Dielectric tool

Claim 2

A tool comprising a pair of intersecting arms each including a metallic core member and a dielectric cover member, and pivot means interconnecting the arms for swinging motion about a common axis, the pivot means including a dielectric tube nut having an axial portion adapted to mate with bores in the arms, and having an annular flange portion adapted to mate with an annular recessed seat on one arm, the pivot means further including retainer means adapted to engage the tube nut axial portion and dielectrically eNgage the opposite arm so as to retain the arms and the pivot means in their assembled position.

Claim 3

A tool according to claim 1 wherein said retainer means includes a dielectric washer means adapted to engage an annular seat on said opposite arm, and screw means for securing the washer means to the tube nut and on the arm seat.

Claim 4

A tool according to claim 2 wherein said screw means is provided with relatively hard male threads and said tube nut is provided with a relatively soft inner nut bore surface, the male screw threads upon introduction into the inner nut bore surface, forming mating female threads thereon.

Claim 5

A tool according to claim 1 wherein said dielectric cover member forms each arm pivot bore and covers each metallic core member at its respective bore.

Claim 6

A tool comprising a pair of intersecting arms and pivot means interconnecting the arms for swinging motion about a common axis, the arms each including a metallic core member and having at least one work edge, a dielectric cover member covering substantially the entire surface of the core member except the work edge, thereby inhibiting contact of the core member with other electrically conductive objects at any place except the work edge.

Claim 7

A tool comprising a pair of intersecting arms and pivot means interconnecting the arms for swinging motion about a common axis, the arms each including a metallic core member and having at least one work edge, a dielectric cover member covering substantially the entire surface of the core member except the work edge, thereby inhibiting contact of the core member with other electrically conductive objects at any place except the work edge.

Claim 8

A tool according to claim 5 wherein each core member includes a nose portion, a handle portion aligned with the nose portion and a pivot portion offset from the nose and handle portions to permit a layer of dielectric material to be interposed between said core member and the surface of the opposite arm.

Claim 9

A tool according to claim 6 wherein said pivot portion is located between said nose portion and said handle portion.

Claim 10

A tool according to claim 6 wherein said core member comprises a metallic stamping of substantially uniform thickness.

Claim 11

A tool according to claim 6 wherein said core member includes a handle portion and said dielectric cover member includes a flange portion extending perpendicularly to said core handle portion at one edge thereof, thereby forming an arm handle portion of substantially T-shape in cross-sectional aspect.

Claim 12

A tool according to claim 5 wherein said work edge includes a serrated portion adapted to grip a wire workpiece, a recessed planar portion adapted to engage and strip insulation from a wire workpiece, and a converging edge portion of substantially knife-edge cross-sectional aspect adapted to cut a wire workpiece.

Claim 13

A tool according to claim 10 wherein said recessed planar portion is located between said serrated portion and said converging edge portion, thereby permitting a wire workpiece to be cut, stripped of insulation, and gripped for manipulation by progressive movement of the tool.

Claim 14

A tool comprising a pair of intersecting arms and pivot means interconnecting the arms for swinging motion about a common axis, the arms each comprising a tool nose portion, a tool pivot portion and tool handle portion, and each arm further including a metallic core member and a dielectric cover member, each core member including a planar handle portion of substantially triangular shape, a first triangular edge extending along at least a portion of the tool handle exterior and a second triangular edge extending along at least a portion of the tool handle interior, that portion of the tool handle interior being positioned to abuttingly engage a corresponding tool handle interior portion on the opposite arm to prevent excessive closing strain from being applied to the tool parts.

Claim 15

A tool comprising a pair of intersecting arms and pivot means interconnecting the arms for swinging motion about a common axis, the arms each comprising a tool nose portion, a tool pivot portion and tool handle portion, and each arm further including a metallic core member and a dielectric cover member, each core member including a planar handle portion of substantially triangular shape, a first triangular edge extending along at least a portion of the tool handle exterior and a second triangular edge extending along at least a portion of the tool handle interior, that portion of the tool handle interior being positioned to abuttingly engage a corresponding tool handle interior portion on the opposite arm to prevent excessive closing strain from being applied to the tool parts.

Claim 16

A tool according to claim 12 wherein said dielectric cover member includes a flange portion extending perpendicularly to said planar core handle portion at said first triangular edge, thereby forming an arm handle portion of substantially T-shape in cross-sectional aspect, the core member being enclosed within at least the base of the T.

Claim 17

A tool according to claim 12 including a tail portion formed on said tool handle portion, the tail portion being formed to be spaced apart from the tail portion on the opposite arm wheN the tool is closed, thereby permitting the tool user to insert fingers between the portions of the closed tool arm handles for tool manipulation.

Claim 18

A tool comprising a pair of intersecting arms and pivot means interconnecting the arms for swinging motion about a common axis, the arms each including a metallic core member and a dielectric cover member, the assembled tool including a nose, a pivot and a handle, the tool nose being tapered to a point in two mutually perpendicular planes for insertion into restricted work areas, and presenting dielectric outer surfaces for preventing electrical conduction when the nose contacts electrically differing potentials in said restricted work areas.

Claim 19

A tool comprising a pair of intersecting arms and pivot means interconnecting the arms for swinging motion about a common axis, the arms each including a metallic core member and a dielectric cover member, the assembled tool including a nose, a pivot and a handle, the tool nose being tapered to a point in two mutually perpendicular planes for insertion into restricted work areas, and presenting dielectric outer surfaces for preventing electrical conduction when the nose contacts electrically differing potentials in said restricted work areas.

Claim 20

A tool according to claim 15 wherein each arm is provided with a dielectric triangular interior nose surface and includes a work edge protruding above the interior nose surface and located along the altitude of the triangular surface in abutting relationship with the work edge protruding above the opposite arm nose surface.

Claim 21

A tool comprising a pair of intersecting arms and pivot means interconnecting the arms for swinging motion about a common axis, the arms each including a metallic core member having a work edge and an injection molded dielectric cover member covering the entire core member except the work edge and at least one clip point adapted to locate the core member within the injection mold during arm production, the exposed clip point being located on the arm at a position inhibiting contact between the clip point and an electrically charged workpiece.

Claim 22

A tool comprising a pair of intersecting arms and pivot means interconnecting the arms for swinging motion about a common axis, the arms each including a metallic core member having a work edge and an injection molded dielectric cover member covering the entire core member except the work edge and at least one clip point adapted to locate the core member within the injection mold during arm production, the exposed clip point being located on the arm at a position inhibiting contact between the clip point and an electrically charged workpiece.