U.S. patent application number 11/528067 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-20 for e-z wire twister.
Invention is credited to Robert Victor DeFrance.
Application Number | 20070215233 11/528067 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38516520 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070215233 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DeFrance; Robert Victor |
September 20, 2007 |
E-Z wire twister
Abstract
The present invention relates to a tool for twisting a plurality
of wires together. The tool includes a body portion having a cavity
that includes a plurality of contiguous openings to receive a
plurality of wires. The tool also includes a gripping portion for
gripping the tool. The body portion holds the plurality of wires in
a fixed position relative to one another. Rotation of the gripping
portion in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction rotates the
body portion in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction thereby
twisting the plurality of wires together. The gripping portion may
be a rod that can be is inserted substantially perpendicularly into
the body portion.
Inventors: |
DeFrance; Robert Victor;
(Poughkeepsie, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FROMMER LAWRENCE & HAUG
745 FIFTH AVENUE- 10TH FL.
NEW YORK
NY
10151
US
|
Family ID: |
38516520 |
Appl. No.: |
11/528067 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60781651 |
Mar 14, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
140/118 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21F 15/04 20130101;
H01R 43/033 20130101; H01R 4/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
140/118 |
International
Class: |
B21F 15/04 20060101
B21F015/04 |
Claims
1. A tool for twisting ends of a plurality of wires together, said
tool comprising: a body portion; said body portion comprises a
cavity having a plurality of contiguous openings to receive said
ends of plurality of wires; a gripping portion for gripping said
tool; and wherein said body portion holds the ends of the plurality
of wires in a fixed position relative to one another, whereupon the
rotation of said body portion causes the ends to twist about each
other.
2. The tool according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of
contiguous openings extend along a length within said cavity.
3. The tool according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of
contiguous openings are cylindrically shaped.
4. The tool according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said
plurality of contiguous openings has a tapered cylindrical
shape.
5. The tool according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of
contiguous openings are any geometrical shape that allows a
plurality of wires to be inserted.
6. The tool according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of
contiguous openings can accommodate at least three of said
ends.
7. The tool according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said
plurality of contiguous openings can accommodate no more than two
of said ends.
8. The tool according to claim 1 which further includes an angled
opening for gathering said ends for insertion into a first or
second contiguous opening.
9. The tool according to claim 8 wherein said first contiguous
opening can receive at least three said ends for twisting.
10. The tool according to claim 9 wherein said second contiguous
opening can receive no more than two said ends for twisting.
11. The tool according to claim 10 wherein said first opening is
positioned between said second opening and said angled opening.
12. A method of twisting a plurality of wires together, said method
comprising the steps of: providing a tool comprising: a body
portion having a cavity comprising a plurality of contiguous
openings to receive said plurality of wires; a gripping portion for
gripping said tool; inserting said plurality of wires into said
cavity of said body portion to hold said plurality of wires in a
fixed position relative to one another; and rotating said gripping
portion in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction thereby
twisting said plurality of wires together.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said gripping portion
is a rod substantially perpendicular to said body portion.
14. The method according to claim 12, wherein each of said
plurality of contiguous openings extends along a length within said
cavity.
15. The method according to claim 12, wherein said plurality of
contiguous openings are cylindrically-shaped.
16. The method according to claim 12, wherein at least one of said
plurality of contiguous openings has a tapered cylindrical
shape.
17. The method according to claim 12, wherein said plurality of
contiguous openings are of any geometrical shape that allows a
plurality of wires to be inserted.
18. The method according to claim 14, wherein at least one of said
plurality of contiguous openings can accommodate at least three of
said ends.
19. The method according to claim 12, wherein at least one of said
plurality of contiguous openings can accommodate no more than two
of said ends.
20. The method according to claim 14, which further includes an
angled opening for gathering said ends for insertion into a first
or second contiguous opening.
21. The method according to claim 20 wherein said first contiguous
opening can receive at least three said ends for twisting.
22. The method according to claim 21 wherein said second contiguous
opening can receive no more than two said ends for twisting.
23. The method according to claim 22 wherein said first opening is
positioned between said second opening and said angled opening.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/781,651, filed on Mar. 14, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to joining electrical wires or
conductors. More specifically, the invention relates to an improved
means of twisting a plurality of wires together.
