GB2562713A

GB2562713A - Splitting device

Info

Publication number: GB2562713A
Application number: GB1706673.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Godfrey Williams David
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-04-27
Filing date: 2017-04-27
Publication date: 2018-11-28
Also published as: GB201706673D0

Abstract

A splitting device 100 for use in splitting a collar 18 fastened to a bolt, comprises an open mouth which receives a portion of the collar to be split, a pair of depth-limited blades 50, 52 disposed within the mouth, and actuating means, such as a hydraulic actuator, operable to move at least one blade relative to the other blade, such that the collar can be split in half. The device can be hand-held and battery powered. The mouth can be positioned at the proximal end of the device, which comprises an elongate body and handle. The open mouth can lie in a plane which is offset by an angle of around 25, 45 or 90 degrees from the plane of the body. One of the blades can be fixed while the other is moveable. The hydraulic actuator can act on a push rod 108 which abuts against the read of the movable blade and urges it towards the fixed blade. The splitting device can be used to remove a collar associated with, or attached to, a bolt located on the body of an aircraft, such as on the wings or fuselage.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Splitting device

Abstract Title: Collar splitting device (57) A splitting device 100 for use in splitting a collar 18 fastened to a bolt, comprises an open mouth which receives a portion of the collar to be split, a pairof depth-limited blades 50, 52 disposed within the mouth, and actuating means, such as a hydraulic actuator, operable to move at least one blade relative to the other blade, such that the collar can be split in half. The device can be hand-held and battery powered. The mouth can be positioned at the proximal end of the device, which comprises an elongate body and handle. The open mouth can lie in a plane which is offset by an angle of around 25, 45 or 90 degrees from the plane of the body. One of the blades can be fixed while the other is moveable. The hydraulic actuator can act on a push rod 108 which abuts against the read of the movable blade and urges it towards the fixed blade. The splitting device can be used to remove a collar associated with, or attached to, a bolt located on the body of an aircraft, such as on the wings or fuselage.

2/7

3/7

4/7

5/7

?ι<3·5

517

TlCj. β

SPLITTING DEVICE

Technical Field Of The Invention

This invention relates to a splitting device for use in removing part of a fastener. In particular, this invention relates to a splitting device that can be used quickly and easily to remove part of a bolted fastener from the body of an aircraft. This invention is particularly useful for removing part of a bolted fastener completely and safely without any damage to the bolt, or to the adjacent aircraft body, fuselage and subassemblies.

Background

It is known when manufacturing aircraft that the fuselage, wing assemblies and subassemblies are assembled using many fasteners. These fasteners generally comprise a bolt having a threaded portion at one end thereof and a countersunk head at the opposite end thereof, which can be received flush inside a countersunk hole on the outer surface of the aircraft body. The threaded end of the bolt receives a collar on the inside of the aircraft, such that the fastener is used to clamp, crimp or secure the panels forming the fuselage, wing assemblies and/or subassemblies.

During manufacture of the aircraft it is often desirable to remove some or all of these fasteners to replace them with permanent fasteners or fixings. Various cutting and splitting tools and systems have been devised and are available in the marketplace to address this problem. However, most utilise comprised air, and the associated compressed air or hydraulic hoses make it difficult to manoeuvre and position the tool, and can present trip hazards for operatives. Hand-held powered splitting tools have been developed in order to address this problem, and which comprise a hydraulically-driven pair of blades that are able to be positioned over the collar at the mouth of the tool at a convenient angle and position, and split the collar in half by the action of blades moving towards each other.

