Abstract:
A working display package for a pliers or similar pivoting type tool which includes a display card and a rigid plastic support member is affixed to the display card for accommodating the tool. One piece of the tool is fastened to the package in a fixed position while the other piece of the tool is fastened to the package in a movable position to allow manipulation of the tool prior to purchase.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a hanging tool display, and, more particularly, to a tool display package constructed and arranged whereby a customer can manipulate or test the tool prior to purchase without opening the package.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     In order to prepare most articles for market, it is the common practice of manufacturers to provide various types of packages to contain the article in a manner that indicates the contents of the package. This indication is typically through the use of printed and graphic materials applied directly to the container or by employing packaging that permits visual display and/or physical access of the contents of the package. Many packages have been employed in the art and such packages can vary from simple, clear plastic bags to rather elaborate combination cardboard boxes both with and without clear view panels.  
         [0003]     Hand tools which operate with a scissors type pivoting action such as pliers, wire cutters, wire strippers, etc., are often sold mounted on a display card bearing the name of the maker, distributor, and/or marketer and other advertising material. The tool is typically fastened to the card in some manner such as by staples or wire loops or clips. An alternative method of displaying such hand tools is to enclose them in a clear plastic printed bag or in a transparent, plastic binder and card package which envelopes the tools and is provided with eyelets for placing the package on the hooks of a display rack. Whether the tool is mounted on the card with clips or loops, a clear plastic bag, or a transparent plastic binder and card package, the potential customer is nevertheless unable to manipulate or test the tool prior to purchase without removing it from the card.  
         [0004]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,551, discloses a blister package for pliers or similar hand tools that enables a prospective customer to manipulate the handles a specified amount to provide a minimal indication of the operational characteristics of the tool. More specifically, the package includes first and second opposing mirror image panels. The panels are configured such that when they are placed in contacting relationship to each other, a compartment is formed by opposing recesses that enclose the upper portion of the tool. A hinged base portion having a pair of openings provides for the space to manipulate the tool. Although such a package allows for a limited manipulation of the handles, the complete enclosure of the blades, for example, leaves the potential customer without a true feeling of how the tool functions. Additionally, the mirror image panels eliminate much of the card stock and accordingly leave little advertising space.  
         [0005]     Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved hanging tool display.  
         [0006]     Another general object of the present invention is to overcome those deficiencies of the hanging tool displays of the prior art.  
         [0007]     It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide an improved hanging tool display whereby a potential customer can manipulate or test the tool prior to purchase without opening the package.  
         [0008]     It is another more specific object of the present invention to provide an improved hanging tool display whereby a potential customer would be able to experience the true feeling of how the tool functions.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The invention is generally directed to a tool display package for attaching a tool having a pivoting type action. The package comprising a display card having an aperture and a slot, and a support member having an aperture and a slot. A screw and lock combination fastens one jaw of the tool through the cooperating apertures while another screw and lock combination fastens the other jaw of the tool through the cooperating slots to allow tool manipulation while packaged.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with the further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing the display card in combination with the rigid support made according to the principles of the present invention for the display of a pivoting type of tool.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view showing the display card and rigid support affixed to a pivoting type of tool shown in shadow.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view showing the display card and rigid support affixed to a pivoting type of tool shown in shadow.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a front elevational view showing the display card made according to the principles of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view showing the rigid support made according to the principles of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional side elevational view taken along  6 - 6  of the rigid support of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 7A  is a side elevational view showing the display card and rigid support affixed to a pivoting type of tool.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7B  is an enlarged side elevational view of  FIG. 7A  showing the fixation of the display card and rigid support to the pivoting type of tool. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0019]     Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of the invention selected for illustration in the drawings, and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.  
         [0020]     Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated the tool display packaging of the present invention which comprises generally a separable display card  10  and rigid support member  12  combination which can be easily and removably associated with a pivoting type of hand tool, for example, a cable stripper/cutter  14  as illustrated. However, other types of strippers, cutters, pliers or similar type pivoting tools are contemplated. In the illustrated embodiment, the cable stripper/cutter  14  comprises a pair of pivotally arranged handles  16 ,  18  which are attached to and designed to conventionally pivotally open and close a pair of cooperating jaws  20 ,  22  via a rivet  24  of conventional design.  
