AU2017100515A4 - Extraction Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract The invention relates to an extraction apparatus 30 comprising a frame member 32 adapted to be attached to a pivot joint 14 for extraction of a stud 28 from a socket 16. The apparatus 30 comprises actuator means 34 adapted to be selectively displaced between an extended condition and a contracted condition for applying a force to the stud 28 so as extract or at least loosen the stud 28 from the socket 36. In a particular arrangement, the actuator 34 comprises a hydraulic actuator. Fig 3 i4 +2a F't04

Description

1 2017100515 09 May 2017

Extraction Apparatus TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to apparatus and tools for conducting maintenance and repair procedures of machinery and vehicle components.

[0002] The invention has been devised particularly, although not necessarily solely, in relation to apparatus for disassembling parts of vehicle components such as apparatus for extracting studs from sockets.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0004] Maintenance and repair of machinery or mechanical components of vehicles is typically a time consuming and cumbersome process. For example, the particular processes for disassembling machinery and equipment undertaken during maintenance and repair procedures can be time consuming processes; thus, the processes for disassembling machinery and equipment typically incorporate relative long delays in the maintenance and repair procedures.

[0005] In particular, disassembling particular machinery and vehicle components may require time because some of their parts may be difficult to separate from each other due to the fact that the parts may be strongly bonded together due to debris hardened between the junction of the parts, corrosion formed in the junction or deformation of the parts occurring during use of the machinery or the vehicle component.

[0006] Examples of vehicle components that require periodical revision (to ensure proper functioning to avoid any accidents) and perhaps disassembly for maintenance or repair purposes are steering systems. This is particularly true due to the relative large 2 2017100515 09 May 2017 forces and impacts that are continuously applied to the steering systems during their use [0007] Referring to figure 1.

[0008] Broadly speaking, a steering system 10 for a vehicle typically comprises a multitude of rods 12. Each rod 12 has (1) an end pivotally attached via a pivot joint 14 to a bell crank 16; and (2) another end pivotally attached via a pivot joint 14 to a steering knuckle arm 18. Although not shown in Figure 1, the bell crank 16 operatively connects to a pivot shaft and the steering is moved left and right by hydraulic cylinders. This arrangement allows transferring the rotational movement of the steering wheel to the wheels of the vehicles.

[0009] Figure 2 shows a cross-section of one of the pivot joints 14.

[0010] As shown in figure 2, a particular pivot joint 14 comprises a ball joint having a pin 20 for pivotally attaching an eye 22 (also referred to as socket 22) of one end of a particular rod 14 to one of the eyes 24 (also referred to as socket 24) of the bell crank 16. The eye 22 acts as the housing containing for example bearings 23 to allow movement of the ball joint.

[0011] The pin 20 comprises a ball 26 adapted to be inserted in the eye 22 of the end of a rod 14, and a stud 28 adapted to be inserted in the eye 24 of the bell crank 16 for defining of the pivot joint 14. The pivot joint 14 comprises a fastener 29 releasably attached to the end 31 of the stud 28 of the pin 20 for securing the pivot joint together. Further, the eye 22 may comprise a cap 25 for concealing the ball 26 and the bearing 23 within the eye 22. The cap 25 reduces entry of contamination and moisture into the eye 22.

[0012] Disassembly of the pivot joint 14 requires, for example, initially removal of the eye 22 of the end of the rod 12 and subsequently, the stud 28 is removed from the eye 24 of the bell crank 16.

[0013] Typically, removal of the stud 28 from the eye 24 of the bell crank 16 is very difficult; this may be because of debris and/or corrosion that entered the eye 24 of the bell crank 16 impeding release of the stud 28 from the eye 24. Also, deformation of the 3 2017100515 09 May 2017 shape of the socket 24 and its inner surfaces as well as deformation of the outer surfaces of the stud 28 may also impede or at least compromise release of the stud 28 from the eye 24 of the bell crank 16 when the pivot joint 14 needs to be disassembled for replacement thereof and/or repair of the steering system.

