Power pliers for twisting wires

Power driven pliers are capable of twisting the ends of a plurality of electrical wires together to make an electrical and mechanical connection therebetween. The pliers include first and second jaws and first and second handles. The jaws and handles are pivotally connected to each other at a pivot point such that movement of said handles toward each other moves said jaws toward each other. A rotatable chuck is carried by one of the jaws and has a central opening adapted to have a plurality of wire ends insertable therein. A portion of the chuck is moveable between an inoperable position wherein the wire ends can be inserted into the opening and an operative position wherein the chuck tightly grasps the wire ends. An electrical motor carried by the pliers and connected to the chuck is capable of rotating the chuck. An electrical switch is carried by the pliers and is located so as to be pressed by a user's thumb while holding the pliers. When the switch is activated, the electrical motor rotates the chuck to twist the wire ends together.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward apparatus for twisting wires and, more particularly, toward a pair of pliers that incorporates a power driven chuck for twisting together the ends of a plurality of electrical wires for making an electrical connection between them. The twisted wire ends are then covered by an insulated wire nut.

Electricians, technicians, mechanics, home handymen and numerous others frequently must connect the ends of electrical wires together. Such connections must provide both electrical continuity and be mechanical secure. This is normally accomplished by twisting the ends of the wires together. In many cases, it is desirable to secure three or four or more wire ends together. After the wire ends are twisted together, an insulated wire nut or similar device is threaded thereon to maintain the wire ends in place.

If high gauge wires or numerous smaller gauge wires are to be connected together, a substantial force must be applied to effectuate the twist. Usually pliers or the like are utilized to accomplish the twisting. This is done by grasping the several wire ends with the pliers and turning the pliers. Obviously, the pliers can be turned only ninety degrees or so before the pliers must be released and the wires gripped again to continue the twisting. This can be time consuming and can put undue force on the electrician's arm.

To Applicant's knowledge, there is no tool available to assist in twisting wire ends together. And there certainly is no power tool available for this purpose. Therefore, a need exists for a power operated hand tool that can easily and quickly twist the ends of electrical wires together.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is designed to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tool that can easily twist wire ends together.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a power tool for connecting wire ends together that requires substantially no manual force or effort.

In accordance with the illustrative embodiments, demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a pair of power driven pliers capable of twisting the ends of a plurality of electrical wires together to make an electrical and mechanical connection therebetween. The pliers include first and second jaws and first and second handles. The jaws and handles are pivotally connected to each other at a pivot point such that movement of said handles toward or away from each other moves said jaws toward and away from each other. A rotatable chuck is carried by one of the jaws and has a central opening adapted to have a plurality of wire ends insertable therein. A portion of the chuck is moveable between an inoperable position wherein the wire ends can be inserted into the opening and an operative position wherein the chuck tightly grasps the wire ends. An electrical motor carried by the pliers and connected to the chuck is capable of rotating the chuck. An electrical switch is carried by the pliers and is located so as to be pressed by a user's thumb while holding the pliers. When the switch is activated, the electrical motor rotates the chuck to twist the wire ends together.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference numerals have been used throughout the various figures to designate like elements, there is shown inFIG. 1a pair of power driven pliers for twisting the ends of electrical wires constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally as10. The pliers10are, per se, somewhat conventional in that they include a first jaw12, a second jaw14, a first handle16and a second handle18. The jaws and handles12,14,16and18are pivotally connected to each other at pivot point20such that movement of the handles16and18toward and away from each other moves the jaws12and14towards and away from each other. As can be seen fromFIG. 1, the handles and jaws essentially define a plane and movement of the handles and jaws is within this plane. Although other materials are possible, the pliers may be made primarily of forged steel.

In addition to gripping surfaces22and24, the jaws12and14also include cooperating wire cutters26and28. Pliers including cutters such as these are generally referred to as side cutters.

Secured to the lower portion of the second jaw14is a housing30. The housing30could be constructed as a separate unit that is connected to the second jaw14. Alternatively, and as shown in the figures, the housing30can be formed as an integral part of the second jaw14and handle18. If formed as an integral part thereof, the housing30will be made of the same forged steel as the remaining parts of the pliers. If the housing30is constructed separately and attached to the jaw14, it can be made of any material suitable for the intended purpose and it can be secured to the jaw14utilizing any known connecting method, such as by welding or the like.

Contained within the housing30is an electric motor32having a rotating shaft42which lies in the same plane defined by the handles and jaws discussed above. A battery34is also contained within the housing30and is capable of driving the motor32. A screw cap36at the opposite end of the housing30allows the battery34to be removed and replaced as needed. Electrical wiring38runs from the motor32to the momentary contact switch40mounted on the handle18. The wiring38could be internal or external to the handle18. Depressing the switch40causes the motor32to rotate.

Secured to the forward end of the rotating shaft42of the motor32is a rotatable chuck assembly44. The chuck assembly44is shown only diagrammatically since the details thereof are not believed to be necessary as they are, per se, well known. The chuck assembly44can be essentially any known keyless chuck such as those used with battery-operated screwdrivers or power drills or the like. Examples can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,186,478; 6,139,228; 6,488,287 and 6,637,756. These are, of course, by way of example only and other known chuck assemblies could also be utilized.

In any event, the rotatable chuck assembly44is of the type that includes two movable grippers46and48. The movable grippers46and48are movable toward and away from each other by rotating the rotatable collar50. Again, the manner in which the chuck operates is well known. When the collar50is rotated in one direction, the gripping members46and48move into an inoperative position where they are spaced from each other thereby creating a central opening in the chuck assembly into which a plurality of wire ends52and54can be inserted. Once the wire ends52and54are inserted into the opening, the collar50is rotated so that gripping members46and48move into an operative position where they grip the wire ends52and54. Thereafter, the switch40is depressed so that the motor32rotates the chuck44thereby twisting the wire ends into the form shown inFIG. 6.

While only two wire ends52and54are shown being twisted together, this is by way of example only. It should be readily apparent that the pliers10of the present invention are quite capable of twisting three or more wire ends together. Furthermore, various gauges of wires can be acted upon. If desired, more than one pair of pliers10could be provided with one pair being smaller than the other for twisting smaller gauge wire ends together and the other pair being larger for twisting together substantially larger gauge wires.

After the wires are twisted as shown inFIG. 6, it is often desirable to cover the twisted wire ends with a wire nut, not shown. The pliers10of the present invention could be used for applying a wire nut. In this regard, a wire nut applicator such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,784,935 or 6,922,887 can be inserted into the chuck44in order to apply a wire nut.