EP2723534B1 - Tool for inserting or removing a tang-free wire thread insert - Google Patents

Description

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a tool for installing or removing a tangless wire thread insert, a manufacturing method therefor, and a method for manually changing a driving blade in such a tool.

2. Background of the invention

Various tools for installing or removing wire thread inserts are known in the art. Such tools include a spindle body which usually has a drive portion and a threaded receiving portion for unscrewing the wire threaded insert. Inside this spindle body a driving blade is arranged. This entrainment blade is an elongate construction with a central pivot point. This central pivot point is also often the point of attachment of the entrainment blade formed by a pin riveted in the spindle body. At one end of the driving blade a blade projection is arranged, which engages in the wire thread insert. At the other end of the driving blade a spring is arranged so that the blade projection is resiliently biased into an engaged position in the wire thread insert.

Such tools are in EP 0 153 266 . EP 0 153 267 . US 6,000,114 and EP 0 615 818 described.

A similar tool is in EP 1 838 499 disclosed. The arranged in the spindle body driving blade is also spring-biased here. The movement of the driving blade via a cutting edge storage, so that the driving blade must not be riveted within the spindle body with a pin.

Due to the blade construction in the prior art tools described above, the entire tool is relatively long. As a result, a specific work space is included The installation and removal of wire thread inserts required, which is unfavorable in some installation situations. In addition, the driving blades, in particular the blade projections, wear after a certain number of insertion and / or removal cycles for wire thread inserts. Therefore, an exchange of the driving blade is required to continue to use the tool can. This replacement of the driving blade is complex, since with different tools, the middle pin must be removed to attach the driving blade. If the driving blade is not fastened with a central pin, tools are required to open the spindle body to remove the driving blade. The subsequent installation of the new driving blade with pin is possible only with tools and a relatively high amount of time, so that valuable operating time of the tool is lost.

Another constructive disadvantage follows from the arrangement of the spring, which biases the blade projection of the driving blade into the engaged position in the wire thread insert. The spring may be lost during uninstalling and / or installing the driving blade, or at least hampering the rebuilding because of its required re-arrangement.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a tool for installing or removing a tenonless wire thread insert and a manufacturing method therefor, which is adaptable with low maintenance to a new duty cycle.

3. Summary of the invention

The above object is achieved by a tool according to independent claim 1 or 2, a driving blade according to claim 14, a manufacturing method for this tool according to independent claim 21 and by a method for manually changing a driving blade according to independent claim 27. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

The tool according to the invention for installing or removing a tangless wire thread insert has the following features: a spindle body with a drive section and a receiving portion, wherein the receiving portion has a thread for unthreading or a threadless surface for receiving the wire thread insert, a driving blade, which is arranged in an axial recess of the receiving portion and is spring-mounted in the radial direction by a spring in an engaged position, so that a wire thread insert is vulnerable by the driving blade, while the driving blade in the axial recess by means of a fastening connection between the driving blade and the spindle body is manually attachable and interchangeable.

The tool according to the invention differs from the prior art by the design and handling of the driving blade, with the help of the wire thread inserts can be installed and removed. Although this driving blade is installed in the spindle body, but it can be replaced without tools compared to the prior art. For example, while tools of the prior art require a punch and a hammer to remove a blade holding pin, the catching blade of the present invention can be removed by the worker's finger or fingernail or a ballpoint pen. Neither tools nor complex and time-consuming steps are necessary. This tool-free replacement is based on the attachment of the driving blade within the spindle body by means of a fastening connection. This attachment compound is manually produced and also solvable again, so that at any time a pick-up blade can be removed from the spindle body and can be replaced by a new driving blade. By this construction of Mitnaluneklinge and their attachment in the spindle body the maintenance of the tool described above is greatly reduced compared to the prior art. At the same time, however, the usual functionality of the tool for installing or removing a wire thread insert is retained.

According to a preferred embodiment, the driving blade comprises a negative or a positive fastening contour, which cooperates with a fitting contour of the spindle body formed within the recess. Based on this embodiment, the driving blade has an extension extending in the axial direction as a positive fastening contour, which in a matching opening within the recess of the spindle body intervenes. This matching opening correspondingly forms the negatively formed Aufsetzkontur the spindle body. Conversely, it is also conceivable to equip the driving blade at its end facing the recess with an opening as a negative fastening contour in which a pin-like extension within the recess of the spindle body is receivable. This pin-like extension of the spindle body correspondingly forms the positive Aufsetzkontur of the spindle body

The present invention also includes a tool for installing or removing a studless wire thread insert, comprising the following features: a spindle body having a drive portion and a receiving portion, the receiving portion having a thread for unthreading or a threadless surface for receiving the wire thread insert, a driving blade, which is arranged in an axial recess of the receiving portion and is resiliently mounted in the radial direction by a spring in an engaged position, so that the wire thread insert is vulnerable by the driving blade, while the Mitnaluneklinge is formed integrally with the spring.

