Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the earlier filing dates of United States Provisional Application No. 61/556,472 filed November 7, 2011 and United States Provisional Application No. 61/602,983 filed February 24, 2012. The disclosures United States Provisional Applications 61/556,472 and 61/602,983 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to a hand tool for twisting safety wires. More particularly, the invention relates to a safety wire twisting hand tool that includes a rotating device adapted for a quick release connection with pliers having different configurations. The invention further relates to safety wire twisting hand tool that Includes a deep reach extension tool.

Background of the Invention

[0003] Wire twisting pliers are used to twist safety wires that are typically used by aircraft mechanics to secure safety wire bolts from accidentatiy loosening from vibrations, such as those caused by aircraft engines. Safety wire nuts and bolts are used in a number of other applications as well, such as auto racing and industrial equipment. Wire twisting pliers typically include a conventional pair of pliers that is fitted with a locking mechanism and a rotating device. The locking mechanism locks the pliers on the wires that are to be twisted. The rotating device is manually operable to impart rotation of the pliers to thereby twist the wire. Such devices are disclosed in U.S. Patent Numbers 4,842,025, 5,211 ,209, and 5,560,402

[0004] Wire twisting pliers twist a variety of wire sizes or gages depending on the job requirements. The most common sizes are 0.012", 0.020", 0.025", 0.032", 0.041", and 0.051 ". As the wire size increases, however, excessive jaw pressure is placed on the wire in order to lock the handles, making the handles difficult to lock and causing damage to the safety wire. This damage to the wire can cause premature failure of the safety wire in its application.

[0005] Additional problems can be encountered with the use of common wire twisting pliers. For example, wire twisting pliers are often used on wire bolts that are hard to reach, which causes the user to extend his or her

hand/fingers/thumb beyond limitation in an effort to access portions of the tool. Also, during use, wire ends can be left spinning loose, which allows the wires to thrash around during twisting and potentially cause damage to the work piece or injuring the user. Additionally, standard teeth on plier jaws often distort and mar the wire, causing potential failure points in the wire strength. Furthermore, safety wires are typically terminated by cutting the twisted wire, folding it over, and then crimping it in a tight loop known as a "pigtail." Pigtails are difficult to accomplish with the bulky nose of existing wire twisters.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The invention relates to a wire twisting tool that includes wire twisting pliers comprising first and second pivoialiy interconnected plier arms, each of which comprise a jaw portion and a handle portion. The wire twisting tool also includes a rotating device that is manually actuatable to rotate the pliers. The rotating device includes a quick-release mechanism for mounting the plier rotating device to the first plier arm so that the pliers rotate with the plier rotating device when actuated. The rotating device also includes a latching mechanism for latching onto the second plier arm to maintain a wire gripping force exerted by the jaw portions.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, the quick-release mechanism comprises a housing for receiving a latch member connected to the first plier arm.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, the quick-re!ease

mechanism can comprise a pin for engaging a portion of the latch member to retain the latch member in the housing and fix the connection of the plier rotating device to the pliers. The pin can be manually depressible to release the latch member from the housing to facilitate detachment of the plier rotating device from the pliers.

[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, the pin can be is spring biased into engagement with the portion of the latch member, and can be manually depressible against the spring bias to release the latch member from the housing. The housing of the quick release mechanism can include a keyway and the latch member can be a key.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the plier rotating device can include a housing, a spindle rotatable relative to the housing about an axis, and a shaft moveable along the axis relative to the housing to impart rotation of spindle. The quick release mechanism can be mounted to the spindle and rotatable with the spindle. [0011] According to another aspect of the invention, the rotating device can include a lock grip that is mounted on the spindle, rotatable with the spindle, and siidable axiaily along the spindie. The latching mechanism can include a locking pin portion of the lock grip and a pin receiver mounted on the second plier arm. The locking pin can be movable axiaily with the lock grip into engagement with the receiver such that the latching mechanism latches the second plier arm against moving relative to the first piier arm.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, the pin can include

