Abstract:
The device of the present invention is useful for facilitating the soldering of materials. More specifically, the device of the present invention is useful for the positioning and securing of at least two electrically conductive materials such that those materials can be effectively soldered together.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to the field of devices used to facilitate the electrical connection of at least two electrically conductive materials. More specifically, the present invention relates to the field of soldering devices. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In many fields, including but not limited to the fields of general automotive electronics and audio/video electronics, it is often necessary to electrically connect at least two different wires. This connection is often achieved through the use of solder. The art of soldering requires the melting of a metallic alloy to unite at least two other metallic surfaces. In the relevant fields, solder is used to electrically connect at least two separate wires to unite those wires and facilitate the passage of electricity through those wires. 
   The strength of a solder connection depends on the environment in which the soldering process is conducted. It is necessary to ensure ample contact between the two surfaces for which the electrical connection is desired. This can be a difficult task as the art of soldering requires that the person soldering use both hands to complete the task. Thus, it is necessary to provide for some method of securing the at least two metallic surfaces or members desired to be soldered in a preferred position in reference to the other and ensuring that the wires will retain that preferred position throughout the soldering process. 
   Previous attempts to resolve the positioning and securing problem have not been adequate. One attempt used a wire end connector type mechanism which would clamp the ends of the two wire pieces desired to be soldered. This process only allowed for the soldering of the remaining exposed wire. This approach has three drawbacks. First, because the clamp was attached at the ends of the exposed wire, those portions of the wire could not be soldered. Second the wires had to be manipulated such that they were essentially perpendicular to the remainder of the wire. This results in an inefficient use of space in what can be extremely confined circumstances (such as in the dashboard or under the hood of an automobile) and also increases the potential for a breach as compared to the situation where the soldered connection remains in-line with the remainder of the wires being soldered (at least in the event of only two wires being soldered). Finally, the use of these devices did not limit the amount of solder that was applied to the exposed wire and would often result in a large hardened portion of solder. Again, this is an inefficient use of space and of solder. 
   Therefore, what is needed is a device which allows for all portions of exposed wires to be soldered and, in the case of two wires being connected, for the soldered connection to remain in line with the remainder of the wires. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   It is one object of the present invention to provide a device for positioning and securing at least two wires such that those wires can be electrically connected to each other. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for electrically connecting at least two wires that can accommodate wires of different sizes. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a device for electrically connecting at least two wires together such that the portion of the wire being soldered remain linear with the remainder of the wire. 
   It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a device which allows for solder to be applied to the complete distal end of the bar portion of wires. 
   It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a device which allows for the removal of excess solder. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The device of the present invention is useful for securing and positioning at least two wires together such that the wires can be electrically connected. The device is comprised of clamps attached to a planar surface. Each of these clamps can be used to secure and position a wire such that all of the wires desired to be electrically connected are adjacent to each other and, in the case of two wires, retain the same linear disposition of the remainder of the wire. This allows for the user of the device to easily and efficiently electrically connect the wires, the portion being connected being limited only by the amount of wire that is exposed. Because the device both secures the wires such that they cannot be moved and positions the wires to allow for ease of electrical connection, the person conducting the soldering does not have to hold or re-position the wires during the connection process. Further, because the clamps of the device secure portions of the wire that are not to be connected to any other wire, and will position the wires such that the desired areas to be connected will not be in contact with any other surface beyond the adjacent wire(s), a complete connection can be made along the entire potential connection area. Finally, the device of the present invention will secure the wires such that excess solder can be collected and removed such that it does not aggregate onto the soldered connection. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the foregoing and the subsequent detailed description, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the device of the present invention taken from the side of the device. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross section of the wire securement mechanism portion of the device of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the device of the present invention taken from the front of the device. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference to  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, device  11  is comprised of generally planar base section  13 , receiving guides  15 , securing means  17 , springs  19  and fulcrum  21 . Receiving guides  15 , which are to be provided in matched pairs, are further comprised of trough  23  which will receive and position electrically conductive material  25 . Electrically conductive material  25  can be a wire, but more generally, can be any generally cylindrical material for which a soldering process is to be applied. For ease of identification, electrically conductive material  25  will hereafter be referred to as wire  25 . Once properly positioned in trough  23 , wire  25  will be secured by wire securement mechanism  17  using the force applied by spring  19  transferred about fulcrum  21 . Spring  19  must have a k-value which will be sufficient to secure wire  25  while not deforming wire  25  such that the exposed wire portions (shown with reference to  FIG. 3 ) will retain the generally linear form of the wire  25 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , there are two receiving guides  15  for each wire  25  to be connected. Accordingly, as two wires,  25  and  27  are shown, there are four receiving guides  15  in total. For ease of description, two receiving guides  15 , one wire securement mechanism  17 , one spring  19  and fulcrum  21  will comprise wire securing mechanism  29 . Thus, there are two wire securing mechanisms  29  depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
   Planar base section  13  serves a variety of purposes. Not only does it provide a platform onto which wire securing mechanism  29  can be mounted, but also provides a catchment for waste solder. The act of soldering generates waste solder. This waste solder, when at melting temperatures, can attain temperatures of 300° F. (the melting temperature of solder depends of the alloy composition of the solder) and is thus a hazardous material in this state. Planar base section  13  will serve to collect the waste solder such that it does not come into contact with any other component of the electrical system for which the work is being conducted or with the environment in which the soldering is being conducted. The catchment characteristic of device  11  is described with reference to  FIG. 3  below. 
