Hand seamer with integrated folding tool

Abstract

A hand seamer may include a jaw assembly which may be disposed at a first end of the hand seamer and may include a first jaw which may have a first lateral dimension larger than a first length dimension measured from a proximal end of the first jaw to a distal end of the first jaw, the first jaw being pivotably operably coupled to a second jaw which may have a second lateral dimension larger than a second length dimension measured from the proximal end of the second jaw to the distal end of the second jaw, a handle assembly which may be disposed at a second end of the hand seamer and may include a first handle pivotably operably coupled to a second handle, and a folding tool which may be integrated into the distal end of one of the first jaw and the second jaw.

Description

[0001] AttyDktNo: 717745-01021 -P4257PCT01

[0002] HAND SEAMER WITH INTEGRATED FOLDING TOOL

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] Example embodiments generally relate to hand tools, and more particularly, relate to a hand seamer having an integrated folding tool.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] A hand seamer may be used in numerous settings to fold and bend sheet metal for varying purposes. Commonly used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) settings, as well as metalworking settings, hand seamers may be useful for creating folds, bends, seams, and edges in sheet metal. Hand seamers are often limited to being used to make folds of a maximum bend angle that may be determined by the thickness and angle of the jaws of the seamer, which may limit the seamer’s potential use cases. Thus, operators of the hand seamer may need to change which tool they are using throughout their specific task if they wish to make folds of smaller bend angles, such as using a hammer to strike the metal. As such, it may be desirable to design a hand seamer that may be capable of making folds of smaller bend angles that may be useful in a wider range of scenarios to reduce the frequency with which the operator may need to change tools.

[0007] BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

[0008] Some example embodiments may provide for a hand seamer. The hand seamer may include a jaw assembly which may be disposed at a first end of the hand seamer and may include a first jaw which may have a first lateral dimension larger than a first length dimension measured from a proximal end of the first jaw to a distal end of the first jaw, the first jaw being pivotably operably coupled to a second jaw which may have a second lateral dimension larger than a second length dimension measured from the proximal end of the second jaw to the distal end of the second jaw, a handle assembly which may be disposed at a second end of the hand seamer and may include a first handle pivotably operably coupled to a second handle, and a folding tool which may be integrated into the distal end of one of the first jaw and the second jaw.

[0009] Some example embodiments may provide for a folding tool integrated into a hand seamer. The hand seamer may include a jaw assembly which may be disposed at a first end of AttyDktNo: 717745-01021 -P4257PCT01 the hand seamer and may include a first jaw which may have a first lateral dimension larger than a first length dimension measured from a proximal end of the first jaw to a distal end of the first jaw, the first jaw being pivotably operably coupled to a second jaw which may have a second lateral dimension larger than a second length dimension measured from the proximal end of the second jaw to the distal end of the second jaw. The folding tool may include an outer side of one of the first jaw and the second jaw, a planar member which may be operably coupled to the outer side of one of the first jaw and the second jaw, and a receiving slot which may be disposed between the planar member and the outer side of one of the first jaw and the second jaw.

[0010] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) Having thus described some example embodiments in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a hand seamer according to an example embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the hand seamer in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a left side view of the hand seamer according to an example embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a close up left side view of a jaw assembly of the hand seamer according to an example embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a close up perspective view of a folding tool of the hand seamer according to an example embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the folding tool according to an example embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a close up perspective view of a folding tool of the hand seamer according to an example embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a left side view of the jaw assembly with material disposed therein according to an example embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates a left side view of the jaw assembly folding the material according to an example embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates a left side view of the jaw assembly folding the material according to an example embodiment; AttyDktNo: 717745-01021 -P4257PCT01

[0021] FIG. 11 illustrates a left side view of the jaw assembly folding the material according to an example embodiment;

[0022] FIG. 12 illustrates a left side view of the folding tool with material disposed therein according to an example embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 13 illustrates a left side view of the folding tool folding the material according to an example embodiment;

[0024] FIG. 14 illustrates a left side view of the folding tool folding the material according to an example embodiment; and

[0025] FIG. 15 illustrates a left side view of the folding tool folding the material according to an example embodiment.

