Abstract:
A versatile use pliers which has a first pair of jaws reversely positioned relative to a second pair of jaws. Both pairs of jaws are to be simultaneously movable between an open and a closed position. Movement of the jaws between the open and closed position is accomplished by a handle assembly upon which both sets of jaws are mounted. The handles are pivotable about one-hundred and forty degrees which will remove one set of jaws from an operating position and substitute the other set of jaws in the operating position. The pair of jaws are connected together about a connecting axis arrangement which is separate from and spaced from the pivot axis arrangement for each pair of jaws.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to tools and more particularly to a pliers type of tool which embodies a pair of different jaws within the same tool. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Hand tools, of different types, have long been known. A common form of hand tool is known a pliers. A typical pliers has a head which is defined by a pair of jaws which can be manipulated by a pair of handles into a pincher-like action on an exterior structure. There are different types of plier heads. There is what is deemed as sharp nose or needle nose type of pliers head. There is also as what is referred to as a snub nose type of pliers head. Tradesmen and homeowners frequently carry both types of pliers on their person or within their toolbox. If both heads could somehow be incorporated within a single tool, then the tradesman or homeowner could only be required to carry a single tool rather than two different tools. It has been known to form a combination type tool in the form of a pliers wherein two different types of heads of pliers are incorporated within a single tool. Reference is to be had to U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,721, which shows such a combination tool. However, the combination tool of the prior art has certain deficiencies. One of the deficiencies is that there is basically a one-to-one application of force relative to the squeezing force applied to the handle. In other words, if a ten pound squeezing force is applied to the handles, then there is a ten pound gripping force applied to the exterior structure by the jaws of the head of the tool. The reason for this is that most pliers of the prior art are constructed so that the connecting axes of the handles to the jaws are aligned with the pivot axes for the different pairs of jaws. If the connecting axes were not the same as the pivot axes then greater leverage could be obtained, such as for example, applying only five pounds of force to the handles in order to produce a ten pound gripping force onto the exterior structure. At times, this greater application of force is desirable such as when a tradesman or a homeowner is attempting to collapse a portion of a tube or in any situation where a greater amount of force is needed. 
     Additionally, in a pair of pliers which has two different pairs of jaws which are reversely positioned to each other, it is most common to have both pairs of jaws being mounted together in a scissors arrangement. Therefore, when the pair of pliers is moved from an open position to a closed position, both sets of jaws will simultaneously move from the open to the closed position. However, in some situations, it is desirable to have one of the sets of jaws move oppositely to the other set of jaws. This means that when the squeezing force is applied to the handles of the pliers that one of the sets of jaws actually move from a closed position to the open position. This type of pliers could be used to install snap rings, apply an outward force to the interior wall of a tube or pipe, facilitate the installation of o-rings and other similar types of tasks. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The first embodiment of versatile use pliers of the present invention is defined as having a first pair of jaws and a second pair of jaws. The second pair of jaws is reversely positioned to the first pair of jaws. The first pair of jaws has a first pivot axis about which the first pair of jaws is movable between a first closed position and a first open position, the second pair of jaws has a second pivot axis about which a second pair of jaws is movable between a second closed position and a second open position. The second pair of jaws is pivotally mounted to the first pair of jaws by means of a pair of spaced apart connecting axes each of which is spaced from the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis. A handle assembly is pivotally mounted to both the first pair of jaws and the second pair of jaws. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the handle assembly including abutments that press against the jaws to produce movement between the open position and the closed position. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the handle assembly being pivotally mounted on the connecting axes. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the connecting axes being located between the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where each connecting axis is located between one-quarter to one-half an inch from an abutment that is used to press the jaws to produce the movement between the open position to the closed position. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the first jaw members and the second jaw members each being connected together in a scissors arrangement which will cause both pairs of jaws to open and close together. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the first basic embodiment is modified by the first jaw members being connected in a scissors arrangement while the second jaw members are connected together in a side-by-side arrangement. During movement of the first jaw members toward an open position will result in the second jaw members being moved toward a closed position. 
