OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] As expressed in the title of this specification, the present invention refers to
an improved hand tool of the gripper-type used to secure one or several pieces and
that due to its special structure and shape has some advantageously minimum dimensions.
[0002] The tool of the invention is of the type that consists of a fixed arm and another
moveable arm, as well as a fixed clamp and another moveable clamp in order to secure
pieces securely and totally correctly.
[0003] Furthermore, the tool includes a locking mechanism in order to ensure the blocking
position. Precisely, the novelty of the invention is centered essentially on this
effective and simple blocking mechanism that has an advantageous structure and functioning.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The improved hand tool that constitutes the object of the invention is of the gripper-type
for securing pieces, which at the same time due to its special shape has reduced dimensions.
[0005] It comprises two arms, a fixed one and another moveable one, the same having a fixed
clamp and a moveable clamp, respectively, both being face to face and between which
one or several pieces to be secured will be placed. The piece or pieces will be pressed
between both clamps when the tool assembly is in its active blocking or locking position.
[0006] The tool includes a locking mechanism that is defined by a connecting rod that is
jointedly coupled by one of its ends to a cylinder where the moveable clamp itself
is connected and which is conveyed in a guiding hole of the fixed arm.
[0007] On the other hand, the other end of the connecting rod is connected, also jointedly,
to the moveable arm itself, that is in turn jointedly connected to an end point of
the fixed arm.
[0008] With this described arrangement, in order to place the tool in the blocking position
it will be necessary to tilt the moveable arm until it abuts against the fixed arm.
During this operation, the cylinder and the moveable clamp itself will approach the
fixed clamp with a linear movement and will be conveyed in the guiding hole, until
the piece or pieces to be secured are pressed between both clamps.
[0009] In order to release the blocking position the cam-type rod coupled in the moveable
arm will be actuated, an end of said cam initially pressing on the cited fixed arm.
[0010] It should be noted that in the blocking or locking position of the tool, the two
articulation points of the connecting rod, as well as the articulation point of both
arms will be aligned in the same direction.
[0011] Some figures in which the object of the invention has been represented in an illustrative
and nonrestrictive manner are attached hereto in order to provide a better understanding
of this specification and forming an integral part hereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012]
Figure 1 represents a raised view of the improved hand tool, object of the invention.
The tool in question is in a blocking or locking position.
Figure 2 is a raised view of the tool of the invention wherein same is in an unblocking
position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] Making reference to the numbering used in the figures, the improved hand tool comprises
a fixed arm (1) and another moveable arm (2), both including a fixed clamp (3) and
a moveable clamp (4), respectively. The fixed arm (1) constitutes the main body of
the tool.
[0014] The tool of the invention includes a blocking or locking mechanism in order to ensure
the securing by pressure of one or several pieces (5) located between both clamps
(3) and (4). This blocking or locking mechanism is defined by a connecting rod (6)
that is jointedly coupled by an end point (7) in a piston (8) that is conveyed in
a guiding hole (9) of the fixed arm (1). On the other hand, the other end of the connecting
rod (6) is jointedly coupled in an intermediate point (10) of the moveable arm (2),
both arms (1) and (2) also jointedly connecting in an end point (11).
[0015] On the other hand, the moveable arm (2) is connected to a cylinder (12) integral
with the piston (8) and wherein the moveable clamp (4) screws.
[0016] The moveable arm (2) also includes a cam-type bar (13) that is jointed in a top point
(14) of said moveable arm (2), the purpose of said cam (13) being to facilitate the
unlocking or unblocking of the moveable arm (2) and in general of the tool assembly
of the invention.
[0017] The fixed clamp (3), although it forms an integral part of the fixed arm (1) like
an elbowed extension thereof, said fixed clamp (3) could be defined by a detachable-type
independent element secured to the cited fixed arm (1).
[0018] The two clamps (3) and (4) are face-to-face, in such a way that in order to place
the tool in an active blocking position, it will be necessary to tilt the moveable
arm (2) until the same abuts against the fixed arm (1), in such a way that in this
process, the piston (8) will move conveyed in the guiding hole (9) of the fixed arm
(1), the moveable clamp (4) approaching the fixed clamp (3), between which the pieces
to be secured (5) (figure 1) are located. In this locking position the two articulation
points (7) and (10) of the connecting rod (6) and also the articulation point (11)
that connects both arms (1) and (2), are advantageously aligned in the same direction.
[0019] On the other hand, in order to proceed to unblock the tool assembly the bottom end
section of the cam (13) will be actuated in such a way that the opposite section thereof
will press on the fixed arm (1), whereby the unblocking of the tool where a spring
(15) established in the inside of the guiding hole (9) of the fixed arm (1) also participates
and helps, will be produced instantly. This spring (15) abuts at one end against the
piston (8) of the fixed arm (1) pushing it downward, while the opposite top end of
this spring (15) abuts against a seat (16) of the fixed arm (1) established in correspondence
with the top part of above-cited guiding hole (9).
[0020] In the blocking position of the tool, the spring (15) is compressed, in such a way
that in the unblocking operation, the spring will assist in said operation.
[0021] The distance between the two, clamps (3) and (4) may be advantageously adjusted,
depending on the needs thereof, thanks to that the moveable clamp (4) has a screw-type
structure that screws on the cylinder (12) that acts like a nut, although it could
also be done reversely. This moveable screwed clamp (4), carries out the same task
as the conventional adjusting screw of this type of pressure tool.
1. Improved hand tool, of the type that is shaped like a gripper in order to secure pieces
and that comprises two arms, a fixed one (1) and another moveable one (2), and two
clamps, a fixed one (3) and another moveable one (4), including a blocking or locking
mechanism; characterized in that the fixed arm (1) that is constituted in the main
arm or body of the tool, is articulated with the other moveable arm (2) that is constituted
like a handle, in an end point (11), and said fixed arm (1) houses a cylinder (12)
that may be moved longitudinally with respect to said fixed arm (1) and in which the
moveable clamp (2) is included; hence the tool may be adjusted to the thickness of
the piece or pieces (5) that are to be secured.
2. Improved hand tool, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fixed
clamp (3) that is in opposition to the moveable clamp (4) is shaped on the end of
the fixed arm (1) opposite the one of the articulation (11) with the other moveable
arm (2), the corresponding piece (5) being able to encounter said moveable clamp and
being able to be gripped between both clamps.
3. Improved hand tool, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the moveable
arm (2) is articulated at an intermediate point (10), with an end of a connecting
rod (6) that at its other end connects and is articulated in art end point (7), with
the moveable cylinder (12), transmitting the rotary movement of the moveable arm (2)
to said cylinder (12) that is moved longitudinally, in such a way that the articulations
(7, 10, 11) may align up and leave the mechanism locked and irreversible.
4. Improved hand tool, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that in order
to unblock the mechanism a cam (13) housed in the moveable arm (2), that is articulated
in a point (14) of said moveable arm (2), has been provided for.
5. Improved hand tool, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that between
the fixed arm (1) and the cylinder (12) there is a spring (15) that is compressed
as long as the tool is in the locking position and that at the same time that the
unblocking takes place, the cylinder (12) is moved in order to permit the opening
of the tool.