Abstract:
A crimp tool having jaw members joined in a tongue-in-groove connection held in place by a locking pin. Each jaw member being tapered and including weight reducing pockets defined in respective sidewalls. Each jaw member includes a locking tab on an outside edge that mates with a respective locking tab opening in the neck of the tool. When the locking pin is removed, the jaws of the tool separate and rotate away from one another until their respective locking tabs engage their respective locking tab opening, thereby holding the opened jaws in the neck of the tool.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the right of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/330,598, filed on May 2, 2016, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to cooperating jaws and hydraulic tools having cooperating jaws. More particularly, the present invention relates to hydraulic, hand-held crimp tools and jaw heads for crimp tools. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Hand-held hydraulic tools are well known in the art. These tools use cooperating jaws that are hydraulically pressed together with great force to crimp materials. These tools may be battery-powered to allow mobility and portability for the user. These tools typically employ a locking pin that holds the jaws together for the crimping operation. The locking pin is removed to release the jaws. 
         [0004]    Prior art crimping tools illustrative of the typical features, controls, and configurations are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,216,523; 7,409,846; 7,434,441; 8,336,362 to Frenken, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0005]    The present inventor recognized certain perceived drawbacks with prior art hydraulic crimp tools and jaws for such crimp tools. Specifically, the inventor recognized that prior art crimp tools use hermaphroditic jaws, much like common scissors, which was perceived to result in uneven force being applied during crimping. Additionally, the present inventor recognized that inherent tolerances systemic in the bulk manufacturing of hermaphroditic jaws may adversely affect performance of the jaws in operation. 
         [0006]    The present inventor also perceived a drawback with many prior art crimp tools in that they are difficult to manipulate by the user for various reasons. For example, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, when the locking pin for the jaws is removed, the jaws separate and may fall out of the tool, adding to the complexity of using the tool and interchangeable jaws/heads. The present inventor also recognized that the weight of crimp tools adversely affects the usability of these tools, as true with any tool carrying unnecessary weight. Additionally, the present inventor perceived a drawback in the casting process of hermaphroditic jaws in that there could be casting imperfections in the jaws due to uneven cooling of the metal with certain casting techniques. 
         [0007]    As perceived by the present inventor, the foregoing highlights some of the possible problems and drawbacks with conventional hydraulic crimp tools and their jaws. Furthermore, the foregoing highlight&#39;s the present inventor&#39;s recognition of the long-felt, yet unresolved need in the art for a lighter tool and/or a tool with features that aid a user&#39;s ability to manipulate the tool without losing efficacy. In addition, the foregoing highlights the inventor&#39;s recognition of a need in the art for jaws that do not have the drawbacks of hermaphroditic jaws in manufacturing, use, and interchangeability. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    Various embodiments of various permutations of the features and advantages of the present invention overcome various of the aforementioned and other disadvantages associated with prior art crimp tools and jaws. The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery that modifying the jaws of a crimping tool can aid the usability of the tool. Various objects of some embodiments of the invention are based, in part, on the discovery that predetermined placement of tabs on the jaws and tab notches on the tool neck can control the positioning on the jaws in an advantageous position. Other objects of various embodiments of the present invention are based, in part, on the discovery that the jaws of a tool can be tapered to reduce the weight of the tool without compromising crimping ability while also possibly removing weakness attributable to the typical prior art casting process. Further, pockets of material can be removed to reduce the weight without sacrificing strength and allowing the jaws to handle stress in a more uniform manner across the operative area of the jaws. Still other objects of other embodiments of the present invention are based, in part, on the discovery that the use of a tongue-and-groove arrangement of the jaws may be advantageous over hermaphaditic jaws. And still other objects of various embodiments of the present invention are based, in part, on the discovery that the provision of a bushing or sleeve for the locking pin bore to hold the jaws together after removal of the locking pin and for facilitating ease of entry and removal of the locking pin. 
         [0009]    As discussed herein, the present inventor conceived of a tongue-and-groove arrangement of the jaws of a crimping tool to ensure the forces acting on the jaws during operation and use are symmetrical. The present inventor also conceived of the use of a sleeve or bushing in the locking pin opening to hold the tool jaws in place when the locking pin is removed as well as provide a smooth, uninterrupted surface for ease of inserting and removing the locking pin. 
         [0010]    The present inventor also conceived of the use of tabs at the back end of the jaws to serve as stops to hold the jaws open. Preferably, the neck of the tool includes tab slots for receiving the tabs and holding the jaws in a desired position. Preferably, the tabs and notches are positioned to align the pivot hole with the jaw release pin to allow the rollers to contact the cam surfaces of the jaws. 