     A second embodiment of versatile use pliers is where there is a first pair of jaws pivotally mounted by a connecting axis arrangement to a second pair of jaws. The first pair of jaws has a first pair of first jaw members which are pivotally mounted together at a first pivot axis and the second pair of jaws have a second pair of jaw members pivotally mounted at a second pivot axis. The second pivot axis is spaced from the first pivot axis with both the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis being spaced from the connecting axis arrangement. A handle assembly is pivotally mounted to both pairs of jaws. The handle assembly is to be manually operated to cause both pairs of jaws to simultaneously move between an open position and a closed position. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by the connecting axis arrangement comprising two spaced apart axes. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the just previous embodiment is modified by the first connecting axis and the second connecting axis being located the same distance from the first pivot axis. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the just previous embodiment is modified by the first connecting axis and second connecting axis being located the same distance from the second pivot axis. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by the first pair of jaws being located in a reverse position relative to the second pair of jaws. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by the connecting axis arrangement being located between the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the second basic embodiment is modified by the handle assembly being pivotally mounted to both pairs of jaws at the connecting axes. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is to be made to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in the drawings. 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the first embodiment of pliers of this invention showing both jaws of the pliers located in the closed position; 
     FIG. 2 is a right side elevational view of the pliers of FIG. 1 with the left side elevational view being substantially identical; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the jaws of the pliers of FIG. 1 showing the jaws in the open position; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of the first embodiment of pliers of this invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of pliers of the present invention where one pair of the jaws moves in an opposite direction to the opposite pair of jaws; 
     FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view of the second embodiment of pliers of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the second embodiment of pliers of FIG. 5 but where the blunt nose pair of jaws are placed in the normal usage position where in FIG. 5 the needle nose pair of jaws are placed in the usage position; 
     FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the second embodiment of pliers of FIG. 5 but where the handle is opened in a normal non-squeezing position which shows the needle nose pair of jaws in the closed position and the blunt nose pair of jaws in the open position where within FIG. 5 the handle assembly was shown in the squeezed position; and 
     FIG. 9 is an exploded isometric view of the second embodiment of pliers of this invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring particularly to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings, there is shown the first embodiment  10  of pliers of this invention. The first embodiment  10  is composed primarily of a first pair of jaws  12 , a second pair of jaws  14  and a handle assembly  16 . The first pair of jaws  12  is formed of a first pair of jaw members composed of jaw member  18  and jaw member  20 . The second pair of jaws  14  is constructed of a second pair of jaw members composed of jaw members  22  and  24 . Handle assembly  16  is composed of handle members  26  and  28  which are composed of thin identically sized plates which are located parallel to each other but spaced apart. The handle members  26  and  28  have mounted therebetween at their outer free end thereof a spacer plug  30 . The handle members  26  and  28  are fixedly mounted to the spacer plug  30 . In a similar manner, the handle assembly  16  also includes a handle member  32  and a handle member  34  which again are identical to each other and are connected together at their outer free end thereof by a spacer plug  36  which are fixed between the handle members  32  and  34 . At the end of the handle member  26  that is opposite the free outer end, there is formed through the handle member  26  a hole  38  and a hole  40 . Similarly, at the opposite end of the handle member  28 , which is opposite the free outer end, there is located a hole  42  and a hole  44 . At the end of the handle member  32 , which is opposite the free outer end, there is located a hole  46  and a hole  48 . At the end of the handle member  34 , which is opposite the free outer end, there is located a hole  50  and a hole  52 . Hole  38  is to be in alignment with hole  42 . Hole  40  is to be in alignment with hole  44 . Hole  46  is to be in alignment with hole  50  and hole  48  is to be in alignment with hole  52 . The handle members  26  and  28  form a single handle. Handle members  32  and  34  also form a single handle. 
     Jaw member  18  has a center section  54  which has a through hole  56 . The center section  54  also includes a cam surface  58  which constitutes a segment of a circle with the center of the circle coinciding with the center of the through hole  56 . Integrally connected to the center section  54  is a rear extension  60 . Rear extension  60  has a through hole  62  and recesses  64  and  66 . The cam surface  58  is formed between jaw face  68  and plate  70 . The jaw face  68  is to include part of a wire stripper  72 , a serrated recess  74  and a serrated gripping planar surface  76 . 
     The jaw member  20  includes a jaw face  78  which also includes a part of a wire stripper  80 , a serrated recess  82  and a serrated gripping planar surface  84 . The planar surfaces  76  and  84  are to work together to function to grip an exterior object. The serrated recesses  74  and  82  also function to work together to grip onto a rounded exterior object, such as a tube. The wire strippers  72  and  80  also function to work together to strip a covering from an electrical wire. 
     The jaw member  20  is integral with a center section  86  which includes a through hole  88 . The center section  86  has an inner face within which is formed an annular groove  90 . Connecting with the annular groove  90  is a hole  92 . The hole  92  is to connect with an end  94  of a wire spring  96 . The end of the spring that is opposite the tine  94  terminates in an end  98 . This end  98  is to be mounted within a hole, which is not shown, formed within a flat planar inner surface of the center section  54 . It will be the function of the spring  96  to exert a continuous bias to the first pair of jaws  12  that will tend to locate the first pair of jaws  12  and the second pair of jaws  14  in the open position, which is shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Integral with the center section  86  is a cradle  100 . Also integral with the center section  86  is a rear extension  102 . Rear extension  102  has a through hole  104 . 
