Granted Patent B2

US 12,544,891 · App. 18/196,584 · Granted Feb 10, 2026

Inventors: Wei Zheng (Tianjin, CN); Yafei Zhang (Tianjin, CN); Chen Liu (Tianjin, CN)

Assignee: Oetiker Schweiz AG

B25B27/146G01L5/0038

Abstract

Claims (14)

1 . A manual assembly tool ( 10 ) of the compound action type for ear clamps, including:

a pair of lever arms ( 12 , 14 ) pivotably connected to each other at a pivot point ( 20 ) near a distal end of the lever arms ( 12 , 14 ), wherein each lever arm ( 12 , 14 ) includes a handle end ( 12 a , 14 a ) on a proximal side and an extension arm ( 12 b , 14 b ) extending beyond the pivot point ( 20 ),

a pair of jaw members ( 16 , 18 ) with clamp edges ( 16 a , 18 a ) forming a lip for receiving the clamp ears, wherein each of the jaw members ( 16 , 18 ) is pivotably connected to the one of the extension arms ( 12 b , 14 b ) at its proximal end, wherein the jaw members ( 16 , 18 ) are pivotally interconnected at an intermediate portion of the jaw member ( 16 , 18 ) so that closing the handle ends ( 12 a , 14 a ) of the lever arms ( 12 , 14 ) translates the jaw members ( 16 , 18 ) towards a closed position thereof, thus squeezing the clamp ear, further including a deformation sensor ( 22 ) directly attached to at least one of the jaw members ( 16 , 18 ) and a signal means ( 24 ) for generating a signal indicative of the closing force applied by the jaw member ( 16 , 18 );

wherein the deformation sensor ( 22 ) is arranged between the proximal end of the jaw member ( 16 , 18 ) connected to the lever arm ( 12 , 14 ) and the intermediate portion of the jaw member ( 16 , 18 ) connected to the other jaw member ( 16 , 18 ).

2 . A manual assembly tool ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the signal means ( 24 ) includes an electronic circuit generating a signal when the force measured by the deformation sensor ( 22 ) exceeds a threshold.

3 . A manual assembly tool ( 10 ) according to claim 2 , wherein the threshold is adjustable.

4 . A manual assembly tool ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the deformation sensor ( 22 ) is arranged in a recess in the jaw member ( 16 , 18 ) and is protected by a plastic housing or cover.

5 . A manual assembly tool ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the deformation sensor ( 22 ) is provided in a side face perpendicular to the pivot direction of the jaw member ( 16 , 18 ).

6 . A manual assembly tool ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the deformation sensor ( 22 ) is a strain gauge.

7 . A manual assembly tool ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the deformation sensor ( 22 ) includes at least one flat spring arranged so as to be deformed during operation of the tool and connected to at least one first electrical contact ( 26 ), wherein the electrical contact ( 26 ) is configured to contact a second electrical contact ( 28 ) when a force corresponding to a threshold force or higher is applied.

8 . A manual assembly tool ( 10 ) according to claim 7 , further including an adjusting screw for adjusting the threshold force.

9 . A manual assembly tool ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the jaw member ( 16 , 18 ) includes a slot ( 30 ) configured to be narrowed when a closing force is applied to the jaw member ( 16 , 18 ), wherein electrical contact elements ( 26 , 28 ) are provided on side faces of the slot ( 30 ), wherein the electrical contact between the contact elements ( 26 , 28 ) is created when a force corresponding to a threshold force or higher is applied.

10 . A manual assembly tool ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the signal means ( 24 ) includes a vibration motor ( 24 a ).

11 . A manual assembly tool ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the signal means ( 24 ) includes an LED ( 24 b ).

Priority Claims (1)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (20)