Pliers with adjustable opening

Abstract

The adjustable-opening pliers comprise a passive male arm (1) and an active female arm (2), each having a handle (4, 9), an intermediate section (5, 10), and a jaw (6, 11). The male arm (1) has a longitudinal slot (7) with teeth (8) provided along its lower edge. The female arm (2) has a transverse channel (12) for partial insertion of the male arm (1) and a through-bore (13). The adjustment mechanism (3) comprises a ratchet (14) that can be engaged with the teeth (8) and a shaft (15) coupled in the side bore (13) that is configured to interact with the ratchet (14).When the female arm (2) rotates, the shaft (15) causes the ratchet (14) to rotate, disengaging it from the teeth (8). This allows for precise and controlled adjustment of the relative position between the male arm (1) and the female arm (2). In an alternative embodiment, the female arm (2) includes a movable jaw (17) which is guided along the male arm (1) by a guide (19), so that the jaws remain essentially parallel during adjustment and use.

Description

SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention falls within the technical field of manual clamping and clamping tools with jaws at pivotable ends and in particular falls within the technical field of tools with joints with an adjustable support point, and relates in particular to an adjustable pair of pliers whose jaw opening can be varied. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Pliers are essential tools in a wide variety of industries, from mechanics and construction to home and professional use. Over the years, different types of pliers have been designed to perform specific functions, such as tightening, loosening, holding, or adjusting parts. One of the most sought-after features of this type of tool is its ability to adapt to different object sizes, which has led to the development of adjustable pliers. With these tools, the jaws can be adjusted to accommodate a greater variety of shapes and dimensions, thus increasing their versatility and applicability.

[0003] Adjustable pliers were developed to meet the need for adaptability in applications that handle workpieces of varying sizes. Unlike fixed-size pliers, which can only grip objects within a specific diameter range, adjustable pliers allow for variable jaw spacing, significantly expanding the range of possible applications. This type of pliers is particularly well-suited for repair, maintenance, and assembly applications where operators need to quickly switch between workpieces of different dimensions without having to use multiple tools.

[0004] Despite advances in the design of adjustable pliers, conventional designs still suffer from some problems. A common issue is the complexity of adjustment mechanisms. In many adjustable pliers, the opening and closing system is controlled by a ratchet mechanism, a bolt, or a combination of moving parts that allows the jaw opening to be varied.

[0005] Ergonomics and ease of use are further important issues. Many designs require the user to use both hands or additional tools for adjustments, reducing efficiency and limiting their use in confined spaces or situations with limited maneuverability. This problem is compounded when considering that the adjustment mechanism may not be ambidextrous, thus limiting accessibility for both right- and left-handed users. Where speed and precision are essential, such as in mechanical or construction work, a tool that cannot be adjusted quickly and easily can negatively impact productivity.

[0006] A third common disadvantage of adjustable pliers is the durability and reliability of the locking mechanism. Often, after the desired opening has been set, the locking system fails to properly secure the jaws in position, which can lead to unwanted slippage during use. This type of malfunction not only interrupts the workflow but also poses a potential safety risk to the operator and can damage the workpieces. Furthermore, these problems can worsen over time due to wear and tear on the adjustment and locking mechanism resulting from prolonged use.

[0007] It should also be mentioned that in some current designs of adjustable pliers, the number of additional components, such as pins, bolts, and ratchets, increases the likelihood of mechanical failure. Each additional component not only increases manufacturing costs but can also create weak points in the tool's construction, especially if inferior materials are used or assembly is imprecise. Furthermore, the maintenance of these tools is complicated by the difficulty of properly disassembling and reassembling the internal mechanism.

[0008] According to the current state of the art, documents relating to adjustable pliers of this type are known. An example can be found in document ES2682076, of which the applicant is the owner; this document describes adjustable pliers having a movable active arm with a transverse recess of two branches, between which is a passive arm having a longitudinal slot provided with at least one helical tooth, and wherein a movable axis is fixed to the movable active arm, which receives a ratchet locking element having a locking tooth on one side facing the helical tooth, and wherein the ratchet locking element has an elastic spring; wherein the ratchet locking element has an angled slot capable of receiving within itself a fixed pin which is connected to the movable active arm.

[0009] In summary, adjustable pliers represent a significant advancement in terms of versatility and functionality across a wide range of applications. However, considerable challenges remain regarding design complexity, ergonomics, the reliability of the adjustment mechanism, and the overall durability of the tool. The present invention was developed to address these shortcomings by providing a simplified and more efficient design, thereby improving adjustment accuracy, ensuring locking security, and facilitating use for a wider variety of users and situations. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The invention relates to the provision of pliers with an adjustable opening, the jaw opening of which can be varied. The main objective of the invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing pliers with an adjustable opening, which include a simplified ratchet system that can be operated with both hands, thus improving both the ease of adjustment and the durability of the mechanism.

