US 4,452,106 A · Tool having articulated opposing jaws

Abstract

A tool, such as tweezers or scissors, having articulated opposing jaws is disclosed. The tool comprises a handle having first and second opposing arms projecting from a section by which the arms are joined, the arms being normally spaced throughout their length and being resiliently flexible toward each other. Each arm includes an elongate cavity extending longitudinally thereof and having an opening at the end of the arm. Jaw inserts are provided, and each has a working end for manipulating or cutting an object and an elongate shank that is received by one of the cavities to secure the jaw insert to its respective arm. The tool further includes a mechanism for guiding each working end in a single plane of movement with respect to the opposing arm upon flexing of the arms toward each other to substantially avoid undesirable lateral flexing of the opposing working ends with respect to each other.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A tool having articulated opposing jaws comprising:

first and second opposing arms projecting from a section by which said arms are joined, said arms being normally spaced throughout their length and being resiliently flexible toward each other, each said arm including an elongate cavity extending longitudinally of said arm and having an opening at the end of said arm;
first and second jaw inserts respectively for said first and second arms, each jaw insert having a working end and an elongate shank received by its respective cavity, each said jaw insert being formed of sheet material of generally uniform thickness, said working ends being movable toward each other upon flexing of said arms toward each other;
said first jaw insert including a portion intermediate said working end and said shank, said intermediate portion including a tab protruding inwardly there from into the space between said arms;
and said second arm including a guide slot receiving the tab on the first jaw insert and confining movement of said first jaw insert in generally planar relation to said second arm.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tool having articulated opposing jaws

Life of this patent

Tool having articulated opposing jaws

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17