Abstract:
A tool and a method of manufacture of the tool are provided. The tool is prepared by the steps of providing a first tool half having a first jaw, providing a second tool half having a second jaw, inserting a temporary sleeve through an opening in the first tool half, the temporary sleeve having an opening configured to receive an end of a biased member that extends axially, aligning the end of the biased member with the opening in the first tool half, disposing the biased member within a cavity formed by the first tool half and the second tool half, and removing the temporary sleeve.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/078,359 entitled “BIASED PLIERS” and filed on Nov. 11, 2014 for Chungeng Chen, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to pliers and, more particularly, pliers which are biased into a particular position. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A wide variety of configurations of pliers are well known. Generally, pliers have two plier halves which are pivotally connected to one another. Each plier half has a handle portion and a jaw portion. A user may grip the handle portions of the two halves and manually move the handle portions so as to open or close the jaw portion of the pliers. 
         [0004]    One problem with these types of pliers is that in some instances it is difficult for the user to move the plier halves. For example, in a tight space a user may only be able to grip the pliers with one hand, making movement of the pliers, especially spreading of the handle portions apart so as to open the jaw portion of the pliers, very difficult. 
         [0005]    Some attempts have been made at addressing this problem, but these attempts have resulted in pliers which are in some cases oversized or undesirable in configuration, which are complex in configuration and thus expensive to manufacture, or which have various drawbacks of operation. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of pliers in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of a hinge portion of one plier lever; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of pliers having a non-flush coupler; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3B  is an exploded view of the pliers illustrated in  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of pliers having a flush coupler; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4B  is an exploded view of the pliers illustrated in  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a side view diagram illustrating another embodiment of the pliers; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating one embodiment of the housing formed by the first tool half and the second tool half in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a plier using a temporary fastener and a permanent fastener in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 8-11  are perspective view diagrams illustrating stages of manufacturing a plier in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a plier using a temporary sleeve and a permanent fastener in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. 
         [0018]    One embodiment of the invention comprises a tool comprising a pair of levers which are movable relative to one another. In one embodiment, the tool comprises pliers having a pair of levers or halves which are moveable between a first or open position and a second or closed position, and which include at least one biasing member or mechanism configured to bias the pliers into at least one of the first or second positions. In one embodiment, the biasing member comprises a spring which is encapsulated or contained within the plier levers at a hinge or pivot thereof and which is configured to bias the pliers into an open position. 
         [0019]    One embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-3 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a tool/pliers  20  of the invention comprise a first plier/tool half or lever  22  and a second plier/tool half or lever  24 . The first and second plier levers  22 ,  24  are movably jointed at a joint  26 , as described in more detail below. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, the first plier lever  22  has a first end  28  and an opposing second end  30 . The first end  28  may be configured as a grip. In one embodiment, the first end  28  may thus be configured to be slightly arcuate, bending inwardly towards the second plier lever  24 . 
         [0021]    The second end  30  of the first plier lever  22  may be configured as one half of a tool head or jaw. As illustrated, the pliers  20  may be configured as needle-nose type pliers. In such a configuration, the second end  30  of the first plier lever  22  may have a tapered end. The second end  30  may define a contact or jaw surface  32 . The contact surface  32  may be smooth and/or include one or more serrations or other features for use in improving engagement of the tool  20  with other features, including for securing the pliers to such an object or cutting the object. 
         [0022]    The second plier lever  24  may also have a first end  34  and a generally opposing second end  36 . The first end  34  may be configured as a grip and may also be slightly arcuate, bending inwardly towards the first plier lever  22 . 
         [0023]    The second end  36  of the second plier lever  24  may be configured as a second half of a tool head or jaw for mating with the first half defined by the first plier lever  22 . In the embodiment where the pliers  20  are configured as needle-nose type pliers, the second end  36  of the second plier lever  24  may also have at tapered end. As with the first plier lever  22 , the second end of the second plier lever  24  may define a contact surface  38  which may be smooth and/or include one or more serrations or other features for use in improving engagement of the tool  20  with other features. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24  may be constructed from a durable metal. For example, the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24  may be constructed in a metal forging process. 
         [0025]    As indicated below, the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24  may be movably connected to one another. So connected, the pliers  20  have a first end for gripping by a user, the first end comprising the first ends of the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24 . The pliers  20  have an opposing second or “jaw” end comprising the second ends of the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24 . 
