US3818573A

US3818573A - Implement for affixing metal pick to flower stem

Info

Publication number: US3818573A
Application number: US00365142A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Scotto
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-05-30
Filing date: 1973-05-30
Publication date: 1974-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 1991-06-25
Also published as: GB1387236A

Abstract

A portable implement having handle levers, pivotally connected to jaw assemblies for crimping the fingers on a sheet metal pick about the stem of a flower. The picks are displaced from a magazine by a slidable feed element into the jaw assemblies. A feed actuating mechanism is mounted on the lever handle assembly by a frame on which the feed and magazine are also carried.

Description

United States Patent [191 Scotto June 25, 1974 IMPLEMENT FOR AFFIXING METAL PICK T0 FLOWER STEM [21] App]. No.2 365,142

Primary ExaminerThomas H. Eager Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A. OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobson [5 7] ABSTRACT A portable implement having handle levers, pivotally connected to jaw assemblies for crimping the fingers [52] U.S. Cl 29/212 1) n a sheet me l pick about the stem of a flower. The [51] Int. Cl B23 7/10 p c e splaced from a magazine by a slidable feed [58] Field of Sear h 29/212 1), 212 R, 212 P, element into the jaw assemblies. A feed actuating 29/212 T mechanism is mounted on the lever handle assembly by a frame on which the feed and magazine are also References Cited carried.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,526,944 9/1970 Cherup 29/212 D 14 l5 Drawmg Flgures /4 76 72 i I26 P/ I M6 84 32 48 42 IMPLEMENT FOR AFFIXING METAL PICK TO FLOWER STEM This invention relates to improvements in flower stemming and more particularly to the application of flower picks of the sheet metallic type to the existing stem of a natural or artificial flower so as to reinforce and extend the same.

Sheet metal picks are affixed to the stems of fresh or artificial flowers to not only strengthen the stem but to facilitate its insertion into supporting material such as foam when making flower arrangements. Although machines for automatically affixing such sheet metal picks to flower stems have been devised, widespread use has not beenmade thereof because of the bulkiness and inconvenience involved in utilizing such stemming machines.

In accordance with the present invention, a hand carried implement has been devised for automatically affixing a sheet metal pick to the stem of a flower. The implement is not only portable but is easily operated while held in the users hand and carries its own supply of sheet metal picks. The implement includes a pair of pivotally interconnected handle levers to which crimping jaws are connected in order to crimp the fingers extending from a sheet metal pick about the stem of a flower inserted between the jaws. The sheet metal picks are stacked in nested relation within a magazine carried by the implement forwardly of a track mounted feed device through which the picks are displaced from a storage position to a clamping position relative to the jaws. A feed actuating mechanism is connected to the implement by means of the handle lever and jaw pivots. The actuating mechanism is thereby conveniently positioned for operating the feed device while the implement is held by one of the handle levers. The implement also is provided with a cutting mechanism in order to cut a flower stem to the desired length prior to affixing the metal pick thereto.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the pick applying implement of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the implement shown in FIG. I with parts broken away and shown in section.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the implement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial front elevational view of the implement shown in another operational phase.

FIG. 5 is a partial side elevational view, of the implement, with parts broken away and shown in section, in an operational phase corresponding to that of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the magazine section of the implement with a stack of nested picks stored therein.

FIG. 7 is a partial front elevation view of the implement showing a metal pick in the storage position.

FIG. 8 is a partial front section view similar to that of FIG. 7 but showing the pick displayed to the clamping position.

FIG. 9 is a partial bottom plan view of the implement in an open jaw position.

in FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 15-15 in FIG. 3.

Referring now to the drawingsin detail, the pick applying implement of .the present invention is shown vin FIGS. 1 and 2 and generally denoted by .reference numeral 10. The implement is dimensioned to fit within the hand of .the user and'includes a pair of lever=members l2 and 14 pivotally interconnected intermediate the ends thereof by a pivot bolt 16. The head of the pivot bolt and the assembly nut at the opposite end abut extensions 18 of the lever member 12 which overlap the lever member 14. A sleeve 20 encircles the pivot bolt within the lever members as more clearly seen in FIG. 2 to support thereon, a coil spring 22 from which spring arms 24 extend rearwardly into abutment with the handgrip portions 26 and'28 of the lever members so as to continuously bias the lever members outwardly relative to each other to positions shown in FIG. 1. In this position of the

