TWISTABLE WIRE FASTENING APPARATUS

Abstract

An apparatus for applying a twistable wire fastener is provided. The apparatus may include a base member. The base member may be configured to be received by a chuck or socket of a rotary tool. The apparatus may include a wire-holding member. The apparatus may include a shaft extending from the base member to the wire-holding member. The shaft may define an axis of rotation running through the base member. The wire-holding member may be operatively coupled through the shaft to the base member such that rotation of the base member in the chuck or socket of the rotary tool about the axis of rotation causes a corresponding rotation of the wire-holding member.

Description

BACKGROUND

Various structures may be temporarily or permanently joined by twistable wire fasteners, such as loop ties. For example, it is desirable to tie rebar crossings with metal loop ties to hold the rebar in a desired configuration during a concrete pour, for example, so that the rebar maintains the desired configuration in the resulting cured reinforced concrete. Conventional loop ties are twisted manually and require a considerable amount of time and labor. Further, the twisting motion may lead to repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Also, the most ergonomic or convenient orientation for manual loop tie twisting may leave the ends of such loop ties in an undesirable position. For example, in curing a reinforced concrete slab, some loop ties may inadvertently stick out of the concrete, resulting in an undesirable and potentially dangerous wire fragment from the loop tie extending from the surface of the cured concrete slab.

The present disclosure appreciates that the use of twistable wire fasteners, such as loop ties, may be a challenging endeavor.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments, an apparatus for applying a twistable wire fastener is provided. The apparatus may include a base member. The base member may be configured to be received by a chuck or socket of a rotary tool. The apparatus may include a wire-holding member. The apparatus may include a shaft extending from the base member to the wire- holding member. The shaft may define an axis of rotation running through the base member. The wire-holding member may be operatively coupled through the shaft to the base member such that rotation of the base member in the chuck or socket of the rotary tool about the axis of rotation causes a corresponding rotation of the wire-holding member.

In some embodiments, a method for applying a twistable wire fastener is provided. The method may include positioning a twistable wire fastener about at least a portion of one or more objects to be fastened. The method may include holding first and second portions of the twistable wire fastener with a wire holding member. The method may also include applying mechanical, pneumatic, or electrically motivated rotation to rotate the wire holding member. The rotation may cause the first and second portions of the twistable wire fastener to twist together effective to fasten the twistable wire fastener to the one or more objects.

In several embodiments, a kit is provided. The kit may include an apparatus for applying a twistable wire fastener. The apparatus may include a base member. The base member may be configured to be received by a chuck or socket of a rotary tool. The apparatus may include a wire-holding member. The apparatus may include a shaft extending from the base member to the wire-holding member. The shaft may define an axis of rotation running through the base member. The wire-holding member may be operatively coupled through the shaft to the base member such that rotation of the base member in the chuck or socket of the rotary tool about the axis of rotation causes a corresponding rotation of the wire-holding member.

The kit may also include instructions. The instructions may direct a user to position a twistable wire fastener about at least a portion of one or more objects to be fastened. The instructions may direct the user to hold first and second portions of the twistable wire fastener with the wire holding member. The instructions may direct the user to operate the rotary tool to rotate the wire holding member to cause the first and second portions of the twistable wire fastener to twist together effective to fasten the twistable wire fastener to the one or more objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate example methods and apparatuses, and are used merely to illustrate example embodiments.

FIG. 1A depicts an example apparatus for applying a twistable wire fastener.

FIG. 1B depicts an example apparatus for applying a twistable wire fastener in a hanging configuration.

FIG. 2A is a flow diagram of a method for applying a twistable wire fastener.

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a method for applying a twistable wire fastener.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of kit including an apparatus for applying a twistable wire fastener.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A illustrates an apparatus 100 for applying a twistable wire fastener 101. Apparatus 100 may include a base member 102. Base member 102 may be configured to be received by a chuck or socket of a rotary tool 103, such as a drill. Apparatus 100 may include a wire-holding member 104. Apparatus 100 may include a shaft 106 extending from base member 102 to wire-holding member 104. Shaft 106 may define an axis of rotation 108 running through base member 102. Wire-holding member 104 may be operatively coupled through shaft 106 to base member 102 such that rotation of base member 102 in the chuck or socket of rotary tool 103 about axis of rotation 108 causes a corresponding rotation of the wire-holding member 104.