segments along its length that have different thicknesses. The latching mechanism can have different latching conditions determined by which segment is positioned in the receiver. The latching mechanism can lock the plier arms in relative positions determined by which segment is positioned in the receiver.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, a wire retaining band can be mounted on the lock grip. The wire retaining band can be rotatable with the lock grip and movable axiaily to different positions along the lock grip. The wire retaining band can include one or more wire retaining structures for receiving and supporting wire end portions.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, a reach extender can extend the reach of the wire twisting tool. The spindle can have an end portion including an extension receiver for receiving the reach extender and connecting the reach extender to the spindle. The reach extender can rotate with the spindle about the axis. [0015] According to yet another aspect of the invention, the reach extender can include an elongated shaft having a first end and an opposite second end. The first end can be configured to mate with the extension receiver of the spindle. A wire gripping socket can be connected to the second end of the shaft and can be configured to receive and grasp wires for twisting.

[0016] According to yet another aspect of the invention, the wire gripping

socket can include an axial bore and a pair of T-shaped slots that extend into opposite sides of the socket and intersect the axial bore. The bore and the slots can at least partially define wings that help define wire gripping notches adjacent the axial bore. The reach extender can be configured to receive the wires extending axially into the axial bore and, when rotated, to receive the wires in the notches and twist the wires upon further rotation.

[0017] According to still another aspect of the invention, a conical divider can be located at the base of the axiai bore. The divider can direct wires into the T-shaped slots. The divider can be configured to split wire pairs such that the individual wires are directed into the opposing T-shaped slots.

[00 8] According to a further aspect of the invention, the jaw portion can

include tip portions that have a narrow tapered section and a widened section. The tip portions can have opposing waved wire grasping surfaces that extend along the tapered section and the widened section.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] The foregoing and other features of the invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates upon consideration of the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Fig. 1 is a plan view of a wire twisting tool illustrating a first condition of the tool, according to the invention.

[00211 Fig. 2 is a plan view of the wire twisting tool of Fig. 1 illustrating a

second condition of the tool.

[0022] Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the wire twisting tool of Figs. 1 and 2.

[0023] Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of a portion of the wire twisting tool of Figs. 1 and 2.

[0024] Fig. 5 is a plan view illustrating the assembly of the portion of the wire twisting tool shown in Fig. 4.

[0025] Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of a portion of the wire twisting tool of Figs. 1 and 2.

[0026] Fig. 7 is a plan view illustrating the operation of the portion of the wire twisting tool shown in Fig. 6.

[0027] Fig, 8 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the wire twisting tool of Figs. 1 and 2.

[0028] Fig. 9 is a plan view of the portion of the wire twisting tool shown in Fig. 8.

[0029] Fig. 10 is a plan view illustrating an additional feature of the wire

twisting tool of Figs. 1 and 2, according to the invention.

[0030] Fig. 1 1 is an exploded view of the wire twisting tool of Fig. 10.

[0031] Fig. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the wire twisting tool of Figs. 10 and 1 1. [0032] Fig. 13 is a pian view illustrating the portion of the wire twisting tool shown in Fig. 2.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0033] The invention relates to a wire twisting tool for twisting safety wires, such as those commonly used in the a ^' ation industry. Referring to Figs. 1-3, the wire twisting tool 10 includes pliers 20 and a plier rotating device 50 for imparting rotation of the pliers about an axis 12.

[0034] The pliers 20 include a first plier arm 22 and a second plier arm 32.

The first plier arm 22 includes a handle portion 24 and a jaw portion 26. The second plier arm 32 includes a handle portion 34 and a jaw portion 36. The handle portions 24 and 34 define a handle 42 of the pliers 20, and the jaw portions 26 and 36 define a head 44 of the pliers. The p!ier arms 22 and 32 are connected to each other at a pivot joint 40 by means, such as a fastener or press pin. The pliers 20 are operable in a conventional manner to apply a wire gripping force with the plier head 44 via operation of the plier handle 42.

