Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a tool for manufacturing jewelry and a method of using such tool. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a jewelry tool constructed in the form of hole punching pliers and related methods, which can be used to hole punch in a material without distorting the material. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Jewelers have long relied on a variety of tools to fabricate jewelry or the materials used in jewelry designs. Among the tools a jeweller or other craftsperson often employs is a tool for making or punching holes. While a number of tools exist for punching holes in soft materials, such as thin metals and the like, a common problem also consistently arises. Specifically, when holes are punched through such thin metals and other similar materials that are not flat, the material is typically distorted in the area of the punched hole. 
         [0005]    For example, if a hole is desired in a corner or a curved surface of thin, soft metal, as the punch tip of the tool engages the material, the material is pressed against a receiving anvil. Then, as the punch tip begins pressing against and through the material, the material tends to buckle and distort close to the edges of the hole as the hole is formed. Conventional receiving anvils in punching tools are simply flat surfaces having a cut out or hole similarly shaped and sized to receive the punch tip forming the hole in the material. Even in hole punch tools that are handheld, such as a pair of pliers, one jaw typically has the punch tip, while the opposing jaw comprises a flat receiving anvil. However, as mentioned above, such conventional designs, even in handheld tools, still deform softer materials like thin metals as the hole is being punched through material that is not flat. 
         [0006]    In view of the foregoing deficiencies of conventional approaches, the disclosed principles provide for a hole punch tool, such as a pair of pliers, as well as related methods of manufacturing and using such a hole punch tool, that do not suffer from the deficiencies of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present disclosure provides tools and related methods of manufacturing and use for punching a hole in a non-flat material without distorting the material. In one embodiment, a pair of pliers constructed as disclosed herein may comprise a first member having a first handle on a proximal end of the first member and a first jaw on a distal end of the first member, as well as a second member having a second handle on a proximal end of the second member and a second jaw on a distal end of the second member. With such an exemplary pair of pliers, the first member and the second member are attached via at least one connection point to permit pivoting movement between the first jaw and the second jaw such that the first jaw and the second jaw are opposed and adapted for moving with respect to each other in response to a force being applied to the first handle and the second handle. In addition, in exemplary embodiments, the first jaw may comprise a punch tip extending therefrom and configured to be received by the second jaw, where the punch tip has a non-flat distal end truncating a cross-section of the punch tip. Moreover, in such embodiments, the second jaw comprises a shaped edge facing the punch tip and extending along a length of the second jaw, and the shaped edge comprises an opening having substantially the same shape as the cross-section of the punch tip and configured to receive the punch tip therein upon the application of a squeezing force to the first and second handles. 
         [0008]    In other embodiments, a pair of pliers for forming a hole in a non-flat material constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles may comprise a first member having a first handle on a proximal end of the first member and a first jaw on a distal end of the first member, as well as a second member having a second handle on a proximal end of the second member and a second jaw on a distal end of the second member. In exemplary embodiments, the first member and the second member are attached via at least one connection point to permit pivoting movement along an arc between the first jaw and the second jaw such that the first jaw and the second jaw are opposed and adapted for moving with respect to each other in response to a force being applied to the first handle and the second handle. In addition, the first jaw may comprise a punch tip extending therefrom and configured to be received by the second jaw, where the punch tip has an angled distal end truncating a cross-section of the punch tip. Furthermore, in such embodiments, the second jaw comprises a shaped edge facing the punch tip and extending along a length of the second jaw, where the shaped edge comprises an opening having substantially the same size and shape as the cross-section of the punch tip and configured to receive the punch tip therein upon the application of a squeezing force to the first and second handles. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, methods of punching a non-flat material using a pair of pliers in accordance with the disclosed principles are also disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, such a method may comprise placing the material between a first jaw and a second jaw of a pair of pliers, where the first and second jaws are located on distal ends of corresponding first and second members. In addition, the first and second member have respective first and second handles on proximal end thereof. Furthermore, in such exemplary embodiments, a method may further include punching a hole in the material by applying a squeezing force to the first and second handles, wherein the first member and the second member are attached via at least one connection point to permit pivoting movement between the first jaw and the second jaw such that the first jaw and the second jaw are opposed and adapted for moving with respect to each other in response to a force being applied to the first handle and the second handle. Additionally, in such embodiments, the first jaw may comprise a punch tip extending therefrom and configured to be received by the second jaw for punching the hole, wherein the punch tip has an angled distal end truncating a cross-section of the punch tip. Also, in such embodiments, the second jaw may comprise a shaped edge facing the punch tip and extending along a length of the second jaw, where the shaped edge comprises an opening having substantially the same shape as the cross-section of the punch tip and configured to receive the punch tip when punching the hole. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a pair of hole punch pliers in accordance with the disclosed principles. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of the jaws of a pair of hole punch pliers in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1C  is a close up of a side view of the punch tip of the hole punch pliers illustrated in  FIG. 1B . 
