Multi-function pipe cutting and fitting tool

A multi-function pipe cutting and fitting tool includes a spring biased connecting rod, a pair of plier teeth and a pair of friction teeth. The spring biased connecting rod improves the pipe cutting function of the tool by improving the operation of a movable jaw toward engagement of a fixed jaw. The pair of plier teeth positioned on one side of the tool allows a user to firmly grip a pipe or other object to be held in place. The pair of friction teeth positioned on an opposite side of the tool allows a user to more reliably engage an object such as a cap on a can of glue. The inclusion of all of these features in the same tool allows a user to perform multiple functions easily and more rapidly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a multi-function pipe cutting and fitting tool. More particularly, it relates to a pair of shears for cutting pipe and including pairs of plier teeth and friction teeth.

Conventional pipe shears are useful for cutting pipe and other articles made of rigid plastic material. However, when an artisan uses conventional pipe shears they typically need to perform other related functions. Such related functions may include gripping or twisting a piece of pipe as with a set of pliers. The related functions may also include gripping or twisting a cap as on a container of glue. In cutting pipe or performing any of the related functions an artisan usually finds that he must set down one tool and pick up another tool.

Accordingly, there is a need for a tool that allows an artisan to perform a pipe cutting operation as well as related functions with the use of a single tool. The present invention fulfills this need and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a multi-function pipe cutting and fitting tool. A conventional pipe cutting tool has a fixed handle having a fixed jaw and a pivoting handle pivotally attached to the fixed handle adjacent to the fixed jaw. A movable jaw is pivotally attached to the fixed handle opposite the fixed jaw and configured to engage the fixed jaw. A push pawl is pivotally attached to the pivoting handle and has a cantilever spring pin biasing the pawl against the movable jaw. Upon squeezing the fixed and pivoting handles together, the push pawl engages ratchet teeth on the movable jaw to urge the movable jaw into engagement with the fixed jaw.

The multi-function pipe cutting and fitting tool comprises a connecting rod having a first end pivotally attached to the pivoting handle and an opposite second end pivotally attached to the movable jaw. A biasing spring is attached at one end to the connecting rod and at another end to the fixed handle such that the connecting rod is biased toward the fixed handle. The connecting rod preferably comprises first and second members that are hingedly connected. The first part of the connecting rod, which is pivotally attached to the pivoting handle, is part of the first member. The second end of the connecting rod, which is pivotally attached to the movable jaw, is part of the second member. The biasing spring is preferably attached to the second member such that the second member is biased toward the fixed handle.

The multi-function pipe cutting and fitting tool further comprises a pair of teeth on a side of the fixed and pivoting handles proximate to the attachment of the pivoting handle to the fixed handle. The pair of teeth may comprise a pair of plier teeth positioned in an opposing configuration. The pair of plier teeth are configured such that moving and pivoting handle closer to the fixed handle causes the plier teeth to move closer together thereby firmly gripping an object placed between the pair of plier teeth. The pair of teeth may also comprise a pair of friction teeth positioned in a cooperative configuration. The pair of friction teeth are configured such that moving the pivoting handle closer to the fixed handle causes the friction teeth to angle together thereby engaging an object placed within the pair of friction teeth. Where the pair of plier teeth and pair of friction teeth are both included with the multi-function pipe cutting and fitting tool, one set of teeth is positioned on a first side of the fixed and pivoting handles and the other set of teeth is positioned on an opposite second side of the fixed and pivoting handles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The multi-function pipe cutting and fitting tool, generally referred to in the figures by reference numeral10, is depicted inFIGS. 1,2and4-9. The tool10is generally comprised of a fixed handle12and a pivoting handle14. The fixed handle12includes a fixed jaw16and generally includes an offset18such that the fixed jaw16is not in alignment with a handle20on the fixed handle12.

The pivoting handle14is pivotally attached by a pin22to the fixed handle12adjacent to the fixed jaw16. The pivoting handle14pivots about the pin22such that a handle24of the pivoting handle14can be moved closer to and farther away from the handle20of the fixed handle12. The handles20,24are configured to be grasped by the hand of an artisan or other person using the tool10.

