Tool

Abstract

A tool including a set of jaws mounted in one end of a hollow extension whose other end is secured to a handle which includes a trigger. Shield means disposed between the handle and jaws isolates the operator's hand so that the jaws on the extension can be presented to a hazardous work region without exposing the operator's hand to injury. A linkage system disposed within the hollow extension and handle connects the trigger to one of the jaws so as to positively move the jaw between open and closed positions upon movement of the trigger. Tooth means in one jaw mesh with cavity means in the opposing jaw of the set to securely grasp a object therebetween.

Description

This invention relates to a tool for handling chips, for example, the type of chips normally generated by a metal-working machine, and particularly to a tool for withdrawing metal chips from the cutting region of a metal-working machine.

The thin coils of material, hereinafter at times called chips, produced as the cutting tool of a metal working machine or like cutting device removes stock from a workpiece collect in or near the cutting region. These accumulated chips foul the cutting tool and prevent its effective, precise operation. At times they contact and mar the surface of the workpiece sufficiently to cause its rejection resulting in a loss of both the raw material and the labor expended. In addition, accumulated chips represent a potential missile hazard capable of inflicting cuts or burns when propelled by a rotating workpiece into contact with the machine operator.

Heretofore the chips have been withdrawn periodically, as they were produced and accumulated, by means of a hook device comprising an elongated rod having a hook formed on one end which was used to snag the chips so that they could be pulled from the cutting region. Only entangled masses of chips could be removed effectively by these prior art devices due to the absence of any means for positively grasping the chips. It heretofore has been particularly difficult to remove chips disposed within interior cuts such as a bore in the end of a shaft.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a tool for the positive removal of chips from their region of generation. It is a further object to provide a tool for withdrawing metal chips from the cutting region of a metal working machine. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a tool in accordance with the invention and showing various features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, in section, of the tool shown in FIG. 1 but with the jaws thereof in their closed position;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a set of jaws in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a set of jaws in accordance with the invention and showing a chip crimped into a slot in one of the jaw faces; and

FIG. 5 is a top view of the tool depicted in FIG. 1.

Whereas the tool disclosed herein is useful in many applications, for example, in threading yarns in a textile machine, to facilitate the disclosure, the tool will be described in connection with the withdrawal of metal chips such as are accumulated in the cutting region of a metal-working machine.

Stated generally, the disclosed tool comprises a set of jaws 10 for firmly grasping the chips, the jaws being secured to one end 12 of an elongated hollow extension 14 having its other end 16 attached to a handle means 18 which includes a trigger means 20 that is operable through a linkage system 22 housed within the handle 18 and hollow extension 14 to open and close the jaws 10 in response to movement of the trigger 20. Teeth extending from the face of one jaw of the set project into one or more corresponding cavities in the face of the opposing jaw of the set when the jaw closes. A chip disposed between the closed jaws is held by the pointed teeth biting into the chip and by the chip being pressed by one or more teeth into a corresponding cavity so that the chip is crimped and will resist slipping from between the closed jaws.

In accordance with its use in withdrawing chips, the tool is grasped in the hand of an operator, aimed toward and brought adjacent to a chip or group of chips to be withdrawn, and caused to grasp the chip or chips upon the operator squeezing the trigger to actuate the linkage system and close the jaws to grasp the chips. With the jaws held closed, using the same hand that holds the tool, the tool is withdrawn from the cutting region, bringing the chips with it. Spring means 38, preferably associated with the trigger means, functions to reverse the jaw closing operation described above so that the jaws are opened to release the chips when the operates releases the pressure applied to the trigger.

Referring to the drawings, the set of jaws, indicated generally by the numeral 10, includes first (lower) and second (upper) jaws 24, 26, respectively, which are operable between open and closed positions to grasp or release one or more chips in response to manipulation of the trigger 20. In the illustrating jaw construction, the first or lower jaw 24 is rigidly attached to the forward end 12 of the extension 14. This jaw 24 projects from the extension in longitudinal alignment therewith and is preferably tapered to a rounded point at its unattached end to provide ready entry into a mass of chips for grasping the interior of the mass to withdraw a maximum of chips per each use of the tool.

