Patent Description:
Portable hydraulic tools that allow compressive forces of approximately <NUM> to <NUM> kilonewtons to be achieved are already known. These tools are commonly used to perform determined connection operations, e.g. for crimping connectors about electrical wires or hydraulic pipes and for compressing rivets, or for determined cutting operations, e.g. cutting electric wires during electric system installation and maintenance.

These tools generally comprise a body in which are accommodated a fluid reservoir, a hydraulic pump, a cylinder, and a piston capable of being moved inside the cylinder under the effect of an injection of pressurised fluid into the interior of the cylinder. These tools also comprise a tool head fixed to the body and adapted to receive a die set, one of the dies being operated by the piston. The dies and/or the head can be removable. The head for example can receive different die sets depending on the operation to be performed. An electric motor actuates the hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump then causes an increase of hydraulic fluid pressure operating on the piston to move the later against the bias of a pressure spring. In turn, the piston is connected to the tool head so as to move the die set. The die set may comprise a movable and a fixed jaw. In such case, the piston is connected to the tool head so as to move the movable jaw with respect to the fixed jaw. The jaws may be shaped and/or provided with interchangeable accessory elements so as to adapt to a particular object, e.g. an electrical contact to be compressed or a metallic bar to be cut. Document <CIT> from the applicant discloses such a tool.

Such hydraulic tools are very often used in external environments and sometimes for a long period of time. The known hydraulic tool have a certain weight or handling which is not always adapted. This can lead to physical and mental operator fatigue. A further requirement is due to the fact that most of the time operations, in particular those aimed at making connections between connectors and/or electrical cables are hampered by extremely restricted space conditions. It is therefore essential for compression tools to be a compact size and easily operated by an operator.

Over the years, several handles, and ways of holding such portable hydraulic tools have been developed. There are mainly inline tools like depicted in document <CIT> or gun-like tools like disclosed in document <CIT>. Further tools are disclosed in documents <CIT>, <CIT> disclosing the preamble of claim <NUM>, and <CIT>. However, there is still a need to provide portable hydraulic tools having an ergonomic handle easily operated by an operator and which can reduce physical and mental operator fatigue.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a portable hydraulic tool and a handle for a portable hydraulic tool which is ergonomic and such that an operator can easily and precisely control the portable hydraulic tool. Accordingly, the present invention provides a portable hydraulic tool according to claim <NUM>.

More particularly, the hydraulic tool comprises a work unit with a tool body extending longitudinally along a tool axis, a handle and a tool head fitted to receive a die set which can be displaced between an open and a closed position to operate a workpiece; an electro-hydraulic pump unit with an electro-hydraulic pump casing fitting a reservoir with a hydraulic liquid and an electro-hydraulic pump adapted to increase the pressure of a hydraulic liquid. The handle is pivotally mounted at a pivot to the work body such that the handle is rotatable with regard to the tool body around a rotation axis perpendicular to the tool axis. The portable tool can thus be held by an operator with one hand at a particular angle from the tool axis allowing a better orientation of the portable tool and in particular of the work unit during an operation. The term die set in the present specification is to be interpreted broadly and could correspond to blades, crimping parts, scissor blades, cutters, jaws, punching die, shears. with at least one movable part (jaw, blade, cutter. ) to apply an effort on a workpiece. The tool head can thus be a cutting head, a crimping head, a punching head, shearing head.

The handle is rotatable to several orientation positions, and each position can be fixed by a lock mechanism, such that a defined orientation of the handle with regard to the work tool can be fixed by an operator.

A connecting portion for connecting the handle to the tool body is provided. Thus, a handle can be disassembled and re-arranged on the same or another tool body.

The handle comprises a base adapted to conform to an operator's palm hand and a top, wherein the base extends from the connecting portion to the top, wherein a proximal end of the base is connected to the connecting portion and a distal end of the base supports the top, wherein the top has an internal surface facing the base and an external surface, opposite the internal surface, and wherein the internal surface is adapted to cradle the top of the operator's hand. Thus, the weight of the work unit and more particularly of the tool head is transferred to the top of the hand.

The base comprises a trigger at its distal end, the trigger being adapted to release a working movement of the die set from the open position to the closed position. The trigger can easily be actuated by a finger, notably the index. Thus, the hydraulic tool is easily held and controlled by an operator with one hand.

