Abstract:
A clevis tool has a first and second handle extending from a proximal end to a distal en, the first handle and the second handle being rotatably coupled to each other between respective proximal and distal ends. An engagement member is configured to be attached to the distal end of one of the first and second handles and a distal end having a opening extending from the distal end toward the proximal end to engage the prongs of a clevis fastener.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED CASE 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 (e) to provisional application no. 61/864,276 filed on Aug. 9, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a tool that has been created that allows the user to engage the two prongs of a clevis fastener and spread the prongs of a clevis fastener sufficiently to allow the clevis pin to engage the receiving hole. A clevis fastener is generally a U-shaped piece (generally referred to as the clevis) with holes at the end of the prongs and a pin is inserted into the two holes to capture the connected piece. The pin may be free floating relative to the clevis, but the pin may also be attached to the end of one of the prongs of the clevis. 
         [0003]    In the model airplane industry, which also includes unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), a hole is at the end of one the prongs and a pin is attached at the end of the other prong. The spring steel or plastic u-shaped clevis must be spread open sufficiently to allow the pin to engage a matching hole in a control horn. In the model airplane industry, a clevis fastener may be used to connect servo drive devices to aerodynamic control surfaces such as the ailerons, elevators, rudder, flaps, etc., and also to ground-steering devices such a steerable nose and tail wheels and power control devices. In a model car or boat, a clevis fastener is used to connect left and right steering components and power control devices. Many times the clevis fastener is used in tight quarters and hard to reach places. 
         [0004]    With the pin being attached to one of the prongs of the clevis fastener, in order to open the clevis fastener to allow for insertion of the piece to be connected (the control horn, etc.) the two prongs must be spread wide enough to allow the unconnected prong to be moved beyond the pin attached to the other prong to provide an opening into the clevis fastener. This opening must be sufficient to allow the pin to engage a receiving hole in the control horn, servo drive arm, steering linkage, etc. These receiving members may also be referred to as “tangs.” 
         [0005]    Thus, the present invention is a clevis tool that has a pair of handles attached to a pair of jaws, wherein operating the handles causes the jaws to move outward or inward relative to one another. The basic principle of operation may be that of a simple pair of pliers or that of more complicated snap-ring pliers that allow the operator to change how the jaws move relative to the operation of the handles 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to a clevis tool that includes a first handle extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a second handle extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the first handle and the second handle being rotatably coupled to each other between respective proximal and distal ends, an engagement member attached to the distal end of each of the first and second handles, the engagement member having a proximal end configured to be attached to the distal end of one of the first and second handles and a distal end having a opening extending from the distal end toward the proximal end. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the engagement member has a cross section, the cross section at the proximal end being different from the distal end. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, the proximal end of the engagement member lies along a first axis and the distal end of the engagement member lies along a second axis, the first and second axis intersecting at a point and forming an angle. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the distal end of the engagement members have two surfaces extending from the distal end toward the proximal end and defining the opening therein, the two surfaces having a chamfer adjacent the distal end causing the opening to be wider at the distal end of the engagement member. 
         [0010]    In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to an engagement member to be inserted into a distal end of one of a first and second handle of a clevis tool, the engagement member that includes a proximal end configured to be attached to the distal end of one of the first and second handles, the proximal end being an elongated member, and a distal end having a opening extending from the distal end toward the proximal end, the opening sized to receive a prong from a clevis therein, wherein the proximal end of the engagement member lies along a first axis and the distal end of the engagement member lies along a second axis, the first and second axis intersecting at a point and forming an angle. 
         [0011]    Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings. 
         [0012]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present embodiments of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a control rod with a clevis fastener on each end connected to a servo arm on one end and a control horn on the other; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of a portion of one embodiment of a clevis tool with an additional engagement member according to the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is top view of the clevis tool of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3A  is an enlarged view of the ends of the engagement member; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the clevis tool of  FIG. 2  engaging a clevis fastener; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is rear side view of the clevis tool of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of the clevis tool of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a partial view of the clevis tool of  FIG. 2  engaging a clevis fastener in a flap control horn inside a wing of a model airplane; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a partial view of the clevis tool of  FIG. 2  using the inside surfaces of the engagement members to reconnect the clevis fastener; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  a partial view of the clevis tool of  FIG. 2  engaging a clevis fastener attached to a wing aileron control horn in a tight area. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates a control rod  10  with a clevis fastener  12  on one end, which is attached to a control tang (horn)  14 . The control tang  14  is illustrated as being attached to a control surface  30 . The control surface  30  may be an aileron on a model plane that rotates about pivot points  32 . Or the control surface  30  may any number of structures in a model airplane. The control rod  10  is also has a clevis fastener  16  on the other end, which is attached to a servo arm  18 . The clevis fasteners  12 , 16 , as noted above, are a u-shaped piece with two prongs  20  and an opening  22  in the end with a pin  24 . See  FIG. 4 . To attach the clevis fastener  12  to a connected piece (the control tang (horn)  14  or the servo arm  18 ), the prongs  20  must be spread apart to remove the pin  24  from the opening  22  in the prong  20 . The pin  24  is typically attached to one of the prongs  20 , to avoid the pin  24  from falling out during connection or operation. It is the opening (and then the closing) of the clevis fasteners that the present invention is directed to. 
