Patent Publication Number: US-6668870-B2

Title: Manually operated wire twisting and tying tool and method of twisting and tying the wires together

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to manually operated tools and a method of using the same, and more particularly to a new and improved manually operated wire twisting and tying tool which is especially useful in connection with the twisting and tying together of the free end portions of baling wire used in connection with the binding of baled products so as to secure the same in a compacted or compressed state or condition. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various types of loose material or packaging components are often processed and distributed in the form of compressed or compacted bales so that a greater amount or number of such loose material or packaging components may be stored or shipped within a smaller space. In addition, it is easier and more efficient to handle bales of material or packaging components than to handle the loose material or individual packaging components. When the loose material or packaging components are compressed or compacted into bales, it is generally known to wrap and tie such bales with wire or other similar binding devices or members so as to secure and maintain the bales in their compressed or compacted form while being stored or shipped. Wire is the most preferable binding device due to its low cost and ease of handling and manipulation. One method of conventionally forming a compressed or compacted bale of material or components, and of subsequently securing and maintaining the same in its compressed or compacted state, comprises the steps of depositing the compressible material or components into an automatic baler wherein the material or components are compacted or compressed into a bale by means of a suitable ram mechanism, and subsequently, the bale is conducted through a plurality of spaced wire wrapping stations such that a plurality of wire strands are wrapped around the bale at different locations thereof. 
     In order to secure together the free end portions of the wire strands wrapped around the bale of material or components, automatic wire twisting and tying apparatus have been used in conjunction with, or as integral parts of, the automatic baler apparatus, however, such automatic apparatus have proven relatively complex in structure, large and bulky in size, and expensive to manufacture. In addition, it is known that, due to the stresses impressed upon and inherent within the baling wires as a result of the wrapping of the same around the compressed or compacted bale of material or components, one of the major difficulties, which is uniquely problematic in connection with the tying together of the free end portions of the baling wire wrapped around the bale of material or components, comprises the fact that the free end portions of the baling wire normally tend to separate from each other. It is imperative, however, that the free end portions of the baling wire are maintained together in an overlapped state both before and during the twisting together of the free end portions of the baling wire in order to define or achieve the ultimately desired knotted structure which terminates the wrapped baling wire and maintains the wrapped baling wire in its secured state or condition upon the bale of material or components. Unfortunately, such automatic machines or mechanisms have not always been able to adequately address this problem or difficulty which has therefore rendered such automatic machines or mechanisms difficult and tedious to use. 
     In order to reduce the complexities and costs involved in connection with the use of automatic wire twisting and tying apparatus, hand tying techniques have also been employed within the industry. One known hand tying technique comprises the formation of a pre-wound loop upon a first end portion of the baling wire, the insertion of the second end portion of the baling wire through such pre-wound loop, and the twisting of the non-looped end portion of the baling wire around itself. This technique, however, has exhibited several operational problems which have rendered the same undesirable. For example, the termination tie is often inconsistent, leading to an imbalance in the stress levels accommodated by each end portion of the baling wire. In addition, such termination tie has often proven to be insufficiently strong due to poor quality levels characteristic of the twists formed within the termination tie. Accordingly, once the bale is removed from the baler apparatus, the failure of the tie leads to a failure of the bale and the need to reprocess the same. As a result, the industry has not enthusiastically embraced the use of such hand tying techniques and has subsequently adopted the use of manually operated tying devices or mechanisms. 
     One example of such manually operated tying devices or mechanisms is disclosed within U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,289 which issued to Johnson on Jul. 13, 1999. In accordance with the teachings and description of such patent, and as disclosed within FIG. 1, which substantially corresponds to FIG. 1 of the noted patent, it is briefly noted that the manually operated baling wire tying device or mechanism of Johnson is generally indicated by the reference character  10  and is seen to comprise upper and lower housing sections  12   a , 12   b . Each one of the upper and lower housing sections  12   a , 12   b  comprises a cross-bar section  17 , and a pair of legs  16   a , 16   b  project forwardly from each one of the cross-bar sections  17 . The legs  16   a , 16   b  are respectively provided with semi-cylindrical openings  21  for respectively housing bearing members  28  which in turn have hub portions  22  of twister gears  18   a , 18   b  rotatably disposed therein. Twister pinions  20   a , 20   b  are respectively fixedly mounted within the twister gears  18   a , 18   b  so as to be rotatable therewith, and a cover  34  and a locking structure  36  are operatively associated with each one of the twister gear and pinion assemblies  18   a , 20   a  and  18   b , 20   b . The outer covers  34 , locking structures  36 , bearing members  28 , twister gears  18   a , 18   b , and twister pinions  20   a , 20   b  are all individually provided with a radial slot so as to form together a collective slot  55  into which a pair of wires, to be twisted together, can be inserted. 
