.
`
`Unlted States Patent [19]
`Whitesell
`
`|llllllllllllllllllllllllllIllllllllllllllllllllllllIllllllllllllllllllllll
`[11] Patent Number:
`5,261,263
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Nov. 16, 1993
`
`USOO5261263A
`
`[54] CRIMPING PLIERS WITH RADIALLY
`QPPOSED JAWS
`'
`[76] Inventor:
`Eric J. Whitesell, 7226 Fargate Ten,
`San Diego, Calif. 921264531
`
`.
`[21] Appl' No" 994’518
`[22] Filed:
`Dec. 21, 1992
`
`4,578,982 4/ 1986 Schrock .............................. .. 72/402
`4,727,742 3/1988 Weaver .......... ..
`72/402
`5,203,197 4/ 1993 Depperman ........................ 1. 72/402
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1042984 9/1983 U.S.S.R. ............................. .. 81/902
`367221 2/1932 United Kingdom ........ .. 72/410
`2081144 2/1982 United Kingdom ................ .. 72/402
`
`[51] 1111115 ................... .. HOlR 43/042; B25B 13/23 him” Examinehnaml c_ Crane
`[52] U5. C1. ...................................... .. 72/410; 72/402;
`'
`29/751; 29/237; 81/902; 81/903; 30/901
`ABSTRACT
`"
`[57]
`[58] Field of Search ............... .. 72/402, 410, 409, 450;
`29/751 753 237, 81/348 350 342 902 90 3_
`An improved crimping tool mechanism with radially
`’
`’
`’
`’
`’
`30/961
`opposed jaws that direct and balance compressive
`'
`’
`forces toward the center of the work, joining cylindri
`cal connectors and cables with more reliable electrical
`and mechanical contact than that obtainable using linear
`
`References Cited
`U_S_ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`[56]
`
`3,111,157 11/1963 Henry ................................. .. 72/402
`3,199,334 8/1965 Holmes
`72/410
`81/902
`3,664,213 5/1972 Anati ..... ..
`
`mono“ devlces'
`
`6 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`Page 1 of 9
`
`EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES EX. 1215
`Edwards Lifesciences v. Boston Scientific Scimed
`U.S. Patent No. 6,915,560
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,1993
`
`v
`
`Sheet 1 0f6
`
`5,261,263
`
`Figure 1
`
`Figure 2
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`Page 2 of 9
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 16, 1993
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`
`5,261,263
`
`10
`
`Figur‘e 3
`
`Figure 4
`
`Page 3 of 9
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 16, 1993
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`5,261,263
`
`Figure 5
`
`Figure 6
`
`Page 4 of 9
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,1993 '
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`5,261,263
`
`Figure 7
`
`Figure 8
`
`Page 5 of 9
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,1993
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`5,261,263
`
`Figure 9
`
`Figure 10
`
`Page 6 of 9
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov, 16, 1993
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`5,261,263
`
`Figure 11 _
`
`Page 7 of 9
`
`

`

`1
`
`5,261,263
`
`CRIMPING PLIERS WITH RADIALLY OPPOSED
`JAWS
`
`BACKGROUND
`1. Field of Invention
`This invention relates to crimping handtools, speci?
`cally to an improved mechanism for gripping and
`crimping cylindrical objects.
`2. Discussion of Prior Art
`A wide variety of cylindrical electrical connectors
`are crimped onto wires and coaxial cable. Although the
`?eld of crimping tools is a crowded art, most crimping
`tools invented to data have jaws which apply a linearly
`opposed force concentrated along the plane where the
`jaws converge. The resulting deformation of cylindrical
`connectors is consequently asymmetric, resulting in a
`crimp which is less than ideal with respect to electrical
`reliability and mechanical strength. On the other hand,
`crimping tools designed to apply a radial force are sub
`stantially more complex in design and correspondingly
`more expensive to manufacture than those with linear
`action.
`
`10
`
`20
`
`25
`
`OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
`Accordingly, in addition to the objects and advan
`tages described herein, several objects and advantages
`of the radial pliers of this invention are:
`(a) to provide an improved mechanism for gripping
`cylindrical workpieces with radially balanced force;
`(b) to provide a method of equally and uniformly
`deforming electrical connectors whereby optimally
`reliable electrical and mechanical contact with wires
`and coaxial cables is achieved;
`(c) to provide a method for increasing leverage as
`contact increases whereby the effort required by the
`operator is minimized.
`Further objects and advantages of the radial pliers
`will become apparent from a consideration of the draw
`ings and ensuing description.
`DRAWING FIGURES
`FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the radial pliers
`opened.
`FIG. 2 shows a top view detail of the radial pliers
`opened, handles omitted.
`FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of radial pliers
`closed.
`FIG. 4 shows a top view detail of the radial pliers
`closed, handles omitted.
`FIG. 5 shows a top view detail of the radial pliers
`opened, alternate cam slots, handles omitted.
`FIG. 6 shows a top view detail of the radial pliers
`closed, alternate cam slots, handles omitted.
`FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the radial pliers
`with added opposing annular bearings, handles omitted.
`FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the radial pliers
`with added opposing annular bearings and handles.
`FIG. 9 shows a magni?ed perspective view of a lever
`of the radial pliers modi?ed for cutting.
`FIG. 10 shows a top view of the radial pliers with an
`open-ended aperture.
`FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the radial pliers
`with added opposing annular bearings and handles ar
`ranged with a linkage,
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`2
`REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS
`: upper handle
`: annular ring
`: inner annular bearing
`: inner pivots
`: levers
`: outer pivots
`: cam slots
`: outer annular bearing
`: lower handle
`: common aperture
`
`DESCRIPTION-DRAWINGS 1-6
`A typical embodiment of the radial pliers of this in
`vention is illustrated in the perspective view of FIG. 1
`and in the top view detail of FIG. 2. To avoid over
`crowding the ?gures with numbers, only one element
`within a group of identical elements is referenced by a
`number. The radial pliers has an upper handle 10 termi
`nating in an annular ring 12. Annular ring 12 is ?xed to
`an inner annular bearing 14 to which a plurality of iden
`tical inner pivots 16 are radially arranged. A plurality of
`identical levers 18 are radially arranged and pivotally
`coupled to inner pivots 16, enclosing a common aper
`ture 30. A plurality of identical cam slots 24 on levers 18
`engage a plurality of identical outer pivots 22. Outer
`pivots 22 are radially arranged on an outer annular
`bearing 26, which is concentric with inner annular bear
`ing‘ 14. Outer annular bearing 26 is the termination of a
`lower handle 28.
`A second embodiment of the radial pliers of this in
`vention is illustrated in the top view detail of FIG. 5.
`The description is the same as for the ?rst embodiment,
`except that cam slots 24 on levers 18 engage inner piv
`ots 16 rather than outer pivots 22.
`
`OPERATION-FIGS. 1-6
`Referring to the ?rst embodiment shown in the per.
`spective view of FIG. 1 and in the top view detail of
`FIG. 2, a cylindrical workpiece (not shown) is inserted
`into common aperture 30.
`The perspective view of FIG. 3 and the top view
`detail of FIG. 4 show lower handle 28 closed to upper
`handle 10, causing clockwise rotation of outer annular
`bearing 26 and outer pivots 22 with respect to inner
`annular bearing 14 and inner pivots 16. Levers 18 rotate
`individually in a common clockwise direction on inner
`pivots 16 as outer pivots 22 slide forward in cam slots
`24, thus closing common aperture 30. As contact be
`tween levers 18 and cylindrical workpiece (not shown)
`increases, radial displacement of levers 18 caused by
`rotation on inner pivots 16 decreases, conversely caus
`ing the leverage from displacement of upper handle 10
`with respect to lower handle 28 to increase. When
`lower handle 28 is fully closed to upper handle 10,
`cylindrical workpiece (not shown) is uniformly de
`formed by levers 18.
`.
`-
`Conversely, as shown in the perspective view of
`FIG. 1 and in the top view detail of FIG. 2, opening
`lower handle 28 away from upper handle 10 causes
`counterclockwise rotation of outer annular bearing 26
`and outer pivots 22 with respect to inner annular bear
`ing 14 and inner pivots 16. Levers 18 rotate counter
`clockwise on inner pivots 16 as outer pivots 22 slide
`backward in cam slots 24, thus opening common aper
`ture 30 and releasing workpiece (not shown).
`
`Page 8 of 9
`
`

`

`5
`
`25
`
`5,261,263
`3
`4
`Referring to the second embodiment illustrated in the
`outer annular bearing, and having an inner radius
`top view detail of FIG. 5, cylindrical workpiece (not
`enclosing an area substantially equal to the area
`shown) is inserted into common aperture 30.
`enclosed by said common aperture, concentrically
`The top view detail of FIG. 6 shows the result of
`arranged to said ?rst outer annular bearing and
`clockwise rotation of outer annular bearing 26 and
`connected to said one side of said plurality of said
`outer pivots 22 with respect to inner annular bearing 14
`levers by
`and inner pivots 16. Levers 18 rotate individually in a
`a plurality of inner pivots, whereby said plurality of
`common clockwise direction on outer pivots 22 as inner
`said levers is further constrained to move and ro
`pivots l6 slide backward in cam slots 24, thus closing
`tate in a common direction with respect to the
`common aperture 30 and deforming workpiece (not
`center of said common aperture, at least one of said
`shown).