In an embodiment, the connecting portion comprises a ring fixed on the tool body. The handle can easily be fixed to different tool bodies.

In an embodiment, the connecting portion comprises the pivot. In an embodiment, the lock mechanism is a screw-clamping mechanism. In an embodiment, the lock mechanism is arranged on the pivot. The lock mechanism is easy to implement and does not add an important additional weight.

In an embodiment, a determined number of orientation positions can be locked by the lock mechanism. This way, the operator can easily choose one orientation among the determined number of possible orientation positions and easily adjust it again to exactly the same orientation. In an embodiment, an infinite number of orientation positions can be locked by the lock mechanism. This way, an operator can choose the exact orientation which is convenient for him.

In an embodiment, the base longitudinally extends along a base axis, and wherein the base axis is inclined with regard to the tool axis at an orientation angle, wherein the orientation angle is between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees, and preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees.

In an embodiment, the hydraulic tool comprises a battery unit. Such hydraulic tools are very often used in external environments, e.g. along railway lines far from buildings provided with a connection to the electric power network, and require an electric energy source of their own, i.e. a portable electric accumulator or battery either integrated in or applied on the tool.

In an embodiment, the tool head is arranged at a first end of the tool body and the connecting portion is arranged at a second end of the tool body, wherein the tool body and the electro-hydraulic pump unit are physically separate and the battery unit is physically separate from the electro-hydraulic pump unit, such that the handle moves and directs the work unit only.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:.

Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown.

<FIG> shows a portable hydraulic tool <NUM> thereof having a handle <NUM> according to the invention. The portable hydraulic tool <NUM> notably comprises a work unit <NUM> with a tool body <NUM>, a handle <NUM> and a tool head <NUM>. The tool head <NUM> is for example fitted to receive a die set <NUM> which can be displaced between an open and a closed position to operate a workpiece. In a known manner (and therefore not represented), the tool body <NUM> comprises a cylinder, a piston capable of being moved inside the cylinder under the effect of an injection of pressurised fluid into the interior of the cylinder. The piston is adapted to operate the die set <NUM>, and more particularly one of the dies of the set. The piston is movable between a retracted position and an extended position to operate the die. A spring, and more particularly a helical return spring urges the piston toward the retracted position. The tool body <NUM> extends longitudinally along a tool axis X. The work unit <NUM> may for example have a weight between <NUM> and <NUM> kilograms. The hydraulic tool <NUM> can be provided with different tool heads <NUM> as depicted notably, but not exclusively in <FIG>.

As non-limitative examples <FIG> shows a strut rail cutter head, <FIG> shows a scissor head, <FIG> shows a crimping head. All these heads are hold by the handle <NUM>. Other tool heads (not represented) can also be used with the handle as described below to form the hydraulic tool <NUM>.

The handle <NUM> is rotatably fixed to the tool body <NUM>. More particularly, the handle <NUM> is pivotally mounted at a pivot <NUM> to the tool body <NUM> such that the handle <NUM> is rotatable with regard to the tool body around a rotation axis Xr. The rotation axis Xr is orthogonal or sensibly orthogonal to the tool axis X. The handle <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>, has the shape of a joystick. The handle <NUM> allows thus for comfortable operation of the hydraulic tool <NUM> by an operator.

The handle <NUM> is connected to the tool body <NUM> by means of a connecting portion <NUM>. The connecting position <NUM> is for instance a clamping ring (See <FIG>). The clamping ring is wrapped, press-fitted, snap-fitted, clipped, glued, or welded around a portion of the tool body. More particularly, the clamping ring is clamped around a portion having a reduced cross-section of the tool body <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The clamping ring <NUM> is an opened clamping ring with a first and a second end. The first end is attached to a portion of the pivot <NUM>. The second end is attached to another portion of the pivot <NUM>. The pivot <NUM> is for instance realized by a pivot bearing, wherein fixed segments are attached to the first and second ends. The movable segment of the pivot bearing is connected to the handle <NUM>. A knob <NUM> can for instance be used to tighten the clamping ring <NUM> to the tool body <NUM>. Two clamping pieces <NUM>, <NUM> are provided to decrease the diameter of the clamping ring <NUM>. The clamping ring <NUM> thus shrinks around a portion of the tool body <NUM>. By turning the knob <NUM>, the distance between the two clamping pieces <NUM>, <NUM> decreases, which forces the diameter of the clamping ring to decrease. Thus, a quick locking is realized.

