Packaging for hanging tool display

Abstract

A working display package for a pliers or similar pivoting type tool which includes a display card and a rigid plastic support member is affixed to the display card for accommodating the tool. One piece of the tool is fastened to the package in a fixed position while the other piece of the tool is fastened to the package in a movable position to allow manipulation of the tool prior to purchase.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hanging tool display, and, more particularly, to a tool display package constructed and arranged whereby a customer can manipulate or test the tool prior to purchase without opening the package.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to prepare most articles for market, it is the common practice of manufacturers to provide various types of packages to contain the article in a manner that indicates the contents of the package. This indication is typically through the use of printed and graphic materials applied directly to the container or by employing packaging that permits visual display and/or physical access of the contents of the package. Many packages have been employed in the art and such packages can vary from simple, clear plastic bags to rather elaborate combination cardboard boxes both with and without clear view panels.

Hand tools which operate with a scissors type pivoting action such as pliers, wire cutters, wire strippers, etc., are often sold mounted on a display card bearing the name of the maker, distributor, and/or marketer and other advertising material. The tool is typically fastened to the card in some manner such as by staples or wire loops or clips. An alternative method of displaying such hand tools is to enclose them in a clear plastic printed bag or in a transparent, plastic binder and card package which envelopes the tools and is provided with eyelets for placing the package on the hooks of a display rack. Whether the tool is mounted on the card with clips or loops, a clear plastic bag, or a transparent plastic binder and card package, the potential customer is nevertheless unable to manipulate or test the tool prior to purchase without removing it from the card.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,551, discloses a blister package for pliers or similar hand tools that enables a prospective customer to manipulate the handles a specified amount to provide a minimal indication of the operational characteristics of the tool. More specifically, the package includes first and second opposing mirror image panels. The panels are configured such that when they are placed in contacting relationship to each other, a compartment is formed by opposing recesses that enclose the upper portion of the tool. A hinged base portion having a pair of openings provides for the space to manipulate the tool. Although such a package allows for a limited manipulation of the handles, the complete enclosure of the blades, for example, leaves the potential customer without a true feeling of how the tool functions. Additionally, the mirror image panels eliminate much of the card stock and accordingly leave little advertising space.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved hanging tool display.

Another general object of the present invention is to overcome those deficiencies of the hanging tool displays of the prior art.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide an improved hanging tool display whereby a potential customer can manipulate or test the tool prior to purchase without opening the package.

It is another more specific object of the present invention to provide an improved hanging tool display whereby a potential customer would be able to experience the true feeling of how the tool functions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally directed to a tool display package for attaching a tool having a pivoting type action. The package comprising a display card having an aperture and a slot, and a support member having an aperture and a slot. A screw and lock combination fastens one jaw of the tool through the cooperating apertures while another screw and lock combination fastens the other jaw of the tool through the cooperating slots to allow tool manipulation while packaged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with the further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the display card in combination with the rigid support made according to the principles of the present invention for the display of a pivoting type of tool.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view showing the display card and rigid support affixed to a pivoting type of tool shown in shadow.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view showing the display card and rigid support affixed to a pivoting type of tool shown in shadow.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view showing the display card made according to the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view showing the rigid support made according to the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side elevational view taken along 6-6 of the rigid support of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7A is a side elevational view showing the display card and rigid support affixed to a pivoting type of tool.

FIG. 7B is an enlarged side elevational view of FIG. 7A showing the fixation of the display card and rigid support to the pivoting type of tool.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of the invention selected for illustration in the drawings, and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is illustrated the tool display packaging of the present invention which comprises generally a separable display card 10 and rigid support member 12 combination which can be easily and removably associated with a pivoting type of hand tool, for example, a cable stripper/cutter 14 as illustrated. However, other types of strippers, cutters, pliers or similar type pivoting tools are contemplated. In the illustrated embodiment, the cable stripper/cutter 14 comprises a pair of pivotally arranged handles 16, 18 which are attached to and designed to conventionally pivotally open and close a pair of cooperating jaws 20, 22 via a rivet 24 of conventional design.

As illustrated in the Figures, and if desired, a hanger opening 26 can be punched or otherwise formed in the display card 10 of suitable shape to permit the tool to be hung in the usual manner upon a hanger or hook of any one of a number of conventional types of merchandise display racks which are commonly employed in retail establishments.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for further openings in the display card 10 for both the coupling of the rigid support member 12 and the manipulation of the tool 14. In particular, and referring to FIG. 4, the display card 10 includes apertures 28, 30 for the coupling of the rigid support 12, as well as a slot 32 to accommodate the movement of a jaw of the tool.

The preferred embodiment of the rigid support 12 includes apertures 34, 36, slot 38, space 40 and recess 42. The support 12 is first affixed to the display card with a screw 44 and lockwasher 46 combination through apertures 36 and 30 of the support and card respectively. Once the support is affixed to the card 10, the tool 14 is then affixed to the support/card combination by resting the rivet 24 into recess 42 and using the screw 48 and lockwasher combination through apertures 34 and 28 of the support and card respectively.

As such, the tool 14, and in particular jaw 22 is affixed relative to the card 10 and member 12 combination. The opposite jaw (20) however is not so affixed and therefore is movable relative to jaw 22. In order to adequately stabilize this movement, jaw 20 is movably connected to the card 10 and member 12 combination. In particular, screw 52 and lockwasher 54 combination traverse the slot opening of both the rigid member 12 and the display card 10, 38 and 32 respectively, when handle 16 of cooperating jaw 20 is manipulated. Other means to fasten the rigid support 12 to the card 10 and the tool 14 to the rigid support 12 and card 10 combination have been contemplated. Any fastening device(s) that would enable a coupling such that the customer can manipulate or test the tool prior to purchase in accordance with the principles and the invention may be used. For example, any anchor, clamp, connector, link, tie, adhesive, pin, rivet, lock, dowel, latch, peg, pin, rod and the like may be used. Additionally, space 40 in member 12 provides the necessary area for the torsion member 55, for example, during such manipulation.

Preferably, either or both the display card front 56 and/or back 58 can be imprinted with any desired indicia which the manufacturer, or any other entity, desires to apply thereto. Accordingly, such indicia as a trademark, instructions for use, instructions for care, warranties, advertising materials, etc. can be applied to the card 10 in any desired manner to interest the prospective purchasers and to help sell the tool 14. At the point of purchase, the tool can be readily picked up, grasped, manipulated by squeezing handles 16, 18 and in general can be relatively completely exposed to allow the prospective purchaser an unusual degree of freedom in operation to determine exactly how the tool functions and to provide a full disclosure of the tool itself. The display card 10 serves to give additional information about the tool 14 while, at the same time, permitting relatively complete access, to thereby allow the prospective purchaser full freedom in trying the tool prior to purchase.

More particularly, when a prospective customer encounters a packaged pliers at the point of purchase, especially when that customer is a professional tradesman, the action of the pliers is critical in the decision of whether or not to purchase a certain brand. Thus, the customer should be able to manipulate the pliers in one hand to ascertain whether or not the pivoting action around the rivet 24 is smooth enough for its intended use.

In addition, the customer may wish to see the manner in which the jaws 20 and/or 22 engage each other, and as such the customer may wish to grasp both handles 16, 18 and exert a squeezing pressure upon the tool 14 to bring these jaws together.

After purchase, the tool 14 is removed from the card 10 and member 12 combinations by removing the screw 48, 52 lockwasher 50, 54 combinations passing through apertures 60, 62 of jaws 22, 20 respectively. The display card 10 can then either be discarded or stored for future references, as may suit the desires of the purchaser.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the purpose of the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A tool display package for attaching to a tool having a scissors type pivoting action, the package comprising:

a display card having at least one aperture and a slot;

a support member having at least one aperture and a slot;

a first screw and lock combination for fastening a first jaw of the tool through said apertures; and

a second screw and lock combination for adjustably fastening a second jaw of the tool through said slots.

2. A tool display package as defined in claim 1 wherein said card further having a hanger opening for package display.

3. A tool display package as defined in claim 1 wherein said card and said member each further having a second aperture.

4. A tool display package as defined in claim 3 further having a third screw and lock combination for fastening said member to said card through said second aperture.

5. A tool display package as defined in claim 1 wherein said member includes a recess for the pivot of the tool.

6. A tool display package as defined in claim 1 wherein said member includes a space to further enable tool movement.

7. A package for a hanging tool display wherein the tool has two handles, the package comprising:

a display card;

a support affixed to said card whereby one handle is affixed to said support in a fixed position while the other handle is affixed to said support in a movable position.

8. A package for a hanging tool display as defined in claim 7 wherein said card further having a hanger opening for package display.

9. A package for a hanging tool display as defined in claim 7 wherein said member includes a recess for the pivot of the tool.

10. A package for a hanging tool display as defined in claim 6 wherein said member includes a space to further enable tool movement.

11. A package for a pivoting type, two-piece hand tool display comprising:

a display card;

a support member;

means for fastening one piece of said tool to said package in a fixed position; and

means for fastening the other piece of said tool to said package in a movable position.

12. A package for a pivoting type, two-piece hand tool display as defined in claim 11 wherein said card further having a hanger opening for package display.

13. A package for a pivoting type, two-piece hand tool display as defined in claim 11 wherein said member includes a recess for the pivot of the tool.

14. A package for a pivoting type, two-piece hand tool display as defined in claim 11 wherein said member includes a space to further enable tool movement.