lever members

12 and 14, the

end portions

30 and 32 forwardly of the pivot bolt 16, abut each other as more clearly seen in FIG. 9.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 9, a pair of

jaw assemblies

34 and 36 are respectively pivotally connected to the

forward end portions

30 and 32 of the lever members by means of laterally spaced bolt assemblies 38. In the illustrated embodiment, each jaw assembly includes a plurality of jaw plate elements 40 spaced from each other by spacer plates 42. The jaw elements 40 of each of the

jaw assemblies

34 and 36 are arranged in staggered relationship to each other so as to be'operatively aligned with a sheet metal pick as will be explained hereafter. The jaw elements 40 and spacer plates 42 are held assembled to each other in each of the jaw assemblies by a fastener element such as rivet 44 as more clearly seen in FIG. 2. The

jaw assemblies

34 and 36 are pivotally displaced about pivot axes extending through pivot bolts 46 longitudinally spaced forwardly of the pivot bolt connections 38. The two jaw pivot bolts 46 associated with the jaw assemblies are operatively interconnected with the pivot bolt 16 for the lever members on the top side of the implement 10 by means of a frame member 48 having a slot 49 slidably receiving the upper end of the pivot bolt 16. The jaw pivot bolts 46 are interconnected on the bottom of the implement by means of a spacer member 50 as more clearly seen in FIG. 9 and below the frame 48 by a spacer 74. Thus, the jaw assemblies are held in the open position as more clearly seen in FIG. 9 under the bias of the spring arms 24 on the handle lever pivot bolt 16. Accordingly, when the handle levers are squeezed toward each other against the bias of the spring arms 24, the forward end portions 30. and 32 thereof are pivotally displaced apart to move the jaw assemblies to the closed position as shown in FIG. 10. The jaw assemblies are thereby operative to crimp a sheet metal pick 52 about the stem 54 of a flower 56 as shown in FIG. 13, in a manner to be described hereafter in detail. The same implement may also be utilized to cut the stem of a flower to a desired length and toward this end, the lower portions of the

lever members

12 and 14, just rearwardly of the pivot bolt 16, are provided with

cutting edge sections

58 and 60 as more clearly seen in FIGS. 1, 9 and 14. A flower stem placed between the

cutting edge sections

58 and 60 in the open position of the handle levers, will be cut when the levers are squeezed together to the positions shown in FIG. 10.

Referring now to FIGS. Ill and 12, the sheet metal pick 52 includes an elongated shank portion 62 that is V-shaped in cross-section. A point 64 is formed at one end of the pick forwardly of tooth-forming notches 66. Extending laterally from the other end portion of the pick, are a plurality of deformable fingers 68 adapted to be crimped about the stem as shown in FIG. 13. These fingers 68 on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the pick, are longitudinally spaced from each other in staggered relationship in order to avoid interference when the fingers are crimped about the stem. The spacing and arrangement of these fingers on the pick corresponds to the spacing and arrangement of the jaw elements 40 associated with the

jaw assemblies

34 and 36. Thus, when the pick is held in a clamping position between the jaw assemblies, the fingers 68 will be clamped about a flower stem as the jaw assemblies are displaced to the closed position as shown in FIG. 10.

,Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the frame member 48 to which the

pivot bolts

16 and 46 are connected, is formed from a flat plate of relatively narrow width adjacent to the pivot bolt 16 that diverges toward the forward end at which it is connected by fasteners 70 to an upstanding track member 72. The track member 72 also extends below the frame 48 as more clearly seen in FIG. 2 in close adjacency to the jaw assemblies which are also spaced from the frame member by the spacer 74 interconnecting the jaw pivot bolts 46. The frame accordingly overlies the head of the connecting bolts 38. The track member 72 being spaced forwardly of the jaw pivot bolts 46, is arranged to guide displacement of sheet metal picks into the clamping position between the jaw assemblies when opened, the picks beingwithdrawn from a magazine section generally referred to by reference numeral 76, of which the track member 72 forms part. The track member also slidably supports a feed device generally referred to by reference numeral 78 which is manually operated by means of an actuating mechanism generally referred to by reference numeral 80, the actuating mechanism being operatively mounted on the frame 48 as more clearly seen in FIG. 2.

