TWI886058B - Pair of pliers with a latch unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A pair of pliers includes two handles and a latch unit. The handles are pivotally connected to each other. The latch unit includes a pawl, a rack, a spring and a switch. The pawl is secured to the first handle. The rack is pivotally connected to the second handle. The spring biases the rack into engagement with the pawl. The switch is movable between two positions. In the first position, the switch allows engagement of the rack with the pawl. In the second position, the switch keeps the rack from the pawl.

Description

C-type buckle clamp

The present invention relates to the field of clamps, and in particular to a C-shaped buckle ring clamp, which can select a "labor saving mode" or a "normal mode" for use.

U.S. Patent No. 4,476,750 discloses a pair of pliers with two end plates, each with a handle. A pivot pin connects the two end plates together. The two end plates reciprocate around the pivot pin between an open position and a closed position. A ratchet mechanism is installed between the two end plates, which includes: a rack, a pawl and a compression spring. The rack is fixed to the inner surface of one of the two end plates. The pawl is connected to the inner surface of the other end plate by a pivot post, and the pawl extends an arm beyond the edge of the end plate. The compression spring is installed between the arm and an anchor post standing on the end plate, providing a force required for the pawl to bite the tooth bar.

In the open position, the two handles together with the two end plates are spread outward, and the pawl bites one side of the tooth bar.

In the closed position, the two handles together with the two end plates are clamped toward each other, and the pawl gradually moves toward the other side of the tooth bar, and the two still maintain a meshing relationship to prevent the two handles or the two end plates from swinging outward without warning.

Although the ratchet mechanism provides the pliers with a more labor-saving mode of use, the closed position is not conducive to the reuse of the pliers.

When the device is to be used again, the two handles are held with two hands. The thumb of one hand pulls the arm beyond the edge of the end plate to release the engagement between the pawl and the tooth. In this way, the two handles drive the two end plates from the closed position back to the open position, waiting for the next use.

Unfortunately, the pliers only have a "saving mode" option and cannot be moved back and forth between the closed position and the open position like ordinary pliers.

In view of this, the inventor of this case proposed a new C-shaped buckle ring pliers, the main purpose of which is to adopt a mobile mechanical structure to allow the pliers to operate in a "labor-saving" option to gradually reduce the distance of the joint relationship, or a "normal" option to freely come and go in an unrestricted state, so that the pliers can reciprocate from the open position to the closed position, which is different from the previous technology of a single mode.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the C-type buckle clamp of the present invention includes: a first sliding member, a second sliding member, a ratchet mechanism and a switch. The first and second sliding members are pivotally connected to each other and reciprocate between an open position and a closed position. The ratchet mechanism is installed between the first and second sliding members. The ratchet mechanism includes: a fixed member, a movable member and an elastic member. The fixed member has a tooth. The movable member has a plurality of continuous teeth. The elastic member drives the movable member to move toward the fixed member. The switch is installed on the first sliding member or the second sliding member.

When the switch is switched to the "labor-saving mode", the teeth of the movable member sequentially engage the teeth of the fixed member, restricting the first sliding member and the second sliding member from gradually closing and not opening outward.

After the switch is switched to the "normal mode", the engagement relationship between the movable member and the fixed member is permanently released, and the first sliding member and the second sliding member can freely move back and forth between the open position and the closed position.

Preferably, the ratchet mechanism further comprises: a column which pivots the movable member to the inner side of the first sliding member.

Preferably, the switch comprises: a base which is movably connected to the outside of the first sliding member by the column.

Preferably, the switch further comprises: an elongated hole forming the base through which the column passes.

Preferably, the movable member further comprises: a wall which bends the movable member to expose the exterior of the first sliding member.

Preferably, the switch further comprises: a blocking portion, which bends the base and can slide along the edge of the first sliding member. When the blocking portion is between the first sliding member and the wall, the engagement relationship between the movable member and the fixed member is released. When the blocking portion is not between the first sliding member and the wall, the movable member and the fixed member maintain the engagement relationship.