The present tool according to the invention is characterized by the special shape of the driving blade, with the help of the wire thread inserts can be installed and removed. This driving blade is also manually interchangeable and thus does not require the tools required in the prior art. The driving blade is characterized by the fact that it forms an integral structure with the biasing spring. This design reduces the number of parts of the tool and reduces assembly and maintenance costs. In the same way as the tool described above, the driving blade in combination with the spindle body is characterized by a mutually adapted fastening connection. Accordingly, the driving blade on a negative or positive fastening contour, which cooperates with a fitting thereto formed Aufsetzkontur the spindle body within the recess. It is also preferred to realize the attachment connection as a latching connection, as explained in more detail below. According to a further alternative, the integrally formed driving blade with spring can also be permanently installed in the recess of the spindle body, as is generally known from the prior art.

To produce the abovementioned fastening connection between the spindle body and the entraining blade, the entraining blade preferably has a latching bearing contour on one side, with which the entraining blade can be detachably latched within the axial recess. This detent bearing contour is according to one embodiment resiliently positive, in particular U-shaped, or according to another embodiment, resiliently negative, in particular O-shaped, formed and acts in each case with a complementary to the detent bearing contour shaped abutment of the axial recess of the spindle body together.

To produce the locking connection according to the invention described above, the detent bearing contour of the driving blade interacts with a corresponding abutment of the spindle body. If the locking bearing contour is U-shaped, it engages around the complementarily shaped abutment when installing the driving blade in the spindle body. It is also conceivable to form the latching bearing contour O-shaped, so that it can be releasably latched in a recess formed as an abutment.

In a different embodiment of the spindle body, the anvil is integrally formed in the spindle body within the axial recess or secured within the axial recess in the form of a separate part. In order to obtain an integrally formed counter bearing in the spindle body, this is formed for example by erosion. The other alternative can be realized by pressing a corresponding abutment, which is then held by a press fit within the axial recess and forms a corresponding hold for the latched catchment blade. In addition to the pressed-in adapter, it is likewise preferred to install a pin extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the receiving section in the axial recess. Both on this adapter as well as on this cross pin, the driving blade can be fastened or locked.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the axial recess is realized within the spindle body through a bore in which a slotted support sleeve is fixed with transversely extending to the slot pin for securing the driving blade. With this construction, that is the pressing of a support sleeve with pin in the bore of the spindle body, can be elaborate Erodiervorgänge for Save generating the axial recess and the thrust bearing. This reduces the manufacturing costs and also the time required for the production of existing tools.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the driving blade is U-shaped in combination with a spring, so that at least one U-leg is formed by the driving blade and another U-leg by the spring. This constructive design ensures on the one hand a compact and space-saving design of the driving blade with spring. It also ensures that the spring is not lost when uninstalling or installing the driving blade, as it is connected to the driving blade. In this connection, it is preferable that the driving blade and the spring form an integral structure. Another space-saving advantage results from the fact that driving blade and spring are arranged parallel to each other. While the prior art remote spring and drive blade assembly results in an elongated tool, the compact U-shaped detent blade and spring design disclosed herein realizes a short tool design compared to the prior art.

According to a further constructive embodiment of the tool according to the invention, the spring comprises at its axial end a radially outwardly projecting projection which extends in the longitudinal direction of the spring over a blade projection of the driving blade addition. This structural alternative ensures that the driving blade is installed in its proper orientation within the spindle body. For this purpose, the radially outwardly projecting projection of the spring blocks a mis-installation of the driving blade in the spindle body. In this way, the maintenance of the tool according to the invention is also reduced because a time-consuming deinstallation of a wrong-installed driving blade is prevented.

According to the invention there is further disclosed a manufacturing method for a tool for installing or removing a studless wire thread insert, comprising the steps of: producing a spindle body having a drive portion and a threaded receiving portion, creating an axial recess within the receiving portion, preferably a one-sided radial Window, making a Carrying blade and manually detachable connecting the driving blade via a mounting connection within the axial recess.

For the production of the tool described above, it is just important to releasably lock the driving blade within the spindle body. For this purpose, the driving blade is structurally equipped with a fastening contour, preferably a detent bearing contour, which cooperates with a complementarily shaped abutment within the axial recess of the spindle body. On this constructive basis, it is possible to remove the entrainment blade from the axial recess without the use of tools and to install a new entrainment blade detachably within the axial recess, in particular there to lock. It is further preferred to facilitate the manufacture of the tool described above in that the driving blade is made in combination with a spring as an integral U-shaped structure, in particular eroded. The manufacture of this construction ensures a compact design of the tool and also prevents additional installation steps for the spring, which biases the driving blade in the direction of the wire thread insert. Due to this construction, it is also ensured that the spring is not lost when uninstalling the driving blade, as it is permanently connected to the driving blade.

