MXPA99000556A - A tool for inserting and removing irreversible clamps, an excentrical tool for inserting and removing irreversib fasteners - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for extracting fasteners having rounded heads, comprising: a) a body, b) a collar, c) means for positioning the body adjacent to portions of diametrically opposed flat upper surfaces of a head. fastener; d) means for coupling to the body with diametrically opposed convex upper portions of the fastener head; e) means for forcefully rotating the body on the diametrically opposed convex upper surface portions, thereby forcibly removing the threaded fastener; means for positioning a passage in the collar so that the longitudinal axis of the passage is not coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the coll

Description

A TOOL TO INSERT AND REMOVE THOSE 3LES. AN EXCENTRIC TOOL FOR INSERTING AND REMOVING IRREVERSIBLE FASTENERS AN EQUIVALENT OF HISTORY ' 1--. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to devices used to remove fasteners and, more particularly, to a device for removing irreversible fasteners having planar portions and convex portions generally located in diametrically opposed quadrants. 2. Background of the Invention Irreversible fasteners are well known. Generally, these fasteners are constructed with features that allow a threaded body portion of the fastener, usually a threaded screw type configuration, to pass through a hole in a structure finally "screwed" into a second structure placed adjacently until A porcidrude bra head is attached to the first structure. Once "that" the head portion engages the first structure, the irreversible fastener is very difficult to remove due to diametrically opposed flat and convex portions that are configured to provide a recess that receives a screwdriver and that allows the screwdriver Forcibly insert the fastener into the second structure when the screwdriver is rotated clockwise, but prevent the screwdriver from removing the fastener when the screwdriver is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of the hands of the clock . Conventional irreversible fasteners are nothing more than a conventional rounded-headed screw with diametrically opposed quadrants that are flat machined. This rounded head feature contributes significantly to the problem of removing an irreversible fastener. Irreversible fasteners are very effective in preventing unauthorized persons or vandals from separating the structures attached by the fastener. However, occasions arise when the difficult task of removing irreversible fasteners is required. The prior art extraction devices use features such as jaws to hold the sides of the head of a fastener for removal. Examples of such devices are illustrated in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,551,320 and 5,533,426. Unfortunately, these devices are not useful when there are no accessible sides to the bra head.

Another prior art extraction device shows a tool having a pair of "tips" for coupling a pair of recesses receiving the tips on the head of an irreversible fastener. Such a device is shown in U.S. Patent 5,450,776 issued to the applicant. The device also includes a collar with asymmetric radial grooves to hold the periphery of the head of the fastener. This tip-recess and collar-head interaction provides the "tool quality" needed to maximize the effect of any rotational force applied to the tool to remove the fastener. This device is limited to extracting a specially designed fastener. The device can not function optimally when a conventional fastener such as that described above is found. There is a need in the art for a quick and inexpensive fastener removal tool for removing irreversible fasteners having heads with flat portions and rounded or convex portions placed in diametrically opposed quadrants. The removal tool can also facilitate removal in situations where the fastener is embedded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for removing irreversible fasteners with rounded heads that solve many of the disadvantages of the prior art. A principal objective of the present invention is to provide a device for removing irreversible fasteners mounted on the surface or inlays. A feature of the device are two projections on the end of a body for coupling corresponding convex portions of the head of a fastener. An advantage of the device is that by attaching a conventional rotary tool to the device, an irreversible, conventional rounded head bra is easily removed. Another object of the present invention is to provide a collar for coupling a perimeter portion of an irreversible fastener. A feature of the present invention is a plurality of projections formed within the collar to physically contact the head of the fastener. Another feature of the present invention is that the body contains projections that are slidably received by the collar. One advantage of the collar is that it helps the body's projections in extracting either a surface-mounted fastener or sausage.

Another advantage of the collar is that it removes a fastener mounted on the surface without using the projections of the body. Another object of the present invention is that it provides a collar capable of removing a conventional fastener having a head with an annular perimeter. A feature of the invention is an integrally attached body-collar construction having a configuration such that the longitudinal axes of the body and the collar are parallel but not aligned. An advantage of the device is that Tana greater amount of rotational force is focused on a smaller portion of the perimeter of the head of the fastener thereby allowing easy removal of a fastener having a head with an annular configuration perimeter. Briefly, there is provided a tool for removing irreversible fasteners comprising a body, a collar adapted to receive the body, and a means for receiving a head portion of the irreversible fastener, the head receiving means being constituted of a plurality of flat walls that they extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the collar, the walls form a plurality of projections that detachably engage the perimeter portions of the head portion of the irreversible fastener; means for removing the irreversible fastener while at least one of the projections physically contacts a perimeter portion of the head portion of the irreversible fastener.