The magazine section 76 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, includes a pair of support fingers 82 that are secured by fasteners 84 to the track member 72 and extend forwardly therefrom in laterally spaced relationship to each other. The spacing 84 between the support fingers is dimensioned to receive the shanks 62 of a plurality of sheet metal picks 52 stacked in nested relationship against the track member 72 as more clearly seen in FIG. 6. Each of the support fingers is provided with a recess 86 at the end adjacent to the track member 72, dimensioned so as to permit slidable displacement of the rearmost pick of those stacked in the magazine section. Thus, a single one of the metallic picks stored in the magazine section may be slidably displaced from the stack by the feed device 78. In order to guide such slidable displacement of the rearmost pick, the track member 72 is centrally provided with a groove 88 as more clearly seen in FIG. 3. The track member is also provided with a pair of parallel spaced slots 90 on either side of the groove 88 through which the feed device projects into engagement with the rearmost pick. The nested stack of picks is biased toward the track member 72 so as to insure that the pick adjacent the track member 72 willbe in contact therewith for slidable displacement by the feed device. Accordingly, the track member 72 is provided with an opening adjacent one side through which a rod 92 extends. A pivotally swingable tab 94 is connected to one end of the rod 92 and is adapted to be swung into engagement with the forwardmost pick in the nested stack as shown in FIG. 6. The rod 92 extends through a guide sleeve 96 as more clearly seen in FIG. 1, rearwardly abutting the track member 72. A coil spring 98 is supported on the rod 92 for reaction between the guide sleeve 96 and a thrust washer I00 mounted at the end of the rod opposite the tab 94. It will therefore be apparent, that a stack of sheet metal picks 52, may be inserted into the magazine section with the support fingers 84 extending between the laterally extending fingers 68 of the picks as shown in FIG. 6, after which the rod 92 is pushed forwardly against the bias of spring 98 and the tab 94 swung into engagement with the forwardmost pick so as to apply the bias of the spring 98 to the nested stack of picks.

The feed device 78 includes a feed plate element 102 having a pair of laterally spaced pushing

elements

104 and 106 adapted to engage the uppermost fingers 68 on the sheet metal pick, as more clearly seen in FIGS. 11 and 12. The slide plate element 102 is slidably guided for movement within a guide slot 108 formed in the track member 72 as more clearly seen in FIG. 15. The

pusher elements

104 and 106 project through the slots 90 by an amount sufficient to engage only the rearmost pick when thrust against the track member 72. A pick may thereby be displaced from the storage position shown in FIG. 7 to the clamping position shown in FIG. 8 by the feed device.

As more clearly seen in FIGS. 3, 9 and 15, a stripper member 110 is secured at its ends by fasteners 112 to the track member 72 and extends forwardly therefrom so as to accommodate slidable displacement of the picks by the feed device into the clamping position. The stripper member 110 is accordingly connected to the track member in close spaced adjacency between the

jaw assemblies

34 and 36 and the picks in the storage position as shown in FIG. 7. The stripper member is provided with an intumed central portion 114 as more clearly seen in FIG. 15 so as to firmly hold the pick in contact with the guide groove 88 as it is being displaced into the clamping position. A spring element 116 anchored by the pin 118 to the stripper member exerts a yieldable bias on the pick so as to hold it in contact with the track member.

The slide plate 102 of the feed device has an arm 120 projecting rearwardly therefrom from which a pin 122 extends laterally for reception within a slot 124 formed in the end of a feed lever 126 associated with the actuating mechanism 80. Spaced

pivot projections

128 and 130 project upwardly from the frame 48 on either side of the feed lever 126 so as to support a pivot pin 132 on which the feed lever 126 is fulcrumed and a support pin 134 for a spring 136 engaging the feed lever 126 in order to upwardly bias the feed lever and the feed device 78 to a retracted position. The rear end of the feed lever 126 is provided with a pin 138 engaged by a hook end 140 of an actuating lever 142 which is fulcrumed by a pivot pin 144 supported by the pivot bracket extensions 130 of the frame. The actuating lever 14 2 extends rearwardly from the pivot pin 144 and laterally, terminating in a finger actuating portion 146 as more clearly seen in FIG. 1. Thus, the actuating lever 142 is arranged for convenient manual depression by the operator while grasping the implement in the hand by means of one of the