     Jaw member  22  has a jaw face  106  which is basically planar with the exception of a serrated gripping recess  108 . The jaw face  106  also includes a planar serrated gripping surface  110 . The jaw member  22  includes a center section  112  which includes a through hole  114 . Integrally connected to the center section  112  is a rear extension  116 . Formed within the rear extension  116  is a through hole  118 . Also formed within the extension  116  are recesses  120  and  122 . The exterior surface of the center section  112  includes cam surfaces  124  and  126  each of which are segments of a cylinder which has a center axis which coincides with the longitudinal center axis of hole  114 . 
     The jaw member  24  also includes a jaw face  128  within which is formed a serrated recess  130  and a planar serrated surface  132 . The jaw member  24  is integrally connected to a center section  134 . The jaw member  24  has a cradle surface  136  located directly adjacent the center section  134 . Integrally connected to the center section  134  is a rear extension  138 . This rear extension  138  has a through hole  140  and a pair of recesses  142  and  144  formed on its inner surface thereof. The portion of the rear extension  138  that is located directly adjacent the center section  134  includes a cradle surface  146 . Cradle surfaces  136  and  146  are part of a cylinder which has a center axis which coincides with the longitudinal center axis of hole  150 . 
     A pivot pin  148  is to be mounted within through hole  114  and through hole  150  of center section  134 . This mounting is such that the cam surface  124  will rest against the cradle surface  146  and cam surface  126  will rest against the cradle surface  136 . This will place the jaw faces  106  and  128  in juxtaposition. The jaw member  22  will be pivotally movable relative to jaw member  24  between the closed position shown in FIG. 1 to the open position shown in FIG.  3 . The open position in FIG. 3 can be expanded with jaw members  18  and  20  located at a greater angular relationship. 
     A pivot pin  152  is to connect between hole  46 , through hole  62 , through hole  118  and hole  44 . Pivot pin  154  connects with hole  38 , through hole  140 , through hole  104  and hole  42 . Connecting pin  156  connects between hole  40  and hole  44 . Connecting pin  158  connects between hole  48  and hole  52 . Pivot pins  152  and  154  and connecting pins  156  and  158  are generally located between the pivot pins  148  and  160 . 
     When the first embodiment  10  is assembled together, the first pair of jaws  12  are movable between an open position, shown in FIG. 3, to a closed position, shown in FIG. 1, and during this movement the second pair of jaws  14  is also movable from an open position, shown in FIG. 3 to the closed position, shown in FIG.  1 . During this movement, pivoting occurs about the pivot pins  152  and  154  (connecting axes) as well as about the pivot pin  160  (first pivot axis) that connects between the holes  56  and  88  and also about pivot pin  148  (second pivot axis) that connects between the holes  114  and  150 . Also, center section  54  will slide on cradle  100  and center section  112  will slide on cradle surface  136 . When the first pair of jaws  12  are in the normal operating position, which is shown in FIG. 1, the connecting pin  156  or first abutment rides within the recess  162  formed within rear extension  102 . Rear extension  102  also includes a recess  164 . Connecting pin  158  or second abutment rides within recess  66  and connecting pin  156  rides within recess  162 . When the handle assembly  16  is squeezed, the connecting pins  156  and  158 , by applying pressure against the recesses  162  and  66  and extensions  102  and  60  causes jaw member  20  to pivot clockwise about pivot pin  160  and jaw member  22  to pivot clockwise about pivot pin  148 . This squeezing action will cause jaw member  18  to pivot counterclockwise about the pin  160  and jaw member  24  to also pivot counterclockwise. The result is that the first pair of jaws  12  are intended to be used to apply pressure against an exterior object, which is not shown. 
     The handle assembly  16  can be flipped approximately one hundred and forty degrees which will cause connecting pin  158  to be moved in connection with recess  64  and connecting pin  156  to move in conjunction with recess  142 . This will result in the second pair of jaws  14  to be placed in the operative position and the first pair of jaws  12  placed within the confines of the handle assembly  16 , which is deemed to be the storage position. Although it is to be understood that it is possible that the first pair of jaws  12 , when in the storage position, could be used. The same is also true for the second pair of jaws  14  when in the storage position, as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings. Utilizing of the first embodiment  10 , it can thus be seen that the user has the option of selecting either the first pair of jaws  12  or the second pair of jaws  14  to be utilized, which therefore incorporates two different types of pliers within one particular unit. 