These splitting tools generally include a guard which in use prevents the splitting blades protruding beyond the mouth of the tool and damaging the surface adjacent to the collar when it is split or cut in half. Damaging or marking the body of the aircraft is a most unwanted occurrence, as this will necessitate reworking and introduce manufacturing delays and further costs. Such known tools are also sometimes known to, by the action of the blades, damage the bolt of the fastener by cutting into, or otherwise marking or scratching the shaft and/or thread of the bolt. Where possible, the bolts are designed to be re-used, and when the bolts have been cut, marked, scratched or damaged in any way, even minimally or superficially, they cannot be used again with aircraft manufacture and are usually discarded. There is also the risk that a bolt that has been cut, marked, scratched or damaged in this manner will also consequently cause damage to the adjacent aircraft body, fuselage and subassemblies as it is removed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a splitting device which overcomes or reduces the drawbacks associated with known products of this type. It is an object of the present invention to provide a splitting device that can be used to quickly and easily split a collar generally in half without causing any damage to the surface of the aircraft adjacent to the splitting device, and without damage to the bolt itself. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a splitting device that safely retains the two split halves of the collar in place preventing them from bursting apart and damaging the inside of the aircraft and/or any of its subassemblies, and/or presenting a hazard to the operator of the splitting device. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a splitting device having depth-limiting blades and which can split curvilinear-shaped collars. Use of the present invention, in a hand-held powered device, enables the splitting operation to be carried out speedily and safely, and thereby minimising rework and expense for the aircraft manufacturer.

Summary Of The Invention

The present invention is described herein and in the claims.

According to the present invention there is provided a splitting device for use in splitting a collar fastened to a bolt, the splitting device comprising:

an open mouth which receives a portion of the collar to be split;

a pair of depth-limited blades disposed within the mouth; and actuating means being operable to move at least one blade relative to the other blade, such that the collar can be split in half.

An advantage of the present invention is that it can be used to quickly and safely split a collar in half without damage to the adjacent aircraft body, fuselage or subassemblies, or to the bolt itself.

Preferably, the device is hand-held and being powered by a battery.

Further preferably, the mouth is positioned at the proximal end of the device, and the device comprises an elongate body and a handle.

In use, the actuating means may comprise a hydraulic actuator.

Preferably, the open mouth of the device lies in a plane which is offset by an angle of around 25 degrees from the plane of the body.

Further preferably, the open mouth of the device lies in a plane which is offset by an angle of around 45 degrees from the plane of the body.

In use, the open mouth of the device may lie in a plane which is offset by an angle of around 90 degrees from the plane of the body.

Preferably, one of the pair of blades is fixed and the other one of the pair of blades is moveable.

Further preferably, the hydraulic actuator acts on a push rod which abuts against the rear of the moveable blade and urges it towards the fixed blade.

In use, the abutment between the moveable blade and the push rod may be located within a bearing block.

Preferably, the bearing block is removable from the device for service or repair.

Further preferably, the device includes a protection shim being disposed at either side of the mouth.

In use, the protection shim may be disposed at one side of the mouth.

Preferably, the protection shim is formed from a plastics and/or metal material.

Further preferably, the outer surface of the protection shim being smooth and/or polished and which contacts a surface when in use.

In use, the push rod acts on the moveable blade in a translational manner.

Preferably, the moveable blade moves in a slideable back-and-forth manner firstly outwardly under the influence of the push rod and secondly is returned via a return spring which is operable after the outward stroke travel.

Further preferably, the return spring abuts against an adjustable collar on the push rod to limit the outward stroke thereof.

In use, the adjustable collar may be coaxial with the centreline of the push rod.

Preferably, the device further comprises a second return spring to retract the movable blade.

Further preferably, the device further comprises one or more anti-twist slides to limit rotational movement of the actuating means.

In use, the blades may be dimensioned of equal size and shape.

Preferably, each blade is generally rectangular with two opposing rounded edges when in plan view from above, and having a pair of lateral faces.

Further preferably, each blade having a cutting edge situated symmetrically between the lateral faces, and a depth stop positioned at either side of the cutting edge.

In use, the blade may have a stepped indent or notch either side of the cutting edge for receiving the proximal end of the collar which abuts against the surface.

Preferably, the depth stop permits the cutting edge to penetrate, and split, the collar without cutting into or marking or scratching the bolt.

Further preferably, the outer surface of the collar to be split is curvilinear in profile.

In use, each blade may be formed as a triangular prism and having a rear side which abuts against the actuating means when in use, a cutting edge formed at the comer opposite to the rear side, and depth-limiting faces positioned at either side of the cutting edge and which abut against the collar when in use.

Preferably, the depth-limiting faces are truncated to allow the cutting edge to be positionable inside the device in one of three positions.

