a notch 50a to 50d. The force D is one of the main components of the force C, which is too large for the fixed positioning pin 20, but the need to rotate the movable jaw 14 is a priority. This makes it difficult to adjust the clamping ability of the jaws 8, 14. The operator must grasp the movable jaw 14 and overcome the force D before the positioning pin 20 can transition between the indentations 50a to 50d. The movable jaw 14 is designed to hold an object rather than manipulate. Inevitably, the operator is fully responsive to the movable jaw 14 to shift the locating pin 20 from one notch to the other. The array of serrations inside the movable jaw is uncomfortable when held.

While having one modification to the locking lever such that it operates in the opposite direction, other manufacturers have made locking jaws similar to those disclosed in FR 1100105. To unlock these locking calipers, rotate the locking lever towards the handle. This limit locks the rotating arc of the lever and introduces sufficient control to avoid hitting with a mallet.

Patent Publication No. US6227080 discloses another design that has been introduced for nearly 20 years. Similar to the lock caliper of FR1100105, the overall shape of the lock caliper of US6227080 is flat and consists of a fixed assembly and a movable assembly. The fixed assembly includes a front end portion constituting a fixed jaw, a rear end portion constituting a fixed handle, and an intermediate connecting portion. The movable assembly includes a movable jaw and a latching mechanism equipped with an adjustment device.

The latch mechanism includes an operating lever that is coupled to the movable jaw by a first pivot. The midpoint of the operating lever is coupled to one end of the actuating lever by a second pivot. The end of the operating lever is elongate and forms a second movable handle located below the fixed handle. The rear end of the actuating lever is coupled to a U-shaped clip of one of the portions of the adjustment device by a third pivot.

The adjustment device includes a nut fixed in the handle, a screw that travels through the nut, and an operating knob. The front end of the screw is able to travel freely through the clevis. The rear end of the screw, although translatable along the longitudinal axis of the screw and relative to the operating knob, is coupled for rotation with the operating knob. At the rear end of the handle, the operating knob is mounted such that it can be rotated but not translated. The rotation of the operating knob adjusts the position of the third pivot relative to the fixed assembly to perform the adjustment of the clamping ability of the jaws.

The front end of the actuating rod has a engaging tooth, and the front surface of the engaging tooth forms an upper arc centered on the second pivot, a lower arc of one of the smaller radii, and a downward facing and connecting the upper and lower radial arcs One of the radial faces. The radial faces that make up a joint surface extend substantially radially relative to the second pivot.

The latch mechanism includes locking/unlocking the latch by one of the shafts coupled to one of the operating levers adjacent the second pivot. On its inner side, it points to a fixed handle having a recess defined at the top by forming an upper triangular tooth of one of the engaging teeth and at the bottom by a lower triangular stop tooth. The upper edge of the stop tooth is radially relative to the axis of the catch.

The latch mechanism also includes a traction spring that is hooked between the first pivot and the actuating lever adjacent one of the points of the third pivot under tension. The latch rotates in a clockwise direction about its axis by its own second spring or one of the end projections of one of the tension springs. The dice form a trigger that protrudes slightly from the movable handle.

In use, an article is inserted between the jaws and adjustment of the gripping ability of the jaws is performed until the article is held tightly or loosely between the movable jaw and the fixed jaw.

The spring urges the first pivot axis together with the third pivot shaft to open the pivoting jaws and move the handle apart until the face of the actuating lever rests against the upper edge of the stop tooth.

In order to hold an object, the operator will pull it together while the jaws are closed and the angle of the first pivot, the second pivot and the third pivot point is gradually widened, thus tightening the spring until the clip Holding objects. At the same time, the tip of the tooth of the actuating lever moves closer to the tip of the tooth of the forceps. By continuously moving the two handles closer together, the operator eventually increases the angle enclosed by the first pivot, the second pivot and the third pivot point until the teeth of the forceps are suddenly tightened on the actuating lever Under the teeth. The second pivot point does not span one of the first pivot point and the third pivot point The angle of the dashed line and enclosed by the first pivot, the second pivot, and the third pivot point does not fully reach 180 degrees. The stress due to the clamp tends to move the second pivot away from the dashed line but the tip of the teeth of the catch abuts against the surface of the teeth of the actuating lever to prevent this. The locking pliers have reached a stable clamp position, the latching mechanism is in a locked position, and the trigger further protrudes below the movable handle.