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and pictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “or” is to be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. As used herein, operable coupling should be understood to relate to direct or indirect connection that, in either case, enables functional interconnection of components that are operably coupled to each other.

[0028] Some example embodiments may therefore provide a hand seamer that may be capable of folding sheet metal to tighter bend angles than may have been previously possible. In this regard, the hand seamer of an example embodiment may include an integrated folding tool which may enable the sheet metal to be folded to tighter bend angles than the jaw assembly of the hand seamer. In some cases, the integrated folding tool may be operably coupled to an outer side of at least one of the jaws of the hand seamer. In this regard, the hand seamer may retain the typical functionality of the jaw assembly that hand seamers are known for, while adding the additional functionality of the integrated folding tool. The maximum bend angle of the sheet metal that can be achieved by grasping the sheet metal between the jaws of the hand seamer may be limited due to the thickness of the jaws and the angle of the jaws. In other words, typical hand seamers may not be able to fold sheet metal entirely back over on itself because of how thick the jaws may be. Thus, the integrated folding tool may AttyDktNo: 717745-01021 -P4257PCT01 enable the hand seamer to fold the sheet metal to a smaller bend angle, or in other words bend the material further back. Accordingly, the hand seamer may be useful in a wider range of settings, which may reduce the need to switch tools as often while performing a specific task.

[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a hand seamer 100 may be shown in perspective view, top view and left side view, respectively, in accordance with an example embodiment. The hand seamer 100 may include a jaw assembly 110 which may be disposed at a first end 102 of the hand seamer 100, and a handle assembly 120 which may be disposed at a second end 104 of the hand seamer 100. The jaw assembly 110 may include a first jaw 130 and a second jaw 140 which may be pivotably operably coupled to each other via a pivot assembly 150. The first jaw 130 may include a first lateral dimension 132, which may be measured in a direction parallel to a pivot axis 152 of the pivot assembly 150, that may be larger than a first length dimension 134, which may be measured from a proximal end of the first jaw 130 to a distal end of the first jaw 130. Similarly, the second jaw 140 may include a second lateral dimension 142, which may also be measured in a direction parallel to the pivot axis 152 of the pivot assembly 150, that may be larger than a second length dimension 144, which may also be measured from a proximal end of the second jaw 140 to a distal end of the second jaw 140. In other words, the first and second jaws (130, 140) may be wider than they are long. In some cases, the first and second lateral dimensions (132, 142) may be equal to each other. In this regard, the hand seamer 100 may be produced in different sizes for different uses. In an example embodiment, the hand seamer 100 may be offered in a 3 inch size in which the first and second lateral dimensions (132, 142) may both measure approximately 3 inches across. In some other cases, the hand seamer 100 may be offered in a 6 inch size in which the first and second lateral dimensions (132, 142) may both measure approximately 6 inches across. In other example embodiments, other sizes may also be conceivable and the example sizes provided herein may not be an exhaustive list.

