Hand tool

Abstract

A hand tool comprising two tool halves arranged crossing one another in a joint region, like tongs or scissors, wherein a tool half forms a working region on one side of the joint region and a handle region on the other side, wherein each handle region is arranged in a first or second handle sleeve and the handle sleeve is provided with a functional part projecting in relation to a flat surface extending over a substantial portion of the surface of the handle sleeve. In order to advantageously further improve a hand tool of this type, the functional part is adhered or welded to the first and/or second handle sleeve.

Claims

1. A hand tool (1), comprising two tool halves (2, 3) arranged crossing one another in a joint region, wherein each tool half (2, 3) forms a working region (6, 7) on one side of the joint region and a handle region (4, 5) on another side, wherein further each handle region (4, 5) is arranged in a first or second handle sleeve (8, 9) and the handle sleeve (8, 9) is provided with a functional part (13) projecting in relation to a flat surface extending over a substantial portion of the surface of the handle sleeve (8, 9), and wherein the functional part (13) is adhered or welded to the first and/or second handle sleeve (8, 9).

2. The hand tool according to claim 1, wherein the functional part (13) is arranged on the inner surface (10, 11) of the first and/or second handle (8, 9) facing the inner surface (10, 11) of the opposite second and/or first handle sleeve (8, 9).

3. The hand tool according to claim 1, wherein the functional part (13) has a connection region (24) which is formed for connection to the first and/or second handle sleeve (8, 9) and which is formed as a flat surface or structured in a rib- or nub-like manner.

4. The hand tool according to claim 3, wherein in the case of a rib-like structure, at least one circumferentially closed rib (25) is formed.

5. The hand tool according to claim 1, wherein two connection regions (24) separated in the longitudinal direction of a handle sleeve (8, 9) are formed.

6. The hand tool according to claim 1, wherein the functional part (13) overall has an elongated, cuboid shape.

7. The hand tool according to claim 1, wherein the functional part (13) has a thickness (c) which protrudes beyond the plane surface of the surface and corresponds to 1/10 to of the thickness dimension of the handle region (4, 5), which otherwise is enclosed by the handle sleeve (8, 9), in the region of the functional part (13).

8. The hand tool according to claim 1, wherein the functional part (13) is formed as a drop protection, is a spring (17) or a spring receptacle (21) or a bracket holder, an adapter (18) for a slide-on or snap-on part (19) or a receptacle or holder for a technical part (28).

9. The hand tool according to claim 8, wherein the technical part (28) is an RFID transponder (26).

10. The hand tool according to claim 8, wherein the technical part (28) is a voltage tester.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which, however, only illustrates exemplary embodiments. A part that is explained only with reference to one of the exemplary embodiments, and in a further exemplary embodiment is not replaced by another part due to the special feature emphasized therein, is therefore also described for this further exemplary embodiment as a part which in any case is potentially present. In the figures:

(2) FIG. 1 shows in perspective illustration a hand tool in the form of pliers with a functional part arranged on a handle sleeve of the hand tool in a first embodiment, as well as an enlargement of the attached functional part;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective illustration of a handle sleeve with a functional part arranged thereon;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective detail illustration of a handle sleeve with an associated functional part not yet attached to the functional part;

(5) FIG. 4 shows the functional part of the first embodiment in a perspective individual illustration;

(6) FIG. 5 shows the section according to line V-V in FIG. 2;

(7) FIG. 6 shows the functional part of the first embodiment in a top view;

(8) FIG. 7 shows the functional part in a bottom view;

(9) FIG. 8 shows the sections according to the line VIII-VIII in FIG. 5;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5, regarding a pivoting position of a bracket pivotably held on the functional part;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a sectional view through a functional part in a second embodiment;

(12) FIG. 11 shows a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 10, regarding a third embodiment of the functional part;

(13) FIG. 12 shows a fourth embodiment of the functional part in a sectional view according to FIG. 10;

(14) FIG. 13 shows an illustration corresponding to FIG. 6, regarding another embodiment;

(15) FIG. 14 shows the bottom view of FIG. 13;

(16) FIG. 15 shows the embodiment according to FIG. 13 in a sectional view according to FIG. 9;

(17) FIG. 16 shows another sectional view corresponding to FIG. 9, regarding another embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(18) Illustrated and described, in first instance with reference to FIG. 1, is a hand tool 1 in the form of pliers, further in particular in the form of a side cutter. However, the following explanations do not only refer to such hand tools, but in particular also to other pliers, such as flat pliers, water pump pliers, combination pliers or the like, furthermore also to scissors, such as household or garden shears, for example.

(19) The hand tool 1 has two tool halves 2, 3 arranged crossing in a joint region. Here, each tool half 2, 3 forms a handle region 4, 5, which transitions into a working region 6, 7 beyond the crossing and joint region of the tool halves 2, 3. The working regions 6 and 7 form cutting edges in the exemplary embodiment of a hand tool 1 illustrated in FIG. 1.

(20) The handle region 4 and the working region 6 form the tool half 2; the handle region 5 and working region 7 form the tool half 3.