To release the item, the operator pulls their handles closer together and presses the trigger. This disengages the teeth of the forceps from the teeth of the actuating lever such that the movable handle can be released to allow the jaws to open under the bias of the spring. When the operator grips the handle tightly, the elastic energy is stored after the clamp is released. This prevents an explosive reaction from being applied to the hand.

According to the present invention, a lock caliper is provided, comprising: a fixed assembly having an elongated overall shape, wherein a rear end of one of the fixing assemblies forms a fixed handle and a front end of the fixing assembly forms a fixed jaw; a movable assembly having an operating lever and a movable jaw, wherein the movable jaw is pivotally coupled to the fixed assembly by a jaw shaft to effect one of a movable jaw and a fixed jaw a clamp of the article, and wherein the operating lever has a front end pivotally coupled to one of the movable jaws by a first pivot and the operating lever has a rear end forming a movable handle; a spring for biasing a movable movable jaw about the rotation of the jaw shaft away from the fixed jaw; and an actuating lever having a second pivot portion pivotally coupled to the front end of the operating lever along the operating lever and by a a third pivot pivotally coupled to a rear end of the fixed handle, and wherein the actuation lever and one of the operating levers extending between the first pivot and the second pivot define a latching mechanism, wherein the actuating lever And the operating levers each have an abutment member, and The abutting members are aligned with each other to prevent the latch mechanism from traveling past one of the first pivot, the second pivot, and the third pivot after the movable handle moves toward the fixed handle during the clamping, wherein The lever and the operating lever each have a respective jaw unloading member, and wherein the jaw unloading members are aligned with one another to operate on the actuating lever and the abutment member of the operating lever to prevent the latching mechanism from moving beyond the first pivot Aligning the alignment points of the second pivot and the third pivot, wherein the tongs unloading member of the operating lever is coupled to the trigger for disengaging the tongs unloading member, and wherein a clamping force can be applied thereto After moving the handle, The trigger is manually operated by an operator, and wherein the jaw shaft on one of the movable jaw and the fixed assembly is selectively displaceable relative to the other of the movable jaw and the fixed assembly to move The fixed jaws are closer together or separated from the movable jaws.

The locking pliers of the present invention have increased gripping capabilities, such as the adjustable locking pliers of FR1100105; and avoiding the application of an explosive reaction force to the hand after the clamping of the elastic energy, such as the locking pliers of US6227080. The latch mechanism does not travel beyond the alignment points of the first pivot, the second pivot, and the third pivot. Thus, the spring can be coupled between the first pivot and the second pivot, wherein it naturally biases the movable jaw about the jaw axis and reverses the lock mechanism when the jaw is released The jaws are automatically opened in the event of an operational risk. Anchoring the spring to the first pivot eliminates any need for an additional anchor point as one of the small holes of the FR1100105. Advantageously, this also eliminates the need to over-tension the forward biasing force as applied by the traction spring of the caliper of FR1100105 and whenever an operator desires to perform a coarse adjustment of the clamping capability of the jaws. The jaw shaft of the present invention can be more freely displaced to change the clamping force of the locking forceps. The spring can be optimized only for the release of the latch mechanism and for the purpose of the rotation of the movable jaw about the jaw axis.

Preferably, the movable jaw and the jaw shaft on one of the fixed assemblies are displaceable between the plurality of jaw shaft supports on the other of the movable jaw and the fixed assembly, and Wherein each jaw shaft support is shaped to support the jaw shaft during clamping. Each jaw shaft support provides a discontinuous setting of one of the range of jaw clamping capabilities. The engagement between the jaw shaft and a jaw shaft support provides tactile feedback to the operator.

Preferably, the locking pliers include a second spring for biasing the jaw shaft toward the jaw shaft support. A second spring assists in the engagement between the jaw shaft and the jaw shaft support. The jaw shaft is typically displaced from one jaw shaft support to the other jaw shaft support only when the operator is positively selected. The biasing force of the second spring can be optimized for this purpose.

