WO1995019867A1

WO1995019867A1 - Tool and method for installing snap-in retainers

Info

Publication number: WO1995019867A1
Application number: PCT/US1994/000959
Authority: WO
Inventors: Donald Dekle Bartholomew
Original assignee: Proprietary Technology, Inc.
Priority date: 1994-01-24
Filing date: 1994-01-24
Publication date: 1995-07-27
Also published as: AU6232694A

Abstract

The present invention tool (20) is used for installing snap-in retainers (184) within a quick connect assembly (180) and is comprised of a body (26) with an insertion mechanism projecting therefrom. The body (26) is axially split thereby forming a pair of opposing shackles (80 and 82) which are transversely separable from one another for operative association around a male tubular member (182). In one embodiment, the insertion mechanism is comprised of a plurality of fingers (30) which are pivotably collapsible toward an axial centerline (122) of the body (26).

Description

TOOL AND METHOD FOR INSTALLING SNAP-IN RETAINERS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a tool and a method of using same,

and specifically to a tool and a method for installing snap-in retainers within a quick connect tubular system.

In the automotive industry, as well as for many other industries, the need always exists for low cost, reliable and easy to assembly components. This is especially apparent with respect to providing a connection between fluid carrying conduits such as fuel, brake fluid, or refrigerant lines. Traditionally, threaded fittings were used to make these connections, however, excessive assembly time and variation in connection quality often resulted.

More recently, a variety of quick connect assemblies have been used to couple a male end of a tubular member with a female end of a mating tubular

member or a female housing. Many of these quick connect assembly constructions have employed an independent snap-in retainer. Examples of such

snap-in retainers are shown in the following U.S. Patents: 5,069,489 entitled "Bleed-Down Connector Assembly," which issued to Bartholomew on December

3, 1991 ; 5,009,454 entitled "Swivelable Quick Connector Assembly," which issued to Bartholomew on April 23, 1991 ; 4,944,536 entitled "Bleed-Down Connector

Assembly," which issued to Bartholomew on July 31 , 1990; 4,778,203 entitled "Swivelable Quick Connector for High Temperature Connection," which issued to Bartholomew on October 18, 1988; and, 4,681 ,351 entitled "Swivelable Quick Connector Assembly," which issued to Bartholomew on July 21 , 1987, all of which are incorporated by reference herewithin. Various other traditional snap-in retainers have had a round washer-style configuration with compressible arms for engagement with a bushing on the male tubular member and compressible jaws for engagement with a corresponding grooved undercut portion within the female

member.

Occasionally, these snap-in retainers have required assembly aids or

tools for insertion within the female. Such an assembly aid is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,948,175 entitled "Swivelable Quick Connector Assembly," which issued to Bartholomew on August 14, 1990, and is also incorporated by reference herewithin. Additionally, a conventional tool for disengaging the male tubular member from the

snap-in retainer has consisted of a pair of injection molded semi-cylindrical members connected by a living hinge. The semi-cylindrical members can be

inserted between the male tubular member and barbs of the snap-in retainer. This serves to temporarily retract the snap-in retainer's barbs thereby releasing the male tubular member. A similar conventional release tool is disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,024,468 entitled "Push-In Tube Fitting and Release Tool," which issued to Burge

on June 18, 1991 , and is incorporated by reference herewithin. Therefore, a more

versatile and easier to operate installation tool is desired that can be used in

combination with a snap-in retainer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, the preferred embodiment of a tool for use in installing snap-in retainers within a quick connect assembly is comprised of a body with an insertion mechanism projecting therefrom. The body is axially split thereby forming a pair of opposing shackles which are transversely separable from one another for operative association around a male tubular member. In one embodiment, the insertion mechanism is comprised of a plurality of fingers which are pivotably collapsible toward an axial centerline of the body. The collapsing movement is dictated by the amount of axial insertion of the fingers within a mating female member. In a further aspect of the present invention, the pair of shackles of the tool body are transversely separated and compressed together by a pair of cross-linked arms. The present invention further incorporates a method for using the present invention tool to install the snap-in retainer into the female member. The tool and^'method of the present invention can be used to quickly and easily install a snap-in retainer and an associated male tubular member into a mating female member. The tool and method are especially suitable for installation of a washer-style snap-in retainer. Furthermore, the tool of the present invention is convenient to operate due to attachment of cross-linked arms to the split tool body. Additionally, a variety of tool bodies can be alternately mounted upon the cross-linked arms. This provides for a durable, interchangeable, and

