Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force – Screw – Special engaging feature
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-05
2001-03-13
Watson, Robert C. (Department: 3723)
Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force
Screw
Special engaging feature
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199828
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention broadly relates to methods of and apparatus for increasing the distance between solid objects. The invention further relates to methods of and apparatus for increasing the linear separation between adjacent solid objects. The invention more particularly relates to a portable mechanical apparatus for increasing the linear separation between adjacent solid objects by generating compressive force sufficient to overcome forces which act to maintain the objects in an initial position.
2. Related Art and Problem Solved
Persons engaged in building or repairing structures, such as a building or a mechanical system, are often confronted with a condition associated with the linear spacing between adjacent objects in the structure. In one aspect of the condition, the distance between the spaced objects is less than some desired amount, wherein the distance is maintained by the shear mass of the objects or by some exterior force acting on the objects or by some combination thereof. Thus, the problem to be solved caused by the mentioned condition involves increasing the linear distance between the objects by overcoming the forces which maintain the objects in position. The solutions have been to pull the objects apart or to push the objects apart. The solution provided by this invention is a tool which is placed between the objects and which can then be operated to generate sufficient force to push the objects apart.
Portable tools for and methods of using the tools to increase the separation between solid objects by gradually pushing them apart are well known in the art. One such tool, especially one employed to raise heavy objects, such as vehicles, over a short distance is commonly referred to as a “jack.” It is well known that a jack can be comprised of a rising piston, platform or shelf which is driven by hydraulic pressure or by a lever and ratchet mechanism. Furthermore, a jack can be comprised of a scissor or jaws device driven by a rotatable threaded shaft or by hydraulic pressure. It is known that a jack is generally limited to moving an object in a vertical direction away from a stationary object, such as ground.
A tool useful to gradually spread objects which are horizontally spaced apart and held in such condition by exterior forces, as exemplified by beams and joists in a building or structure, has not been provided by the prior art. In this regard, such beams have been spread by wedging braces of fixed length between the beams by the use of uncontrolled and variable force, such as by hammering.
Accordingly, an apparatus and a method of using the apparatus to evenly and gradually apply compressive force in amount sufficient to separate horizontally oriented objects as well as to lift and/or separate vertically oriented objects has not been provided by the prior art. Such an apparatus and method of using the same is provided by this invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides an apparatus and a method of using the apparatus to increase the linear separation between opposed objects. In this regard, the apparatus of this invention is sometimes referred to herein as a linear spreader, or, more simply, as a spreader, and the method can be referred to as a method of increasing the linear separation between two objects which occupy adjacent, separate, opposed positions.
The objects to be spread can consist of one substantially stationary object and one movable object or the objects can consist of two movable objects. The objects to be spread, preferably lie in parallel relationship, such as, but not limited to, a vertical parallel relationship or a horizontal parallel relationship. Thus, in one aspect, the spreader can be simply viewed as being a lifting apparatus useful to increase the vertical separation of a movable object with respect to a substantially stationary position, such as ground. In another aspect, the invention can be viewed in more complex terms as being an apparatus useful to increase the separation, such as the horizontal separation, between two movable objects, such as adjacent beams, joists or rails in a structure. It is, thus, plain that the mentioned aspects are merely two of a variety of combinations of uses in which the apparatus can be beneficially employed.
The function of the spreader, in each of the various aspects of the separation method, is to apply compressive force to the objects to be separated. It is clear, in the case of two movable objects, that the force applied by the spreader causes each object to move in a linear direction opposite to the other. It is also clear, in the case of a stationary object and a movable object, that the force applied by the spreader causes the movable object to move in a linear direction perpendicular to, and away from, the stationary object. Of course, there is always the potential question of whether each object is, in fact, movable, or whether one is movable and the other stationary, or substantially stationary. It is believed, however, that the answer to the question is, at least, a function of the relative mass of each object and/or the relative exterior forces which act to maintain the resting positions of each object and which oppose the compressive forces generated by the spreader. Obviously, the linear motion produced by the spreader of this invention is in the direction of the path of least resistance. The spreader thus acts with greater efficiency to move the object having the lower relative mass and/or which is influenced by the lower relative exterior force.
The spreader of this invention is especially useful to produce small changes in the linear separation of opposed objects in order to enable the convenient performance of some task or the placement or removal of some part. For example, beams in a structure which are too close together can be spread by the apparatus of this invention to enable the convenient insertion between the beams of a brace which will operate to maintain the beams at some desired separation upon removal of the spreader.
The linear spreader of this invention is an elongated tubular structure comprised of a first object contacting end, a second object contacting end, a linear pressure transmission member positioned intermediate the first object contacting end and the second object contacting end and a force generating member operably connected to the linear pressure transmission member and adapted to produce linear and rotational motion relative to the linear pressure transmission member. The linear pressure transmission member is adapted to transmit compressive force to the first object contacting end and the force generating member is adapted to transmit compressive force to the second object contacting end.
In one embodiment, the first object contacting end of the spreader of this invention can be a stationary linear member having a distal end and a proximal end wherein the distal end is specifically adapted to contact and apply compressive force to a first object. The second object contacting end can be a traveling housing having a distal end and a proximal end wherein the distal end is specifically adapted to contact and apply compressive force to a second object which is physically separated from the first object. The linear pressure transmission member is attached to the proximal end of the stationary linear member to prevent motion of any kind between the stationary linear member and the linear pressure transmission member. The proximal end of the traveling housing is adapted to permit linear motion relative to the linear pressure transmission member and to permit rotational motion relative to the force generating member. The proximal end of the traveling housing is further adapted, upon contact with the force generating member, to prevent linear motion relative to the force generating member.
In one preferred embodiment, the spreader of this invention is an elongated tool comprised of a hollow traveling housing having a first distal end and a first proximal end, a tubular member having a s
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