Preferably, the jaw shaft is attached to the movable jaw and the jaw shaft support is attached to the fixed assembly. This provides a miniaturized design of one of the locking pliers. For example, the jaw shaft can be located on top of the movable jaw, or at the apex and can be defined by a jaw shaft support defined by the body of the fixed assembly One of the range shifts.

Preferably, each of the jaw shaft supports is a notch, and wherein the indentations are connected by a track. One of the tracks having a notch can be formed in a solid material or formed in a metal sheet. This promotes a wide variety of materials.

Preferably, the track is oriented to resist movement of the jaw shaft between the notches. For example, the track can be tilted relative to the latch mechanism to block unintentional displacement of the jaw shaft from a gap.

Preferably, one side of the track is shaped to facilitate movement of the jaw shaft between the notches. For example, the side can be smooth to facilitate an intentional displacement of the jaw shaft between the notches.

Preferably, the movable jaws are slidable between opposite sides of the fixed assembly, and wherein the track includes a pair of mutually aligned notched windows, each of the notched windows being in respective opposite sides of the fixed assembly. The notched window can be easily formed in a metal sheet similar to a metal sheet that can be used for a U-shaped upper fixed assembly. The opposite side of the fixed assembly provides access to one of the inner passages of the movable jaw and can be comfortably held by an operator.

Preferably, the locking caliper further includes a third spring that urges the tongs unloading member of the biasing trigger toward engagement with the tongs unloading member of the actuating lever. The third spring provides automatic operation of the latch mechanism.

Preferably, the tongs unloading member of the trigger includes a first tooth and the tongs unloading member of the actuating lever includes a second tooth.

Preferably, the trigger is fixed relative to the operating lever in all positions of the latching mechanism that is not the engagement position of the first tooth and the second tooth. This provides smooth operation of the latching mechanism.

Preferably, the trigger is pivotally mounted on the operating lever. This provides reliable and ergonomic operation of the smallest moving parts.

Preferably, the third pivot can be adjusted along one of the lengths of the fixed handle. This provides an additional means of adjusting the clamping capability of the jaws.

Referring to Figures 3 through 10, a locking jaw 102 is shown that is generally flat in shape and that is comprised of an upper fixed assembly 104 and a lower movable assembly 106.

The fixed assembly 104 is formed along a front end portion of a fixed jaw 108, constitutes a rear end portion of a fixed handle 110, and an intermediate connecting portion 112 is elongated. The rear end portion 110 and the intermediate connecting portion 112 are formed of a metal piece formed in a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape. The fixed jaws 108 are formed from a metal having serrations 109 therein for holding an array of one of the articles. The fixed jaw 108 is fastened to the intermediate connecting portion 112 by a pair of rivets 113a, 113b.

The movable assembly 106 includes a generally V-shaped movable jaw 114 and a latch mechanism 116 that is equipped with an adjustment device 118. The movable jaw 114 is formed from a metal having serrations 119 therein for holding an array of one of the articles. The upper apex of the movable jaw 114 is coupled to the fixed assembly 104 by a locating pin 120. The positioning pin 120 is housed in one of the notch rails 122 of the intermediate connecting portion 112.

The latch mechanism 116 includes an operating lever 124 that is coupled to the apex of the lower jaw of the movable jaw 114 by a first pivot 126 formed by a first shaft. The midpoint of the operating lever 124 is coupled to the front end of the coincident lever 128 by a second pivot 130 formed by a second shaft. The rear end of the operating lever 124 is elongated and formed under the fixed handle 110 One of the second movable handles 132. With particular reference to FIG. 3, the movable handle 132 can be manually pivoted toward the fixed handle 110 in the direction of arrow A and away from the handle 110 in the direction of arrow B.