[0004] 2. Background of the Invention
[0005] In the electrical industry, conductors or wires carry
current (electricity) from the power source to the device that is
to be powered. Because of the limited length of conductors, the
ends have to be properly joined or spliced in order to conduct the
amount of electricity required. These connections can be made using
various methods such as, for example: 1) by crimping on a
compression sleeve; 2) using a mechanical clamping connector; 3)
with a soldered joint; or 4) with a wire nut. In all of the
previous connection methods, the wire has to be prepared. This
procedure is usually accomplished by first removing the insulation
covering the wires to a length sufficient to provide an adequate
connection between the wires.
[0006] There are several methods in the industry for preparing the
ends of the wires. One of the methods of twisting wires typically
involves removing approximately one inch of insulation from each
end of the wires that are being connected. The ends of the wires
that are being twisted are held by a pair of pliers approximately
one inch from the ends. The far ends of the group of un-insulated
wires are then held with another pair of pliers. The pliers on the
far ends of the wires are then twisted in a clockwise direction.
After twisting, the wires are joined in a spiral manner. The
connector most commonly used to complete the connection is a wire
nut. The wire nut is installed by placing it over the wire ends and
twisting it in a clockwise direction. With this method, however,
the ends of the wires prior to twisting are widely spread apart
making it very difficult to twist them properly using two pair of
pliers. In addition, often times the wires are not twisted properly
and as a result they can separate prior to installing the
connector. Typically with this method, one or more of the wires
remain straight or untwisted with the other wires wrapping around
it. Therefore the wires that remain straight or untwisted can be
pulled out from within the twisted ones. Additionally, this method
is difficult especially when there are four or more wires to be
joined or twisted.
[0007] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior
methods of twisting wires together. The present invention relates
to a tool that is both easy to use and also efficient in forming a
uniform twist, irrespective of the number of wires being twisted
together.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates to an improved means to twist
a plurality of wires together. The invention is a wire twister that
twists two or more metal or plastic wires together.
[0009] It is an object of the invention to impart a uniform twist
to all the wires while also twisting them together as one. This is
accomplished by the instant wire twister, hereinafter referred to
as the tool, by automatically grouping the ends together prior to
twisting. In other words, the instant wire twister automatically
arranges the wires in a proper orientation for them to be twisted.
Two or more wires are basically inserted into the tool that has a
cavity that arranges the ends of the wires from a widely spread out
configuration into a properly twisted configuration. Because all of
the wire ends are being properly held in the cavity of the tool,
they are all twisted together to have uniform twist within the
twisted or cabled wire. After the wires are twisted together, a
wire nut can be installed over the twisted wire or cable to
complete the connection.
[0010] The various features of novelty which characterize the
invention are pointed out in particularity in the claims annexed to
and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding
of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects
attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying
descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention
are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which corresponding
components are identified by the same reference numerals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The following detailed description, given by way of example
and not intended to limit the present invention solely thereto,
will best be appreciated in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and
parts, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1A is a side view of the wire twisting tool according
to the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2A is a rear view of the twisting head of the of the
wire twisting tool according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the twisting head shown
in FIG. 2A;
[0016] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the twisting head of
the of the wire twisting tool setting forth various distances in
accordance with;
[0017] FIG. 3B is a front view of the twisting head shown in FIG.
3A;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the wire twisting tool
(right) and a standard wire crimp pliers (left) holding two wires
to be twisted;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the two wires being inserted
into the openings of the wire twisting tool;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the wire twisting tool with
the wires having been twisted inside the tool;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bottom view of the wire
twisting tool and the two wires having been twisted together;
[0022] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of two wires twisted together
using the wire twisting tool;
[0023] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of three wires twisted
together using the wire twisting tool; and
[0024] FIG. 8C is a perspective view of four wires twisted together
using the wire twisting tool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The present invention is a wire twister used for twisting a
plurality of metal or plastic wires together. The wire twister
according to the present invention is designed based on a socket
concept, similar to a mechanical socket tool. As depicted in FIGS.
1A and 1B, the wire twister or tool 24 comprises a twister head or
body portion 10 and a twister rod or gripping portion 12. The
twister rod 12 can be inserted into the twister head 10 such that
it is substantially perpendicular to the twister head 10. Other
means for twisting the head 10 may be utilized if suitable for the
purpose. For example a ratchet device may be used and inserted into
a standard type ratchet opening as shown in FIG. 2A.