In some embodiments, base member 102 may be configured to be received by a chuck or socket of a rotary tool 103. For example, base member 102 may be configured about axis of rotation 108 with one or more of: a circular cross section; a ribbed surface; a polygonal cross section, a socket drive cross section, or a combination thereof. For example, base member 102 may be configured in a ⅜″ hexagonal or octagonal cross-section, e.g., suited for a conventional drill chuck.

In some embodiments, base member 102 and/or shaft 106 may be configured in any desired length to facilitate particular usage applications. For example, base member 102 and/or shaft 106 may be configured to provide a short length for use in tight quarters. In further examples, base member 102 and/or shaft 106 may be configured to provide a longer length for use in locations benefiting from greater reach, for example, an overhead application or applying twistable wire fastener 101 within rebar located in formwork. Base member 102 and/or shaft 106 may be configured to provide a total length of one of 0.5″, 0.75″, 1″, 1.25″, 1.5″, 1.75″, 2″, 2.5″, 3″, 3.5″, 4″, 5″, 6″, 7″, 8″, 9″, 10″, 12″, 15″, 18″, 24″, 30″, 36″, 48″, 60″, 72″, 84″, or 96″, or a range between any two of the preceding values, for example, between about 4″ and about 12″. In some examples, shaft 106 may be configured in any of the preceding values or a or a range between any two of the preceding values.

In several embodiments, wire-holding member 104 may extend from shaft 106 and thence along a curved or angled portion 110 to a tip 112 of wire holding member 104. Curved or angled portion 110 may extend at least in part at an oblique angle to axis of rotation 108 such that wire holding member 104 defines a hook between shaft 106 and tip 112. For example, wire-holding member 104 may be configured in the form of one or more of: a hook, a notched shaft (not shown), a grip(not shown), a clip (not shown), a T-handle (not shown), or a combination thereof (not shown), and the like. For example, wire-holding member 104 may be configured in the form of a curved hook extending from shaft 106 to tip 112. At least a portion of the curved hook may define a decreasing cross section along curved or angled portion 110 in a direction along the hook towards the tip 112, as shown in FIG. 1. In several embodiments (not shown), wire-holding member 104 may be a grip or clip, such as a clamp, locking pliers, and the like.

In several embodiments, the hook defined by wire holding member 104 between shaft 106 and tip 112 may be configured in any desired size to facilitate a usage application. For example, arts and crafts applications may benefit from a relatively small hook, while construction/rebar applications may benefit from a relatively large hook. For example, the hook may be configured to accept twistable wire fasteners 101 having a wire diameter of about 0.05 mm, 0.06 mm, 0.07 mm, 0.08 mm, 0.09 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.9 mm, 1 mm, 1.25 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.75 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, or 3 mm, or a range between any two of the preceding values, for example, between about 0.1 mm and about 1 mm. In some examples, the hook defined by wire holding member 104 between shaft 106 and tip 112 may define a portion of a circle having an inside diameter in mm of about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, or 200, or a range between any two of the preceding values, for example, between about 10 mm and about 100 mm.

In some embodiments, wire-holding member 104 may extend from shaft 106 to a tip 112 of wire holding member 104. At least a portion of wire-holding member 104 between shaft 106 and tip 112 may be configured with one or more of: a circular cross section (not shown); a ribbed surface (not shown); a notched surface (not shown); a polygonal cross section (not shown); a chisel edge (not shown); a cross-section that decreases in cross-sectional area along the portion from shaft 106 towards tip 112; or a combination thereof (not shown). The ribbed surface, for example, may provide a gripping action to the wire-holding member. The notched surface, for example, may provide a notch for wire to be held by the wire-holding member. The polygonal cross-section and/or the chisel edge may provide a cutting function to the wire-holding member. The cross-section that decreases in cross-sectional area along the portion from shaft 106 towards tip 112 may provide, for example, an easier release of wire from the wire-holding member.