The tool10also includes a movable jaw26which is pivotally attached by a pin28to the fixed handle12. The movable jaw26is attached to the fixed handle12at a point along the offset18such that the movable jaw26may engage the fixed jaw16as it pivots about the pin28. The movable jaw26includes a blade30which is configured to cut a pipe when engaging the fixed jaw16as described more fully below. The movable jaw26also includes a set of ratchet teeth distal from the blade30.

The tool10further includes a push pawl34which is pivotally attached to the pivoting handle14. A cantilever spring pin36biases the push pawl34into engagement with the ratchet teeth32on the movable jaw26. The push pawl34and ratchet teeth32are configured such that when the handles20,24are squeezed together the push pawl34engages the ratchet teeth32urging the movable jaw26into engagement with the fixed jaw16.

The tool10further includes a connecting rod38that includes a first member40and a second member42which are hingedly connected to one another by a pin44. A first end46of the connecting rod38which is on the first member40is pivotally attached to the pivoting handle14. An opposite second end48, which is on the second member42, is pivotally attached to the movable jaw. The connecting rod38includes a biasing spring50which is attached at one end to the second member42and at the opposite end to the fixed handle12. The biasing spring50biases the second member42toward the fixed handle12. The operation of the connecting rod38together with the biasing spring50aides in urging the movable jaw26into engagement with the fixed jaw16and keeping the movable jaw26in engagement with the fixed jaw16as the handles20,24are squeezed together and released.

The tool10further includes a pair of plier teeth52positioned on a first side of the fixed handle12and pivoting handle14. One of the pair of plier teeth52ais positioned on the fixed handle12adjacent to the offset18. The other pair of plier teeth52bis positioned on the pivoting handle14adjacent to its point of attachment to the fixed handle12. In this way the pair of plier teeth52are arranged in an opposing configuration. When the handles20,24are moved closer together the plier teeth52a,52balso move closer together. Any object that is between the pair of plier teeth52and of sufficient size will be firmly gripped when the pair of plier teeth52are moved sufficiently close.

The tool10also includes a pair of friction teeth54. The friction teeth54are attached to a second side of the fixed handle12and pivoting handle14opposite from the first side on which the pair of plier teeth52are attached. One of the pair of friction teeth54aare attached to the fixed handle12in the offset18. The other of the pair of friction teeth54bare attached to the pivoting handle14adjacent to its point of attachment to the fixed handle12. The friction teeth54a,54bare arranged in a cooperative configuration such that when the handles20,24are moved closer together the pair of friction teeth54angle together thereby engaging an object of sufficient size placed within the pair of friction teeth54.

FIG. 3illustrates a removal tool56. The removal tool56is configured to engage a slot58in the pivoting handle14. Engagement of the removal tool56with the slot58results in disengagement of the push pawl34from the ratchet teeth32. When the push pawl34no longer engages the ratchet teeth32, the movable jaw26is released from its engagement with the fixed jaw16. Use of the removal tool56may be necessary during or after the tool10has been used to cut a piece of pipe.

FIGS. 10 and 11illustrate the use of the pair of plier teeth52with a length of pipe60.FIG. 10shows the pipe60being moved between the pair of plier teeth52.FIG. 11illustrates that as the handles20,24are moved closer together the pair of plier teeth52firmly grip the pipe60. In this manner the pipe60may be held immobile while another length of pipe61is removed or inserted therein.

FIGS. 12-14illustrate the operation of the pair of friction teeth54on an object such as a cap62on a can of glue64. When the cap62is placed within the pair of friction teeth54and the handles20,24are squeezed together the pair of friction teeth54cooperate to engage the cap62. When the pair of friction teeth54are engaged with the cap62a user may attain greater leverage on the cap62which may be stuck to the can64. As shown inFIG. 12, the pair of friction teeth54are configured such that they may easily engage large caps62aor smaller caps62b.