Patent Abstract:
A specialty tool to aid in twisting of up to six (6) individual wires for a cable assembly is herein disclosed, comprising a series of six (6) parallel channels perpendicular to the fulcrum line of the pliers. Each channel is sized to hold one (1) individual wire, facilitated by a one-way fixture that slightly penetrates the wires insulation thus holding it securely. Once the wires are in the tool, the jaws can be locked together and can be rotated in either direction to twist the wires. This procedure would be used with cable assembly during manufacturing processes.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Sep. 7, 2007, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the manipulation of wires and cable assemblies, and more particularly, to a specialty device to aid the twisting or separation of up to six (6) individual wires for a cable assembly. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of electrical devices and systems, and in particular the design, arrangement, and manipulation of electrical wires and cable assemblies, is of great importance in the modern world. The twisting of multiple wires into cable assemblies and the corresponding separation of those cable assemblies into its constituent wires are important processes in this field of work. While these processes may be accomplished through a variety of means, including the use of the hands, dealing with such assemblies can be dangerous, difficult, and time consuming. This disadvantage is especially apparent in cases where the desired work area is difficult to access in some manner. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide for a means to more efficiently work with cable assemblies or a plurality of wires simultaneously. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 1,324,583, issued in the name of Carlson, describes a wire twisting tool adapted to hold free adjacent wire ends. The Carlson tool provides a particular special relationship to allow for uniform twisting. U.S. Pat. No. 3,092,152, issued in the name of Neff, describes a wire twisting and cutting tool that grips a plurality of wires for twisting in a perpendicular manner. The Neff tool provides a cutting edge to trim the wires once the cable assembly is achieved. U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,786, issued in the name of Gowhari, describes linesman type pliers with a wire splice twister. The jaws provide a tapered recess to allow for wire insertion and a twisted splice when the pliers are manually rotated. 
     Additionally, ornamental designs for a wire twisting tool exist, particularly, U.S. Pat. Nos. D 485,146 and D 494,032. However, none of these designs are similar to the present invention. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more disadvantages. Many of these devices are unfit to manipulate a plurality of wires. Those devices which are suited for manipulating a plurality of wires are not suited for the process of separating such cable assemblies. Furthermore, such devices are designed to grip a plurality of wires in a manner which is not perpendicular to the axis of twisting, thereby limiting the accessibility of use. Accordingly, there exists a need for a wire twisting device without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a wire twisting device that is suitably adapted to manipulate a plurality of wires in a manner which is suitable for the processes of both assembling and separating cable assemblies and in a manner which is best suited for use in a variety of situations, particularly those situations in which access is limited in some manner. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide upper and lower jaw members wherein the aforementioned wires and cable assemblies may be inserted and manipulated. The jaws function in the manner of pliers inasmuch as their purpose is to secure a firm grip upon wires and cable assemblies. 
     Another object of the present invention is a plurality of pivoting members coupled to the upper and lower jaws. The pivoting members couple to the jaw members in a way such that the device functions in the manner of pliers, wherein the user may close the jaw members by manually gripping the pivoting members. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a locking mechanism that is connected to the upper and lower jaw members. It is the purpose of the locking mechanism to allow the user to maintain the closed position of the upper and lower jaw members, once achieved, without continuous application of manual force. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of channels formed within and between the upper and lower jaws, wherein these channels are linear and adapted to grip the electrical wires. The channels are oriented in a direction which is perpendicular to the pivoting axis. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is a one-way fixture formed at the lower jaw and oriented perpendicular to the aforementioned channels. This one-way fixture is designed to bend downward when the upper and lower jaws are pressed together, in a manner which allows the wire to be guided freely along the channels. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of assembling and separating a plurality of wires and cable assemblies in a manner which allows the user to do so quickly and easily and in cases in which access is limited in some way. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an in-use view of a twisting device for a plurality of wires  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the twisting device for a plurality of wires  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the twisting device for a plurality of wires  10  depicting an open state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is a side cut-away view of the twisting device for a plurality of wires  10  depicting a wire placement, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 twisting device for a plurality of wires 
               
