AU2019100858A4 - Gripping device - Google Patents

Abstract

Agripping device 21A having first and second components 23A and 25Ajoined by a pivot 27A has jaw parts 29A and 31A with tip portions 30A and 32A that have concave recesses 53, 55 for receipt of shoulder portions of ratchet clamps 1 as used in plastics piping of irrigation systems.

Description

GRIPPING DEVICE

FIELD

This invention is in the field of hand tools and comprises a tool that is useful for securing clamps to pipes or tubes particularly in irrigation systems and for additional purposes.

BACKGROUND io A method of distributing water to plants in a body of soil is to connect a water supply to a network of flexible plastics pipes that in turn delivers water to outlets which sprinkle or spray the water onto the soil.

Gardeners, horticulturists and the like have available to them a wide variety of fittings, together with polyethylene PE pipe, known colloquially as “poly 15 pipe” (which term is used hereinafter) in nominal sizes (internal diameters) such as 13mm, 19mm and 25mm, and using these can assemble such a system.

An important advantage of such irrigation systems is that they can limit wastage of water. For example in a domestic garden, they are an alternative 20 to a simple garden hose whose use can lead to water being directed less accurately to the vicinity of plants.

In assembling an irrigation system of the type described above, it may be desired to secure a pipe or tube on a fitting having a short stub (barbed or not) that is entered into an end of the pipe or tube. Plastics clamps are 25 available which can clamp onto the pipe or tube to limit or eliminate the possibility of the pipe or tube and the fitting separating. However, a problem encountered by some people, including the aged or infirm, can be that fitting clamps and tightening them can be difficult, despite the fact that they are intended to be applied without the need for tools. If a tool such as a pliers or 30 a pair of so-called multigrips is used, it can be difficult to avoid them slipping off the clamp.

The invention addresses this problem. Moreover, likely users of the invention may also have problems securing or undoing such fittings as clip-on nozzles that are screwed on to garden taps, and embodiments of the invention can 35 assist with such problems also.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the invention provides a gripping device comprising first and second components connected to each other by a pivot allowing relative rotation of the first and second components about a pivot axis, wherein:

2019100858 02 Aug 2019 each of the first and second components has a jaw part and a handle part integrally formed therewith, the handle parts and the jaw parts therewith disposed on opposite sides of the pivot;

the two handle parts are adapted to be urged manually by a user towards each other so as to urge the two jaw parts towards each other and thereby to grip an object placed between the jaw parts;

each jaw part has a concave recess formed therein so that an object held by and between the jaw parts and with portions of the object received in the recesses is restrained from slipping out from between the jaw parts.

io Preferably, each recess is shaped and sized to restrain the portion of the object received therein from slipping out from between the jaw parts in both a direction parallel to the pivot axis and in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis.

Preferably also, the recesses in the jaw parts are located and proportioned 15 for receipt therein of shoulder portions of a ratchet clamp for pipes or tubes which shoulder portions when pushed toward each other cause closure of the ratchet clamp around a pipe on which the ratchet clamp is positioned;

whereby the gripping device is adapted for use in closing the ratchet clamp around a pipe.

Further enhancing the usefulness of the invention, at least one of the jaw parts may comprise a concave portion between the recess of that jaw part and the pivot that in use of the gripping device to grip a cylindrical object can extend peripherally partway around the round object.

As an example, the concave portion may have over part of its length a radius 25 of curvature of approximately 20mm.

The concave portion may have a toothed surface, for better grip. The toothed surface may comprise teeth that extend parallel to the pivot axis.

In a preferred embodiment, the pivot of the gripping device is positionable by a user at any one of a plurality of selected positions on at least one of the 30 first and second components.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a pair of multigrips having opposing jaw parts that are secured to each other at a pivot and in use can be urged towards each other by a user by gripping a pair of handles each integrally formed with one of the jaw parts, wherein each jaw part has a 35 concave recess formed therein so that an object held by and between the jaw parts and with portions of the object received in the recesses is restrained from slipping out from between the jaw parts.

Preferably, the recesses in the jaw parts are located and proportioned for receipt therein of shoulder portions of a ratchet clamp for pipes or tubes 40 which shoulder portions when pushed toward each other cause closure of the ratchet clamp around a pipe on which the ratchet clamp is positioned;

2019100858 02 Aug 2019 whereby the gripping device is adapted for use in closing the ratchet clamp around a pipe.