     The twister gears  18   a , 18   b  comprise bevel gears, with the teeth thereof being illustrated at  25 , and a beveled drive gear  40 , having teeth  42  integrally formed thereon, is effectively interposed between the twister gears  18   a , 18   b  such that the twister gears  18   a  and  18   b  are engaged with diametrically opposed regions of the drive gear  40 . The beveled drive gear  40  is operatively connected to a drive shaft  50 , and drive shaft  50  is fixedly connected to a crank handle  52 . Accordingly, when the crank handle  52  is rotated in a predetermined direction, such as, for example, in the clockwise direction as viewed from the front of the device or mechanism  10  and oriented along the axis of the beveled drive gear  40 , the latter is likewise rotated in the clockwise direction. Therefore, twister gear  18   a , and its twister pinion  20   a , will be rotated in the counterclockwise direction, as viewed along their respective axes and in the direction extending from the axially inner end of twister pinion  20   a  to the axially outer end of the hub portion  22  of twister gear  18   a , while twister gear  18   b  and its twister pinion  20   b  will be rotated in the clockwise direction, as viewed along their respective axes and in the same direction as was used in connection with twister gear and pinion gear  18   a , 20   a . Accordingly, since the twister gears  18   a , 18   b  and twister pinions  20   a , 20   b  are rotated in opposite directions, the wire end portions of the baling wire, which are disposed within the twister pinions  20   a , 20   b , are effectively twisted with respect to each other around an axis which is common to such wire end portions and which extends along the common slot  55  so as to form a twisted termination knot. 
     While the aforenoted baling wire twisting and tying apparatus operates satisfactorily, it is noted that the apparatus is nevertheless relatively complex and bulky in structure. In addition, while the same is manually operable, the apparatus does not comprise relatively simple structure comprising a relatively small size which would in fact enable an operator to readily hold or grasp the same in his or her hands while subsequently manipulating the apparatus in a relatively simple manner. Accordingly, a need exists in the art for a new and improved manually operated baling wire twisting and tying tool which is relatively simple in structure, and which is of such relatively small size as to readily enable the same to be held by an operator and easily manipulated for the performance of a baling wire twisting and tying operation. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved manually-operated baling wire twisting and tying tool or apparatus. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved manually-operated baling wire twisting and tying tool or apparatus which effectively overcomes the various operational drawbacks and disadvantages characteristic of PRIOR ART baling wire twisting and tying tools or apparatus. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved manually-operated baling wire twisting and tying tool or apparatus which is relatively simple in structure and which is also relatively small in size. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved manually-operated baling wire twisting and tying tool or apparatus which is relatively simple in structure and which is relatively small in size so as to permit an operator to readily grasp and hold the same and thereby in turn readily permit the operator to simply perform a baling wire twisting and tying operation. 
