Patent Publication Number: US-2023150012-A1

Title: Fencing Wire Crimper Tool

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application relates in general to an article of manufacture for providing a fence-building device, and more specifically, to an article of manufacture providing an easy wire-crimping tool. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A crimping sleeve is known to be used to couple two or more wire elements together to construct items that typically are used in the agriculture industry for items such as woven and electric wire fencing, and similar mesh structures used to restrain cattle, goats, horses, deer, canine, and related domesticated animals. To construct these woven items, a person uses a hand-crimping tool to individually create multiple crimps in the sleeves. Each crimp requires a user to apply force to a crimping tool to couple wires within the sleeves. This activity is strenuous and tiring, and requires a lot of time and effort from a user to complete a small task. These tasks typically are repeated many times by users as useful items are made, installed, and repaired. 
     Therefore, a need exists for an article of manufacture for providing an easy wire-crimping tool. The present invention attempts to address the limitations and deficiencies in prior solutions according to the principles and example embodiments disclosed herein. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present invention, the above and other problems are solved by providing an article of manufacture for an easy wire-crimping tool according to the principles and example embodiments disclosed herein. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention is an article of manufacture for providing an easy wire-crimping tool. The wire-crimping tool according to the present invention accepts a crimping sleeve having two or more wire members within the crimping sleeve to crimp the crimping sleeve and the two or more wire members together. The wire-crimping tool includes a crimping tool body having one or more lower crimping teeth, a crimping tool head having one or more upper crimping teeth configured to interlock between the lower crimping teeth to create one or more pinch point crimps into the crimping sleeve, and a crimping power source coupled to the crimping tool body and to the crimping tool head to cause the upper and lower crimping teeth to move together when a crimping sleeve is in between. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, the wire-crimping tool further includes a crimping tool threaded shaft coupled to the crimping tool head, the crimping tool threaded shaft having threads about a lower end that extends out of the crimping tool body, and a crimping tool nut having matching threads to the crimping tool threaded shaft and being configured to cause the crimping tool threaded shaft to move through the crimping tool nut when rotated. The movement of the crimping tool shaft out of the crimping tool body and through the crimping tool nut causes the crimping tool head and the corresponding upper crimping teeth to move towards the crimping tool body and corresponding lower crimping tool teeth. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, the crimping tool nut mates to a socket wrench coupled to a power tool, the power tool reversibly rotates to open and close the space between the crimping tool head with the corresponding upper crimping teeth and the crimping tool body with the corresponding lower crimping tool teeth, and the crimping power source powering the power tool. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, the power tool is a drill/impact wrench. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, the power tool is a power screwdriver. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, the crimping power source is a rechargeable battery coupled to the power tool. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, the crimping power source is a power cord coupled to the power tool for connecting the power tool to an AC power source. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, the upper crimping teeth and the lower crimping teeth create a single pinch point crimp in the crimping sleeve. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, the upper crimping teeth and the lower crimping teeth create two or more pinch point crimp in the crimping sleeve. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, the crimping power source is a hydraulic power source. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. 
     It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features that are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates an example embodiment of an article of manufacture providing an easy wire-crimping tool according to the present invention. 
         FIGS.  2   a - b    illustrate additional views of an article of manufacture providing an easy wire-crimping tool according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an article of manufacture providing an easy wire-crimping tool in use with a power tool according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a wire-crimping sleeve for use with the article of manufacture providing an easy wire-crimping tool according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a wire-crimping sleeve coupling two wire lines together made using an article of manufacture providing an easy wire-crimping tool according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a woven wire mesh made using an article of manufacture providing an easy wire-crimping tool according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This application relates in general to an article of manufacture for providing a wire fence-building device, and more specifically, to an article of manufacture providing an easy wire-crimping tool according to the present invention. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention. 
     In describing embodiments of the present invention, the following terminology will be used. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     It further will be understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and “including” specify the presence of stated features, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps or components. It also should be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions and acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality and acts involved. 
