U.S. patent application number 11/811136 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-11 for hydraulic tool with multiple handles.
This patent application is currently assigned to FCI Americas Technology, Inc.. Invention is credited to Mark A. Chiasson, Thomas R. Faucher, Jennifer M. Peterson, Robert M. Poirier, Richard E. Robicheau.
Application Number | 20080302167 11/811136 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40094635 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080302167 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chiasson; Mark A. ; et
al. |
December 11, 2008 |
Hydraulic tool with multiple handles
Abstract
A hydraulic tool including a main section and a working head.
The main section has a hydraulic drive system including a pump and
a hydraulic fluid conduit system, and a first handle adapted to
allow a user to grasp the main section with a first hand. The
working head is connected to the main section and includes a frame,
a ram movably connected to the frame, and a second handle extending
from the frame. The ram is adapted to be moved on the frame by
hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic drive system. The second handle
is adapted to allow a user to grasp the working head with a second
hand away from a compression area between the ram and an opposite
anvil section of the frame.
Inventors: |
Chiasson; Mark A.;
(Merrimack, NH) ; Robicheau; Richard E.; (Amherst,
NH) ; Peterson; Jennifer M.; (Epping, NH) ;
Faucher; Thomas R.; (Manchester, NH) ; Poirier;
Robert M.; (Bedford, NH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARRINGTON & SMITH, PC
4 RESEARCH DRIVE, Suite 202
SHELTON
CT
06484-6212
US
|
Assignee: |
FCI Americas Technology,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
40094635 |
Appl. No.: |
11/811136 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
72/453.16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 43/0427
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
72/453.16 |
International
Class: |
B21J 9/18 20060101
B21J009/18 |
Claims
1. A hydraulic tool comprising: a main section having a hydraulic
drive system comprising a pump and a hydraulic fluid conduit
system, and a first handle adapted to allow a user to grasp the
main section with a first hand; and a working head connected to the
main section, wherein the working head comprises a frame, a ram
movably connected to the frame, and a second handle extending from
the frame, wherein the ram is adapted to be moved on the frame by
hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic drive system, and wherein the
second handle is adapted to allow a user to grasp the working head
with a second hand away from a compression area between the ram and
an opposite anvil section of the frame.
2. A hydraulic tool as in claim 1 wherein the second handle extends
from the frame in a general cantilever fashion.
3. A hydraulic tool as in claim 1 wherein the second handle extends
downward from a bottom side of the frame.
4. A hydraulic tool as in claim 1 wherein the second handle is
stationarily mounted to the frame.
5. A hydraulic tool as in claim 1 wherein the second handle is
rotatably mounted to the frame.
6. A hydraulic tool as in claim 5 wherein the second handle is
movably mounted to the frame by a pivotably hinge connection for
being flipped between two positions.
7. A hydraulic tool as in claim 1 wherein the second handle is
repositionably mounted to the frame for location on the frame in at
least two positions.
8. A hydraulic tool as in claim 1 wherein the second handle
comprises a single cantilevered rod extending from a bottom side of
the frame.
9. A hydraulic tool comprising: a main section having a hydraulic
drive system comprising a pump and a hydraulic fluid conduit
system, and a first handle adapted to allow a user to grasp the
main section with a first hand; and a working head connected to the
main section, wherein the working head comprises a frame, a ram
movably connected to the frame, and a second handle movably
connected to the frame, wherein the ram is adapted to be moved on
the frame by hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic drive system,
wherein the second handle is movably relative to the frame between
a first position and a second position, wherein in the first
position the second handle is adapted to allow a user to grasp the
working head with a second hand away from a compression area
between the ram and an opposite anvil section of the frame, and
wherein in the second position the second handle is in a different
storage position in the frame.
10. A hydraulic tool as in claim 9 wherein, in the first position,
the second handle extends from the frame in a general cantilever
fashion.
11. A hydraulic tool as in claim 10 wherein, in the first position,
the second handle extends downward from a bottom side of the
frame.
12. A hydraulic tool as in claim 11 wherein the second handle is
rotatably mounted to the frame.
13. A hydraulic tool as in claim 12 wherein the second handle is
movably mounted to the frame by a pivotably hinge connection for
being flipped between the first and second positions.
