GB2117297A

GB2117297A - Wrenches

Info

Publication number: GB2117297A
Application number: GB08207914A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth D Kloster
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-03-18
Filing date: 1982-03-18
Publication date: 1983-10-12
Also published as: GB2117297B

Abstract

A tool for removing threaded fasteners especially of the type commonly employed to retain a vehicle shock absorber in an associated cylindrical shroud. The tool comprises a main body portion having a pair of handles 14, 16 extending in opposite directions therefrom. The main body is of a generally rectangular box-like configuration and has a plurality of fastener engaging means 52, 54 formed on each of the four sides to which the handles are not attached. Each of the engaging means has a separate fastener engaging configuration for engagement with a particular type of fastener. The main body has at least one keyway formed to extend along a portion of one of the outer surfaces of the body, with a piston rod receiving channel extending through the body and terminating in the keyway. A pair of spaced apart keys are slidably mounted in the keyway of the body. Each of the keys has a fastener engaging means formed thereon for engagement with a particular type of threaded fastener. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Tool for removing fasteners from shock absorber cylinders BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION One type of vehicle suspension system which is becoming increasingiy popular is the MacPherson strut suspension system. The MacPherson strut is an integral coil spring-shock absorber assembly which provides a lightweight, compact vehicle suspension system. The MacPherson strut suspension system is disclosed in more detail in United States Patent No, 2,624,592 to E. S.

MacPherson.

One of the problems associated with the MacPherson strut assembly is that the shock absorber unit typically wears out before the associated coil spring. Consequently, some MacPherson strut assemblies are manufactured with a construction which permits the shock absorber unit to be readily removed and replaced with a new shock absorber. In this type of MacPherson strut assembly, the shock absorber unit is typically maintained within a cylindrical shroud by means of a threaded fastener attached to one end of the cylindrical shroud. However, the problem with the threaded fasteners is that each manufacturer typically designs the fastener associated with its suspension assembly to require a special tool configuration for removing the fastener.

A solution to this problem has been presented by one company, Branick Manufacturing of Fargo, North Dakota, which markets a tool that can be utilized to remove the majority of threaded fasteners present on the market today. The tool includes a handle portion having a means for supporting a separate socket unit specificially designed to remove a particular fastener configuration. A plurality of individual sockets, each of which is designed to remove a particular fastener, are typically provided with the handle assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a tool for removing a threaded fastener of the type commonly employed to retain a vehicle shock absorber within an associated cylindrical shroud.

The shock absorber includes a piston rod extending axially from one end of the shroud and through the associated retainer. The tool comprises a main body portion having an elongate handle extending from the main body. A plurality of fastener engaging means are incorporated on the main body with each of the engaging means having a separate fastener engaging configuration for engagement with a particular type of fastener.

More specifically, the main body has at least one keyway formed to extend along a portion of the outer surface of the body, with a piston rod receiving channel extending through the body and terminating in the keyway. A pair of spaced apart keys are slidably mounted in the keyway of the body, each of the keys having a fastener engaging means formed thereon for engagement with the threaded fastener.

The main body is typically formed of a rectangular box-like configuration and includes a second piston rod receiving channel formed therein in perpendicular relation to the first channel. This type of construction provides four separate surfaces for carrying the fastener engaging means. A plurality of fastener engaging means can be formed on each of the four surfaces.

These fastener engaging means can be, for example, in the form of an octagonally-shaped cutout to receive similarly formed fasteners. A second keyway can be formed to extend along another one of the outer surfaces to receive a second pair of spaced apart keys which can include fastener engaging means of a different configuration than those located on the first pair of keys.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above, as well as other objects and advantages of the invention, will become readily apparent to one skilled in the art when reading the foilowing detailed description of the invention when considered in light of the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating three sides of a main body of a tool embodying the features of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1, but showing the opposite three sides of the main body, along with an adapter element which can be utilized in combination with the main body to remove a particular fastener configuration; Figure 3 is a side view of a portion of a MacPherson strut suspension assembly showing the tool of Figures 1 and 2 positioned thereon to remove the associated threaded fastener; and Figures 4 through 9 illustrate examples of six types of prior art threaded fasteners which the tool according to the present invention is designed to remove.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a tool generally indicated by reference numeral 10 embodying the features of the present invention.