According to a further step in the present production method, a positive U-shaped detent bearing contour or a negative O-shaped detent bearing contour is preferably produced on the entrainment blade. Furthermore, according to a further embodiment of the manufacturing method according to the invention, the axial recess is eroded and the counter bearing is eroded or pressed within the axial recess.

As an alternative embodiment, it is also preferred to drill the receiving portion of the spindle body in the axial direction to insert a support sleeve with transverse pin in the resulting bore. The inserted support sleeve with transverse pin forms the axial recess with an abutment, in and on which the driving blade with spring and positively U-shaped detent bearing contour is releasably fastened.

The present invention also discloses a method of manually changing a picking blade in a tool for installing or removing a tapeless wire thread insert having the following structural features: a spindle body having a drive portion and a receiving portion, the receiving portion having a thread for unscrewing the wire thread insert, an entrainment blade disposed in an axial recess of the receiving portion and resiliently supported by a spring in an engaged position so that a wire thread insert is vulnerable to the entrainment blade, the method comprising the steps of: manually gripping the entrainment blade in the axial one Recess, extracting the driving blade from the axial recess and manually inserting and securing, preferably latching, another driving blade in the axial recess.

The advantage of this method for manually changing the driving blade is that just no tool is required to remove, for example, a worn or defective driving blade from the spindle body and to be able to replace it with a new driving blade. This possibility is based on the design that the entrainment blade is attached via a manually releasable mounting or locking bearing contour to a complementarily shaped abutment within the axial recess. Thus, it is possible to replace the driving blade within the tool without tools and with little time.

4. Brief description of the accompanying drawings

Figur 1

eine erste bevorzugte Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Werkzeugs,

Figur 2

eine zweite bevorzugte Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Werkzeugs,

Figur 3

eine dritte bevorzugte Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Werkzeugs,

Figur 4

eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform der Mitnahmeklinge vorliegender Erfindung,

Figur 5

eine weitere bevorzugte Ausführungsform der Mitnahmeklinge vorliegender Erfindung,

Figur 6

die Mitnahmeklinge gemäß Figur 4 im installierten Zustand,

Figur 7

die Mitnahmeklinge gemäß Figur 5 im installierten Zustand,

Figur 8

eine schematische Darstellung der Installation der Mitnahmeklinge im Werkzeug,

Figur 9

eine schematische Darstellung einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform, der Mitnahmeklinge installiert im Werkzeug,

Figur 10

eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform der Mitnahmeklinge, mit Feder gemäß vorliegender Erfindung,

Figur 11

eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Mitnahmeklinge, mit Feder im installierten Zustand,

Figur 12

eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines Ausschnitts aus Figur 11,

Figur 13

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Mitnahmeklinge mit Feder gemäß vorliegender Erfindung,

Figur 14

eine weitere bevorzugte Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Werkzeugs,

Figur 15

eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines Ausschnitts aus Figur 14,

Figur 16

eine weitere bevorzugte Ausführungsform des Werkzeugs vorliegender Erfindung,

Figur 17

eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines Ausschnitts aus Figur 16,

Figur 18

eine perspektivische Schnittdarstellung einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform des Werkzeugs vorliegender Erfindung,

Figur 19

eine vergrößerte Darstellung der Stützhülse aus Figur 18,

Figur 20

eine schematische Ausschnittsvergrößerung einer bevorzugten Federkonstruktion vorliegender Erfindung,

Figur 21

eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform der Befestigung der Mitnahmeklinge innerhalb der Aussparung des Spindelkörpers mithilfe einer Befestigungskontur,

Figur 22

eine weitere bevorzugte Ausgestaltung der Befestigung der Mitnahmeklinge innerhalb der Aussparung des Spindelkörpers mit einer Befestigungskontur,

Figur 23

ein Flussdiagramm eines bevorzugten Herstellungsverfahrens für das erfindungsgemäße Werkzeug und

Figur 24

ein Flussdiagramm eines bevorzugten Installations- und Deinstallationsverfahrens für die Mitnahmeklinge im erfindungsgemäßen Werkzeug.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1

a first preferred embodiment of the tool according to the invention,

FIG. 2

a second preferred embodiment of the tool according to the invention,

FIG. 3

a third preferred embodiment of the tool according to the invention,

FIG. 4

a preferred embodiment of the driving blade of the present invention,

FIG. 5

a further preferred embodiment of the entrainment blade of the present invention,

FIG. 6

the takeaway blade according to FIG. 4 in the installed state,

FIG. 7

the takeaway blade according to FIG. 5 in the installed state,

FIG. 8

a schematic representation of the installation of the driving blade in the tool,

FIG. 9

a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment, the driving blade installed in the tool,

FIG. 10

a preferred embodiment of the entrainment blade, with spring according to the present invention,

FIG. 11

a schematic representation of another preferred embodiment of the driving blade, with spring in the installed state,

FIG. 12

an enlarged view of a section from FIG. 11 .