As illustrated, the lower jaw 24 includes a pair of upstanding lugs 40, 42 disposed on opposite sides of the jaw 24 to receive a pin 44 extending transversely through the second or upper jaw 26 and thereby pivotally mount the upper jaw 26 with respect to the lower jaw 24 to permit opening and closing of the upper jaw 26 against the lower jaw 24. The respective faces 30, 34 of the jaws 24, 26 re in opposed relation and as the jaws close, these faces 30, 34 move together.

As illustrated, to securely grasp a chip between the jaws, at least one of the jaws is provided with one or more tooth means 32 projecting generally perpendicularly from the face 34 of the jaw 26. The other of the jaw members is provided with one or more corresponding cavities 28 in its face 30 for receiving the tooth means 32 of the other jaw when the jaws are moved to a closed position. It will be understood that teeth may be located on either of the jaws so long as corresponding cavities are provided in the face of the opposing jaw or that each jaw face may include both teeth and cavities in the opposing jaw. For example, the teeth and cavities may be formed on the jaw faces by etching or otherwise roughening the faces, but preferably discrete pointed teeth are provided on at least one jaw face and one or more similar discrete corresponding cavities are provided on the face of the other jaw. In the jaw construction shown in the Figures, the upper jaw 26 is provided with a row of teeth 32 extending from the longitudinal center of the face 34 of the jaw 26 toward the opposing lower jaw 24. As depicted, the lower jaw 24 is provided with an elongated slot 28 in the longitudinal center of its face 30 to receive the teeth 32 of the upper jaw. Preferably, the width and length dimensions of the slot 28 are slightly larger than the corresponding dimensions of the row of teeth 32 thereby providing an opening sufficiently large to permit a chip which is disposed across the slot to be at least partly pressed into the slot by the teeth of the upper jaw as the jaws close. As depicted in FIG. 4, the chip 48 is thus crimped and prevented from slipping or being pulled in a transverse direction from between the jaws.

In addition to the crimping action of the jaws upon the chip, the pointed tips 36 of the teeth bite into the chip as the jaws are held closed against the chip and secure the chip against escape from between the jaws. Preferably the teeth 32 are directed toward the rear of the jaws, that is, away from their open end, so as to apply a holding force to the chip that will tend to move the chip into the jaws and assist in retaining it well between the closed jaws.

In the illustrated tool, the jaws 10 are secured to one end of an extension 14 whose other end is secured to the handle 18 of the tool. In a preferred embodiment, this extension comprises an elongated tubular member of sufficient length to present the jaws of the tool to a mass of chips disposed in the cutting region of a metal-working machine while permitting the operator's hand to remain at a safe distance from the machine and/or the chips. In many instances this extension 14 will be rigid but it will be understood that a flexible extension may be employed and in some instances may be the preferred embodiment. Such a flexible extension may comprise a flexible casing which is bendable by the operator as necessary to advance the jaws to chips located behind some part of the metal-working machine.

This hollow extension 14 also provides a housing 50 for a portion of a linkage assembly 22 serving to connect the trigger 20 to the pivoted jaw 26. With the extension 14, this linkage assembly includes a rod member 52 slidably disposed within the hollow extension and having an opening 54 in its forward end to receive a pin 56 depending from the rear end 58 of the jaw 26 to connect the jaws 26 to the rod 52 so that reciprocal movement of the rod 52 along its longitudinal axis will result in pivotal motion of the jaw 26 thereby opening and closing it against the jaw 24. As best seen in FIG. 2, the opening 54 in the rod 52 is preferably cut away on the forward edge of its lower end to accommodate the movement of the pin 56 when the jaw 26 is pivoted about its mounting pin 44 as a consequence of the rod 52 being moved along its longitudinal axis. Notably the rod 52 is substantially enclosed along its length by the extension 14 to exclude chips to prevent the rod from becoming inoperative due to fouling of the linkage assembly by the chips. When a flexible extension is desired, as noted above, the rod 52 may comprise a flexible cable appropriately joined to the pivoted jaw and trigger.