versatile tool. Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a tool of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the present invention tool of FIG. 1 , taken along line 2-2, in relation to a male tubular member;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, similar to that of FIG. 2, of an alternate embodiment of the tool of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a quick connect assembly within which the present invention tool of FIG. 1 is used;

FIG. 5 is an end view of a snap-in retainer used within the quick connect assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4, showing a first installation position of the present invention tool in relation to the quick connect

assembly;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view, similar to that of FIG. 6, showing a second

installation position of the present invention tool in relation to the quick connect assembly; FIG. 8 is a sectional view, similar to that of FIG. 6, showing a third installation position of the present invention tool in relation to the quick connect assembly;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view, similar to that of FIG. 6, showing a fourth installation position of the present invention tool in relation to the quick connect assembly;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the tool of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a second quick connect assembly within which the present invention tool of FIG. 10 is used;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view, taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11, of the second quick connect assembly shown in a coupled state; and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view, similar to that of FIG. 12, of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention tool in an inserted position within the second quick connect assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A tool of the present invention is used for installing and, alternatively, for disengaging a snap-in retainer within a quick connect assembly. Such a quick connect assembly is used to connect tubular members to one another or to a housing. Typical applications include fuel lines, brake fluid lines and air conditioning refrigerant lines for automotive vehicles. However, such quick connect assemblies can be used in aircraft, commercial buildings, industrial machinery, et

cetera.

The first preferred embodiment of the present invention tool 20 is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Tool 20 is comprised of a pair of cross-linked arms 22 and 24, a body 26, a buttress ring 28 and a plurality of fingers 30. Arms 22 and 24 each have respective handle portions 36 and 38, pivoting portions 40 and 42 which cross one another, and working portions 44 and 46. Handle portions 36

and 38 are preferably coated with an elastomeric material for comfortable manual

use. Alternately, handle portions 36 and 38 may be integrated into an automated

robotic machine (not shown). Pivoting portions 40 and 42 each have an aligned hole (not shown) therein through which a bolt 50 is inserted. Working portions 44 and 46 each have a plurality of tunnels 52 therein each of which is defined by a cylindrically-shaped inside surface 54.

Body 26 is cup-shaped and has a peripheral wall 60 projecting from a substantially flat base 62. Peripheral wall 60 has an annular configuration and

is defined by an exterior surface 64 and an interior surface 66. Peripheral wall 60 further has a leading face 68. Base 62 is defined by supporting face 70 and a

substantially parallel trailing face 72. Base 62 also has an interior surface 74 which defines a bore 76 therethrough. Furthermore, body 26 is axially split therethrough

from leading face 68 to trailing face 72 such that a pair of opposing shackles 80 and 82 are formed. Each shackle 80 and 82 has opposing ends 84, 86, 88 and 90. Moreover, interior surfaces 66 and 74 along each shackle 80 and 82 are semi¬ circular in shape. Shackles 80 and 82 are transversely separable from one another by actuation of handle portions 36 and 38 of cross-linked arms 22 and 24, respectively. A plurality of cylindrically-shaped inside surfaces 92 extend from leading face 68 to trailing face 72 and define tunnels 94 therethrough. These tunnels 94 are interposed at various locations along peripheral wall 82 of body 26.

Tunnels 94 of body 26 are concentric with tunnels 52 of cross-linked arms 22 and 24 such that a mandrel 96 is insertable therein. Mandrel 96 is defined by a head

97, a shaft 98 and a circumferential groove 99. Adjacent to each mandrel 96, a threaded cylindrically-shaped inside surface 100 extends through peripheral wall

60 from exterior surface 64 to tunnel 94. A set screw 102 is inserted within threaded surface 100 and securely engages groove 99 of mandrel 96. Therefore, working portions 44 and 46 of cross-linked arms, respectively 24 and 22, are secured to trailing face 72 of shackles 82 and 80, respectively.

