Mounting and display card for hand operated tool

Abstract

A tool display card for a tool of the type having a pair of pivotably interconnected handles. The card includes a track. A slide is mounted on the track and is moveable in a path between a first position whereat the slide surrounds the working surfaces of the tool to prevent pivotable movement of the handles of the tool. The slide may be moved to a second position whereat the slide is spaced from the working surfaces of the tool to enable the handles to pivot relative to each other.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to mounting and display cards for tools of the type having pivotally interconnected handles, with each of the handles being formed with a tool-working surface. More particularly, this invention relates to such a card which permits manipulation of the handles by the prospective purchaser at the point of sale.

[0002] Handle operated tools such as scissors, shears, loppers, pliers, or the like are conventionally secured improvements to mounting display cards in a manner which prevents the consumer from operating the tool in order to observe and judge its functional characteristics. Furthermore, such mounting and display cards have unlimited visible areas on which information can be printed and readily displayed to a prospective purchaser.

[0003] Customers of quality tools such as scissors, typically desire to get the “feel” of the handles and further desire to test the movement and function of the blades. Typically, neither of these features is available from the typical mounting and display cards.

[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to enable a prospective purchaser to easily get the “feel” of the handles of a tool and test the movement and function of the blades while the tool remains mounted on a display card.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The foregoing object and other objects of the invention are attained in a tool display card for a tool of the type having a pair of pivotably interconnected handles. The handles are pivotably interconnected for movement between opened and closed positions. Each of the handles is formed with a tool-working surface. The card includes a track. A slide is mounted on the track and is moveable in a path between a first position whereat the slide surrounds the working surfaces of the tool to prevent pivotable movement of the handles and a second position whereat the slide is spaced from the working surfaces of the tool to enable the handles to pivot relative to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0006] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a mounting and display card on which a tool is mounted whereat the handles of the tools are prevented from relative movement;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 1 except that the handles may be pivoted relative to each other; and

[0008] FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating a detail of the mounting and display card.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0009] Referring now to the drawing, there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In referring to the various figures of the drawing, like numerals shall refer to like parts.

[0010] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a mounting card 10 having a tool such as a scissors 12 mounted thereon. Scissors 12 includes handles 14 and 16, which are pivotably connected via a rivet, screw, or the like 18. Each of the handles includes working surfaces 20 and 22.

[0011] One of the handles, for example, handle 14 is attached to the card by a strap or similar means 26. The other handle, handle 16 may be pivoted relative to handle 14, by a prospective purchaser. Card 10 includes a linear track 28. A slide 30 is mounted on track 28. Slide 30 includes an opening 32.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the width of the track is slightly larger than the width of the ends of the working surfaces 20, 22 of tool 12. Likewise, the diameter of opening 32 is similarly slightly larger than the width of the working surfaces.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, slide 30 is positioned on track 28 so that opening 32 of the slide surrounds the tip of working surfaces 20, 22 of tool 12. In this position, handles 14, 16 are prevented from pivoting relative to each other.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, slide 30 has been moved on track 28 so that the slide is now spaced from the tips of the working surfaces. In this position, a prospective customer can pivot handle 16 relative to handle 14 (from the dotted line position to the solid line position illustrated in FIG. 2). The prospective purchaser can also test the quality of the working surfaces (blades of the scissors illustrated in the preferred embodiment) while the tool is mounted on mounting and display card 10.

[0015] By enabling the prospective purchaser to test both the quality of the working surfaces (blades of the scissors illustrated in the preferred embodiment) and the “feel” of the handles while the tool is mounted on the mounting and display card 10, the prospective purchaser may be willing to expend a relatively larger sum of money when the purchaser is assured of the quality of the product.

[0016] While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described and illustrated, the invention should not be limited thereto but may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A tool display card for a tool of the type having a pair of pivotably interconnected handles, said handles being pivotably interconnected between opened and closed positions, each of said handles being formed with a tool working surface, said card comprising:

a track formed in said card;

a slide mounted on said track and moveable in a path between a first position whereat the slide surrounds the working surfaces of the tool to prevent pivotable movement of said handles, and a second position whereat the slide is spaced from said working surfaces of the tool to enable the handles to pivot relative to each other.

2. A tool display card in accordance with claim 1 wherein the tool is a scissors.

3. A tool display card in accordance with claim 2 wherein said working surfaces are the blades of the scissors.

4. A tool display card in accordance with claim 3 wherein the track extends in a linear path.

5. A tool display card in accordance with claim 1 wherein the track extends in a linear path.