FIG. 13

a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the driving blade with spring according to the present invention,

FIG. 14

a further preferred embodiment of the tool according to the invention,

FIG. 15

an enlarged view of a section from FIG. 14 .

FIG. 16

a further preferred embodiment of the tool of the present invention,

FIG. 17

an enlarged view of a section from FIG. 16 .

FIG. 18

a perspective sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the tool of the present invention,

FIG. 19

an enlarged view of the support sleeve FIG. 18 .

FIG. 20

a schematic enlarged detail of a preferred spring construction of the present invention,

FIG. 21

a preferred embodiment of the attachment of the driving blade within the recess of the spindle body by means of a fastening contour,

FIG. 22

a further preferred embodiment of the attachment of the driving blade within the recess of the spindle body with a fastening contour,

FIG. 23

a flowchart of a preferred manufacturing method for the tool according to the invention and

FIG. 24

a flow chart of a preferred installation and Deinstallationsverfahrens for the entrainment blade in the tool according to the invention.

5. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

That in the Fig. 1-3 By way of example, illustrated tool 1 is used for installing and removing a tapless wire thread insert D in a threaded hole of a component (not shown). Since such wire thread inserts D and the manner in which they are screwed into a threaded hole, are known, it will not be discussed further.

The tool 1 according to the invention consists of a spindle body 10, a depth stop sleeve T with counter sleeve K, a receiving portion 14 with thread 16 or a pin-like threadless surface (not shown) and a driving blade 20 with blade projection 22. According to Fig. 3 the tool 1 according to the invention is also usable without depth stop sleeve T and counter sleeve K. In the following, the tool 1 is explained by way of example with a receiving portion 14 with thread 16. These explanations apply in the same way for the receiving portion 14 with pin-like threadless surface (not shown) on which a wire thread insert is preferably clamped.

How to use the Fig. 1 and 3 can recognize, the spindle body 10 is seen from left to right from a drive section 12, an intermediate portion and a receiving portion 14 together. The drive section 16 comprises a drive feature, for example a hexagon, which can be connected to a drive (not shown) for rotating the spindle body 10.

The position of the depth stop sleeve T is freely adjustable on the thread 16 of the receiving portion 14, where it is verkontert using the counter sleeve K.

The receiving portion 14 has an axial recess 30 in which the driving blade 20 is arranged. The axial recess 30 extends in the axial direction of the receiving portion 14. It is preferably formed slit-shaped. The axial recess 30 is also open at the end face of the spindle body 10 adjacent to the receiving portion 14 (see. Fig. 2 and 18 ). In the radial direction relative to the spindle body 10, the axial recess 30 in the region of a window 34 adjacent to the above-mentioned end face of the spindle body 10 is open. The window 34 is preferably formed so long that a blade projection 22 of the entrainment blade 20 for engaging the wire thread insert D can reach through the window 34. Opposite the window 34, the radial outer wall of the axial recess 30 is formed closed.

Due to the construction of the driving blade 20, as described in more detail below, the length of the tool 1 can be set arbitrarily and reduced to a minimum. The driving blade 20 is approximately half as long compared to known driving blades, so that the length of the tool 1 is determined by the required dimensions of drive section 12 and threaded portion 14. In this way, the tool 1 can be adjusted in its length to different installation conditions and customer requirements.

The entrainment blade 20 comprises the already mentioned above blade projection 22 which engages through the radial window 34 on the wire thread insert D. The blade projection 22 may be formed differently in shape, as is also known and will not be explained in detail.

As the Fig. 4, 5 . 10 and 13 illustrate according to preferred embodiments, the driving blade 20 comprises in addition to the blade projection 22 a locking bearing contour 28; 28 '. Using the locking bearing contour 28; 28 'and a complementarily shaped abutment 32; 32 'in the axial recess 30, the driving blade 20 is attached via a manually producible and manually releasable locking connection in the axial recess 30. According to one embodiment, the detent bearing contour 28 is resiliently positive, preferably U-shaped, formed so that it forms a positive connection with a pin-like abutment 32 (see. Fig. 4, 6 . 8th . 9, 10 . 14, 15 . 16 . 18 ). The anvil 32 is formed adjacent to or near the axial end of the axial recess 30 that faces the drive portion 12.

According to one embodiment, the abutment 32 consists of the abovementioned pin 32, which extends in the axial direction of the spindle body 10. According to a further embodiment, the pin-like abutment 32 is formed by an adapter 40 with abutment 32 which is pressed into the axial recess 30, glued or otherwise secured there (see. FIGS. 14 and 15 ).

