A ORCUTTINGDEVICECRUSHING TECHNICAL FIELD The ingeneraltodeviceswhichpertains provide a spreading, crushing or cutting motion under high loads and more particularly to devices used for emergency rescue operations that are commonly referred to ofLife"(R)."Jaws BACKGROUND ART As mankind has progressed, many of the methods and designs of commonplace life have become more advanced and varied. Vehicles are now the most prevalent rnode of transportation, structures constructed of wood and metal are where we live and work, and even amusement parks, with rides that profil us at up to 100 mph, are where we spend our recreation time. Although these modern means undoubtably add a considerable positive influence to our lives, they do present their own uniqueproblems. one of the common aspects of the examples listed above, as well as many other items in our modern world, is that they all are constructed or made from materials designed to provide a high level of structural integrity. For the most part this level of structural integrity is not only useful for the design but also it provides a high level of protection. Unfortunately incidents occur that cause potentially dangerous situations.

For any person who works in an occupation that is responsible for rescuing and/or saving victims of accidents, their tools are often the only means by which to actually save a perron's life. one of the most effective and widely used tools for rescuing a <BR> <BR> (il<BR> <BR> person is the"Jaws of Life"type device. This type of device, of which there are several erent design bepoweredbydifferentmeansasconfigurations,can well, are used to free a traPped and often injured victim from within an enclosed space. A frequent scenario which necessitates the"Jaws of Life"(R) is when a passenger in a vehicle is trapped withina crushed and mangled section of the vehicle after an accident. As a result of some accidents, especially those that occur at high speeds or between dis-proportionatelY sized vehicles, one or more of the vehicles involved may have sustained such severe damage that the metal is deformed, creating extremely difficult thepassenger(S)within.of In the past, rescuers had to attempt to pry the metal apart with a crowbar, or similar prying tool, or they would be forced to saw the metal open. Another method that was used in the past was a high-temperature torch to cut through the metal. Unfortunately, if there was orotherflammableliquidgasoline spilled or in the atmosphere, the probability for a major accident to occur as a result of this was very high. Regardless of whichever of these methods was employed they all shared one major drawback, the amount of time required to use and successfully finish with those tools was often so long that the victim or victims within the vehicle (s) sometimes suffered more injuries or even death due to the length of time they weretrapped. drawbacksofcurrentrescuedevicesAnothermajor is that in order to provide the necessary torque, which

is usually between 7, 000 and 15, 000 pounds, the device ahigh-levelpowersource.Thisneedmusthave theportabilityandease-of-usedirectlyeffects characteristics of the device. It is clearly obvious that there is a need for a high-power, portable rescue device that is capable of being used by a single operator and that can be easily transported to the scene of an accident.

A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention, however the following U.S. patents are considered related: PATEUT NO. ISSUED 13August19965,544,862Hickerson 20June1955,425,260Gehron 29March19945,297,780Hickerson andthe5,297,780patentsdiscloseaThe5,544,862 light weight portable"jaws of life"spreading tool <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> actuated by an electric motor. Full high torque at any position, with selectable spreading or cutting motions under high loads is achieved by the use of a rotary, multiple stage, speed reducing gearbox driven by the rnotor. The gearbox contains an input stage from the electric motor running on a 12 volt DO power supply, <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> and a compound planetary output stage. The arms or jaws of the device are separately drivez and for convenience, are attached to external rings on the gears, by heavy duty pins. The arms or jaws are removable for interchanging between cutting and spreading configurations, or replacement with general purpose arms capable of both cutting and spreading operat i ons. patentdisclosesanaccidentrescueThe5,425,260 tool having a base, a base arm fixedly attached to the base, and a lifting arm pivotably attached to the base,. pivotingtheliftingarmtowardthebasemeansfor

arm is provided, as is a first chain connecte to the base arm at one end and a rigid vehicle component at the other end and a second chain connected to the lifting arm at one end and a vehicle component at the second end. The pivoting means is connected to both the base arm and lifting arm to pivot the lifting arm so that the second chain causes the vehicle component to move in conjunction herewith.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION disclosedhereinisdesignedtospread,Thedevice crush, clamp, cut, rip or pull pièces of metal or other materials. The device is particularly adaptable for removing material from a vehicle in which is located a trappes accident victim. In its basic form and function, the device consists of : A. A first arm assembly comprising: (1) An upper arm having a upper end, a lower end having therethrough a drive-mechanism yoke bore, and a cam m slot.