[0026] A cavity 14 inside the twister head 10 is specifically
designed to receive the wires and re-arrange them prior to
twisting. FIG. 1B, which is a front view of the twister head 10 of
tool 24 of the present invention and shows the cavity 14 consisting
of several stages of intersecting configurations. In other words,
the cavity 14 is a combination of a plurality of contiguous
cylindrical or circular holes or openings 16. The holes or openings
16 can be cylindrical, tapered cylindrical or any other geometrical
shape suitable for twisting purposes. Generally, the shape of the
openings 16 depends on the cross-sectional shape of the wires being
twisted. In the case of circular openings 16, the openings 16
formed may be of different diameters to assist twisting of wires
having varied thicknesses or gauges. Though the examples cited
herein refer to twisting two, three or four wires, the tool
according to the present invention is not confined to these
numbers, but can also be used to twist a plurality of wires
irrespective of their gauge.
[0027] The configurations of the twisting head of the tool
according to the present invention are designed to capture and
reshape the ends of the wires. As shown in FIG. 2B, at the entrance
of the first end 21 of the cavity 14 there is a funnel shape area
`C`. This consists of an angle `A` which has a large opening 18 at
one end and tapers down ultimately to a smaller opening 20 at the
opposite end. This tapered angle `A` is extended along the length
`L1` as shown in FIG. 3A. Area `C` is where the wires are converted
from a spread open shape to a bundle or are grouped together.
[0028] After being pushed into and entering into area `D`, the
wires are then guided along the length `L2` in FIG. 3A to the next
area, area `E`. Area `E` is the area were the individual wires are
separated into several radius cavities 23 of which four are shown
in FIG. 3B. These are somewhat cross shaped with the rewired
portion thereof having a stop at least for a portion of the ends of
the cross. The wires are then held in these cavities along the
length `L-3`. In other words, the tool has a provision for grouping
the wires together and then holding them in a fixed position
relative to each other. This task may be performed by having
grooved or guided channels (not shown in the Figures) within the
cavity 14 for guiding the wires into the cavities 16 and holding
them in their respective positions. The channels may also be used
to re-arrange the wires prior to twisting. Accordingly, area `E`
serves to grip a plurality of wires, typically four prior to
twisting. Note that it would also serve to grip a three wire
arrangement prior to twisting.
[0029] The next area `F` is where the two wires are guided into
area `G`. Area `F` is tapered or funnel-shaped with an angle `B`
along length `L-4`. Area `G` in FIG. 2B is the area that allows
only two wires to enter. In other words, when only two wires are
being twisted together, they pass thru areas `C`, `D` and `E` and
into area `G`. If more than two wires are being twisted together,
they are only able to enter into areas `C`, `D`, and `E` and are
prevented from entering area `G` due to the construction between
areas E' and G' at the back of area E'. This prevents more than two
wires passing into area G' which is formed in the shape of an oval
so as to accommodate only two wires of various gauges. Area `G` is
where the wires are held in the cavity radius 25 along the length
`L-5` as shown in FIGS. 2B and 3A. When all of the wires are fully
inserted into the cavity 14, the twister head 10 can then be
twisted in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction in order to
impart the required amount of twist to the wires, thereby twisting
them together as one. This converts the plurality of wires from a
wide spread group into a uniformly twisted wire or cable.
[0030] FIGS. 4-8 show the process of twisting a plurality (in this
case two) of wires 22 using the tool 24 according to the present
invention. FIG. 4 is a shape of the twister 24 (right) and a
standard wire crimp pliers 28 (left) holding two wires 22 to be
twisted. It should be noted that a portion of the wire insulation
has been removed from the wires 22 to be twisted or joined
together. This enables proper arrangement of the wires 22 within
the cavity 14 of the twister head 10.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows the two wires 22 being inserted into the cavity
14 of the wire twister head 10 which are allowed to extend into
area G' which as aforesaid is oval shaped. After insertion, the
wires 22 are then twisted by rotating the twister rod 12 as shown
in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 shows the bottom view of the twister 24 and the
two wires 22 that are now twisted together. As depicted in FIG. 8A,
in addition to twisting two wires together, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that an additional number of wires can be
twisted at the same time using the tool of the instant invention.
For example, the tool of the instant invention may also be used to
twist three or four wires together as shown in FIGS. 8B-C. However,
the use of the tool is not confined to the numbers mentioned herein
and may be used to twist a plurality of wires together. The tool
may even be used to join wires of different gauges. Each wire gauge
will have a different size twister and this size may be adjustable
according to the gauge of the wires being twisted.
[0032] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention and
modifications thereof have been described in detail herein, it is
to be understood that this invention is not limited to this precise
embodiment and modifications, and that other modifications and
variations may be effected by one skilled in the art without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by
the appended claims. The use of the instant tool in accordance with
the invention is not limited to metal wires, in other words, the
tool can be used anywhere where there is a requirement for two or
more elements to be twisted or cabled together, including flexible
plastic or other twistable material.
* * * * *