Further preferably, the splitting device and parts thereof is formed from a welded construction and/or machined and/or pressed and/or cast and/or forged from a suitable metal material.

The use of a splitting device as hereinbefore described to remove a collar associated with, or attached to, a bolt located on the body of an aircraft, including the fuselage and/or wing of an aircraft.

A method of splitting a collar attached to a bolt located on the body of an aircraft, the method involving the use of the splitting device as hereinbefore described.

A blade for use with the splitting device as hereinbefore described.

Also according to the present invention there is provided a blade for use in splitting a collar fastened to a bolt, the blade comprising a cutting depth stop which abuts against the collar when in use, and which prevents the blade from cutting into or marking or scratching the bolt.

It is believed that a splitting device and blade for use in splitting a collar in accordance with the present invention at least addresses the problems outlined above.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variations of the present invention are possible and it is intended that the present invention may be used other than as specifically described herein.

Brief Description Of The Dra wings

The present invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view from the side and above of a bolt and collar forming a fastener for securing aircraft panels, the collar shown having been split in half by the splitting device of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a cross sectional perspective view of the internal components inside the head of a collar splitting device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is a side perspective view from above of one of the pair of blades of the splitting device of Figure 2;

Figure 4 illustrates a side perspective view from above of a blade according to a second embodiment of the present invention and shows one of a pair of depth-limited blades that can be used within the mouth of a 45 degree collar splitting device;

Figure 5 is a plan view from above of a pair of blades as shown in Figure 4 and illustrates how the blades are urged against the collar when in use to split it without damaging the bolt of the fastener;

Figure 6 shows a side perspective view from below of a third embodiment of a depthlimited blade in accordance with the present invention, the blade of the third embodiment being configured such that it can be used in any one of three positions to extend the useable life of the splitting blade; and

Figure 7 illustrates a side perspective view from below of a depth-limited blade of a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and shows one of a pair of depth-limited blades that can be used within the mouth of a 90 degree collar splitting device.

Detailed Description Of The Preferred Embodiments

The present invention has adopted the approach of utilising a splitting device that can quickly and easily split a collar generally in half without causing any damage to the surface of the aircraft adjacent to the splitting device, and without damage to the bolt itself. Advantageously, the present invention provides a splitting device that safely retains the two split halves of the collar in place preventing them from bursting apart and damaging the inside of the aircraft and/or any of its subassemblies, and/or presenting a hazard to the operator of the splitting device. Further advantageously, the present invention provides a splitting device having depth-limiting blades and which can split curvilinear-shaped collars. Use of the present invention, in a hand-held powered device, enables the splitting operation to be carried out speedily and safely, and thereby minimising rework and expense for the aircraft manufacturer.

Referring now to the drawings, a fastener 10 of the type with which a splitting device is to be used is illustrated in Figure 1. The fastener 10 comprises a bolt 12. The bolt 12 had a threaded section or portion 14 at one end thereof. At the opposite end thereof is a head 16, which is generally configured as a countersunk head, for aircraft manufacture. The skilled person will appreciate that the countersunk head 16 of the bolt 12 can be received flush inside a countersunk hole on the outer surface of the aircraft body (not shown). The threaded end 14 of the bolt 12 receives a collar 18 on the inside of the aircraft, and which, when assembled, is used to clamp, crimp or secure the panels of the fuselage, wing assemblies and/or subassemblies together.

As shown in Figure 1, the collar 18 has an internal thread, or is otherwise dimensioned or sized, to be secured or crimped around the threaded portion 14 of the bolt 12. The collar 18 is generally annular when in plan view from above, and is formed having a radiallyextending proximal end 20 which seats or abuts against the surface to be clamped between the collar 18 and the head 16 of the bolt 12. The opposite, distal end 22 of the collar 18 being chamfered or otherwise rounded to prevent sharp edges and minimise the risk of damage to parts of the aircraft structure or to operator of the splitting device. It is important to note that the outer circumference of the collar 18 from the proximal and 20 to distal end 22 is not rectilinear, but is often curved or generally curvilinear.

