Metal working – Means to assemble or disassemble – To apply or remove a resilient article
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-22
2001-08-21
Banks, Derris H. (Department: 3723)
Metal working
Means to assemble or disassemble
To apply or remove a resilient article
C029S402020, C029S259000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276036
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to bushing and seal drivers and, more particularly, to hand held bushing and seal drivers for motorcycle fork tubes.
2. Background of the Prior Art
Hand held metal drivers are commonly used to insert bushings and seals into motorcycle fork tubes after internal repairs to the fork tube have been completed. Prior art drivers utilize only one end for engaging either a bushing and/or seal. The selected end has a longitudinal dimension that is capable of inserting the bushing (the bushing is inserted a greater distance into the fork tube than the insertion distance of the seal) beyond the insertion distance required. The insertion technique for the bushing and seal used by one of ordinary skill in the art, is to drive the bushing or seal a certain distance inside the fork tube, then remove the engagement end of the driver from the fork tube, and view the insertion distance of either the bushing or seal into the fork tube. This method is repeated until the busing or seal has been forcibly inserted the required distance inside the fork tube. This hit and view technique is utilized by Suzuki's fork seal driver, Part Number 09940-32720. The problem with this installation method is that the required insertion dimension of either the busing or seal into the fork tube can be easily exceeded, even by an individual with significant experience with fork tube bushing and seal installation. A driver is required that removes the guess work from the installation of bushings and seals inside motorcycle fork tubes. Also, a driver is required that allows an individual repairing fork tubes, to cause only one forceful “strike” of the driver with the bushing or seal to thereby position the bushing or seal a preselected distance inside the fork tube.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a motorcycle fork tube seal and bushing driver to overcome many of the disadvantages of the prior art.
A principle object of the present invention is to provide a driver that allows an individual to quickly and easily insert a bushing and seal into a fork tube with only a single device. A feature of the driver is that opposing ends have outer longitudinal walls with different longitudinal lengths. An advantage of the device is that the bushing can be inserted into the fork tube a longitudinal dimension different than the longitudinal insertion dimension of the seal.
Still a further object of the present invention is to enable an individual operating the driver to easily grasp and slide the driver upon an inner member of the fork tube. A feature of the driver is a recess in an outer wall of a holding portion of the driver. An advantage of the driver is that the individual's hand will not “slip off” the driver when the driver forcibly urges the bushing and seal into the fork tube thereby preventing hand injuries.
Yet another object of the driver is to prevent the driver from inserting the bushing and seal into the fork tube an excessive longitudinal dimension. A feature of the driver is radial stopping walls perpendicularly joined to the outer walls of the bushing and seal ends of the driver. An advantage of the driver is that the stopping walls engage an outer edge portion of the fork tube thereby preventing excessive insertion of the bushing and seal.
Briefly, the intention provides a motorcycle fork tube seal and bushing driver comprising a relatively cylindrical unibody device having an aperture therethrough to snugly receive an inner member of a motorcycle fork tube, said device having a bushing end and an opposing seal end, said bushing end engaging a bushing ultimately inserted into the fork tube to a predetermined position, said seal end engaging a seal ultimately inserted into the fork tube to a predetermined position, said seal and bushing ends of said device having substantially cylindrical outer walls with respective diameters dimensioned to urge said seal and bushing ends to insert into the fork tube, said device having stopping walls formed from a holding portion of said device having an outer diameter substantially larger than the diameter of the outer walls of the seal and bushing ends, said stopping walls allowing said respective seal and bushing ends to insert into the fork tube a predetermined distance.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3942234 (1976-03-01), Kepler
patent: 4141129 (1979-02-01), Martinit
patent: 4502197 (1985-03-01), Harder
patent: 5174006 (1992-12-01), Ellis
patent: 5709018 (1998-01-01), Dugan
patent: 5893202 (1999-04-01), Graham et al.
patent: 6038753 (2000-03-01), Willett
Banks Derris H.
Cherskov & Flaynik
Shanley Daniel
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