     A last object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved manually-operated baling wire twisting and tying tool or apparatus which is relatively simple in structure and which is relatively small in size so as to permit an operator to readily grasp and hold the same and thereby in turn readily permit the operator to simply perform a baling wire twisting and tying operation whereby the resulting twisted and tied or knotted end portions of the baling wire will exhibit uniform consistency, will exhibit sufficient strength in order to withstand the various stresses inherently impressed thereon by means of the compressed or compacted bale of material or components, and will not tend to unravel as is often characteristic of hand-twisted and tied or knotted end portions of baling wire wrapped around the bale of material or components. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing and other objectives are achieved in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention through the provision of a new and improved manually-operated baling wire twisting and tying tool or apparatus which comprises an axially elongated hand-held device comprising an axially central main housing section, a first wire-twisting housing section or handle having a first wire-gripping mechanism fixedly mounted therein, and a second wire-twisting housing section or handle having a second wire-gripping mechanism fixedly mounted therein. The first wire-twisting housing section or handle is fixedly mounted upon a first end of the axially central main housing section such that the first wire-gripping mechanism extends into the first end of the axially central main housing section, and the second wire-twisting housing section or handle is rotatably mounted upon a second opposite end of the axially central main housing section such that the second wire-gripping mechanism extends into the second end of the axially central main housing section. The first wire-twisting housing section or handle is provided with a radially inwardly extending slot oriented in a radial plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hand-held device so as to permit the pair of wires, which are to be twisted together, to be inserted into the device, and an axially oriented slot extending substantially the entire axial extent or longitudinal length of the device for accommodating the wires in preparation for the performance of the wire twisting and tying operation. An end cap is rotatably mounted upon the second wire-twisting housing section or handle so as to effectively close the second axial end of the device and thereby prevent the wires from being inadvertently disengaged from the axially oriented slot once the wires are disposed within the axially oriented slot, whereupon rotational movement of the second wire-twisting housing section or handle, having the second wire-gripping mechanism fixedly mounted therein, relative or with respect to the first wire-twisting housing section or handle, having the first wire-gripping mechanism fixedly mounted therein, the wires are twisted and tied together. Upon completion of the wire twisting and tying operation, the end cap is rotated in the reverse direction so as to effectively open the second axial end of the device, and the twisted and tied-together wires can then be removed from the axially oriented radially inwardly extending slots. The device is then ready for use in connection with a subsequent pair of wires to be twisted and tied together. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional PRIOR ART hand-operable bale wire twisting and tying apparatus; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the new and improved manually-operated wire twisting and tying tool or device constructed in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention and showing the cooperative parts thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the encircled area A as noted upon FIG. 2 showing in greater detail the radially oriented wire insertion and axially oriented wire accommodation slots as formed within the non-rotatable end of the new and improved manually-operated wire twisting and tying tool of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 2 showing, however, the new and improved manually-operated wire twisting and tying tool or device as viewed from the rotatable end of the tool or device of the present invention and showing the cooperative parts thereof; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the encircled area B as noted upon FIG. 4 showing in greater detail the disposition of the rotatable cap member rotatably disposed within the rotatable end of the new and improved manually-operated wire twisting and tying tool of the present invention for effectively closing the rotatable end of the axially oriented wire accommodation slot so as to prevent the inadvertent disengagement of the wires from the axially oriented wire accommodation slot; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 2 showing, however, the new and improved manually-operated wire twisting and tying tool or device as viewed from the opposite lateral side of the tool or device of the present invention and showing the cooperative parts thereof; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the encircled area C as noted upon FIG. 6 showing in greater detail the rotatable gauge member, rotatably mounted upon the end of the axially central main housing section which is disposed adjacent to the rotatable end of the new and improved manually-operated wire twisting and tying tool of the present invention, for effectively indicating or monitoring the number of revolutions of the rotatable end of wire twisting and tying tool, with respect to the fixed end of the wire twisting and tying tool, such that the tool can impress or form a predetermined number of twists upon or within the pair of wires that are to be twisted and tied together; and 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a pair of baling wires twisted and tied together by means of the new and improved manually-operated wire twisting and tying tool or device illustrated within FIGS.  2 - 7 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3 thereof, the new and improved manually operated wire twisting and tying tool or device, as constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention and showing the cooperative parts thereof, is illustrated and is generally indicated by the reference character  10 . More particularly, the manually-operated wire twisting and tying tool or device  10  of the present invention is seen to having a substantially axially elongated cylindrical configuration comprising an axially central main tubular housing or support section  12 , a first wire-twisting housing section or handle  14  which is effectively fixed upon or within a first axial end of main tubular housing or support section  12 , and a second wire-twisting housing section or handle  16  which is effectively rotatably mounted upon or within a second axial end of main tubular housing or support section  12 . A first wire-gripping mechanism or implement  18  is fixedly mounted within the first wire-twisting housing section or handle  14  whereby the first wire-gripping mechanism or implement  18  is fixed with respect to both the first wire-twisting housing section or handle  14  and main tubular housing or support section  12 , and a second wire-gripping mechanism or implement  20  is correspondingly fixedly mounted within the second wire-twisting housing section or handle  16  whereby the second wire-gripping mechanism or implement  20  is therefore rotatable, along with the second wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 , with respect to main tubular housing or support section  12 , first wire-twisting housing section or handle  14 , and first wire-gripping mechanism or implement  18 . 