         [0026]    In order to increase user comfort when gripping the first ends  28 ,  34  of the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24  during use of the tool  20 , a coating or grip may be applied to thereto. As illustrated, for example, a plastic, rubber or similar high friction, durable grip  40  may be placed over or applied to the first ends  28 ,  34  of the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24 . The grips  40  may be various colors, have finger contours, detents or the like. 
         [0027]    Of course, the basic configuration of the pliers  20  may vary. For example, the pliers  20  might be configured to have cutting or crimping jaws, be flat-nosed, round-nosed, etc. Also, the shapes of the first ends  28 ,  34  of the first and second plier halves  22 ,  24  may vary, as may their length, such as depending upon the application. 
         [0028]    As indicated above, the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24  may be connected or joined at a joint  26 . In one embodiment, the joint  26  is located between the first and second ends of each of the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24 . The joint  26  may be located closer to the second ends  30 ,  36  of the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24  so that a high lever force is generated at the second ends  30 ,  36  when a user grips the first ends  28 ,  34 . 
         [0029]    Details of the plier joint  26  will be described with reference to  FIG. 2 . As illustrated therein, in one embodiment the joint  26  comprises a housing  42 , at least one biasing element  44  and at least one coupler  46 . 
         [0030]    The housing  42  may be configured to house the at least one biasing element  44 . In one embodiment the housing  42  comprises a first housing section or portion  48  and a mating second housing section or portion  50 . The first housing portion  48  may be defined by or associated with the first plier half  22 . The second housing portion  50  may be defined by or associated with the second plier half  24 . When coupled, the first and second housing portions  48 ,  50 , in one embodiment, define an interior area or space  52  of the housing  42 . 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, the at least one biasing element  44  is located inside of the housing  42 . In one embodiment, the biasing element  44  comprises a coiled torsion spring. The spring  44  comprises a body having a first end  54  and a second end  56  and an intermediate section or body  58 . In one embodiment, the intermediate section  58  is coiled. The first and second ends  54 ,  56  extend outwardly from the intermediate section  58  generally transverse or perpendicular thereto. In one embodiment, the first end  54  and second end  56  extend outwardly generally 180 degrees from one another about the intermediate section  58 , in generally opposing directions. Due to the coiled configuration of the torsion spring  44 , the first end  54  is located at the top of the spring and the second end  56  is located at the bottom of the spring (i.e. the first and second ends  54 ,  56  are not located at exactly the same elevation, though they are generally located in the same plane as the body  58  of the spring  44 ). 
         [0032]    In one embodiment, the first housing portion  48  defines a seat  60  in the interior thereof. The seat  60  may be situated downwardly from a top rim  62  of the first housing portion  48 . In addition, the first housing portion  48  defines a mount  64  for the second end  56  of the torsion spring  44 . This mount  64  may comprise a detent or recess in the wall of the first housing portion  48 , the detent extending outwardly from the seat  60 . 
         [0033]    The second housing portion  50  may define a similar seat  61  (see  FIG. 3B ) in the interior thereof. The seat may be situated downwardly from a top rim  66  of the second housing portion  50 . In addition, the second housing portion  50  may define a similar mount  65  (see  FIG. 3B ) for the first end  54  of the torsion spring  44 . This mount may similarly comprise a detent or recess in the wall of the second housing portion  50 , the detent extending outwardly from the seat. 
         [0034]    As indicated, in one embodiment, the biasing member comprises a coiled torsion spring  44 . So that the torsion spring  44  is tightly captured in the housing  42 , the interior space defined by the first and second housing portions  48 ,  50  may be generally cylindrical. As illustrated, for example, the seat  60  of the first housing portion  48  is generally circular, having an outside diameter approximately the same as the outside diameter of the spring  44  and an inside diameter approximately the same as the inside diameter of the spring  44 . 
         [0035]    As also indicated above, the pliers  20  further comprise at least one coupler  46 . The coupler  46  may rotatably connect the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24 . 
         [0036]    In one embodiment, the coupler  46  connects the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24 . In one embodiment, the coupler  46  comprises interconnecting first and second members, such as a first or male connector or fastener  68  and a mating second or female connector or fastener  70 . The male fastener  68  may have the form of a threaded screw or bolt. As illustrated, the male fastener  68  may have a head  72  and a shank  74  which is at least partially threaded. 