`plurality of inner pivots and said plurality of outer
`Conversely, the top view detail of FIG. 5 shows the
`pivots includes elongated cam slots;
`result of counterclockwise rotation of outer annular
`a ?rst annular ring having an inner radius substan
`bearing 26 and outer pivots 22 with respect to inner
`tially equal to the inner radius of said ?rst inner
`annular bearing 14 and inner pivots 16. Levers 18 rotate
`annular bearing and an outer radius substantially
`individually in a common counterclockwise direction
`equal to the outer radius of said ?rst outer annular
`on outer pivots 22 as inner pivots 16 slide forward in
`bearing, arranged coaxially with said ?rst inner
`cam slots 24, thus opening common aperture 30 and
`annular bearing and said ?rst outer annular bearing
`releasing workpiece (not shown).
`on said one side of said plurality of said inner pivots
`and said plurality of said outer pivots, ?xed to said
`CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE
`?rst inner annular bearing and substantially free to
`OF INVENTION
`rotate against said ?rst outer annular bearing,
`Accordingly, the reader will see that the radial pliers
`whereby the mechanical stability is improved;
`of this invention is not only a substantial improvement
`a pair of handles arranged with said ?rst outer annu
`on what is described in the prior art for gripping and
`lar bearing and said ?rst annular ring for causing
`crimping cylindrical workpieces, but is also easy to use
`them to counterrotate by moving said handles
`and economically practical to manufacture, having few
`towards and away from one another, thus causing
`unique elements and a simple design.
`said plurality of said levers to open and close said
`While the above description contains many speci?cs,
`common aperture;
`these should not be construed as limitations on the
`a second inner annular bearing and
`scope of the invention, but rather as an exempli?cation
`a second outer annular bearing arranged to the oppo
`of preferred embodiments thereof. Other embodiments
`site side of said plurality of said levers by said plu
`of the method of the invention are possible, for example:
`rality of said inner pivots and by said plurality of
`the number, shape, and composition of the levers may
`said outer pivots, whereby the mechanical stability
`be altered; the shape and position of the cam slots may
`is further improved.
`35
`be varied; the common aperture may be modi?ed to
`2. The radial press recited in claim 1, further compris
`provide an open end on the radial pliers, and the handles
`ing a second annular ring having an inner radius sub
`provided for manual operation may be modi?ed by
`stantially equal to the inner radius of said second inner
`adding a linkage for increased leverage, or omitted for
`annular bearing and having an outer radius substantially
`automated operation. There are other uses for the radial
`equal to the outer radius of said second outer annular
`pliers besides crimping, for instance, an adjustable
`bearing, arranged coaxially with said second inner an
`wrench. The radial pliers may be used to cut tubing or
`nular bearing and said second outer annular bearing on
`to strip cable by modifying the shape of the levers.
`the side opposite the inner and outer pivots, ?xed to said
`Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be de
`second inner annular bearing, where said second annu
`termined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the
`lar ring is substantially free to rotate against said second
`appended claims and their legal equivalents.
`outer annular bearing, whereby the mechanical stability
`I claim:
`is further improved.
`1. A radial press for cylindrical workpieces, compris
`3. The radial press recited in claim 2, wherein said
`ing:
`pair of handles respectively terminate the annular rings
`a plurality of levers of predetermined thickness,
`and the outer annular bearings.
`width, length, and end shape appropriate to engag
`4. The radial press recited in claim 3,- wherein said
`ing a cylindrical workpiece, radially arranged
`pair of handles further comprises a linkage arrange
`ment, whereby the mechanical advantage afforded by
`around a common aperture;
`said pair of said handles is improved.
`a ?rst outer annular bearing connected to one side of
`said plurality of said levers by
`5. The radial press recited in claim 1, wherein the
`55
`a plurality of outer pivots, whereby said plurality of
`predetermined end shape of said plurality of said levers
`said levers is constrained to move and rotate in a
`causes said cylindrical workpiece to be crimped when
`plane parallel to said ?rst outer annular bearing and
`engaged by said plurality of said levers.
`perpendicular to the axes of rotation of said plural
`6. The radial press recited in claim 1, wherein the
`ity of said outer pivots and said ?rst outer annular
`predetermined end shape of said plurality of said levers
`bearing;
`causes said cylindrical workpiece to be cut when en
`a ?rst inner annular bearing having an outer radius
`gaged by said plurality of said levers.
`substantially equal to the inner radius of said ?rst
`# ‘I
`t t i
`
`30
`
`45
`
`65
`
`Page 9 of 9
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`