               
                 20 
                 upper jaw 
               
               
                 21 
                 upper mouth 
               
               
                 22 
                 first upper jaw anchor 
               
               
                 23 
                 second upper jaw anchor 
               
               
                 25 
                 lower jaw 
               
               
                 26 
                 lower mouth 
               
               
                 27 
                 lower jaw pivot point 
               
               
                 28 
                 spring aperture 
               
               
                 29 
                 spring 
               
               
                 30 
                 upper channel 
               
               
                 31 
                 lower channel 
               
               
                 35 
                 one-way fixture 
               
               
                 40 
                 upper member 
               
               
                 45 
                 lower member 
               
               
                 46 
                 lower member pivot point 
               
               
                 47 
                 adjustable link 
               
               
                 48 
                 adjustable link pivot point 
               
               
                 49 
                 adjusting screw 
               
               
                 50 
                 unlocking lever 
               
               
                 55 
                 unlocking lever pivot point 
               
               
                 70 
                 electrical wire 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a twisting device for a plurality of wires (herein described as the “device”)  10 , which provides a means for separating or twisting of up to six (6) individual electrical wires  70  preferably for a cable assembly. The device comprises an upper jaw  20 , lower jaw  25 , a pair of pivoting members, a locking mechanism, and a plurality of channels  30 . This specialty portable hand tool possesses a similar body to that of pliers and would be utilized in many electrically dexterous trades and occupations. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an in-use view and  FIG. 2 , a side view of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The device  10  is depicting as comprising a conventional locking pliers-style style body comprising common features for illustration purposes only, it is known that other bodies may be utilized without limiting the scope of said device  10 . The device  10  comprises an upper jaw  20  and lower jaw  25 , thereby providing a means thereto grip electrical wires  70  therein a stationary position (also see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). The jaws  20 ,  25  are attached to an arcuate upper mouth  21  and an opposing arcuate lower mouth  26 , respectively via fastening means such as integral forging, welding, or the like. The upper mouth  21  is attached to an upper member  40  via a first upper jaw anchor  22  and a second upper jaw anchor  23 . The anchors  22 ,  23  are preferably standard pivoting rivets, yet other fastening means may be utilized without limiting the scope of the device  10 . The upper member  40  provides an upper gripping means and the lower member  45  provides a lower gripping means, thereby enabling the user to grasp said device  10  for common operations. The lower mouth  26  is attached to a lower member  45  and the upper member  40  via a lower member pivot point  46  and a lower jaw pivot point  27 , respectively, which enable the lower mouth  26  to be pivotally adjusted in a conventional manner. The lower member  45  provides a lower gripping means and houses an unlocking lever  50 . The device  10  locks into position when the upper member  40  and lower member  45  are pressed toward each other simultaneously locking the jaws  20 ,  25  and mouths  21 ,  26  in a closed state as illustrated herein. The jaws  20 ,  25  and mouths  21 ,  26  are unlocked via pushing downwardly on the unlocking lever  50 , thereby enabling said jaws  20 ,  25  and mouths  21 ,  26  to disengage. The unlocking lever  50  pivots about an unlocking lever pivot point  55  fastened to the lower member  55 . 
     A spring  29  is attached between the upper member  40  and lower member  45  to enable the device  10  to open. The spring  29  is attached to a spring aperture  28  on a rear portion of the lower jaw  25 . An adjustable link  47  is also attached between the upper member  40  and lower member  45 , thereby providing a fulcrum point for said lower member  45 . The adjustable link  47  protrudes from the upper member  45  and is attached to the lower member at the adjustable link pivot point  48 , thereby enabling said lower member to operate. The gap between the mouths  21 ,  26  and concurrently the jaws  20 ,  25  is adjusted via an adjusting screw  49  which is threadably engaged to a rear proximal surface of the upper member  40 . The adjusting screw  49  is rotated to cause each mouth  21 ,  26  to be opened at a desired distance, thereby enabling the gripping of the jaws  20 ,  25  to appropriately grip a desired electrical wire  70 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of the device  10  depicting an open state and  FIG. 4  a side cut-away view depicting a wire placement, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The jaws  20 ,  25  comprise six (6) parallel channels  30  that are perpendicular to the pivoting axis of the device  10 . Each channel  30  is sized to hold one (1) individual wire  70  thereby facilitating control thereto the unwieldy electrical wires  70 . Each wire  70  slides freely as it is guided through the associated channel  30  and over a one-way fixture  35 . The one-way fixture  35  resists opposite motion of the wires  70 , thereby holding the wires  70  into place there by grazing and puncturing the underside of the wires  70 . Once the electrical wires  70  are placed therein the device  10 , the jaws  20 ,  25  can be pressed together which bends the one-way fixture  35  downward and releases the wires  70 , as shown thereon  FIG. 4 . 
     When the jaws  20 ,  25  are completely closed they may be locked together by means of depressing the members  40 ,  45  toward each other. The locked state provides the device  10  with a closed position to hold the wires without the user holding said device  10 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the device  10 ; adjusting the adjusting screw  49  to separate each mouth  21 ,  26  to a desired width; inserting at least one (1) and up to six (6) electrical wires  70  into an individual channel  30  and over-top the one-way fixture  35 ; pressing the upper member  40  and lower member  45  towards each other thereto close the jaws  20 ,  25  and secure the electrical wire  70  within the jaws  20 ,  25 ; rotating the device  10  in either direction thereto twist the electrical wires  70 ; unlocking the device  10 , thereby pressing downwardly on the unlocking lever  50 ; removing the electrical wires  70  from the device  10 ; and, repeating if necessary. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1