It is also preferred to releasably lock the U-shaped detent bearing contour 28 to a pin 42 which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the receiving portion 14 through the axial recess 30 (see. Fig. 16, 17 and 18 ). The pin 42 is riveted, glued or otherwise secured, for example, in the spindle body 10.

According to another preferred embodiment, in the FIGS. 18 and 19 is illustrated, the pin 42 is arranged in a support sleeve 50 transversely to the longitudinal direction thereof. As based on Fig. 18 can be seen, the receiving portion 12 has been drilled in the axial direction beginning at the end face of the spindle body 10. In the resulting bore, the support sleeve 50 is fixed, preferably pressed or glued, the one in Has longitudinal slot 52. The slot 52 divides the support sleeve 50 into two mutually parallel opposite legs. The support sleeve 50 is closed at an axial end face, in the vicinity of which the holes 54 are provided. In the holes 54, the pin 42 is arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support sleeve 50 and the slot 52.

According to a constructive alternative to the above-described embodiment of the pin 42 is fixed in the support sleeve 50 and the support sleeve 50 subsequently fixed in the above-mentioned bore. Thus, no hole must be provided in the receiving portion 14 for the pin 42.

According to another constructive alternative, the pin 42 passes through the radial outer wall of the receiving portion 14 and the support sleeve 50 and is fixed there.

The use of the support sleeve 50 with pin 42 has the advantage that the axial recess 30 by simple processing steps, such as drilling, turning, milling and gluing or pressing, can be made. Of course, it is also preferable to generate the axial recess 30 by erosion in the receiving portion 14.

According to a further embodiment, the detent bearing contour 28 'is formed negatively, so that it releasably locked in an abutment 32' with an opening. Preferably, the detent bearing contour 28 'is O-shaped, as it Fig. 11-13 demonstrate. As based on the Fig. 11-13 can be seen, the detent bearing contour 28 'comprises a middle gap, so that two opposing resilient legs arise. It is also conceivable to form the detent bearing contour 28 'diamond-shaped and to adapt the shape of the abutment 32' in order to achieve a releasable locking.

According to various preferred embodiments of the present invention, the entrainment blade 20 is formed with or without spring 24. Regardless of the spring 24, the driving blade 20 is releasably latched in the axial recess 30, as has been described above. The 4 and 5 show the driving blade 20 without spring 24 with positive locking bearing contour 28 and negative locking bearing contour 28 '. In the installed state according to Fig. 6 and 7 the entrainment blade 20 is releasably secured in the axial recess 30. A disposed in the axial recess 30 spring 24 thus biases the blade projection 22 in the engaged position in the wire thread insert D, so that the blade projection 22, the window 34 passes through. The spring 24 is preferably secured to the inner wall of the recess 30 or to the driving blade 20 at at least one of the points of contact between the spring 24 and the inner wall or between the spring 24 and driving blade 20.

According to a further preferred embodiment, in the Fig. 8-16 and 18 is shown, the entrainment blade 20 with the spring 24 forms an integral structure. This integral structure is preferably U-shaped, so that the driving blade 20 forms a U-leg and the spring 24 forms the opposite U-leg. Even with this integral structure, the spring 24 biases the driving blade 20 with blade projection 22 into the engaged position on the wire thread insert D, so that the blade projection 22 passes through the window 34 (see above). According to a preferred embodiment, the integral structure of entrainment blade 20 and spring 24 is wire-eroded, so that it occupies only a small space.

As can be seen from the enlarged illustrations in the Fig. 10 . 13 and 18 Preferably, the projection 26 protrudes radially inwardly relative to the spindle body 10 and extends in the direction of the blade projection 22 in the installed state of the integral structure Mitnahmekling 20 and spring 24 ensures the radially inwardly projecting projection 26, that the blade projection 22 is supported under mechanical load in the radial direction on the projection 26. The radially inwardly projecting projection 26 is formed so large that the blade projection 22 can only spring radially inward to the extent that it releases the wire thread insert D. This minimizes the mechanical stresses on the resilient entrainment blade 20. At the same time, the radially inwardly projecting projection 26 contributes to the fact that the frontal opening of the axial recess 30 is largely closed to reduce the ingress of dirt.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the projection 26, this extends radially outward or in the opposite direction with respect to the blade projection 22 and in the longitudinal direction of the spring 24. The longitudinal extension of the projection 26 is greater than the axial length of the blade projection 22 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the driving blade 20. It is further preferred that the longitudinal extent of the projection 26 is greater than the axial length of the window 34 with respect to the receiving portion 14 (see. Fig. 13 and 20 ). The axial recess 30 of the receiving portion 14 is open only on one side in the region of the window 34 radially. If the integral structure of entrainment blade 20 and spring 24 is inserted the wrong way so that the blade projection 22 is not located on the side of the window 34, it may happen that the integral structure is installed incorrectly in the axial recess 30. To avoid this, the projection 26 extends radially outward and in the axial direction in the manner described above. If the integral structure is now used in such a way that the radially outwardly projecting projection 26 is arranged in the window 34, the longitudinal extent of the projection 26 prevents the integral structure from being installed. For installation namely the driving blade 20 and spring 24 are moved towards each other until the back of the blade projection 22 is supported on the radially inwardly projecting projection 26. In this position, the radially outwardly projecting protrusion 26 protrudes outward so far that the radial extent of the integral structure exceeds the inner opening of the axial recess 30. Another installation of the integral structure in the axial direction of the receiving portion 14 is blocked by the drive portion 12 facing the end of the window 34, as it Fig. 20 shows. Thus, the protrusion 26 ensures the installation of the integral structure of the entraining blade, 20 and spring 24 in the proper orientation.

