Tools for releasing cable ties

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10814462-B2
Application number	US-201715425457-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 6, 2017
Priority date	Feb 6, 2017
Publication date	Oct 27, 2020
Grant date	Oct 27, 2020

Abstract

A tool comprises a chassis, a slider, a first jaw, a second jaw and a compression spring. The chassis comprises a distal end, a proximal end, opposite the distal end, and a distal interior wall, facing the proximal end of the chassis. The slider comprises a slider opening and is coupled to the chassis. The first jaw is coupled to the chassis and is located between the distal interior wall of the chassis and the slider. The second jaw is coupled to the chassis and is located between the first jaw and the slider. The compression spring is located between the first jaw and the second jaw. When the slider is moved relative to the chassis, the first jaw is stationary relative to the chassis, and the second jaw moves relative to the chassis and is stationary relative to the slider.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tool for releasing a cable tie that comprises a head, the tool comprising:
a chassis, comprising a distal end, a proximal end opposite the distal end, and a distal interior wall, facing the proximal end of the chassis;
a slider, comprising a slider opening, wherein the slider is coupled to the chassis;
a first jaw, coupled to the chassis and configured to engage the head of the cable tie from a second side of the head, wherein the first jaw is located between the distal interior wall of the chassis and the slider the first jaw comprising a first-jaw opening;
a second jaw, coupled to the chassis and configured to engage the head of the cable tie from a first side of the head, opposite the second side, wherein the second jaw is located between the first jaw and the slider, the second jaw comprising a second-jaw opening; and
a compression spring, located between the first jaw and the second jaw;
wherein, when the slider and the chassis are moved relative to each other, the first jaw is stationary relative to the chassis and the second jaw moves relative to the chassis and is stationary relative to the slider; and
a rod, extending from the distal interior wall of the chassis toward the proximal end of the chassis, wherein the rod extends through the first-jaw opening of the first jaw and the second-iaw opening of the second jaw.

2. The tool according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first jaw comprises a first base and a first positioning tooth, extending from the first base toward the second jaw;
the first positioning tooth comprises a first-positioning-tooth distal end, spaced away from the first base;
the second jaw comprises a second base and a second positioning tooth, extending from the second base toward the first jaw; and
the second positioning tooth comprises a second-positioning-tooth distal end, spaced away from the second base.

3. The tool according to claim 2 , wherein:
the first jaw further comprises a first opening tooth, extending from the first base toward the second jaw;
the first opening tooth comprises a first-opening-tooth distal end, spaced away from the first base;
the second jaw further comprises a second opening tooth, extending from the second base toward the first jaw;
the second opening tooth comprises a second-opening-tooth distal end, spaced away from the second base;
the first opening tooth of the first jaw is located opposite the second positioning tooth of the second jaw; and
the second opening tooth of the second jaw is located opposite the first positioning tooth of the first jaw.

4. The tool according to claim 3 , wherein:
the first jaw comprises a first pair of opposing jaw wings, extending from the first base; and
the second jaw comprises a second pair of opposing jaw wings, extending from the second base.

5. The tool according to claim 4 , wherein at least one of:
the first pair of opposing jaw wings of the first jaw is configured to contact the slider when the slider is biased toward the distal end of the chassis with a force exceeding that of the compression spring; or
the second pair of opposing jaw wings of the second jaw is configured to contact the distal interior wall of the chassis when the slider is biased toward the distal end of the chassis with a force exceeding that of the compression spring.

6. The tool according to claim 1 , wherein:
the slider further comprises a recess;
the chassis further comprises a proximal interior wall, located opposite the distal interior wall; and
the chassis further comprises a projection, extending from the proximal interior wall toward the distal interior wall.

7. The tool according to claim 6 , wherein the recess of the slider comprises a thrust wall that is perpendicular to the rod, coupled to the chassis, and that faces the proximal interior wall of the chassis.

8. The tool according to claim 6 , wherein the chassis further comprises a shoulder, extending from the proximal interior wall toward the distal interior wall and spaced a distance (d) from the projection.

9. The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the first jaw is rotationally fixed with respect to the chassis and the second jaw is rotationally fixed with respect to the slider.

10. The tool according to claim 9 , wherein:
the chassis further comprises a chassis pocket, formed in the distal interior wall of the chassis; and
the first jaw comprises a first jaw tab, received by the chassis pocket to rotationally fix the first jaw with respect to the chassis.

11. The tool according to claim 9 , wherein:
the slider further comprises an exterior surface, facing the distal interior wall of the chassis;
the slider further comprises a slider pocket, recessed relative to the exterior surface; and
the second jaw comprises a second jaw tab, received by the slider pocket to rotationally fix the second jaw with respect to the slider.

12. The tool according to claim 1 , wherein:
the rod, coupled to the chassis, is inside the slider opening; and
the slider is slidable along the rod.

13. The tool according to claim 12 , wherein:
the chassis further comprises a stop, comprising a stop surface perpendicular to the rod;
the slider further comprises a contact surface, parallel to the stop surface; and
the compression spring biases the slider toward the stop such that the contact surface of the slider abuts the stop surface.

14. The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the first jaw comprises a first abutment surface, contacting the distal interior wall of the chassis.

15. The tool according to claim 1 , wherein:
the slider comprises an exterior surface, facing the distal interior wall of the chassis; and
the second jaw comprises a second abutment surface that abuts the exterior surface of the slider.

16. The tool according to claim 1 , wherein:
the chassis further comprises a proximal interior wall, located opposite the distal interior wall;
the tool further comprises a rod, having a central axis, wherein the rod extends from the distal interior wall of the chassis toward the proximal end of the chassis; and
the central axis does not pass through the proximal interior wall of the chassis.

17. The tool according to claim 1 , wherein the first jaw is identical to the second jaw.

18. A system for releasing a cable tie that comprises a head, the system comprising:
a tool, comprising:
a chassis, comprising:
a distal end;
a proximal end, opposite the distal end; and
a distal interior wall, facing the proximal end of the chassis;

a slider, comprising a slider opening, wherein the slider is coupled to the chassis;
a first jaw, coupled to the chassis and configured to engage the head of the cable tie from a second side of the head, wherein the first jaw is located between the distal interior wall of the chassis and the slider, the first jaw comprising a first-jaw opening;
a second jaw, coupled to the chassis and configured to engage the head of the cable tie from a first side of the head, opposite the second side, wherein the second jaw is located between the first jaw and the slider, the second jaw comprising a second-jaw opening;
a compression spring, located between the first jaw and the second jaw; and
a rod, extending from the distal interior wall of the chassis toward the proximal end of the chassis, wherein the rod extends through the first jaw opening of the first jaw and the second-jaw opening of the second jaw; and

an actuator assembly, comprising:
a primary handle;
an actuating handle that is movable relative to the primary handle;

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Ayers Aaron Robert
• Anderson Christine Mary
• Wright David Scott
• Coffland Donald Wayne

Classifications

• B65B69/0025

  Removing or cutting binding material, e.g. straps or bands · CPC title

• Y10T29/49824

  to elastically deform work part or connector · CPC title

• B25B25/00 Primary

  Implements for fastening, connecting or tensioning of wire or strip · CPC title

• B65B13/027

  for applying straps having preformed connecting means, e.g. cable ties · CPC title

• F16B2/08

  using bands · CPC title