Soldering and desoldering hand tool employing air blast or suction

Claim 2

A soldering and desoldering device comprising in combination; a housing including an elongated body, a soldering tip at one end of said elongated body adapted to be heated by a heat source, said soldering tip having a first end adapted to engage a workpiece and having a first passage opening at its first end, means defining a second passage having an exit opening adjacent said soldering tip, said first and second passages being in communication such that pressure fluid flowing through said second passage and out said exit opening aspirates air from said first passage, said second passage including a solder conducting portion in said elongated body adjacent said soldering tip which extends transverse to said first passage and which conducts to said exit opening molten solder which is withdrawn by aspirating action through said first passage from a workpiece heated by said soldering tip, means including an actuatable valve carried by said housing for controllably supplying pressure fluid from a source of pressure fluid to said second passage, and means including an adjustable device carried by said elongated body adjacent said soldering tip for controlling the flow of pressure fluid through said first and second passages, said adjustable device being adjustable about an axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of said elongated body between a first position wherein it prevents pressure fluid from flowing out said exit opening to cause pressure fluid to flow through said first passage out said first end of said soldering tip, and a second position wherein it permits pressure fluid to flow out said exit opening to effect aspiration of air from said first passage.

Claim 3

A device as defined in claim 1 including a container having an open end and a closed end and positioned with said open end adjacent said exit opening, said container receiving molten solder which is withdrawn by aspirating action through said first passage and said exit opening from a workpiece heated by said soldering tip when said adjustable device is in its second position and when said valve is actuated.

Claim 4

A device as defined in claim 2 wherein the closed end of said container comprises an end wall having an aperture, and a removable member overlying said end wall within said container, said container and removable member being formed of a thermoplastic material.

Claim 5

A soldering and desoldering device comprising in combination; a soldering tip adapted to be heated by a heat source, said soldering tip having a first end adapted to engage a workpiece and having a first passage opening at its first end, means defining a second passage having an exit opening, said first and second passages being in communication such that pressure fluid flowing through said second passage and out said exit opening aspirates air from said first passage, means including an actuatable valve for controllably supplying pressure fluid from a source of pressure fluid to said second passage, means including an adjustable device comprising a first hollow member having a passage opening at one end thereof for controlling the flow of pressure fluid through said first and second passages, said first member being supported for rotation between a first position wherein its passage is misaligned with said exit opening to prevent pressure fluid from flowing out said exit opening to cause pressure fluid to flow through said first passage out said first end of said soldering tip, and a second position wherein its passage is aligned with said exit opening to permit pressure fluid to flow out said exit opening to effect aspiration of air from said first passage, and a container comprising a second hollow member having an open end and a closed end, said second member extending into said first member with said open end facing the passage of said first member adjacent said exit opening, said container receiving molten solder which is withdrawn by aspirating action through said first passage and said exit opening from a workpiece heated by said soldering tip when said adjustable first member is in its second position and when said valve is actuated.

Claim 6

A soldering and desoldering device comprising in combination; a soldering tip adapted to be heated by a heat source, said soldering tip having a first end adapted to engage a workpiece and having a first passage opening at its first end, means defining a second passage having an exit opening, said first and second passages being in communication such that pressure fluid flowing through said second passage and out said exit opening aspirates air from said first passage, means including an actuatable valve for controllably supplying pressure fluid from a source of pressure fluid to said second passage, means including an adjustable device comprising a first hollow member having a passage opening at one end thereof for controlling the flow of pressure fluid through said first and second passages, said first member being supported for rotation between a first position wherein its passage is misaligned with said exit opening to prevent pressure fluid from flowing out said exit opening to cause pressure fluid to flow through said first passage out said first end of said soldering tip, and a second position wherein its passage is aligned with said exit opening to permit pressure fluid to flow out said exit opening to effect aspiration of air from said first passage, and a container comprising a second hollow member having an open end and a closed end, said second member extending into said first member with said open end facing the passage of said first member adjacent said exit opening, said container receiving molten solder which is withdrawn by aspirating action through said first passage and said exit opening from a workpiece heated by said soldering tip when said adjustable first member is in its second position and when said valve is actuated.