By means of the pivot bearing, the handle <NUM> is rotatable to several orientation positions. A lock mechanism <NUM> can be provided to lock a particular or predetermined position. The lock mechanism <NUM> is for instance a screw-clamping mechanism provided on the pivot bearing. The lock mechanism comprises for instance the knob <NUM> and the clamping pieces <NUM>, <NUM>. The knob <NUM> and the clamping pieces <NUM>, <NUM> may also be used to lock the orientation of the handle around the rotation axis Xr. By turning the knob <NUM>, the distance between the two clamping pieces <NUM>, <NUM> decreases, which causes the handle (and more particularly an end of the handle) to be pressed fitted and thus locked in rotation around the rotation axis Xr. Thus, one knob may be used to lock the handle to the tool body and to lock the orientation of the handle. However, two knobs may also be provided, one for acting on the coupling of the clamping ring, the other for locking the orientation of the handle. Each knob can then act on different clamping pieces.

In an embodiment, the lock mechanism <NUM> can lock a determined number of stable positions of the handle. In another embodiment, the lock mechanism <NUM> can lock an infinite number of positions of the handle <NUM>. The pivot and the lock mechanism form an adjustment orientation system of the handle with regard to the tool body. Thus, an operator may decide the most ergonomic position for an operation and adjust the angular position of the handle with regard to the tool axis.

The handle <NUM> comprises a base <NUM> adapted to conform to an operator's palm hand and a top <NUM>, as depicted in <FIG>. The base is directly connected to the pivot <NUM> and/or the connecting portion <NUM>. More particularly, the base <NUM> extends from the connecting portion to the top <NUM>. A proximal end of the base is connected to the connecting portion and a distal end of the base is supporting the top <NUM>. The top <NUM> has an internal surface <NUM> facing the base and an external surface, opposite the internal surface. The internal surface <NUM> is adapted to cradle the top of the operator's hand. More particularly the internal surface <NUM> has a curved shape corresponding to the top of an operator's hand. The base <NUM> comprises a trigger <NUM> at its distal end, see for instance <FIG>. The trigger <NUM> is adapted to release a working movement of the die set from the open position to the closed position. The trigger <NUM> has for instance one stable position corresponding to the open position of the die set. An action of the operator on the trigger <NUM> against a resistance spring allows to move the die set from the open position to the closed position. In an embodiment, illustrated in <FIG>, the trigger <NUM> may have two parts 74a, 74b, controlling two different actions. A <NUM>-finger rubber trigger <NUM> can be provided to increase comfort. In this configuration, the trigger 74a could command via an electromechanical control (for instance a distributor with an electromagnet) the activation of the decompression in the hydraulic pump, wherein the trigger 74b command the set of dies.

The base <NUM> may also be provided with a second trigger <NUM>. The second trigger <NUM> may have two stable positions. The second trigger <NUM> is for instance used to lock the first trigger <NUM> and avoid an untimely start when carrying the work unit.

The base <NUM> longitudinally extends along a base axis Xb. The base axis is inclined with regard to the tool axis at an orientation angle A (See <FIG>, <FIG>). The orientation angle A can be adapted to the need of the operator, as mentioned above, and is for example between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees, and preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees.

The portable hydraulic tool <NUM> is used by an operator. The operator first lock the handle in the needed position and then grips the handle with the operator's palm hand gripping the base <NUM> and the top of the operator's hand being cradle by the internal surface <NUM>. The position of the handle on the tool body is preferably as near as possible from the tool head without interfering with the field of action of the tool head.

<FIG> schematically shows an embodiment of an hydraulic tool <NUM> with an operator P.