[0011] The specific objectives of the invention include: - Reduction of the number of components required for the adjustment mechanism, thus eliminating the dependence on the pin or button present in other solutions; - Simplification of tool assembly through the implementation of a mechanism based on an axis with optimized geometry, which interacts directly with the ratchet; - Providing an ambidextrous solution that can be comfortably adjusted for both right- and left-handed users by rotating the movable arm; - Improving the durability of the mechanism by using materials and designs that minimize wear and tear over time.

[0012] The present invention relates to pliers with an adjustable opening, comprising an adjustment mechanism by means of a removable ratchet system, so that the opening of the jaws can be precisely varied to accommodate objects of different sizes. The invention facilitates the adjustment of the tool without the need for auxiliary tools, thus improving its usability.

[0013] The main mechanism comprises two clamping arms hinged at a pivot point. The opening adjustment is achieved via a geometric axis that interacts with the ratchet. This axis has a shaft with at least two flat sides that, upon reaching a specific rotation angle, engage with the central hole of the ratchet, disengaging it and thus allowing the jaw opening to be varied. Unlike other designs that use pins, knobs, or bolts, this system employs a direct axis, reducing the number of moving components and simplifying the mechanism's design.

[0014] During use, as the female arm of the pliers rotates, the flat sides of the shaft come into contact with the inner surfaces of the ratchet's central hole. This contact causes the ratchet to rotate integrally with the shaft, allowing the ratchet to disengage from the teeth on the male arm. Once the required disengagement angle is exceeded, the user can freely adjust the jaw opening. When the desired opening is selected, the ratchet automatically re-engages, ensuring the jaws maintain their position during use.

[0015] The design allows for one-handed opening adjustment, enabling easy handling in a variety of applications without the need to manipulate multiple mechanisms simultaneously. The adjustment system is ambidextrous, making it suitable for both right- and left-handed users. The ratchet-and-geometry-axis mechanism ensures reliable jaw locking, minimizing the risk of unintentional movement.

[0016] Depending on the specific requirements of the application, the geometric axis can take on different shapes. The preferred embodiment uses two flat sides; however, it is also possible to implement variants with more sides or with curved surfaces, which could offer different adjustment or stability levels depending on the context of use. The axis can also have a polygonal shape, for example, as a hexagonal axis, to increase the precision of the adjustment.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment, the pliers are designed such that the jaws remain essentially parallel to each other during adjustment and use of the tool. In this design, the female arm is divided into two functional areas: the movable arm itself and a separate movable jaw. The movable jaw is guided relative to the male arm, so that when the female arm is rotated to disengage the ratchet from the teeth of the male arm, and when the relative position between the two arms is adjusted, the movable jaw performs a sliding movement parallel to the fixed jaw of the male arm.

[0018] This arrangement ensures that the opposing surfaces of the jaws remain parallel regardless of the selected opening. The guidance of the movable jaw along the male arm provides a stable geometry in which the clamping surfaces of both jaws are always aligned; this prevents angular deviations that could occur with conventional adjustable pliers.

[0019] The operation of the adjustment mechanism is essentially the same as already described in connection with the preferred embodiment. If the female arm is rotated beyond a certain angle, the shaft comes into contact with the inner surfaces of the central hole of the ratchet, causing the ratchet to rotate with the shaft and thus disengage from the teeth of the male arm. At this point, the female arm can slide relative to the male arm to vary the jaw opening. Once the desired opening is selected, the ratchet automatically re-engages with the teeth, thus locking the position.

[0020] The technical benefit of this design lies in a significant improvement in the quality and safety of the grip. By keeping the jaws parallel, the pressure applied to a flat or prismatic workpiece is distributed evenly, thus reducing the risk of damage to the part and ensuring a more secure hold. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for holding objects with flat or parallel surfaces, such as nuts, plates, rods, or connectors, where the parallelism of the jaws contributes to both precision and operator safety.