FIG. 1B depicts an example embodiment, wherein wire-holding member 104 may be curved to match a portion of one or more objects to be fastened 105 so that apparatus 100 for applying twistable wire fastener 101 may be conveniently hung during application of twistable wire fastener 101. For example, if twistable wire fastener 101 is to be applied to one or more objects to be fastened 105 configured as half-inch diameter rebar, wire holding member 104 may be curved to match the profile of the half-inch rebar. It may be very convenient for a worker applying many twistable wire fasteners 101 in a rebar assembly to be able to temporarily hang apparatus 100, optionally with drill 103, from objects 105 as depicted in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2A is a flow chart of a method 200 for applying a twistable wire fastener. FIG. 2B is a stepwise sketch of method 200′ for applying a twistable wire fastener 101. The method may include 202 positioning twistable wire fastener 101 about at least a portion of one or more objects to be fastened 105. The method may include 204 holding first 101A and second 101B portions of twistable wire fastener 101 with a wire holding member. The method may also include 206 applying mechanical, pneumatic, or electrically motivated rotation to rotate the wire holding member. The rotation may cause the first and second portions of the twistable wire fastener to twist together effective to fasten the twistable wire fastener to the one or more objects in a twisted conformation 101′. In several embodiments, applying mechanical, pneumatic, or electrically motivated rotation may further 208 cause one or both of the first and second portions of the twistable wire fastener to twist off of the twistable wire fastener to leave the twisted conformation 101′.

In some embodiments, the first and second portions of the twistable wire fastener may be loops. The wire holding member may include a hook. The method may include placing the loops over the hook prior to the applying mechanical, pneumatic, or electrically motivated rotation.

In various embodiments, the one or more objects to be fastened may include two or more portions of rebar. The method may further include positioning the twistable wire fastener to be fastened to the two or more portions of rebar such that the twistable wire fastener lies below a concrete surface to be poured.

In various embodiments, the wire holding member may be coupled through a shaft to a base member. The base member may be configured to be received by a chuck or socket of a rotary tool. The method may further include placing the base member in the chuck or socket of the rotary tool such that the mechanical, pneumatic, or electrically motivated rotation is applied by the rotary tool.

In several embodiments, a kit is provided. The kit may include an apparatus 100 for applying a twistable wire fastener 101. Apparatus 100 may include a base member 102. Base member 102 may be configured to be received by a chuck or socket of a rotary tool 103. Apparatus 100 may include a wire-holding member 104. Apparatus 100 may include a shaft 106 extending from base member 102 to wire-holding member 104. Shaft 106 may define an axis of rotation 108 running through base member 102. Wire-holding member 104 may be operatively coupled through shaft 106 to base member 102 such that rotation of base member 102 in the chuck or socket of rotary tool 103 about axis of rotation 108 causes a corresponding rotation of the wire-holding member 104.

The kit may also include instructions 302. The instructions 302 may direct a user to follow any methods or operations of the apparatus described herein. For example, the instructions may 202 direct a user to position a twistable wire fastener about at least a portion of one or more objects to be fastened. The instructions may direct the user to 204 hold first and second portions of the twistable wire fastener with the wire holding member 104. The instructions may direct the user to provide the apparatus 100 such the base member 102 is received by the chuck or socket of the rotary tool. The instructions may direct the user to 206 operate the rotary tool to rotate the wire holding member to cause the first and second portions of the twistable wire fastener to twist together effective to fasten the twistable wire fastener to the one or more objects.

The apparatus of the kit may include any feature or embodiment described herein for apparatus 100. For example, wire-holding member 104 may be configured in the form of one or more of: a hook, a notched shaft, a grip, a clip, a T-handle, or a combination thereof. Wire-holding member 104 may extend from shaft 106 to a tip 112 of wire holding member 104. At least a portion of wire-holding member 104 between shaft 106 and the 112 may be configured with one or more of: a circular cross section; a ribbed surface; a notched surface; a polygonal cross section; a chisel edge; a cross-section that decreases in cross-sectional area along the portion from shaft 106 towards tip 112; or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, wire-holding member 104 may be configured in the form of a curved hook extending from shaft 106 to tip 112. At least a portion of the curved hook may define a decreasing cross section in a direction along the hook towards the tip 112. The base member 102 may be configured in a ⅜″ hexagonal or octagonal cross-section.