Also provided is a device for removing threaded fasteners with rounded heads comprising means for densely receiving a head portion of the fastener; means for forming a plurality of projections in the head portion means; means for coupling at least one of the projections with a perimeter portion of the head portion of the fastener and means for forcefully rotating the fastener before the projection contacting the perimeter portion of the head portion so the threaded fastener is removed. An extraction device is provided for fasteners having rounded heads comprising a body; means for proximally positioning the body adjacent the flat upper surface portions diametrically opposed to a fastener head; and means for axially aligning the body and the fastener; means for coupling the shaft with the convex upper surface portions diametrically opposed to the head of the fastener and a means for forcing the body to rotate in front of the diametrically opposed convex upper surface portions whereby it forcibly removes the threaded fastener .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above invention and its advantages will be readily appreciated from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read together with the accompanying drawings, which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a tool for removing irreversible fasteners, according to the present invention. - Figure 2 is a sectional view of the collar shown in Figure 1, taken along line 2-2. Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a conventional fastener to be removed with the tool shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a top elevation view of the conventional fastener of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a view in lateral section of a body inserted through a collar, and which is coupled to an inlaid conventional irreversible clip, according to the present invention. Figure 6 is a side sectional view of the body and collar of Figure 2 , but with an irreversible clamp partially extracted.