The hydraulic tool <NUM> is part of an hydraulic tool assembly <NUM> comprising an attaching device <NUM> and a portable hydraulic tool <NUM>. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the hydraulic tool <NUM> comprises a work unit <NUM>, a battery unit <NUM> and an electro-hydraulic pump unit <NUM>. The attaching device <NUM> in the embodiment of <FIG> is for instance a belt, a strap or a harness configured or adapted to be worn on the operator's body. The attaching device <NUM> comprises connecting means to receive and securely fasten the battery unit <NUM> and the electro-hydraulic pump unit <NUM>. More particularly, the attaching device <NUM> comprises a battery unit connector, to securely fasten the battery unit <NUM>, and an electro-hydraulic pump unit connector to securely fasten the electro-hydraulic pump unit <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the work unit <NUM> is arranged in a hand of the operator, whereas the battery unit <NUM> and the electro-hydraulic pump unit <NUM> are arranged and attached on the attaching device <NUM>. In another embodiment, depicted in <FIG> the electro-pump unit <NUM> and the battery unit <NUM> may be in one casing, whereas the work unit <NUM> is remote from said casing. In another embodiment the work unit, battery unit and electro-hydraulic pump unit could be directly connected to each other, for example within one unique housing.

The battery unit <NUM>, for example may comprises a battery support (or battery mount) <NUM> and a battery <NUM>. The battery support <NUM> can be configured to release mechanically and electrically a rechargeable battery <NUM>. The battery unit <NUM> is connected to the electro-hydraulic pump unit <NUM>, for example by means of a cable (or more specifically by means of a power cable and decompression cable). Eventually, as depicted in the embodiment of <FIG>, the electro-hydraulic pump unit <NUM> is for instance arranged at a distance between <NUM> and <NUM> meters from the battery unit <NUM>.

The electro-hydraulic pump unit <NUM> comprises for instance a reservoir adapted to receive a hydraulic liquid and an electro-hydraulic pump adapted to increase the pressure of the hydraulic liquid. The electro-hydraulic pump and the reservoir forms a hydraulic sub-assembly which is well-known from persons skilled in the art and will not be described here in further details. A decompression trigger connected to a decompression cable such as to release pression from the hydraulic liquid may also be provided.

According to the embodiments depicted in <FIG>, the work unit <NUM> is arranged remote from the electro-hydraulic pump unit <NUM>, and a high pressure hose <NUM> is provided between the work unit <NUM> and the electro-hydraulic pump unit <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, the work unit may be directly connected to the electro-hydraulic pump unit <NUM> and for example have a unique housing.

The hydraulic tool may also be provided without battery with a wired connection W, as schematically shown in <FIG>.

Claim 1:
Hydraulic tool (<NUM>) comprising:
- a work unit (<NUM>) with a tool body (<NUM>) extending longitudinally along a tool axis (X), a handle (<NUM>) and a tool head (<NUM>) fitted to receive a die set (<NUM>) which can be displaced between an open and a closed position to operate a workpiece, wherein a connecting portion (<NUM>) is provided to connect the handle (<NUM>) to the tool body (<NUM>) and the handle (<NUM>) comprises a base (<NUM>) adapted to conform to an operator's palm hand and a top (<NUM>), wherein the base (<NUM>) extends from the connecting portion (<NUM>) to the top (<NUM>) wherein a proximal end of the base (<NUM>) is connected to the connecting portion
- an electro-hydraulic pump unit (<NUM>) with a reservoir for a hydraulic liquid and an electro-hydraulic pump adapted to increase the pressure of a hydraulic liquid;
characterized in that a distal end of the base (<NUM>) is supporting the top (<NUM>), wherein the top (<NUM>) has an internal surface facing the base (<NUM>) and an external surface, opposite the internal surface (<NUM>), and
the internal surface (<NUM>) is adapted to cradle the top of the operator's hand, and the base (<NUM>) comprises a trigger (<NUM>) at its distal end, the trigger (<NUM>) being adapted to release
a working movement of the die set from the open position to the closed position; and the handle (<NUM>) is pivotally mounted at a pivot (<NUM>) to the tool body (<NUM>) such that the handle (<NUM>) is rotatable with regard to the tool body (<NUM>) around a rotation axis (Xr) perpendicular to the tool axis (X), wherein the handle (<NUM>) is rotatable to several orientation positions, and each position can be fixed by a lock mechanism (<NUM>), such that a defined orientation of the handle (<NUM>) with regard to the tool body (<NUM>) can be fixed by an operator.