[0030] The handle assembly 120 of some example embodiments may include a first handle 122 and a second handle 124. In some cases, the first handle 122 may be operably coupled to the second jaw 140, and the second handle 124 may be operably coupled to the first jaw 130. The first handle 122 and the second handle 124 may be pivotably operably coupled to each other via the pivot assembly 150 as well. In this regard, responsive to the first handle 122 and the second handle 124 being pivoted relative to each other, the first jaw 130 and the second jaw 140 may also pivot relative to each other. Thus, the operator of the hand seamer 100 may interact with, or operate, the hand seamer 100 via the handle assembly 120. In an example embodiment, the handle assembly 120 may be configured such that when the first handle 122 AttyDktNo: 717745-01021 -P4257PCT01 and the second handle 124 are pushed further apart from each other, the first jaw 130 and the second jaw 140 may also move further apart from each other. Therefore, on the other hand, when the first handle 122 and the second handle 124 are moved towards each other, the first jaw 130 and the second jaw 140 may also move towards each other. This configuration of the hand seamer 100 may allow the operator to apply greater forces onto a selection of material via the jaw assembly 110. For example, say the operator wishes to flatten out a portion of sheet metal, the portion of sheet metal may be placed in between the first and second jaws (130, 140) and then the operator may simply squeeze the first and second handles (122, 124) together to flatten out that portion of material. In short, the pivot assembly 150 may enable the jaw assembly 110 to move in the same direction as the handle assembly 120. In some cases, the hand seamer 100 may include a jaw assembly 110 that may be disposed at an angle relative to the handle assembly 120. In this regard, the hand seamer 100 may be easier to get into different spaces, depending on the physical constraints of the application of the hand seamer 100. It should be noted that for the features described below including the folding tool 160, the jaw assembly 110 may be disposed at an angle, or straight, and the folding tool 160 described below may be unaffected.

[0031] In the example embodiment of the hand seamer 100 depicted herein, the hand seamer 100 may further include a folding tool 160. The folding tool 160 may be integrated into the distal end of one of the first jaw 130 and the second jaw 140. In the example embodiment depicted herein, the folding tool 160 may be integrated into the first jaw 130, however it should be appreciated that the folding tool 160 may be integrated into the second jaw 140 just as easily, and in some cases, the hand seamer 100 may include two folding tools 160, one integrated into each of the first and second jaws (130, 140) simultaneously. In any case, the jaw assembly 110 may be a first folding apparatus 110’ of the hand seamer 100 and the folding tool 160 may be a second folding apparatus 160’ of the hand seamer 100. In an example embodiment, the first and second folding apparatuses (110’, 160’) may operate independently of each other and as entirely separate apparatuses. For example, the jaw assembly 110 (i.e. the first folding apparatus 110’) may be operable to fold material without the presence of the folding tool 160 (i.e. the second folding apparatus 160’). The opposite may also be true: the folding tool 160 (i.e. the second folding apparatus 160’) may be operable to fold material without a complete jaw assembly 110, (i.e. first folding apparatus 110’). However, the first and second folding apparatuses (110’, 160’) may also be used together to achieve a desired fold. For instance, the operator may first fold the material using the first folding apparatus 110’ and then may switch to the second folding apparatus 160’ to AttyDktNo: 717745-01021 -P4257PCT01 complete the fold to a tighter bend angle than may have been achievable with the first folding apparatus 110’. More detail on the capabilities of each of the first and second folding apparatuses (110’, 160’) will be provided below in relation to FIGS. 4-15. In some example embodiments, the first folding apparatus 110’ and the second folding apparatus 160’ may both be arranged to enable full functionality of the other apparatus. In other words, the presence of the second folding apparatus 160’ may not impact the operation or performance of the first folding apparatus 110’, and vice versa.

[0032] FIG. 4 depicts a close up left side view of the first end 102 of the hand seamer 100 according to an example embodiment. FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the first end 102 of the hand seamer 100 in accordance with an example embodiment. FIG. 6 depicts an exploded view of the folding tool 160 in accordance with an example embodiment. FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the first end 102 of the hand seamer 100 in accordance with an example embodiment. In some cases, the first jaw 130 may include a first outer side 170 and a first inner side 180, and the second jaw 140 may include a second outer side 172 and a second inner side 182. In this regard, the first and second outer sides (170, 172) may face away from each other and may be disposed on opposite sides of the jaw assembly 110 from each other. On the other hand, the first and second inner sides (180, 182) may face towards each other and may be configured to contact each other when the jaw assembly 110 closes. As seen in FIGS. 4-7, the folding tool 160 may be integrated into the first outer side 170, but it should be appreciated that the folding tool 160 could be integrated into either or both of the first or second outer sides (170, 172). As such, the folding tool 160 may be described herein in reference to the first outer side 170 and the first jaw 130, but it should be appreciated to be embodied on either of the first or second jaws (130, 140).