(21) Preferably, each handle region 4, 5 is encompassed by a handle sleeve 8, 9. Preferably, the latter can be a sleeve made of a plastic material which optionally can be molded directly onto the tool half 2, 3 using the injection molding process. Known solutions provide here for the separate production of handle sleeves 8, 9 using the plastic injection molding process, optionally using the two-component plastic injection molding process. The handle sleeves 8, 9 are pushed onto the handle regions 4, 5. There may also be such handle sleeves 8, 9, which are molded directly onto the handle regions 4, 5 using the dipping process.

(22) In particular, the inner surfaces 10, 11 of the handle sleeves 8, 9 which face each other are preferably formed to be flat starting from the free ends of the handle regions 4, 5 in the direction of the joint 12, further in particular in a first quarter or first third of the entire longitudinal extent of the handle sleeves 8, 9, starting from the free end of the handle regions 4, 5.

(23) Such a flat surface can also arise on the outside of each limb, further e.g. also in the region of the end faces at the handle end.

(24) In any case, the flat partial region of the inner surfaces 10, 11 is suitable for the arrangement of a functional part 13 present separately in first instance.

(25) Preferably, the functional part 13 can be a separately produced plastic injection-molded part. The plastic material may be selected such that it is different in terms of hardness and/or coloring from the plastic material in the region of the of the handle sleeve 8, 9, which flat surface provides for the fixing zone.

(26) For arrangement on the handle sleeve 8, 9, the functional part 13 can be adhered or welded thereto, wherein thermoplastics are present in the fixing region with regard to both the functional part 13 and the handle sleeve 8, 9 in the case of a preferred ultrasonic welding.

(27) The functional part 13 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9 is a bracket holder, correspondingly comprising a wire bracket 14 which is pivotable about an axis x and bent accordingly. The bracket limbs forming the geometric pivot axis x extend in a groove 15 provided in the functional part 13. In an associated position, the groove is open when facing the surface of the handle sleeve 8 or 9, so that the wire bracket 14 is caught between the handle sleeve 8 or 9 and the functional part 13.

(28) The free ends of the bent wire bracket 14 preferably abut against each other within the groove 15 (see FIG. 8). The wire bracket 14 can also be retrofitted to the functional part 13 fixed to the handle sleeve 8 or 9 by bending the respective free ends. Due to the separate configuration of the functional part 13 and the open groove 15, a wire bracket 14 circumferentially configured in a virtually endless manner, e.g. with ends welded together, can also be used. Such a wire bracket 14 is inserted into the groove 15 before fixing the functional part 13 to the handle sleeve 8, 9.

(29) The wire bracket 14 can be used, for example, in conjunction with a cord or the like to prevent the hand tool 1 from dropping, further, for example, by tying the hand tool 1 to a belt or the like.

(30) The cord 16 can be knotted-in e.g. by means of a cow hitch.

(31) The selected fixing (adhesive bonding or welding) is preferably designed for non-destructive absorption of forces up to 300 or 500 Newton.

(32) The wire bracket 14, preferably made of a stainless spring steel wire, can be substantially stationary in an orientation extending substantially in extension of the functional part 13, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8. A pivoting displacement of the wire bracket 14 from this position around the pivoting axis x preferably takes place only after exceeding an overload provided by the design, e.g. after pivoting the wire bracket 14 out of the basic position by about 15 to 30 (cf. FIG. 9).

(33) As further shown in FIG. 9 in dotdashed illustration, it is also possible in one embodiment to hold the wire bracket 14 in a latched manner in a direction substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the functional part 13 and thus preferably also perpendicular to the facing surface of the inner surfaces 10, 11 of the handle sleeve 8, 9.

(34) Illustrated in each case is the arrangement of a functional part 13 on an inner surface 10 or 11 of the handle sleeve 8, 9. Arranging several functional parts 13, e.g. two function parts 13, on both handle sleeves 8, 9 is also possible.

(35) As can be seen from the illustration in FIG. 10, the functional part 13 can also be a spring 17. For this purpose, the functional part 13 in the exemplary embodiment is formed comprising an elastic portion approximately circular (e.g. produced using the two-component injection molding process). The one half of the tool 2 is supported on the other half of the tool 3 via the spring 17. The spring 17 supports the automatic return of the hand tool 1 into a preferred basic position.

(36) The functional part 13 can also form an adapter 18 on which a slide-on part 19 (optionally a snap-on part) can be attached. The adapter 18 can be provided with different slide-on parts 19, thus, for example, with a spring part 20, as illustrated (cf. FIG. 11).

(37) Also, according to the illustration in FIG. 12, the functional part 13 can be a spring receptacle 21 for holding a leaf spring 22 acting on the other half of the tool. A free end of the leaf spring 22 can be held in a slotted receptacle of the spring reseptacle 21, in particular held in a latched manner.

(38) The functional part 13 has a connection region 24 formed for connection to the handle sleeve 8 or 9.

(39) This connection region 24 can be formed to be flat, e.g. to provide an adhesive surface.