         [0037]    The female fastener  70  may have the form of a threaded bushing. The bushing may have a head  76  and a sleeve  78  which extends outwardly from the head  76 . The sleeve  78  may have a reduced diameter relative to the head  76 . The bushing may define a passage through at least a portion of the sleeve  78  (and such passage may extend all the way through the bushing), at least a portion of the passage being internally threaded and configured to accept at least a portion of the threaded shank  74  of the male fastener  68 . 
         [0038]    The coupler  46  extends through the pliers  20  from a first side to a second side thereof. As illustrated, the head  72  of the male fastener  68  may be located at the outside of the first plier lever  22  and extend through the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24  to the head  76  of the female fastener  70  which is located at the outside of the second plier lever  24 . 
         [0039]    In order to facilitate the passage of the coupler  46  through the pliers  20 , a passage is defined through the housing  42 . In one embodiment, the first plier lever  22  defines a passage  80  at the first housing portion  48 . This passage  80  may be centrally located and arranged so that the seat  60  encircles the passage  80  and so that the coupler  46  extends through the torsion spring  44  which is located on the seat  60 . Likewise, the second plier lever  22  may define a similar passage  82  there through. Again, this passage  82  may extend through the second housing portion  50 . 
         [0040]    As indicated, the male fastener  68  is configured to selectively engage the female fastener  70  in a manner which creates a locking or joining force which maintains the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24  in close proximity. Because the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24  are joined about a cylindrical coupler, however, they are permitted to freely rotate relative to one another, such as between open and closed positions. 
         [0041]    In order to facilitate smooth rotation of the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24  relative to the coupler  46 , the coupler may include a secondary bushing  84 . The secondary bushing  84  may have a head  86  and a sleeve  88  and may define a passage there through. The head  86  is configured to engage the outside of the plier lever at which the head  72  of the male fastener  68  is located, such as at the first plier lever  22 . The head  86  of the secondary bushing  84  is configured to be positioned between that plier lever and the head  72  of the male fastener  68 . The sleeve  88  of the secondary bushing  84  then extends into the passage  80  defined by the first housing portion  48 . In this manner, the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24  are mounted for rotation around the bushing which comprises the female fastener  70  and the secondary bushing  84 . This configuration promotes free and smooth rotation of the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24  because they rotate around or relative to the smooth surfaces of the bushings rather than the threaded shank  74  and small head  72  of the male fastener  68 . 
         [0042]    In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , an outside/exterior face or surface  90  of the first plier lever  22  about at least the passage  82  is generally planar and smooth. The head  86  of the secondary bushing  84  is configured to extend outwardly beyond the circumference of the passage  80  so that a bottom surface of the head  86  rests upon the outside face  90  of the first plier lever  22 , or a tapered or beveled edge  89  thereof at the passage  80 . In this configuration, the head  86  of the secondary bushing  84  protrudes outwardly from the outside face  90  of the first plier lever  22 , such that the connection at the joint thereof is non-flush as best illustrated in  FIG. 3B . 
         [0043]    In another embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the passage  80  may include an enlarged section  81  which is configured to accept the head  86  of the secondary bushing  84 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4A , this allows the head  86  of the secondary bushing  84  to fit within the first plier lever  22  so that an end or top surface of the head  86  is generally flush with or at least does not extend beyond, the outer surface  90  of the first plier lever  22 . 
         [0044]    In one embodiment, as illustrated in both  FIGS. 3A and 4A , the male fastener  68  may be configured to be located in the secondary bushing  84 . In particular, the secondary bushing  84  may include a recess for accepting the head  72  of the male fastener  68 , whereby the head  72  of the male fastener  72  does not protrude outwardly beyond the secondary bushing  84 . 
         [0045]    It will be appreciated that the connection of the female fastener  70  may be similarly configured to either be a flush or non-flush mount. For example, the passage  82  through the second plier lever  24  may include a recessed portion for accepting the head  76  of the female fastener  70  so that the top or end thereof is generally flush with an exterior or outer surface  91  of the second plier lever  24 . Alternatively, the head  76  of the female fastener  70  could extend outwardly of the outer surface  91 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0046]    In one embodiment, the sleeve  78  portion of the female fastener  70  is close in size to the passage  82 , such as being only slightly smaller in diameter, so that the second plier lever  24  rotates about an axis through the passage  82  (and does not wobble or tilt). 
         [0047]    In one embodiment, referring to  FIG. 2 , the sleeve  88  of the secondary bushing  84  has a first portion  92  and a second portion  94 . The first portion  92  may have a size close to that of the passage  80  through the first housing portion  48 . For example, the diameter of the first portion  92  of the sleeve  88  of the secondary bushing  84  may be close in diameter to the passage  80 , whereby the first plier lever  22  rotates about an axis through the passage  80  (and does not wobble or tilt). 