           [0013]      FIG. 1D  is a close up of a side view of an alternative punch tip for a pair of hole punch pliers constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  is an end view of a pair of hole punch pliers in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles with the jaws closed. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  is an end view of a pair of hole punch pliers in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles with the jaws open. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3A  is an end view of an alternative embodiment of a jaw having a narrow angled receiving edge in accordance with the disclosed principles. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3B  is an end view of an alternative embodiment of a jaw having a wide angled receiving edge in accordance with the disclosed principles. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4A  is an end view of another alternative embodiment of a jaw having a narrow rounded receiving edge in accordance with the disclosed principles. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4B  is an end view of another alternative embodiment of a jaw having a wide rounded receiving edge in accordance with the disclosed principles. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an oval-shaped punch tip in accordance with the disclosed principles. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5B  is a side view of the embodiment of a jaw illustrated in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0022]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a square-shaped punch tip in accordance with the disclosed principles. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of the embodiment of a jaw illustrated in  FIG. 6A . 
           [0024]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment of a star-shaped punch tip in accordance with the disclosed principles. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7B  is a side view of the embodiment of a jaw illustrated in  FIG. 7A . 
           [0026]      FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment of a triangle-shaped punch tip in accordance with the disclosed principles. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8B  is a side view of the embodiment of a jaw illustrated in  FIG. 8A . 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary pair of hole punch pliers illustrated in  FIG. 1  as employed to punch a hole in an angled material. 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary pair of hole punch pliers as employed to punch a hole in a curved material. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 1A , illustrated is a perspective view of a pair of hole punching pliers in accordance with an embodiment of disclosed principles. The pliers  100  have first and second jaws  110 ,  120 , each having a cross sectional area along a length from the tip of each jaw to the raised areas that are near a pivot  160  of the pliers  100 . On the opposing ends of the jaws  110 ,  120 , opposite the pivot  160 , are first and second handles  170 ,  180 . Thus, the application of a squeezing pressure on the first and second handles  170 ,  180  results in a closing of the first and second jaws  110 ,  120  via the pivot  160 . In other embodiments, the pliers  100  may comprise multiple pivot points between the handles  170 ,  180  and the jaws  110 ,  120  such that the jaws  110 ,  120  close towards one another while maintaining a parallel relationship with regard to the distal and proximal ends of the jaws  110 ,  120 . 
         [0031]    Also illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the first jaw  110  includes a punch tip  130  extending therefrom and towards the second jaw  120 . Similarly, the second jaw  120  includes a receiving anvil comprising a shaped edge, which in this embodiment is an angled edge  140 , extending towards the punch tip  130  of the first jaw  110 . Additionally, the angled edge  140  and second jaw  120  include a receiving opening configured to receive the punch tip  130  when the first and second jaws  110 ,  120  are moved towards each other when closing. As shown, the angled edge  140  may extend along substantially the entire length of the second jaw  120 , but in other embodiments, the angled edge  140  may only extend along a portion of the second jaw  120 . 
         [0032]    With regard to the receiving opening  150 , in exemplary embodiments the opening  150  may be sized sufficiently to receive the punch tip  130  therein. In more specific embodiments, the opening  150  may also be sized slightly larger than the punch tip  130  such that a precise fit of the punch tip  130  within the opening  150  is achieved. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the opening  150  may pass entirely through the second jaw  120 ; however, alternatively, the opening  150  may instead comprise a recess into the angled edge  140  without passing through the entire second jaw  120 . 
