Device to Hold a Rivet Squeezer during Operation and to Store a Rivet Squeezer and Dies

Abstract

A squeezer holder device for the holding a hand rivet squeezer on a bench top for improved part control and squeezer operation. The squeezer holder device also provides convenient storage for a hand squeezer and associated dies. The central feature of the invention is the simple slot and die holders designed into a single block. The squeezer holder device allows the user to position a squeezer on any benchtop at a user selected orientation. The squeezer holder device enables accurate control of parts with one hand throughout squeezer operation by using the table surface to operate the lower squeezer lever. The squeezer holder device can be easily slid around a benchtop with the squeezer and dies between operations. When squeezer use is completed the squeezer holder device holds the squeezer in an upright space saving position with associated dies.

Claims

1. A device for supporting hand operated substantially narrow multilever machines comprising: a) a substantially flat bottom surface and a slot, b) whereby said slot is sufficiently narrow to laterally constrain a multilever machine yet sufficiently wide to allow longitudinal rotation freedom of multilever machine when operated, c) whereby said surface is sufficiently wide to laterally support a multilever machine.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said device includes a plurality of holes to hold multilever machine removable parts.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said slot includes one or more indentations whereby the shape of the multilever machine fits into said slot and touches bottom of said slot.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said device includes a plurality of holes to hold multilever machine removable parts and said slot includes one or more indentations whereby the shape of the multilever machine fits into said slot and touches bottom of said slot.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] The invention will now be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric diagram of the squeezer holder with its constituent features.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a top view of the squeezer holder and its constituent features and an identified section cut line.

[0012] FIG. 3A a diagram of the squeezer holder in connection with a hand squeezer in the open position at the identified section cut in FIG. 2.

[0013] FIG. 3B a diagram of the squeezer holder in connection with a hand squeezer in the closed position at the identified section cut in FIG. 2.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0014] 10 SQUEEZER HOLDER DEVICE

[0015] 12 SLOT

[0016] 14 SLOT INDENTATIONS

[0017] 16 HOLES

[0018] 18 SQUEEZER

[0019] 20 UPPER HANDLE

[0020] 22 LOWER HANDLE

[0021] 24 NECK

[0022] 26 MOTION DIE

[0023] 28 STATIONARY DIE

[0024] 30 TABLE SURFACE

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) OF INVENTION

[0025] The preferred embodiment in FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the squeezer holder device 10. The squeezer holder device 10 is preferably of single piece plastic construction with a substantially flat bottom. The squeezer holder device 10 may be blow molded or injection molded of high density polyethylene (HDPE) or similar plastic. However, any material sufficient to react loads induced under operation may be used. Slot 12 is predominantly centered in squeezer holder device 10. Slot indentations 14 are on either side of slot 12 such that fasteners that attach neck 24 to squeezer 18 are cleared within slot 12. The slot indentations 14 can be designed by those skilled in the art to accommodate geometries of particular squeezers and short throat necks. Multiple holes 16 are incorporated into the top face of squeezer holder device 10 with spacing to accommodate storage of multiple motion dies 26 and stationary dies 28 used in squeezer 18.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a top view of squeezer holder device 10 which clearly shows the relative placements of slot 12, slot indentations 14, and holes 16. Cross section A-A shown in FIG. 2 is provided to facilitate squeezer 18 operation description in squeezer holder device 10 in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B.

[0027] FIG. 3A shows squeezer 18 in the open position. Lower handle 22 rests on table surface 30. Neck 24 resides in slot 12. The width of slot 12 is narrow enough such that squeezer 18 maintains an upright position without the operator touching it, yet loose enough to allow longitudinal rotation of neck 24 in the plane of squeezer 18. The operator with two hands is able to place parts to be fastened or dimpled in the opening of neck 24 and properly align the parts to be fastened or dimpled with motion die 26 and stationary die 28. Once the operator aligns the parts with motion die 26 and stationary die 28 the parts are placed in contact with one die or the other depending on the type of operation. Once contact is made the parts are stabilized in relation to squeezer 18. The operator holds the parts in contact with either motion die 26 or stationary die 28 with one hand and presses down on upper handle 20. Table surface 30 provides equal and opposite force on lower handle 22. This is one of the key features of the invention. Table surface 30 is used to advantage and enables single hand operation. The freedom of neck 24 to rotate in slot 12, as well as squeezer holder device 10 to slide on table surface 30, and lower handle 22 to slide if required ensures complete closure of the handles. The operator presses on upper handle 20 such that it moves downward and contacts lower handle 22. As this is accomplished motion die 26 moves towards stationary die 28. Once no gap remains between dies and the parts, squeezer 18 is then in the closed position as shown in FIG. 3B, and the operation is complete. Notice motion die 26 has moved towards stationary die 28 in FIG. 3B. The parts to be fastened would be between the two dies. Parts are released by pulling up on upper handle 20 and removed from neck 24 by the operator. Thereafter the sequence can be repeated.

[0028] Once all parts are completed motion die 26 and stationary die 28 are removed from squeezer 18 and placed in holes 16. The squeezer 18 remains in slot 12 within squeezer holder device 10. The entire assembly, squeezer 18 in squeezer holder device 10, can be easily slid anywhere desired on table surface 30 with one hand to make room for other operations. If desired, the entire assembly, squeezer 18 in squeezer holder device 10, with dies stored in holes 16 can be easily moved by an operator to another location for storage. The overall surface area taken up by assembly squeezer 18 and squeezer holder device 10 is less than squeezer 18 lying on its side with a separate die holder. The holes 16 which hold motion dies 26 and stationary dies 28 enable the squeezer holder device to conveniently locate all squeezer parts required for operation in one place thus reducing the potential for lost parts or delays finding them.

[0029] Also notice squeezer 18 can be rapidly removed and reinserted into slot 12 in device 10 with one hand. No clamps or fasteners of any kind are required. This facilitates rapid and easy squeezer use around the shop.

Summary, Ramifications, and Scope

[0030] Thus the reader will see that the squeezer holder device provides a very convenient means to fasten or dimple sheet parts. The invention also allows the operator to exert more force downward with upper body strength and weight than available from hand strength alone as is the case with free squeezers. The squeezer holder device relies on the clever use of the table surface as the other hand and hence frees the other hand to accurately hold the parts together and aligned with the squeezer dies. This is far superior to using a squeezer with no supports. It is also superior to squeezers which have clamped necks since two hands are still required to operate the squeezer levers. The squeezer holder device allows the user to accurately hold parts together and in position through the entire squeezing process such that rivets do not fall out of their holes, parts are not misaligned, rivets do not get tipped, parts are tightly fastened together, and the operator gets good leverage on the lever arms. The squeezer holder device conveniently holds the squeezer anyplace on a table surface. The squeezer holder device also holds the dies conveniently with the squeezer either on a table or in storage. There are no clamps required. Therefore their associate cost and time to operate is eliminated. The lack of clamps enables the squeezer device holder to be used anywhere on a table surface.

[0031] While the above description contains many specifications these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. For example the number of holes can be changed. The overall dimensions as well as slot and indentation geometries can be changed to accommodate different neck sizes, various squeezers, or multiple squeezers. The material, color, and device shape can be changed. The slot position can be placed to one side or the other. The squeezer holder can be made from multiple parts. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.