     The terms “individual” and “user” refer to an entity, e.g., a human, using an article of manufacture providing an easy wire-crimping tool according to the present invention. The term user herein refers to one or more users. 
     The term “invention” or “present invention” refers to the invention being applied for via the patent application with the title “Fencing Wire Crimper Tool.” Invention may be used interchangeably with crimper. 
     In general, the present disclosure relates to an article of manufacture providing an easy wire-crimping tool according to the present invention. To better understand the present invention,  FIG.  1    illustrates an example embodiment of an article of manufacture providing an easy wire-crimping tool  100  according to the present invention. The wire crimping tool  100  may be used to crimp a crimping sleeve  401  as shown in  FIG.  4    to couple two or more joined wires  501   a - b  as shown in  FIG.  5    and to construct a wire mesh  600  as shown in  FIG.  6   . 
     The wire-crimping tool  100  comprises a crimping tool body  101 , a crimping tool head  102 , a set of upper crimping tool teeth  103   a - c , a set of lower crimping tool teeth  104   a - d , and crimping tool nut  201 . The crimping tool body  101  and crimping tool head  102  are configured to create a space between which the upper crimping tool teeth  103   a - c  and the lower crimping tool teeth  104   a - d  are arranged such that a crimping sleeve  401  may be positioned in between the sets of crimping tool teeth  103 - 104 . When the crimping tool nut  201  rotates, the crimping tool head  102  is pulled toward the crimping tool body  101  causing the upper crimping tool teeth  103   a - c  and the lower crimping tool teeth  104   a - d  to apply pressure upon a crimping sleeve  401  in between to create multiple crimps in the crimping sleeve  401 . When joined wires  501   a - b  are inserted into the crimping sleeve  401  before the crimping tool nut  201  is rotated, the creation of the crimps will couple the joined wires  501   a - b  between the crimped part of the crimping sleeve  401 . 
       FIGS.  2   a - b    illustrate additional views of an article of manufacture providing an easy wire-crimping tool according to the present invention.  FIG.  2   a    shows a front view of a wire-crimping tool  100  with the crimping tool nut  201  shown on the opposite end of the crimping tool body  101  from the crimping tool head  102 . The upper crimping tool teeth  103   a - c  and the lower crimping tool teeth  104   a - d  are shown arranged to move between each other when the crimping tool head  102  is pulled toward the crimping tool body  101 . A crimping sleeve  401  is pinched in between these upper crimping tool teeth  103   a - c  and lower crimping tool teeth  104   a - d  when the crimping tool head  102  moves toward the crimping tool body  101 . Once the crimps are completed, the crimping tool head  102  may be repositioned apart from the crimping tool body  101 , thus allowing the upper crimping tool teeth  103   a - c  and the lower crimping tool teeth  104   a - d  to once again separate. The crimped sleeve  402  may be removed once the crimping tool head  102  and crimping tool body  101  have separated. 
     While the embodiment of  FIG.  2   a    is shown having multiple interlocking teeth to create multiple teeth in the crimping sleeve  401 , other embodiments are possible that create one long crimp along the length of the crimped sleeve  402 . In addition, the crimping tool body  101  and the crimping tool head  102  also may be sized to accept different sized crimping sleeves  401 . The size of the crimping sleeve  401  would define the size of the space needed between the crimping tool body  101  and the crimping tool head  102  when the tool is in an open position. 