Figure 7 is a bottom elevation view of the collar, taken along line 7-7 in Figure 1, according to the present invention. Figure 8 is a top section view, of the tool shown in Figure 5, taken along line 8-8. Figure 9 is a top section view of the tool shown in Figure 5, taken along line 9-9. Figure 10 is a top elevation view of the collar that engages the perimeter of the conventional irreversible fastener head with an oval shaped head perimeter, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 11 is a side sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the tool shown in Figure 1, according to the present invention. Figure 12 is an elevation view in side section of an alternative design of the alternative embodiment of the tool illustrated in Figure 11, according to the present invention. Figure 13 is an elevation view in side section of another alternative embodiment of the tool shown in Figure 1, according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY In the illustrations provided, and more particularly in Figures 1, 2 and 3, reference number 10 generally designates a device or tool for removing an irreversible fastener of conventional type. The fastener 12 may be of the threaded screw type having a substantially annular head 13 with diametrically opposed, substantially flat, uniform top surface portions 14, and diametrically opposed, convex upper surface portions 16. The device 10 is made of rigid material and includes a body 20 and a collar 22 that removably receives the body 20 via a conduit 24. To facilitate handling with typical rotating tools, the body 20 can be configured, when taking a view of the first end 26 or clamping end, such as a conventional type trepan including a substantially hexagonal configuration. The hexagonal configuration results from six flat walls 25 formed on the surface of the body 20, each wall having substantially greater longitudinal dimensions relative to the lateral dimensions. The first end 26 or fastening end includes a recess 28 positioned circumferentially to releasably receive a rotating tool. The body 20 further includes a second end 30 of fastener coupling end which is placed on the portions 14 of the upper head surface of the head 13 of the fastener 12. The body coupling end 30 includes two projections 36 diametrically opposite and joined together, each has a substantially square or rhomboidal configuration when taken in a coupling end view of the body 20. The projections 36 have a flat bottom wall 38 which is positioned adjacent the flat portions 14 of the fastener 12. The projections 36 they result from two arcuate recesses 40 machined or otherwise molded into the coupling end 30 in opposite sidewalls of the body 20. The recesses 40 have a configuration that contacts congruently with the body portion 41 of the portions 16. convex of the head 13 of the fastener. Upon substantially contacting between the recess 40 and the body portions 41 of the head 13 of the fastener, the body 20 is allowed to withdraw the fastener 12 with sufficient rotational force that is applied to the fastening end 26 of the body 20. Although the body 20 is able to remove a fastener 12 regardless of whether the fastener 12 is mounted flat or is of the embossed type as in Figures 5 and 6, the greater the contact of the flat bottom wall 38 of the projections 36 with respect to the flat portions 14 and 16 of the fastener 12, the lower the rotational force required to extract the fastener 12. More specifically, the body 20 operates more efficiently-li when the longitudinal axis of the body 20 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the fastener 12. During the removal of the fastener 12, the body 20 has a tendency to "swing" or move away from the axial alignment with the fastener 12. This feature can be its primed when using the collar 22 to stabilize the body 20 when a flat mounted or inlay fastener 12 is removed. With reference to Figures 5 and 8, the collar 22 has a cylindrical outer wall 42, an upper wall 44 which receives the body 20 via a conduit 24 and a lower wall 46 which includes a recess 48 for receiving the fastener 12 during the extraction. The recess 48 is formed from a plurality of flat walls 50 and an equal number of arched walls 52 (see Figure 7) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the collar 22. Preferably, six flat walls and six arched walls are formed around the inner peripheral wall of the recess. The recess 48 includes a portion of cover 54 which is joined with the duct 24 to thereby allow the body 20 to be inserted longitudinally through the entire collar 22. The collar 22 includes a region defining a hole 56 having a portion 58 in the shape of outer truncated cone and an inner portion 60 threaded in a cylindrical shape to removably receive a set screw 62 which is rotated by means of the torsion recess 64. The clamping screw is tightened until the inserted body 20 is engaged in a forced manner to maintain the longitudinal position of the collar 22 on the surface of the body 20. The clamping screw is tightened with an alien wrench of the conventional type with a hexagonal cross-sectional configuration standard. The alien key is received snugly by the key recess 64 having a hexagonal cross-sectional configuration slightly larger in area than the alien key. This fixation screw arrangement allows the body 20 to be juxtaposed relative to the collar 22 in a multiplicity of positions. For example, the body can be adjusted so that the termination surfaces of the projections 36 are coextensive or coplanar with the lower wall 46 of the collar in situations where the fastener is mounted in the plane. Alternatively, the body can be adjusted so that it protrudes beyond the plane formed by the dependent edge of the lower wall 46 of the collar in situations where a recessed fastener must be accessed and removed. With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 9, the flat walls 50 of the recess 48 of the fastener have a substantially rectangular configuration with a longitudinal dimension substantially greater than the lateral dimension. The six flat walls 50 are oriented so that the first lateral edge 66 of each wall is perpendicular to a line tangent to the perimeter of the head 13 of the fastener. The side edges 66 extend a sufficient radial distance to place a first longitudinal edge 68 of each flat wall 50 in physical contact with the perimeter of the head 13 of the fastener. The dimension of the first longitudinal edges 68 is sufficient to maintain physical contact with a perimeter portion of the head 13 of the fastener during the removal of the entire fastener 12. Each longitudinal edge 68 is dimensioned to intercept a cover portion 54 of the fastener. 40 of the fastener and thus form a second side edge that conforms to the relatively arched configuration of the lid portion 54 and that forms the second longitudinal edges 72 of the flat walls 50 slightly smaller in dimension compared to the first longitudinal edges 68. The six arcuate walls 52 extend longitudinally from the lower wall 46 of the collar 22 to the cover portion 54 of the fastening recess 48, and laterally in the clockwise direction, when the lower wall 46 of the collar 22 is observed (cf. 7) from the second longitudinal edge 72 of a flat wall 50 adjacent to the first longitudinal edge 68 of a second adjacent flat wall 50. When an end view of the collar 22 is taken from the lower wall 46, the arcuate walls 52 are shown at acute angles by a relatively short first leg 74 and a slightly larger leg 76. The arcuate wall portions corresponding to the large legs 76 are joined with the first longitudinal edges 68 of the flat walls 50 to form sharp protrusions that finally hold perimeter portions of the fastener 12 as the fastener 12 is removed from a structure. The small arcuate wall portions 52 corresponding to the short legs 74 allow the arcuate wall portions 52 to form a larger gradual arc, corresponding to the large legs 76. The arcuate wall portion 52 that forms a gradual arc allows the collar 22 to rotate while engaging the head 13 of the fastener. Rotation in a counter-clockwise direction is allowed when the lower wall 46 of the collar 22 is observed; however, the collar must be rotated in a clockwise direction while the head 13 of the fastener engages, and the longitudinal ridges formed by the first longitudinal edge 68 of the flat walls 50 are joined to the walls 52 arched "gripping" within perimeter portions of the head 13 of the fastener so they pull out the fastener 12. In operation, a body 20 having a coupling end 30 with two diametrically opposed projections 36 extending therefrom, it is placed adjacent flat portions, diametrically opposed, of a fastener head 13 of a conventional irreversible fastener screwed into a structure. If the fastener 12 is embedded within the structure, as illustrated in Figure 5, the body 20 can only be used to extract the fastener 12 to a position as detailed in Figure 6. Once the fastener 12 has reached the position in figure 6, the body 20 can be used in combination with the collar 22 (and secured to the collar by means of the set screw 62) so that the head 13 of the fastener extends into the recess 46 of the collar fastener. In this joint, the lower wall 46 of the collar 22 engages the surface of a structure from which the fastener 12 is removed. The collar 22 is used to maintain the axial alignment of the longitudinal axis of the body 20 and the fastener 12 and to fastening the head 13 of the fastener by means of six longitudinal projections 68 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the collar 20. When rotated counterclockwise, when the body-collar combination is observed from the first end 26 of the body 20, the body and collar secured allow the fastener 12 to be easily removed until the head of the fastener reaches the cap portion 54 of the recess 46 after which the fastener 12 can be completely removed. Although the present embodiment uses six projections 63 to hold the perimeter portions of the head 13 of the fastener, a greater or lesser number of numbers may be used to remove the fastener 12; however, using six projections 78 configures the recess 48 to remind a conventional receptacle or key with a standardized hexagonal configuration. Referring now to Figure 11, a side sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the device 110 is shown, in accordance with the present invention. Body 112 and collar 114 are integrally formed in a single unitary construction. The conduit 24 and the rotating screw 62 have been removed, but the lower wall 40 of the collar and the recess 48 of the fastener with the flat and arched walls 50 and 52 have the same configurations and the longitudinal projections 68, as detailed in the above . The device 110 is used to extract the fastener 12 when the fasteners are mounted in the plane (as compared to an embedded fastener, see Figure 6) on the surface of a structure. More specifically, the whole head 13 of the fastener is exposed and capable of being held by the projections 66. A rotating device secured to a hexagonal shaped end portion 116 of the body 112 ultimately provides the rotational force required to remove the fastener 12. The alternate device 110 is capable of removing a fastener 12 without the aid of a body 20 with the projections 36 as "detailed in the foregoing, due to the inherent configuration of a conventional irreversible fastener head.

