Tool for use in the fencing industry or like

Abstract

Tools including a jaw portion, a hinge portion, and a handle portion are provided. The jaw-portion may include a pair of jaws. The hinge portion may generally be configured to allow each jaw of the pair of jaws to pivot between open and closed positions relative to each other and form an aperture adjacent a tip of each of the pair of jaws when the jaws are in the closed position. The handle portion may be located on the opposite side of the hinge portion to the jaw portion to allow for opening and closing of the pair of jaws.

Claims

1. A method of removing a staple, comprising: (i) providing a tool comprising: a jaw portion comprising a pair of jaws; a hinge portion configured to allow each jaw of the pair of jaws to pivot between an open position and a closed position relative to each other and to form an aperture adjacent a tip of each jaw of the pair of jaws when the pair of jaws are in the closed position; a handle portion on an opposite side of the hinge portion from the jaw portion to allow for the pair of jaws to pivot between the open position and the closed position; and at least one projection extending outwardly from a face of each jaw of the pair of jaws at a position adjacent the tip of each jaw of the pair of jaws such that the at least one projection slants inwardly toward an axis of opening symmetry of the pair of jaws; (ii) positioning the tool into a crook of a fence staple by inserting the tip of each jaw into the crook of the fence staple; and (iii) removing the fence staple from a support structure with the tool, wherein positioning the tool into the crook of the fence staple further comprises contacting the support structure with a top surface of the at least one projection such that the at least one projection acts as a fulcrum for applying a levering force to the fence staple grasped by the pair of jaws when in the closed position, wherein the top surface is distal from the face of each jaw from which the at least one projection extends, wherein the top surface of the at least one projection when the pair of jaws are in the closed position is within an inclusive range of 1 to 10 mm of a tangential line at the tip of each of the pair of jaws, the tangential line being substantially perpendicular to the axis of opening symmetry as the pair of jaws open outwardly into the open position.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top surface of the at least one projection comprises a gripping or anti-slip surface.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of the top surface of the at least one projection is at least 20 mm.sup.2.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a shape of the at least one projection is selected from the group consisting of: cylindrical, conical, frustoconical, pyramidal, cuboid, and a parallelepiped.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one projection extends a minimum of 7.5 mm from the face of each jaw of the pair of jaws.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one projection extends a minimum of 12.5 mm from a center plane of each jaw of the pair of jaws.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one projection is integrally formed into each jaw of the pair of jaws.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a distance of closest approach between a primary load-bearing area of the at least one projection on each jaw when the pair of jaws is in the closed position is within an inclusive range of 8 to 35 mm.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the aperture is substantially circular.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the aperture accommodates a wire with a diameter in a range of 1.6 mm to 4.5 mm.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the hinge portion comprises a single pivot connecting the pair of jaws.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the hinge portion comprises a multiple pivot point hinge arrangement with mechanical linkages connecting the pair of jaws.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the jaw portion is integral with the handle portion.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the handle portion comprises one or more of the following features: cushioning, gripping modifications, moulded portions for accommodating fingers, telescoping closure limiting features which set a minimum distance of approach when the pair of jaws is in the closed position.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the jaw portion further comprises a wire cutting feature.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the jaw portion further comprises a cable crimping feature.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the tip of at least one jaw of the pair of jaws is fine enough to insert and fit at least half-way under the crook of a 2.5 mm gauge fencing staple.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the tip of at least one jaw of the pair of jaws is fine enough to insert and fit at least half-way under the crook of a 4 mm gauge fencing staple.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the tip of at least one jaw of the pair of jaws is tapered towards an end of the tip.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the tip of at least one jaw of the pair of jaws is less than 1.75 mm across.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein a cross sectional area of the tip of at least one jaw of the pair of jaws is less than 2 mm.sup.2.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the jaw portion comprises metal.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the metal is a stainless steel or an alloy steel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic front view of one embodiment of the present invention in the form of a pair of pliers;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a top end view of the jaw portion of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a partial front view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in typical use;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in typical use;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a side view of another embodiment of the present invention in the form of a pair of pliers with a bent nose portion;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention in the form of a pair of pliers incorporating a wire gripping portion; and

(8) FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 gripping a length of wire and tensioning it.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in the specification, and in the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, the, include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

(10) In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, and with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, an improved tool for use in the fencing industry or the like is generally indicated by arrow 1.

(11) With reference to FIG. 1 a pair of pliers is generally indicated by arrow 1. The pliers (1) comprise a jaw portion (generally indicated by arrow 2), a hinge portion (generally indicated by arrow 3), and a handle portion (generally indicated by arrow 4).

(12) The jaw portion (2), as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, comprises a first (5) and second (6) jaw. The tip (7, 8) of each jaw (5, 6) respectively is tapered to a relatively fine tip to facilitate insertion into the crook of a fence staple (10) and above the wire (11). The aperture (12) formed between the closed jaws (5, 6) accommodates the head of the staple to prevent it being cut or damaged (making removal impossible).

(13) In accordance with certain embodiments illustrated by FIGS. 1-4, adjacent the tips (7, 8) are raised stud-like projections (15, 16) whose top surfaces (17, 18) (primary load bearing surface) can act as fulcrums. Their distance of closest approach to each other (indicated by line 20) may comprise within the inclusive range of 10 through 20 mm. FIG. 2 shows the case of inwardly slanted projections, by way of example only.

(14) Referring to FIG. 2, the primary load bearing surface (17, 18) rises above the face (21) of the jaw (5) by distance (22) which may comprise at least 7.5 mm. Alternatively the height can be measured from the center plane (24) of the jaw (6) by distance (25) which may comprise at least 12.5 mm.