[0035] The rotating device 50 includes a housing 60 and a spindle 70 that is rotatable relative to the housing about the axis 12. The pliers 20 are connectable with the spindle 70 and rotatable with the spindle relative to the housing 60. The rotating device 50 also includes a shaft 80 terminated with a knob 82. The shaft 80 is movable along the axis 12 relative to the housing 60 and spindle 70 by pulling on the knob 82, which imparts rotation of the spindle and the pliers 20 connected thereto. The direction of spindle rotation can be selected by the user via rotation selection switch 72 (for example, R - right- hand, clockwise rotation; and L = left hand, counterclockwise rotation). The rotating device 50 further includes a !ock grip 90 that is mounted on the spindle 70. The lock grip 90 is mounted to the spindle 70 via a frictionat engagement that permits the lock grip to slide axialiy along the spindle and to rotate relative to the spindle.

[0036] The rotating device 50 operates to impart rotation of the spindle 70 in a manner that is similar or identical to the manner in which other known rotating devices associated with other wire twisting tools. For example, the rotating device may be configured with a general construction and mode of operation that is similar or identical to the general construction and mode of operation of the wire twisting tools disclosed in U.S. Patent Numbers 4,842,025,

5,21 1 ,209, and 5,560,402, individually or in combination. The disclosures of U.S. Patent Numbers 4,842,025, 5,21 1 ,209, and 5,560,402 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. In operation, the user can grasp the housing 60 and pull on the shaft 80 via the knob 82 to effectuate rotation of the spindle 70 and, thus, the pliers 20.

[0037] The wire twisting tool 10 includes a quick-release mechanism 100 that facilitates a simple, quick, and reliable attachment of the rotating device 50 to the pliers 20. Conversely, the quick-release mechanism 100 also facilitates a simple, quick, and reliable detachment of the rotating device 50 from the pliers 20. The quick release mechanism is best shown in Figs. 4-7,

[0038] Referring to Figs. 4-7, the quick release mechanism 100 includes a housing 102 that supports a pin 104. The pin 104 may, for example, be spring-biased in the housing 102 in the direction urging the pin out of the housing (upward as viewed in Figs. 4 and 6). The housing 102 is mounted to the spindle 70 and therefore rotates with the spindle relative to the housing 60 during operation of the rotation device 50. The housing 102 includes a slot or keyway 106 that extends along its length. The pin 104 extends along a path that at least partially intersects a portion of the slot 106. The pin has a large diameter portion 1 4 supported in the housing 102 that is positioned in the slot 106 under the spring bias, The large diameter portion 114 is movable out of the slot 06 by manually depressing the pin 104 against the spring bias (downward as viewed in Figs. 4 and 6), leaving a small diameter portion 116 of the pin 104 positioned adjacent but not intersecting the slot.

[0039] The quick-release mechanism 100 also includes a latch member or key 110 that is connected to the handle portion 24 of the first plier arm 22. The !atch member 110 has a cross sectional shape that mates with the cross section of the slot 106. This permits the latch member 110 to be manually inserted freely in a longitudinal direction into the slot 106 in the manner of a key and keyway. The latch member 1 10 includes a locking detent 112 that is recessed into the latch member. The detent 112 is configured to be positioned to receive the large diameter portion 1 14 of the pin 104 when the latch member 1 10 is fully inserted into the slot 106 of the housing 102.

[0040] To connect the rotating device 50 to the pliers 20, the latch member 110 is inserted into the slot 106 while the pin 104 is depressed into the housing 102 against the spring bias. The depressed pin 104 moves the large diameter portion 114 of the pin out of the slot 106, leaving the small diameter portion 116 adjacent the slot. This permits the latch member 1 10 to be inserted fully into the slot 106, leaving the detent 1 12 positioned adjacent the smail diameter portion 116 of the depressed pin 104. When the pin 104 is released, the spring boas moves the large diameter portion 1 1 into the slot 106 so that it becomes positioned in the detent 1 12. This creates an interference between the large diameter portion 1 14 of the pin 104 and the latch member 1 10 that blocks removal of the latch member from the slot 106 in the housing 102. The rotating device 50 is thereby simply, quickly, and reliably connected or attached to the pliers 20.