[0014] A traditional method for removing the stud 28 from the eye 24 of the bell crank 16 usually requires heat to be applied to the bell crank 16 so as to expand the socket (taper) defined by the eye 24 along with hammer strikes to the bell crank 16 in an effort to release the stud 28. This presents the risk of personal injury through burning, eye/soft tissue injury from shrapnel and trauma through pinch points and poorly aimed hammer strikes.

[0015] It is against this background that the present invention has been developed. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0016] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for extracting a stud from a socket defined within a body; the apparatus comprising a frame member adapted to be attached to the body, and an actuator attached to the frame member, the actuator being adapted to apply force to the stud, wherein the frame member is configured to position the actuator at a particular location to apply the force to the stud for extraction of the stud from the socket.

[0017] Preferably, the frame member comprises a distal end adapted for attachment to the body, and a proximal end having a surface for receiving the actuator.

[0018] Preferably, the actuator comprises a hydraulic actuator.

[0019] Preferably, the surface comprises a relief for receiving the actuator.

[0020] Preferably, the frame member is configured so that the surface is located opposite to the distal end of the frame member to position the actuator opposite to the body for applying the force of the actuator to the stud for extraction thereof.

[0021] Preferably, the force is applied to an end of the stud. 4 2017100515 09 May 2017 [0022] Preferably, the frame member comprises a body having a surface and arm members extending perpendicularly from the surface.

[0023] Preferably, the arm members comprise ends defining the distal end of the frame member.

[0024] Preferably, the ends of the arm members comprise fingers that extend perpendicularly from the ends towards each other.

[0025] Preferably, the body from which the stud needs to be removed, comprises an eye of a bell crank (or a buckle arm) of a steering system.

[0026] Preferably, the eye is part of a pivot joint for attaching an eye of a steering rod to the bell crank (or the buckle arm); both eyes defining a spacing between them when joined together to define the pivot joint.

[0027] In one arrangement, the fingers of the arm members are adapted to be inserted into the spacing defined between eyes of the steering rod and the bell crank (or the buckle arm).

[0028] In an alternative arrangement, the apparatus comprises a support member adapted to be attached to the eye of the bell crank and adapted to attach the frame to the support member.

[0029] Preferably, the support member comprises a cavity for receiving a front portion of the eye of the bell crank.

[0030] Preferably, the support member comprises an upper surface and side walls extending from the upper surface defining a cavity.

[0031] Preferably, the support member comprises flanges extending from the side walls of the support member.

[0032] Preferably, the upper surface comprises a relief for receiving a portion of the stud located between eyes of the steering rod and the bell crank when the support member is mounted on the front portion of the eye of the bell crank. 5 [0033] Preferably, the frame member is releasably attached to the support member. 2017100515 09 May 2017 [0034] Preferably, the fingers of the distal end of the frame member comprise curved fingers defining guides adapted to slideably receive the flanges of the support member for attachment of the frame member to the body.

[0035] Preferably, the actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder comprising a piston adapted to be selectively displaced between a contracted condition and an extended condition for applying the force to the stud for release of the stud from the body.

[0036] Preferably, the capacity of the hydraulic cylinder to be used as actuator 34 depends on the particular use that will be given to the extraction apparatus; for example, hydraulic systems able to apply forces of 30 tones may be used for separating pivot joints of steering systems of heavy duty vehicles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is top perspective view of a portion of a vehicle steering system including the steering rods, bell crank and buckle arms;

Figure 2 is a cross-section of a pivot joint for joining together a steering rod to the bell crank;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a particular arrangement of an extraction apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention operatively connected to the pivot joint shown in figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the frame of the extraction apparatus shown in figure 3; 6 2017100515 09 May 2017

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an extraction apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention operatively connected to the pivot joint shown in figure 2;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the frame of the extraction apparatus shown in figure 5; and

Figure 7 and 8 are perspective views of the pin extraction apparatus shown in figure 5 in operation. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) [0038] Figures 3 and 5 show, respectively, particular arrangements of an extraction apparatus 30 in accordance with the first and second embodiment of the invention.