[0033] Thus, the folding tool 160 may include the first outer side 170, a planar member 190 operably coupled to the first outer side 170, and a receiving slot 200 which may be disposed between the planar member 190 and the first outer side 170. In this regard, the first outer side 170 may include a cutout portion 210 which may be disposed at the distal end of the first outer side 170, at the first end 102 of the hand seamer 100. The cutout portion 210 may be a portion of the first outer side 170 where some of the material of the first jaw 130 has been removed, creating a slight depression into the first outer side 170. The amount of material removed from the cutout portion 210 may define the depth of the receiving slot 200. The planar member 190 may be operably coupled to the first outer side 170 at the proximal end of the first outer side 170 and thus the planar member 190 may include an overlap portion 220 that may extend out over the cutout portion 210. The overlap portion 220 may not extend out AttyDktNo: 717745-01021 -P4257PCT01 past the edge of the first jaw 130 at the first end 102 of the hand seamer 100, which may preserve the functionality of the jaw assembly 110 by not inhibiting the insertion of material into the jaw assembly 110. In some cases, the receiving slot 200 may be defined between the cutout portion 210 and the overlap portion 220. In this regard, the receiving slot 200 may be configured to receive material to be folded therein. In some cases, the material to be folded may be sheet metal, which may slot into the receiving slot 200 between the overlap portion 220 of the planar member 190 and the cutout portion 210 of the first outer side 170. As shown in FIG. 4, in some cases, the overlap portion 220 may be approximately one third as long as the planar member 190. This ratio of overlap portion 220 to the portion of the planar member 190 operably coupled to the first outer side 170 may help the overlap portion 220 achieve sufficient rigidity so as to not flex during the use of the folding tool 160. In an example embodiment, the overlap portion 220 may be cantilevered out over the cutout portion 210 so as to enable the receiving slot 200 to remain open to receive the sheet metal therein.

[0034] Also seen in FIG. 4, the depth 202 of the receiving slot 200 may be approximately equal to a thickness 192 of the planar member 190. This may also help the planar member 190 achieve sufficient rigidity to prevent plastic deformation as a result of bending sheet metal using the folding tool 160. In other words, by limiting the maximum thickness of the sheet metal to be less than or equal to the thickness 192 of the planar member 190, the hand seamer 100 may ensure that the folding tool 160 may not attempt to fold sheet metal that is too big to be folded by the folding tool 160. Additionally, unlike the jaw assembly 110, the depth 202 of the receiving slot 200 of the folding tool 160 may be fixed, whereas a distance between the first and second inner sides (180, 182) of the jaw assembly 110 may be adjustable. In this regard, thicker pieces of sheet metal may be bent or folded using the first folding apparatus 110’, since the jaw assembly 110 may be capably of opening wider to receive thicker sheet metal pieces therein. In some cases, the depth 202 of the receiving slot 200 may be approximately 0.06 inches. However, it should be appreciated that 0.06 inches is not the only conceivable depth and that other depths may also be possible.

[0035] Still referring to FIG. 4, the receiving slot 200 may extend substantially linearly along a receiving slot axis 204, and the receiving slot axis 204 may be parallel to a longitudinal axis 194 of the planar member 190. In this regard, the receiving slot axis 204 may extend substantially in the middle of the receiving slot 200 between the planar member 190 and the cutout portion 210. Sheet metal inserted into the receiving slot 200 may substantially align with the receiving slot axis 204 to ensure a proper fitment of the sheet metal within the AttyDktNo: 717745-01021 -P4257PCT01 folding tool 160. In some cases, the receiving slot axis 204 may form an angle (a) of approximately 10° with the first inner side 180. In this regard, the first jaw 130 may have a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from either of the right or left sides, such as in the left side view shown in FIG. 4. The angle a being approximately 10° may enable the sheet metal to be inserted into the folding tool 160 without the operator having to manipulate the hand seamer 100 into an awkward position to insert the sheet metal into the folding tool 160. In this regard, as will be discussed in reference to FIG. 12 below, the sheet metal may be inserted into the folding tool 160 while the hand seamer 100 may be held in an orientation that may be substantially the same as when the sheet metal may be inserted into the jaw assembly 110.