14. A hydraulic tool as in claim 13 further comprising a detent
system for positively locating the second handle at the first
position and at the second position.
15. A hydraulic tool as in claim 9 wherein the second handle is
repositionably mounted to the frame for location on the frame in at
least two positions.
16. A hydraulic tool comprising: a main section having a hydraulic
drive system comprising a pump and a hydraulic fluid conduit
system, and a first handle adapted to allow a user to grasp the
main section with a first hand; and a working head connected to the
main section, wherein the working head comprises a frame, a ram
movably connected to the frame, and a second handle repositionably
connected to the frame, wherein the ram is adapted to be moved on
the frame by hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic drive system,
wherein the second handle is adapted to be located at a first
position on the frame to allow a user to grasp the working head
with a second hand away from a compression area between the ram and
an opposite anvil section of the frame, and wherein the second
handle is adapted to be repositioned on the frame to a second
different position.
17. A hydraulic tool as in claim 16 wherein the second handle is
screwed into the frame, and wherein frame comprises at least two
spaced threaded connection areas for mounting the second
handle.
18. A hydraulic tool as in claim 16 wherein the second handle is
pivotably connected to the frame between a stored position and a
cantilever extended position.
19. A hydraulic tool as in claim 16 wherein the second handle is
rotatably connected to the frame.
20. A hydraulic tool as in claim 16 further comprising a detent
system for positively locating the second handle at the first
position and at the second position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a hydraulic tool and, more
particularly, to a hydraulic tool having more than one handle.
[0003] 2. Brief Description of Prior Developments
[0004] Electric powered rotary tools, such as drills, sanders and
grinders, are known which include two handles for a user, such as
shown in U.S. patent application publication Nos. 2006/0075851A1
and 2005/0249564 for example. U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,378 also
discloses a hydraulic tool with two handles.
[0005] Battery operated hydraulic crimping and cutting tools are
also well known in the art, such as described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,745,611 B2 for example, which is hereby incorporated by reference
in its entirety. These battery operated hydraulic crimping and
cutting tools are traditionally designed to be held with one hand
and, thus, have a single handle. As electrical industry demands
drive up the use of larger conductor sizes, tools will be produced
to install the required larger size connectors. The working heads
of these tools are inevitably going to get larger and heavier in
order to crimp larger size connectors. This will make a single
handle battery operated hydraulic tool disproportionately heavy at
its front end (nose-heavy) and somewhat uncomfortable to hold with
a single hand during use.
[0006] There is a desire to provide a battery operated, hydraulic
crimping tool which can be held with two hands to allow for more
comfortable use when the tool has a heavy working head.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a hydraulic
tool is provided including a main section and a working head. The
main section has a hydraulic drive system including a pump and a
hydraulic fluid conduit system, and a first handle adapted to allow
a user to grasp the main section with a first hand. The working
head is connected to the main section and includes a frame, a ram
movably connected to the frame, and a second handle extending from
the frame. The ram is adapted to be moved on the frame by hydraulic
fluid from the hydraulic drive system. The second handle is adapted
to allow a user to grasp the working head with a second hand away
from a compression area between the ram and an opposite anvil
section of the frame.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
hydraulic tool is provided comprising a main section and a working
head. The main section has a hydraulic drive system comprising a
pump and a hydraulic fluid conduit system, and a first handle
adapted to allow a user to grasp the main section with a first
hand. The working head is connected to the main section and
comprises a frame, a ram movably connected to the frame, and a
second handle movably connected to the frame. The ram is adapted to
be moved on the frame by hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic drive
system. The second handle is movably relative to the frame between
a first position and a second position. In the first position the
second handle is adapted to allow a user to grasp the working head
with a second hand away from a compression area between the ram and
an opposite anvil section of the frame. In the second position the
second handle is in a different storage position in the frame.