(2) A lower arm substantially identical to the upper arm.

(3) Means for forming a second arm space between the upper and lower arms.

B. A second arm having an upper end, a lower end having a drive-mechanism yoke bore acamslot.Thesecondarmtherethrough,and has a width which allows the arm to slidably secondarmspaceandinterlocktraversethe with the first arm assembly.

C. A drive yoke having: (1) A center section from where extends rearward a drive rod, a first side having a first slot dimensioned to slidably receive the first arm assembly and a second side having a second slot dimensioned to slidably receive the second arm.

A A first bore that extends through the first slot and a second bore that extends through the second slot, (3) A first cam traversin structure inserted through the first bore and through the cam slots on the first arm assembly and a second cam traversin structure inserted through the second bore and through the cam slot on the second arm, and (4) Means for securing the first and second camtraversing structures, D. A drive-mechanism yoke having: (1) A central section having a device driving means cavity and a substantially centered drive rod bore that extends through the cavity, and (2) A first side having a first slot dimensioned to receive and pivotally retain the lower ends of the upper and lower arms and a second sidehavinga second slot dimensioned to receive and pivotally retain the lower end of the second arm, and E. A device driving means that 1 powered by a powering means and that incorporates a linear actuating mechanism that attaches to the drive rod. lthen the linear actuating mechanism is in a retracted position the first arm assembly and

the second arm overlap into the interlock position. Conversely, when the linear actuating mechanism moves upward the drive rod moves upward causing the first and second cam traversing structures to move along the respective cam slot to cause the first arm assembly and the second arm to open outward.

The arms can be manufactured with or without teeth and can include a cutting blade that i5 removably attached to one of the blades. The arms, which are preferably made from a heat-treated steel, can be stacked to include up to four arms. The arm sets interlock to avoid the problem of racking or twisting that is common among devices that use a lever-tyPe action that prevent the interlocking of arms.

The combination of the drive yoke and the cam slots allows the device to he designed for specific applications. The cam slots may be cut in a convex, concave or a linear shape depending on the use of the device.

In view of the above disclosure it is the primary object of the invention to Frovide a device that can be used for a variety of applications that recuire the spreading, crushing or cutting of a material. In theprimaryobjectoftheinventionitisadditionto also an object of the invention to provide a spreading, crushing or cutting device that: o can be used by one or more persons, o can be made in a variety of sizes with multiple arm configurations for different applications, o is easilY transported and stored, o can be designed to be oPerated by various types of sources, o can apply an outward force or an inward force, o can have arms that utilize teeth or grooves for grabbing or biting,

o is reliable and requires minimal maintenance, These and other objets and avantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS isaperspectiveviewofthespreading,FIGURE1 crushing or cutting device.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the upper arm that is an element of the first arm assembly.

FIGURE 3 is an elevational side view of the first arm assembly showing the locations of the upper spacer and the lower spacer.

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the device showing the first arm assembly and the second arm in an open position.

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the device showing the second arm interlocked within the first arm <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> assembly. FIGURE 5 also shows the location of the device driving means.

FIGURE 6 is a front elevational view of the drive yoke. <BR> <BR> <BR> <P> FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of the drive yoke.<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <P> FIGURE 8 is a rear elevational view of the drive yoke.

FIGURE 9 is a front elevational view of the drive-mechanism yoke. <BR> <BR> <BR> <P> FIGURE 10 is a top plan view of the drive-mechanism<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> coke.

FIGURE 11 1 15 a rear elevational view of the drive-mechanismyoke.

BEST NODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INDENTION The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment for a device which is designed to spread, crush or cut two or more pièces of metal or other material. The spreading, crushing or cutting device is particularly adaptable for assisting rescue workers who are attempting to free a person who is trapped within a damaged vehicle or other enclose space. The device may also be used to raise or lower vehicles, machinery, buildings or other Inessence,thedeviceisconsideredanheavyobjects. improvement on devices that commonlyknowninbeen the art ofLife(R)."Jaws The preferred embodiment of the spreading, crushing or cutting device 10, as shown in FIGURES 1-11, is comprise of the following major elements: a first arm assembly 12 consisting of an upper arm 14 and a lower <BR> <BR> <BR> arm 39, a second arm 46, a drive yoke 50, a drive-mechanism yoke 100, a device driving means 170, a means174,aforwardhandle186andadevicepowering hand 196.