handgrip portions

26 and 28. Downward displacement of the actuating lever 142 from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 5 will accordingly displace the feed device downwardly to thereby withdraw one of the picks 52 from the magazine section and position it in the clamping position as shown in FIG. 8.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A portable, hand carried implement for applying a pick to the stem of a flower or the like, comprising a pair of handle levers having grip portions, a pivot interconnecting said levers, a frame operatively connected to said pivot, track means fixed to the frame for guiding movement of said pick from a storage position to a clamping position, jaw means connected to said frame and the levers for crimping the pick in the clamping position about the stem in response to actuation of the grip portion of the levers, feed means operatively mounted on the track means for displacement of the pick to said clamping position, and actuating means mounted on the frame for operating the feed means.

2. The combination of claim 1 including magazine means connected to the track means for storing a plurality of the picks in nested relation.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said track means includes a plate having spaced slots through which the feed means projects into engagement with the pick in the storage position, and stripping means mounted on the plate in close spaced adjacency between the pick in the storage position and the jaw means for yieldably resisting displacement of the pick to the clamping position and holding the same within the jaw means.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said feed means includes a slide slidably mounted on the track means and biased to a retracted position by the actuating means, and a pair of pusher elements projecting from the slide through said slots in the plate of the track means.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said actuating means includes a feed lever pivotally mounted on the frame and operatively connected to the slide of the feed means, an actuating lever pivotally mounted on the frame in engagement with the feed lever and extending longitudinally therefrom in overlying relation to at least one of the handgrip portions of the handle levers, and spring means biasing the feed lever for yieldably holding the feed means in said retracted posi- Hon.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said magazine means includes a pair of support fingers projecting from the track means through the picks to support the same in nested relation, means for biasing the picks toward the track means, said fingers forming a guide slot with the track means through which one of the picks in engagement with the track means is displaceable by the feed means.

7. The combination of claim 6 including cutter means mounted by the handle levers for cutting the stem.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said track means includes a plate having spaced slots through which the feed means projects into engagement with the pick in the storage position, and stripping means mounted on the plate in close spaced adjacency between the pick in the storage position and the jaw means for yieldably resisting displacement of the pick to the clamping position and holding the same within the jaw means.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said feed means includes a slide slidably mounted on the track means and biased to a retracted position by the actuating means, and a pair of pusher elements projecting from the slide through said slots in the plate of the track means.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said actuating means includes a feed lever pivotally mounted on the frame and operatively connected to the slide of the feed means, an actuating lever pivotally mounted on the frame in engagement with the feed lever and extending longitudinally therefrom in overlying relation to at least one of the handgrip portions of the handle levers and spring means biasing the feed lever for yieldably holding the feed means in said retracted position.

11. The combination of claim 2 wherein said magazine means includes a pair of support fingers projecting from the track means through the picks to support the same in nested relation, means for biasingthe picks toward the track means, said fingers forming a guide slot with the track means through which one of the picks in engagement with the track means is displaceable by the feed means;

12. The combination of claim 1 including cutter means mounted by the handle levers for cutting the stem.

13. In a portable implement having a hand actuating assembly and jaws for crimping picks to the stems of flowers or the like, a mounting frame connected to the hand actuating assembly, and the jaws, a magazine mounted on the frame from which said picks are withdrawn, feed means for displacing one of the picks from the magazine into operative relation to the jaws, and actuating means mounted on the frame for operating the feed means.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein said magazine includes track means against which the picks are stacked in nested relation for guiding displacement of said one of the picks by the feed means, a pair of support fingers projecting from the track means through the picks to support the same in nested relation, means for biasing the picks toward the track means, said fingers forming a guide slot with the track means through which said one of the picks in engagement with the track means is displaceable by the feed means.

Claims

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said actuating means includes a feed lever pivotally mounted on the frame and operatively connected to the slide of the feed means, an actuating lever pivotally mounted on the frame in engagement with the feed lever and extending longitudinally therefrom in overlying relation to at least one of the handgrip portions of the handle levers, and spring means biasing the feed lever for yieldably holding the feed means in said retracted position.

11. The combination of claim 2 wherein said magazine means includes a pair of support fingers projecting from the track means through the picks to support the same in nested relation, means for biasing the picks toward the track means, said fingers forming a guide slot with the track means through which one of the picks in engagement with the track means is displaceable by the feed meaNs.