         [0011]    The present inventor also conceived of ways to reduce the weight of the tool without compromising the strength of the tool. The present inventor conceived of improvements in the shape of the tool&#39;s jaws to maximize strength, reduce imperfections during casting, and at the same time reduce overall weight. The jaws can be tapered to reduce the weight of the tool without compromising crimping ability while also possibly removing weakness attributable to the typical prior art casting process. Further, pockets of material can be removed to reduce the weight without sacrificing strength and also providing the benefit of allowing the jaws to handle stress in a more uniform manner across the operative area of the jaws. 
         [0012]    The various advantages aspects and features of the various embodiments of the invention described and claimed herein should become evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art given the following enabling description and drawings. The aspects and features disclosed herein believed to be novel and other elements characteristic of the various embodiments of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale unless otherwise indicated. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the invention despite depicting a presently preferred embodiment of the invention. The following enabling disclosure is directed to one of ordinary sill in the art and presupposes that those aspects of the invention within the ability of the ordinarily skilled artisan are understood and appreciated. 
         [0013]    As used in this application, the terms “front,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and other orientational descriptors are intended to facilitate the description of the exemplary embodiment described herein, and are not intended to limit the structure of the exemplary embodiments or limit the claims to any particular position or orientation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The advantageous aspects and features of various exemplary embodiments will be more apparent from the description of those exemplary embodiments taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a battery-powered crimp tool embodiment according to various aspects of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is side view of the jaws of the crimp tool of  FIG. 1  in the open position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of the jaws of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional top view of the jaws of  FIG. 3A  taken along line A-A. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the jaws of an embodiment of the present invention shown in isolation. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the jaws and neck of an embodiment of a crimp tool of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a front elevated perspective view of the jaws and neck of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 7A  is a side view of the jaws of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7B  is a cross sectional view of the jaws of  FIG. 7A  taken along line B-B. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8A  is a side view in partial cross section of a neck and jaws of an embodiment of a crimp tool of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8B  is an enlarged view of the portion of  FIG. 8A  encircled by the dotted line C. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9A  is a top view of the jaws and neck of a crimp tool according to an embodiment of the invention receiving a locking pin. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9B  is a sided view of the jaws and neck depicted in  FIG. 9A   
           [0028]      FIG. 9C  is a cross-section of  FIG. 9B  taken along line H-H. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9D  is an enlarged view of the portion of  FIG. 9B  encircled by the dotted line F. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a side view of jaws of an embodiment of the invention opening after the locking pin is removed. 
           [0031]      FIG. 11A-D  is a top view of a wobble plate assembly according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 12A-D  is a cross-sectional side view of the wobble plate assembly of  FIG. 11A-D  taken along lines A-A, B-B, C-C, and D-D, respectively. 
           [0033]      FIG. 13A-D  is close up of the wobble plate assembly of  FIG. 12A-D  of the features shown in circles A, B, C, and D, respectively. 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a wobble plate assembly according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]    While the present invention will be shown and described in connection with a battery-powered, hand-held crimp tool, one of ordinary skill in the art armed with the present application will readily appreciate that the inventive concepts and aspects of the invention may be implemented in a wide variety of tools, fields, and uses. The present invention should not be deemed to be limited to the embodiments that are described herein. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a battery-powered crimp tool  100  includes a battery pack  101 , a handle portion  102  that houses the controls  103  and a hand grip  104 , a neck portion  105 , and a pair of cooperating jaw members  110 A,  110 B. 
         [0037]    As best shown on  FIGS. 2 and 3 , each jaw member includes a curved pressing lever in having a front tip portion  112  and a back portion  113 . The interior area of jaw lever defines one or more curved crimp surfaces  114 ,  115 . In the depicted embodiment, the jaws include crimp grooves  114 ,  115 . As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, these crimp grooves are permanent grooves comprising two chambers and a flat surface on top. While any configuration is deemed within the scope of the present invention, the presently preferred configuration depicted in the Figures shows a first crimp groove of the standard “D3” size, and the second crimp groove is a “BG” type. Other configurations using the crimp grooves sized for operation as a cable cutter head or “o” groove. 
         [0038]    The tips  112  of the jaws according to the depicted embodiment include die buttons  119  as commonly found on crimp jaws. The die buttons  119  are operatively associated with the rear crimp groove  115 . As will be appreciated, the die buttons  119  include a head portions, a spring portion, and a nut portion, each separated by a respective neck portion. The die buttons  119  serve to allow releasable attachment of die members from a die set. For example, a desired “W” sized die member(s) may be selected from a “W” die set and secured in the second crimp groove(s)  115  via the die button(s)  119 . 
         [0039]    The jaws  110 A,  110 B are connected to one another by the use of a locking pin  130  that passes through internal bores disposed on internal hubs of the jaws back portion  113 . Disposed in the internal bores is a sleeve or bushing  140  (see  FIG. 3B ). The sleeve not only holds the two jaw members  110 A,  110 B together, but also allows pivot pin  130  to slide on one continuous surface when installing the jaws, thereby providing easier installation. In other words, the pin  130  will not be held up or catch in the areas where the respective jaws meet which may be slightly offset or have gaps. Additional, the sleeve  140  keeps the jaw members  100 A,  110 B of the crimp head together for easier handling when the pivot pin  130  is removed as discussed below. 
         [0040]    As best shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the jaws  110 A,  110 B are configured to open and close relative to one another using a tongue-and-groove arrangement wherein the first jaw  110 A includes a groove  175  that accepts a protruding tongue portion  170  of the interior area of the back portion  113 B of the second jaw  110 B. The tongue-and-groove arrangement allows the jaws  110 A,  110 B to pivot around pivot pin  130  and pivot open without the back ends  113 A,  113 B of the jaws  110 A,  10 B bumping into each other. The groove  175  provides a recess for the back “tongue” end  170  of the second jaw  110 B to advance so the back ends  113 A,  113 B of the jaws  110 A,  110 B can be rotated towards and ultimately passed one another, providing clearance for the jaws to fully open. 
         [0041]    Importantly, the tongue-and-groove configuration allows the section to keep the forces acting on the jaws symmetrical as well as reducing the stress, thereby allowing for a smaller, lighter weight design. Specifically, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, prior art jaws are designed as hermaphroditic pairs. As such, similar to a pair of ordinary scissors attempting to cut a piece of cardboard, the forces and tolerances lead to binding and bending and other problems from the asymmetric application of forces. With the tongue-and-groove configuration, all of the forces are symmetrically received. In addition, this configuration allows for tighter tolerances to further enhance performance of the mating jaws. 
         [0042]    The lighter weight design is also achieved, at least in part, on some embodiments by the provision of one or more “pockets”  121 A,  121 B, or areas where the cross section is thinner in a desired shape. These pockets  121 A,  121 B not only serve as weight reduction pockets, but also are believed to be used in configuring jaws designed to absorb stress in a more uniform manner across the operative portions of the jaws. One of ordinary skill in the art armed with the present specification can design the pockets of any suitable size and shape depending on the material of construction and overall design of the jaws through routine experimentation in order to achieve one or more of the advantageous features of the weight reduction pockets. 
         [0043]    In addition, as best shown in  FIG. 7 , a lighter weight design is achieved by tapering at least the tip portions  112 A,  112 B of the jaws  110 A,  110 B. In a presently preferred embodiment (see  FIG. 7B ), the tip portions  112 A, B are tapered in a generally I-shaped configuration where the body tapers at an angle or preferably 6 degrees. The variable cross-section of the tip ends of the jaws reduces weight by only having material where it is needed. Additionally, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the casting process is not only made easier by the tapered configuration, but also results in a superior product. Specifically, as will be appreciated, tapering the mold helps the flow of material for casting the jaws. The tapering allows the material to cool evenly from the edges inwardly, as opposed to cooling in patches in an untampered product. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the present inventor believes that tapering allows the flow rates and pressure of the process to be optimized to a point that the material does not start cooling before it spreads throughout the mold. This, in turn, facilitates the even cooling from the edges inward. 
         [0044]    While a generally I-shaped configuration with 6 degree tapering is shown, one of ordinary skill in the art should appreciated that any suitable configuration that lessons the weight and/or eases manufacturing while not compromising strength should be understood to be within the scope of the invention. One of ordinary skill in the art should readily appreciate that during operation, the base of the jaw receives more stress so that area is preferably thicker. Tapering along the length of the operative area allows a jaw to be configured to ensure stress is more uniform across the jaw. One of ordinary skill in the art armed with the present application can configure a jaw with tapering and/or pockets through routine experimentation in a manner to achieve one or more of the advantageous features of receiving uniform stress and weight reduction based on the ultimate design and material of construction. 