     The fact that the abutments, which comprises the connecting pins  156  and  158 , apply pressure against the jaws  12  and  14  at some distance spaced from the pivot pins  110  and  148  that there is a substantially increased leverage that is obtained in conjunction with the first embodiment  10  of pliers of this invention. The pivoting of the handle assembly  16  is accomplished solely about the pins  152  and  154 . 
     Referring particularly to FIGS. 5-9 of the drawings, there is shown the second embodiment  166  of this invention. The second embodiment  166  is basically similar to the first embodiment  10  and like numerals are being employed to refer to like parts. There is a third set of jaws  168  and a fourth set of jaws  170 . The primary distinction of the second embodiment  166  from the first embodiment  10  is that the in the first embodiment  10  jaw members  18  and  20  were connected together in a scissors type arrangement, and also jaw members  22  and  24  were connected together in a scissors type arrangement. However, in the second embodiment  166  of pliers, the jaw members  172  and  174  are not mounted in a scissors arrangement but are mounted in a side-by-side arrangement. Jaw member  172  is integrally connected to a center section  176  within which is mounted a through hole  178 . Integrally connected with the center section  176  is a rear extension  180 . The extension  180  is in direct alignment with the jaw member  172  located on the opposite side of the center section  176  and displaced laterally on the same side relative to hole  178 , where within the first embodiment  10  of this invention, the equivalent structure rear extension  60  was located laterally displaced on an opposite side of hole  56  (an X configuration). The same is true for the jaw member  174  which is integral with the center section  184  which includes a through hole  186 . The center section  184  is integral with a rear extension  188  which includes a through hole  190 . The rear extension  188  is in alignment with the portion of the jaw member  174  that is located on the opposite side of the center section  184 . The center section  176  includes a cylindrical cam surface  192  which is to rest and connect with cylindrical cam surfaces  194  and  196  of the jaw member  174 . A pivot pin  198  is mounted between the through holes  178  and  186 . 
     It is to be noted that the fourth set of jaws  170  are precisely the same as the second pair of jaws  14  and are mounted in a scissors type arrangement, with, again, like numerals being employed to like parts. This scissors arrangement was previously described in relation to the first embodiment  10  of this invention. 
     Pin  154  not only connects holes  42 ,  140  and  38  but now also connects with through hole  182 . Pin  152  besides connecting between holes  46 ,  118  and  50  now also connects with through hole  190 . The result is when a squeezing force is applied to the handle assembly  16 , the fourth set of jaws  170  is moved to the closing position, as shown in FIG. 5, but the third set of jaws  168  is moved to the open position. This means that the third set of jaws  168  is not intended to grip anything and actually the jaw members  172  have an exterior serrated surface  200  and jaw member has an exterior serrated surface  202 . The purpose of the serrated surfaces  200  and  202  is to apply pressure in an outward direction rather than an inward direction. For example, the surfaces  200  and  202  can be forced outward against the inside surface of a tube, which is not shown. These serrated surfaces  200  and  202  could also be used to expand a snap ring, install an o-ring or usable in conjunction with any operation in which an outer force is desirable as opposed to an inwardly directed force which would normally occur within the first embodiment  10  of this invention and will occur in the fourth set of jaws  170 . 
     As with the first embodiment  10 , the second embodiment  166  is to be capable of having the handle assembly  16  flipped approximately one hundred and forty degrees to the position shown in FIG. 7 which will then locate connecting pin  156  with recess  204  and connecting pin  158  with recess  206 . Prior to moving of the handle assembly  16  one hundred and forty degrees, the connecting pin  156  is engaged with recess  208  and connecting pin  150  is engaged with recess  210 . 
     It is to be noted that both the first embodiment  10  and the second embodiment  166  that there is shown only a single spring  96 . However, it is considered to be within the scope of this invention that there very well may be included a second spring between the center sections  112  and  134 . 
     It is to be noted that in the first embodiment  10  of this invention that the distance X between pivot pin  152  and its directly adjacent connecting pin  158  is precisely the same as the distance between the pivot pin  154  and the connecting pin  156 . This distance will normally be about five sixteenths of an inch. However, the range of distance will be anywhere between one quarter inch and one-half inch would be satisfactory. It is to be understood that the greater this distance X, the greater amount of leverage that is obtained in use of the pliers of this invention. Utilizing of the pliers of either the first embodiment  10  or the second embodiment  166  there will normally be applied at the operating head of the pliers a ten pound force when there is only a five pound squeezing force applied to the handle assembly  16 .