In Figure 12 there is shown an alternative design 110a of the mode 110 integrally formed. The alternative design 110a shows the body 112a having a longitudinal axis 118 out of alignment, but parallel with the longitudinal axis 120 of the collar 114a. Moving the body 112a to a "eccentric" position when the body 112a is coupled to the collar 114a results in a greater amount of force being applied to a small portion of the collar perimeter 114a and the projections 68 placed proximally when a rotating device drives the body 112a. In this way a corresponding increased "gripping" force is exerted on a portion of the perimeter of the fastener head 13 that physically contacts the respective projections 68 receiving the increased force from the collar 114a thereby allowing the collar 114a_ fasten and remove the fastener 12. The "eccentric" body placement can also be used in those configurations where the body is slidably received by the collar as shown in figure 1. Surprisingly and unexpectedly, the inventors have found that the standard procedure "drum" for "terminal" metal products should not be used in the manufacture of the collar 22. Otherwise, the pronounced edges which facilitate the "grip" on the head of the fastener should be removed, doing the extraction more difficult. Instead, the collar and body components are heat treated only. With reference to Figure 13, there is illustrated an elevation view, the side section of another additional alternative embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, according to the present invention. The device 210 includes the body 20 detailed above and a modified collar 212. The collar 212 includes a lower portion 214 with smooth inner surfaces compared to the same region of the collar 22 detailed above. The collar 212 also includes a top portion 216 integrally attached to the bottom portion 214. The body 20, the upper and lower portions 216 and 214 have longitudinal axes aligned. The upper portion 216 includes a cavity 218 that receives a spring 220 having an upper end 221 that engages a latch 222 secured to the body 20 whereby the body 20 is secured to the collar 212. The cavity is substantially asymmetric with a diameter slightly larger than the lateral dimension of the recess 224 in the lower portion 214 whereby a lower wall 226 is formed which engages the lower end 228 of the spring 220. The upper portion 216 further includes a recess 217 which allows the body 20 is inserted longitudinally through the collar 212 until a lower end 230 of the body is positioned relatively close and parallel to a lower flat wall 232 of the collar 212.

