IMPROVED HAND TOOL

Abstract: It is of the pressure gripper-type in order to secure pieces (5) between two clamps (3, 4), a fixed one (3) and the other a moveable one (4). It has a fixed arm (1) and another moveable arm (2) articulated by one of the ends thereof. The fixed arm (1) has in its end the fixed clamp (3) and a cylinder (12) supporting the moveable clamp (4) screwed to its free end is moveable axially in its body. The cylinder (12) is actuated by the moveable arm (2) as these elements (12, 2) are connected jointedly by means of a connecting rod (6). The rotary movement of the fixed arm (2) is converted into linear forward movement of the cylinder (12) and therefore of the moveable clamp (4), gripping the piece (5) or pieces to be secured. The moveable clamp (4) is in turn a screw that adjusts the separation between the clamps (3, 4) in order to achieve optimum blocking. The moveable arm (2) is abutted on and concealed in the fixed arm (1) and in turn an unblocking cam or lever (13) that facilitates this operation is mounted jointedly.

Description: OBJECT OF THE INVENTION As expressed in the title of this specification, the present invention refers to an improved hand tool of the gripper-type used to secure one or several objects and that due to its special structure and shape has some advantageously minimum dimensions. The tool of the invention is of the type that consists of a fixed arm member and another moveable arm member, as well as a fixed clamp member and another moveable clamp member in order to secure objects securely and totally correctly. Furthermore, the tool includes a locking mechanism in order to ensure the blocking position. Precisely, the novelty of the invention is centered essentially on this effective and simple blocking mechanism that has an advantageous structure and functioning. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Another hand tool to secure pieces is the Toggle Actuated C-Clamp disclosed in the prior art document US-A-2466937. Said clamp comprises an L-shaped frame, an internally screw threaded sleeve at the end of one leg of the frame, said sleeve lying along an axis parallel with the other leg of the frame, a handle on the frame lying in alignment with the second mentioned leg of the frame, a spindle mounted in the sleeve for longitudinal adjustment therethrough, a clamp pad at the end of the spindle remote from the handle, a L-shaped movable jaw pivoted to the end of the second mentioned leg of the frame to exert a clamping force against the end of the spindle, a clamp pad on the movable jaw adapted when the clamp is in work holding position to align with the pad on the spindle, a handle pivoted to the movable jaw in spaced relation to its pivoted connection with the frame, a link pivoted to the handle near its pivoted connection with the movable jaw and a pivot connecting the link to the frame at the junction of its legs. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The improved hand tool as claimed that constitutes the object of the invention is of the gripper-type for securing objects, which at the same time due to its special shape has reduced dimensions. It comprises two arm members, a fixed one and another moveable one, the same having a fixed clamp member and a moveable clamp member, respectively, both being face to face and between which one or several objects to be secured will be placed. The object or objects will be pressed between both clamp members when the tool assembly is in its active blocking or locking position. The tool includes a locking mechanism that is defined by a connecting rod that is jointedly coupled by one of its ends to a cylinder where the moveable clamp member itself is connected and which is conveyed in a guiding slot of the fixed arm member. On the other hand, the other end of the connecting rod is connected, also jointedly, to the moveable arm member itself, that is in turn jointedly connected to an end point of the fixed arm member. With this described arrangement, in order to place the tool in the blocking position it will be necessary to tilt the moveable arm member until it abuts against the fixed arm member. During this operation, the cylinder and the moveable clamp member itself will approach the fixed clamp member with a linear movement and will be conveyed in the guiding slot, until the object or objects to be secured are pressed between both clamp members. In order to release the blocking position the cam-type lever coupled to the moveable arm member will be actuated, an end of said lever initially pressing on the cited fixed arm member. It should be noted that in the blocking or locking position of the tool, the two articulation points of the connecting rod, as well as the articulation point of both arm members will be aligned in the same direction. Some figures in which the object of the invention has been represented in an illustrative and non-restrictive manner are attached hereto in order to provide a better understanding of this specification and forming an integral part hereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 represents a raised view of the improved hand tool, object of the invention. The tool in question is in a blocking or locking position. Figure 2 is a raised view of the tool of the invention wherein same is in an unblocking position. DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Making reference to the numbering used in the figures, the improved hand tool comprises a fixed arm member (1) and another moveable arm member (2), both including a fixed clamp member (3) and a moveable clamp member (4), respectively. The fixed arm member (1) constitutes the main body of the tool. The tool of the invention includes a blocking or locking mechanism in order to ensure the securing by pressure of one or several objects (5) located between both clamp members (3) and (4). This blocking or locking mechanism is defined by a connecting rod (6) that is jointedly coupled by an end point (7) in a piston (8) that is conveyed in a guiding slot (9) of the fixed arm member (1). On the other hand, the other end of the connecting rod (6) is jointedly coupled in an intermediate point (10) of the moveable arm member (2), both arm members (1) and (2) also jointedly connecting in an end point (11). On the other hand, the moveable arm member (2) is connected to a cylinder (12) integral with the piston (8) and wherein the moveable clamp member (4) screws. The moveable arm member (2) also includes a cam-type lever (13) that is jointed in a top articulation (14) of said moveable arm member (2), the purpose of said lever (13) being to facilitate the unlocking or unblocking of the moveable arm member (2) and in general of the tool assembly of the invention. The fixed clamp member (3), although it forms an integral part of the fixed arm member (1) like an elbowed extension thereof, said fixed clamp member (3) could be defined by a detachable-type independent element secured to the cited fixed arm member (1). The two clamp members (3) and (4) are face-to-face, in such a way that in order to place the tool in an active blocking position, it will be necessary to tilt the moveable arm member (2) until the same abuts against the fixed arm member (1), in such a way that in this process, the piston (8) will move conveyed in the guiding slot (9) of the fixed arm member (1), the moveable clamp member (4) approaching the fixed clamp member (3), between which the objects to be secured (5) (figure 1) are located. In this locking position the two articulation points (7) and (10) of the connecting rod (6) and also the articulation point (11) that connects both arm members (1) and (2), are advantageously aligned in the same direction. On the other hand, in order to proceed to unblock the tool assembly the bottom end section of the lever (13) will be actuated in such a way that the opposite section thereof will press on the fixed arm member (1), whereby the unblocking of the tool where a spring (15) established in the inside of the guiding slot (9) of the fixed arm member (1) also participates and helps, will be produced instantly. This spring (15) abuts at one end against the piston (8) of the fixed arm member (1) pushing it downward, while the opposite top end of this spring (15) abuts against a seat (16) of the fixed arm member (1) established in correspondence with the top part of above-cited guiding slot (9). In the blocking position of the tool, the spring (15) is compressed, in such a way that in the unblocking operation, the spring will assist in said operation. The distance between the two clamp members (3) and (4) may be advantageously adjusted, depending on the needs thereof, thanks to that the moveable clamp member (4) has a thread-type structure that screws on the cylinder (12) that acts like a nut, although it could also be done reversely. This moveable screwed clamp member (4), carries out the same task as the conventional adjusting screw of this type of pressure tool.