Claim 7

A device as defined in claim 4 wherein said first and second members are formed of a thermoplastic material, said first member having an internal shoulder defining adjacent enlarged and reduced passages, said second member being frictionally received in said reduced passage with clearance between the outer surface of said second member and the inner surface of said enlarged passage, said second member having a plurality of openings spaced circumferentially about its axis, the closed end of said second member comprising an end wall having an aperture, and a removable member overlying said end wall within said second member.

Claim 8

A soldering and desoldering device comprising in combination; a housing including a barrel assembly and a pistol grip handle assembly attached to said barrel assembly adjacent one end thereof, an electric heating unit within said barrel assembly, a soldering tip at the other end of said barrel assembly to be heated by said heating unit, said soldering tip having a first end adapted to engage a workpiece and having a first passage opening at its first end, first means defining a second passage having an exit opening adjacent said soldering tip, said first and second passages being in communication such that pressure fluid flowing through said second passage and out said exit opening aspirates air from said first passage, said second passage including a solder conducting portion in said barrel assembly adjacent said soldering tip which extends transverse to said first passage and which conducts to said exit opening molten solder which is withdrawn by aspirating action through said first passage from a workpiece heated by said soldering tip, second means including an actuatable valve carried by said housing for controllably supplying pressure fluid from a source of pressure fluid to said second passage, said valve including a reciprocable spring biased stem exposed adjacent said handle assembly for manual reciprocation to actuate said valve, and third means including an adjustable device carried by said barrel assembly adjacent said soldering tip for controlling the flow of pressure fluid through said first and second passages, said adjustable device being adjustable about an axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of said barrel assembly between a first position wherein it prevents pressure fluid from flowing out said exit opening to cause pressure fluid to flow through said First passage out said first end of said soldering tip, and a second position wherein it permits pressure fluid to flow out said exit opening to effect aspiration of air from said first passage.

Claim 9

A soldering and desoldering device comprising in combination; a housing including a barrel assembly and a pistol grip handle assembly attached to said barrel assembly adjacent one end thereof, an electric heating unit within said barrel assembly, a soldering tip at the other end of said barrel assembly to be heated by said heating unit, said soldering tip having a first end adapted to engage a workpiece and having a first passage opening at its first end, first means defining a second passage having an exit opening adjacent said soldering tip, said first and second passages being in communication such that pressure fluid flowing through said second passage and out said exit opening aspirates air from said first passage, said second passage including a solder conducting portion in said barrel assembly adjacent said soldering tip which extends transverse to said first passage and which conducts to said exit opening molten solder which is withdrawn by aspirating action through said first passage from a workpiece heated by said soldering tip, second means including an actuatable valve carried by said housing for controllably supplying pressure fluid from a source of pressure fluid to said second passage, said valve including a reciprocable spring biased stem exposed adjacent said handle assembly for manual reciprocation to actuate said valve, and third means including an adjustable device carried by said barrel assembly adjacent said soldering tip for controlling the flow of pressure fluid through said first and second passages, said adjustable device being adjustable about an axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of said barrel assembly between a first position wherein it prevents pressure fluid from flowing out said exit opening to cause pressure fluid to flow through said First passage out said first end of said soldering tip, and a second position wherein it permits pressure fluid to flow out said exit opening to effect aspiration of air from said first passage.

Claim 10

A device as defined in claim 6 including a container having an open end and a closed end and positioned with said open end adjacent said exit opening, said container receiving molten solder which is withdrawn by aspirating action through said first passage and said exit opening from a workpiece heated by said soldering tip when said adjustable device is in its second position and when said valve is actuated.

Claim 11

A device as defined in claim 6 wherein said barrel assembly is removably attached to said handle assembly, said heating unit being removably retained in said barrel assembly and being removable therefrom when said barrel assembly is detached from said handle assembly.