         [0033]    Turning now to  FIG. 1B , illustrated is a side view of the first and second jaws  110 ,  120  of the pair of hole punch pliers  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1A . As before, the punch tip  130  is illustrated as connected to and extending from the first jaw  110 , while the angled edge  140  having the receiving opening  150  is shown on the second jaw  120 . In addition, the size and shape of the opening  150  is sized and shaped to receive the punch tip  130  when the first and second jaws  110 ,  120  are closed via the pivot  160 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 1C  illustrates a close up of the distal end of the punch tip  130  of the pliers  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . More specifically, in this embodiment, the distal end of the punch tip  130  comprises an acute angle  170 , which results in a chiselled distal end of the punch tip  130 . Such a chiselled shape can allow the punch tip  130  to more easily punch through given materials when using the disclosed pliers  100 . In exemplary embodiments, the angle  170  of the chiselled tip is approximately 45 degrees; however, in other embodiments other angles may also be employed. Additionally, in this embodiment, the distal end of the punch tip  130  is a flat surface  180  comprising the chiselled end. 
         [0035]    Turning briefly back to  FIG. 1B , the rotational position of the chiselled end of a punch tip in accordance with the disclosed principles may be altered, as desired. Specifically, while the leading edge of the chiselled end of the punch tip  130  in  FIG. 1B  is shown closest to the distal ends of the jaws  110 ,  120  of the pliers  100 , the connection of the punch tip  130  to the first jaw  110  may be made adjustable. As such, the punch tip  130  could be rotated so that the leading tip of the chiselled end can be selectively position. For example, for some materials, the punching of a hole in that material may be better accomplished by having the leading tip of the chiselled end closest to the pivot  160  of the pliers  100 , as opposed to the distal ends of the jaws  110 ,  120 . Of course, any other rotational position for the punch tip  130  may also be accomplished in such embodiments. 
         [0036]    Looking now at  FIG. 1D , illustrated is a close up of an alternative embodiment of a punch tip  130 ′ constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1D , the distal end of the punch tip  130  comprises a curved surface  180 ′ having a radius of curvature R 1 . Including such a curved distal end of the punch tip  130 ′ may further assist the punch tip  130 ′ in punching through a given material when employing the pliers. Of course, any advantageous radius of curvature may be employed with a punch tip in accordance with the disclosed principles depending on the radius or shape of the material to be punched, and the present disclosure is not limited to any specific radius or shape. 
         [0037]    Referring now at  FIG. 2A , illustrated is an end view of the pair of hole punch pliers  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1A  with the jaws closed. As discussed above, the first and second jaws  110 ,  120  are again illustrated, as are the punch tip  130  connected to and extending from the first jaw  110 , and the angled edge  140  extending from the second jaw  120  towards the first jaw  110 . Additionally, the opening  150  is also again illustrated, and in this view is shown as receiving the punch tip  130  therein when the jaws  110 ,  120  of the pliers  100  are in a closed position.  FIG. 2B  is an end view of the hole punch pliers shown in  FIG. 2A , but with the jaws  110 ,  120  in an open position. Again the punch tip  130 , angled edge  140 , and receiving opening  150  are illustrated in this end view of the pliers  100 . 
         [0038]    In the illustrated embodiments of  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the angle edge  140  of the second jaw  120  comprises an angle of about 90 degrees, with an approximate 45 degree slope in each opposing direction from the tip of the shaped or angled edge  140  to the outer sides of the second jaw  120 . However, other angles and shapes may also be employed, as desired, for the shaped edge  140 . For example,  FIG. 3A  illustrates an end view of an alternative embodiment of a second jaw  320  having an angled edge  340  as disclosed herein. In this embodiment, the angle  360  of the angled edge  340  is less than 90 degrees, for example, approximately 45 degrees. Despite the acute angle  360  for the angled edge  340 , a receiving opening  350  is also still included for receiving a punch tip as disclosed herein. Moreover, as illustrated in  FIG. 3B , an angle  360 ′ larger than 90 degrees may also be employed for the angled edge  340 ′ of a pair of pliers constructed as disclosed herein. In this embodiment, an angle of approximately 120 degrees is employed, however, almost any angle larger than 90 degree could also be employed, if desired. As before, a receiving opening  350 ′ is also still included in the angled edge  340 ′ for receiving a punch tip as disclosed herein. 
         [0039]    Looking at  FIGS. 4A and 4B , other shapes may be provided for the shaped edge  440 ,  440 ′, as discussed above. More specifically,  FIG. 4A  illustrates a bottom jaw  420  of a pair of hole pliers having a partially triangular shape with a rounded shaped edge  440  for receiving a material have a curved shape. The radius of curvature  460  for the rounded edge  440  maybe relatively small, as each application may require. Similarly,  FIG. 4B  illustrates a bottom jaw  420 ′ also having a partially triangular shape with a rounded edge  440 ′. However, in this embodiment, the rounded edge  440 ′ has a much larger radius of curvature  460 ′ as compared to the shaped edge  440  illustrated in  FIG. 4A . In both embodiments, openings  450 ,  450 ′ are also provided for receiving a punch tip therein when punching a hole in the non-flat, curved material (not illustrated) placed on either of the rounded shaped edges  440 ,  440 ′. Moreover, the disclosed principles are not limited to shaped edges having on the illustrated angled or rounded edges, and instead are broad enough to encompass any desired shape for the shaped edge that substantially corresponds to shape of the non-flat material being punched. 
         [0040]    Turning now to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , illustrated are perspective and side views of an alternative embodiment for a punch tip for a pair of hole punch pliers in accordance with the disclosed principles. Specifically, a first jaw  510  of a pair of hole punch pliers is illustrated having an oval-shaped punch tip  530  extending therefrom. A cross-section of this punch tip  530  provides an oval shape for the punch tip  530 , which would be used to form oval-shaped holes in a given material. In accordance with the disclosed principles, a receiving opening (not illustrated) having a corresponding oval shape may be provided in a second jaw for receiving the oval-shaped punch tip  530 . Moreover, that receiving opening may also be similarly sized as the oval-shaped punch tip  530 . Furthermore, the oval-shaped punch tip  530  may also include an angled distal end, which forms a chiselled tip as illustrated. Such chiselled tip may be comprised of a flat angled surface or an angled surface having a radius of curvature as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 1D . Moreover, the rotational position of the punch tip  530  may also be adjusted with respect to the jaw  510 , as discussed above. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a perspective view and a side view of another alternative embodiment for a punch tip for a pair of hole punch pliers constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles. In this embodiment, a first jaw  610  of a pair of hole punch pliers is illustrated having a square-shaped punch tip  630  extending therefrom. A cross-section of this punch tip  630  provides a square shape for the punch tip  630 , which would be used to form square-shaped holes in a given material. As before, a receiving opening (not illustrated) having a corresponding square shape may be provided in a second jaw for receiving the square-shaped punch tip  630 . Also as before, such a square receiving opening may also be similarly sized as the square-shaped punch tip  630 . Furthermore, the square-shaped punch tip  630  may also include an angled distal end, which forms the illustrated chiselled tip. Once again, such chiselled tip may be comprised of a flat angled surface or an angled surface having a radius of curvature as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 1D . Moreover, the rotational position of the punch tip  630  may also be adjusted with respect to the jaw  610 , as discussed above. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate a perspective view and a side view of yet another alternative embodiment for a punch tip for a pair of hole punch pliers constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles. In this embodiment, a first jaw  710  of a pair of hole punch pliers is illustrated having a star-shaped punch tip  730  extending therefrom. A cross-section of this punch tip  730  provides a star shape for the punch tip  730 , which would be used to form star-shaped holes in a given material. As before, a receiving opening (not illustrated) having a corresponding star shape may be provided in a second jaw for receiving the star-shaped punch tip  730 . Also as before, such a star-shaped receiving opening may also be similarly sized as the star-shaped punch tip  730 . Furthermore, the star-shaped punch tip  730  may also include an angled distal end, which forms the illustrated chiselled tip. Once again, such chiselled tip may be comprised of a flat angled surface or an angled surface having a radius of curvature as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 1D . Moreover, the rotational position of the punch tip  730  may also be adjusted with respect to the jaw  710 , as discussed above. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate a perspective view and a side of yet another alternative embodiment for a punch tip for a pair of hole punch pliers constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles. In this embodiment, a first jaw  810  of a pair of hole punch pliers is illustrated having a triangle-shaped punch tip  830  extending therefrom. A cross-section of this punch tip  830  provides a triangle shape for the punch tip  830 , which would be used to form triangle-shaped holes in a given material. As before, a receiving opening (not illustrated) having a corresponding triangle shape may be provided in a second jaw for receiving the triangle-shaped punch tip  830 . Also as before, such a triangle-shaped receiving opening may also be similarly sized as the triangle-shaped punch tip  830 . Furthermore, the triangle-shaped punch tip  830  may also include an angled distal end, which forms the illustrated chiselled tip. Once again, such chiselled tip may be comprised of a flat angled surface or an angled surface having a radius of curvature as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 1D . Moreover, the rotational position of the punch tip  830  may also be adjusted with respect to the jaw  810 , as discussed above. 