The tool 10 includes a main body 12 having a pair of handles 14 and 1 6 securely attached to the main body and extending in opposite directions therefrom. The main body 12 includes a plurality of fastener engaging means for engaging a plurality of threaded fasteners of the type commonly utilized to maintain a shock absorber unit within the shroud of a MacPherson strut assembly. Examples of such prior art threaded fasteners are shown in Figures 4 through 9. The main body 12 is of a generally rectangular box-like configuration and has a plurality of fastener engaging means formed on each of the four sides to which the handles 14 and 16 are not attached.

In order to utilize all four available surfaces of the rectangular main body 12, a pair of piston rod receiving channels are formed therethrough in a perpendicular relation with one another. A first channel 18 begins at a surface 20 (Figure 1) and extends through the main body where it terminates at the surface 22 (Figure 2). A pair of plastic sleeves 24 and 26 are positioned within the channel 18 adjacent the surfaces 20 and 22, respectively, to support the tool around the associated piston rod of the shock absorber without marring the surface thereof. A second piston rod receiving channel 28 begins at the surface 30 (Figure 1) and extends through the main body, intersecting the channel 18, and terminating at the surface 32 (Figure 2).As was the case for the first channel 18, a pair of plastic sleeves 34 and 36 are positioned within the channel 28 near the ends thereof to support the main body about the shock absorber piston rod.

The various fastener engaging means incorporated on the main body 12 will now be discussed. In Figure 1, the outer surface 20 has a pair of upwardly extending wall members 38 having inner wall surface 39 which, in conjunction with the gap between wall members 38, define an octagonal recess for removing a fastener 40 of the type shown in Figure 4. The inner wall surfaces 39 are adapted to engage the octagonal periphery 41 of the threaded fastener 40. The wall members 38 also include inner wall surfaces 42 which are positioned above and outwardly of the wall surfaces 40 to define a similar, but larger, octagonal recess.

In Figure 1, the surface 30 has an elongate keyway 44 formed therein for receiving a pair of spaced apart keys 46 which are slidably mounted within the keyway 44. The keys 46 have a generally T-shaped cross section which conforms with the keyway 44. The keys 46 can be adjustably positioned along the keyway 44 by means of a threaded set screw 48 mounted within threaded apertures 50 extending downwardly from the surface 20 into the keyway 44. The fastener engaging means mounted on the keys 46 include square-shaped projections 52 extending outwardly from the inner ends of the key 46 and rectangular-shaped projections 54 extending outwardly from the outer ends of the keys 46. The particular fastener engaging means which are to be utilized to remove a particular fastener are positioned on the inner ends of the keys 46.For example, the projections 52 can be utilized to engage notches 56 of a threaded fastener 58 shown in Figure 5. If it is desired to remove a cap of the type shown in Figure 6, the keys 46 can be removed from the keyway 44 and reversed such that the rectangular projections 54 now appear at the inner ends of the keys 46. The projections 54 can then be utilized to engage a slot 60 formed along the top of a threaded fastener 62.

Referring to Figure 2, the surface 22 includes a generally circular raised portion 64 having three circumferentially-spaced, upstanding projections 66 extending therefrom. The projections 66 provide a fastener engaging means to remove a threaded fastener of the type shown in Figure 7.

The projections 66 can engage three circumferentially-spaced notches 68 positioned around the outer rim of a threaded fastener 70.

The raised portion 64 has a hexagonally shaped recess 72 adapted to receive an adapter element 74. The adapter element 74 includes a lower hexagonally-shaped base 76 which seats within the recess 72 and an upwardly extending hexagonal portion 78. A piston rod channel 80 is centrally located in the adapter element 74. The adapter element 74 is utilized in conjunction with the main body 12 to remove a threaded fastener of the type shown in Figure 8. The hexagonal portion 78 is designed to fit within a hexagonal cutout 82 formed in the top wall of the threaded fastener 84. The hexagonal recess 72 in the main body 1 2 is then utilized to receive the larger hexagonal portion 76.