Claim 12

A device as defined in claim 6 including an adapter connected to said second means and exposed for connection to a source of pressure fluid.

Claim 13

A soldering and desoldering device comprising in combination: a housing including a barrel assembly and a pistol grip handle assembly attached to said barrel assembly adjacent one end thereof, and electric heating unit within said barrel assembly, a soldering tip at the other end of said barrel assembly to be heated by said heating unit, said soldering tip having a first end adapted to engage a workpiece and having a first passage opening at its first end, first means defining a second passage having an exit opening, said first and second passages being in communication such that pressure fluid flowing through said second passage and out said exit opening aspirates air from said first passage, second means including an actuatable valve for controllably supplying pressure fluid from a source of pressure fluid to said second passage, said valve including a reciprocable spring biased stem exposed adjacent said handle assembly for manual reciprocation to actuate said valve, third means including an adjustable device comprising a first hollow member having a passage opening at one end thereof for controlling the flow of pressure fluid through said first and second passages, said first member being carried by said barrel assembly for rotation between a first position wherein its passage is misaligned with said exit opening to prevent pressure fluid from flowing out said exit opening to cause pressure fluid to flow through said first passage out said first end of said soldering tip, and a second position wherein its passage is aligned with said exit opening to permit pressure fluid to flow out said exit opening to effect aspiration of air from said first passage, and a container comprising a second hollow member having an open end and a closed end, said second member extending into said first member with said open end facing the passage of said first member adjacent said exit opening, said container receiving molten solder which is withdrawn by aspirating action through said first passage and said exit opening from a workpiece heated by said soldering tip when said adjustable first member is in its second position and when said valve is actuated.

Claim 14

A soldering and desoldering device comprising in combination: a housing including a barrel assembly and a pistol grip handle assembly attached to said barrel assembly adjacent one end thereof, and electric heating unit within said barrel assembly, a soldering tip at the other end of said barrel assembly to be heated by said heating unit, said soldering tip having a first end adapted to engage a workpiece and having a first passage opening at its first end, first means defining a second passage having an exit opening, said first and second passages being in communication such that pressure fluid flowing through said second passage and out said exit opening aspirates air from said first passage, second means including an actuatable valve for controllably supplying pressure fluid from a source of pressure fluid to said second passage, said valve including a reciprocable spring biased stem exposed adjacent said handle assembly for manual reciprocation to actuate said valve, third means including an adjustable device comprising a first hollow member having a passage opening at one end thereof for controlling the flow of pressure fluid through said first and second passages, said first member being carried by said barrel assembly for rotation between a first position wherein its passage is misaligned with said exit opening to prevent pressure fluid from flowing out said exit opening to cause pressure fluid to flow through said first passage out said first end of said soldering tip, and a second position wherein its passage is aligned with said exit opening to permit pressure fluid to flow out said exit opening to effect aspiration of air from said first passage, and a container comprising a second hollow member having an open end and a closed end, said second member extending into said first member with said open end facing the passage of said first member adjacent said exit opening, said container receiving molten solder which is withdrawn by aspirating action through said first passage and said exit opening from a workpiece heated by said soldering tip when said adjustable first member is in its second position and when said valve is actuated.

Claim 15

A device as defined in claim 10 wherein said first and second members are formed of a thermoplastic material, said first member having an internal shoulder defining adjacent enlarged and reduced passages, said second member being frictionally received in said reduced passage with clearance between the outer surface of said second member and the inner surface of said enlarged passage, said second member having a plurality of openings spaced circumferentially about its axis, the closed end of said second member comprising an end wall having an aperture, and a removable member overlying said end wall within said second member.