[0021] Regarding materials, the shaft and ratchet can be made of wear-resistant metal alloys or composite materials, depending on the durability requirements of the tool. The use of these materials can ensure a longer service life and higher fatigue strength, particularly in industrial applications. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] To supplement the description and to aid a better understanding of the features of the invention according to a preferred example of its practical implementation, a set of drawings is included as an integral part of the description; these show, for illustration and without limitation: Fig. 1. A perspective view of the pliers with adjustable opening; Fig. 2 a perspective view of an exploded view of the pliers; Fig. 3. A top view of the pliers with a cutting indication; Fig. 4. A top view of the pliers from below with a cutting indication; Fig. 5 a top view of the pliers cut through plane AA according to Fig. 4; Fig. 6 a front view of the pliers cut through the plane BB according to Fig. 3: Fig. 7 a perspective rear view of the male thigh and part of the adjustment mechanism; Fig. 8 a perspective front view according to Fig. 7; Fig. 9.1 to 9.3 the adjustment sequence of the opening of the pliers; Fig. 10 a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the pliers with parallel jaws; Fig. 11 a perspective view of an exploded view of the alternative embodiment of the pliers; Fig. 12.1 to 12.3 the adjustment sequence of the opening of the alternative embodiment of the pliers. PREFERRED FORM OF EXECUTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] A preferred embodiment of the subject matter of the present invention is explained in detail below with reference to the figures mentioned above.

[0024] The described pliers with adjustable opening, which are in Fig. Figure 1 shows a passive or fixed leg, hereinafter referred to as the male leg (1), and an active or movable leg, hereinafter referred to as the female leg (2), which are linked together via an adjustment mechanism (3).

[0025] As seen in the exploded view of Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the male leg (1) comprises successively a first lower grip (4), a first intermediate section (5), and a first jaw (6). The first intermediate section (5) has a longitudinal passage slot (7) with teeth (8) defined on its lower inner edge.

[0026] The female leg (2) in turn comprises a second lower handle (9), a second intermediate section (10), and a second jaw (11). The second intermediate section (10) has a transverse passage channel (12) for the partial insertion of the male leg (1) and the adjustment mechanism (3), and a vertical, continuous lateral bore (13) which engages the female leg (2) at the end of the transverse channel (12) closest to the second jaw (11).

[0027] Thus, the handle of the pliers is composed of the first grip (4) and the second grip (9), while the jaw is composed of the first jaw (6) and the second jaw (11). The first jaw (6) has an adjustable position relative to the second jaw (11), so that the jaw has a variable opening.

[0028] The adjusting mechanism (3) consists of a ratchet (14) provided with a central through-hole, which can be engaged and disengaged from the teeth (8) by means of a shaft (15) that passes perpendicularly through the central hole of the ratchet (14) and has a shank with a geometry that allows it to interact with the inner surfaces of the hole. In the most preferred embodiment, the shank has a polygonal geometry with at least two flat sides. In the preferred embodiment described here, the shank of the shaft (15) has four flat sides, as can be seen from the figures. In alternative embodiments, the shank of the shaft (15) can have any geometry connecting the shaft (15) to the ratchet (14).

[0029] An elastic element (16) ensures that the ratchet (14) lever is always acted upon in the direction of the teeth (8), so that when the pliers are adjusted, the adjustment mechanism (3) functions automatically and movements in the opposite direction are prevented. It also helps to release the ratchet (14) from the teeth (8) when the opening of the jaws (6, 11) needs to be modified.

[0030] The flat-sided shaft (15) can be connected to the female arm (2) by being coupled to the side bore (13). In this way, the ratchet (14) can be actuated by rotating the female arm (2).

[0031] Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows the pliers in the rest position, with the jaws (6, 11) very close together. The ratchet (14) engages with the teeth (8) and is actuated via the elastic element (16), so that the male jaw (1) is immobilized relative to the female jaw (2). Fig. 7 and Fig. Figure 8 shows the pliers in a partially exploded view. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, wherein the male leg (1) is shown with ratchet (14) received in the longitudinal slot (7) and engaging with the teeth (8).

[0032] The procedure for disengaging the ratchet (14) is considered ambidextrous, since it is activated by rotating the female thigh (2), as in Fig. Figures 9.1 to 9.3 illustrate this without requiring any additional element on either the right or left side of the pliers. When a certain rotation angle of the female arm (2) is exceeded, the ratchet (14) disengages from the teeth (8), thus releasing the male arm (1). At this point, the position of the male arm (1) relative to the female arm (2) can be adjusted to position the first jaw (6) at a greater or lesser distance from the second jaw (11), thereby achieving the desired jaw opening.

[0033] To explain this process using the shaft (15) with a flat-side shank, it can be said that when the female arm (2) is rotated, the shaft (15) also rotates within the hole of the ratchet (14). The ratchet (14) keeps its teeth in contact with the teeth (8) of the longitudinal slot (7) of the male arm (1) until a certain angle is exceeded.

