Tool for compressing and inserting a pliable member into a channel

A tool for receiving, compressing, and ejecting a pliable member, the tool comprising:

• a support that includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft having adjacent the distal end a slot configured to receive the pliable member;
• a pair of pivotally mounted press arms adjacent the slot, each arm including a face disposed to contact the pliable member when the member is in the slot, the press arms movable between a nominal position and a compressing position, wherein the press arms in the nominal position apply substantially no compression to the pliable member, and wherein the press arms are operable, when moved to the compressing position with the pliable member in the slot, to compress at least a portion of the pliable member between the press arm faces and to eject the pliable member from the slot;
• an actuator coupled to the press arms, the actuator selectively operable to control the movement of the press arms from the nominal position to the compressing position;
• and
• a handle coupled to the actuator, the handle configured to be held by a user for positioning the tool on the pliable member, and wherein the handle controls the actuator to move the press from the nominal position to the compressing position.

A handheld tool operable by a user to receive, compress, and eject a pliable member, the tool comprising:

• a support that includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft having adjacent the distal end a slot configured to receive the pliable member;
• a handle disposed adjacent the proximal end of the shaft, the handle defining an upper end, an open lower end, and a cavity therebetween, and wherein the shaft is disposed partially within the handle cavity and partially extends out of the lower end, and further wherein the handle is movable relative to the shaft;
• a press mounted adjacent the slot and movable between a nominal position and a compressing position, wherein the press in the nominal position applies substantially no compression to the pliable member, and wherein the press is operable, when moved to the compressing position with the pliable member in the slot, to compress at least a portion of the pliable member and to eject the pliable member from the slot;
• an actuator coupled to the press arms, the actuator selectively operable to control the movement of the press arms from the nominal position to the compressing position, and wherein the handle is configured to be held by the user and to control the actuator to move the press from the nominal position to the compressing position, and wherein the actuator includes a collar coupled to the handle adjacent the lower end of the handle, wherein the collar is adjustable in position relative to the lower end of the handle and wherein adjusting the position of the collar alters a relationship between the actuator and the press.