Claim 16

A soldering and desoldering device comprising in combination; a housing including a barrel assembly and a pistol grip handle assembly removably attached to said barrel assembly adjacent one end thereof, said handle assembly comprising a pair of separable sections defining a cavity, an electric heating unit removably attached to said barrel assembly adjacent one end thereof, said handle assembly comprising a pair of separable sections defining a cavity, an electric heating unit removably retained within said barrel assembly, said heating unit having a pair of terminals, a first insulator removably retained within said barrel assembly adjacent said one end thereof, said first insulator containing a plurality of first bores, a pair of conductive pins within a pair of said first bores, said pins having first ends connected to the terminals of said heating unit and having second ends projecting beyond said one end of said barrel assembly, a first hollow tube within a third one of said first bores, said first tube having a first end within said barrel assembly and having a second end projecting beyond said one end of said barrel assembly, a soldering tip adjacent the other end of said barrel assembly to be heated by said heating unit, said soldering tip having a first end adapted to engage a workpiece and having a first passage opening at its first end, means in said barrel assembly defining a second passage having an exit opening, said first and second passages being in communication such that pressure fluid flowing through said second passage and out said exit opening aspirates air from said first passage, the first end of said first tube being in communication with said second passage, a bushing carried by said handle assembly, said bushing having a first end exposed externally of said handle assembly and a second end communicating with the cavity of said handle assembly, a second insulator within said bushing containing a plurality of second bores, a pair of conductive sockets within a pair of said second bores, said conductive sockets and a third one of said second bores releasably receiving respectively the second ends of said conductive pins and said first tube through the first end of said bushing, electrical conductors within the cavity of said handle assembly connected to said conductive sockets through the second end of said bushing and adapted for connection to a source of electrical voltage, second hollow tube means within the cavity of said handle assembly having first and second ends with its first end received within said third one of said second bores through the second end of said bushing, the second end of said second tube means being adapted for connection to a source of pressure fluid, a valve within the cavity of said handle assembly for controlling the supply of pressure fluid from said source of pressure fluid through said second tube means, said valve including a reciprocable spring-biased stem exposed for manual reciprocation to actuate said valve, and means including an adjustable device for controlling the flow of pressure fluid through said first and second passages, said adjustable device being adjustable between a first position wherein it prevents pressure fluid from flowing out said exit opening to cause pressure fluid to flow through said first passage out said first end of said soldering tip, and a second position wherein it permits pressure fluid to flow out said exit opening to effect aspiration of air from said first passage.

Claim 17

A soldering and desoldering device comprising in combination; a housing including a barrel assembly and a pistol grip handle assembly removably attached to said barrel assembly adjacent one end thereof, said handle assembly comprising a pair of separable sections defining a cavity, an electric heating unit removably attached to said barrel assembly adjacent one end thereof, said handle assembly comprising a pair of separable sections defining a cavity, an electric heating unit removably retained within said barrel assembly, said heating unit having a pair of terminals, a first insulator removably retained within said barrel assembly adjacent said one end thereof, said first insulator containing a plurality of first bores, a pair of conductive pins within a pair of said first bores, said pins having first ends connected to the terminals of said heating unit and having second ends projecting beyond said one end of said barrel assembly, a first hollow tube within a third one of said first bores, said first tube having a first end within said barrel assembly and having a second end projecting beyond said one end of said barrel assembly, a soldering tip adjacent the other end of said barrel assembly to be heated by said heating unit, said soldering tip having a first end adapted to engage a workpiece and having a first passage opening at its first end, means in said barrel assembly defining a second passage having an exit opening, said first and second passages being in communication such that pressure fluid flowing through said second passage and out said exit opening aspirates air from said first passage, the first end of said first tube being in communication with said second passage, a bushing carried by said handle assembly, said bushing having a first end exposed externally of said handle assembly and a second end communicating with the cavity of said handle assembly, a second insulator within said bushing containing a plurality of second bores, a pair of conductive sockets within a pair of said second bores, said conductive sockets and a third one of said second bores releasably receiving respectively the second ends of said conductive pins and said first tube through the first end of said bushing, electrical conductors within the cavity of said handle assembly connected to said conductive sockets through the second end of said bushing and adapted for connection to a source of electrical voltage, second hollow tube means within the cavity of said handle assembly having first and second ends with its first end received within said third one of said second bores through the second end of said bushing, the second end of said second tube means being adapted for connection to a source of pressure fluid, a valve within the cavity of said handle assembly for controlling the supply of pressure fluid from said source of pressure fluid through said second tube means, said valve including a reciprocable spring-biased stem exposed for manual reciprocation to actuate said valve, and means including an adjustable device for controlling the flow of pressure fluid through said first and second passages, said adjustable device being adjustable between a first position wherein it prevents pressure fluid from flowing out said exit opening to cause pressure fluid to flow through said first passage out said first end of said soldering tip, and a second position wherein it permits pressure fluid to flow out said exit opening to effect aspiration of air from said first passage.