         [0025]    Turning to  FIGS. 2-6 , one embodiment of a clevis tool  50  is illustrated. The clevis tool  50  has two handles  52 , 54  that extend between a proximal end  56  and a distal end  58 . The distal end  58  has, as with normal pliers, jaws  60 . Instead of the jaws  60  engaging the clevis fastener  16 , engagement members  62  are attached to the distal ends  58  or jaws  60  of the handles  52 , 54 . The handles  52 , 54  rotate relative to one another about point  68 , which is a fastener that allows the handles  52 , 54  move without coming apart. The clevis tool  50  may also include an opening  90  that further includes a spring  92  to bias the jaws  60  toward one another. The distal ends  58  or jaws  60  are constructed to allow the engagement members  62  to be attached thereto. As illustrated, the distal ends  58  or jaws  60  have a plate  64  that is attached by a screw  66  to the distal ends  58  or jaws  60  and the engagement members  62  are secured between the distal ends  58  or jaws  60  and the plate  64 . Other constructions at the the distal ends  58  or jaws  60  is possible and still come within the scope of the present invention. For example, there could be a channel or other opening into a solid end of the the distal ends  58  or jaws  60 , and then use a set screw to secure the engagement members  62  therein. 
         [0026]    The engagement members  62  have a proximal end  70  and a distal end  72 . The proximal end  70  is attached to the distal ends  58  or jaws  60  of the clevis tool  50 . The proximal end  70  has a cross section that can be of any appropriate configuration, but is illustrated in  FIG. 2  in two different configurations. The engagement members  62  have a hexagonal cross section to increase the contact surface between the distal ends  58  or jaws  60  and the plate  64 . However, as also illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the engagement member  62   a  has a circular cross section. As is also illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the engagements members  62  (and  62   a ) preferably have a angle introduced between the proximal end  70  and the distal end  72 . The proximal end  70  lies in an axis A, while the distal end  72  lies in the axis B, the axes forming an angle ∝. While the proximal end  70  and the distal end  72  are illustrated as having a relatively sharp bend to achieve the angle ∝, it should be noted that the angle ∝ could be formed through a more gradual bend to achieve that angle. The angle ∝ is preferably between about 80 and 170 degrees and more preferably between about 125 and 150 degrees. The angle ∝ used may also depend on the areas where the clevis tool  50  will be used. For example, in some instances, the angle may need to be greater (approaching a straight engagement member  62 ) to reach farther, or smaller to reach into more restricted areas. See, e.g.,  FIG. 9 . The angle ∝ is measured such that the angle can vary between ∝ and 180 degrees. Thus, if, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the distal end  72  rotated further such that the angle ∝ becomes more than 180, then the angle should be measured from the other side of the engagement member  62 , so that the angle varies between 0 and 180 degrees. 
         [0027]    The lengths of the engagement members  62  is not critical to the operation of the clevis tool  50 . Additionally, the relative lengths of the proximal end  70  and the distal end  72  is similarly not critical. Thus, either the proximal end  70  and the distal end  72  may be shorter or longer. 
         [0028]    The distal end  72  of the engagement member  62  has two tines  80  that form an opening  82  between them. The opening  82  is illustrated as extending substantially the entire length of the distal end  72 . Again, the length of the opening  82  relative to the distal end  72  of the engagement member  62  may depend on the use of the clevis tool  50  and the actual length of the engagement member  62 . For example, if the length of distal end  72  is longer than that illustrated in the figures. then the opening will extend the length of the distal end  72 . However, the opening  82  needs to have a sufficient length to avoid the prongs  20  from prematurely disengaging the clevis tool  50 . 
         [0029]    The distal end  72  or tines  80  have two interior surfaces  84  that form the opening  82 . The distal end of the tines  80  have a chamfer  86  allow the clevis fastener  12  to enter the opening  82  more easily. Thus the opening  82  is wider at the at the chamfer  86  than more proximally, toward the proximal end  70 . See  FIG. 3A . 
         [0030]    Illustrated in  FIG. 4  is the clevis tool  50  engaging a clevis fastener  12 . Each of the prongs  20  are disposed in a respective opening  82  of the clevis tool  50 . Opening the handles  52 , 54  causes the engagement members  62  to move apart. This in turn causes the prongs  20  to separate and the pin  24  to be removed from the opening  22 . The clevis fastener  12  can now be attached or removed from a connecting piece. See also  FIG. 7 , where the pin  24  is being removed from engaging a flap control horn  90  in an internal portion of a wing. 
         [0031]    The clevis tool  50  can also be used to secure a clevis fastener  12  to a connecting piece. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , inside portions of the engagement members  62  can be used to push the prongs  20  of the clevis fastener  12  together, securing the pin (not visible in  FIG. 8 ) into the opening  22  of the clevis fastener  12  by closing the handles  52 , 54 . Naturally, the prongs  20  can also be disposed in the openings  82  of the engagement members  62  to close the clevis fastener  12 . 
         [0032]    Similarly, the clevis tool  50  is illustrated in  FIG. 9  in a tighter area to access a clevis fastener  12 . The clevis tool  50  has opened the clevis fastener  12  and the pin  24  is visible. The clevis tool  50  allows for easy opening and closing of the clevis fastener  12  is areas that before were very difficult to access. 
         [0033]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.