         [0048]    The second portion  94  of the sleeve  88  of the secondary bushing  84  may extend from the first portion  92  and it may have a reduced diameter or size, such as to permit it to fit within or otherwise engage the passage through the bushing which comprises the female fastener  70  (or to fit within an enlarge portion of such a passage at the end of the sleeve  78  thereof), whereby the secondary bushing  84  and the female fastener  70  engage or connect to one another. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 1  again, when the coupler  46  is coupled, the housing  42  defined by the first and second housing portions  48 ,  50  is closed. The torsion spring  44  is located in the interior area of that housing  42 , completely closed therein. 
         [0050]    The engagement of the ends  54 , 56  of the torsion spring  44  with the notches or mounts  64 , 65  in each housing portion  48 ,  50 , causes the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24  to be biased into their open position as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0051]    In one embodiment, the first and second housing portions  48 ,  50  each have a depth of approximately one-half of the depth or thickness of their respective first and second plier levers  22 ,  24 . In one embodiment, the first and second plier lever  22 ,  24  each have a generally planar inner face (facing the other plier lever) and a generally planar outer face (which serve as the outside surfaces or faces of the pliers  20 ). 
         [0052]    In one embodiment, the first housing portion  48  is located at the outside of the first plier lever  28 , whereby a recess  100  is located adjacent to the first housing portion  48 . Likewise, the second housing portion  48  is located at the outside of the second plier lever  24 , whereby a recess  102  is located adjacent to the second housing portion  50 . When the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24  are connected, the depth or thickness of the housing  42  is, in one embodiment, the same as the depth or thickness of each plier lever  22 ,  24 . In particular, the first housing portion  48  associated with the first plier lever  22  fits within the recess  102  defined by the second plier lever  24 , and the second housing portion  50  associated with the second plier lever  24  fits within the recess  100  defined by the first plier lever  22 . 
         [0053]    In one embodiment, at least the outside or exterior of the sleeve  78  of the female fastener and of the sleeve  88  of the secondary bushing  84  is smooth. This promotes smooth rotation of the plier levers  22 ,  24  relative to the coupler  46 . In fact, in some embodiments the outside of the female fastener  70  and the secondary bushing  84  may be constructed of or comprise a low friction material or be lubricated. 
         [0054]    The pliers  20  of the invention have numerous advantages. One advantage is that the ends  54 ,  56  of the torsion spring  44  extend outwardly in generally the same plane as the body  58  of the spring. In this manner, the spring  44  has a low or thin profile, thus allowing it to fit within a housing  42  which has a thinner or lower profile than would be required for other spring configurations. This allows the pliers  20  to have an overall thin profile, which is important when the pliers  20  are to be used in small spaces. 
         [0055]    Also, the torsion spring  44  is located between seats of the two housing portions  48 ,  50  and is thus secured thereby, rather than being located in an open space and requiring other securing mechanisms. In this regard, the spring  44  is essentially self-locating, which improves the ease of manufacture of the pliers  20 . 
         [0056]    A particular advantage of the pliers  20  is that the plier levers  22 ,  24  rotate about bushings  70 ,  84 , rather than a threaded connector. In particular, the mounting of the plier levers  22 ,  24  about the bushings  70 ,  84  causes the plier levers  22 ,  24  to rotate smoothly (without binding) and about the axes there through (i.e. without wobbling or tilting, which could cause binding or cause the jaws of the plier levers  22 ,  24  to move out of alignment). Also, this mounting serves to further fix the torsion spring  44  because the coupler  46  passes tightly through the torsion spring  44 , preventing it from moving. 
         [0057]    Another benefit of the invention is that the housing  42  and coupler  46  are compact and flush with the faces of the pliers  22 ,  24 , causing the pliers to be generally planar on each side and thin in profile. 
         [0058]    It will be appreciated that the pliers  20  of the invention may have other configurations. In one embodiment, the pliers  20  comprise fixed-joint pliers, though they could have other configurations. As indicated, the shape of the plier levers  22 ,  24  may vary, including so that the configuration of the jaws vary, such as for different purposes. 
         [0059]    It is possible for the coupler  46  to have other configurations. First, the configuration of the coupler  46  may be reversed. In such a configuration, the female fastener  70  may mount to the first plier lever  22  rather than the second plier lever  24 . 