As described above, in the tool 1 the entrainment blade 20 is fastened in the recess 30 of the spindle body 10 by means of a latching connection. It is also preferable to fix the driving blade 20 by means of a fastening connection 29, 33 within the recess 30 of the spindle body 1. This fastening connection 29, 33 does not establish a latching connection between the entrainment blade 20 and the spindle body 10. Instead, this connection connection on the one hand to understand the known from the prior art connections between the spindle body 10 and driving blade 20 (not shown). That means using the attachment link the entrainment blade 20 is installed by means of tools within the recess 30 of the spindle body 10. For this purpose, the entrainment blade 20, for example, at its projecting into the recess 30 in the end a closed eyelet, so that by means of a spindle body 10 passing pin, the driving blade within the recess 30 can be fastened. This pin and thus also the driving blade 20 is installed and uninstalled using tools (not shown).

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the attachment connection is a plug-in connection between entrainment blade 20 and spindle body 10. Therein, the entrainment blade 20 comprises a positive attachment contour 33, as shown for example in FIG Fig. 21 is shown. This positive fastening contour 33 is similar to an axial extension or pin formed so that it extends in the axial longitudinal direction of the driving blade and the spindle body 10. The fastening contour 33 is preferably designed similar to a ball head, in order to enable a pivoting or resilient movement of the entrainment blade 20. It is also preferred to mold the fastening contour 33 in a manner similar to a pin, so that the resilient movement of the entrainment blade 20 is made possible solely by the resilient material properties of the entrainment blade 20. The positive fastening contour 33 of the entrainment blade 20 engages in a complementarily shaped negative fastening contour 29 of the spindle body 10 within the recess 30. In its simplest embodiment, the negative fastening contour 29 of the recess 30 forms a recess for receiving the positive fastening contour 33. A special embodiment of this fastening connection between the spindle body 10 and driving blade, 20 is the latching connection 28, 32 already described above between entrainment blade 20 and spindle body 10.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the fastening connection 29 ', 33' between entrainment blade 20 and spindle body 10, the entrainment blade, 20 comprises a negative fastening contour 33 '. This negative fastening contour 33 'is shown schematically in FIG Fig. 22 shown. This negative fastening contour 33 'is shaped such that it can receive a positive fastening contour 29' of the spindle body 10. The positive fastening contour 29 'of the spindle body 10 is formed, for example, by a pin-like extension, an axial projection or a similar construction, which in axial Direction of the spindle body 10 extends within the recess 30 in the direction of the driving blade 20. Fits to the negative fastening contour 33 'of the driving blade 20 is formed. According to Fig. 22 There is a preferred embodiment of the negative fastening contour 33 'in a U-shaped contour, which surrounds the positive fastening contour 29'. It is also conceivable that the negative fastening contour 33 'is formed by an annular construction whose enclosed annular surface is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the driving blade 20. Due to this arrangement, the positive fastening contour 29 'within the annular mounting contour 33' can be accommodated.

With regard to the above-described latching bearing contours 28, 28 ', 32, 32', it is likewise preferred to use these as negative and positive fastening contours according to FIGS Figures 21 and 22 to realize. Therefore, there is also a preferred embodiment, the entrainment blade 20 of the Fig. 22 by means of an adapter 40 or a pin 42 to be secured within the recess 30 of the spindle body 10.

The present invention also discloses a preferred manufacturing method for the above-described tool 1. An embodiment of this manufacturing method is described with reference to the flowchart in FIG Fig. 21 illustrated. In a first step S1, the spindle body 10 with drive section 12 and receiving section 14 with thread 16 is produced. For this purpose, known manufacturing methods are used, which need not be discussed further here.