Preferably also, at least one of the jaw parts comprises a concave portion between the recess of that jaw part and the pivot that in use of the gripping device to grip a cylindrical object can extend peripherally partway around the round object.

In some embodiments, each jaw part comprises a concave portion between the recesses of their respective jaw parts with a toothed gripping surface and wherein teeth of both toothed gripping surfaces face in the same direction io relative to the pivot.

The invention will now be described in more detail by reference to the appended diagrams.

In this specification, including in the claims, the word “comprise”, and words and phrases derived therefrom such as “comprises”, “comprising”, 15 “comprised in” and the like, when used in relation to elements or steps are intended to convey that the elements or steps are present, but not to preclude the possibility that other elements or steps are also present.

Nothing in the present specification is to be construed as an admission or concession as to the state of the art or common general knowledge in any 20 field of activity in Australia or elsewhere.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAGRAMS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ratchet clamp for pipes and tubes;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a pair of multi-grips;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the pair of multi-grips of Figure 2 gripping a 25 ratchet clamp of the type shown in Figure 1;

Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of portion of a gripping device according to the invention;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of a gripping device as shown in Figures 4 and 5 and according to the invention, with jaws shown partly in section;

Figure 7 is an enlarged portion of the portion labelled “A” Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a view in the direction of arrow “B” in Figure 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Drip and spray irrigation systems are widely used in domestic gardens and in horticulture for delivering water to the vicinity of plants. Persons setting up 35 such systems have available to them a wide variety of fittings for delivery of water to the vicinity of plants by spraying or dripping, together with polyethylene PE pipe, known colloquially as “poly pipe” (which term is used hereinafter) in nominal sizes (internal diameters) such as 13mm, 19mm and

2019100858 02 Aug 2019

25mm, for delivering water to these fittings. Fittings are also available for connecting lengths of poly pipe together into networks for water delivery and for connecting such networks to a water supply, such as for example a domestic water tap. The various fittings are often formed by injection moulding in plastics, such as PE polyethylene.

Many such fittings have pipe stubs as water inlets and outlets which, during the setting up of an irrigation system, are pushed into ends of lengths of poly pipe. In many such fittings the pipe stubs are barbed to reduce the chance of the stub being blown off the poly pipe by water pressure. However, often it is io desired or necessary to further secure the fitting on the poly pipe by applying a clamp to the poly pipe exterior to hold the pipe firmly to the pipe stub.

Figure 1 shows a so-called ratchet clamp 1 of a type widely used for this purpose. Such clamps are formed in plastics materials and are available in a range of sizes to suit the various poly pipe sizes.

Ratchet clamp 1 has a strap portion 3 and first and second toothed parts 5 and 7 respectively and in use is threaded over an end of a pipe (not shown) so that the pipe extends through opening 9. Toothed parts 5 and 7 having teeth 6 and 8 respectively engage with each other when urged towards each other by pressure applied at and near shoulder portions 11 and 13 in the directions of arrows 15 to tighten strap portion 3 around the pipe. Pressure on the shoulder portions 11 and 13 is usually applied by a user’s fingers. Engagement of teeth 6 and 8 with each other prevents the clamp 1 from loosening. Toothed portion 5 in use then lies in a space 17 between toothed portion 7 and an outer portion 19 to help prevent disengagement of teeth 6 and 8. An inner portion 20 bears against the pipe being clamped. There may be roughened areas at or near the locations 18 to enhance a user’s grip.

Ratchet clamps such as 1 are available in sizes suitable for use with poly pipe in the diameters mentioned above, all in essentially the same form.

It can be difficult for aged and infirm persons to secure a ratchet clamp such 30 as clamp 1 on a pipe using fingers alone on shoulder portions 11 and 13 or at roughened areas 18. This may be because the force required is too great for them to apply.

One approach to this problem is to use a tool such as a pair of pliers (not shown) or a pair of so-called “multigrips” 21, as shown in Figure 2. Multigrips 35 21 have first and second components 23 and 25 and a pivot 27, components and 25 having jaw parts 29 and 31, respectively, on one side of pivot 27 and handle parts 33 and 35, respectively, on the other side of pivot 27. The pivot 27 can be positioned at any of several locations on second component 25, so as to vary the opening between jaw parts 29 and 31. Figure 3 shows 40 multigrips 21 being used on ratchet clamp 1 to close clamp 1 of a pipe 38.

