Metal working – Means to assemble or disassemble – Puller or pusher means – contained force multiplying operator
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-21
2001-06-19
Hail, III, Joseph J. (Department: 3723)
Metal working
Means to assemble or disassemble
Puller or pusher means, contained force multiplying operator
C029S275000, C029S282000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247217
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The novelty disclosed in this document pertains to hand tools. More narrowly, it applies to puller jaw positioning means for generic jaws typically incorporated with a slide hammer.
The generic slide hammer includes a yoke and jaw assembly, along with an element, the function of which is to force the jaws together or apart, depending on the orientation of the element. This element has a threaded cavity to allow it to attach to a threaded portion of a shaft that is incorporated in the slide hammer. One end of the element has a concave surface, while the opposing end has a convex surface. The orientation of the concave and convex surfaces on the assembly determine whether the jaws will be forced together or apart by the element.
This is where an opportunity for improvement lies with this assembly. This part, which I am referring to as the element, can merely press against one surface of each jaw. It is either forcing them together or apart, it can not restrict the travel of the jaws in the direction it is forcing the jaws. Additionally, in order to convert from one function to the other, the yoke and jaw assembly and the element must be removed from the threaded shaft so that the element can be flipped over and reinstalled.
The cam disclosed in this application: eliminates the need to dismantle the assembly in order to convert from one function to the other; it is used with the inexpensive generic jaws typical to slide hammers; it provides precise control of the inclination of the jaws; and it is an inexpensive improvement which offers significant time savings in set up.
2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
Examining the patent record I did not find a record of a cam for controlling the positioning of puller jaws. I did find several pullers that include jaw positioning mechanisms and submit them here. Each of these pullers are commercially available.
While each of the prior art citations provide precise control of the jaw positions, they do not meet the criteria of: reversibility without disassembly; functionality with generic puller jaws typical to slide hammers; or small cost.
Prior Art Cited
5,174,005
Locking Puller Device
Somerville
1992
5,224,254
Puller
McPeak
1993
5,251,368
Internal Locking Puller
Somerville
1993
5,557,833
Puller Device
Pool
1996
Somerville's Locking Puller Device, U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,005, is a well designed puller for gripping externally and pushing internally. It's draw backs are: it can not be reconfigured to grip internally; and it is relatively expensive to manufacture.
McPeak's Puller, U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,254, is a versatile puller, which can grip internally or externally. The primary draw back of this device, as with all pullers with which I am acquainted, is that the adjusting component is a threaded rod. While a threaded rod provides the accuracy of adjustment and strength needed, it is an extremely slow adjustment method.
Somerville's Internal Locking Puller, U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,368, has the same drawbacks as his previously mentioned Locking Puller Device. The orientation of its' jaws are not reversible and it is expensive to manufacture.
Pool's Puller Device, U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,833, is a versatile puller, similar to McPeak's Puller. As with McPeak's Puller, the significant drawback is the use of a threaded rod for adjustment.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
The objectives of the improvements disclosed in this document are: to provide a means to position puller jaws; to reduce the time necessary to effectively set up a puller assembly for use; and to do so by means of an economical device that a mechanic can incorporate with his existing tools.
The advantages offered are: precise control of the relative position of the puller jaws; elimination of disassembly to convert between outward and inward forcing functions; inexpensive cost; and usefulness with existing slide hammers.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The improvement found in this puller jaw positioning device pertains to restricting the travel of puller jaws within desired parameters.
The improvement disclosed in this document is a cam configuration for manipulation of the jaws of a generic puller assembly typically incorporated with a slide hammer. The benefit provided by this element is the ability to selectively expand or contract the work engaging structures of the jaws by rotating the cam.
Additional benefits of this improvement are: ease of operation, decreased setup time, and inexpensive cost.
OPERATION
The puller jaw positioning cam disclosed in this application is used in conjunction with a puller assembly incorporating: a shaft that includes a threaded segment; and a yoke and jaw assembly that attaches to the threaded segment of the shaft. Each jaw has a first work engaging end and a second end.
The puller jaw positioning cam is attached to the threaded segment of the shaft prior to installation of the yoke and jaw assembly. With the first work engaging ends of the jaws oriented outward facing from the puller assembly, the second ends of the jaws face and engage the grooves in the cam.
Rotation of the cam causes the location of the first work engaging ends of the jaws to change position relative to the axis of the shaft. Consequently, the work engaging ends of the jaws may engage and disengage work in response to the rotation of the cam.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4401308 (1983-08-01), Sakaguchi
patent: 5141239 (1992-08-01), Clay
patent: 5819607 (1998-10-01), Carnesi
patent: 6088898 (2000-07-01), Lundsten
Hail III Joseph J.
Shanley Daniel
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