Importance

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Abstract

An improved tool for, and a method of, crimping weatherstrips in an essentially continuous motion along the in-place weatherstrip, e.g. about a door flange or the like. the head is provided with a handle extending from the top therefrom at a convenient angle to allow an operator to assume a position alongside the door flange. The handle, or at least the grip thereof, is capable of swiveling about the longitudinal axis of the handle, to reduce stress on the hands, wrists, and arms of an operator by permitting guiding motion of the tool ahead around the door flange while minimizing the amount of turning of arms or hands, or re-positioning of the operator's body, as the tool is caused to progress entirely along the length of the weatherstrip. This length is often the entire perimeter of the door opening. In using this improved tool to perform the crimping operation, the operator can move his/her arm in a generally circular motion, causing the tool head to follow the door opening flange, while the swivel handle accommodates the changes in angle as this motion proceeds. Another feature of the invention is the provision of a spring-loaded crimping roller pivotally mounted on the tool head, in opposition to a fixed crimping roller. Preferably, both crimping rollers are power driven. This allows the axes of the crimping rollers, and the spacing between them, to vary as the tool progresses in its action, so as to accommodate changes in thickness of the door opening flange.

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First Claim