Abstract:
A tool for securing a clamp, such as a P clamp, to a mounting location, comprising: a first jaw; a second jaw; and an actuator to move the first jaw relative to the second jaw. The first jaw includes a retainer for a fastener. The method of attaching the clamp to the mounting location includes the steps of: placing a first fastener in the retainer; locating the clamp between the jaws; manipulating the actuator to tighten the clamp; and securing a second fastener to the first fastener.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/458,937 filed 31 Mar. 2003, herein incorporated by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a tool for securing a clamp to an object. Specifically, the present invention relates to a hand tool that assists a technician secure a clamp to an object. 
   Gas turbine engine externals, such as tubes and wire harnesses, must be adequately secured to the engine. Typically, technicians use “P clamps” to secure the externals to the engine. A P clamp is a metal band partially overmolded by an elastomeric material. The metal band provides rigidity to the P clamp to mount the external securely to the engine. The metal band compresses the elastomeric material against the external. The elastomeric material prevents contact between the external by the metal band, limits movement of the external, and can damp vibration caused by engine operation. 
   The process of securing the P clamp to the external can produce ergonomic issues. Since typical P clamps require approximately 22 pounds of compression force, a technician continuously applying such a compression force for extended periods of time can quickly tire. Repetitive applications of such compression forces (i.e. installing multiple clamps) can also tire the installer. The potential for ergonomic issues increases as the size of the external increases (i.e. larger P clamps needed) and as the length of the external increases (e.g. one engine could use up to 96 P clamps). 
   Conventionally, the installer followed these steps: (1) compress the clamp with a hand tool, such as a needle nose pliers; (2) continue applying the compression force to the clamp until the clamp achieves a set state; (3) discontinue applying the compression force to the clamp; (4) attach fasteners to the clamp; and (5) tighten the fasteners with suitable tools. While tightening the fasteners, the user may have to compress the clamp further with the tools to engage the fasteners. That requires the technician to manipulate simultaneously the pliers, the P clamp, and both fasteners. 
   Other practices include the use of small clips to keep the clamp in a compressed state or to secure the fastener to the clamp. The use of such small clips is not preferred in at least gas turbine engine application. The clips have a tendency to fail. The clips can also become foreign object debris (FOD) if not removed properly. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved tool to secure a clamp to an object. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hand tool that assists a technician when securing a clamp to an object. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hand tool that can utilize the same power tool used for other purposes. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ergonomic tool. 
   These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in one aspect by a tool, comprising: a first jaw; a second jaw; and an actuator to move the first jaw relative to the second jaw. The first jaw includes a retainer for a fastener. 
   These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in another aspect by a tool for securing a P clamp to a mounting location. The tool comprises: a first jaw; a second jaw; and an actuator to move the first jaw relative to the second jaw. The first jaw includes a retainer for a fastener. 
   These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in another aspect by a method of attaching a clamp to an object. The method comprises the steps of: providing a tool with a first jaw having a retainer for a fastener, a second jaw, and an actuator to move the first jaw relative to the second jaw; placing a first fastener in the retainer; locating the clamp between the jaws; manipulating the actuator to tighten the clamp; and securing a second fastener to the first fastener. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other uses and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the specification and the drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an elevational view of one alternative embodiment of a tool of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a portion of the tool in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a detailed, elevational view, in partial cross-section, of a portion of the tool in  FIG. 1  during a step in the attachment of a clamp to an object; 
       FIG. 4  is a detailed, elevational view of portion of the tool in  FIG. 1  during a subsequent step in the attachment of a clamp to an object; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a portion of another alternative embodiment of a tool of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a detailed, elevational view of portion of the tool in  FIG. 5  during one step in the attachment of a clamp to an object; 
       FIG. 7  is a detailed, elevational view of portion of the tool in  FIG. 1  during a subsequent step in the attachment of a clamp to an object; and 
       FIG. 8  is an elevational view of another alternative embodiment of a tool of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1–4  display one alternative embodiment of a hand tool  50  of the present invention. The tool  50  helps a technician secure an object  10 , such as a wire harness, tube or other external of a gas turbine engine, to a mounting location  12  on the engine using a device, such as a “P clamp”  14 . 
   The P clamp  14  includes a metal band  16  partially overmolded by an elastomeric material  18 . The band  16  provides rigidity to the P clamp, while the elastomeric material  18  prevents contact between the external  10  and the metal band  16 . The band  16  is shaped so that ends  20 ,  22  of the band  16  can overlap. A fastener, such as bolt B, can extend through apertures  24  in the ends  20 ,  22  to engage another fastener, such as nut N, to draw the ends  20 ,  22  towards each other. To mount the external  10  to the engine, the bolt B could extend through a hole (shown in phantom in  FIG. 4 ) in the mounting location  12 . 