       FIG.  2   b    shows a functional diagram of the wire crimping tool  100 . The crimping tool body  101  and the crimping tool head  102  are shown in a closed position with the upper crimping tool teeth  103   a - c  and the lower crimping tool teeth  104   a - d  engaging each other. A crimping tool threaded shaft  211  is shown running through the crimping tool body  101  from the crimping tool head  102 . The crimping tool threaded shaft  211  engages with threads within the crimping tool nut  201  such that when the crimping tool nut  201  rotates the crimping tool threaded shaft  211  is moved in the direction of the rotation of the crimping tool nut  201 . As the upper end of the crimping tool threaded shaft  211  is physically coupled to the crimping tool head  102 , the rotation of the crimping tool nut  201  and corresponding movement of the crimping tool threaded shaft  211  causes the crimping tool head  102  to move upward and downward. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates an article of manufacture providing an easy wire-crimping tool in use with a power tool according to the present invention. The wire crimping tool  300  and drill/impact wrench  301  combination allows a socket wrench  302  coupled to the shaft of the drill/impact wrench  301  to rotate the crimping tool nut  201  using the force exerted by the drill/impact wrench  301 . As such, the crimping tool head  102  is pulled to the crimping tool body  101  causing the upper crimping tool teeth  103   a - c  and lower crimping tool teeth  104   a - d  to crimp a crimping sleeve  401  in between using the force generated by the drill/impact wrench  301 . The drill/impact wrench  301  may operate in either direction as needed to close and open the wire crimping tool  100 . 
     A user may crimp wires together as shown in  FIG.  5    by inserting the joined wires  501   a - b  into the crimping sleeve  401  and placing the crimping sleeve  401  between the upper crimping tool teeth  103   a - c  and lower crimping tool teeth  104   a - d . Once in place, the user may engage the drill/impact wrench  301  to close the crimping tool head  102  toward the crimping tool body  101  creating a set of pinch point crimps in the crimping sleeve  401 . Once crimped, the user may use the drill/impact wrench  301  to separate the upper crimping tool teeth  103   a - c  once again from the lower crimping tool teeth  104   a - d  allowing the crimped sleeve  402  to be removed from the wire crimping tool  100 . 
     While the embodiment of  FIG.  3    shows the wire crimping tool  300  is shown using the drill/impact wrench  301  to rotate the crimping tool nut  201  that operates the wire crimping tool  300 , one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other power tools may be used in a similar way. For example, a power screwdriver that accepts a connecting drive shaft to match the socket wrench  302  may be used. Additionally, the power tools  301  may be battery powered as well as electrically powered by an extension cord. The power tool  301  needs to be able to provide power rotation to the crimping tool nut  201  in both directions while under the control of a user. The power tool  301  also must be capable of exerting sufficient torque to the crimping tool nut  201  to press the crimping tool body  101  and the crimping tool head  102  together as well as apply pressure to the crimping sleeve  401  to create the pinch points in the crimping sleeve  401 . The power tool  301  and its battery (not shown) also may be integrated into a single device in which the reversible motor of the power tool  301  is directly coupled to the crimping tool threaded shaft  211 . 
     For larger crimping sleeves that require a large amount of force to create the one or more pinch points, additional force to press the crimping tool body  101  and the crimping tool head  102  together may be supplied by other crimping power sources. For example, a hydraulic line may be used to create the force onto the crimping tool head  102  causing it to press into the crimping tool body  101 . The crimping tool body  101  and the crimping tool head  102  would automatically separate when the hydraulic force is removed using a compression spring (not shown) or similar device. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a wire crimping sleeve for use with the article of manufacture providing an easy wire-crimping tool according to the present invention. A standard crimping sleeve  401  is shown having a pair of interconnected cylindrical tubes joined together lengthwise. The joined wires  501   a - b  are inserted into the interconnected cylindrical tubes of the crimping sleeve  401  and interconnected cylindrical tubes are pressed together by the wire crimping tool  100  to crimp the joined wires  501   a - b  within the crimping sleeve  401 . 
       FIG.  5    illustrates a wire crimping sleeve coupling two wire lines together made using an article of manufacture providing an easy wire-crimping tool according to the present invention. Similarly,  FIG.  6    illustrates a woven wire mesh made using an article of manufacture providing an easy wire-crimping tool according to the present invention. 
     Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the present application, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of the invention. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in this application. In other words, any of the features mentioned in this application may be included in this new invention in any combination or combinations to allow the functionality required for the desired operations. 
     No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.