Claim 18

A device as defined in claim 12 including a container having an open end and a closed end and positioned with said open end adjacent said exit opening, said container receiving molten solder which is withdrawn by aspirating action through said first passage and said exit opening from a workpiece heated by said soldering tip when said adjustable device is in its second position and when said valve is actuated.

Claim 19

A device as defined in claim 12 wherein said bushing has external threads adjacent its first end, said barrel assembly having a circumferentially slotted area adjacent its one end, a retaining ring extending partially around said barrel assembly overlying said slotted area, and a nut around said barrel assembly in threaded engagement with said bushing threads, said ring retaining said nut on said barrel assembly. 15 A device as defined in claim 12 including an adapter connected to the second end of second tube means and exposed for connection to a source of pressure fluid.

Claim 20

A device as defined in claim 15 wherein said adjustable device comprises a first hollow member having a passage opening at one end thereof, said first member being carried by said barrel assembly for rotation between a first position wherein its passage is misaligned with said exit opening and a second position wherein its passage is aligned with said exit opening, said container comprising a second hollow member having an open end and a closed end, said second member extending into said first member with said open end facing the passage of said first member.

Claim 21

A device as defined in claim 16 wherein said first and second members are formed of a thermoplastic material, said first member having an internal shoulder defining adjacent enlarged and reduced passages, said second member being frictionally received in said reduced passage with clearance between the outer surface of said second member and the inner surface of said enlarged passage, said second member having a plurality of openings spaced circumferentially about its axis, the closed end of said second member comprising an end wall having an aperture, and a removable member overlying said end wall within said second member.

Claim 22

A soldering and desoldering device comprising in combination; a housing including an elongated body, an electric heating unit within said elongated body, a soldering tip at one end of said elongated body to be heated by said heating unit, said soldering tip having a first end adapted to engage a workpiece and having a first passage opening at its first end, first means defining a second passage having an exit opening adjacent said soldering tip, said first and second passages being being in communication such that pressure fluid flowing through said second passage and out said exit opening aspirates air from said first passage, second means including an actuatable valve carried by said housing for controllably supplying pressure fluid from a source of pressure fluid to said second passage, said valve including a reciprocable spring biased stem exposed for manual reciprocation to actuate said valve, a rigid, cylindrical container for receiving molten solder which is withdrawn by aspirating action through said first passage and said exit opening from a workpiece heated by said soldering tip, said container having an open end and a closed end and being formed of a thermoplastic material, and means at said one end of said elongated body providing a rigid support detachably suspending said container beneath said elongated body with the longitudinal axis of said container extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of said elongated body, said rigid support containing a cylindrical passage which communicates with said exit opening and which has an open end beneath said elongated body which receives said container with the sidewall of said passage in detachable frictional engagement with the external surface of the sidewall of said container at an area adjacent the open end of said container, said container having an opening in its sidewall which is clear of the area of engagement between said support and said container to permit the escape of pressure fluid entering said container.