Preferably, the switch further comprises: a force-bearing portion, which bends the base and is on a different side from the blocking portion.

In order to make the purpose, features and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, one or more preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Next, the embodiments of the present invention are described in conjunction with the attached drawings. In the attached drawings, the same reference numerals are used to represent the same or similar structures or units. It is foreseeable that the embodiments described are only examples of some of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Other embodiments can be derived based on the examples described, or structures that are modified or changed as needed are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

In the following description, directional terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "back", "inner", "outer" and "side" are only used to refer to the directions of the attached drawings. The use of directional terms is for better and clearer description and understanding of the present invention, and does not express or imply that the device or component described must have a specific orientation, structure and operation, so it should not be understood as a limitation on the technical content of the present invention.

Unless otherwise specified and clearly defined, in the following description, "installed", "connected", "connected" or "provided on" should be understood in a broad sense, such as fixed connection, detachable connection, integral connection, mechanical connection, direct connection, indirect connection or connection between two components. For those skilled in the art, the above terms in various embodiments and even the specific meanings of this case can be understood by ordinary knowledge or experience.

Unless otherwise specified, in the following description, "plurality" means two or more.

In FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of the present invention shows a pair of pliers 10 divided into three parts: a pliers head unit 11, a pivot unit 12 and a handle unit 13.

The grip unit 13 includes a first sliding member 24, a second sliding member 26 and two handles 25, 27. The first sliding member 24 and the second sliding member 26 have the same shape but move in opposite directions. The two handles 25, 27 are combined with the corresponding sliding members to form a whole, so that a user can hold the pliers 10 more safely and comfortably.

In this embodiment, the pivot unit 12 has a shaft 22, and the shaft 22 pivots the first sliding member 24 and the second sliding member 26. The first and second sliding members 24 and 26 reciprocate around the shaft 22 between an open position and a closed position.

In addition, the clamp head unit 11 includes two heads 20 and two clamp mouths 21. The head 20 is combined with the first sliding member 24 or the second sliding member 26. The clamp mouth 21 is combined with the head 20 as a whole. The clamp mouth 21 can clamp a C-shaped buckle ring (not shown). Therefore, the clamp 10 is also called a C-shaped buckle ring clamp.

The first sliding member 24 is combined with the handle 25. The second sliding member 26 is combined with the handle 27. In the closed position, the two handles 25 and 27 move toward each other, driving the two jaws 21 to clamp the C-shaped buckle. In the open position, the two handles 25 and 27 move in opposite directions, driving the two jaws 21 to separate and clamp the C-shaped buckle.

The pliers 10 further include a ratchet mechanism 14 , a switch 15 and a controller 23 .

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the controller 23 is mounted on the pivot unit 12 (see Figure 1). Specifically, the controller 23 is mounted on the outside of the first and second sliding members 24 and 26 to switch the clamping mode of different C-shaped buckles, for example, a C-shaped buckle suitable for the inner hole or a C-shaped buckle suitable for the outer diameter of the shaft.

In FIG. 1 , the ratchet mechanism 14 is installed in the handle unit 13 . Specifically, the ratchet mechanism 14 is disposed between the first sliding member 24 and the second sliding member 26 .

As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4 , the ratchet mechanism 14 includes: a fixing member 30, which is an L-shaped body, and the L-shaped body is composed of a transverse plate body vertically connected to a longitudinal plate body. The transverse plate body is fixed to the outside of the second sliding member 26 by a pin 37. The longitudinal plate body extends out of the inner side of the second sliding member 26 and has two teeth 33. One of the two teeth 33 faces the shaft 22, and the remaining teeth 33 point in the opposite direction (see FIG. 5 ).

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the ratchet mechanism 14 also has a column 36. In this embodiment, the column 36 is a rivet that passes through the inner side and the outer side of the first sliding member 24.

