Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A pliers for handling flat and thin objects comprising: first and second plier elements each having a handle portion and a substantially flat jaw portion, said first and second plier elements being pivotally joined so that the respective substantially flat jaw portions thereof can mate when in a closed position; and a flexible claw assembly including first and second claws joined together by a hinge, said first and second claws being configured, respectively, to be carried by and to be disposed between said substantially flat jaw portions of said first and second plier elements, said hinge being disposed adjacent to said pivotal joining of said first and second plier elements when said first flexible claw assembly is positioned on said plier elements, said hinge serving as a stop to limit the distance an object can be inserted between said substantially flat jaw portions, said flexible claw assembly being fixed in position on the jaw portions of said first and second plier elements by a turned down edge disposed on the outer face of said first and second claws.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A pliers for handling flat and thin objects comprising: first and second plier elements each having a handle portion and a substantially flat jaw portion, said first and second plier elements being pivotally joined so that the respective substantially flat jaw portions thereof can mate when in a closed position; and a flexible claw assembly including first and second claws joined together by a hinge, said first and second claws being configured, respectively, to be carried by and to be disposed between said substantially flat jaw portions of said first and second plier elements, said hinge being disposed adjacent to said pivotal joining of said first and second plier elements when said first flexible claw assembly is positioned on said plier elements, said hinge serving as a stop to limit the distance an object can be inserted between said substantially flat jaw portions, said flexible claw assembly being fixed in position on the jaw portions of said first and second plier elements by a turned down edge disposed on the outer face of said first and second claws.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A pliers in accordance with claim 1, wherein said flexible claw assembly and said hinge thereof is made in a single part of a flexible material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A pliers in accordance with claim 1, wherein said turned down edge of said first and second claws are joined to the respective said claws over their whole width at the level of the fold of said hinge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A pliers in accordance with claim 1, wherein said turned down edge has a thickness which is greater than the height of the junction between said handle portions and said jaw portions of each of first and second plier elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A pliers in accordance with claim 1, further comprising biasing means for biasing said jaw portions toward each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A pliers in accordance with claim 5, wherein said biasing means includes a spring assembly of adjustable tension serving to bias said flat jaw portions toward each other, said biasing means being disposed between said handle portions of said first and second plier elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
A pliers in accordance with claim 5, wherein said spring assembly comprises a knurled nut threadably mounted on a threaded pin fixedly secured to said handle portion of said first plier element, and a compression spring coaxially disposed partially over said threaded pin, one end of said compression spring being adjacent to said knurled nut, the other end thereof being secured to said handle portion of said second plier element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A pliers in accordance with claim 1, wherein the ends of said flat jaw portions are tapered to facilitate the insertion thereof between the objects to be handled or between an object or object to be handled and a support.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A pliers in accordance with claim 8, wherein the ends of said flat jaw portions are longitudinally offset.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A pliers in accordance with claim 1, wherein the ends of said flat jaw portions are longitudinally offset.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A pliers in accordance with claim 1, wherein said handle portions are enlarged at the portion of their junction with their respective said jaw portions so as to provide no sharp edges.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A pliers in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first and second claws are completely applied against each other when in a rest position.