Fastener clip, pliers and method of use

Abstract

The present invention provides a hand held and operated set of fastener clip pliers useful to secure together reinforcement steel members, for example, those used in concrete construction, upholstery and fencing. The fastener clip pliers are comprised of a lower handle and an upper handle. The lower handle has at least two first prongs which define at least one intermediate slot between. The upper handle is pivotally connected to the lower handle such that the upper handle and lower handle can pivot to an open position and to a closed position. The upper handle has at least one second prong dimension to fit within an intermediate slot in the closed position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Fastener clip pliers for securing together steel with fastening clips, the fastener clip pliers comprising: 
 a lower handle having at least two first prongs which define at least one intermediate slot therebetween; and    an upper handle pivotally connected to the lower handle such that the upper handle and lower handle can pivot to an open position and to a closed position, the upper handle having at least one second prong dimensioned to fit within the at least one intermediate slot in the closed position.    
     
     
         2 . The fastener clip pliers of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two first prongs are inwardly curved to facilitate tying of the fastening clips to the steel members.  
     
     
         3 . The fastener clip pliers of  claim 1 , wherein a series of grooves are located along the at least two first prongs to provide a gripping surface for manipulation of the fastening clips.  
     
     
         4 . The fastener clip pliers of  claim 1 , wherein the lower handle and upper handle are pivotally connected by a pin.  
     
     
         5 . The fastener clip pliers of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one second prong is inwardly curved to facilitate tying of the fastening clips to the steel members.  
     
     
         6 . The fastener clip pliers of  claim 1  wherein a series of grooves are located along the at least one second prong to provide a gripping surface for manipulation of the fastening clips.  
     
     
         7 . Hand held and operated fastener clip pliers for securing together reinforcement steel members used in concrete construction with fastening clips, the fastener clip pliers comprising: 
 a lower handle having a first tying end and a first manipulation end, the first tying end further having at least two first prongs and a first securing means, the at least two first prongs define at least one intermediate slot therebetween and are inwardly curved to facilitate tying of the fastening clips to the steel members, the first manipulation end defines a finger receptacle for manipulation of the lower handle; and    an upper handle having a second tying end and a second manipulation end, the second tying end further having a second securing means and at least one second prong, the second securing means is pivotally connected to the first securing means of the lower handle such that the upper handle and lower handle can pivot around the axis of the first securing means and the axis of the second securing means to a closed position and to an open position, the at least one second prong is dimensioned to fit within the at least one intermediate slot in the closed position and is inwardly curved to facilitate tying of the fastening clips to the steel members, the second manipulation end defines a thumb receptacle for manipulation of the upper handle.    
     
     
         8 . The fastener clip pliers of  claim 7 , wherein a series of grooves are located along the at least two first prongs to provide a gripping surface for manipulation of the fastening clips.  
     
     
         9 . The fastener clip pliers of  claim 7 , wherein the first securing means is a pin.  
     
     
         10 . The fastener clip pliers of  claim 7 , wherein the first manipulation end is fitted with a lower grip.  
     
     
         11 . The fastener clip pliers of  claim 7 , wherein a series of grooves are located along the at least one second prong to provide a gripping surface for manipulation of the fastening clips.  
     
     
         12 . The fastener clip pliers of  claim 7 , wherein the second securing means is a pin.  
     
     
         13 . The fastener clip pliers of  claim 7 , wherein the second manipulation end is fitted with a lower grip.  
     
     
         14 . The fastener clip pliers of  claim 7 , wherein the tying end of the lower handle further defines a channel within which the first securing means can slide to accommodate different sized fastening clips.  
     
     
         15 . A fastening clip for securing together reinforcement steel members, the fastening clip comprising: 
 a first leg;    a second leg;    a body portion connecting the first leg to the second leg; and    a small extension protruding from the body portion for manipulation of the fastening clip.    
     
     
         16 . A fastening clip as in  claim 15 , wherein the first leg is curved inwardly to facilitate securing the fastening clip to the reinforcement steel members.  
     
     
         17 . A fastening clip as in  claim 15 , wherein the second leg is curved inwardly to facilitate securing the fastening clip to the reinforcement steel members.  
     
     
         18 . A fastening clip as in  claim 15 , wherein the first leg and the second leg are bent in opposite directions from a plane parallel with the body portion.  
     
     
         19 . A fastening clip as in  claim 15 , wherein the small extension protrudes perpendicularly from the body portion.  
     
     
         20 . A fastening clip for securing together reinforcement steel members, the fastening clip comprising: 
 a first leg having a first end, the first leg curved inwardly along its length to facilitate securing of the fastening clip over the reinforcement steel members;    a second leg having a second end, the second leg curved inwardly along its length to facilitate securing of the fastening clip over the reinforcement steel members;    a body portion connecting the first leg to the second leg such that the first leg and second leg are bent away in opposite directions from a plane parallel with the body portion to prevent the first and second ends from abutting when the fastening clip is secured over the reinforcement steel members; and    a small extension protruding from the body portion for placing the fastening clip around the reinforcement steel members.    
     
     
         21 . A fastening clip as in  claim 19  wherein the body portion, first leg and second leg form a C-shape.  
     
     
         22 . A fastening clip as in  claim 19  wherein the body portion, first leg and second leg form a U-shape.  
     
     
         23 . A fastening clip as in  claim 19  wherein the body portion, first leg and second leg form a loop shape.  
     
     
         24 . A fastening clip as in  claim 19  wherein the small extension protrudes perpendicularly from the body portion.  
     
     
         25 . A method of using the fastener clip pliers of  claim 1  to secure together at least two steel members with a fastening clip, the fastening clip comprising a first leg, a second leg, a body portion connecting the first leg to the second leg, and a small extension protruding from the body portion, the method comprising the steps of: 
 using the small extension of the fastening clip to position the fastening clip around the at least two steel members to be secured;  
 holding the fastening clip in position while placing the fastener clip pliers around the fastening clip such that the first leg of the fastening clip is in alignment with one of the at least two first prongs and the second leg of the fastening clip is in alignment with the at least one second prong;  
 pivoting the lower handle and the upper handle such that the first leg and the second leg of the fastening clip are engaged by one of the at least two first prongs and the at least one second prong; and  
 continuing to pivot the lower handle and the upper handle until the at least one second prong is forced into the at least one intermediate slot defined by the at least two first prongs and the fastening clip is secured around the at least two steel members in an overlapping fashion.