     More particularly, as can best be seen or appreciated from FIGS. 2,  4  and  6 , the axially inner end of the first wire-twisting housing section or handle  14  is adapted to be mounted upon or over the first axial end of the axially central main housing section  12  in an enveloping manner such that the first wire-gripping mechanism or implement  18  extends into and is axially disposed within the interior portion of the first axial end of the axially central main tubular housing section  12 . In order to fixedly secure the first wire-twisting housing section or handle  14  and the first wire-gripping mechanism or implement  18  upon and within the first axial end of the axially central main tubular housing section  12 , respectively, a first suitable fastener  22 , as best seen in FIG. 6, is inserted through suitable apertures, not shown, respectively formed within the first axial end of the axially central main tubular housing section  12  and the first wire-gripping mechanism or implement  18  so as to fixedly secure the first wire-gripping mechanism or implement  18  within the first axial end of the axially central main tubular housing section  12 . In a similar manner, a second suitable fastener  24 , as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, is inserted through suitable apertures, not shown, respectively formed within the first wire-twisting housing section or handle  14  and the first wire-gripping mechanism or implement  18  so as to fixedly secure the first wire-twisting housing section or handle  14  and the first wire-gripping mechanism or implement  18  together. 
     As can best be appreciated from FIGS. 4,  6 , and  7 , in order to rotatably secure the second wire-twisting housing section or handle  16  and the second wire-gripping mechanism or implement  20  upon and within the second axial end of the axially central main tubular housing section  12 , respectively, a suitable fastener  26  is inserted through suitable apertures, not shown, respectively formed within the second wire-twisting housing section or handle  16  and the second wire-gripping mechanism or implement  20  so as to fixedly secure the second wire-gripping mechanism or implement  20  within the second wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 . In addition, an outer peripheral wall portion of the second wire-gripping mechanism or implement  20  is provided with a circumferentially extending recessed portion or groove, not shown, and a suitable set screw or pin  28  is inserted through a side-wall portion of the second axial end of the axially central main tubular housing section  12  which is disposed adjacent to the second wire-twisting housing section or handle  16  so as to effectively engage the circumferentially extending recessed portion or groove, not shown, defined within the outer peripheral wall portion of the second wire-gripping mechanism or implement  20 . 
     In this manner, the assembly comprising the second wire-twisting housing section or handle  16  and the second wire-gripping mechanism or implement  20  is axially locked or retained within the second axial end of the axially central main tubular housing section  12 . However, such assembly comprising the second wire-twisting housing section or handle  16  and the second wire-gripping mechanism or implement  20  is nevertheless permitted to undergo rotational movement with respect to the axially central main tubular housing section  12 , and more importantly, with respect to the first wire-gripping mechanism or implement  18  fixedly mounted within the assembly comprising the first axial end of the axially central main tubular housing section  12  and the first wire-twisting housing section or handle  14 . 
     In order to insert a pair of wires, as shown as  30  and  32  in FIG. 8, into the new and improved manually operated wire twisting and tying tool or device  10  of the present invention, and in order to further properly axially dispose the wires  30 , 32  within the tool or device  10  such that a wire twisting and tying operation can be properly performed upon the wires  30 , 32  in order to achieve, for example, a twelve-loop twist and tie section within the wires  30 , 32 , as disclosed at  34  in FIG. 8, the new and improved manually operated wire twisting and tying tool or device  10  of the present invention is provided with additional unique structure. With reference again being made to FIGS. 2,  3 , and  6 , the first wire-twisting housing section or handle  14  is provided with a first radially inwardly extending slot or groove  36  which is oriented within a radial plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hand-held device or tool  10 . As can readily be appreciated from FIGS. 2,  3 , and  6 , the slot or groove  36  is located at an axial position which is located axially inwardly from an end face  37  of the first wire-twisting housing section or handle  14  and extends radially inwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the first wire-twisting housing section or handle  14  to, and even slightly beyond, the longitudinal axis  38  of the tool or device  10 . 