In a second step S2, the axial recess 30 is produced within the receiving portion 14 with a one-sided radial window 34. According to a preferred embodiment, the axial recess 30 is produced by erosion. Also, the counter-bearing 32; 32 'is eroded within the axial recess 30 according to a manufacturing alternative. It is also preferable that the abutment 32; 32 'separately as an adapter (see above) and then pressed into the axial recess 30, glued or fastened there in other ways.

According to a further preferred production alternative, the receiving portion 14 is drilled in the axial direction in step S2a. In the resulting bore then the support sleeve 50 described above is used with the pin 42 so that the slot 52 of the support sleeve 50 forms the axial recess 30. It is also preferred to insert the pin 42 only after inserting the support sleeve 50 in the bore produced. In this case, the pin 42 also passes through holes in the receiving portion 14 in addition to the holes 54 in the support sleeve 50.

In a further step S3, the entrainment blade 20 with fastening contour 29, 29 'or detent bearing contour 28; 28 'produced. While other manufacturing method for producing the driving blade 20 mounting contour 29, 29 'or with latching bearing contour 28; 28 'are applicable, is preferably the driving blade, 20 with fastening contour 29, 29' or latching bearing contour 28; 28 'wire-eroded. According to a further preferred embodiment of this manufacturing step, the entrainment blade 20 is produced in combination with the spring 24 as an integral structure. According to the embodiment described above, this integral structure is preferably U-shaped. In the production of the driving blade 20 with locking bearing contour 28; 28 'or fastening contour 29, 29' or the integral structure consisting of entrainment blade 20 and spring 24 is preferably a positive attachment 29 or detent bearing contour 28, in particular a U-shaped detent bearing contour, or a negative attachment 29 'or detent bearing contour 28', in particular an O-shaped detent bearing contour, provided on the driving blade 20 (step S3).

Finally, in step S4, a connection of the fastening contour 29, 29 'or latching bearing contour 28 takes place; 28 'of the entrainment blade 20 with a corresponding abutment 32; 32 '; 40; 42 within the axial recess 30. The abutment is formed by a pin 32, a corresponding recess 32 ', an adapter 40 with pin 32, an axial extension 33 or a pin 42, as has been explained in detail above. The established connection between driving leaf, 20 or integral structure with driving blade 20 is manually produced and also released again.

The present invention also discloses with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 22 a preferred embodiment of a method for manually changing the driving blade 20 in the tool described above 1. Regardless of whether the driving blade 20 with fastening contour 29, 29 'or latching bearing contour 28; 28 'is formed alone or as an integral structure in combination with the spring 24, in a first step I, a manual gripping of the entrainment blade 20 in the axial recess 30. In a second step II, the entrainment blade 20 or the integral structure with entrainment blade 20th and spring 24 is pulled out of the axial recess 30. Thereafter, in a third step III, a new entrainment blade 20 or a new integral structure with entrainment blade 20 and spring 24 is manually inserted into the axial recess 30 and fastened or latched there in step IV. This replacement process for the driving blade 20 requires no tools and can be realized in a small amount of time. For example, while tools of the prior art require a punch and a hammer to remove a blade holding pin, the catching blade of the present invention can be removed by the worker's finger or fingernail or a ballpoint pen. Neither tools nor complex and time-consuming steps are necessary.

Claims (21)

1. A tool (1) for installing or removing a tang-free wire thread insert (D), which has the following features:

   a. a spindle body (10) with a drive section (12) and a receiving section (14), wherein the receiving section (14) has a thread (16) for screwing on or a threadless surface for receiving the wire thread insert (D),

   b. an entraining blade (20), which is arranged in an axial recess (30) of the receiving section (14) and which is spring-mounted in an engaging position in the radial direction by means of a spring (24) so that the wire thread insert (D) is engageable by means of the entraining blade (20), while

   c. the entraining blade (20) is fastenable and replaceable in the axial recess (30) by means of a fastening connection (28, 32, 28', 32', 29, 33, 29', 33') between the entraining blade (20) and the spindle body (10),
   characterized in that the fastening connection (28, 32, 28', 32', 29, 33, 29', 33') is formed as a latching or plug connection, which is manually establishable and releasable.
2. A tool (1) for installing or removing a tang-free wire thread insert (D), which has the following features:

   a. a spindle body (10) with a drive section (12) and a receiving section (14), wherein the receiving section (14) has a thread (16) for screwing on or a threadless surface for receiving the wire thread insert (D),

   b. an entraining blade (20), which is arranged in an axial recess (30) of the receiving section (14) and is spring-mounted in an engaging position in the radial direction by means of a spring (24) so that the wire thread insert (D) is engageable by means of the entraining blade (20), characterized in that