[0034] Here, the shaft (15), which in this case is a flat-sided shaft, contacts the inner sides of the central hole of the ratchet (14), so that they are locked together, and the ratchet (14) begins to rotate together with the shaft (15). The ratchet (14) loses contact with the teeth (8), so that the male arm (1) is released to adjust the position of the male arm (1) relative to the female arm (2).

[0035] In an alternative embodiment, which is described in the Fig. As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the pliers are designed such that the opposing clamping surfaces of the jaws (6, 11) remain essentially parallel to each other during adjustment and use. In this design, the female arm (2) is functionally divided into the movable arm itself and a separate movable jaw (17). The female arm (2) further comprises a projecting part (18) which is arranged at an end opposite the end at which the second lower handle (9) is arranged, as shown in Figures 10 to 12. Fig. 11 is evident. The projecting part (18) connects the female thigh (2) to the movable cheek (17).

[0036] The male leg (1) further comprises a guide (19) which is arranged below the longitudinal through-slot (7), so that the projecting part (18) of the female leg (2), via which it is connected to the movable jaw (17), is guided and moved along the longitudinal slot (7). In this way, when the relative position between the two legs (1, 2) is varied, the movable jaw (17) is moved translationally along the guide (19) in a guided manner, pushed by the projecting part (18), while maintaining its parallel orientation to the first jaw (6). In this embodiment, the second jaw (11) is implemented as the movable jaw (17) associated with the female leg (2), which is restricted to a substantially linear movement relative to the male leg (1) by the interaction between the projecting part (18) and the guide (19).

[0037] As in the previously described embodiment, the adjusting mechanism (3) comprises the ratchet (14), which can be engaged with the teeth (8) provided on the lower inner edge of the longitudinal slot (7) of the male leg (1), and the shaft (15), which can be connected to the side bore (13) of the female leg (2). The elastic element (16) pre-tensions the ratchet (14) in the direction of the teeth (8) to maintain the selected relative position during use.The constructive difference of the present embodiment lies in the fact that the movable jaw (17) interacts with the male leg (1) via the projecting part (18) and the guide (19), which can be achieved by mutually interacting linear guide surfaces arranged along the corresponding areas of the male leg (1) and the movable jaw (17), thereby limiting their relative movement and maintaining the parallelism of the clamping surfaces.

[0038] Fig. 10 and Fig. Figure 11 illustrates the general arrangement of this alternative embodiment. In the rest position, the ratchet (14) is engaged with the teeth (8) and the male arm (1) is immobilized relative to the female arm (2), while the movable jaw (17) is aligned with the first jaw (6) so that the clamping surfaces are substantially parallel.

[0039] The operation of the adjustment mechanism (3) is analogous to that already described: if the female leg (2) is rotated beyond a certain angle, the shaft of the shaft (15) comes into contact with the inner surfaces of the central hole of the ratchet and causes the ratchet to rotate integrally with the shaft (15), thereby disengaging the ratchet (14) from the teeth (8).

[0040] After disengaging the jaws, the opening of the jaws (6, 11) can be varied by sliding the female arm (2) relative to the male arm (1). During this adjustment, the movable jaw (17), which is connected to the projecting part (18), performs a translational movement along the guide (19) parallel to the first jaw (6), so that the opposing clamping surfaces remain essentially parallel, regardless of the selected opening. When the desired opening is reached, releasing the rotation of the female arm (2) allows the ratchet (14) to re-engage with the teeth (8) under the action of the elastic element (16), thus fixing the relative position of the arms (1, 2) and maintaining the parallelism of the jaws (6, 17) during the subsequent clamping operation.

[0041] The technical benefit of this embodiment lies in the improvement of the grip's quality and safety. Because the clamping surfaces are held essentially parallel to each other, the pressure exerted on flat or prismatic workpieces is distributed more evenly across the contact area, reducing the likelihood of local marks or damage and improving the grip's stability. This design is particularly advantageous for holding objects with flat or parallel surfaces, such as nuts, plates, rods, or connectors, while maintaining the one-handed and two-handed operation already provided by the adjustment mechanism (3).

[0042] Fig.Figures 12.1 to 12.3 schematically show the operating sequence for the alternative embodiment: open, disengaged, and closed positions. In the open position, the jaws (6, 17) are separated from each other, while maintaining the parallel orientation of their clamping surfaces; in the disengaged position, the rotation of the female arm (2) causes the coupling between the shaft (15) and the ratchet (14) and the resulting release from the teeth (8); and in the closed position, after re-engaging the ratchet (14), the movable jaw (17) remains parallel to the first jaw (6) to clamp the workpiece. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] ES 2682076

[0008]

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