[0039] The extraction apparatus 30 in accordance with the first and second embodiment of the invention comprises a frame member 32 adapted to be attached to a pivot joint 14 for extraction of the stud 28 from the socket 16.

[0040] Furthermore, the apparatus 30 comprises actuator means 34 adapted to be selectively displaced between an extended condition and a contracted condition for applying a force to the stud 28 so as extract or at least loosen the stud 28 from the socket 36. In a particular arrangement, the actuator 34 comprises a hydraulic actuator.

[0041] In the particular arrangement shown in the figures, the actuator 34 comprises a hydraulic cylinder comprising a piston 66 adapted to be selectively displaced between a contracted condition and an extended condition. The capacity of the hydraulic cylinder to be used as actuator 34 depends on the particular use that will be given to the extraction apparatus; for example, hydraulic systems able to apply forces of 30 tonnes may be used for separating pivot joints 14 of steering systems 10 of heavy duty vehicles.

[0042] Referring now to figures 3 and 4.

[0043] As shown in figure 3, the extraction apparatus 30 in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention comprises the frame member 32 and the actuator 34. The 7 2017100515 09 May 2017 frame member 32 comprises a distal end 38 adapted for attachment to the ball joint 14 and a proximal end 40 providing a surface 42 for receiving the actuator 34.

[0044] In the particular arrangement shown in the figures 3 and 4, the frame member 32 is configured so that the surface 42 is located opposite to the distal end 38 of the frame member 32 to position the actuator 34 opposite to the pivot joint 14; this arrangement permits that the force of the piston 66 be applied to the end 31 of the stud 28.

[0045] As shown in figure 4, the frame member 32 comprises a body having the surface 42 and arm members 44a and 44b extending perpendicularly from the surface 42. The arm members 44 comprise ends 46a and 46b defining the distal end 38 of the frame member 32 - see figure 4.

[0046] As mentioned before, the distal end 38 is adapted to be attached to the pivot joint 14 as is shown in figure 3. For this, the ends 46 of the arm members 44 comprises fingers 48a and 48b that extend perpendicularly from the ends 46a and 46b towards each other. As can be appreciated in figure 3, the fingers 48 are adapted to be inserted into the spacing defined between the upper side of the periphery of the socket 22 (in which the stud 28 is placed) and the lower side of the periphery of the socket 24 (in which the ball 26 is placed); in this manner, the frame member 32 is attached to the pivot joint 14.

[0047] Furthermore, the frame member 32 comprises the surface 42 for receiving the actuator 34; in the particular arrangement shown in figure 4, the surface 42 comprises a relief 50 for receiving the actuator 34.

[0048] Referring now to figures 5 and 6.

[0049] Figures 5 and 6 show a particular arrangement of the extraction apparatus 30 in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention. The extraction apparatus 30 according to the second embodiment is similar to the apparatus according to the apparatus of the first embodiment and similar reference numerals are used to identify similar parts. 8 2017100515 09 May 2017 [0050] As shown in figure 5, the extraction apparatus 30 in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention comprises a frame 32 having a proximal end 40 defining the surface 42 comprising the relief 50 for receiving the actuator 34. Also, the frame member 32 shown in figure 5 and 6 comprises the pair of arm members 44 extending perpendicularly from the surface 42.

[0051] Furthermore, the extraction apparatus 30 shown in figures 5 and 6 is also adapted to be attached to the pivot joint 14. In particular, as is shown in figure 5 the frame member 32 comprises a distal end 38 being adapted to releasably receive a support member 52; for this, the arm members 44 have ends 46 comprising curved fingers 48a and 48b.