     In addition, as can best be seen from FIG. 6, the first wire-twisting housing section or handle  14  is further provided with a second radially inwardly extending slot or groove  40  which is oriented within an axial plane which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hand-held device or tool  10 . The second radially inwardly extending slot or groove  40  extends axially from the end face  37  of the first wire-twisting housing section or handle  14  to the first radially inwardly extending slot or groove  36  so as to intersect the first radially inwardly extending slot or groove  36 , and also extends radially inwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the first wire-twisting housing section or handle  14  to, and even slightly beyond, the longitudinal axis  38  of the tool or device  10 . As may be additionally appreciated from FIGS. 2,  3 , and  6 , if the end face  37  of the first wire-twisting housing section or handle  14  is the face of a clock, the slot or groove  40  commences radially inwardly from the nine o&#39;clock position thereof. 
     In a similar manner, the first wire-twisting housing section or handle  14  is provided with a third radially inwardly extending slot or groove  42  which is likewise oriented within an axial plane which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hand-held device or tool  10 . The third radially inwardly extending slot or groove  42  extends axially from the end  44  of the first wire-twisting housing section or handle  14 , which is disposed opposite the end face  37 , to the first radially inwardly extending slot or groove  36  so as to likewise intersect the first radially inwardly extending slot or groove  36 . In addition, third radially inwardly extending slot or groove  42  also extends radially inwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the first wire-twisting housing section or handle  14  to, and even slightly beyond, the longitudinal axis  38  of the tool or device  10 . With respect to the end face  37  of the first wire-twisting housing section or handle  14 , and again considering the same to be the face of a clock, it may be additionally appreciated from FIGS. 2,  3 , and  6  that the third radially inwardly extending slot or groove  42  commences radially inwardly from the three o&#39;clock position thereof. It can therefore be appreciated further that the second radially inwardly extending slot or groove  40  and the third radially inwardly extending slot or groove  42  are effectively connected to each other through the intermediary of the first radially inwardly extending slot or groove  36  for a purpose which will be explained more fully shortly hereinafter. 
     Continuing further, and as can best be appreciated from FIG. 2, it is additionally seen that the axially central main tubular housing section  12  is provided with an axially oriented slot  46  which is defined within a peripheral side wall thereof, and that the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16  is provided with a fourth axially oriented, radially inwardly extending slot or groove  48  which is similar to the third axially oriented, radially inwardly extending slot or groove  42  as defined within the first fixed wire-twisting housing section or handle  14 . Still yet further, the first and second wire-gripping mechanisms or implements  18 , 20  are respectively provided with fifth and sixth axially oriented, radially inwardly extending slots or grooves  50 , 52  which are also similar to the third and fourth axially oriented, radially inwardly extending slots or grooves  42 , 48  as defined within the first fixed and second rotatable wire-twisting housing sections or handles  14 , 16 . More particularly, it can be further appreciated that when the first fixed wire-twisting housing section or handle  14  is assembled together with the axially central main tubular housing section  12  and the first wire-gripping mechanism or implement  18 , the third and fifth axially oriented slots  42  and  50  of the first fixed wire-twisting housing section or handle  14  and the first wire-gripping mechanism or implement  18  are respectively coaxially aligned with respect to each other. In a similar manner, when the assembly comprising the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16  and the second wire-gripping mechanism or implement  20  are disposed at a predetermined circumferentially rotatable START position in preparation for the initiation or commencement of a wire-twisting and tying operation or procedure, as will be discussed more fully hereinafter, the fourth and sixth axially oriented slots  48  and  52  of the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16  and the second wire-gripping mechanism or implement  20  will be respectively coaxially aligned with respect to the third and fifth axially oriented slots  42  and  50  of the first fixed wire-twisting housing section or handle  14  and the first wire-gripping mechanism or implement  18 . In this manner, a single continuous axially oriented slot, comprising third, fifth, sixth, and fourth slot portions or components  42 , 50 , 52 , 48 , is effectively defined throughout substantially the entire longitudinal extent or length of the tool or device  10 . 