The device 10 can be designed to include a plurality of between two to four stacked arms. However, for the purpose of a structural description, a design that utilises the first arm assembly 12 and the second arm 46 will be discussed. Regardless of the number of arms employez by the device 10, all the arm sets overlap and interlock. This interlocking alleviates the problem of racking or twisting which is common with other devicesthatutilisealever-typeaction.By utilising a device with two arms that overlap and interlock an whichthedevice10maybeinto inserted can be smaller, thereby increasing the utility of the 10.

The arms, in lieu of teeth, can have a flat surface (not shown) or a specially designed surface can be included to allow the device 10 to serve as a cutter.

Additionally, as shown in FIGURE 4, a removable cutting blade 48 can be attached by means of threaded machine screws 49 to the inward end of the second arm 46. _ The cam slots 26 are preferably cut in a convex shape as shown in the figures. However, for special cases the cam slots can have a concave shape or a linear shape. The particular shape selected is deFendent upon the specific use of the device. For <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> example, if it is desired to have the two arms expand in a substantially parallel configuration, as would be required for a lifting or jacking operation, a convex cam slot as shown in FIGURE 4 would be selected.

The drive yoke 50, as shown attached to the device in FIGURE 4 and separated frm the device 10 in FIGURES 6, 7 and 3, is comprised of an upper section 52, a solid center section 58, an integral lower section 64, an integral central protrusion 74, an integral drive rod 86, a first pin bore 88, a second pin bore 90, a first cam m pin 94 and a second cam pin 96. In lieu of cam pins, the cam slots 26 can be traversez with a roller with or without ball bearings, stationary or articulated skids or any other structure that can slidably traverse the cam slots 26.

The upper section 52 has an upper surface 54, a lower surface 56 that terminates at the center section 58, a first side end 60 and a second side end 62. The integral 64alsohasalowersurface66,section an upper surface 68 that terminates at the center section 58, a first side end 70 and a second side end integralcentralprotrusion74,asshownin72.The FIGURES 6 and 8, extends outward from the center <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> section 58 and has an upper surface 76 and a lower surface 78. Between the lower surface 66 of the upper

section 62, and the upper surface 76 of the central protrusion 74, is created a first slot 80. Likewise, a second slot 82 is created between the upper surface 68 of the lower section 64, and the lower surface 78 of the central protrusion 74. Through the first slot 80 traverses the upper arm 14 of the first arm assembly 12, and through the second slot 8. traverses the lower arm 3° of the first arm assembly 12. Between the lower surface 56 of the upper section 52, and the upper surface 68 of the lower section 64, is created a third slot 84. Through the third slot 84 traverses the second arm 46. The integral drive rod 86, as best shown in FIGURE 7, extends rearward from the center section58.

Adjacent the first side end 60 is located a first pin bore extendsthroughtheuppersection52,that the central protrusion 74 and the lower section 64. <BR> <BR> <BR> <P>Likewise, a second pin bore 90 is located adjacent the second side end 62 that extends through the upper section 52 and the lower section 464. The first cam pin 94 is inserted through the first pin bore 88 and through the cam slots 26 on the first arrn assembly 12.

The second cam pin 96 is likewise inserted through the bore90andthroughthecamslot26onthesecondpin second arm 46. The first and second cam pins 94,96 are secured by a securing means which preferably consists of a split washer? 7 as best shown in FIGURE 7. The <BR> <BR> <BR> drive yoke 50, as shown in FIGURE 7, can also be designed to include two cam pins on each side. This is best accomplished by extending the first side ends thesecondsideends62,72asshownbythe60,70and <BR> <BR> <BR> broken lines in FIGURE 7. In some larger, heavier devices, the dual cam pins increase the structural integrity of the device.

The drive-mechanism yoke 100, as shown attached to <BR> <BR> the device 10 in FIGURES 4 and 5 and separated in

FIGURES 9,10 and 11. The Yoke which can be configured as shown in FIGURE 4 or as in FIGURE 5 is comprised of a central section 102, a device driving means cavity <BR> <BR> <BR> 1-lc a substantially centered drive rod bore 118, a first upper section 120, a first lower section 130, a <BR> <BR> <BR> second upper section 140, a second lower section 150, a first pin bore 160, a second pin bore 162, a first swivel pin 164, and a second swivel pin 166.

