GB2378408A

GB2378408A - Wire cutters with voltage indicator

Info

Publication number: GB2378408A
Application number: GB0119382A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lee Parberry; Franco Chiappetta; Frankie Antonnelli
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-08-09
Filing date: 2001-08-09
Publication date: 2003-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 2021-08-09
Also published as: GB2378408B; GB0119382D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a pair of wire cutters 1. The cutters 1 comprise a pair of shafts 2,3 pivoted together about a pivot point 4, each shaft providing a handle 2A,3A on one side of the pivot point and a cuffing blade 2B,3B on the other side of the pivot point, whereby wire can be cut between the cuffing blades upon scissor-like movement of the shafts. A voltage sensing circuit 5 is mounted in the handle of one shaft 3A. Indicating means, eg LEDs 7A,7B adjacent one or both sides of the blades, indicate when a voltage has been sensed adjacent one or both sides of the blades. A plate 11 of conductive material may be provided alongside one of the handles of shaft 3A that engages the hand of a user to provide an earth leakage path to the sensing circuit.

Description

Title: Wire Cutters The present invention relates to improvements to wire cutters.

Wire cutters are well known and widely used in the electrical trade. Occasionally an electrician will cut a wire which is"live"and this can lead to an electrical shock and risk of fire.

It has been known to provide a sensor in a wire cutter to sense whether a wire is"live", but the indicator in such a cutter has been provided in the handle of the wire cutter which is not easily visible.

The invention seeks to provide a wire cutter with an improved sensor and indicator of the presence of a live wire.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a pair of wire cutters comprising : a) a pair of shafts pivoted together about a pivot point, each shaft providing a handle on one side of the pivot point and a cutting blade on the other side of the pivot point, whereby wire can be cut between the cutting blades upon scissor-like movement of the shafts, b) a voltage sensing circuit mounted in the handle of one shaft, and c) an indicator to indicate when a voltage has been sensed adjacent one or both sides of the pivot point.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a pair of wire cutters comprising : a) a pair of shafts pivoted together about a pivot point, each shaft providing a handle on one side of the pivot point and a cutting blade on the other side of the pivot point, whereby wire can be cut between the cutting blades upon scissor-like movement of the shafts, b) a voltage sensing circuit mounted in the handle of one shaft, c) an indicator to indicate when a voltage has been sensed, and d) a conductive material along one handle of one shaft to engage the hand of a user to provide an earth leakage path to the sensing circuit.

The first and second aspects of the invention may be combined into a pair of wire cutters.

Preferably the sensing circuit is housed in a recess in a shaft handle.

Preferably a battery compartment is provided in a shaft handle.

Preferably the indicator is an LED connected to the sensing circuit. The wire between the sensing circuit and LED may embedded in a channel in a shaft between the LED and the sensing circuit housed in a shaft handle.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing showing a perspective view.

Referring to the drawing there is shown a pair of wire cutters 1. Wire cutters 1 have a pair of

shafts 2,3 pivoted together about a pivot point 4. Shaft 2 has a plastics covered handle 2A on one side of the pivot point 4 and a cutting blade 2B on the other side of the pivot point. Shaft 3 has a plastics covered handle 3A on one side of the pivot point 4 and a cutting blade 3B on the other side of the pivot point. Wire can be cut between the cutting blades upon scissor-like movement of the shafts. Cutters having shafts 2,3 pivoted about a pivot point are well known in the art and need no further explanation.

A voltage sensing circuit 5 with an integral sensing transducer is mounted in a recess 6 in handle 3A. An indicator in the form of LEDs 7A, 7B (7B not visible) are mounted on either side of shaft 3 in LED recesses 8A, 8B (8B not visible) respectively adjacent pivot point 4. A recessed channel 9 provides a bed in which wire 10 connects the LEDs 7A, 7B to circuit 5. Wire 10 could be embedded in plastic in channel 9. Thus when a voltage is sensed by the circuit 5, the LEDs 7A, 7B light up adjacent both sides of the pivot point to indicate that a voltage has been sensed.

A thin conductive metallic plate 11 of conductive material extends from the circuit and is mounted flush along the outside of the plastic cover to handle 3A. Plate 11 is designed to engage the hand of a user to provide an earth leakage path to the sensing circuit so making it more sensitive.

A battery compartment recess 12 for a battery 13 is provided in shaft handle 3A and may be accessed through removable end cap 14. A lead 15 connects the battery 13 to the circuit 5.

In use, the wire cutters can be held in the hand and brought adjacent a wire 16 prior to cutting the wire. If the wire is"live"it will be sensed by the circuit 5 and LEDs 7A, 7B will light up so the user knows not to cut the wire. Because the LEDs are provided on both side of the cutters adjacent the pivot point, the user will see one LED regardless of the orientation of the cutters in the hand.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above. For example the cutters could omit the plate 11 or the LEDs could be mounted other than adjacent the pivot point 4.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A pair of wire cutters comprising: a) a pair of shafts pivoted together about a pivot point, each shaft providing a handle on one side of the pivot point and a cutting blade on the other side of the pivot point, whereby wire can be cut between the cutting blades upon scissor-like movement of the shafts, b) a voltage sensing circuit mounted in the handle of one shaft, and c) an indicator to indicate when a voltage has been sensed on one or both sides of the cutter.
2. A pair of wire cutters according to claim 1, wherein the or each indicator is adjacent the pivot point on one or both sides of the blades.
3. A pair of wire cutters according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensing circuit is housed in a recess in a shaft handle.
4. A pair of wire cutters according to claim 1,2 or 3, wherein a battery compartment is provided in a shaft handle.
5. A pair of wire cutters according to claim 1,2, 3 or 4, wherein the indicator is at least one LED connected to the sensing circuit.

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6. A pair of wire cutters according to any preceding claim, wherein the wire between the sensing circuit and LED is embedded in a channel in a shaft between the LED and the sensing circuit housed in a shaft handle.
7. A pair of wire cutters according to any preceding claim, wherein a conductive material is provided along one handle of one shaft to engage the hand of a user to provide and earth leakage path to the sensing circuit.
8. A pair of wire cutters comprising : a) a pair of shafts pivoted together about a pivot point, each shaft providing a handle on one side of the pivot point and a cutting blade on the other side of the pivot point, whereby wire can be cut between the cutting blades upon scissor-like movement of the shafts, b) a voltage sensing circuit mounted in the handle of one shaft, c) an indicator to indicate when a voltage has been sensed, and d) a conductive material along one handle of one shaft to engage the hand of a user to provide an earth leakage path to the sensing circuit.
9. A pair of wire cutters according to claim 8, wherein the sensing circuit is housed in a recess in a shaft handle.
10. A pair of wire cutters according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a battery compartment is provided in a shaft handle.

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11. A pair of wire cutters according to claim 8,9 or 10, wherein the indicator is at least one LED connected to the sensing circuit.
12. A pair of wire cutters according to any of claims 8 to 11, wherein the indicator is on one or both sides of the cutter.
13. A pair of wire cutters substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

13. A pair of wire cutters according to any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the or each indicator is adjacent the pivot point on one or both sides of the blades.

14. A pair of wire cutters according to any of claims 8 to 13, wherein the wire between the sensing circuit and LED is embedded in a channel in a shaft between the LED and the sensing circuit housed in a shaft handle.

15. A pair of wire cutters according to any of claims 1 to 7 and/or 8 to
14.