     In operation, when the pair of wires  30 , 32 , as are shown in FIG. 8, are to be twisted and tied together so as to form the twisted or knotted portion  34  as is also illustrated within FIG. 8, the pair of wires  30 , 32  are initially radially inserted into the first radially inwardly extending slot or groove  36  such that the longitudinal extents or axes of the wires  30 , 32  are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  38  of the tool or device  10 . Due to the aforenoted effective interconnection of the second and third axially oriented, radially inwardly extending slots or grooves  40 , 42 , formed within diametrically opposite sides of the first fixed wire-twisting housing section or handle  14 , as facilitated by means of the intermediary first radially inwardly extending slot or groove  36 , the tool or device  10  is then able to be pivoted 90° from its original disposition or orientation such that relatively short or minor sections of the pair of wires  30 , 32  will now be disposed within the second axially oriented slot or groove portion  40  while the relatively long or major free end portions of the wires  30 ,  32  will now be disposed coaxially within the aforenoted single continuous or common axially oriented slot defined by means of the third, fifth, sixth, and fourth axially oriented slot portions or components  42 , 50 , 52 , 48 . The free ends of the wires  30 , 32  may be axially pulled through the slots  42 ,  50 , 52 , 48   50  as to effectively render the same taut and without any slack, and in order to effectively grip the wires  30 , 32  and prevent the same from loosening around the bale, a pair of rubber plugs  51  are fixedly secured within slots  40  and  42  by means of set screws  53  which are inserted into the first fixed wire-twisting housing section or handle  14  from opposite diametrical positions thereof, although only the rubber plug  51  which is secured within slot  42  is visible in FIGS. 2 and 3. 
     It is noted further that each one of the first and second wire-gripping mechanisms or implements  18 , 20  is provided with suitable wire-engaging means  54 , 56 , which may be, for example, similar to the staggered pins  60   a , 60   b  as disclosed within the aforenoted U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,289 to Johnson, and in this manner, the axially central portions of the wires  30 , 32  are respectively properly and securely retained and oriented within the first and second wire-gripping mechanisms or implements  18 , 20  in preparation for the wire-twisting and tying operation or procedure to be subsequently performed thereon. In order to effectively close the end  58  of the tool or device  10 , which is disposed opposite the wire-insertion end thereof, so as to effectively prevent the free end portions of the wires  30 , 32  from becoming dislodged from their axially oriented captured positions within the axially oriented third, fifth, sixth, and fourth slot portions or components  42 , 50 , 52 , 48  of the tool or device  10  during a wire-twisting and tying operation, the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16  has a cap member  60  rotatably mounted within the end face thereof as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. The cap member  60  is provided with an axially oriented, radially inwardly extending slot  62  which is alternatively capable of being aligned or non-aligned with respect to the fourth axially oriented slot portion  48  as defined within the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 . 
     When the cap member  60  is rotated to a first position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the axially oriented slots  25   62 , 48  of the cap member  60  and second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16  are aligned with respect to each other so as to permit radial insertion of the wires  30 ,  32  therewithin. When, however, the cap member  60  is rotated with respect to the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16  through a clockwise angular rotation of, for example, 180°, as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5, axially oriented slot  62  of cap member  60  will no longer be aligned with slot  48  of second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16  whereby the free end portions of the wires  30 , 32  will effectively be prevented from becoming dislodged or withdrawn from the slot  48  of the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 . Upon completion of the wire twisting and tying operation, the cap member  60  can be rotated in the counterclockwise direction back to its original position whereby slot  62  is again aligned with slot  48  of second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16  such that the completed wires  30 , 32  can be removed from the tool or device  10 . In order to define the extreme limits to which the cap member  60  can be rotated in the aforenoted clockwise and counterclockwise directions so as to in turn define the slot alignment and non-alignment positions, a shoulder bolt  64  is fixedly mounted within the end face of the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 , and the cap member  60  is provided with an arcuately configured slot or groove  66 . Accordingly, when the cap member  60  is disposed at the illustrated extreme position corresponding to or defining the alignment position of the slot portions  48 , 62 , a first end portion of the arcuate groove or slot  66  will encounter the shoulder bolt  64 , whereas when the cap member  60  is rotated to its other extreme position corresponding to or defining the non-alignment position of the slot portions  48 , 62 , a second opposite end portion of the arcuate groove or slot  66  will encounter the shoulder bolt  64 . 
     With reference lastly being made to FIGS. 4,  6 , and  7 , a last unique feature of the new and improved manually-operated wire twisting and tying tool or device  10  of the present invention resides in the provision of a visual indicating mechanism or gauge means for ensuring that a predetermined number of twists have been impressed upon or imparted to the wires  30 , 32  during a particular wire twisting and tying operation or procedure. In this manner, the operator can be assured that the twelve-loop twist and tie section within the wires  30 , 32 , as disclosed at  34  in FIG. 8, has in fact been achieved. 