         [0060]    In addition, the coupler  46  might comprise a single female bushing having a sleeve which extends entirely through the housing  42 , and having a male fastener with an enlarged head with a shank that engages the female fastener (thus eliminating the secondary bushing while still causing both the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24  to rotate about the sleeve of at least one bushing). In another configuration, the secondary bushing  84  and male fastener  68  might be integrated (such as by comprising a bushing having a head with a tool recess, having a main body or shank in the form of a sleeve and a second end comprising a threaded extension). Also, while the male and female fasteners may engage in a threading configuration, they might engage in other manners, such as by pressing the shank of the male fastener into the female fastener (press-fit) or through the female fastener wherein a tail may be connected to or formed at the end of the shank to lock the male and female fasteners together. 
         [0061]    In yet another embodiment, the coupler  46  might comprise a central bushing which extends through the first and second plier levers  22 ,  24  and first and second ends or caps. Each cap may have a generally planar head and a have a shank which extends into or otherwise engages an end of the central bushing, whereby the caps “close” each end of the central bushing at either side of the pliers. 
         [0062]      FIG. 5  is a side view diagram illustrating another embodiment of the pliers in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. In one embodiment, the pliers  500  may be assembled with a first temporary fastener  502  that is useful for maintaining the orientation of the pliers  500  during a hardening or heating process. The temporary fastener  502 , as depicted, may comprise a bolt  504  having a shank  506  that engages a nut  508 . In one embodiment, the shank  506  is selected with a length configured to pass from an opening  510  of the first tool half  512  to an opening  514  of the second tool half  516 . Similarly, the diameter of the shank  506  may be selected to engage the opening  510 . In other words, the dimensions of the fastener  502  are selected to optimally join the first tool half  512  to the second tool half  516  during a hardening or heat treating process. 
         [0063]    In some embodiments, the biased member  518  may be inserted into a housing created by the first tool half  512  and the second tool half  516  during the hardening or heat treating process. Alternatively, the biased member  518  may be inserted into the plier  500  following the heat treating or hardening process. A permanent fastener  520  may be used to permanently couple the first tool half  512  to the second tool half  516 . The permanent fastener  520 , in one embodiment, is a solid rivet having dimensions selected to pass through the openings  510 ,  514 . 
         [0064]    The permanent fastener  520 , in one embodiment, includes a flanged head configured to engage a beveled outer surface of either the first tool half  512  or the second tool half  516 . The end opposite the flanged head is configured to be pressed or deformed to conform with a beveled or recessed area in either the first tool half  512  or the second tool half  516 . The permanent fastener  520  may be, in one embodiment, a solid rivet formed of a material that is substantially similar to the first tool half  512  and the second tool half  516 . In other embodiments, the permanent fastener  520  is formed of a material that visually resembles the material of the first tool half  512  and the second tool half  516 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating one embodiment of the housing formed by the first tool half and the second tool half in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. The first tool half  512  may be coupled to the second tool half  516  by way of the permanent fastener  520 . In the depicted embodiment, a permanent fastener  520  having a flanged or countersunk head  602  is selected to engage a beveled or chamfered opening  604  in the first tool half  512 . The chamfer angle of the flanged head  602  may be in the range of between about 60 and 120 degrees. 
         [0066]    The opposite, or deformed end  606  is deformed or “mushroomed” to conform with a chamfered opening  608  of the second tool half  516 . The deforming process causes the first tool half  512  and the second tool half  516  to be drawn together and subsequently form the housing for the biased member  518 . The deformed or mushroomed region (depicted by the dashed line) may then be ground smooth to form a flush surface with the adjacent surface of the second tool half  516 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 7  is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a plier using a temporary fastener and a permanent fastener in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. In one embodiment, the method  700  starts and the first tool half  512  and the second tool half  516  are assembled, at block  702 , with the temporary fastener. The temporary fastener, in one example, is a non-hardenable fastener. In other words, the hardening or heat treating process will not affect the temporary fastener. 
         [0068]    At block  704 , the first tool half  512  and the second tool half  514  are machined (i.e., ground) to precisely join the first tool half  512  and the second tool half  514 . At block  706 , the first tool half  512  and the second tool half  514  are heat treated or hardened by any one of various hardening processes including, but not limited to, forging. At block  708 , the temporary fastener is removed and the biased member is positioned between the first tool half and the second tool half, if not previously positioned. Stated differently, the biased member may be positioned in the housing before the hardening or heat treating process. 