The extension 14 preferably terminates near the forward edge 60 of the handle 18 with the internal cavity of the extension 14 communicating with an internal cavity 62 within the handle 18. The rod 52, which has one of its ends pinned to the pivoted jaw 26 as noted above, has its other end 64 disposed within the cavity 62 in the handle 18. This latter end 64 of the rod 52 within the handle 18 is bored to receive a lug 66 extending upwardly within the cavity 62 from the top edge 84 of the trigger 20. The opening 68 in the rear end of the rod 52 is preferably angled as shown in FIG. 5 or made oversize to accommodate pivotal movement of the trigger 20 without binding.

Preferably the handle 18 is inclined at an angle of about 55.degree. from the longitudinal axis of the extension 14 to provide a natural grip on the handle by an operator and enhance his control and aiming of the device when extending the tool toward a mass of chips. Using primarily the palm, thumb, and index finger of his hand for control, the operator may grasp the handle of the tool with either hand as desired with equal results. The preferred handle 18 includes rearward projections 70, 72 at the top and bottom rearward ends, respectively, of the handle which assists the operator in maintaining control over the tool. A similar projection 73 on the forward edge of the handle permits the operator to encircle the handle with his index finger leaving his third, fourth and fifth fingers free to manipulate the trigger 20 which is pivotally mounted as by pin means 76 (see FIG. 2) in the cavity 62 in the handle 18 which opens toward the forward edge of the handle. When the handle is grasped in a natural manner, three fingers of the hand enclose the trigger with each finger settling in one of a plurality of grooves 78, 79, and 80 provided for that purpose in the forward edge of the trigger.

Referring specifically to FIG. 2, when an operator applies pressure against the trigger 20, it is moved into the cavity 62 in the handle 18 against the force of the spring 38. The lower end 82 of the trigger preferably is pivoted within the handle 18 by the pin 76 so that as the trigger is squeezed, its upper edge 84 pivots rearwardly causing the lug 66 in the upper edge of the trigger to pull the rod 52 rearwardly a distance equal to the rearward motion of the lug 66. The moving rod 52 pulls pin 56 disposed in the forward end of the rod in a rearward direction causing the jaw 26 to pivot about the pin 44 and move toward its closed position as depicted in FIG. 2. As the jaw 26 moves toward its closed position, the row of teeth 32 provided on the face 34 of the jaw 26 enters the elongated slot 28 in the face 30 of the rigid lower jaw 24, thereby grasping any chip which may be disposed between the jaws.

As noted above, the chips are released when the pressure applied by the operator upon the trigger is released and the force of the spring 38 reverses the described jaw closing operation. As depicted in FIG. 2, when the trigger is released, the forward edge of its upper end 84 rests against the interior wall 86 of the handle 18 by reason of the force of the spring 38. Advantageously, one end of the spring 38 is disposed within a bore 88 in the interior wall of the cavity 62 of the handle 18 and the other end is disposed within a similar bore 89 in the rear edge of the trigger 20 to prevent lateral movement of the spring 38 and resulting inoperativeness of the tool.

The preferred tool includes a safety shield 92, designed to protect the operator's hand against injury from chips, secured on the tool generally forwardly of the operator's hand and preferably extending from the extension 14 down past the trigger 20, to the base of the handle 18 where it is secured as by screw means 94. The clearance between the safety shield 92 and the gripping surfaces of the handle 18 and the trigger 20 is such that a safety shield 92 permits ready grasping of the tool by either hand of the operator and similarly permits quick withdrawal of his hand in an emergency situation as when the tool becomes entangled in rotating chips. Such quick release of the tool is facilitated by the preferred acute angle between the handle 18 and the extension 14 which causes the operator's hand to be forced away from the handle in the event the tool becomes entangled in chips and rotates in the operator's hand.