[0036] As seen in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, the first inner side 180 and the second inner side 182 may be substantially planar. This may aid the operator when they wish to flatten out a portion of sheet metal, as mentioned above. As such, the portion of sheet metal may be placed in between the first and second jaws (130, 140) and then the operator may simply squeeze the first and second handles (122, 124) together to flatten out that portion of material between the first and second inner sides (180, 182). The planar first and second inner sides (180, 182) may also enable the hand seamer 100 to create uniform bends in the sheet metal when using the jaw assembly 110. In this regard, since the first and second inner sides (180, 182) may be planar, they may not include any teeth or grooves that may indent the sheet metal in any way, meaning the result of using the jaw assembly 110 to bend the sheet metal may be a clean finish. In some cases, a surface area of the planar member 190 may be approximately equal to a surface area of the first inner side 180. In some other cases, a surface area of the second inner side 182 may be equal to the surface area of the first inner side 180, and as such the surface area of the planar member 190 may be approximately equal to the surface area of both the first and second inner sides (180, 182). As such, the planar member 190 may not extend out beyond the first jaw 130 or the second jaw 140. By having the same surface area as the first jaw 130, the planar member 190 may be less likely to get caught on, or otherwise interact with, many objects such as storage receptacles, surrounding material, etc. For example, on the other hand, if the planar member 190 were to have a larger surface area than the first jaw 130, then the planar member 190 may extend past the edges of the first jaw 130 on at least one side and may therefore make it more difficult to handle the hand seamer 100.

[0037] FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 depict the folding tool 160 in accordance with two example embodiments. In the example embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, the planar member 190 may be operably coupled to the first jaw 130 via at least one fastener 280. The fastener 280 AttyDktNo: 717745-01021 -P4257PCT01 may extend through the planar member 190 and into the first jaw 130 to operably couple the planar member 190 to the first outer side 170. In some other cases, a plurality of fasteners 280 may operably couple the planar member 190 to the first outer side 170. In this regard, the planar member 190 may be removable from the jaw assembly 110 if the operator desires to clean or maintain the hand seamer 100 or perhaps if the operator does not wish to keep the planar member 190 on the jaw assembly 110. On the other hand, FIG. 7 depicts an example embodiment in which the planar member 190 may be fixedly operably coupled to the fist outer side 170 and may not be removable from the jaw assembly 110. In this regard, the planar member 190 may be permanently operably coupled to the first outer side 170, perhaps via a weld, a spot weld, an adhesive, etc. In any case, the operable coupling of the planar member 190 to the jaw assembly 110 may provide adequate rigidity to the overlap portion 220 to enable the folding tool 160 to fold sheet metal accordingly.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 8-15, the operation of the hand seamer 100 will be described. FIGS. 8-11 depict the operation of the first folding apparatus 110’ in accordance with an example embodiment. In FIGS. 8-11, the jaw assembly 110 is shown to interact with a piece of material 230. In some cases, the material 230 may be sheet metal. FIG. 8 depicts the jaw assembly 110 opening up and being positioned onto the material 230. In this regard, the hand seamer 100 may be oriented so that an edge of the material 230 is disposed in between the first jaw 130 and the second jaw 140 at the proximal end of the jaw assembly 110. As shown in FIG. 9, the jaw assembly 110 may then be closed onto the material 230 such that a portion of the material 230 is held in the jaw assembly 110 between the first inner side 180 and the second inner side 182. With the jaw assembly 110 remaining closed onto the material 230, the hand seamer 100 may then be pivoted about the material 230, for example, in the direction of arrow 240. Where the distal end of the jaw assembly 110 meets the material 230, a bend may be formed in the material 230, as shown in FIG. 10. As the hand seamer 100 continues to rotate in the direction of arrow 240, the material 230 may continue to be bent or folded. The operator of the hand seamer 100 may decide to stop the fold / bend at any time they desire, or they may also continue the fold as far as possible, as shown in FIG. 11. In the embodiment of FIGS. 8-11, the first folding apparatus 110’ may be used to fold the material 230, and a fold may be achieved up to a first max bend angle 250. The first max bend angle 250 may be defined by the thickness of the first jaw 130 or the second jaw 140, depending on the direction of the rotation of the hand seamer 100. In the example embodiment of FIGS. 8- 11, the operator rotated the hand seamer 100 towards the first jaw 130, and as such towards the planar member 190 as well. Thus, as shown in FIG. 11, the rotation of the hand seamer AttyDktNo: 717745-01021 -P4257PCT01