     More particularly, a mounting plate  65  is fixedly mounted upon an end portion of the axially central main housing section  12  by means of a plurality of fasteners  67 , and a gear member  68  is rotatably mounted upon the plate  65  by means of a suitable fastener  70  so as to be disposed adjacent to the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 . The gear member  68  is provided with, for example, twelve teeth  72  upon the external circumferential periphery thereof, wherein the teeth  72  are equiangularly spaced apart through means of an angular spacing of 30°. An indicator plate  74  is fixedly mounted atop the gear member  68 , and a first, diametrically extending scribe line  76  is provided upon the upper surface of the indicator plate  74 . A second scribe line  78  is provided upon the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16  at a circumferential position which is adjacent to fastener  26  and which is effectively located 180° away from or opposite the axially oriented slot  48  of the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 . The axially inner end face  80  of the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16  is provided with an engagement pin  82  which is circumferentially interposed between the axially oriented slot  48  and the second scribe line  78  so as to be located at a circumferential position upon the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16  which is effectively 90° ahead of the circumferential position at which the second scribe line  78  is located as considered in the direction of rotation R of the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 . The engagement pin  82  is adapted to successively engage the individual gear teeth  72  of the gear member  68  each time the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 , and its operatively associated second wire-gripping implement or mechanism  20 , complete a revolution around the longitudinal axis  38  of the tool or device  10  relative to the first fixed wire-twisting housing section or handle  14 , and its operatively associated first wire-gripping mechanism or implement  18 , during the performance of a wire twisting and tying operation or procedure, for a purpose which will be discussed more fully hereinafter. 
     More particularly, as has been briefly noted hereinbefore, when a wire twisting and tying operation or procedure is to be performed, the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 , and its operatively associated second wire-gripping mechanism or implement  20 , are initially rotated around longitudinal axis  38  so as to be disposed at a START position such that the slot portions  48 , 52  of the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 , and its operatively associated second wire-gripping mechanism or implement  20 , will be coaxially aligned with the slot portions  42 , 50  of the first fixed wire-twisting housing section or handle  14  and its operatively associated first wire-gripping mechanism or implement  18 . At this point in time, the first scribe line  76  of the indicator plate  74  should also be co-linearly aligned with respect to the second scribe line  78  of the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 , however, if the angular disposition or orientation of the gear and indicator plate members  68 , 74  is such that the first scribe line  76  of the indicator plate  74  is not aligned or disposed in a co-linear manner with respect to the second scribe line  78  of the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 , the gear and indicator plate members  68 , 74  may be manually rotated until the first and second scribe lines  76 , 78  are in fact aligned in a co-linear manner with respect to each other. 
     It is to be noted that, in connection with the mounting of the gear and indicator plate assembly  68 , 74  upon the mounting plate  65 , a spring-biased plunger mechanism  84  passes downwardly through the indicator plate and gear assembly  74 , 68  and has a ball member, not shown, mounted upon the lower end portion thereof. In turn, an upper surface portion of the mounting plate  65  is provided with a circumferential array of detents or recesses, also not shown, for respectively or successivley accommodating the ball member of the plunger mechanism  84 . Consequently, as the gear member  68  is rotated in, for example, the counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 6 and 7, as a result of the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16  being rotated in the direction denoted by the arrow R whereby the engagement pin  82  successively engages the individual teeth  72  of the gear member  68 , the ball and detent members will permit the gear and indicator plate assembly  68 , 74  to be serially moved in a circumferential manner to, and retained at, successive angular positions which can be readily visually determined, perceived, or appreciated by means of an operator as a result of the relative angular disposition of the first scribe line  76  of the plate member  74  with respect to the second scribe line  78  of the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 . 