The ratchet mechanism 14 also has a movable member 31, which is pivoted to the inner side of the first sliding member 24 by the column 36. The distance between one end of the movable member 31 and the column 36 is longer, and a plurality of continuous teeth 34 protrude from the side of the movable member 31 facing the fixed member 30, and these teeth 34 are covered by the first sliding member 24. The tooth 34 is a ratchet, and one straight edge of the ratchet faces the column 36, and one oblique edge of the ratchet is behind the straight edge. The distance between the other end of the movable member 31 and the column 36 is shorter, and a wall 35 extending out of the first sliding member 24 is bent.

The ratchet mechanism 14 also has an elastic member. In this embodiment, the elastic member is a torsion spring 32 with two legs (not numbered). The torsion spring 32 is sleeved on the column 36, and the two legs resist the first sliding member 24 and the movable member 31 respectively, so the elasticity of the torsion spring 32 itself generates a force, which acts on the movable member 31 to move toward the fixed member 30 in a normal state.

Referring back to Fig. 1, in this embodiment, the switch 15 is mounted on the first sliding member 24. In some embodiments, the switch 15 is mounted on the second sliding member 26, which is within the permissible scope of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the switch 15 has a base 40, which is connected to the outside of the first sliding member 24 by the column 36 so as to be movable.

The switch 15 further includes: a long hole 41, which forms the base 40. Specifically, the column 36 passes through the long hole 41 and a washer (not numbered). A diameter of the washer is greater than the width of the long hole 41, preventing the base 40 from leaving the first sliding member 24. A length of the long hole 41 is greater than the diameter of the column 36, sufficient to allow the base 40 to reciprocate relative to the first sliding member 24.

The switch 15 further includes: a blocking portion 42, the blocking portion 42 bends one side of the base 40. The base 40 is connected to the first sliding member 24, and the blocking portion 42 falls outside the edge of the first sliding member 24. The base 40 is displaced relative to the first sliding member 24, and the blocking portion 42 slides along the edge of the first sliding member 24.

The switch 15 also has two force-bearing parts 43, and the two force-bearing parts 43 bend the front end and the rear end of the base 40. Therefore, the force-bearing parts 43 and the blocking part 42 are on different sides of the base 40. The two force-bearing parts 43 receive an external force to operate the base 40 to move relative to the first sliding member 24.

In FIG. 5 , the blocking portion 42 is not between the first sliding member 24 and the wall 35 (end surface), and it should be understood that the switch 15 is in the "effort saving mode". At this moment, the tooth 34 of the movable member 31 guides the tooth 33 of the fixed member 30 to the next tooth 34 with the bevel edge, so that the first sliding member 24 and the second sliding member 26 move from the open position to the closed position. At the same time, the straight edge of the tooth 34 blocks the fixed member 30, preventing the first and second sliding members 24 and 26 from returning from the closed position to the open position.

In other words, when the switch 15 is switched to the "effort-saving mode", the movable member 31 and the fixed member 30 maintain a locking relationship, restricting the first sliding member 24 and the second sliding member 26 from being gradually locked together (see FIG. 6 ) and not being able to open outward. Because the angles of the first and second sliding members 24 and 26 remain unchanged, the gripping of the two handles 25 and 27 does not require excessive force.

Pressing the wall 35 temporarily allows the movable member 31 to leave the fixed member 30, releasing the engagement between the two teeth 33, 34, and the first and second sliding members 24, 26 return to the open position, waiting for the next closure.

In FIG. 7 , the blocking portion 42 is between the first sliding member 24 and the wall 35 (end surface), and it should be understood that the switch 15 is in the "normal mode". At this moment, the blocking portion 42 counteracts the force of the elastic member (i.e., the torsion spring 32) acting on the movable member 31, so that the movable member 31 is separated from the fixed member 30 for a long time, and the two teeth 33 and 34 are prevented from engaging with each other. After switching to the "normal mode", the engagement relationship between the movable member 31 and the fixed member 30 is released. Because the ratchet mechanism 14 does not constrain the handle unit 13 (refer to FIG. 1 ), the first sliding member 24 and the second sliding member 26 can freely move back and forth between the two positions of opening and closing.