Claims: Hand tool, of a gripper-shaped type in order to clamp objects (5), the hand tool comprising two arm members (1,2), a fixed arm member (1) and another arm member (2) movable relative to the fixed arm member, and two clamp members (3,4), a fixed clamp member (3) and another clamp member (4) movable relative to the fixed clamp member; the fixed arm member (1), which constitutes a main arm of the hand tool, is articulated to the handle-shaped movable arm member (2) at its lower end (11), the hand tool further comprising a locking mechanism for securely fixing an object to the hand tool, characterized in that the fixed arm member (1) houses a cylinder (12) on which the movable clamp member (4) is placed and, said cylinder (12) being movable along a longitudinal axis of said fixed arm member (1); said locking mechanism comprising a connecting rod (6) having an end articulated (10) to an intermediate portion of the movable arm member (2) and another end articulated (7) to a piston (8) placed adjacent to the cylinder (12), said connecting rod (6) translating a rotary movement of the movable arm member (2) around its axis of articulation with the fixed arm member (1), to a translation of the cylinder (12) along the longitudinal axis of the fixed arm member (1); the hand tool assuming a locked position when the longitudinal axis of the connecting rod (6) aligns with an imaginary line passing through the piston articulation (7) and the articulation (11) of the movable (2) and fixed (1) arm members. Hand tool, according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed clamp member (3) is placed opposite to the movable clamp member (4) both in locked and unlocked positions, said fixed clamp member (3) being located at an upper end of the fixed arm member (1), which is the end opposite to the end having the articulation (11) to the movable arm member (2); an object (5) being placeable on said movable clamp member (4) and being gripped between said clamp members (3,4). Hand tool, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable clamp member (4) is provided with a thread-type structure that cooperates with a corresponding structure of the cylinder (12) in order to make adjustable a distance between the two clamp members (3,4) to correspond to a thickness of an object intended to be placed there between. Hand tool, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a lever (13) provided with an articulation (14) to the movable arm member (2) in order to unlock the locking mechanism, the lever (13) comprising a portion which functions as a cam, therefore, by pressing said lever (13) against a portion of the fixed arm member (1), the movable arm member (2) is brought to the unlocked position. Hand tool, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the fixed arm member (1) and the cylinder (12), there is provided a spring (15) abutting at one end against the piston (8) and at the other end against a guiding slot (9) of the fixed arm member (1), the spring (15) being compressed when the hand tool is in the locked position, the spring acting against the piston (8) to facilitate unlocking, the piston (8) being movable along the longitudinal axis of the fixed arm member (1) within the guiding slot (9).

Inventors: IRIONDO GAZTANAGA JOSE ANTONIO, IRIONDO GAZTANAGA, JOSE ANTONIO, Iriondo Gaztanaga, José Antonio
Applicants: IRIONDO GAZTANAGA JOSE ANTONIO, IRIONDO GAZTANAGA, JOSE ANTONIO
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B25B5
IPC codes: B25B5