   The tool  50  includes opposed jaws  51 ,  53  and an actuator  55  that allows the jaws  51 ,  53  to move relative to each other. Although the figures show jaws  51 ,  53  as being stationary and movable, respectively, the present invention could use any other suitable arrangement. Likewise, although the figures show the second jaw  53  as unitary with the actuator  55 , the jaws  51 ,  53  could be separate from the actuator  55 . 
   As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the first jaw  51  has a surface  57  facing the second jaw  53 . The P clamp  14  abuts the surface  57  during use of the tool  50  as will be explained in more detail below. The surface  57  has a recess  59  therein sized to accept the nut N. When placed in the recess  59 , the nut N is preferably flush with, or beneath, surface  57 . As will become clear below, the recess  59  frees up one hand of the technician when mounting the P clamp  14  to the external  10  and the mounting location  12 . 
   Although the first jaw  51  can accommodate a range of P clamp sizes, the tool  50  preferably allows for the replacement of the first jaw  51  with another jaw (not shown) adapted for a different type of clamp (not shown) or a different sized P clamp  14  using conventional techniques. 
   The second jaw  53  also has a surface  61  that faces the first jaw  51 . The P clamp  14  abuts the surface  61  during use of the tool  50  as will be explained in more detail below. Since the tool  50  can preferably adapt to different types of clamps (not shown) or different sizes of P clamps  14 , the second jaw  53  has a removable adapter  63 . Each adapter  63  can have a shape specific to the desired application. The adapters  63  can mount to the jaw  53  using conventional techniques. 
   The actuator  55  could be any conventional mechanism. As seen in the figures, the actuator includes a handle  65 , a spring-loaded trigger  67  to advance the actuator  55  along a rail  69  towards the first jaw  51 . As seen in the figures, the second jaw  53  mounts to the actuator. Accordingly, advancing the actuator  55  towards the first jaw  51  advances the second jaw  53  towards the first jaw  51 . The actuator also includes a release lever  71  to allow the technician to retract the second jaw  53  away from the first jaw  51 . 
   The present invention could utilize alternative actuators  55 . For example, the present invention could use a plunger-type actuator commonly used in caulk dispensers. In this alternative, the actuator remains stationary while the second jaw, secured to a plunger (not shown), advances towards the first jaw  51 . 
     FIGS. 3 and 4  demonstrate the use of the tool  50 . The technician initially places the P clamp  14  around the external  10 . At this point, the P clamp  14  is in a relaxed state. That is, the ends  20 ,  22  are displaced from each other. 
   The technician places the nut N in the recess  59  of the first jaw  51 , and positions the tool  50  so that the P clamp  14  resides between the jaws  51 ,  53 . The technician then advances the actuator  55  so that the jaws  51 ,  53  abut the P clamp  14  and begin tightening the P clamp  14  around the external  10 . 
   The technician then manipulates the tool  50  to position the P clamp  14  in the proper position. That is, the technician places the P clamp adjacent the mounting location  12 . The technician then advances the actuator  55  further so that the apertures in the ends  20 ,  22  of the P clamp  14  align such as seen in  FIG. 4 . With the ends  20 ,  22  aligned, the technician can attach the fasteners. 
   Using the other hand (i.e. the hand not holding the tool  50 ), the technician inserts the bolt B through the hole in the mounting location  12  and through the apertures  24  in the ends  20 ,  22  of the P clamp  14 . The technician then mates the bolt B with the nut N residing in the recess  59 . Once the nut N fastens to the bolt B, the P clamp  14  securely holds the external  10  and the bolt securely holds the P clamp  14  to the mounting location  12 . The technician can now release the actuator  55  to remove the tool  50  from the P clamp  14 . 
     FIGS. 4–6  display another alternative embodiment of a hand tool  150  of the present invention. Since tool  150  has similar components to tool  50 , only a brief summary of those components follows to avoid repetition. Where tool  150  uses different components, a more detailed description follows. 
   The tool  150  includes opposed jaws  151 ,  153  and an actuator  155  that allows the jaws  151 ,  153  to move relative to each other. The first jaw  151  has a surface  157  facing the second jaw  153  with a recess  159  therein to accept the nut N. The first jaw  151  is replaceable with a different jaw (not shown) to accommodate different types of clamp (not shown) or different sized P clamps  14 . 
   Differently than with the tool  50 , the second jaw  153  of tool  150  engages the mounting location  12  of the engine rather than the P clamp  14 . Accordingly, the second jaw  153  includes a removable adapter  163  shaped to correspond with the mounting location  12 . The tool  150  could use a variety of adapters  163  shaped for a specific mounting location  12 . The adapters  163  can mount to the second jaw  153  using conventional techniques. As seen in  FIG. 5 , the adapter  163  includes a central passageway  173 . As will be described in more detail below, the central passageway allows the bolt B to extend therethrough. 