The adjustment device 118 includes a knurled cylinder 140 that is secured about a threaded nut 141 and a screw 142 that passes through the nut 141. The cylinder 140 and nut 141 are coaxial with one of the longitudinal axes 143 of the screw 142. The cylinder 140 is received in one of the recesses 144 in the handle 110 that is open toward the top of the handle 110. The nut 141 is axially offset with respect to the cylinder 140 such that a front portion 141a of the nut 141 protrudes from the front end of the cylinder 140. The front portion 141a protrudes beyond the recess 144 and is inside the fixed handle 110. If the nut 141 is helically disengaged from the screw 142, the handle 110 acts as a sleeve around the front portion 141a that retains the cylinder 140 and the nut 141 in the recess 144. The rear end of the cylinder 140 has an inner diameter restricting member 140a that abuts against the rear end of the nut 141. The restricting member 140a prevents the nut 141 from being pulled further rearward inside the cylinder 140.

The cylinder 140 can be accessed through the recess 144. While the cylinder 140 and nut 141 are retained in the recess 144 of the fixed handle 110 and are prevented from translating relative to the fixed handle 110, they can be manually rotated about the longitudinal axis 143 of the screw 142. The rear end of the screw 142 is free to rotatably pass through a clevis 146 that is coupled to the rear end of the actuating lever 128 by a third pivot 148. Rotation of the knurled cylinder 140 and nut 141 causes the screw 142 to translate forward or backward, and the latch mechanism 116 couples it to pivot the movable jaw 114 about the first pivot 126 to perform the clamping force of the jaws. Fine tune.

The notched track 122 is a pair of notched windows 122a, 122b that are also aligned with each other, each window traveling through an opposite side of one of the U-shaped intermediate connecting portions 112. Each of the windows 122a, 122b has a series of five notches 150a through 150e on a front side facing one of the jaws 108, 114. Depending on how wide the jaws are designed to be open from each other, there may be at least two indentations. The pairs of mutually aligned notches 150a-150e are adapted to support and support the locating pin 120 when the jaws are clamped and the latch mechanism 116 is in a locked position. When the jaws of the jaws are released and the latch mechanism 116 is in an unlocked position, the positioning pins 120 can be moved between the indentations 150a to 150e to perform the jaws. Coarse adjustment of the gripping ability.

The front end of the actuating lever 128 has a engaging tooth 152. The front surface of the engaging tooth 152 forms an upper arc 154 centered on the second pivot 130, and a smaller radius centered on the second pivot 130. A lower arc 156, and a radial face 158 connecting the two arcs 154, 156. The radial face 158 that forms a joint surface extends substantially radially relative to the second pivot 130.

The latch mechanism 116 also includes a locking/unlocking latch 160 coupled to one of the operating levers 124 by a shaft 162 positioned adjacent the second pivot 130. On its inner side, facing upwardly toward the fixed handle 110, the detent 160 has a recess 164 defined at the top by an upper triangular engagement tooth 166 and at the bottom by a lower triangular stop tooth 168. The upper surface 169 of the stop tooth 168 that forms a stop surface extends substantially radially relative to the axis of rotation of the shaft 162.

The latch mechanism 116 also includes a finger 172 (directly behind the first pivot 126) hooked onto the operating lever 124 under tension and an aperture 174 in the actuating lever 128 (located on the second pivot 130) One of the traction springs 170 between directly above).

The latch mechanism 116 includes a double torsion spring 176 mounted to the shaft 162 and secured to one of the latches 160. A protruding portion 176a of the double torsion spring 176 acts on the operating lever 124 such that the latch 160 is biased by the double torsion spring 176 to rotate about the shaft 162 in a clockwise direction E, as shown in FIG. The catch 160 forms a trigger that protrudes slightly from the movable handle 132.

The latch mechanism 116 includes a single torsion spring 178 that is mounted on one of the fingers 180 on the intermediate attachment portion 112 at a rear end 178a. One of the single torsion springs 178 is independent of the central coil 178b. One of the forwardly projecting portions 178c of the single torsion spring 178 acts on the locating pin 120 such that the locating pin 120 is biased in a generally forward direction by one of the directions of the arrow F by a single torsion spring 178, as shown in FIG. When the jaws are released from the jaws, the forward biasing of the single torsion spring 178 is only sufficient to reliably retain the locating pins 120 in a notch 150a-150e.