In some embodiments, wire-holding member 104 may include a hook. The first and second portions of the twistable wire fastener may be loops. The instructions 302 may further direct the user to place the loops over the hook prior to operating the rotary tool to rotate the wire holding member. The instructions 302 may further direct the user to operate the rotary tool to rotate the wire holding member to cause one or both of the first and second portions of the twistable wire fastener to twist off of the twistable wire fastener.

In several embodiments, one or more objects to be fastened may include two or more portions of rebar. The instructions 302 may further direct the user to position the twistable wire fastener to be fastened to the two or more portions of rebar such that the twistable wire fastener lies below a concrete surface to be poured.

In various embodiments, the kit may include at least one of the twistable wire fastener 101. For example the kit may include a plurality of twistable wire fasteners 101. The kit may include apparatus 100 as a disposable item, or a short term use item suited for recycling after use.

To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995). Also, to the extent that the terms “in” or “into” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean “on” or “onto.” To the extent that the term “selectively” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to refer to a condition of a component wherein a user of the apparatus may activate or deactivate the feature or function of the component as is necessary or desired in use of the apparatus. To the extent that the terms “coupled” or “operatively connected” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to mean that the identified components are connected in a way to perform a designated function. To the extent that the term “substantially” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to mean that the identified components have the relation or qualities indicated with degree of error as would be acceptable in the subject industry.

As used in the specification and the claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural unless the singular is expressly specified. For example, reference to “a compound” may include a mixture of two or more compounds, as well as a single compound.

As used herein, the term “about” in conjunction with a number is intended to include ±10% of the number. In other words, “about 10” may mean from 9 to 11.

As used herein, the terms “optional” and “optionally” mean that the subsequently described circumstance may or may not occur, so that the description includes instances where the circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group. As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible sub-ranges and combinations of sub-ranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, and the like. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, and the like. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into sub-ranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member. For example, a group having 1-3 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3 cells. Similarly, a group having 1-5 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 cells, and so forth. While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

As stated above, while the present application has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the present application. Therefore, the application, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, illustrative examples shown, or any apparatus referred to. Departures may be made from such details, examples, and apparatuses without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.

The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus 100 for applying a twistable wire fastener, comprising:

a base member 102, the base member 102 configured to be received by a chuck or socket of a rotary tool 103;

a wire-holding member 104;

a shaft 106 extending from the base member 102 to the wire-holding member 104, the shaft 106 defining an axis of rotation 108 running through the base member 102, the wire-holding member 104 being operatively coupled through the shaft 106 to the base member 102 such that rotation of the base member 102 in the chuck or socket of the rotary tool about the axis of rotation 108 causes a corresponding rotation of the wire-holding member 104.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, the base member 102 being configured about the axis of rotation 108 with one or more of: a circular cross section; a ribbed surface; a polygonal cross section, a socket drive cross section, or a combination thereof.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, the wire-holding member 104 extending from the shaft 106 and thence along a curved or angled portion 110 to a tip 112 of the wire holding member 104, the curved or angled portion 110 extending at least in part at an oblique angle to the axis of rotation 108, such that the wire holding member 104 defines a hook between the shaft 106 and the tip 112.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, the wire-holding member 104 being configured in the form of one or more of: a hook, a notched shaft, a grip, a clip, a T-handle, or a combination thereof.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, the wire-holding member 104 extending from the shaft 106 to a tip 112 of the wire holding member 104, at least a portion of the wire-holding member 104 between the shaft 106 and the tip 112 being configured with one or more of: a circular cross section; a ribbed surface; a notched surface; a polygonal cross section; a chisel edge; a cross-section that decreases in cross-sectional area along the portion from the shaft 106 towards the tip 112; or a combination thereof.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, the wire-holding member 104 being configured in the form of a curved hook extending from the shaft 106 to the tip 112, at least a portion of the curved hook defining a decreasing cross section in a direction along the hook towards the tip 112.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, the base member 102 being configured in a ⅜″ hexagonal or octagonal cross-section.