Buttress ring 28 has an annular configuration defined by an outside surface 110, an inside surface 112, a leading face 114 and a trapping face 116.

Furthermore, buttress ring 28 is axially split into a first half 118 and a second half 120, both of which are coincidental with shackles 80 and 82, respectively. Buttress

ring 28 is permanently joined to body 26. Moreover, cross-linked arms 22 and 24, base 62 and buttress ring 28 are all preferably made from steel. A plurality of fingers 30 project from body 26 and buttress ring 28 in

a substantially axial direction coincidental with an axial centerline 122 of tool 20.

Each finger 30 has an attachment segment 124, a medial segment 126 and an

installation segment 128 at the distal end thereof. Attachment segment 124 is turned back upon itself such that trapping face 116 and outside surface 110 of buttress ring 28 securely fasten fingers 30 against supporting face 70 of base 62 and interior surface 66 of peripheral wall 60. Furthermore, installation segment 128 of each finger 30 is bent inward toward axial centerline 122. In this first preferred embodiment, fingers 30 are substantially rigid in the axial direction but are flexible

about a hinging area 130 which is defined by the intersection of attachment segment 124 and medial segment 126. Additionally, each finger 30 has a partially

cylindrical cross sectional shape thereto which serves to enhance the inherent

expansion spring back characteristics of the spring steel fingers 30.

Referring to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment of the present invention

tool 20 is shown. In this embodiment, a body 140 is annular in shape and has a

semi-cylindrical groove 142 radially depressed within an inside surface 144 thereof. A pivot rod or wire 146 is juxtapositioned coincidental with groove 142 and is attached to body 140. A plurality of fingers 148 have an outboard side 150 and an inboard side 152 with a transversely cut channel 154. Each finger 148 further

has an attachment segment 156, a medial segment 158 and an installation segment 160 at a distal end thereof. A semi-cylindrical flange 162 projects from

outboard side 150 of attachment end 156 located congruent with groove 142. Each flange 162 has a cylindrically-shaped inside surface 164 extending therethrough which defines a passage 166. Pivot rod 146 is juxtapositioned within

passage 166 of flange 162 such that each finger 148 can inwardly pivot

thereabout. An annular shaped spring 170 is located within channels 154 of fingers 148. Spring 170 urges fingers 148 into an expanded nominal state. In this embodiment, body 140 of tool 20 is axially split and can be fastened to a pair of cross-linked arms 22 and 24 (see FIG. 1) in a similar fashion to the construction described with regard to the first preferred embodiment.

An exemplary quick connect assembly 180 within which tool 20 can be used is illustrated in FIGS. 4-9. Quick connect assembly 180 is comprised of a male tubular member 182, a snap-in retainer 184, a bushing 186, a first O-ring 188, a washer 190, a second O-ring 192, a ferrule 194 and a female member or housing 196. Male tubular member 182 has a cylindrical outside surface 198 and a hollow inside surface 200 through which fluid can flow. Male tubular member 182 further has a circumferential bulge 202 formed therearound. Male tubular member 182 is preferably made from a polymeric material as would be known to one skilled in the art. Bushing 186 is a metallic annular member which is placed around the outside surface 198 of male tubular member 182 below bulged portion 202. Snap-in retainer 184 is trapped between bulged portion 202 and bushing 186 around male tubular member 182. First elastomeric O-ring 188, metallic washer 190 and second elastomeric O-ring 192 are juxtaposed around tubular member 182 adjacent to bushing 186. Furthermore, metallic ferrule 194 has a cylindrical segment 204 which is inserted within inside surface 200 of male tubular member 182. This expands portion of male tubular member 182 and serves to secure bushing 186. Ferrule 194 also has a circular flange 206 which radially extends from an end thereof. Flange 206 aids in the retention of O-rings 188 and 192 and washer 190 upon male tubular member 182. Female housing 196 has a frusto- conical lead-in portion 210, an adjacent enlarged radially flanged portion 212, a grooved undercut portion 214, a radially tapered portion 216 and a receptacle

portion 218 which defines a bore 220 therethrough.