         [0021]     As illustrated in the Figures, and if desired, a hanger opening  26  can be punched or otherwise formed in the display card  10  of suitable shape to permit the tool to be hung in the usual manner upon a hanger or hook of any one of a number of conventional types of merchandise display racks which are commonly employed in retail establishments.  
         [0022]     The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for further openings in the display card  10  for both the coupling of the rigid support member  12  and the manipulation of the tool  14 . In particular, and referring to  FIG. 4 , the display card  10  includes apertures  28 ,  30  for the coupling of the rigid support  12 , as well as a slot  32  to accommodate the movement of a jaw of the tool.  
         [0023]     The preferred embodiment of the rigid support  12  includes apertures  34 ,  36 , slot  38 , space  40  and recess  42 . The support  12  is first affixed to the display card with a screw  44  and lockwasher  46  combination through apertures  36  and  30  of the support and card respectively. Once the support is affixed to the card  10 , the tool  14  is then affixed to the support/card combination by resting the rivet  24  into recess  42  and using the screw  48  and lockwasher combination through apertures  34  and  28  of the support and card respectively.  
         [0024]     As such, the tool  14 , and in particular jaw  22  is affixed relative to the card  10  and member  12  combination. The opposite jaw ( 20 ) however is not so affixed and therefore is movable relative to jaw  22 . In order to adequately stabilize this movement, jaw  20  is movably connected to the card  10  and member  12  combination. In particular, screw  52  and lockwasher  54  combination traverse the slot opening of both the rigid member  12  and the display card  10 ,  38  and  32  respectively, when handle  16  of cooperating jaw  20  is manipulated. Other means to fasten the rigid support  12  to the card  10  and the tool  14  to the rigid support  12  and card  10  combination have been contemplated. Any fastening device(s) that would enable a coupling such that the customer can manipulate or test the tool prior to purchase in accordance with the principles and the invention may be used. For example, any anchor, clamp, connector, link, tie, adhesive, pin, rivet, lock, dowel, latch, peg, pin, rod and the like may be used. Additionally, space  40  in member  12  provides the necessary area for the torsion member  55 , for example, during such manipulation.  
         [0025]     Preferably, either or both the display card front  56  and/or back  58  can be imprinted with any desired indicia which the manufacturer, or any other entity, desires to apply thereto. Accordingly, such indicia as a trademark, instructions for use, instructions for care, warranties, advertising materials, etc. can be applied to the card  10  in any desired manner to interest the prospective purchasers and to help sell the tool  14 . At the point of purchase, the tool can be readily picked up, grasped, manipulated by squeezing handles  16 ,  18  and in general can be relatively completely exposed to allow the prospective purchaser an unusual degree of freedom in operation to determine exactly how the tool functions and to provide a full disclosure of the tool itself. The display card  10  serves to give additional information about the tool  14  while, at the same time, permitting relatively complete access, to thereby allow the prospective purchaser full freedom in trying the tool prior to purchase.  
         [0026]     More particularly, when a prospective customer encounters a packaged pliers at the point of purchase, especially when that customer is a professional tradesman, the action of the pliers is critical in the decision of whether or not to purchase a certain brand. Thus, the customer should be able to manipulate the pliers in one hand to ascertain whether or not the pivoting action around the rivet  24  is smooth enough for its intended use.  
         [0027]     In addition, the customer may wish to see the manner in which the jaws  20  and/or  22  engage each other, and as such the customer may wish to grasp both handles  16 ,  18  and exert a squeezing pressure upon the tool  14  to bring these jaws together.  
         [0028]     After purchase, the tool  14  is removed from the card  10  and member  12  combinations by removing the screw  48 ,  52  lockwasher  50 ,  54  combinations passing through apertures  60 ,  62  of jaws  22 ,  20  respectively. The display card  10  can then either be discarded or stored for future references, as may suit the desires of the purchaser.  
         [0029]     While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the purpose of the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.