When the locking jaw 102 is not in use, the tension in the traction spring 170 pulls the second pivot 130 away from a dashed line IL between the first pivot 126 and the third pivot 148. This reduces the distance between the first pivot 126 and the third pivot 148, which causes the movable jaw 132 to pivot about the locating pin 120 (in the counterclockwise direction of arrow G) away from the fixed jaw 108 and cause The movable handle 132 pivots about the first pivot 126 (in the direction of arrow B) away from the fixed handle 110. It also causes a decrease in one of the locking angles a of the first pivot 126, the second pivot 130, and the third pivot 148. The jaws 108, 114 are in one of the open positions as shown in Figure 7 or moved toward one of the open positions as shown in Figure 7. The radial face 158 of the engaging tooth 152 of the actuating lever abuts against the stop face 169 of the stop tooth 168 of the latch, and the engaging tooth 166 of the latch abuts against the upper arc 154 of the front face of the actuating lever 128, such as This is shown in Figure 8. This prevents the two handles 110, 132 from moving further apart from each other.

The lower portion of the latch 160 forms a trigger that slightly protrudes below the movable handle 132. When the locking jaw 102 is in use, the operator uses all four fingers to begin pulling the movable handle 132 closer to the fixed handle 110 (in the direction of the arrow direction A), which is squeezed tightly into the palm of the operator's hand. The second pivot 130 moves toward a dashed line IL between the first pivot 126 and the third pivot 148. This increases the distance between the first pivot 126 and the third pivot 148, which causes the movable jaw 132 to pivot about the locating pin 120 (in the clockwise direction of arrow H) toward the fixed jaw 108 and cause The movable handle 132 pivots about the first pivot 126 (in the direction of arrow A) toward the fixed handle 110. The locking angle a is gradually widened, and the movable jaw 114 is rotated about the positioning pin 120. Thus, the jaws 108, 114 move toward one of the closed positions as shown in Figure 5 and begin to clamp an object. The tension in the traction spring 170 gradually increases. At the same time, the tip end of the engaging tooth 152 of the actuating lever moves closer to the tip end of the engaging tooth 166 of the latch, and the tip of the engaging tooth 166 of the latch and the upper arc 154 of the engaging tooth 152 of the actuating lever and the latch The contact between the tip end of the stop tooth 168 and the lower arc 156 of the actuating lever is continued by the bias of the torsion spring 176, as shown in detail in FIG. By this movement, the latch 160 is fixed relative to the movable handle 132 such that the trigger can form one of the operator's index fingers. force.

By continuing to move the two handles 110, 132 closer together, the operator clamps the article tightly between the jaw 108 and the jaw 114 and slightly increases the locking angle a until the engagement teeth 152 of the actuation rod are suddenly tightened One angle behind the engagement teeth 166 of the forceps is best illustrated by Figure 6 as best. The upper face of the engaging teeth 166 of the catch is substantially radial with respect to the second pivot 130. The stress in the traction spring 170 due to the stress of the clamp tends to decrease the locking angle a. However, the tip of the engaging teeth 166 of the catch abuts against the radial face 158 of the actuating lever to prevent one of the locking angles a from decreasing. The locking pliers 102 has now reached a stable clamp position. The center of the second pivot 130 has not passed the dashed line IL between the first pivot 126 and the third pivot 148. The locking angle α is slightly less than 180 degrees. Usually the locking angle α is in the order of 170 to 175 degrees. In this position, the trigger further protrudes below the movable handle 132. The operator's index finger can feel a sudden tightening.

The double torsion spring 176 urges the catch 160 to pivot about the shaft 162 in a clockwise direction E. The engaging teeth 152, 166 abut each other by a force substantially perpendicular to one of the dashed lines IL between the first pivot 126 and the third pivot 148. If the operator pulls the two handles 110, 132 even closer together, the abutment point 184 of the movable handle will precede the dashed line IL between the first pivot 126 and the third pivot 148 by the second pivot 130. Move to abut against the abutment point 182 of the actuating lever. This ensures that the second pivot 130 never passes through the dashed line IL. Once the operator releases the movable handle 132, the locking jaw 102 assumes a stable clamp position under the bias of the traction spring 170. The locking mechanism 116 applies a locking force LF around the locating pin 120 in a clockwise direction that is offset by a clamping force CF between the jaw 108 and the jaw 114.