[0041] To disconnect the rotating device 50 from the p!iers 20, the pin 104 is depressed, which moves the large diameter portion 1 14 of the pin 104 out of the detent 1 12 and moves the small diameter portion 1 16 of the pin to adjacent the slot and the detent. This removes the interference between the pin 104 and the latch member 1 10, thus permitting sliding removal of the latch member from the slot 106 in the housing 102, The rotating device 50 is thereby simply, quickly, and reliably disconnected or released from the pliers 20. The quick-release mechanism 100 thus can facilitate using a single rotation device 50 with several piiers 20 of various sizes and/or configurations.

[0042] The wire twisting tool 10 also includes a latch mechanism 150 that facilitates a simple, quick, and reliable latching of the second plier arm 32 against pivoting movement relative to the first plier arm 22. The latch mechanism 150 locks the pliers 20 in a closed/clamping condition (see, e.g., Fig. 2). The latch mechanism 150 includes a pin 152 formed as a portion of the lock grip 90 and a receiver 154 connected to the handle portion 34 of the second plier arm 32. The pin 152 is receivable in an aperture 156 of the receiver 154. [0043] To operate the latch mechanism 150, the handle portions 24, 34 are operated manually such that the jaw portions 26, 36 are closed, e.g. , to exert a wire gripping force. The lock grip 90 is them moved manually over the spind!e 70 such that the pin 152 enters the aperture 156. This connects the second plier arm 32 to the rotating device 50 and latches the second piier arm 32 against pivoting movement relative to the first plier arm 22. The handle portions 24, 34 can then be released, leaving the latching mechanism 150 to maintain the exerted wire gripping force, e.g., during wire twisting operation of the wire twisting tool 10. The latch mechanism 150 thus facilitates a simple, quick, and reliable latching that maintains a wire gripping force exerted by the jaw portions 26, 36.

[0044] To release the latching mechanism 150, e.g. , after twisting wires, the lock grip 90 is moved/slid manually over the spindle 70 such that the pin 152 exits the aperture 156, thus disconnecting the second plier arm 32 from the rotating device 50. This releases the handle portions 24, 34 so that the exerted wire gripping force can be released by permitting the second piier arm 32 to pivot relative to the first plier arm 22. The latch mechanism 150 thus facilitates a simple, quick, and reliable unlatching to release the wire gripping force exerted by the jaw portions 26, 36.

[0045] As a feature of the invention, the pin 152 can have segments along its length of varying size or thickness to allow for using the pliers 20 to exert a wire gripping force on different gage wires. As shown in Figs. 4-7, the pin 152 has a terminal first segment 160 having thickness T1 , and an adjacent second segment 162 that has a thickness T2 that is greater than the thickness T1. The aperture 156 in the receiver 154 is sized to receiver both the first and second thicknesses. The first and second segments 160, 162 can thus latch the second plier arm 32 against pivoting movement relative to the first plier arm 22 to maintain a wire gripping force in the manner described above.

[0046] Advantageously, the segments 160 and 162 allow a wire gripping force to be exerted on wires of varying gage. The first segment 160 of the pin 154 will latch the plier arms 22 and 32 such that the jaw portions 26, 36 are positioned relative to each other (either spaced or touching). The second segment 162 of the pin 154 will latch the plier arms 22 and 32 such that the jaw portions 26, 36 are positioned incrementally closer to each other. Thus, for a given wire gage, actuating the latch mechanism 150 with the first segment 160 of the pin 152 will exert a wire gripping force of a first magnitude on the wire, and actuating the latch mechanism with the second segment 162 of the pin will exert a wire gripping force of a second magnitude, incrementally greater than the first magnitude, on the wire.

[0047] From this, one can appreciate that the segmented pin 150 provides a staged locking of the pliers 20 such that the jaws 26, 36 can exert varying clamping pressures on wires of varying thicknesses. Engaging the first segment 160 of the pin 50 requires less pressure to close the pliers 20 and therefore can be suitable for thicker wire. Engaging the second segment 162 of the pin 150 requires more pressure to close the pliers 20 and therefore can be suitable for thinner wire.