Tip portions 30 and 32, respectively, of the jaw parts 29 and 31 are applied to the shoulder portions 11 and 13 to squeeze them towards each other.

2019100858 02 Aug 2019

However, while the force urging shoulder portions 11 and 13 towards each other is increased, it has been found that tip portions 30 and 32 of jaw parts 29 and 31 can be difficult for some persons to position onto shoulder portions 11 and 13 and, where correct positioning is not achieved or is lost during the 5 squeezing process, may slip off the shoulder portions 11 and 13. Such slippage can be lengthwise (i.e in a direction parallel to the pivot axis 28) or in a direction perpendicular to that direction and so separate from ratchet clamp 1. The problem can occur even where the tip portions 30, 32 are toothed as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

io To overcome or at least ameliorate this problem, gripping device 21A, shown in Figures 4 and 5 may be used. Gripping device 21A is shown in part only in Figures 4 and 5, as except for the modification explained below, they are essentially the same as multigrips 21. In Figures 4 and 5, parts are numbered with the suffix “A” where they correspond directly in function to parts having the same number but without the suffix “A” in Figure 2 and 3. Formed within tip portions 30A and 32A of jaw parts 29A and 31 A, respectively, are concave recesses 53 and 55. The gripping device 21A can be used in the same way as multigrips 21 are shown in use in Figure 3, but the shoulder portions 11 and 13 of ratchet clamp 1 are received in the recesses 53 and 55 which are sized and shaped to receive and retain those shoulder portions 11 and 13. This greatly reduces the chance of either shoulder portion 11 or 13 slipping from between jaw parts 29A and 31A in a direction parallel to axis 28A or in a direction normal to that direction.

Tip portions 30A and 32A have surfaces 49 and 51 outside the boundaries of 25 recesses 53 and 55, respectively, and optionally, these may be toothed, as shown. Surfaces 49 and 51 make the gripping device 21A suitable for other tasks more conventionally done with multigrips.

Recesses similar to recesses 53 and 55 may be wholly enclosed within the boundaries of surfaces 49 and 51. However, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, 30 recesses 53 and 55, whose boundaries do slightly intersect boundaries of the surfaces 49, 51 are also satisfactory, being deep enough for ratchet clamp shoulder portions 11 and 13 to still be securely held in use.

A version of the gripping device 21A that has been found practical for typical ratchet clamp sizes used in gardens and horticultural irrigation systems is shown in Figures 6-8. The width of jaw parts 29A and 31A and their tip portions 30A and 32A (dimension Ύ”) is 8.2mm, and the diameter of recesses 53 and 55 is 7.5mm at the surfaces 49 and 51. The recesses 53 and 55 are approximately 2-3 mm in depth (dimension “X”). However, other dimensions may be used where found necessary and can be determined with no more than routine trial and error.

Gripping device 21A has toothed surfaces 57 and 59 on jaw parts 29A and 31A that are adapted for gripping opposite sides of objects (not shown) other than ratchet clamps. Surfaces 57 and 59 are concave and face each other so that surfaces 57 and 59 can partially surround cylindrical gripped objects

2019100858 02 Aug 2019 (such as pipes) having diameters in a specified range. (Although both surfaces 57 and 59 are concave, less preferred embodiments are possible in which only one of surfaces 57 and 59 is concave.)

In particular, preferred embodiments are adapted to permit gripping by surfaces 57 and 59 of a circular object with a diameter of 40mm. To this end, surfaces 57 and 59 may have a radius of curvature of 20mm. This is because many garden taps are fitted by gardeners and others with screw-on fittings that have a stub-shaped outlet duct suited for connection of the “clickon” fittings now almost universally used on garden hoses and the like. In io Australia, such screw-on fittings for taps are made in sizes where the part that screws onto the tap can be up to 40mm diameter. This feature makes the gripping device 21A more versatile and useful for persons who buy and use them specifically for use in irrigation systems.