To release the object between the jaws 108 and the jaws 114, the operator holds the locking jaws 102 and pulls the handles 110, 132 slightly closer together until the abutment point 184 of the movable handle moves to the actuation lever It is against the point 182. The operator presses a finger on the trigger 160 to disengage the engaging teeth 152 from the engaging teeth 166 and then releases the movable handle 132 to allow the jaws 108, 114 to automatically open. This opening is induced by the tension in the traction spring 170 The tension tends to pull the first pivot 126 and the third pivot 148 together, pushing the second pivot 130 away from the dashed line IL, and moving the movable jaw 114 away from the fixed jaw in the counterclockwise direction of the arrow G. 108 rotation. The most spacious open position is defined by the abutment between the stop teeth 168 of the catch and the radial teeth 158 of the actuating lever.

Thus, the stored elastic energy after the clamp is released when the operator holds the grips and controls of the handles 110, 132 and this helps to reduce or even avoid one of the opponent's explosive reactions.

With particular reference to FIG. 5, when the fixed handle 110 and the movable handle 132 are moved together, the operating lever 124 and the actuating lever 128 abut against their mutual abutment points 184, 186 and coincidentally counterclockwise at arrow A. The direction is rotated a small distance about the third pivot 148. With the present invention, the single pivot spring 178 only slightly urges the locating pin 120 to move forward toward the notches 150a through 150e in the direction of the arrow F. The locating pin may not be fixed to a notch and may only be moved downward by an operator pulling the fixed handle 110 with the movable handle 132 and thereby overcoming the bias of the single torsion spring 178. Moreover, with the present invention, the locating pin 120 can be unfixed and only by the operator tightening the fixed jaw 108 with the movable jaw 114 and again overcoming the bias of the single torsion spring 178 Move up in the direction.

Referring to Figure 9, each of the opposite side windows 122a, 122b of the opposite side of the intermediate attachment portion 112 of the fixed assembly 104 is a generally elongate passageway having a major side opposite the indentations 150a through 150e. The straight side helps the locating pin slide between the notches as the jaws release the jaws. The locating pin 120 is the shaft of the movable jaw 114 that is used as a trunnion as mentioned above. The locating pins are supported by notches 150a through 150e that are shaped to resist lateral displacement of the locating pins between the nips when the jaws 108, 114 are clamped or loosened. For example, when the jaws are loosened by the jaws, a single torsion spring 178 exerts a force F on the locating pin 120 that is directed toward the notches 150a-150e that support the locating pin 120. Even if the single torsion spring 178 is not present (which is an option), the notched windows 122a, 122b are still tilted forward such that the indentations 150a through 150e will tend to support the locating pin 120. When the jaws 108, 114 are loosened by the clamp, the positioning pin 120 is clamped by the clamp The force F' produced by the combination of the force CF and the locking force LF is also directed toward the notches 150a to 150e.

The assembly of the locking jaw 102 can be fabricated by cutting, stamping, pressing, and then assembling a metal sheet. The locking jaws 102 are often used to hold metal objects together and to hold the metal objects for the purpose of welding them or the like.