   The actuator  55  could be any conventional mechanism, like the mechanism described above with tool  50 , or the plunger-type actuators used in caulk dispensers. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7  demonstrate the use of the tool  150 . The technician initially places the P clamp  14  around the external  10 . At this point, the P clamp  14  is in a relaxed state. That is, the ends  20 ,  22  are displaced from each other. 
   The technician places the nut N in the recess  59  of the first jaw  51 , and positions the tool  50  so that the mounting location  12  and the P clamp  14  reside between the jaws  51 ,  53 . The technician then advances the actuator  55  so that the jaws  51 ,  53  draw the P clamp  14  towards the mounting location  12  (see  FIG. 6 ). As the jaws  51 ,  53  approach each other, the P clamp  14  begins tightening around the external  10 . At a final position, the ends  20 ,  22  of the P clamp  14  align, and the ends  20 ,  22  abut the mounting location  12  such as seen in  FIG. 7 . Note that at this point, the technician could stop holding the tool  150  and the tool  150  would still hold the P clamp  14  against the mounting location  12 . 
   The technician then inserts the bolt B through the hole in the mounting location  12  and through the apertures  24  in the ends  20 ,  22  of the P clamp  14 . The bolt B then engages with the nut N residing in the recess  59 . Once the nut N fastens to the bolt B, the P clamp  14  securely holds the external  10  to the mounting location  12 . The technician can now release the actuator  155  to remove the tool  150  from the mounting location  12  and the P clamp  14 . 
     FIG. 8  displays another alternative embodiment of a hand tool  250  of the present invention. Since tool  250  has similar components to tools  50 ,  150 , only a brief summary of those components follows to avoid repetition. Where tool  250  uses different components, a more detailed description follows. 
   The tool  250  includes opposed jaws  251 ,  253  and a handle  265 . The first jaw  251  mounts to a rail  269  extending from the handle  265 . The first jaw  251  has a surface facing the second jaw  253  with a recess therein to accept the nut N. The first jaw  251  is replaceable with a different jaw (not shown) to accommodate different types of clamp (not shown) or different sized P clamps  14 . Replacement can occur by removing the first jaw  251  from the rail  269 . 
   The second jaw  253  also has a surface that faces the first jaw  251 . The P clamp  14  abuts the surface during use of the tool  250 . Since the tool  250  can preferably adapt to different types of clamps (not shown) or different sizes of P clamps  14 , the second jaw  253  has a removable adapter  263 . Each adapter  263  can have a shape specific to the desired application. The adapters  263  can mount to the jaw  253  using conventional techniques. 
   Differently than tools  50 ,  150 , the second jaw  253  can move independently of the handle  265 . The actuator  255  allows this independent movement, and includes a threaded rod  275  that extends through a threaded bore (not shown) in a flange  277  extending from the handle  265 . One end of the rod  275  rotatably mounts to a plate  279  on the second jaw  253  using conventional techniques. The other end of the rod  275  includes a head H. As will become evident below, the head H preferably matches the head of the bolt B used to mount the P clamp  14  to the mounting location  12 . 
   The technician uses the tool  250  as follows. First, the technician places the nut N in the recess of the first jaw  251 , and positions the tool  250  so that P clamp  14  resides between the jaws  251 ,  253 . The technician then advances the actuator  255  with assistance from a power tool. Since the head of the rod  275  matches the head of the bolt B, the technician can use the same power tool as will be used to tighten the P clamp  14  around the external  10 . 
   Rotation of the rod  275  drives the second jaw  253  towards the first jaw  251 . The jaws  251 ,  253  begin tightening the P clamp  14  around the external  10 . At a final position, the ends  20 ,  22  of the P clamp  14  align. During this process, the technician also aligns the P clamp  14  with the mounting location  12 . 
   The technician then inserts the bolt B through the hole in the mounting location  12  and through the apertures  24  in the ends  20 ,  22  of the P clamp  14 . The technician utilizes the same power tool that just drove rod  275  to drive bolt B. The bolt B then engages the nut N residing in the recess of the first jaw  251 . 
   Once the nut N fastens to the bolt B, the P clamp  14  securely holds the external  10  to the mounting location  12 . The technician can now release the actuator by  255  rotating the rod  275  in the opposite direction. Clearly, the technician performs this task by reversing the direction of the power tool, then engaging the head H of the rod  275 . 
   As an alternative, the actuator  255  could be hand operated. For example, the head H could be replaced with a knob (not shown). Similar to a pipe cutter, the technician could rotate the knob to move the second jaw  253 . 
   The present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments of the various figures. It is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function of the present invention without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the recitation of the appended claims.