(15) The projections (15, 16) should also be close to the top of the jaws (5, 6). This is best reference by the distance of closest approach to a tangential line (30; see FIG. 1) perpendicular to the axis (31) of opening symmetry for the jaws. This distance of approach may comprise within the inclusive range of 1 to 10 mm.

(16) In use, the tips (7, 8) of the jaws (5, 6) may be inserted under the staple (10) and above the wire (11; see FIG. 3) and the projections (15, 16) used as a fulcrum for leverage and using the batten (14) as a support surface (see FIG. 4). This allows the pliers (1) to act as a lever along the length of the batten, though the user can change the angle and use the pliers (1) transversely (across the batten) as wellthe close proximity of the projections (15, 16) to the top (30) of the jaws (5, 6) allows this despite the narrowness of a typical batten (14).

(17) In accordance with certain embodiments, the projections (15, 16) may also provide (or function) as a bridge across the wire when levering a staple out of timber. As such, the user can avoid squashing the fence wire as the staple is rotated and/or levered out of the timber on that side access point.

(18) The projections (15, 16) also span across the fence wire (11) avoiding contact with the wire (11) when levering the staple (10) out of the batten (14). In this way, the wire (11) is not crushed on the side of the tool (1) that the projections (15, 16) act as a fulcrum as the staple (10) is rotated out of the batten (14). This wire damage can be a problem with known staple removing tools which can cause stripping of the galvanized coating of the wire which leads to oxidation, rust and wire failure leading to costly repairs.

(19) The projections (15, 16) can also be used to wind a fence wire (11) as an alternative to a known daisy type wire tensioner device. In use, the fence wire is placed between the projections (15, 16) and the tool rotated while the pair of jaws (5, 6) grips the wire (11). In this way the wire is effectively coiled up increasing its tension. During this use the body of the tool (1) would need to be resting against the batten (14) to increase wire tension by using the projections (15, 16) in conjunction with the wire gripping portion (101) using the winding action.

(20) A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the projections (15, 16) could take different forms without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the exterior surface of the projections (15, 16) can either have a smooth exterior surface or comprise an indentation U-shaped guide around the circumference of each projection (15, 16).

(21) FIG. 5 illustrates a bent tip jaw embodiment (generally indicated by arrow 40). Here the jaws (41only one jaw visible in image) are connected by pivot (44), though the end portion (42) of the jaw (41; both jaws) are bent (centre plane 45) out of the plane of pivoting (46). The pliers work in substantially the same way as the other embodiments using projection 43.

(22) Certain embodiments may include features such as wire cutters (36, 37; see FIGS. 1 and 3) though certain embodiments could also include other features such as wire joiner crimpers (e.g. for crimp/sleeve type joiners).

(23) FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention, incorporating a wire gripping portion (generally indicated by arrow 101). This may be located between the pivot (106) and handle (105) portions of the pliers, in accordance with certain embodiments.

(24) The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 includes a wire gripping portion (101) comprising a first wire contact face portion (102) on the outer edge/face of a first primary element (110), and a second wire contact face portion (103) on an extended body portion (104) on the second primary element (111).

(25) When the pliers are in a closed position, there is optionally a small distance of separation between the wire contacting face portions (102, 103) to reduce likelihood of damage to a typical wire.

(26) Positioning the wire gripping portion (101) on the outer face of the pliers in the manner generally illustrated in FIG. 6 also provides a further potentially realizable advantageit makes it easier, in use, for a user to guide a wire within the wire gripping portion (101) as opposed to those of the prior art where the wire is grasped in a position between the handle portions. This can be quite an important feature when tensioning wires in cold, wet, or extreme conditions in the field.

(27) FIG. 7 illustrates a method of using of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, where a length of wire (not numbered) is grasped between the wire contacting face portions (102, 103). The stud like projections (15, 16), which are not visible in FIG. 7, are positioned against the post and act as a fulcrum as the handles are pivoted away from the post to provide tension on the wire. The stud projections potentially provide a good grip against the post and help avoid slipping. Hence the wire gripping portion in conjunction with the stud like projections can potentially provide additional advantage over the prior art.

(28) In accordance with certain embodiments, the present invention may be useful in a variety of industries or applications. In addition to the fencing industry, for example, certain embodiments of the present invention may also be utilized for removing staples in power utility applications (e.g., wooden power poles). In power utility applications, for instance, the confines of the elevated bucket or cherry picker used by a linesman along with the bulky protective gloves utilized by the linesmen makes the one handed feature provided by certain embodiments of the present invention particularly desirable. Moreover, in certain embodiments, long and carefully weighted handles that open without having to prise the tool open may be particularly helpful to a linesman. These features, for example, eliminate clumsy and bulky two handed alternatives to improve linesman safety as linemen can easily remove a staple with just one hand on the tool in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

(29) The present invention, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, offers notable advantages over the prior art by, for example, including: (i) improved ease of use in removing staples from fence battens or the like; and (ii) improved ease of use in tensioning a fencing wire.

(30) The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications cited above and below, if any, are herein incorporated by reference.

(31) Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour in any country in the world.

(32) The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features.

(33) Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

(34) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words comprise, comprising and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of including, but not limited to.

(35) This specification is also based on the understanding of the inventor regarding the prior art. The prior art description should not be regarded as being authoritative disclosure on the true state of the prior art but rather as referencing considerations brought to the mind and attention of the inventor when developing this invention.

(36) These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and it is not intended to limit the invention as further described in such appended claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the exemplary description of the versions contained herein.