Abstract:
A scissors including a first handle assembly and a second handle assembly pivotally interconnected for movement between open and closed positions. A latch mounted on one of the handle assemblies for movement into engagement with the other of the handle assemblies on closing the scissors, the latch being movable on one handle assembly into engagement with the other handle assembly to lock the handles in a closed position and a reversible sheath operatively engaging the handle assemblies to enclose the scissor blades on the handle assemblies.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a five inch hand operated trimming scissors and more particularly to a lock button for holding the scissors in a closed position and a reversible sheath for enclosing the scissor blades. 
     RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present invention is an improvement on U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/815,287, filed on Dec. 27, 1991, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/978,211, filed on Nov. 17, 1992, which are both assigned to the same assignee of the present invention. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Scissors of the type set forth in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/815,287 are designed for general household use, more particularly for general sewing and cutting applications. These scissors included an internally mounted thumb actuated button which is movable between open and closed positions on one of the blade assemblies. The scissors are locked in the closed position by moving the button into engagement with a hook mounted on the other handle assembly. In U.S. patent application No. 07/978,211, another household scissors is described on which the lock button was mounted on the top of the first handle assembly for sliding movement into engagement with a catch provided on the other handle assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The trimming scissors according to the present invention is designed for small, delicate trimming where accurate control of the blades is required. The trimming scissors is generally about five inches long and includes an improved lock arrangement to accommodate the small handle assemblies. In this regard a symmetrical lock button has been provided in the form of an &#34;H&#34; which is mounted on one of the blade assemblies for movement into engagement with the other blade assembly. The symmetrical configuration of the lock button simplifies assembly since the lock button can be mounted on the scissors in either position. The lock button is slidable into engagement with a latch on the other blade assembly. The lock button is provided with detents for positively holding the latch in the open position or the locked position. Another advantage of the lock button is the ability to close the scissors with the lock button in the closed position and not damage the lock button. 
     Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a sheath which is mounted on the blades and locked in place by engagement with a button provided on both sides of the outer surface of each of the blade assemblies. The sheath is also symmetrical and therefore adaptable to be mounted on the blades in either position. The possibility of mounting the sheath in the wrong position on the blades is therefore eliminated. Since the half sections of the sheath are identical, manufacture of the sheath is also simplified. The sheath is provided with a number of holes which allow moisture to escape from the sheath. 
     A further aspect of the invention is the provision of a hand held handle assembly which provides easier position control of the scissors while cutting as well as a greater cutting force. The handles of the scissors are provided with a cushion material which reduces slippage, increases comfort and thus increases control. It should also be noted that the trimming scissors can be operated by either hand. 
     Other principal features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following drawings, the detailed description and the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of the trimming scissors according to the present invention with the sheath shown mounted on the scissor blades; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the scissors with the sheath removed; 
     FIG. 3 is a view of the scissors in the open position; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 2 with the latch in the locked position; 
     FIG. 5 is a view taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 3 showing the latch in the open position; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lock button; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sheath; and 
     FIG. 8 is a partial section view taken on line 8--8 of FIG. 1. 
     Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in the drawing the scissors 10 generally includes a first blade assembly 12 and a second blade assembly 14. The blade assemblies are pivotally connected by means of a thread forming screw 16. The blade assemblies are biased to an open position by means of a compression spring 18 and are locked in a closed position by means of a lock button 20. 
     The first or top blade assembly 12 includes a blade 22 and a handle 24. The second or bottom blade assembly 14 includes a blade 26 and a handle 28. The handle 24 includes a handle section 30 and a mounting section 32. The blade 22 includes a tang 23 which is molded into the blade mounting section 32. The handle 28 includes a handle section 34 and a blade mounting section 36. The blade 26 includes a tang 27 which is molded into the blade mounting section 36. 
     Referring to FIG. 8 the blade assemblies are shown pivotally connected by a hub 46 molded on the inside of handle section 34 which matingly engages a recess 40 provided in the mounting section 32. The screw 16 is screwed into the hub 46 to seat the hub in the recess 40. The handle sections 30 and 34 may be molded from a fiberglass reinforced nylon material or other similar material and covered with a cushion material such as KRATON™ as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to provide a cushion for the hand. 
     The blade assemblies 12 and 14 are biased to an open position by means of the compression spring 18 which is seated on buttons 45 and 48 provided on the handles 24 and 28, respectively. The closing motion of the blade assemblies 12 and 14 is stopped by stops 25 and 29, respectively, provided on the mounting section. The opening motion of the blade assemblies 12 and 14 is limited by ribs 42 and 44 provided on the mounting sections 32 and 36, respectively. 
     In accordance with the present invention the blade assemblies are locked in the closed position by means of the lock button 20 which is shown in FIG. 3. The lock button as shown in FIG. 6 is in the shape of an &#34;H&#34; having a center section 50 and a pair of legs 52 and 54. A catch 56 and 58 is provided on the upper edge of each of the legs 52 and 54, respectively. A catch 60 and 62 is also provided at the bottom of each of the legs 52 and 54, respectively. A pair of semi circular ribs 64 are provided on the inside surfaces of each of the legs 52 and 54 and a pair of semi circular ribs 66 are provided on the inside bottom portion of each of the legs 52 and 54. The semi circular ribs 64 being offset from the semi circular ribs 66 such that the lock button is symmetrical. 
     The lock button 20 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 can be mounted on rails 68 and 70 provided on the handle section 30 in either position. The ribs 64 on the inside of the legs 52 and 54 are seated in notches 71 provided at the end of the rails 68 and 70. Short rails 72 and 74 are provided on the bottom handle assembly 34. Notches 76 and 78 are provided in each of the rails 72 and 74, respectively. The ribs 66 will drop into the notches 76 and 78 when the lock button is moved to the locked position. The catches 60 and 62 will engage the rail 72 and 74 when moved to the locked position, locking the handle in the closed position. The lock button is sufficiently flexible to allow the scissors to be closed when the latch is in the closed position. 
     In accordance with another aspect of this invention a reversible sheath 80 is provided to enclose the blades when not in use. The sheath is formed from two identical half sections 82 and 84. The sections are secured together along the edges 86 and 88 of the half section. A pair of claws 92 are provided on each half section which define a circular opening 94 within the claw. The sheath is snapped onto a pair of circular buttons or members 96 which are provided on the blade mounting sections 32 and 36 in axial alignment with the pivot screw 16. The sheath is aligned with the blades 22 and 26 and pushed onto the circular members 96 until the openings 94 in the claws 92 are centered on circular members 96. The sheath is also provided with openings 93 on each side to allow for circulation of air through the sheath to prevent corrosion of the blades by moisture. A hole 95 is provided at the end of the sheath for a lanyard or for storage in a hook. It should be noted that the sheath is identical on each side so that it can be reversed or placed on the scissors in either direction. 
     Thus, it should be apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the present invention a trimming scissors and sheath assembly that fully satisfies the objectives and advantages set forth above. Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.