Improvements in Pipe-tongs.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Mar., 1891-Accepted, 28th Apr, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pipe-tongs.
I, AUGUST WALDEMAR INGELSON, of Torshalla in the Kingdom of Sweden,
Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
It has heretofore been usual in works where tubes are made to use a special pair
of tongs for each size of tube. There are many so called universal pipe-tongs on
the market, but they have proved to be not practically adjustable for different
dimensions, and are too weak at certain parts, which parts cannot be made stronger
without increasing considerably the weight of the tongs, so that a pair of tongs,
When
which fits comparatively large tubes cannot be used for smaller ones.
working with weak tubes, it is impossible to feel how hard one pulls when
employing a heavy tool.
The present invention relates to universal pipe-tongs in which the said
disadvantages are obviated.
On the annexed drawing, the tongs are illustrated in two different forms, namely
The same
as straight tongs, Figures 1 to 7, and as angle-tongs, Figures 8 to 12.
can of course be made in various sizes. The one shown on the drawing in natural
size is adapted to fit tubes from 1 to 4 centimetres diameter, and thus each tong
replaces a set of 5 pair of tongs as heretofore made. The construction also admits
the use of the tongs for screws and nuts, hence the said tongs may be used as
universal screw keys and are consequently of great value in industries and on
estates, where a great quantity of machines with many screws and nuts are used.
The tongs consist of two parts or clutches a and b movable with respect to each
other of which the one part a, that is provided with a long traversing slot d, is
passed over the other b, which latter serves as the handle. The part a especially
illustrated in Figures 5 to 7 from three different sides, is at the one end bent and
on the concave side is provided with notches to prevent the tube from slipping.
There are similar notches also on the corresponding end or head h of the part b.
The part a is also provided with a number of notches fon both sides of the slot d,
and the part has on each side of the head a tooth g, which can be engaged with
any of the said notches, whereby the tongs can be adjusted to fit tubes of different
dimensions. The notches fare of course situated such a distance from each other
that corresponds to the different tube dimensions. On the drawing, they are shown
to be five in number, which permits the tongs to be used for five different tube
dimensions, but of course there may be more or less than five notches, so that the
tongs may fit a greater variety of tubes.
b
In the form illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, there is arranged on the part 6 behind
the part a a pivot k on the projecting ends of which are two friction rolls, which
serve as supports for the part a and prevent the same from sliding out of its
position.
As shown in the drawing the distance from the rolls to the point of the teeth is
greater than the width of the part a. If therefore the part a is turned in the
direction of the arrow, see Figure 7, the same can be freely displaced so that the
teeth g can be engaged with any of the notches f.
In the form shown in Figures 8 to 10 the part a is prevented from falling out of
When the
engagement with the teeth g by means of a pin carried by a spring c.
spring is forced down, the pin enters an opening in the part 6, and the part a can
then be brought down over the spring and be adjusted for another tube dimension.

page_text: A quick change of the part a can be effected by this means if such should be
necessary.
To facilitate the adjustment of the tongs, when using them in narrow openings
in which it is impossible for the hand to enter, the part a can be provided with a
backwardly projecting prolongation, which may be firmly or removably secured to
the said part.
The mode of using the tongs will be understood from the drawing. When
pulling at the handle in the direction of the arrow, the two toothed clutches are
forced against each other in such a way that the tube (or the nut or screw) is
gripped between them, whilst the pressure is taken up at the point, where the
teeth co-operate with the notches f. The handle being pulled in the opposite
direction, the clutches will release their hold and slide back, and will engage again
at the next pull in the direction of the arrow.
The tongs combine with great simplicity and strength the advantage, that they
can be adjusted directly so as to suit different tube dimensions and that they can
also be used as screw-keys.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. In adjustable pipe-tongs and screw-keys (consisting of two parts or
clutches (a, b) movable relatively to each other and provided with projections or
notches engaging with each other of which the one, which also serves as handle, is
introduced in a slot (d) made in the other) the arrangement that the part (a),
provided with the slot (d), has on each side of the slot, a series of notches (f) the
mutual distance of which corresponds to the difference of the tube dimensions,
while the other part (b) is provided with a tooth (9) ou each side of the part (a)
the teeth of which are thus situated, that the tongs, when the projections (g) are in
engagement with the notches (f), fit a certain tube dimension, and further
provided with a pivot (k) and with friction-rolls (1) secured to the pivot behind the
part (a), those parts co-operating in such a manner, that at a certain mutual
position or inclination, the teeth (a) engage with the notches (f) and the part (a)
is thereby prevented by means of the pivot (k) and rolls (1) from coming out of
engagement, whilst when the parts have another inclination towards each other,
displacement can take place and the parts can thus be adjusted for different tube-
dimensions.
2. In pipe-tongs and screw-keys such as characterized in Claim 1, the
modification wherein the pivot (k) is arranged on a spring (c) or is replaced by
the same, the one end of which spring is fastened to the handle (6), in order that the
part (a) provided with slots may, when the spring is forced down, be disengaged
from the tooth or teeth (g) and be adjusted for another tube dimension and
eventually be exchanged.
3. Pipe-tongs constructed substantially as described with reference to Figures 1
to 7 or to Figures 8 to 12 respectively, and operating as, and for the purpose
specified.
Dated this 94th day of March 1801
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.