Modular Hand Tool Jaws for Secure Grip on Flat-Surface Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand tools, such as pliers, struggle with gripping objects against hard flat surfaces, lack customizability, and have inadequate surface area for secure gripping, leading to slipping and reduced torque application.
Innovation Solution
Hand tool systems with protrusions or couplers on jaws, allowing for attachments of varying shapes and materials, and optional retaining members to prevent slipping, enabling secure grip and increased torque application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hand tools are used to grip objects against hard flat surfaces, then the tool structure remains simple, but the gripping reliability deteriorates due to insufficient surface area and lack of customization
Solution Approach 1:
The hand tool system is divided into modular components: a base tool with a coupler and separate interchangeable attachments. Each attachment can be selectively coupled to the coupler via magnetic attraction, allowing the tool to be segmented into different functional configurations based on the task requirements. This segmentation enables reliable gripping in various scenarios without requiring a completely different tool for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler mechanism with magnetic attraction provides a universal interface that can accommodate multiple types of attachments with different shapes, materials, and functions. This multi-functionality allows a single base tool to perform various gripping tasks by simply changing the attachment, thereby improving gripping reliability across different applications without increasing the complexity of the base tool structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hand tools lack customizability, then the device complexity remains low, but the adaptability to different scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hand tool system transitions from a static, fixed-configuration tool to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. The magnetic coupler enables attachments to be easily coupled and decoupled based on the specific scenario, allowing the tool to adapt its configuration dynamically. This dynamic adaptability is achieved through a simple magnetic interface that requires minimal complexity while enabling versatile application across different gripping scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler acts as an intermediary component between the base tool and various attachments. It provides a standardized magnetic interface that mediates the connection between different components, enabling easy customization and adaptation to different scenarios. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the overall system complexity by providing a universal connection point while enabling diverse attachment options.
3Force
If hand tools have inadequate surface area for gripping, then the device complexity remains low, but the torque application capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the surface area of the entire tool, the invention applies local quality enhancement through specialized attachments. Each attachment can be designed with specific surface characteristics, geometries, and material properties optimized for particular gripping scenarios. This allows high torque application capability to be achieved at the local gripping interface without increasing the overall complexity of the tool structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachments can be made from composite materials or different material compositions optimized for specific gripping requirements. This enables enhanced force application and torque capability through material selection rather than simply increasing surface area, thereby improving performance without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances grip and torque application on objects, allowing for versatile use in various scenarios, including tight spaces and stripped fasteners, with reduced slipping and improved accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
the protrusion and the attachment are magnetically attracted such that they are configured to magnetically couple with one another until separated by manual force
Data Source
AI summary
Hand tool systems disclosed herein include hand tools including a first rigid member having a first lever and a first jaw, a second rigid member having a second lever and a second jaw, and a pivot rotatingly coupling the first rigid member with the second rigid member. A coupler may comprise a protrusion extending from a sidewall of one of the jaws and/or may comprise a cavity in the sidewall. An attachment includes a void, projection, and/or extension for selectively coupling with the coupler, and includes a recess which may form a shape of half of a regular hexagon. Two attachments may be used, one coupled to each jaw, so that when the hand tool is closed the recesses jointly form a shape of a regular hexagon. In implementations the jaws have protrusions integrally formed therewith, instead of selectively couplable attachments, which include recesses.