[0052] The curved fingers 48 define guides 54 for receiving flange members 56 of the support member 52. The flange members 54 extend outward from side walls of the support member 52 permitting attaching the frame member 32 to the pivot joint 14 when the support member 52 is mounted onto the eye 24 of the bell crank 36 as is shown in figure 5.

[0053] As mentioned above, the support member 52 is adapted to be mounted onto the eye 24 of the bell crank 36; for this, as shown in figure 6, the support member 52 comprises a cavity 58 for receiving the end portion 60 (see figure 5) of the eye 24 of the bell crank 36. The cavity 58 is covered by an upper surface 64.

[0054] The upper surface 64 comprises an indentation 62 for receiving the portion 63 (located between the ball 26 and the stud 28 as shown in figure 2) of the pin 20 when mounting the support member 52 onto the pivot joint 14 so that at least a portion of the surface 64 located between the eyes 22 and 24 when the support member 52 is attached to the pivot joint 14.

[0055] After attachment of the support member 52, the frame member 32 is slideably attached to the support member 52 in order to position the surface 42 (on which the actuator 34 is mounted) under the end 31 of the pin 20 for extraction of the stud 28 from the socket 24 defined by the eye 24 of the bell crank 16.

[0056] Referring now to figures 7 and 8; figures 7 and 8 show the process of operation for extraction of the stud 28 from the socket 24 define by the eye 24 of the bell 9 2017100515 09 May 2017 crank 16 using the extraction apparatus 30 in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention. The process for extracting the stud 28 using the first embodiment of the invention is substantially identical than as depicted in figures 7 and 8 using the second embodiment of the invention.

[0057] In operation, the user presents the extraction apparatus 30 to the pivot joint 14 such that the surface 64 of the support member 52 (or the fingers 48 of the extraction apparatus 30 of the first embodiment of the invention) are located between the eye 22 of the rod 12 and the eye 24 of the bell crank 16. In this position the actuator 34 is located below the stud 28 such that the actuator 34 may apply its force to the lower end 31 of the pin 20 to extract the stud 28 from the eye 24 of the bell crank 16.

[0058] As mentioned before, the actuator 34 comprises a piston 66 adapted to be selectively displaced between an extended and contracted condition to apply force to the end 31 of the stud 28. Once the extraction apparatus 30 is secured to the pivot joint; the actuator is operatively attached to a source of hydraulic oil as shown in figures 7 and 8 so as to apply pressure (when delivery of the hydraulic oil) to the piston 66 so that it may apply a force to the end 31 of the stud 28 for removal thereof. Once the stud 28 has been released from the socket 24, delivery of the hydraulic oil is stopped. At this stage, the pivot joint 14 may be disassembled for repair.

[0059] It is evident the present embodiments are particularly advantageous due to the safety improvements they provide, being in particular, the lack of need for a heat source or impact (hammer blows). As mentioned before, the traditional methods for removing the stud 28 from the eye 24 of the bell crank 16 usually requires heat to be applied to the bell crank 16 to expand the socket (taper) defined by the eye 24 along with hammer strikes to the bell crank 16.

[0060] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0061] Further, it should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments disclosed.

[0062] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to 2017100515 09 May 2017 10 imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims (5)

1. An apparatus for extracting a stud from a socket defined within a first body; the apparatus comprising a frame member adapted to be attached to the first body, and an actuator attached to the frame member, the actuator being adapted to apply force to the stud, wherein the frame member is configured to position the actuator at a particular location to apply the force to the stud for extraction of the stud from the socket.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the frame member comprises a second body having a surface and arm members extending perpendicularly from the surface, the arm members comprising ends defining a distal end to permit attachment of the frame member to the first body.

3. An apparatus according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the frame member is configured so that the surface is located opposite to the distal end to position the actuator opposite to the first body for applying the force of the actuator to the stud for extraction thereof.

4. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a support member adapted to be releasably attached to the first body and to the frame member.

5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the actuator comprises a hydraulic actuator.