8. A method 200 of applying a twistable wire fastener, comprising:

202 positioning a twistable wire fastener about at least a portion of one or more objects to be fastened;

204 holding first and second portions of the twistable wire fastener with a wire holding member; and

206 applying mechanical, pneumatic, or electrically motivated rotation to rotate the wire holding member to cause the first and second portions of the twistable wire fastener to twist together effective to fasten the twistable wire fastener to the one or more objects.

9. The method of claim 8, the first and second portions of the twistable wire fastener being loops, the wire holding member comprising a hook, further comprising placing the loops over the hook prior to the applying mechanical, pneumatic, or electrically motivated rotation.

10. The method of claim 8, the applying mechanical, pneumatic, or electrically motivated rotation further causing one or both of the first and second portions of the twistable wire fastener to twist off of the twistable wire fastener.

11. The method of claim 8, the one or more objects to be fastened comprising two or more portions of rebar, further comprising positioning the twistable wire fastener to be fastened to the two or more portions of rebar such that the twistable wire fastener lies below a concrete surface to be poured.

12. The method of claim 8, the wire holding member coupled through a shaft to a base member, the base member configured to be received by a chuck or socket of a rotary tool, further comprising placing the base member in the chuck or socket of the rotary tool such that the mechanical, pneumatic, or electrically motivated rotation is applied by the rotary tool.

13. A kit 300, comprising:

an apparatus 100 for applying a twistable wire fastener, comprising: a base member 102, the base member 102 configured to be received by a chuck or socket of a rotary tool; a wire-holding member 104; a shaft 106 extending from the base member 102 to the wire-holding member 104, the shaft 106 defining an axis of rotation 108 running through the base member 102, the wire-holding member 104 being operatively coupled through the shaft 106 to the base member 102 such that rotation of the base member 102 in the chuck or socket of the rotary tool about the axis of rotation 108 causes a corresponding rotation of the wire-holding member 104;

instructions 302, the instructions 302 directing a user to: 202 position a twistable wire fastener about at least a portion of one or more objects to be fastened; 204 hold first and second portions of the twistable wire fastener with the wire holding member 104; provide the apparatus 100 such the base member 102 is received by the chuck or socket of the rotary tool; and 206 operate the rotary tool to rotate the wire holding member to cause the first and second portions of the twistable wire fastener to twist together effective to fasten the twistable wire fastener to the one or more objects.

14. The kit of claim 13, the wire-holding member 104 being configured in the form of one or more of: a hook, a notched shaft, a grip, a clip, a T-handle, or a combination thereof.

15. The kit of claim 13, the wire-holding member 104 extending from the shaft 106 to a tip 112 of the wire holding member 104, at least a portion of the wire-holding member 104 between the shaft 106 and the tip 112 being configured with one or more of: a circular cross section; a ribbed surface; a notched surface; a polygonal cross section; a chisel edge; a cross-section that decreases in cross-sectional area along the portion from the shaft 106 towards the tip 112; or a combination thereof.

16. The kit of claim 13,

the wire-holding member 104 being configured in the form of a curved hook extending from the shaft 106 to the tip 112, at least a portion of the curved hook defining a decreasing cross section in a direction along the hook towards the tip 112; and

the base member 102 being configured in a ⅜″ hexagonal or octagonal cross-section.

17. The kit of claim 13, the wire-holding member 104 comprising a hook, and the first and second portions of the twistable wire fastener being loops, the instructions further directing the user to place the loops over the hook prior to operating the rotary tool to rotate the wire holding member.

18. The kit of claim 13, the instructions further directing the user to operate the rotary tool to rotate the wire holding member to cause one or both of the first and second portions of the twistable wire fastener to twist off of the twistable wire fastener.

19. The kit of claim 13, the one or more objects to be fastened comprising two or more portions of rebar, the instructions further directing the user to position the twistable wire fastener to be fastened to the two or more portions of rebar such that the twistable wire fastener lies below a concrete surface to be poured.

20. The kit of claim 13, further comprising at least one of the twistable wire fastener.