Figure 1 also shows that the collar 18 has been split in half across its diameter and along split lines 24 by the action of the splitting device 100 of the present invention, as described in detail below.

One type of hand-held powered splitting device 100 for removing or splitting the collar 18 of the fastener 10 is shown in Figure 2. As mentioned above, collars 18 that used to secure bolt fixings 12 in aircraft manufacture come in a variety of shapes and sizes. These collars 18 need to be removed as often the securing bolts used during aircraft section build are replaced with new bolts at the end of assembly process. The accessibility of the collars 18 is often a challenge as they can be tucked away behind and beneath stringers and ribs such that the collar 18 can sometimes be accessed from a position vertical to collar 18 axis to a position at 90 degrees to same axis. Other times it is necessary to access the collar 18 to be cut from angular positions between 0 to 90 degrees.

The preferred approach angle of the splitter tool 100 shown in Figure 2 is 65 degrees to the vertical axis of the collar 18, and depicted by angle β. The proximal or head end 102 of the device 100 is shown in Figure 2, and the skilled person will understand that many of the internal components, such as the body and grip of the device 100 are omitted for reasons of clarity. The proximal end 102 of the device 100 is tilted by approximately 25 degrees (and depicted by angle a) from the surface of the aircraft structure (not shown) so that the operator can position the device 100 easily over the collar 18 to be split inside the aircraft structure.

The proximal end 102 of the device 100 includes a fixed blade 50 and a movable blade 52. When in use, the collar 18 to be cut is placed centrally within a flat location surface 104 and the device 100 is held firmly in contact with the aircraft body or wing (not shown). Hydraulic power is transferred from a central piston 106 via a push rod 108 and onto the abutting movable blade 52 via a projection or member 56 extending form the rear of the blade 52. The angled sliding interface between these parts is located within a bearing block 110 which guides the mating slideable parts and absorbs any lateral forces.

The bearing block 110 is easily removable from the cutting head 102 for service and replacement. A thin protection shim (not shown in Figure 2) may be placed between the cutting head 52 and the aircraft skin to prevent marking same.

As the hydraulic hand tool 100 is single acting, motion return is effected by a substantial return spring 112 after the outward cutting stroke is completed. The spring 112 abuts an adjustable collar 114 on the push rod 108, and the collar 114 also acts as a dead stop to limit overall stroke of the push rod 112.

As the movable blade 52 is independent from the push rod 108 on the return stroke, a smaller spring 116 is linked to the blade 52 to effect opening and return of the movable blade 52. As many of the components and parts of the hydraulic actuator are cylindrical in shape, the device 100 also includes a number of anti-twist slides 118, 120 which are received inside notches in these components to ensure that any unwanted rotational movement is minimised.

As best shown in Figure 3, the blade cutting faces 50, 52 each combine a cutting edge 64 and depth-limiting face 62 to avoid damage to the fasteners 10 during the splitting process.

Figure 3 shows detail of the fixed blade 50 which is used in the splitting device 100 to split the collar 18 of the fastener 10 in half. The shape of the fixed blade 50 being opposite and complementary to that of the movable blade 52, although the skilled person will appreciate that the rearwardly-extending member 54 to which it is attached or integrally formed is different in length to rearwardly-extending member 56, as best shown in Figure 2.

The blade 50 is generally rectangular with two opposing rounded edges when in plan view from above and having a pair of parallel lateral faces 58 which allow the blade 50 to seat inside the device 100. The blade 50 also includes a rounded end wall 60 which defines depth-restricting faces 62 positioned either side of the splitting blade 64. The depth-restricting faces 62 permit the splitting blade 64 to penetrate, and split, the collar 18 without cutting into, or otherwise marking or scratching the shaft and/or thread 14 of the bolt 12. It is the splitting force of the splitting blade 64 against its complementary10 shaped opposing blade 64 that laterally compresses the collar 18 across its diameter and causes it to split, as shown in further detail in Figure 5. The fixed blade 50 also includes a step or notch 66 either side of the blade 64, and which allows the curvilinear form of a collar 18 to be received, and particularly the proximal end 20 of the collar 18 is receivable inside the step 66 when in use.

Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of one of the pair of blades 70 of the present invention. The construction of the second embodiment is very similar to that of the first embodiment and corresponding features have been given the same reference numerals. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the blade 70 is configured to be seated within a splitting device (not shown) in which the hydraulicallydriven pair of blades 70 are positioned over the collar 18 at the mouth of the device at a 45 degree angle and which again splits the collar 18 in half by the action of blades 70 moving towards each other. As shown in Figure 4, the blade 70 of the second embodiment 70 has a generally triangular prism shape with three sides 72, 74, 76. The side 72 that is opposite the blade 78 seats against the hydraulic actuator (not shown in Figure 4) and which urges the blade 70 towards its neighbouring and opposite blade 70, as illustrated in Figure 5.

The blade 70 includes a depth-limiting face or platform 80 to limit the depth that the blade 78 can penetrate into the collar 18 and so as to prevent it contacting, or otherwise marking or scratching, the bolt 12, as best shown in Figure 5 which shows in plan view from above that a pair of opposing blades 70 penetrate the sides of the collar 18 deforming same in a generally C-shape and splitting it into two halves 18a, 18b.

Figure 6 shows a third embodiment of the blade 90. The construction of the third embodiment is very similar to that of the first and second embodiments and corresponding features have been give the same reference numerals. The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that instead of being used in one position only within the splitting device (not shown in Figure 6), it can be rotated inside the device to maximise the cutting life of the blade 78. In this embodiment, the depth restriction platforms 80 are truncated, and which allows the triangular prismshaped blade 90 to be successively seated in one of three configurations.

Figure 7 shows a fourth embodiment of one of the pair of blades 92 of the present invention. The construction of the fourth embodiment is very similar to that of the first, second and third embodiments and corresponding features have been given the same reference numerals. The fourth embodiment differs from the first, second and third embodiments in that the blade 92 is configured to be seated within the splitting device in which the identical, hydraulically-driven pair of blades 92 are positioned over the collar 18 at the mouth of the device at a 90 degree angle and which in use splits the collar 18 in half by the action of blades 92 moving towards each other. As shown in Figure 7, the blade 92 has a generally triangular prism shape with three sides 72, 74, 76. The side 72 opposite the blade 78 seats against the hydraulic actuator (not shown in Figure 7) and which urges the blade 92 towards its neighbouring and opposite blade 92. Figure 7 also shows that the elongated blade 92 also includes a series of registration notches or indents 84 which allow the blade 92 to be received and aligned inside the splitting device (not shown in Figure 7).

The construction of the splitting device 100 can be via any suitable form of metal fabrication, i.e. from a welded and bolted construction. Equally, the device 100, or parts thereof, including the blades 50, 52, 70, 90, 92, can be machined, pressed, cast or forged from a suitable metal. An outer plastic sleeve can be bonded to, or overmoulded, the device 100 using a number of bonding processes known to those skilled in the art.

Various additions and alternations may be made to the present invention. For example, although particular embodiments refer to implementing the present invention with fasteners for aircraft manufacture, this is in no way intended to be limiting as, in use, the present invention can be implemented with any number of threaded fasteners, and in fields and applications outside of aircraft manufacture.

The invention is not intended to be limited to the details of the embodiments described herein, which are described by way of example only. It will be understood that features described in relation to any particular embodiment can be featured in combination with other embodiments.

It is contemplated by the inventor that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Examples of these include the following:

Whilst the blades 50, 52, 70, 90, 92 are generally rectangular in shape with two opposing rounded edges, or formed as a triangular prism, this is in no way intended to be limiting as in use any number of geometric configurations can be utilised, such as cuboid, pentagonal prism, hexagonal prism and/or any suitable elongate polyhedral shape etc. What is key is that the blades 50, 52, 70, 90, 92 include depth-limiting faces 62, 80 to 10 limit the depth that the cutting blade 64, 78 can penetrate into the collar 18 and so as to prevent it contacting, or otherwise marking or scratching, the bolt 12. The above list is in no way intended to be limiting and exhaustive.