Claim 23

A soldering and desoldering device comprising in combination; a housing including an elongated body, an electric heating unit within said elongated body, a soldering tip at one end of said elongated body to be heated by said heating unit, said soldering tip having a first end adapted to engage a workpiece and having a first passage opening at its first end, first means defining a second passage having an exit opening adjacent said soldering tip, said first and second passages being being in communication such that pressure fluid flowing through said second passage and out said exit opening aspirates air from said first passage, second means including an actuatable valve carried by said housing for controllably supplying pressure fluid from a source of pressure fluid to said second passage, said valve including a reciprocable spring biased stem exposed for manual reciprocation to actuate said valve, a rigid, cylindrical container for receiving molten solder which is withdrawn by aspirating action through said first passage and said exit opening from a workpiece heated by said soldering tip, said container having an open end and a closed end and being formed of a thermoplastic material, and means at said one end of said elongated body providing a rigid support detachably suspending said container beneath said elongated body with the longitudinal axis of said container extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of said elongated body, said rigid support containing a cylindrical passage which communicates with said exit opening and which has an open end beneath said elongated body which receives said container with the sidewall of said passage in detachable frictional engagement with the external surface of the sidewall of said container at an area adjacent the open end of said container, said container having an opening in its sidewall which is clear of the area of engagement between said support and said container to permit the escape of pressure fluid entering said container.

Claim 24

A device as defined in claim 18 wherein the closed end of said container comprises an end wall having an aperture, and a removable member overlying said end wall within said container, said removable member being formed of a thermoplastic material.

Claim 25

A soldering and desoldering device comprising in combination; a housing including an elongated body, a soldering tip at one end of said elongated body adapted to be heated by a heat source, said soldering tip having a first end adapted to engage a workpiece and having a first passage opening at its first end, means defining a second passage having an exit opening adjacent said soldering tip, said first and second passages being in communication such that pressure fluid flowing through said second passage and out said exit opening aspirates air from said first passage, means including an actuatable valve carried by said housing for controllably supplying pressure fluid from a source of pressure fluid to said second passage, and a unitary structure carried by said elongated body adjacent said soldering tip for rotation relative to said elongated body to perform the dual function of selectively opening and closing said exit opening and of receiving molten solder which is withdrawn by aspirating action from a workpiece heated by said soldering tip through said first passage and said exit opening when the exit opening is open, said unitary structure including a first hollow member rotatably carried by said elongated body for opening and closing said exit opening, and a second container member having an open end and a closed end for receiving molten solder by aspirating action, said container member being detachably secured to said first member with said open end communicating with the hollow of said first member.

Claim 26

A soldering and desoldering device comprising in combination; a housing including an elongated body, a soldering tip at one end of said elongated body adapted to be heated by a heat source, said soldering tip having a first end adapted to engage a workpiece and having a first passage opening at its first end, means defining a second passage having an exit opening adjacent said soldering tip, said first and second passages being in communication such that pressure fluid flowing through said second passage and out said exit opening aspirates air from said first passage, means including an actuatable valve carried by said housing for controllably supplying pressure fluid from a source of pressure fluid to said second passage, and a unitary structure carried by said elongated body adjacent said soldering tip for rotation relative to said elongated body to perform the dual function of selectively opening and closing said exit opening and of receiving molten solder which is withdrawn by aspirating action from a workpiece heated by said soldering tip through said first passage and said exit opening when the exit opening is open, said unitary structure including a first hollow member rotatably carried by said elongated body for opening and closing said exit opening, and a second container member having an open end and a closed end for receiving molten solder by aspirating action, said container member being detachably secured to said first member with said open end communicating with the hollow of said first member.

Claim 27

A device as defined in claim 20 wherein said unitary structure is carried by said elongated body for rotation about an axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of said elongated body.

Claim 28

A device as defined in claim 20 wherein the closed end of said container member comprises an end wall having an aperture, and a removable member overlying said end wall within said container member.

Claim 29

A device as defined in claim 20 wherein said first and second members are both formed of a thermoplastic material.

Claim 30

A device as defined in claim 20 wherein said container member is secured to said first member by frictional engagement therewith, said container member being installed and removed relative to said first member by movement of said container member along an axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of said elongated body.