[0039] 100 may necessarily be stopped responsive to the planar member 190 coming into contact with the material 230. In another example embodiment, the hand seamer 100 may be rotated towards the second jaw 140 and in such cases, the rotation of the hand seamer 100 may necessarily be stopped responsive to the second outer side 182 coming into contact with the material 230. In either case, the first max bend angle 250 may be dictated by the thickness of the first jaw 130 or the second jaw 140, or in other words, a distance between the first inner side 180 and the first outer side 170 plus the thickness 192 of the planar member 190.

[0040] On the other hand, in FIGS. 12-15, the folding tool 160 is shown to interact with a piece of material 230. In some cases, the material 230 may be sheet metal. FIG. 12 depicts the folding tool 160 receiving the material 230 in the receiving slot 200. In this regard, the hand seamer 100 may be oriented so that an edge of the material 230 is disposed in between the overlap portion 220 of the planar member 190 and the cutout portion 210 of the first outer side 170 at the distal end of the first jaw 130. As shown in FIG. 13, the hand seamer 100 may then be pivoted about the material 230, for example, in the direction of arrow 260. Where the distal end of the folding tool 160 meets the material 230, a bend may be formed in the material 230, as shown in FIG. 14. As the hand seamer 100 continues to rotate in the direction of arrow 260, the material 230 may continue to be bent or folded. The operator of the hand seamer 100 may decide to stop the fold / bend at any time they desire, or they may also continue the fold as far as possible, as shown in FIG. 15. In the embodiment of FIGS. 12-15, the second folding apparatus 160’ may be used to fold the material 230, and a fold may be achieved up to a second max bend angle 270. The second max bend angle 270 may be defined only by the thickness 192 of the planar member 190. In the example embodiment of FIGS. 12-15, the operator rotated the hand seamer 100 towards the first jaw 130, and as such towards the planar member 190 as well. Thus, as shown in FIG. 15, the rotation of the hand seamer 100 may necessarily be stopped responsive to the planar member 190 coming into contact with the material 230. The second max bend angle 270 may be dictated by the thickness 192 of the planar member 190. As such, the second max bend angle 270 may be significantly smaller than the first max bend angle 250. In other words, the operator of the hand seamer 100 may achieve a tighter fold or bend via the folding tool 160 than via the jaw assembly 110.

[0041] Some example embodiments may provide for a hand seamer. The hand seamer may include a jaw assembly which may be disposed at a first end of the hand seamer and may include a first jaw which may have a first lateral dimension larger than a first length dimension measured from a proximal end of the first jaw to a distal end of the first jaw, the AttyDktNo: 717745-01021 -P4257PCT01 first jaw being pivotably operably coupled to a second jaw which may have a second lateral dimension larger than a second length dimension measured from the proximal end of the second jaw to the distal end of the second jaw, a handle assembly which may be disposed at a second end of the hand seamer and may include a first handle pivotably operably coupled to a second handle, and a folding tool which may be integrated into the distal end of one of the first jaw and the second jaw.