The surface 32 has an elongate keyway 86 formed therein for receiving a pair of spaced apart keys 88 which are slidably mounted within the keyway 86. The keys 88 have a generally T shaped cross section which conforms with the keyway 86. The keys 88 can be adjustably positioned along the keyway 86 by means of a threaded set screw and aperture arrangement similar to the set screw arrangement utilized to secure the keys 46 shown in Figure 1. The fastener engaging means mounted on the keys 88 include cylindrical pin projections 90 extending outwardly from the inner ends of the keys 88 and slightly larger cylindrical pin projections 92 extending outwardly from the outer ends of the key 88. The projections 90 can be utilized to remove a retaining nut of the type shown in Figure 9.The keys 88 can be positioned along the keyway 88 at a position to permit the projections 90 to be received within circular cutouts 94 of a threaded fastener 96. As was the case for the keys 46 shown in Figure 1, the keys 88 can be removed from the keyway 86 and reversed such that the larger diameter pins 92 can be utilized to remove.

the threaded fastener having circular cutouts of a larger diameter.

Figure 3 illustrates the general operational position of the tool 10. A MacPherson strut assembly 98 includes a cylindrical shroud 100 which contains a shock absorber unit (not shown) having a piston rod 102 extending axially from the upper end of the shroud 100. A threaded fastener 104, similar to the threaded fastener shown in Figure 7, is threadably secured to the upper end of the shroud 1 00. A helical lower spring support 106 surrounds the shroud member 100. When it is desired to remove the threaded fastener 104, the user inserts the piston rod 102 through the piston rod receiving channel 1 8 such that the surface 22 of the body 12 is facing downwardly.

The main body 12 is rested upon the top of the fastener 104 and rotated until the projections 66 are received within notches 108 formed in the outer rim of the fastener 104. The tool can then be rotated to remove the fastener.

It will be appreciated that the keys 46 or 88 can be replaced with an alternative set of keys having different fastener engaging means formed thereon to increase the application of the tool.

In accordance with the provision of the patent statutes, the principle and mode of operation of the invention have been explained in what is considered to represent its best embodiment. It should, however, be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.

Claims

1. A tool for removing a threaded fastener of the type employed to contain a vehicular shock absorber in an associated shroud, the shock absorber having a piston rod extending axially from one end of the shroud and through the associated fastener, the tool comprising: a main body having at least one keyway formed to extend along a portion of the outer surface of said body, and a piston rod receiving channel extending through said body and terminating in the keyway; and a pair of spaced apart keys slidably mounted in the keyway of said body, each of said keys having a fastener engaging means formed thereon for engagement with the threaded fastener to effect removal of the fastener.

2. A tool according to claim 1 including an elongate handle extending from said main body.

3. A tool according to claim 1 wherein said fastener engaging means includes a projection extending outwardly from each of said keys.

4. A tool according to claim 3 wherein said projection is cylindrical.

5. A tool according to claim 3 wherein said projection is generally square-like.

6. A tool according to claim 3 wherein said projection is rectangular-shaped.

7. A tool according to claim 1 including a plurality of fastener engaging means incorporated on the outer surface of said main body.

8. A tool according to claim 7 wherein one of said fastener engaging means includes an octagonal-shaped recess.

9. A tool according to claim 7 wherein one of said fastener engaging means includes three circu mferentia Ily-spaced projections extending outwardly from the outer surface of said main body.

10. A tool according to claim 7 including an adapter element engageable with said main body, said adapter element including a hexagonalshaped projection extending outwardly from said main body.

11. A tool according to claim 1 and further including a second piston rod receiving channel extending through said body in a perpendicular relation to said first channel.

12. A tool according to claim 1 wherein said main body is of a generally rectangular box-like configuration and wherein said piston rod receiving aperture extends perpendicular relative to a pair of opposed outer surfaces of said body.