     Accordingly, and more particularly, when the gear and indicator plate assembly  68 , 74  has in fact been manually rotated to its START position at which the first and second scribe lines  76 , 78  of the indicator plate  74  and second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16  have in fact aligned with respect to each other in a co-linear manner, the engagement pin  82  is located rotationally or circumferentially beyond the gear member  68 . Consequently, when the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 , and its operatively associated second wire-gripping mechanism or implement  20 , are then rotated around the longitudinal axis  38  of tool or device  10  so as to complete a first revolution with respect to the first rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  14 , and its operatively associated first wire-gripping mechanism or implement  18 , so as to impress upon, or form within, the wires  30 , 32  a first one of the twelve loops of the knotted or tied portion  34 , the engagement pin  82  will have encountered the first gear tooth  72  of the gear member  68  so as to cause the gear member  68  to rotate through its first angular displacement of 30°. The first scribe line  76  of the indicator plate  74  will now no longer be co-linearly aligned with respect to the second scribe line  78  of the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 , and similarly for the next consecutive four revolutions of the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 , and its operatively associated second wire-gripping mechanism or implement  20 , with respect to the first rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  14 , and its operatively associated first wire-gripping mechanism or implement  18 . 
     However, when the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 , and its operatively associated second wire-gripping mechanism or implement  20 , are in the process of completing their sixth revolution with respect to the first rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  14 , and its operatively associated first wire-gripping mechanism or implement  18 , and have in fact completed five and three-quarter revolutions, the engagement pin  82  will encounter the sixth tooth  72  of the gear member  68  and will accordingly cause the gear and indicator plate assembly  68 ,  74  to undergo an angular displacement of 180° such that the first diametrically extending scribe line  76  of the indicator plate  74  will again be disposed at its original START position. Accordingly, still further, when in fact the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 , and its operatively associated second wire-gripping mechanism or implement  20 , have in fact completed the sixth revolution with respect to the first rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  14 , and its operatively associated first wire-gripping mechanism or implement  18 , the second scribe line  78  of the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16  will once again be co-linearly aligned with the first diametrically extending scribe line  76  disposed upon the indicator plate  74  so as to thereby indicate to the operator that the wire twisting and tying operation has in fact been completed. 
     Upon completion of the entire wire twisting and tying operation, it has been determined that the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 , and its operatively associated second wire-gripping mechanism or implement  20 , should be rotated an additional quarter-turn or 90°, and then rotated backwardly in a reverse or retro-grade manner or direction through means of a quarter-turn or 90°, so as to effectively twist the wires  30 , 32  slightly beyond the final twist or tie point and to subsequently relieve the pressure inherent within such twisted and tied section  34  whereby the wires  30 , 32  may then be easily removed from the first and second wire-gripping mechanisms or implements  18 , 20  of the tool or device  10 . It is noted that as a result of the angular disposition of the engagement pin  82  upon the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 , that is, at a circumferential position which is 90° ahead of the second scribe line  78  marked upon the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 , then when the six revolutions of the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 , and its operatively associated second wire-gripping mechanism or implement  20 , have in fact been completed with respect to the first rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  14 , and its operatively associated first wire-gripping mechanism or implement  18 , as indicated by the co-linear alignment of the first and second scribe lines  76 , 78  of the indicator plate  74  and second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 , the engagement pin  82  will already be disposed circumferentially beyond the gear member  68 . Accordingly, during the aforenoted additional 90° or quarter-turn revolution of the second rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  16 , and its operatively associated second wire-gripping mechanism or implement  20 , with respect to the first rotatable wire-twisting housing section or handle  14 , and its operatively associated first wire-gripping mechanism or implement  18 , both forwardly and backwardly, the engagement pin  82  will not encounter any of the teeth  72  of the gear member  68  so as not to alter the twisted properties of the wires  30 , 32  other than to perform the aforenoted final twisting and pressure relief operation. The tool or device  10  is then ready for use in conjunction with a new wire-twisting operation or procedure. 
     Thus, it may be seen that in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, there has been disclosed a new and improved manually-operated wire twisting and tying tool or device which is relatively simple in structure and relatively small in size as to be readily grasped within, and manipulated by, the hands of an operator. The tool or device comprises two handle structures which have wire-twisting mechanisms incorporated therein and which are relatively rotatable with respect to each other so as to impress upon or form within a pair of wires a predetermined number of twists or loops dependent upon the number of revolutions that one of the handle structures, and its operatively associated wire-twisting mechanism, undergoes with respect to the other handle structure and its operatively associated wire-twisting mechanism. A gauge mechanism is also integrally incorporated upon the tool or device so as to readily indicate to an operator when the predetermined number of relative revolutions of the handles, and that of the operatively associated wire-twisting mechanisms, have been achieved. 
     Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.