[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
hydraulic tool is provided comprising a main section and a working
head. The main section has a hydraulic drive system comprising a
pump and a hydraulic fluid conduit system, and a first handle
adapted to allow a user to grasp the main section with a first
hand. The working head is connected to the main section and
comprises a frame, a ram movably connected to the frame, and a
second handle repositionably connected to the frame. The ram is
adapted to be moved on the frame by hydraulic fluid from the
hydraulic drive system. The second handle is adapted to be located
at a first position on the frame to allow a user to grasp the
working head with a second hand away from a compression area
between the ram and an opposite anvil section of the frame. The
second handle is adapted to be repositioned on the frame to a
second different position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The foregoing aspects and other features of the invention
are explained in the following description, taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view of a hand-held tool incorporating
features of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a front view of the tool shown in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side view of the tool shown in FIG. 1 with the
front handle is a second position;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a front view of the tool shown in FIG. 3;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side view of the tool shown in FIG. 1 with the
front handle repositioned to another location;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a front view of the tool shown in FIG. 5;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a side view of the tool shown in FIG. 1 with the
front handle repositioned to another location;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a front view of the tool as shown in FIG. 2 with
the front handle repositioned to the opposite side of the tool;
and
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the invention with a stationarily mounted front handle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a side view of a
hydraulic tool 10 incorporating features of the invention. Although
the invention will be described with reference to the exemplary
embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the
invention can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments.
In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or
materials could be used.
[0021] The tool 10 is a battery powered, hand-held hydraulic
crimping tool adapted to crimp or compress an electrical connector
onto an electrical conductor. The tool is adapted to have removable
crimping dies (not shown) connected to its working head 12 to crimp
the connector onto the conductor. However, in alternate
embodiments, the tool could comprise permanent (non-removable)
crimping surfaces or cutting dies to cut a conductor.
[0022] The tool 10 generally comprises a main section 14 and the
working head 12. The main section 14 comprises an outer housing 16
surrounding a hydraulic drive system 18. The hydraulic drive system
comprises an electric motor 20, a hydraulic pump 22 connected to a
hydraulic fluid reservoir 24, and a hydraulic fluid conduit system
26 such as in a frame of the main section. The main section 14 also
includes a battery 32 and a control system including actuation and
release triggers 28, 30. The housing 16 forms a first handle 38 for
a user to grasp the tool with a first hand. The first handle is
rigid. The triggers 28, 30 are located at the first handle 38 for
actuation by fingers of the user's first hand as the user is
grasping the first handle 38 with the first hand. The components of
the main section could comprise any suitable components known in
the art. In alternate embodiments, any suitable type of main
section could be provided.
[0023] The working head 12 generally comprises a frame 34 and a ram
36. In a preferred embodiment the frame 34 is rotatably connected
to the front end of the main section 14. However, in an alternate
embodiment the frame 34 could be stationarily connected to the
front end of the main section. In this embodiment the frame has a
general C shaped profile. However, in alternate embodiments any
suitable shaped frame could be provided. The rear end 40 of the
frame 34 has the ram 36 movably located therein. The ram 36 is
adapted to extend and retract relative to a front anvil section 42
of the frame 34 as indicated by arrow 44. The ram 36 is moved
forward towards the anvil section 42 by hydraulic fluid from the
hydraulic drive system 18 pressing against the rear end of the ram
36. The ram is moved rearward, back towards a home position, by a
return spring when the hydraulic fluid behind the ram is released
back to the hydraulic fluid reservoir 24. Operation of the ram is
convention and well known in the art. The ram 36 and the anvil
section 42 are adapted to removably receive connector crimping dies
(not shown) at mounting areas 46, 48.
[0024] Referring also to FIG. 2, in addition to the frame 34 and
the ram 36, the working head 12 includes a second handle 50. The
second handle 50 is mounted to the frame 34. In this embodiment the
second handle 50 is mounted to a bottom side 52 of the frame 34.
However, the second handle could be mounted at other locations as
illustrated by the examples noted below. In this embodiment the
second handle 50 comprises a mounting section 54, a movement joint
56, and a handle section 58. The mounting section 54 preferably
comprises a threaded section 55 which screwed into a threaded hole
in the bottom of the frame 34. However, in an alternate embodiment
the mounting section 54 could be integrally with the frame 34, such
as an integrally formed mounting post. This could occur when the
metal frame 34 is cast; perhaps with additional subsequent
machining.