         [0045]    An additional advantageous feature of various embodiments of the invention is best shown in  FIGS. 8-10 . As discernable from the Figures, the back ends  113 A,  113 B of the jaws  110 A,  110 B include raised tabs  150 A,  150 B. These tabs  150 A,  150 B serve as stops providing multiple advantages. First, in some embodiments such as the one depicted, the respective stops  150 A,  150 B are preferably positioned to facilitate installation by allowing the jaws  110 A,  110 B to only open an amount that results in the pivot pin  130  being aligned with the inside of the sleeve  140 . Thus, the problem of a user having to user their hand to hold the jaws in alignment is mitigated. A user can now allow the jaws to release and fall open as shown in  FIGS. 8-10  leaving the jaws aligned. 
         [0046]    Secondly, in some embodiments such as the one depicted, the tabs  150 A,  150 B are sized and configured to mate with a respective tab notch  155 A,  155 B provided on the neck (yoke)  105  of the tool  100 . Preferably, when the tabs  150 A,  150 B fit into their respective notches  155 A,  155 B they align the pivot hole with the jaw release pin and a also allow the roller  190  (see  FIG. 8B ) to come in contact with the cam surfaces  118 A,  118 B of the jaws  110 A,  110 B. Again, the alignment mitigates a common problem with prior art tools. 
         [0047]    In addition, an added benefit is that when the tabs  150 A,  150 B lock into their respective tab notches  155 A,  155 A, the jaws  11 A,  11 B are preventing from falling out of the tool  100  when the locking pin  130  is removed. Additionally, when the locking pin  130  is pulled, the jaw members  110 A,  110 B not only remain in the tool  100 , but also spring tension from spring member  180  (see  FIGS. 9B , D) on the back ends  113 A,  113 B of the jaws  110 A,  110 B, the two tabs  150 A,  150 B are held securely in the notches  155 A,  155 B. As will be appreciated, spring member  180  biases the jaws. Opposite ends of the spring are connected to opposing jaw members by connections accessed through spring pin holes  181 A,  181 B. 
         [0048]    Furthermore, as best shown in  FIG. 10 , even if the pin  130  is removed, since the sleeve  140  is present, the two jaw members  11 A,  11 B are held together. The jaws  11 A,  11 B may move slightly, but once the tabs  150 A,  150 B lock into their notches  155 A,  155 B, the jaws  11 A,  11 B are held in place. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art armed with the present specification, user frustration from the unlocking of the jaws and them falling off the tool is a common problem that is overcome by one or more of the above described embodiments utilizing tab members. 
         [0049]    Various embodiments of the present invention, such as the presently preferred embodiment depicted in the Figures, lend themselves to the provision of additional advantageous features. For example, the tool  100  may make use of a trigger lock  106  for added safety. The trigger lock would preferably require release for every crimping operation. Similarly, the tool  100  could use a planetary gear box  107  that would provide lower ratio/less torque and tangential forces which results in the need for fewer bearings. 
         [0050]    A presently preferred embodiment of a hydraulic tool  100  exemplifying various features of the invention also includes the feature of a ball bearing  200  being disposed between the interface  250  of the pump  30   o  and the wobble plate  400 . The operation and interaction of the pump  300  and wobble plate  400  in prior art hydraulic tools is well understood in the art and the details of which will not be discussed herein. The presently preferred embodiment modifies the prior art structure. As shown in  FIGS. 11-14 , the pumps  300  are spaced 0.800″ apart in the hydraulic pump body (not shown), and likewise, the spherical pockets  450  in the wobble plate  400  are also machined 0.800″ apart. However, since the wobble plate  400  is always constrained at an angle (4 degrees), at certain points in the rotation, the effective distance between the two spherical cutouts is less than the 0.800″ pump distance. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, if the pump was directly contacting the wobble plate  400 , this would cause a sliding motion in that interface. 
         [0051]    As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art armed with the present specification, when a ball bearing  200  is placed between each of the pumps  30   o  and the wobble plate  400 , one more degree of freedom is created and the ball  200  creates a rolling contact, which greatly improves the efficiency, especially at high rotational speed. As shown in the Figures, there are two contact points  650 A,  650 B, and as the wobble plate  400  moves through its cycle, the “axis”  500  changes in a conical pattern  600  (see  FIG. 14  depicting the conical pattern for illustrative purposes). The end result of this configuration is an improved and more efficient tool. 
         [0052]    The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. The description of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modification, alternatives and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and are intended to fall within the scope of the invention.