Multigrips 21 and gripping device 21A are drawn with their jaws’ respective 15 toothed surfaces 57 and 59 so patterned as to more securely grip a round object (such as a length of pipe) for turning it in one direction than in an opposite direction. For example gripping device 21A, as shown in Figures 4 and 5 has teeth on toothed surface 57 that face toward jaw tip portion 30 and teeth on toothed area 59 that face away from jaw tip portion 32. However, for 20 use on irrigation systems, where very tight gripping is generally not required, it is possible also to provide embodiments (not shown) in which the teeth of the surfaces 57 and 59 face the same way.

Certain specialized gripping tools (not shown) somewhat similar to gripping device 21A, and intended for industries such as the automotive industry, 25 have been made with handle/jaw components pivotally attached to each other in the manner of pliers or multigrips, and with inserts secured on their jaws to grip various types of clips and the like. However, such inserts are parts separate from the jaws themselves, not integrally formed with the parts that are pivotally secured to each other. Further, these tools generally do not 30 have separate gripping surfaces such as the surfaces 57 and 59 of gripping device 21A. For use with ratchet clamps such as clamp 1 as described above, as used in irrigation systems, the gripping device 21A with recesses 53 and 55 in their jaw parts 29A and 31A is simpler, cheaper to manufacture, and suitable for use in applications other than closing ratchet clamps.

It will be appreciated that many items other than the ratchet clamp 1 as shown in Figure 1 may be gripped reliably by a gripping device having jaws with recesses the same as or similar to recesses 53 and 55 of gripping device 21A. (Such gripping tools may or may not have the multiple-pivotpoint capability specific to multigrips.)

Claims (11)

1. A gripping device comprising first and second components connected to each other by a pivot allowing relative rotation of the first and second components about a pivot axis, wherein:

each of the first and second components has a jaw part and a handle part integrally formed therewith, the handle parts and the jaw parts therewith disposed on opposite sides of the pivot;

the two handle parts are adapted to be urged manually by a user towards each other so as to urge the two jaw parts towards each other and thereby to grip an object placed between the jaw parts;

each jaw part has a concave recess formed therein so that an object held by and between the jaw parts and with portions of the object received in the recesses is restrained from slipping out from between the jaw parts.

2. A gripping device according to claim 1 wherein each recess is shaped and sized to restrain the portion of the object received therein from slipping out from between the jaw parts in both a direction parallel to the pivot axis and in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis.

3. A gripping device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the recesses in the jaw parts are located and proportioned for receipt therein of shoulder portions of a ratchet clamp for pipes or tubes which shoulder portions when pushed toward each other cause closure of the ratchet clamp around a pipe on which the ratchet clamp is positioned;

whereby the gripping device is adapted for use in closing the ratchet clamp around a pipe.

4. A gripping device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein at least one of the jaw parts comprises a concave portion between the recess of that jaw part and the pivot that in use of the gripping device to grip a cylindrical object can extend peripherally partway around the round object.

5. A gripping device according to claim 4 wherein the concave portion has a radius of curvature of approximately 20mm over a part of its length.

6. A gripping device according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the concave portion has a toothed surface comprising teeth that extend parallel to the pivot axis.

2019100858 02 Aug 2019

7. A gripping device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the pivot is positionable by a user at any one of a plurality of selected positions on one of the first and second components.

8. A pair of multigrips having opposing jaw parts that are secured to each other at a pivot and in use can be urged towards each other by a user by gripping a pair of handles each handle integrally formed with one of the jaw parts, wherein each jaw part has a concave recess formed therein so that an object held by and between the jaw parts and with portions of the object received in the recesses is restrained from slipping out from between the jaw parts.

9. A pair of multigrips according to claim 8 wherein the recesses in the jaw parts are located and proportioned for receipt therein of shoulder portions of a ratchet clamp for pipes or tubes which portions when pushed toward each other cause closure of the ratchet clamp around a pipe on which the ratchet clamp is positioned;

whereby the gripping device is adapted for use in closing the ratchet clamp around a pipe.

10. A pair of multigrips according to claim 8 or 9 wherein at least one of the jaw parts comprises a concave portion between the recess of that jaw part and the pivot that in use of the gripping device to grip a cylindrical object can extend peripherally partway around the round object.

11. A pair of multigrips according to claim 10 wherein each jaw part comprises a concave portion between the recesses of their respective jaw parts with a toothed gripping surface and wherein teeth of both toothed gripping surfaces face in the same direction relative to the pivot.