The central section 102 has a front surface 104, a rear surface 106, an upper surface 108, a lower surface 110, a first side 112 and a second side 114. The device driving means cavity 116, as shown best in FIGURE 10, extends inward from the rear surface 106 of the central section 102. Extending through the cavity 116 is the substantially centered drive rod bore 118.

The first upper section 120 integrally extends outward from the intersection of the upper surface 108 and the first side 112 of the central section102.-The first upper section 120 includes an outer end an upper andalowersurface126.Thefirstlowersurface124 section 130 integrally extends outward from the intersection of the lower surface 110 and the first ofthecentralsection102.Thefirstlowerside112 section 130 includes an outer end 132, an upper surface 134 and a lower surface 136. Between the lower surface 126 of the first upper section 120 and the upper surface 134 of the first lower section 130 is created a first slot 138. The second upper section 140 integrally extends outward from the intersection of the upper surface 108 and second side 114 of the central section 102. The second upper section 140 includes an outer end 14,". an upper surface 144 and a lower surface 146. The second lower section 150 integrally entends outward from the intersection of the lower surface 110 and the second side 114 of the central section 102, The second lower section 150 inclues an outer end 152, an

upper surface 154 and a lower surface 156. Between the lower surface 140 of the second upper section 140, and the upper surface 154 of the second lower section 150, is created a second slot 158.

The first pin bore 160, as shown in FIGURE 11, extends through the first upper section 120 and the <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> first lower section 130. The second pin bore 16. as also shown in FIGURE 11, entends through the second upper section 140 and the second lower section 150.

After the first pin bore 160 is aligned sequentiallY with the drive-mechanism yoke bore 24 on the upper arm 14, the lower spacer 41 and the drive-mechanism yoke <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> bore 4 on the lower arm 35 a first swivel pin 164 is inserted and attached by an attachment means. Likewise, after the second pin bore 162 is aligned sequentially with the drive-mechanism yoke bore 24 on the second arm 46 and the second pin bore 16° on the second lower <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> section 150, a second swivel pin 166 is inserted and attached by an attachment means 168 that typically consists of a bolt and nut combination.

The device driving means 170, as shown in FIGURE 5, <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> incorporates a linear actuating mechanism 172 that attaches to the drive rod attachment end 87 on the drive rod 86. When thelinearactuatingmechanism172 is in a retracted position, the first arm assembly 12 and the second arm 46 overlap into the closed asshowninFIGUREinterlockedposition 5. Conversely, when the linear actuating mechanism 172 moves upward into a non-retracted position, the drive rod moves upward causing the first cam pin 94 and the second cam pin 96 to move along the respective cam slots 26, thus causing the first arm assembly 1 and the second arm 46 to open. The device driving means 170 can be powered by the device powering means 174, which may utilize electricity 176, pneumatics 178, hydraulics 180 or by a 182.pyrotechnicdevice

The device driving means 170 causes the device 10 to oPerate by transforming the translating motion of the device driving means 170 into a rotary motion at the arms 12,46 as controlled by the cam angle.

Typically, at an initial roll out of three degrees and utilizing a 12-inch (30.5 cm) arm, 30,000 Ibs (11,196- Kg) of force on the drive rod 86 will produce a force of 55,000 lbs (20,526 Kg) at the upper end 16 of the arms 12,46. As the drive rod moves closer to the upper end 16, the force increases.

To allow the spreading, crushing or cutting device 10 to be held and steadied, a forward handle 186 and a hand grip 196 are utilized. The handle 186 includes a first end 188 having a first handle bore 190, and a second end 192 having a second handle bore 194. The first handle bore 190 is inserted over the first pin bore 160 prior to inserting and attaching the first swivel pin 164. The second handle bore 194 is likewise inserted over the second pin bore 162 prior to inserting and attaching the second swivel pin 166. The hand grip 196, as shown in FIGURE 5, is attached by an attachment means 198 to a rear section of the device driving means 170. One such means, as also shown in FIGURE 5, is a u-shaped bracket 200 having a horizontal section 202 to which is conventionally attached the hand grip 196.

Mhile the invention has been described in complete detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the langage and scope of the apPended claims.