03 18

Claims

1. A splitting device for use in splitting a collar fastened to a bolt, the splitting

5 device comprising:

an open mouth which receives a portion of the collar to be split;

2. The splitting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is hand-held and being powered by a battery.

3. The splitting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mouth is positioned at the 15 proximal end of the device, and the device comprises an elongate body and a handle.

4. The splitting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating means comprises a hydraulic actuator.

20 5. The splitting device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the open mouth of the device lies in a plane which is offset by an angle of around 25 degrees from the plane of the body.

6. The splitting device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the open mouth of the device

25 lies in a plane which is offset by an angle of around 45 degrees from the plane of the body.

7. The splitting device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the open mouth of the device lies in a plane which is offset by an angle of around 90 degrees from the plane of the

30 body.

8. The splitting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the pair of blades is fixed and the other one of the pair of blades is moveable.

28 03 18

9. The splitting device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the hydraulic actuator acts on a push rod which abuts against the rear of the moveable blade and urges it towards the fixed blade.

5 10. The splitting devices as claimed in claim 9, wherein the abutment between the moveable blade and the push rod is located within a bearing block.

11. The splitting device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the bearing block is removable from the device for service or repair.

12. The splitting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device includes a protection shim being disposed at either side of the mouth.

13. The splitting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protection shim being 15 disposed at one side of the mouth.

14. The splitting device as claimed in claims 12 or 13, wherein the protection shim is formed from a plastics and/or metal material.

20 15. The splitting device as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the outer surface of the protection shim being smooth and/or polished and which contacts a surface when in use.

16. The splitting device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the push rod acts on the 25 moveable blade in a translational manner.

17. The splitting device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the moveable blade moves in a slideable back-and-forth manner firstly outwardly under the influence of the push rod and secondly is returned via a return spring which is operable after the outward stroke

30 travel.

18. The splitting device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the return spring abuts against an adjustable collar on the push rod to limit the outward stroke thereof.

28 03 18

19. The splitting device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the adjustable collar is coaxial with the centreline of the push rod.

20. The splitting device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the device further comprises 5 a second return spring to retract the movable blade.

21. The splitting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device further comprises one or more anti-twist slides to limit rotational movement of the actuating means.

10 22. The splitting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blades are dimensioned to be of equal size and shape.

23. The splitting device as claimed in claim 22, where each blade is generally rectangular with two opposing rounded edges when in plan view from above, and having

15 a pair of lateral faces.

24. The splitting device as claimed in claim 23, wherein each blade having a cutting edge situated symmetrically between the lateral faces, and a depth stop positioned at either side of the cutting edge.

25. The splitting device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the blade having a stepped indent or notch either side of the cutting edge for receiving the proximal end of the collar which abuts against the surface.

25 26. The splitting device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the depth stop permits the cutting edge to penetrate, and split, the collar without cutting into or marking or scratching the bolt.

27. The splitting device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the outer surface of the 30 collar to be split is curvilinear in profile.

28. The splitting device as claimed in claim 22, wherein each blade is formed as a triangular prism and having a rear side which abuts against the actuating means when in use, a cutting edge formed at the corner opposite to the rear side, and depth-limiting

28 03 18 faces positioned at either side of the cutting edge and which abut against the collar when in use.

29. The splitting device as claimed in claim 28, wherein the depth-limiting faces are 5 truncated to allow the cutting edge to be positionable inside the device in one of three positions.

30. The splitting device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the splitting device and parts thereof is formed from a welded construction and/or machined

10 and/or pressed and/or cast and/or forged from a suitable metal material.

31. The use of a splitting device of any of the preceding claims to remove a collar associated with, or attached to, a bolt located on the body of an aircraft, including the fuselage and/or wing of an aircraft.

32. A method of splitting a collar attached to a bolt located on the body of an aircraft, the method involving the use of the splitting device of any of claims 1 to 30.

33. A blade for use with the splitting device of any of claims 1 to 30.

34. A blade for use in splitting a collar fastened to a bolt, the blade comprising a cutting depth stop which abuts against the collar when in use, and which prevents the blade from cutting into or marking or scratching the bolt.

Intellectual

Property Office

Application No: GB1706673.9