Device for forming an enclosure

Apparatus for moving a device from an opened position to a permanently locked position so as to enclose at least portions of at least two relatively rigid articles using a tool wherein a feed track supports a row of devices in an opened position and urges the row of devices in a direction toward an end plate of the tool so that the foremost device of the row of devices is urged against the end plate and the tool also having force applying apparatus for applying an equal amount of force to spaced apart portions of the device comprising:

• said device being formed from a relatively rigid material and having at least two pivotally connected members each having an inner surface and outer surface;
• each of said at least two members being elongated and having a central body portion, a pivot portion, a permanently locking portion and an integral abutment portion;
• said integral abutment portion extending outwardly from a portion of said outer surface of said central body portion;
• said end plate having a generally planar surface;
• at least one guide projecting outwardly from said generally planar surface toward said row of devices;
• said guide having a first guiding surface and spaced therefrom a second guiding surface;
• said device being urged against said end plate so that a portion of one of said at least two members is facing one of said first and second guiding surfaces and another portion of said one of said at least two members is facing the other of said first and second guiding surfaces;
• said force applying apparatus being located relative to said abutment portions so that said force applying apparatus contacts said abutment portions to apply a force thereto to move said portions of said one of said at least two members into contact with said first and second guiding surfaces and to move said portions of said one of said at least two members over said first and second guiding surfaces;
• and
• said first and second guiding surfaces being contoured to move said at least two members from said opened position to said permanently locked position containing said at least two relatively rigid articles between said inner surfaces of said at least two members.

A device for enclosing at least portions of at least two relatively rigid articles in a desired relationship comprising:

• at least two members each having an inner surface, an outer surface and surfaces facing in opposite directions;
• each of said at least two members being elongated and having a central body portion, an integral pivot portion, an integral locking portion and an integral abutment portion extending outwardly from a portion of said outer surface;
• said integral pivot portions having structure for providing a pivotal connection for mounting said at least two members for pivotal movement between an opened position and a permanently locked position and wherein said inner surfaces define an enclosed opening when in said permanently locked position so that when said device is in said permanently locked position said at least portions of at least two relatively rigid articles are enclosed within said inner surfaces;
• control portions for controlling the movement of said pivotally connected members from said opened position to said permanently locked position;
• and
• said control portions comprising an edge on one of said integral abutment portions on one of said at least two members and a portion of said inner surface of said integral pivot portion of the other of said at least two members.

A device for enclosing at least portions of at le relatively rigid articles in a desired relationship comprising:

• at least two members each having an inner surface, an outer surface and surfaces facing in opposite directions;
• each of said at least two members being elongated and having a central body portion, an integral pivot portion at one end of said device, an integral locking portion at the other end of said device and an integral abutment portion extending outwardly from a portion of said outer surface of said central body portion;
• said integral pivot portions having structure for providing a pivotal connection for mounting said at least two members for pivotal movement in substantially parallel planes between an opened position and a locked position and wherein said inner surfaces define an enclosed opening when in said locked position so that, when said device is in said locked position, said at least portions of at least two relatively rigid articles are enclosed within said inner surfaces;
• and
• control portions for controlling the movement of said at least two pivotally connected members from said opened position to said locked position;
• wherein said control portions comprise an edge on one of said integral abutment portions on one of said at least two members and a portion of said inner surface of said integral pivot portion of the other of said at least two members.

A device for enclosing at least portions of at least two relatively rigid articles in a desired relationship comprising:

• at least two members each having an inner surface, an outer surface and surfaces facing in opposite directions;
• each of said at least two members being elongated and having a central body portion, an integral pivot portion at one end of said device, an integral locking portion at the other end of said device and an integral abutment portion extending outwardly from a portion of said outer surface of said central body portion;
• said integral pivot portions having structure for providing a pivotal connection for mounting said at least two members for pivotal movement in substantially parallel planes between an opened position and a locked position and wherein said inner surfaces define an enclosed opening when in said locked position so that, when said device is in said locked position, said at least portions of at least two relatively rigid articles are enclosed within said inner surfaces;
• and
• control portions for controlling the movement of said at least two pivotally connected members from said opened position to said locked position;
• said integral pivot portions being freely movable between said opened position and said locked position;
• an abutment stop on each of said integral pivot portions for limiting the pivotal movement of said at least two members to said opened position;
• said abutment stops having substantially the same thickness measured between corresponding portions of said surfaces facing in opposite directions;
• and
• said abutment stops having a thickness that is greater than that of adjacent portions of said integral pivot portions.