The fit of the several connections between the moving components of the present tool are purposefully maintained with minimal slack in order that minimal movement of the trigger will cause positive, controlled jaw movement to or from its closed position. Because of this construction feature, an operator can "feel" the jaw close upon an object and know that he has the object grasped with sufficient force to prevent its premature escape from the intended grip. Further, the limited distance which the trigger need be moved to effect jaw closing (or opening) enables the operator to operate the jaw of the tool to grasp (or release) an object by applying a squeezing force upon the trigger with only a small movement of his third, fourth and fifth fingers, thereby allowing him to maintain secure and positive control of the tool in the desired position at all times.

Notably, the disclosed tool provides a means whereby the grasping function of the jaws may be carried out remotely by an operator who holds the tool at a position well away from any hazards associated with the region wherein an object resides and whose removal is desired. Conversely, of course, it may be desired to insert an object into such a remote region. In any event, the jaws of the present tool are preferably tapered to a point at their forward tip and of generally elongated construction to permit their ready insertion into close quarters. For example, the jaws may be held closed and inserted between moving parts of a machine by an operator who is disposed well away from the moving machinery. One example is the threading of a yarn in a textile machine where the yarn must be moved among several closely spaced pieces of equipment by an operator who is well away from the equipment which may or may not be moving. Once the jaws are near the point where the object resides, the operator may release his grip on the trigger whereupon the jaws open. Preferably, each jaw member is relatively short in length and the movement of the pivotable jaw is restricted to about 30.degree. of arcuate movement. This construction enhances the ability of the jaws to function in a limited space contrary to plier or scissor type tools. Once the jaws are adjacent the object and open, they may then be moved into engagement with the object and pressure applied to the trigger to close the jaws and grasp the object. With the object securely held, the closed jaws and the object may be withdrawn.

Because the functioning of the jaws is brought about by longitudinal movement of a single rod 52 housed within an extension 14, the remoteness of the set of jaws from the handle means may be readily selected to accommodate the use anticipated for the tool without undue expense. In removing chips from a metal-working machine, the extension 14 commonly will be about 18 inches long. In other applications it may be desired to make the extension much longer, even as long as 3 or 4 feet. Shorter extensions have also been found useful. As noted above, the housed linkage system 22 is protected against fouling by the chips or other object or objects grasped in the jaws of the tool. This housing also affords protection against fouling of the linkage mechanism as the tool is inserted among and/or between various components of a multi-component machine such as a textile machine.

While a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the disclosure, but rather, it is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A tool comprising

a set of jaws, at least one jaw of the set being movable between open and closed positions with respect to the other jaw of the set,

a face portion on each jaw of the set, said face portions being in contiguous relation to one another when said jaws are closed,

said set of jaws including tooth means extending from the face of at least one jaw of the set of jaws and corresponding cavity means in the face of the other jaw of the set for receiving said tooth means therein when said jaws are closed,

an elongated hollow extension receiving said set of jaws on one of its ends,

handle means secured to that end of said extension opposite said jaws, said handle means including an internal cavity,

trigger means disposed principally within said cavity in said handle means,

a linkage assembly connecting said trigger means to said movable jaw so as to move said jaw between its open and closed positions upon movement of said trigger means, said linkage assembly being housed within said hollow extension and said trigger means, and

means biasing said movable jaw toward its open position, whereby said tool may be grasped in the hand of an operator at a position on the tool remote from the set of jaws and said jaws may be presented to a work position and said movable jaw moved between its open and closed positions without introducing the operator's hand to the work position.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein said extension is flexible and said linkage assembly includes a flexible cable means disposed within said flexible assembly and connecting said trigger means to said movable jaw.

3. The tool of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal axes of said handle and said extension intersect at an angle of about 55.degree. and said handle extends from said extension in a direction away from said set of jaws.

4. The tool of claim 1 wherein said tooth means comprises a row of teeth disposed in the longitudinal center of one jaw of the set of jaws and said cavity means comprises an elongated slot in the longitudinal center of the other jaw of the set.

5. The tool of claim 1 wherein said tooth means includes a plurality of teeth, each of which is directed generally inwardly of said jaws when they are closed.

6. The tool of claim 1 and including shield means disposed between said handle and said set of jaws thereby isolating the operator's hand from said jaws during use of said tool.