In summary, the present invention adopts a mobile mechanical structure, the switch 15 is installed on the clamp 10, and the "labor-saving" operation option is selected to gradually reduce the distance of the connection relationship, or the "normal" option is freely available and unrestricted, so that the clamp 10 reciprocates from the open position to the closed position, which is different from the previous technology of a single mode.

Without departing from the broad concept of this case, those skilled in the art can understand and make changes to the above embodiments. Therefore, this case is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, and all modifications made according to the spirit and technical scope of this case should be covered and protected by the text content defined in the scope of the patent application.

Pliers 10                                              Pliers head unit 11 Axis unit 12                                       Handle unit 13 Ratchet mechanism 14                                       Switch 15 Head 20                                              Pliers mouth 21 Shaft 22                                                 Controller 23 First sliding member 24                                        Handles 25, 27 Second sliding member 26 Fixed member 30                                          Movable member 31 Torsion spring 32                                              Teeth 33, 34 Wall 35                                                 Column 36 Pin 37 Base 40                                            Long hole 41 Blocking part 42                                          Force bearing part 43

FIG. 1 shows the specific structure of the preferred embodiment of the C-type buckle ring pliers of the present invention. FIG. 2 removes part of the pliers to observe the corresponding relationship between the ratchet mechanism and the switch. FIG. 3 observes the corresponding relationship between the ratchet mechanism and the switch from another angle. FIG. 4 cuts the pliers along the A-A line of FIG. 1 and observes its internal structure. FIG. 5 and 6 show the continuous action of the "labor saving mode". FIG. 7 switches the usage status of the "normal mode".

14: Ratchet mechanism

15: Switch

24: First sliding member

26: Second sliding member

30:Fixers

31:Active parts

32: Torsion spring

33, 34: Teeth

35: wall

36: column

37: Sales

40: Base

41: Long hole

42: Blocking part

43: Force-bearing part

Claims (7)

A C-shaped buckle clamp comprises: a first sliding member (24) and a second sliding member (26) which are pivotally connected to each other and can reciprocate between an open position and a closed position; a ratchet mechanism (14) which is installed between the first sliding member (24) and the second sliding member (26); the ratchet mechanism (14) comprises: a fixed member (30) having at least one tooth (33); a movable member (31) having a plurality of continuous teeth (34); an elastic member (32) which drives the movable member (31) to move toward the fixed member (30); a wall (35) which forms the movable member (31); and A switch (15) is mounted on the first sliding member (24) or the second sliding member (26), and the switch (15) has a blocking portion (42); When the switch (15) switches to a labor-saving mode, the blocking portion (42) does not block the wall (35), and the teeth (34) of the movable member (31) sequentially engage the teeth (33) of the fixed member (30), thereby limiting the first sliding member (24) and the second sliding member (26) from gradually closing and not opening outward; The switch (15) switches to a general mode, the wall (35) is blocked by the blocking portion (42), the engagement relationship between the movable member (31) and the fixed member (30) is permanently released, and the first sliding member (24) and the second sliding member (26) freely move back and forth between the open position and the closed position. A C-shaped buckle clamp as described in claim 1, wherein the ratchet mechanism (14) further comprises: a column (36) which pivots the movable member (31) to the inner side of the first sliding member (24). A C-shaped buckle clamp as described in claim 2, wherein the switch (15) includes: a base (40) which is connected to the outside of the first sliding member (24) by the column (36) so as to be movable. A C-shaped buckle clamp as described in claim 3, wherein the switch (15) further comprises: a long hole (41) which forms the base (40) and is passed by the column (36). A C-shaped buckle clamp as described in claim 1, wherein the wall (35) bends the movable member (31) to expose the outside of the first sliding member (24). A C-shaped buckle clamp as described in claim 1, wherein the blocking portion (42) bends the base (40) so as to be able to slide along the edge of the first sliding member (24). A C-shaped buckle clamp as described in claim 6, wherein the switch (15) further comprises: a force-bearing portion (43) which is bent at the base (40) and is on a different side from the blocking portion (42).

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