Hydraulic tool with indicator light

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11999043-B2
Application number	US-202117235540-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 20, 2021
Priority date	Apr 20, 2020
Publication date	Jun 4, 2024
Grant date	Jun 4, 2024

Abstract

A hydraulic tool includes a head at a first end of the hydraulic tool, where the head is configured to apply a mechanical force to a work piece; a body including a first surface; a back portion including: a second surface at a second end of the hydraulic tool that is opposite the first end; a third surface that is between the first surface and the second surface, where the third surface is inclined with respect to the first surface and the second surface; an indicator light; and a window, at least a portion of which is positioned on the third surface, where the window covers the indicator light; and a grip that extends from the body away from the first surface.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A hydraulic tool comprising:
a head at a first end of the hydraulic tool, the head configured to apply a mechanical force to a work piece;
a body comprising a first surface;
a back portion comprising:
a second surface at a second end of the hydraulic tool that is opposite the first end;
a third surface that is between the first surface and the second surface, the third surface inclined with respect to the first surface and the second surface, the third surface including a first portion that abuts the second surface, the third surface including a second portion that abuts the first surface;
an indicator light; and
a window, at least a portion of the window being positioned on the third surface, the window overlapping the first portion and the second portion of the third surface, the window covering the indicator light; and

a grip that extends from the body away from the first surface.

2. The hydraulic tool of claim 1 , wherein the head is configured to crimp the work piece.

3. The hydraulic tool of claim 1 , wherein the head is configured to cut the work piece.

4. The hydraulic tool of claim 1 , wherein the head is configured to shear the work piece.

5. The hydraulic tool of claim 1 , wherein the head is configured to be hydraulically actuated.

6. The hydraulic tool of claim 1 , wherein the first surface is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the hydraulic tool.

7. The hydraulic tool of claim 1 , wherein the second surface is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the hydraulic tool.

8. The hydraulic tool of claim 1 , wherein the window is elongated in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a boundary that separates the first portion from the second portion.

9. The hydraulic tool of claim 1 , wherein the window is rounded such that it conforms to the second surface, the first portion, and the second portion.

10. The hydraulic tool of claim 1 , wherein the window is elongated in a direction that is substantially parallel to a boundary that separates the first portion from the second portion.

11. The hydraulic tool of claim 10 , wherein the window is rounded such that it conforms to the first portion and the second portion.

12. The hydraulic tool of claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic tool is configured to:
make a first determination that a cutting, crimping, or shearing operation that satisfies a predetermined criterion has been performed on the work piece by the head; and
cause the indicator light to emit a first light that corresponds to the first determination.

13. The hydraulic tool of claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic tool is configured to:
make a second determination that a cutting, crimping, or shearing operation that satisfies a predetermined criterion has not been performed on the work piece by the head; and
cause the indicator light to emit a second light that corresponds to the second determination.

14. The hydraulic tool of claim 1 , wherein the grip is a pistol grip.

15. The hydraulic tool of claim 1 , the grip comprising a first actuator that, when activated, causes the head to close upon the work piece.

16. The hydraulic tool of claim 1 , the grip comprising a second actuator that, when activated, causes the head to open away from the work piece.

17. A hydraulic tool comprising:
a head at a first end of the hydraulic tool, the head configured to apply a mechanical force to a work piece;
a body comprising a first surface;
a back portion comprising:
a second surface at a second end of the hydraulic tool that is opposite the first end;
a third surface between the first surface and the second surface, the third surface inclined with respect to the first surface and the second surface;
an indicator light;
a window, at least a portion of the window being positioned on the third surface, the window covering the indicator light;
a grip that extends from the body away from the first surface; and
an adjustable loop attached to the back portion.

18. The hydraulic tool of claim 17 , wherein in a retracted position, the adjustable loop is between the head and the second surface.

19. The hydraulic tool of claim 17 , wherein in an extended position, the adjustable loop extends beyond the second surface.

20. The hydraulic tool of claim 17 , wherein in an upright position, the adjustable loop is between the head and the second surface.

21. A method of operating a hydraulic tool to apply a mechanical force to a work piece, the method comprising:
positioning the work piece within a head;
activating a first actuator of the hydraulic tool, causing the head to close upon the work piece;
making a first determination that a cutting, crimping, or shearing operation that satisfies a predetermined criterion has been performed on the work piece by the head;
causing an indicator light to emit a light that corresponds to the first determination;
making a second determination that a cutting, crimping, or shearing operation that satisfies the predetermined criterion has not been performed on the work piece by the head; and
causing an indicator light to emit a light that corresponds to the second determination.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein making the first determination and making the second determination further comprises determining that a pressure that has been applied by the head upon the work piece exceeds a threshold pressure.

23. The method of claim 21 , wherein making the first determination and making the second determination further comprises determining that a distance between jaws of the head is less than a threshold distance.

Assignees

• Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp

Inventors

• Hyde Brian J
• Krause Nathan J
• Norquist Eric D
• Kachar Amanda M

Classifications

• B25F5/005 Primary

  Hydraulic driving means · CPC title

• B25F3/00

  Associations of tools for different working operations with one portable power-drive means; Adapters therefor · CPC title

• B25B27/10 Primary

  inserting fittings into hoses · CPC title

• B25F5/02

  Construction of casings, bodies or handles {(B25F5/006, B25F5/008 take precedence)} · CPC title