In operation, the device 210 is placed on an irreversible fastener 12 so that the recess 224 receives a fastener head 13 mounted on the surface, the bottom wall 232 of the collar 212 engages a structure to which the fastener 12 is attached. , and the lower wall 230 of the body 20 is adjacent to the head 13 of the fastener. A rotary tool is secured to an upper end 234 of the body 20. The rotary tool drives the body 20 downward so that it compresses the spring 220 until the lower wall 230 of the body 20 engages with the flat portions 14 of the fastener 12. Subsequently, the rotating tool rotates the body 20 in a counterclockwise direction until the fastener 12 is removed, after which the rotating tool is removed. The spring 220 then returns to a position having an upper end 221 of the spring 220 that engages in a forced manner with the retaining clip 222 against the inner upper wall 236 of the upper portion 216 of the collar 212 which urges the body 20 to its original position. Therefore, the body 20 is automatically removed from the removed fastener while the fastener 12 remains in the lower portion 214 of the collar 212. "Surprisingly and unexpectedly, the inventors found that, unlike the interior surfaces of the collars indicated before, the lower portion 214 of the collar 212 does not need to have a peripheral inner wall that contains flat and arched walls for gripping within the periphery of the head of the fastener, in order to provide a sufficient torque to remove the fastener. instead of this, the alternative embodiment has smooth inner peripheral surfaces which provide sufficient fastener insertion and removal torque, particularly when the longitudinal axis of the shaft 234 is not coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the collar 212. Although the embodiments mentioned above use a body for interconnecting the collar with a rotating device, A coupling projection, protruding from a pawl and for insertion into a recess centered in the upper wall 44 of the collar 22, can be used to establish a ratchet and receptacle combination for removing conventional irreversible fasteners, as detailed herein. previous. In these instances, a fastener removal tool that has its coupling projection integrally molded with its collar, will provide additional ease of use by personnel. The foregoing description is for purposes of illustration only and is not intended to limit the scope of the protection agreed upon by this invention. The scope of protection must be measured by the following claims, which must be interpreted as widely as the inventive contribution allows.

Claims (21)

1. A tool for removing an irreversible fastener, characterized in that it comprises: a) a body; b) a collar adapted to receive the body; c) means for receiving a head portion of an irreversible fastener, the means is attached to the collar; d) the head receiving means comprises a plurality of flat walls extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the collar, the walls forming a plurality of projections that removably engage perimeter portions of the head portion of the irreversible fastener; and a means for removing the irreversible fastener while at least one of the projections physically contacts a perimeter portion of the head portion of the irreversible fastener.

2. The tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the body includes a means for holding an external wall portion to rotate the body in order to extract the irreversible fastener.

3. The tool according to claim 2, characterized in that the clamping means includes a plurality of flat external walls extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.

4. The tool according to claim 3, characterized in that the flat walls substantially form a hexagonal end view configuration when a body is taken. -

5. The tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the collar includes a substantially cylindrical outer wall.

6. The tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the projections extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the collar, the projections are formed of a first flat wall that joins a second arcuate wall.

7. The tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the extraction means includes orienting the first flat walls perpendicularly to a cooperating perimeter portion of the fastener head portions, and dimensioning the first flat walls to extend laterally to couple the portion of cooperating perimeter of the fastener head portion to thereby forcefully remove the irreversible fastener by rotating the body and integrally attached collar.

8. The tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the extraction means includes a means to focus the rotational force applied to a small portion of the perimeter of the collar.

9. The tool according to claim 8, characterized in that the force focusing means includes displacing the longitudinal axis of the body from the parallel longitudinal axis of the collar.

10. A device for removing threaded fasteners with rounded heads, characterized in that it comprises: a) means for densely receiving a head portion of the fastener; means for forming a plurality of projections in the receiving means of the head portion; b) means for coupling at least one of the projections with a perimeter portion of the head portion of the fastener; and c) means for forcefully rotating the fastener in front of the projection which engages the perimeter portion of the head portion so as to remove the threaded fastener.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the head portion receiving means includes a collar having a recess therein.

12. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the flange forming means includes a first flat wall which is joined to a second arched wall.

13. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the coupling means includes dimensioning the second flat walls so that they extend laterally so as to communicate with a cooperating perimeter portion of the head portion of the fastener.

14. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the forcible rotation means includes orienting the first flat walls perpendicular to the cooperating perimeter portion of the head portion of the fastener.

15. An extraction device for fasteners having rounded heads, characterized in that it comprises: a) a body; b) a means for positioning the adjacent body proximally to diametrically opposed planar top surface portions of a fastener head; c) means for axially aligning the body and the fastener; d) a means for coupling the body with convex upper surface portions diametrically opposed to the head of the fastener; and e) means for forcing the body to rotate in front of the diametrically opposed convex upper surface portions in order to thereby forcefully remove the threaded fastener.

16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that the positioning means includes a body coupling end having diametrically opposed positioning projections.

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that the positioning projections are of substantially square configuration when taking a coupling end view of the body.

18. The device according to claim 15, wherein the axial alignment means includes a collar with a passageway therethrough to removably receive the body, the conduit has an axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the fastener longitudinal axis.

19. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that the conduit is not coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the collar.

20. The device according to claim 15, wherein the coupling means includes a coupling end of the body tiene_un concave recess diametrically opposite to substantially receive the portions of upper surface convex diametrically opposed.

21. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that the forcible swiveling means includes adapting a drive end of the body to releasably receive a rotary tool to extract the fastener.