2‧‧‧Lock pliers

4‧‧‧Upper fixed assembly

6‧‧‧Lower movable assembly / movable jaw

8‧‧‧Fixed jaws

10‧‧‧Fixed handle

12‧‧‧Intermediate connection

14‧‧‧ movable jaw

16‧‧‧Latch mechanism

18‧‧‧Adjustment device

20‧‧‧Locating pin

22‧‧‧ Notched track/notched window

24‧‧‧Operation lever

26‧‧‧First pivot

28‧‧‧Acoustic rod

30‧‧‧second pivot

32‧‧‧Lock lever

34‧‧‧Cam pivot

36‧‧‧Curved cam surface

38‧‧‧Abutment

40‧‧‧Cylindrical knurled nut

42‧‧‧ screws

44‧‧‧ recess

46‧‧‧U-shaped clips

48‧‧‧ Third pivot

50a-50d‧‧‧ gap

52‧‧‧Compressed spring

54‧‧ ‧ sales

56‧‧‧Small hole

102‧‧‧Lock pliers

104‧‧‧Upper fixed assembly

106‧‧‧Lower movable assembly

108‧‧‧Fixed jaws

109‧‧‧Sawtooth

110‧‧‧Fixed handle

112‧‧‧Intermediate connection

113a, 113b‧‧‧ rivets

114‧‧‧ movable jaw

116‧‧‧Latch mechanism

118‧‧‧Adjustment device

119‧‧‧Sawtooth

120‧‧‧Locating pin

122‧‧‧ notched track

122a, 122b‧‧‧ notched window

124‧‧‧Operating lever

126‧‧‧ first pivot

128‧‧‧Acoustic rod

130‧‧‧Second pivot

132‧‧‧Removable handle

140‧‧‧ knurled cylinder

140a‧‧‧Internal diameter limiter

141‧‧‧Threaded nut

141a‧‧‧ front

142‧‧‧ screws

143‧‧‧ longitudinal axis

144‧‧‧ recess

146‧‧‧U-shaped clips

148‧‧‧ third pivot

150a-150e‧‧ ‧ gap

152‧‧‧joint teeth

154‧‧‧ upper arc

156‧‧‧lower arc

158‧‧‧radial surface

160‧‧‧Lock/unlock the dice

162‧‧‧Axis

164‧‧‧ recess

166‧‧‧ upper triangular joint teeth

168‧‧‧Lower triangular stop teeth

169‧‧‧ upper surface

170‧‧‧ traction spring

172‧‧‧ fingers

174‧‧‧ hole

176‧‧‧Double torsion spring

176a‧‧‧ highlight

178‧‧‧Single torsion spring

178a‧‧‧ backend

178b‧‧‧Central coil

178c‧‧‧ forward highlights

180‧‧‧ fingers

182‧‧‧Affirmation

184‧‧‧Affirmation

A‧‧‧ arrow

B‧‧‧ arrow

C‧‧‧ arrow/force

CF‧‧‧ clamp force

D‧‧‧Forward component

E‧‧‧clockwise

F‧‧‧ arrow

F’‧‧‧ force

G‧‧‧ arrow

H‧‧‧ arrow

IL‧‧‧dotted line

LF‧‧‧Locking force

α‧‧‧Lock angle

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the following figures: 1 and 2 show side views of a prior art lock pliers.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of one of the locking pliers of the present invention; Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the assembly of the locking pliers of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a side cross-sectional view of the locking plier of Figure 3 in a locked position; Figure 6 Figure 7 shows a side cross-sectional view of the lock pliers of Figure 3 in an unlocked position; Figure 8 shows detail VIII of Figure 7; Figure 9 shows detail IX of Figure 3; and Figure 10 shows Detail 7 of X.

108‧‧‧Fixed jaws

109‧‧‧Sawtooth

110‧‧‧Fixed handle

112‧‧‧Intermediate connection

113a, 113b‧‧‧ rivets

114‧‧‧ movable jaw

119‧‧‧Sawtooth

120‧‧‧Locating pin

122‧‧‧ notched track

122b‧‧‧ notched window

124‧‧‧Operating lever

126‧‧‧ first pivot

128‧‧‧Acoustic rod

130‧‧‧Second pivot

132‧‧‧Removable handle

140‧‧‧ knurled cylinder

141‧‧‧Threaded nut

142‧‧‧ screws

146‧‧‧U-shaped clips

148‧‧‧ third pivot

160‧‧‧Lock/unlock the dice

162‧‧‧Axis

170‧‧‧ traction spring

172‧‧‧ fingers

174‧‧‧ hole

176‧‧‧Double torsion spring

176a‧‧‧ highlight

178‧‧‧Single torsion spring

178a‧‧‧ backend

178b‧‧‧Central coil

178c‧‧‧ forward highlights

180‧‧‧ fingers

182‧‧‧Affirmation

184‧‧‧Affirmation

A‧‧‧ arrow

CF‧‧‧ clamp force

F‧‧‧ arrow

H‧‧‧ arrow

IL‧‧‧dotted line

LF‧‧‧Locking force

Claims (13)