(40) For ultrasonic welding, as preferred, the connection region 24, in particular the connection surface facing the surface of the handle sleeve 8, 9, can be structured in a rib- or nub-like manner. Illustrated is a rib-like structuring with ribs 25, which are circumferentially closed and run concentrical to a central axis running substantially perpendicular to the connection plane E. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, three ribs 25 that are circumferentially closed and arranged concentrically are formed in a connection region 24.

(41) As further illustrated, two connection regions 24 arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the handle sleeve 8, 9 may be provided, which are separated by the groove 15 in a configuration of the functional part 13 as a bracket holder according to the illustrations in FIGS. 1 to 9. In the exemplary embodiment shown, there are two approximately square connection regions 24 each with three concentrically extending circumferential ribs 25.

(42) In the case of functional parts 13, the connection surface of which is not interrupted by a groove or the like, there may also be only one connection region, e.g. an elongated rectangular connection region.

(43) Overall, in particular in the case of the functional part 13 of the first embodiment, the result is an elongated, cuboid shape with a length a, viewed in the longitudinal extent of the handle sleeve 8, 9, which corresponds approximately to 1.5 to 3 times, preferably approximately 2 times the width b of the functional part 13.

(44) The thickness c of functional part 13, as viewed perpendicular to the connection plane E, corresponds to approximately one third to two thirds, e.g. approximately half of the given thickness d of the handle region 4, 5 which otherwise is enclosed by the handle sleeve 8, 9, in the region of the functional part 13.

(45) FIGS. 13 to 16 show embodiments in which a technical part 28, in particular an electronic technical part, such as e.g. a transponder 26, in particular an RFID transponder, is arranged on the handle region or on the handle sleeve using the functional part 13.

(46) The transponder 26 may be enclosed by the material, in particular plastic material, of the functional part 13 (cf. FIG. 16).

(47) Such a hidden position of the transponder 26 can be given with a configuration according to FIGS. 13 to 15, in which a recess 27 is provided in a connection region 24, which recess is open towards the connection plane E and otherwise is closed all around, and into which the transponder 26 can be inserted. After fixing the functional part 13, the transponder 26 is caught between the functional part 13 and the handle.

(48) Such a technical part 28 can also be, for example, a voltage tester or a rechargeable accumulator for operating an electrical or electronic element.

(49) The above explanations serve to explain the inventions covered by the present application as a whole, which, at least through the following feature combinations, in each case also independently, further refine the prior art, namely:

(50) A hand tool, which is characterized in that the functional part 13 is adhered or welded to the first and/or second handle sleeve 8, 9.

(51) A hand tool, which characterized in that the functional part 13 is arranged on the inner surface 10, 11 of the first and/or second handle 8, 9 facing the inner surface 10, 11 of the opposite second and/or first handle sleeve 8, 9.

(52) A hand tool, which characterized in that the functional part 13 has a connection region 24 which is formed for connection to the first and/or second handle sleeve 8, 9 and which is formed as a flat surface or structured in a rib- or nub-like manner.

(53) A hand tool, which is characterized in that in the case of a rib-like structure, at least one circumferentially closed rib 25 is formed.

(54) A hand tool, which characterized in that two connection regions 24 separated in the longitudinal direction of a handle sleeve 8, 9 are formed.

(55) A hand tool, which is characterized in that the functional part 13 overall has an elongated, cuboid shape.

(56) A hand tool, which is characterized in that the functional part 13 has a thickness c which protrudes beyond the plane surface of the surface and corresponds to 1/10 to of the thickness dimension of the handle region 4, 5, which otherwise is enclosed by the handle sleeve 8, 9, in the region of the functional part 13.

(57) A hand tool, which is characterized in that the functional part 13 is formed as a drop protection, is a spring 17 or a spring receptacle 21 or a bracket holder, an adapter 18 for a slide-on or snap-on part 19 or a receptacle or holder for a technical part 28.

(58) A hand tool, which is characterized in that the technical part 28 is an RFID transponder 26.

(59) A hand tool, which is characterized in that the technical part 28 is a voltage tester.

(60) All features disclosed (in themselves but also in combination among each other) are pertinent for the invention. The disclosure content of the associated/accompanying priority documents (copy of the prior application) is also hereby included in full in the disclosure, including for the purpose of incorporating features of these documents in claims of the present application. The subsidiary claims with their features characterize independent inventive refinements of the prior art, in particular to undertake divisional applications based on these claims.

REFERENCE LIST

(61) 1 Hand tool 2 Tool half 3 Tool half 4 Handle region 5 Handle region 6 Working region 7 Working region 8 Handle sleeve 9 Handle sleeve 10 Inner surface 11 Inner surface 12 Joint 13 Functional part 14 Wire bracket 15 Groove 16 Cord 17 Spring 18 Adapter 19 Slip-on part 20 Spring part 21 Spring receptacle 22 Leaf spring 23 Slotted receptacle 24 Connection region 25 Rib 26 Transponder 27 Recess 28 Technical part E Connection plane a Length b Width c Thickness x Pivot axis