         [0044]    Although the punch tips discussed herein are illustrated in a number of different shapes, such as circular, oval, square, triangle, and star, various other shapes may also be utilized for the punch tip without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed principles. Moreover, although a single leading edge of the chiselled end of such punch tips are discussed herein, the disclosed principles may also be extended to include punch tips with two or more leading edges, if desired, or that are flat with all edges contacting the material simultaneously. 
         [0045]    Looking now at  FIG. 9 , illustrated is a perspective view of the exemplary pair of hole punch pliers  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  as employed to punch a hole in a non-flat material. More specifically, in operation, pliers  100  constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles employ the angled edge  140  of one of the jaws  120  as the anvil for an angled material  190  having a hole  195  punched therethrough with a punch tip  130 . As the upper jaw  110  is closed towards the bottom jaw  120 , the punch tip  130  contacts the material  190  via the distal end of the chiselled tip. As the tip contacts the material  190 , the angled material  190 , specifically the material&#39;s angled corner, is pressed against the angled edge  140  of the bottom jaw  120 . Accordingly, the material  190  is initially contacted, simultaneously, by the chiselled tip and the angled edge at the same location, but on opposing surfaces of, the material  190 . The physical result of this the two angled edges (i.e., the angled edge  140  and the chiselled end of the punch tip  130 ) is that the angled corner of the material  190  resists distortion as the punch tip  130  begins to pierce the material&#39;s  190  upper surface. 
         [0046]      FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a pair of hole punch pliers  1000  constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles. As before, these pliers  1000  also include first and second handles attached to first and second jaws  1010 ,  1020 . Also as before, the upper jaw  1010  comprises a punch tip  1030 , which may include a specific shape as disclosed herein for punching a hole in a material. In addition, the bottom jaw  1020  comprises a receiving edge  1040 , which in this embodiment is a circular rounded edge  1040  having a predetermined radius of curvature. In accordance with the disclosed principles, the radius of curvature of the receiving edge  1040  is substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the material  1090  being grasped by the jaws  1010 ,  1020  for punching a hole  1095  therethrough. The receiving edge  1040  also includes a receiving opening  1050  for receiving the punch tip  1030 , as discussed in detail above. 
         [0047]    In this embodiment, as the curved material  1090  is grasped by the jaws  1010 ,  1020 , the rounded receiving edge  1040  provides an improved anvil or receiving surface for the curved material  1090  as compared to the flat anvil surfaces employed in conventional punch hole pliers. Those conventional flat anvil surfaces result in undesirable bending or otherwise distorting the non-flat material  1090  as the pliers grasp the material  1090  and punch a hole therethrough. By providing a curved receiving edge  1040  that not only is curved in the same direction as the material  1090 , but also has a curvature that substantially matches the curvature of the material  1090  being punched, pliers  1000  in accordance with the disclosed principles may be used to punch the desired hole  1095  through the material  1090 , but without distorting the material  1040  or its curvature as the punch tip  1030  punches through the material  1090  to form the hole  1095 . As mentioned before, although a rounded receiving edge  1040  is illustrated in  FIG. 10 , other shapes for the shaped receiving edge of the bottom jaw of pliers constructed as disclosed herein are also within the broad scope of the disclosed principles, and may be selected to match any shape and/or curvature of a non-flat material being punched. 
         [0048]    In sum, with conventional punch pliers, the bottom jaw comprises a flat surface on which the material being punched rests while the punch tip pierces the material. However, employing such an even surface results in the material distorting as the punch tip presses down on and pierces the non-flat material. In contrast, the shaped edge of hole punch pliers constructed as disclosed herein limits the receiving surface under the material to a shaped edge that compliments the leading, chiselled end of the punch tip. This limiting of the receiving surface to only a shaped edge that compliments the shape of the non-flat material being punched substantially reduces or eliminates distortion in the material as a hole is being punched therethrough. As a result, hole punch pliers constructed according to the disclosed principles allow users, such as jewellers or other craftspersons, to successfully punch even very malleable materials without distorting such materials as often occurs with conventionally designed pliers. 
         [0049]    Although the invention hereof has been described by way of a preferred embodiment, it will be evident that other adaptations and modifications can be employed without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation; and thus, there is no intent of excluding equivalents, but on the contrary it is intended to cover any and all equivalents that may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the shapes of the jaws could be any shape desired by the jeweler, including non-traditional shapes.

Technology Category: y