   c. the entraining blade (20) is formed as one piece with the spring (24).
3. The tool (1) according to claim 2, the entraining blade (20) of which is manually fastenable and replaceable in the axial recess (30) by means of a fastening connection (28, 32, 28', 32', 29, 33, 29', 33') between the entraining blade (20) and the spindle body (10).
4. The tool (1) according to claim 1 or 3, the entraining blade (20) of which has a negative (33') or positive fastening contour (33), interacting with a suitably formed mounting contour (29', 29) of the spindle body (10) within the recess (30).
5. The tool (1) according to claim 4, wherein the fastening contour (33, 33') of the entraining blade (20) is a pin-like appendage (33) or a ring-shaped opening (33') and the mounting contour (29, 29') is a receiving impression (29) or an axially extending projection (29').
6. The tool (1) according to claim 1 or 3, the entraining blade (20) of which has a latch bearing contour (28, 28') for the fastening connection (28, 32, 28', 32', 29, 33, 29', 33') on one side, with which the entraining blade (20) is releasably latchable within the axial recess (30).
7. The tool (1) according to claim 6, the latch bearing contour (28; 28') of which is formed positively spring-loaded, in particular U-shaped (28), or negatively spring-loaded, in particular O-shaped (28'), and works together respectively with a counter bearing (32, 32') of the axial recess (30) shaped complementarily to the latch bearing contour (28; 28').
8. The tool (1) according to claim 7, the counter bearing (32, 32'; 40, 42) of which is formed integrally in the spindle body (10) within the axial recess (30) or is fastened within the axial recess (30).
9. The tool (1) according to claim 1 or 3, the axial recess (30) of which has a pressed in adapter (40) or a pin (42) extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the receiving section (14), at which the entraining blade (20) is fastenable.
10. The tool (1) according to claim 1 or 3, the axial recess (30) of which is a bore, in which a slotted support sleeve (50) is fastened having a pin (42) progressing transversely to the slot (52) for fastening the entraining blade (20).
11. The tool (1) according to claim 1 or 2, the entraining blade (20) of which is formed in combination with the spring (24) in a U-shaped manner so that at least one U-leg is formed by the entraining blade (20) and another U-leg by the spring (24).
12. The tool (1) according to claim 11, the spring (24) of which comprises a radially outwards protruding projection (26) on an axial end, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the spring (24) beyond a blade projection (22) of the entraining blade (20).
13. The tool (1) according to claim 11, the entraining blade (20) and spring (24) of which form an integral structure.
14. An entraining blade (20) of a tool (1), in particular a tool (1) according to claim 1 or 2, with which a tang-free wire thread insert (D) is installable and removable, which has a blade projection (22), and
    which has a fastening contour (28; 28'; 33; 33'), with which the entraining blade is manually fastenable and replaceable in the tool (1), wherein the fastening contour (28, 28'; 33, 33') is formed as a latch bearing contour (28, 28') or a positive (33) or a negative fastening contour (33') of a plug connection, which is manually establishable and releasable and/or
    which is formed as one piece with a spring (24) so that the entraining blade (20) is spring-mountable in an engaging position in the tool (1).
15. The entraining blade (20) according to claim 14, wherein the negative (33') or positive fastening contour (33) works together with a suitably formed mounting contour (29', 29) of the spindle body (10) within a recess (30).
16. The entraining blade (20) according to claim 15, the positive fastening contour (33, 33') of the entraining blade (20) of which is a pin-like appendage (33) or a ring-shaped opening (33').
17. The entraining blade according to claim 14, wherein the latch bearing contour is formed positively spring-loaded, in particular U-shaped (28), or negatively spring-loaded, in particular O-shaped (28').
18. The entraining blade (20) according to one of claims 14-17, which is formed in combination with a spring (24) in a U-shaped manner so that at least one U-leg is formed by the entraining blade (20) and another U-leg by the spring (24).
19. The entraining blade (20) according to claim 18, the spring (24) of which comprises a radially outwards protruding projection (26) at an axial end, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the spring (24) beyond a blade projection (22) of the entraining blade (20).
20. The entraining blade (20) according to claim 18 or 19, the entraining blade (20) and spring (24) of which form an integral structure.
21. A method for manually replacing an entraining blade (20) in a tool (1) for installing or removing a tang-free wire thread insert (D), which has the following features: a spindle body (10) with a drive section (12) and a receiving section (14), wherein the receiving section (14) has a thread (16) for screwing on the wire thread insert (D), an entraining blade (20), which is arranged in an axial recess (30) of the receiving section (14) and which is spring-mounted in an engaging position in the radial direction by a spring (24), so that the wire thread insert (D) is engageable by the entraining blade (20), wherein the method has the following steps:

    a. manual grasping (I) of the entraining blade (20),

    b. pulling (II) of the entraining blade (20) out of the axial recess (30) and

    c. manually inserting (III) and fastening (IV) of another entraining blade (20) in the axial recess (30).

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