[0048] As another feature of the invention, the lock grip 90 includes a plurality of annular ribs 92 spaced along its length. As best shown in Figs. 4-7, the ribs 92 define a plurality of annular grooves 94 that are spaced along the length of the lock grip 90. The ribs 92 and grooves 94 can facilitate an improved gripping surface of the lock grip 90. The lock grip 90 thus improves the user's ability to use and manipulate the latch mechanism 150.

[0049] Additionally, the grooves 94 are adapted to receive a wire retaining band 170. The band 170 extends circumferentially around the groove 94 in which it is seated and is configured such that it's groove position along the length of the lock grip 90 can be adjusted. The band 170 can thus be positioned forward, toward the plier head 44 or rearward toward the pin 50. The band 170 includes wire retaining structures 172, positioned on radially opposite sides of the band, for receiving and retaining wire ends of wires to be twisted via the wire twisting tool 10. The wire retaining structures 172 include converging arms that leave an opening through which a wire can be inserted, and define a space in which the inserted wire can be retained during twisting operation of the wire twisting tool 10. The wire retaining band 170 can thus retain loose wire ends while the wire ends are twisted in order to prevent the loose ends from damaging the work piece or injuring the user.

[0050] As another feature of the invention, the head 44 of the pliers 20 is configured to permit grasping wires while at the same time helping to prevent marring or otherwise damaging the wire. To achieve this, tips 180, 182 of jaws 26, 36, respectively, are configured with waved wire grasping surfaces 184, 186. Utilizing the waves of the surfaces 184, 186 to aid in grasping wires allows for the reduction or elimination of grooves or knurling on the surfaces, which can mar or otherwise damage the wires. [0051] Additionally, the tips 180, 182 have a tapered width configuration (shown best in Fig. 8) such that the terminal end portions of the jaws 26, 36 are narrow and well-suited for improved folding and shaping wire ends to form pigtail terminations. The tips 180, 182 widen beyond the terminal end portions, and the waved surfaces 184, 186 continue through the taper and into the widened portions of the jaws 26, 36. The widened portions of the tips 180, 182 can thus be used primarily for wire gripping, and the narrow portions can be used primarily to terminate wires.

[0052] As a further feature of the invention, referring to Figs. 11- 4, the wire twisting too! 10 inciudes a reach extender 200 for extending the reach capabilities of the tool. The reach extender 200 includes a shaft 202 having a threaded first end 204 and a wire gripping socket 206 connected to an opposite second end. The spindle 70 has an end portion 2 0 that acts as an extension receiver for receiving and connect with the threaded first end 204 of the shaft 202. Alternative connections, such as a socket connection, could be used to connect the reach extender 200 to the rotating device 50. The rotating device 50 is thus operative to impart rotation of the reach extender 200 about the axis 12.

[0053] Referring to Figs. 13 and 14, the socket 206 has a generally cylindrical shape and includes a central axial bore 220 and a pair of T-shaped slots 222 that extend into opposite sides of the socket and intersect the axial bore. The bore 220 and the slots 222 help define wing portions 224 that help define wire gripping notches 226 adjacent the axial bore. The socket 206 also includes a conical divider 228 at the base of the axial bore 220. [0054] For purpose of illustration, wires 230 are illustrated in dashed lines in Figs. 12 and 13. In use, the wire twisting tool 10 is manipulated manually so that the wires 230 enter the slots 222 between the wing portions 224 and become at least partialiy positioned in the bore 220. Alternatively, the ends of the wires 230 can enter through the bore 220, where they are diverted by the divider 228 out through the slots 222. Through rotation of the reach extender 200, the wires 230 at least partially enter the notches 226, which help retain the wires during the twisting operation, preventing them from escaping or otherwise being released. In the illustrated embodiment, the reach extender is rotated in the direction indicated generally by arrow A in Fig. 12. The reach extender 200 is configured to operate identically regardless of its direction of rotation. Once the wires 230 are inserted in the socket 206, the rotation device 50 can be operated to perform the twisting. To remove the wires 230 from the socket 206, the user simply counter rotates the extender 200 so that the wires exit the notches 226 and can be removed through the slots 222.

[0055] From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.