   With further reference to  FIG. 1 , wire securement mechanism  17  is comprised of notch  31 . Notch  31  is designed with two general considerations. First, notch  31 , being disposed in an angular configuration as shown, can accommodate any commercially available gauge of wire  25 . Second, the angular characteristic of notch  31  will serve to contact wire  25  at at least two positions, thereby ensuring the immobility of wire  25  once engaged. This same angular configuration is carried through to trough  23 , thus allowing trough  23  to also contact wire  25  at at least two points. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates a cross section of wire securement mechanism  17 , which is comprised of wire securing notch  31 , as described above, and spring receiving section  33 . 
   Returning to  FIG. 1 , in operation, a user (not shown) will depress actuator portion  35  of wire securement mechanism  17  which results in securing portion  37  of wire securement mechanism  17  being rotated about fulcrum  21  into an open position and providing potential energy to spring  19 . Once wire  23  has been inserted, the user (not shown) will release actuator portion  35 , allowing spring  19  to return securing portion  37  to a closed position. In the closed position, wire  25  will be secured by receiving notch  31  at at least two points (e.g. the top of wire  25  and/or both sides of wire  25  depending on the gauge of wire  25  and by trough  23  of both receiving guides  15  at at least two points (e.g. the bottom of wire  25  and/or both sides of wire  25  depending on the gauge of wire  25 ). 
     FIG. 3  depicts a front isometric view of the device of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , wire  25  is comprised of two portions, encased portion  41  and stripped portion  43 . As those skilled in the art will appreciate, wire  25  cannot be electrically connected to another wire using a soldering technique unless the protective casing  45  of encased portion  41  is stripped revealing the electrically conductive strand(s) that comprise stripped portion  43 .  FIG. 2  depicts the situation where wire  25  is desired to be electrically connected to wire  27 . Stripped portions  43  and  47  are positioned such that they are adjacent to each other and remain linear with encased portions  41  and  49 . 
   Further depicted in  FIG. 3  is space  51 . Due to troughs  23  being elevated from the top surface  53  of planar base section  13 , wires  23  and  29  will also be elevated from top surface  53  of planar base section  13 . This results in open space  51 . Open space  51  adds the advantage of allowing complete coverage of solder (not shown) over the entire surface areas of stripped portions  43  and  47 . Open space  51  also adds the advantage of allowing any waste solder to be collected away from the soldered connection so that it does not aggregate on the soldered connection. For added safety, dam  55  can be attached to top surface  53  of planar section  13  to further retain any waste solder. 
   Device  11  can be constructed from a variety of materials so long as device  11  maintains a lightweight attribute. Device  11  could be constructed from, but is not limited to, the following materials: wood, ceramic, aluminum, pot metal or thermal plastic. Further, the configuration of device  11  could be such that more than two wires can be simultaneously connected to each other, either by placing a plurality of wires into each trough  23  of each wire securing mechanism  29 , or by abutting at least one more wire securing mechanism perpendicular to or at an angle to two other wire securing mechanisms  29 . 
   Whereas the drawings and accompanying description have shown and described the preferred embodiments, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the form of the invention without affecting the scope thereof.