[0042] The hand seamer of some embodiments may include additional features, modifications, augmentations and / or the like to achieve further objectives or enhance performance of the hand seamer. The additional features, modifications, augmentations and / or the like may be added in any combination with each other. Below is a list of various additional features, modifications, and augmentations that can each be added individually or in any combination with each other. For example, the jaw assembly may be a first folding apparatus of the hand seamer and the folding tool may be a second folding apparatus of the hand seamer. In some cases, the first folding apparatus and the second folding apparatus may operate independently of each other. In an example embodiment, the first folding apparatus and the second folding apparatus may both be arranged to enable full functionality of the other apparatus. In some cases, the folding tool may include an outer side of one of the first jaw and the second jaw, a planar member operably coupled to the outer side of one of the first jaw and the second jaw and a receiving slot which may be disposed between the planar member and the outer side of one of the first jaw and the second jaw. In an example embodiment, the outer side of one of the first jaw and the second jaw may include a cutout portion disposed at the distal end of the one of the first jaw and the second jaw. In some cases, the planar member may include an overlap portion that may extend out over the cutout portion. In an example embodiment, the receiving slot may be defined between the cutout portion and the overlap portion. In some cases, the overlap portion may be approximately one third as long as the planar member. In an example embodiment, the overlap portion may be cantilevered out over the cutout portion. In some cases, a depth of the receiving slot may be approximately equal to a thickness of the planar member. In an example embodiment, the depth of the receiving slot may be fixed and a distance between the first jaw and the second jaw may be adjustable. In some cases, the receiving slot may extend substantially linearly along a receiving slot axis. In an example embodiment, the receiving slot axis may be parallel to a longitudinal axis of the planar member. In some cases, the receiving slot axis may form an angle of approximately 10° with an inner side of the one of the first and second jaws. In an example embodiment, an inner side of the one of the first jaw and the second jaw AttyDktNo: 717745-01021 -P4257PCT01 may be planar. In some cases, a surface area of the planar member may be approximately equal to a surface area of the inner side of the one of the first jaw and the second jaw.

[0043] Some example embodiments may provide for a folding tool integrated into a hand seamer. The hand seamer may include a jaw assembly which may be disposed at a first end of the hand seamer and may include a first jaw which may have a first lateral dimension larger than a first length dimension measured from a proximal end of the first jaw to a distal end of the first jaw, the first jaw being pivotably operably coupled to a second jaw which may have a second lateral dimension larger than a second length dimension measured from the proximal end of the second jaw to the distal end of the second jaw. The folding tool may include an outer side of one of the first jaw and the second jaw, a planar member which may be operably coupled to the outer side of one of the first jaw and the second jaw, and a receiving slot which may be disposed between the planar member and the outer side of one of the first jaw and the second jaw.

[0044] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and / or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. In cases where advantages, benefits or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be appreciated that such advantages, benefits and / or solutions may be applicable to some example embodiments, but not necessarily all example embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits or solutions described herein should not be thought of as being critical, required or essential to all embodiments or to that which is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

AttyDktNo: 717745-01021 -P4257PCT01WHAT IS CLAIMED:

1. A hand seamer, the hand seamer comprising: a jaw assembly disposed at a first end of the hand seamer and comprising a first jaw having a first lateral dimension larger than a first length dimension measured from a proximal end of the first jaw to a distal end of the first jaw, pivotably operably coupled to a second jaw having a second lateral dimension larger than a second length dimension measured from the proximal end of the second jaw to the distal end of the second jaw; a handle assembly disposed at a second end of the hand seamer and comprising a first handle pivotably operably coupled to a second handle; and a folding tool integrated into the distal end of one of the first jaw and the second jaw.

2. The hand seamer of claim 1, wherein the jaw assembly is a first folding apparatus of the hand seamer and the folding tool is a second folding apparatus of the hand seamer, wherein the first folding apparatus and the second folding apparatus operate independently of each other, and wherein the first folding apparatus and the second folding apparatus are both arranged to enable full functionality of each other.