[0025] The movement joint 56 forms a pivoting hinge which movably
connects the handle section 58 to the mounting section 54. This
could be as simple as a pinned hinge connection, or could be more
complex. For example, the movement joint 56 could comprise a detent
locating system 60 to positively hold the handle section 58 at one
or more positions until positively moved by a user. However, a
detent locating system need not be provided. In an alternate
embodiment, additionally or alternatively, the movement joint 56
could comprise a position locking system 61 to lock the handle
section 58 in a user selected angular position on the frame 34
(such as the first and/or second positions). In this type of
embodiment the locking system 61 would need to be manually unlocked
by the user to move the handle section 58 to another position on
the frame 34. In addition, in an alternate embodiment the second
handle might not comprise a movement joint. The handle section 58
could be stationarily connected to the mounting section 54.
[0026] The handle section 58 forms an area where a user can grasp
the handle 50 away from the compression area 62 between the ram 36
and the anvil section 42. In this embodiment the handle section 58
is shown as a general rod shape. However, in alternate embodiments
any suitably shaped handle section, to allow a second hand of the
user to grasp the handle section, could be provided.
[0027] The provision of the second handle 50 allows a user to grasp
the tool 10 at the two handles 38, 50 to better control and more
comfortably hold the tool 10; especially if the frame 34 is a large
size frame (for large size connectors) having a heavy weight
compared to traditional such tools. The second handle 50 is
suitably located away from the compression area 62 to help insure
that the user's second hand will not be accidentally caught in the
area 62 during crimping.
[0028] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the second handle 50 in a first position
on the frame 34. In this first position the handle 50 extends
downward from the bottom side 52 of the frame 34 in a general
cantilevered fashion. Referring also to FIGS. 3 and 4, the second
handle 50 is shown in a second position on the frame 34. In this
second position the handle 50 has been moved, from the extended
first position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to a storage position. The
second storage position comprises the handle section 58 being
located underneath the bottom side 52, substantially parallel to
the bottom side 52; rotated about 90 degrees from its first
position. Movement of the second handle to its second position can
allow the tool 10 to be stored more easily. In addition, the second
handle 50 can be moved to its second position if the working head
12 needs to be inserted into a limited space work area; which the
second handle 50 might otherwise prevent if second handle 50 was
located in its first position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0029] Installing an assist handle onto the working head of a tool
allows the user to handle the additional weight of a heavy working
head more easily. The application of this handle can be somewhat
flexible, in that it may need to have more than one installation
location, and may need to fold flat for insertion in some working
locations.
[0030] The frame 34 can comprise multiple mounting locations 64 for
mounting the second handle 50. In this embodiment the mounting
locations 64 comprise threaded holes along at least one lateral
side of the frame 34. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the
handle 50 could be mounted to the right side of the tool 10 on one
of the mounting holes 64 on the right lateral side of the frame 34.
The movement joint 56 could allow the handle section 58 to be moved
from its first extended position to a second non-extended position,
such as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6. FIG. 7 shows the
handle 50 located at another different mounting location on the
right side of the frame 34. FIG. 8 shows the handle 50 mounted to
another different mounting location on the left side of the frame
34. Comparison of FIGS. 6 and 8 illustrate that the second handle
50 can be repositioned on the frame 34 for either a left handed or
right handed user. In an alternate embodiment, the handle 50 could
be mounted to the bottom side 52 of the frame 34, and the movement
joint 56 could be configured to allow the handle section 58 to be
located in the down position, at least one lateral position (left
and/or right), and/or a folded flat position as shown in FIG. 3. In
another alternate embodiment, the movement joint 56 could be a
universal type of joint allowing the handle section to be located
at any suitable angular position relative to the frame 34 and
having a position locking system to lock any specific angular
location.
[0031] Referring also to FIG. 9, an alternate embodiment of the
invention is shown. The tool 70 generally comprises a main section
72, a working head 74 and an arm support 76. A similar arm support
is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ filed May
14, 2007, (Attorney Docket No. 003B.0117.U1(US)) entitled "Tool Arm
Support" which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
In this embodiment the working head 74 is identical to the working
head 12, except for the second handle 78. In this embodiment the
handle 78 has a mounting section 54, such as a threaded end, and a
handle section 80, but does not include a movement joint. Thus,
when the mounting section 54 is connected to the frame 34, the
handle section 80 is stationarily mounted to the frame 34. However,
the handle 78 could be mounted to any of the mounting locations on
the frame 34. Alternatively, the frame of the working head might
only have one mounting location.
[0032] It should be understood that the foregoing description is
only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and
modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without
departing from the invention. Accordingly, the invention is
intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and
variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *