US3847189A

US3847189A - Wire cutting and bending tool

Info

Publication number: US3847189A
Application number: US00343001A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Guzda
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-03-20
Filing date: 1973-03-20
Publication date: 1974-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 1991-11-12

Abstract

A tool for cutting and bending wire or the like, said tool having first and second handles, an inner die base secured to said first handle, an outer die base secured to said second handle and journalled for pivotal movement relative to said inner die base, first and second spaced dies on said inner die base defining a channel therebetween for receiving the first portion of a wire therein, a third die in the form of a ledge on the outer die base having a cutting die at one end thereof and a bending die at the other end thereof whereby if said handles are moved in a first direction, the cutting die will cut said wire and whereby if the handles are moved in the opposite direction, the bending die will engage the portion of the wire extending beyond the channel and bend said wire. The inner die may be selectively removable and replaceable with dies of other sizes and shapes.

Description

United States Patent [191 Guzda Nov. 12, 1974 I WIRE CUTTING AND BENDING TOOL [76] Inventor: Jan J. Guzda, 125 Glenhaven,

Amherst, NY. 14120 [22] Filed: Mar. 20, 1973 [21] Appl. No: 343,001

[52] US. Cl 140/106, 140/102.5, 72/464. 72/384 [51] Int. Cl B2lf 1/00 [58] Field of Search 140/1025, 104, 106, 123; 72/458, 463, 464, 384, 409

Primary E.\aminerLowell A. Larson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Joseph P. Gastel 5 7 ABSTRACT A tool for cutting and bending wire or the like, said tool having first and second handles, an inner die base secured to said first handle, an outer die base secured to said second handle and journalled for pivotal movement relative to said inner die base, first and second spaced dies on said inner die base defining a channel therebetween for receiving the first portion of a wire therein, a third die in the form of a ledge on the outer die base having a cutting die at one end thereof and a bending die at the other end thereof whereby if said handles are moved in a firstdirection, the cutting die will cut said wire and whereby if the handles are moved in the opposite direction, the bending die will engage the portion of the wire extending beyond the channel and bend said wire. The inner die may be selectively removable and replaceable with dies of other sizes and shapes.

16 Claims, 27 Drawing Figures v I 3.847.189 TENTEDNUV 12 1974 PA SHEET 20? 3 1 WIRE CUTTING AND BENDING TOOL The present invention relates to an improved hand tool for cutting and bending wire or the like.

By way of background, in the ceiling hanging trade it is necessary to cut and bend the ends of the wires which are used to suspend the structural shapes which carry the ceiling. In the past this was generally effected by the use of two tools, namely, a wire cutter and a separate pliers and thus the wire cutting and bending operation was generally time-consuming and inefficient and the bends which were made were not uniform. Furthermore, prior hand tools used for bending were generally inefficient and awkward to use, mechanically complex and could not fabricate a large range of different size bends accurately. It is with overcoming the foregoing deficiencies of the prior art that the present invention is concerned.

It is accordingly one important object of the present invention to provide an improved hand tool for cutting and bending wire which is highly simple in construction and efficient in operation, and which is intended for general usage as well as for use in the ceiling hanging trade.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved cutting and bending tool in which different dies may be selectively mounted for the purpose of obtaining accurate bends of different sizes.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved wire bending tool for bending a wire in which the opposite sides of the bend are offset from each other so as to facilitate the winding of the end of the free side around the opposite side.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved wire bending tool which is so constructed so as to produce an extremely accurate bend because of the manner in which the wire is held during the bending operation.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved wire bending tool which can be used with a line sighting device so as to form a bend in a wire at a predetermined accurate position relative to a given reference point. Other objects and attendant advantages of the present invention will readily be perceived hereafter.

The improved cutting and bending tool for wire or the like of the present invention comprises first and second handles, an inner die base attached to said first handle, an outer die base secured to said second handle and journalled for pivotal movement about said inner die base, first and second dies on said inner die base defining a channel therebetween for receiving a wire, and third die means on said outer die for engaging a portion of said wire extending beyond said channel, said third die means including a first portion for effecting bending of said wire when said handles are moved in afirst direction and a second end portion for effecting cutting of said wire when said handles are moved in the opposite direction. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the inner die may be selectively detached and replaced with dies of other shapes, sizes or configurations. In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, the various dies are so oriented so as to provide an approximate 180 bend in the wire in which the opposite sides of the bend are offset from exact parallelism with each other. The various aspects of the present invention will be more fully understood when the following portions of the specification are read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary end elevational view of a T-bar type of structural member supported by a wire which has been partially bent by a tool of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of a box section type of structural member which is supported by a wire which has been partially bent by a tool of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a wire which has been bent into an approximate 180 bend by the tool of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 and showing that the opposite sides of the bent wire are not parallel;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along line 55 of FIG. 3 and further showing the relationship of the opposite sides of the wire relative to each other;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of one embodiment of a combined wire cutting and bending tool of the present invention with the wire being in position before bending; I

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the head of the tool of FIG. 6 showing it in the position which it occupies at the termination of the bending action;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along line 88 of FIG. 6 and showing parts ofthe tool relative to each other;

FIG. 8A is a fragmentary perspective view of the top of the outer die;

FIG. 8B is a fragmentary perspective view of the top of the inner die;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention which includes a detachable inner die base;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along line 1010 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the detachable inner die;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along line 1212 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of the outer die;

FIG. 17A is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken substantially along line 17A 17A of FIG. 17;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary plan view similar to FIG. 9 but showing the parts in the position which they occupy at the end of the bending action;

FIGS. 19-22 are fragmentary plan views similar to the plan view of FIG. 9 but showing different inner dies on the tool for giving different sized 180 bends;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary plan view similar to FIG. .9

but showing an inner die for giving an approximate bend; and

FIG. 24 is a schematic view of how the improved tool of the present invention may be used with a linesighting device.

Both embodiments of the combined wire cutting and bending tools and 55 of the present invention are especially desirable for use in cutting and bending wires of the type which are used to hang suspended ceilings or the like, although they have universal applicability for practically any type of operation wherein cutting and/or bending of metal wire is required. While the following portions of the specification will refer specifically to wire, it will be appreciated that the tool of the present invention may also be used for rods or bars. Relative to the hanging of suspended ceilings, it can be seen from FIG. 1 that a T-bar section 11 is suspended by wire 12 which has been bent into the configuration shown. The tools of the present invention, as will become more apparent hereafter, are capable of bending the wire portions l3, l4 and 15 into an approximate l80 bend or into an approximate 135 bend and thereafter the end portion 15' is wound around portion 12 by means of suitable pliers, or by hand. In FIG. 2 a box section 17 is shown as being supported by a wire which has been bent into an approximate 180 bend at

portions

18, 19 and 20 with the upper end 21 of portion 20 being wound around the upper portion 18 of wire 18 by means of pliers. In this example the

wire portions

18, 19 and 20 were bent into a 180 bend by one of the tools of the present invention which are shown in FIGS. 9-22.

A basic form of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6-8. The combined wire cutter and bender 10 includes

handles

22 and 23, and the entire tool is about 10 inches long. An inner die base 24 has an outer substantially cylindrical surface 25 and the lower end of die base 24 is secured, as by welding, at annular weld 26 to handle 22. A cylindrical shell or outer die base 27 has its lower end secured as by annular weld 28 to handle 23. Thus, inner die base 24 is rigidly secured to handle 22 and outer die base or shell 27 is rigidly secured to handle 23. Inner cylindrical surface 29 of outer die base 27 is journalled for pivotal movement on outer cylindrical surface 25 of inner die base 24.

Dies

30 and 31 are formed integrally at the top of inner die base 24. A channel 32 is formed between the

sides

34 and 35 of

dies

30 and 31, respectively, for receiving wire 33. The width of channel 32 is slightly greater than the width of wire 33 so as to receive it therein with a fit which will permit easy insertion of the wire without sloppiness. A combined cutting and bending die 36 is formed at the upper end of shell or outer die base 27. Die 36 is in the form of a ledge which is at a higher elevation than the remainder of the upper end 39 of outer die 27, and die 36 includes an end 37 which is used for cutting wire 33 and an end 38 which is used for bending wire 33. In other words, ends 37 and 38 of ledge 36 extend upwardly from the surface 39 of outer die 27.

When it is desired to cut wire 33, it is laid into channel 32 as shown in FIG 6. Thereafter, handles 22 and 23 are moved inwardly in the direction of arrows and 46 whereupon cutting end 37 will move in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6 and the corner 43 will coact with corner 44 of die 30 to shear the portion of wire 33 therebetween. Thereafter, when it is desired to bend wire 33, it is inserted in channel 32 to the desired extent and handles 22 and 23 are moved in the direction of

arrows

41 and 42, respectively. This will cause them to eventually assume the orientation shown in FIG. 7. In moving from the position of FIG. 6 to the position of FIG. 7, the bending end 38 of ledge or outer die 36 will engage the portion 47 of wire 33 which extends beyond channel 32 and will force it around the corner 48 of die 30 until wire portion 47 rests against side 49 of die 30. During the wire bending operation, the portion 50 of wire 33 is held in channel 32. It is to be noted that the concave surface of ledge 36 rides on the convex or cylindrical surface of die 31 during the bending process so that they tend to stabilize each other. It is also to be noted that the width of channel 32 and the distance between corner 48 of die 30 to the closest portion of die 36 are approximately equal so that there will be a good bend obtained by the cooperating action of the various dies. In order to release wire 33 from tool 10, handles 22 and 23 are moved in the direction of

arrows

45 and 46 to a certain extent which will permit wire 33 to be lifted outwardly away from inner die 24.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 923. The combined cutting and bending tool operates on generally the same basic principles as the embodiment of FIGS. 6-8, and is also about 10 inches long. However, in addition, it has two extra features. The first of these features is that inner detachable and replaceable die bases are used so that different sized inner dies may be utilized for providing approximate 180 bends having different widths. The second feature is that the opposite sides of 180 bends are offset from each other, for the convenience in forming this approximate 180 bend into a wound Wire configuration, such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this respect, an offset 180 bend is illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, wherein the end portion 56 of a wire 57 is not parallel to the opposite side of the wire 58. This enhances the ease with which the end of wire portion 56 may be wound around portion 58 in the manner shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Tool 55 includes

handle portions

59 and 60 which are of substantially uniform thickness throughout their length and have dipped plastic handles 61 and 62, respectively, thereon. As can be seen, the handle portions at 59 and 60 are in dog leg relationship relative to handle

portions

63 and 64, respectively, for ease of operation of the tool. A square post 65 extends upwardly from cylindrical section 77 which extends upwardly from cylindrical base 66. A ball detent 67-is located in post 65 and is biased outwardly by spring 68. Square post 65 includes

opposite sides

69, 70, 71 and 72. The top of post 65 is chamfered at 73. The underside of base 66 of post 65 includes an annular boss 74 which is received in circular opening 75 in arm portion 64 and is secured thereto with an annular weld 76.

A cylindrical shell or outer die base 78 includes an annular boss 79 at its lower end which is received in circular opening 80 at the end of arm portion 63 and is secured thereto with an annular weld 81. As can be seen from FIG. 17, post 65 is inserted upwardly through circular hole 82 at the bottom of shell 78 until such time as the underside of arm 63 rests on the upper surface of cylindrical portion 66 from which post 65 extends. Cylindrical portion66 serves as a spacer between

handle portions

63 and 64 and therefore also determines the space between

handles

59 and 60. A cylindrical inner die base 83 is inserted downwardly through the top 84 of outer die base 78 until such time as post 65 is received in complementary mating relationship within square opening 85 in inner die base 83 and ball detent 67 is received in depression 86 to lock inner die base 83 to post 65 in a detachable manner. It can thus be seen that a driving connection has been established between post 65 and opening 85 of inner die base 83, with one part of the connection being post 65 and the other being opening 85. Furthermore, after die base 83 has been locked on post 65, tool 55 is in assembled condition.

A pair of spaced dies 87 and 88 are formed at the top of inner die 83 so that a channel 89 is formed between the

sides

90 and 91 of dies 87 and 88, respectively, for receiving a wire 100 therein. The tops of dies 87 and 88 are at the same elevation. A third die, in the form of ledge 92, includes a cutting end 93 and a bending end 94 at opposite ends thereof. When it is desired to cut a wire extending beyond channel 89, it is merely necessary to move handles 61 and 62 in the direction of arrows 95 and 96, respectively, so as to cause the corner 97 of die 92 to approach the corner 98 of die 87 so as to cut the wire therebetween. When it is desired to bend the wire 100, it is placed in channel 89 with the end 101 thereof extending toward grips 61 and 62 any desired amount and the

handles

59 and 60 are moved in the direction of

arrows

102 and 103, respectively, so that the bending end 94 of die 92 will engage a portion of the end 101 of the wire which extends beyond channel 89 to move it from the position shown in FIG. 9 to the position shown in FIG. 18 whereby it is bent around

corners

104 and 105 of die 87 which are suitably rounded to give a good bend. It is also to be noted that the

sides

90 and 106 of die 87 are at an angle of more than 180 relative to each other. This will allow the wire 100 to be bent beyond 180. If the wire is bent a certain amount beyond 180 so that it approaches but does not touch side 106, after it has sprung back, there will be a true 180 bend therein. If the wire is bent all the way so that it touches side 106, there will be a bend of more than 180 in the wire. This is desirable so that

sides

18 and 20 of the bend will engage an object having parallel sides with an interference fit, as shown in FIG. 2.

As noted above relative to FIGS. 3-5, the opposite sides of 56 and 58 of the wire, after bending, are offset in the manner shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. This is achieved because the wire 100 does not lie squarely across the top of inner die base 83 but extends at an angle thereto before bending. In this respect, it can be seen that the elevation at ledge 108 of shell 78 proximate cutting edge 93 is higher than the elevation of shell 78 at edge 109 adjacent bending edge 94 (FIGS. 10, 13 and 14). An inclined transition zone 110 (FIGS. and 13) leads from the lower elevation of ledge 109 to the higher elevation of ledge 108. In view of the fact that the wire 100 is inclined across shell 78 as shown in FIG. 14 because of the foregoing described differences in elevation of

ledges

108 and 109 on which the wire rests, when bending die 92 is moved so that end 94 thereof engages the end of the wire as a result of moving

handles

59 and 60 in the direction of

arrows

102 and 103, respectively, end 101 of the wire will be carried around die 87 in a direction substantially perpendicularly to the pivotal axis of outer die base 78. However, because the portion held between dies 87 and 88 is at an incline, the resultant bend will have the configuration shown in FIGS. 3-5. Essentially, therefore, the

longitudinal axis of the wire has been twisted during bending.

It is also to be noted from FIG. 18 that when the portion of ledge 108 proximate die end 93, in its clockwise travel about die base 83, approaches corner 104, it will be at a higher elevation than the bent portion of the wire which was formed around corner 104 and therefore will prevent the wire from moving radially outwardly from the position to which it was bent by die 92. In other words, the inner cylindrical zone 111- (FIG. 14) which originally engaged the wire extending around corner 104 of die 87, will continue to engage this wire because surface 111 continues on after the cutting end 93 of die 92 passes the channel 89 when the shell 78 is being moved clockwise relative to die 87. It is further to be noted that the width of channel 89 between die sides and 91 is equal to the closest radial distance between corner 104 and surface 111 and the closest radial distance between corner and surface 111 so that the bent portion of the wire is held firmly in position around die 87 by surface 111 of die 92 during the bending action.

In FIGS. 19-23 different inner dies are shown used in the tool of FIGS. 9-18. The only difference whatsoever in the illustrations in FIGS. 19-23 and those shown in FIGS. 9-18 is that the inner die base has been changed because of the fact that such dies are interchangeable to obtain bends of different widths. For example, inner die base 83 of FIGS. 9-18 was used to give a bend of approximately 180 wherein the distance between

parallel wire portions

56 and 58 was threefourths of an inch because of the dimension of side 112 of die 87 of inner die 83. However, inner die base 113 of FIG. 19 has side 114' which will cause

sides

56 and 58 of the bent wire to be spaced apart approximately five-eighths of an inch. Inner die base 115 of FIG. 20 includes a die 117 having a side 116 having a length which will provide a distance between

legs

56 and 58 of approximately one-half inch. Inner die base 118 of FIG. 16 includes a die 119 having a side 120 which will provide a distance between

sides

56 and 58 of approximately three-eighths inches. Inner die 121 of FIG. 22 includes a die 122 with a side 123 having a length which will cause the distance between

sides

56 and 58 of the bent wire to be spaced approximately one-fourth inches apart. In FIG/23 the inner die 124 includes a die 125 having sides 126 and 127 which intersect at an angle in excess of 135 to permit the bent wire to assume an angle of approximately 135.

In FIG. 9 a reference line 130 is shown on handle 59. This reference line extends substantially perpendicularly to the axis of wire 100 before bending. It'is intended that this reference line be used with a line sighting device which is called a building laser which projects a sighting line for reference purposes. The laser is essentially an optical type of levelling string which transmits an optical line in a predetermined direction. In operation, after the lower end of vertically suspended wire 133 has been cut, the marking 130 on handle 59 is located so that the light 131 from the sighting device 132 hits it and the bend is made from this position so that it will come out at a predetermined elevation. The line 130 may be made by a piece of tape or the like which is secured to handle 59 at any desired position so as to provide the bend at the'desired elevation, or if desired a plurality of lines such as 130 may be calibrated on handle 59.

While the dies which have been shown are for 135 and 180 bends, it will be appreciated that they can be formed to provide bends'having any other desired angle. lt will be further noted that while the description has referred to a tool for wire, it will be appreciated that it can also be used to cut and bend elongated objects such as rods and bars which are thicker than wire, and it is to be understood that the terminology wire or the like in the specification and claims includes such a broadened interpretation.

in FIG. 18 index marks 135 and 136 are shown on dies 83 and 78, respectively. These can be positioned so that when they are aligned at'the end of a bending operation, an exact 180 bend is obtained. It will also be appreciated that by utilizing other index marks on dies 83 or 78, angles of bend other than 180 can also be obtained, for example, 45, 90, 135 or any other desired angle. The foregoing is all possible because the maximum amount of bend is in excess of 180 and all of the foregoing enumerated angles are less.

It can thus be seen that the improved combined bending and cutting tool of the present invention is manifestly capable of achieving the above enumerated objects and while preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A bending tool for wire or the like comprising first and second handles, a boss secured to said first handle and having a first convex cylindrical surface, a shell secured to said second handle and journalled for pivotal movement relative to said boss and having a first concave cylindrical surface in engagement with said first convex cylindrical surface, first and second spaced die means on said boss defining a'channel therebetween for receiving the first portion of a wire therein, said second die means. including a side having a second convex cylindrical surface which is a continuation of said first convex cylindrical surface, a ledge on said shell, said ledge having a second concave cylindrical surface which is'a continuation of said first concave cylindrical surface, a bending end on said ledge located so-as to move across said channel to engage a second portion of said wire extending beyond said channel to thereby cause said second portion to be bent relative to said first portion by being moved around said first die means, said second concave cylindrical surface of said ledge also being in engagement with said second convex cylindrical surface of said side of said second die means which is opposite to the side thereof which forms a side of said channel, whereby said second die means and said ledge stabilize each-other.

2. A bending tool for wire or the like comprising first and second handles, an inner die base secured to said first handle, an outer die base secured to said second handle and journalled for pivotal movement relative to said inner die base, first and second spaced die means on said inner die base defining a channel therebetween for receiving the first portion of a-wire therein, third die means on said outer die base, a bending portion on said third die means located so as to move across said channel to engage a second portion of said wire extending beyond said channel to thereby cause said second portion to be bent relative to said first portion by being moved around said first die means, said first die means including a first bending corner at the end of said channel and a second bending corner spaced from said first corner, and wherein the width of said channel and the closest distance between said third die means and said first and second bending corners are substantially equal.

3. A bending tool as set forth in claim 2 including means for detachably securing said inner die base to said first handle.

4. A bending tool as set forth in claim 2 including a first portion on said outer die base at one end of said channel which is at a higher elevation than a second portion on said outer die base at the opposite end of said channel with said lower portion being adjacent the bending portion of said third die means and. said first bending corner when said wire is first inserted into said channel, whereby said wire is inclined across said inner die base before bending, said second portion of said outer die base moving into adjacent relationship to said first bending corner during bending of said wire to securely hold said wire relative to said first bending cor-- ner.

5. A bending tool as set forth in claim 4 including means for detachably securing said inner die base to said first handle.

6. A bending tool for wire or the like comprising first and second handles, an inner die base secured to said first handle, an outer die base secured to said second handle and journalled for pivotal movement relative to said inner die base, first and second spaced die means on said inner die base defining a channel therebetween for receiving the first portion of a wire therein, third die means on said outer die base, a bending portion on said third die means located so as to move across said channel to engage a second portion of said wire extending beyond said channel to thereby cause said second portion to be bent relative to said first portion by being moved around said first die means, a first portion on said outer die base at one end of said channel which is at a higher elevation than a second portion of said outer die base at the opposite end of said channel whereby said wire is inclined across said inner body die base before bending, said third die means moving said second portion of said wire during bending in a direction substantially perpendicularly to the axis of pivotal movement of said outer die base, whereby the axis of said second portion of said wire during bending is twisted relative to the axis of said first portion of said wire.

7. A bending tool as set forth in claim 6 including cutting die means on said inner and outer die bases for cutting said wire.

8. A bending tool as set forth in claim 7 including means for detachably securing said inner die base to said first handle. I

9. A bending tool as set forth in claim 7 wherein said cutting die means is so located so as to cut said wire when said first and second handles are moved in first directions and wherein said bending is effected when said first and second handles are moved in opposite directions.

10. A bending tool as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first die means includes a first bending corner at the end of said channel and a second bending corner spaced from said first corner, and wherein the width of said channel and the'closest distance between said third die means and said first and second bending corners are substantially equal.

11. A bending tool as set forth in claim 10 wherein said first die means includes a first side adjacent said first bending corner which forms a side of said channel, a second side on said first die means adjacent said second bending corner, whereby said first and second sides are engaged by spaced portions of said wire during the bending of said wire, said first and second sides being oriented relative to each other at a greater angle than the angle to which said wire is to be bent, to thereby allow for spring-back of said wire after bendmg.

12. A bending tool as set forth in claim 11 including means for detachably securing said inner die base to said first handle.

13. A bending tool for wire .or the like comprising first and second handles, an inner bending die having first and second ends and an outer cylindrical surface, connecting means detachably securing said inner bending die to said first handle, a shell secured to said second handle and having first and second ends and having an inner cylindrical surface in mating engagement with said outer cylindrical surface and journalled for pivotal movement on said inner bending die, first and second spaced die means on said first end of said inner bending die defining a channel therebetween for receiving the first portion of a wire therein, third die means on said second end of said shell located so as to move across said channel to engage a second portion of said wire extending beyond said channel to thereby cause said second portion to be bent relative to said first portion by being moved around said first die means, said connecting means including first connecting means on said first handle and second connecting means on said second end of said inner'bendi'ng die for coupling to said first connecting means, with said first connecting means being located on said first handle at said first end of said cylindrical shell, said inner bending die being insertable and removable through said second end of said cylindrical shell for selective coupling and uncoupling of said first and second connecting means, and boss means within said shell proximate said first end thereof for effective interpositioning between said second end of said inner bending die and said first handle to retain said first and second handles in assembled relationship when said first and second connecting means are coupled to each other.

14. A bending tool as set forth in claim 13 wherein said first connecting means comprises a drive post and wherein said second connecting means comprises a socket, and ball detent means therebetween.

15. A bending tool as set forth in claim 1 including attachment means for detachably securing said boss to said first handle.

16. A bending tool as set forth in claim 15 wherein said attachment means comprises a post on said first handle, and a socket in said boss to detachably receive said post.

Claims

1. A bending tool for wire or the like comprising first and second handles, a bosS secured to said first handle and having a first convex cylindrical surface, a shell secured to said second handle and journalled for pivotal movement relative to said boss and having a first concave cylindrical surface in engagement with said first convex cylindrical surface, first and second spaced die means on said boss defining a channel therebetween for receiving the first portion of a wire therein, said second die means including a side having a second convex cylindrical surface which is a continuation of said first convex cylindrical surface, a ledge on said shell, said ledge having a second concave cylindrical surface which is a continuation of said first concave cylindrical surface, a bending end on said ledge located so as to move across said channel to engage a second portion of said wire extending beyond said channel to thereby cause said second portion to be bent relative to said first portion by being moved around said first die means, said second concave cylindrical surface of said ledge also being in engagement with said second convex cylindrical surface of said side of said second die means which is opposite to the side thereof which forms a side of said channel, whereby said second die means and said ledge stabilize each other.

2. A bending tool for wire or the like comprising first and second handles, an inner die base secured to said first handle, an outer die base secured to said second handle and journalled for pivotal movement relative to said inner die base, first and second spaced die means on said inner die base defining a channel therebetween for receiving the first portion of a wire therein, third die means on said outer die base, a bending portion on said third die means located so as to move across said channel to engage a second portion of said wire extending beyond said channel to thereby cause said second portion to be bent relative to said first portion by being moved around said first die means, said first die means including a first bending corner at the end of said channel and a second bending corner spaced from said first corner, and wherein the width of said channel and the closest distance between said third die means and said first and second bending corners are substantially equal.

4. A bending tool as set forth in claim 2 including a first portion on said outer die base at one end of said channel which is at a higher elevation than a second portion on said outer die base at the opposite end of said channel with said lower portion being adjacent the bending portion of said third die means and said first bending corner when said wire is first inserted into said channel, whereby said wire is inclined across said inner die base before bending, said second portion of said outer die base moving into adjacent relationship to said first bending corner during bending of said wire to securely hold said wire relative to said first bending corner.

8. A bending tool as set forth in claim 7 including means for detachably securing said inner die base to said first handle.

10. A bending tool as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first die means includes a first bending corner at the end of said channel and a second bending corner spaced from said first corner, and wherein the width of said channel and the closest distance between said third die means and said first and second bending corners are substantially equal.

11. A bending tool as set forth in claim 10 wherein said first die means includes a first side adjacent said first bending corner which forms a side of said channel, a second side on said first die means adjacent said second bending corner, whereby said first and second sides are engaged by spaced portions of said wire during the bending of said wire, said first and second sides being oriented relative to each other at a greater angle than the angle to which said wire is to be bent, to thereby allow for spring-back of said wire after bending.

13. A bending tool for wire or the like comprising first and second handles, an inner bending die having first and second ends and an outer cylindrical surface, connecting means detachably securing said inner bending die to said first handle, a shell secured to said second handle and having first and second ends and having an inner cylindrical surface in mating engagement with said outer cylindrical surface and journalled for pivotal movement on said inner bending die, first and second spaced die means on said first end of said inner bending die defining a channel therebetween for receiving the first portion of a wire therein, third die means on said second end of said shell located so as to move across said channel to engage a second portion of said wire extending beyond said channel to thereby cause said second portion to be bent relative to said first portion by being moved around said first die means, said connecting means including first connecting means on said first handle and second connecting means on said second end of said inner bending die for coupling to said first connecting means, with said first connecting means being located on said first handle at said first end of said cylindrical shell, said inner bending die being insertable and removable through said second end of said cylindrical shell for selective coupling and uncoupling of said first and second connecting means, and boss means within said shell proximate said first end thereof for effective interpositioning between said second end of said inner bending die and said first handle to retain said first and second handles in assembled relationship when said first and second connecting means are coupled to each other.