A lock caliper (102) includes: a fixed assembly (104) having an elongated overall shape, wherein a rear end of the fixed assembly forms a fixed handle (110) and a front end of the fixed assembly Forming a fixed jaw (108); a movable assembly (106) having an operating lever (124) and a movable jaw (114), wherein the movable jaw is supported by a jaw shaft (120) a pivotally coupled to the fixed assembly (104) to effect clamping of an object between the movable jaw (114) and the fixed jaw (108), and wherein the operating lever (124) has a a first pivot (126) is pivotally coupled to a front end of the movable jaw and the operating lever has a rear end forming a movable handle (132); a spring (170) for biasing Pressing the movable jaw (114) about the rotation of the jaw shaft (130) away from the fixed jaw (108); and the actuating lever (128) having a second pivot (130) portion A front end of one of the operating levers (124) is pivotally coupled along the operating lever and pivotally coupled to a rear end of the fixed handle by a third pivot (148), and wherein the actuating lever ( 128) and in the One portion of the operating lever (124) extending between the first pivot (126) and the second pivot (130) defines a latching mechanism (116), wherein the actuating lever (128) and the operating lever ( 124) each having an abutment member, and wherein the abutment members are aligned with each other to block the latch mechanism (116) after the movable handle (132) is moved toward the fixed handle (110) during clamping Traveling beyond an alignment point of the first pivot (126), the second pivot (130), and the third pivot (148), wherein the actuating lever (128) and the operating lever (124) each have a respective clamp unloading member (166, 152), and wherein the clamp unloading members are aligned with one another to actuate the actuating rod And (128) and the abutting members of the operating lever (124) operate to prevent the latching mechanism (116) from moving beyond the first pivot (126), the second pivot (130), and the third pivot The alignment point of the shaft (148) is previously engaged, wherein the clamp unloader (166) of the operating lever (124) is coupled to a trigger (160) for disengaging one of the jaw unloaders (152, 166) And wherein the trigger (160) can be manually operated by an operator after applying a clamping force to the movable handle, characterized by the movable jaw (114) and the fixed assembly ( The jaw shaft (120) on one of the 104) is selectively displaceable relative to the other of the movable jaw (114) and the fixed assembly (104) to move the fixed jaw (108) ) closer or more spaced apart from the movable jaw. The lock pliers (102) of claim 1, wherein the movable jaw (114) and the jaw shaft (120) on one of the fixed assemblies (104) are at the movable jaw and the fixed Displacement between a plurality of jaw shaft supports (150a to 150e) on the other of the assemblies (104), and wherein each jaw shaft support is shaped to support the jaw shaft during clamping ( 120). The lock tong (102) of claim 2, wherein the lock caliper (102) includes a second spring (178) for biasing the jaw shaft (120) toward the jaw shaft supports (150a-150e) ). A lock pliers (102) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the jaw shaft (120) is attached to the movable jaw (114) and the jaw shaft supports (150a to 150e) are On the fixed assembly (104). A lock pliers (102) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each of the jaw shaft supports is a notch (150a to 150e), and wherein the notches (150a to 150e) are connected by a track (122). The lock tong (102) of claim 5, wherein the track (122) is oriented to resist movement of the jaw shaft (120) between the gaps (150a-150e). A locking jaw (102) according to claim 6 wherein one side of the track (122) is shaped to facilitate movement of the jaw shaft (120) between the gaps (150a to 150e). The lock tong (102) of claim 5, wherein the movable jaw (114) is slidable between opposite sides of the fixed assembly (104), and wherein the track (122) includes a pair of mutually aligned Notched windows (122a, 122b), each notched window being in each of the opposite sides of the fixed assembly. A lock pliers (102) as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising the clamp unloader (166) for biasing the trigger (160) toward the clamp with the actuating lever (128) The unloading member (152) engages one of the third springs (176). The lock caliper of claim 9, wherein the tongs unloading member of the trigger (160) includes a first tooth (166) and the tongs unloading member of the actuating lever (128) includes a second tooth (152) ). The lock caliper of claim 10, wherein the trigger (160) is fixed relative to the operating lever (128) to the latching mechanism that is not the engaged position of the first tooth (166) and the second tooth (152) (116) in all positions. A lock pliers (102) as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the trigger (160) is pivotally mounted on the operating lever (124). A locking jaw (102) of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the third pivot point is adjustable along a length of the fixed handle (110).