         [0069]    At block  710 , the permanent fastener is inserted into the first tool half so that the permanent fastener passes through the opening of the first tool half, the biased member, and the opening of the second tool half (see  FIG. 6 ). The permanent fastener, in one embodiment, is then deformed. In the example where the permanent fastener is a rivet, the non-flanged end is deformed to conform with a chamfered or beveled opening of the second tool half. 
         [0070]    At block  712 , the deformed head (depicted by the dashed line of  FIG. 6 ) is then machined, or ground to match the surface of the second tool half  516 , and a final polishing of the tool may be performed. At block  714 , grips may be attached. Various different methods are contemplated for attaching grips, including, but not limited to dipping the tool into a polymer that coagulates and forms a grip on handles of the tool. The method  700  then ends. 
         [0071]      FIGS. 8-11  are perspective view diagrams illustrating stages of manufacturing a plier in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In the depicted embodiment, a plier head  800  is assembled using a biased member, or spring  802 . As discussed above, the biased member  802  is disposed within a cavity formed by a first tool half  804  and a second tool half  806 . Although the depicted first and second tool halves  804 ,  806  are dual-head (i.e., dual sets of plier jaws), the disclosed methods and structures are equally applicable to traditional pliers. 
         [0072]    As described above with reference to  FIG. 6 , a deformable fastener  808  may be used to couple the first tool half  804  to the second tool half  806  by deforming an end of the fastener  808 . The biased member  802  may be formed with axially extending ends  810  that are insertable into corresponding openings in either the first tool half  804  or the second tool half  806 . However, aligning the biased member ends  810  with the openings is a difficult task while assembling the tool halves  804 ,  806 . 
         [0073]    Beneficially, the disclosed method of manufacture overcomes this by providing a temporary sleeve  902  ( FIG. 9 ) that extends through an opening of the first tool half  804 . The temporary sleeve  902  is configured with an outer diameter that is smaller than the opening in the first tool half  804 , but an inner diameter that is larger than the end  810  of the biased member  802 . Accordingly, the temporary sleeve  902  aligns the end  810  of the biased member  802  with the opening in the first tool half  804  and allows for easy assembly of the first and second tool halves  804 ,  806 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 10  illustrates a cut-away view of the assembled tool halves  804 ,  806  to depict how the temporary sleeve  902  engages the end  810  of the biased member  802 . Once assembled, the temporary sleeve  902  may be removed (see  FIG. 11 ) and the result is a biased tool jaw. A plug may then be inserted in the opening  1102  to seal the opening. For example, a deformable metal may be inserted and impacted to deform the metal (i.e., “mushroom” the metal member) and subsequently grind the surface of the tool smooth. 
         [0075]      FIG. 12  is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a plier using a temporary sleeve and a permanent fastener in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. In one embodiment, the method  1200  starts and the first tool half  804  and the second tool half  806  are assembled, at block  1202 . A temporary fastener, as described above with reference to  FIG. 7  may be utilized. 
         [0076]    At block  1204 , the first tool half  804  and the second tool half  806  are machined (i.e., ground) to precisely join the first tool half  804  and the second tool half  806 . At block  1206 , the first tool half  804  and the second tool half  806  are heat treated or hardened by any one of various hardening processes including, but not limited to, forging. At block  1208 , a temporary sleeve is inserted into an opening in either the first tool half or the second tool half to assist in the installation of the biased member. The temporary sleeve engages an end of the biased member and aligns the end of the biased member with the opening in the first or second tool halves. 
         [0077]    At block  1210 , the temporary fastener is removed and the biased member is positioned between the first tool half and the second tool half, if not previously positioned. Stated differently, the biased member may be positioned in the housing before the hardening or heat treating process. The permanent fastener is inserted into the first tool half so that the permanent fastener passes through the opening of the first tool half, the biased member, and the opening of the second tool half. The permanent fastener, in one embodiment, is then deformed. In the example where the permanent fastener is a rivet, the non-flanged end is deformed to conform with a chamfered or beveled opening of the second tool half. 
         [0078]    At block  1212 , the deformed head (depicted by the dashed line of  FIG. 6 ) is then machined, or ground to match the surface of the second tool half, and a final polishing of the tool may be performed. At block  1214 , grips may be attached, at which point the method  1200  ends. 
         [0079]    It will be understood that the above described arrangements of apparatus and the method there from are merely illustrative of applications of the principles of this invention and many other embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.