Life cycle indicator torsion spring
US5168743A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 10, 1991 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 10, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/53226
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A crimping tool comprises a pair of handles, crimping jaws, dies, and/or die nests, positioned at one end of the handles and in alignment with each other to receive a connector therebetween, a linkage extending between the handles and joining same together such that one handle pivots relative to the other and forces the jaws, dies, and/or die nests toward each other. A spring is positioned between the handles to facilitate the opening movement of the tool. The spring in the present invention is configured with a fracture zone, and is positioned in such a location that the spring is flexed during each cycle of operation. The fracture zone may include one or more coils, and such coils break, after a predetermined number of cycles, to affirmatively indicate to the user that the tool requires inspection and/or servicing. When the spring breaks, the tool may still be manually opened, but only with some difficulty, so that the operator cannot ignore the need for inspection and/or servicing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.