3. The hand seamer of claim 1, wherein the folding tool comprises: an outer side of one of the first jaw and the second jaw; a planar member operably coupled to the outer side of one of the first jaw and the second jaw; and a receiving slot disposed between the planar member and the outer side of one of the first jaw and the second jaw.

4. The hand seamer of claim 3, wherein the outer side of one of the first jaw and the second jaw comprises a cutout portion disposed at the distal end of the one of the first jaw and the second jaw, wherein the planar member comprises an overlap portion that extends out over the cutout portion, and wherein the receiving slot is defined between the cutout portion and the overlap portion.AttyDktNo: 717745-01021 -P4257PCT015. The hand seamer of claim 4, wherein the overlap portion is approximately one third as long as the planar member.

6. The hand seamer of claim 4, wherein the overlap portion is cantilevered out over the cutout portion.

7. The hand seamer of claim 4, wherein a depth of the receiving slot is approximately equal to a thickness of the planar member.

8. The hand seamer of claim 7, wherein the depth of the receiving slot is fixed and a distance between the first jaw and the second jaw is adjustable.

9. The hand seamer of claim 4, wherein the receiving slot extends substantially linearly along a receiving slot axis.

10. The hand seamer of claim 9, wherein the receiving slot axis is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the planar member.

11. The hand seamer of claim 9, wherein the receiving slot axis forms an angle of approximately 10° with an inner side of the one of the first and second jaws.

12. The hand seamer of claim 3, wherein an inner side of the one of the first jaw and the second jaw is planar, and wherein a surface area of the planar member is approximately equal to a surface area of the inner side of the one of the first jaw and the second jaw.

13. A folding tool integrated into a hand seamer comprising a jaw assembly disposed at a first end of the hand seamer and comprising a first jaw having a first lateral dimension larger than a first length dimension measured from a proximal end of the first jaw to a distal end of the first jaw, pivotably operably coupled to a second jaw having a second lateral dimension larger than a second length dimension measured from the proximal end of the second jaw to the distal end of the second jaw, the folding tool comprising: an outer side of one of the first jaw and the second jaw;AttyDktNo: 717745-01021 -P4257PCT01 a planar member operably coupled to the outer side of one of the first jaw and the second jaw; and a receiving slot disposed between the planar member and the outer side of one of the first jaw and the second jaw.

14. The folding tool of claim 13, wherein the jaw assembly is a first folding apparatus of the hand seamer and the folding tool is a second folding apparatus of the hand seamer, wherein the first folding apparatus and the second folding apparatus operate independently of each other, and wherein the first folding apparatus and the second folding apparatus are both arranged to enable full functionality of each other.

15. The folding tool of claim 13, wherein the outer side of one of the first jaw and the second jaw comprises a cutout portion disposed at the distal end of the one of the first jaw and the second jaw, wherein the planar member comprises an overlap portion that extends out over the cutout portion, and wherein the receiving slot is defined between the cutout portion and the overlap portion.

16. The folding tool of claim 15, wherein the overlap portion is approximately one third as long as the planar member, and wherein the overlap portion is cantilevered out over the cutout portion.

17. The folding tool of claim 15, wherein a depth of the receiving slot is approximately equal to a thickness of the planar member, and wherein the depth of the receiving slot is fixed and a distance between the first jaw and the second jaw is adjustable.

18. The folding tool of claim 15, wherein the receiving slot extends substantially linearly along a receiving slot axis, and wherein the receiving slot axis is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the planar member.AttyDktNo: 717745-01021 -P4257PCT0119. The folding tool of claim 18, wherein the receiving slot axis forms an angle of approximately 10° with an inner side of the one of the first and second jaws.

20. The folding tool of claim 13, wherein an inner side of the one of the first jaw and the second jaw is planar, and wherein a surface area of the planar member is approximately equal to a surface area of the inner side of the one of the first jaw and the second jaw.

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