Snap-in retainer 184 has a circular washer-shaped configuration and is comprised of a pair of symmetrical semi-circular outer claws 230 and a pair of semi-circular inner retention arms 232. Claws 230 provide an engagement structure for lockably interfacing with grooved undercut portion 214 of female

housing 196. Retention arms 232 serve to engage exterior surface 198 of male

tubular member 182. The free state outside diameter of snap-in retainer 184 should preferably be smaller than the maximum diameter of the female entry

chamfer. Snap-in retainer 184 is preferably made from a metallic material as would be known to one skilled in the art. However, a variety of other quick connect

assemblies having differing male tubular members, mating female members and snap-in retainers can of course be employed in association with the present invention tool 20. As is illustrated in FIG. 6, installation segment 128 of each finger 30 is proximate with an upper face 233 of snap-in retainer 184 and applies axially compressive forces thereagainst. Such axially compressive forces can be manually

or mechanically generated. Prior to engagement of snap-in retainer 184 and

fingers 30 with female housing 196, claws 230 and fingers 30 are in their expanded nominal positions. As is shown in FIG. 7, when retainer 184 and fingers 30 are engagably inserted within lead-in portion 210 of female housing 196, claws 230 and installation segments 128 are radially collapsed inward toward axial centerline 122. This collapsing action is caused by contact with lead-in portion 210. FIGS. 8 and 9 further show installation segments 128 of fingers 30 and claws 230 of snap-in retainer 184 being radially compressed by female housing 196 as installation segments 128 and claws 230 further contact lead-in portion 210 and then enlarged radially flanged portion 212. Claws 230 then enlarge as they engage with grooved undercut portion 214. Fingers 30 will return to their expanded nominal positions

when tool 20 is removed from female housing 196. Concurrently, tool 20 can be used to visually inspect for proper installation of male tubular member 182 and snap-in retainer 184 into female housing 196. This visual inspection can be performed by observing if a gap is apparent between leading face 114 of buttress ring 28 in relation to an adjacent surface of female housing 196.

A second preferred embodiment of the present invention tool 20 is

shown in FIGS. 10-13. This embodiment is designed primarily to disengage a male tubular member 250 from a snap-in retainer 252 used in a quick connect assembly 254. Tool 20 is comprised of a pair of cross-linked arms 256 and 258 which are constructed in a similar fashion to those of the first preferred embodiment. Tool 20 further comprises a body 260 which is axially split into a pair of semi-cylindrical shackles 262 and 264. Shackles 262 and 264 are transversely separable from one

another for installation of male tubular member 250 therewithin. Tool 20 also has

a plurality of stiff partially cylindrical fingers 266 and 268 which project axially from shackles 262 and 264, respectively. Fingers 266 and 268 can be made from sheet steel or polymeric resin. Alternatively, fingers 266 and 268 may have a flat cross sectional configuration, however, this would require a greater number of small

fingers around shackles 262 and 264. The second preferred embodiment of tool 20 can be used in association with a variety of quick connect assemblies. For example, quick connect assembly 254 is comprised of male tubular member 250, snap-in retainer

252, a metallic annular bushing 270, a first elastomeric O-ring 272, a metallic washer 274, a second elastomeric O-ring 276 and a metallic female connector 278.

Snap-in retainer 252 has a base ring portion 280 from which perpendicularly extends a pair of wall segments 282 with an inner leg 286 flexibly attached to each.

Each leg 286 further has a radially projecting flange 288 and an outwardly

protruding barbed formation 290. Snap-in retainer 252 is constructed with gaps

between each wall segment 282 so that each can be inwardly flexed. Snap-in retainer 252 is preferably injection molded from an engineering grade polymeric resin. When installed, barbed formations 290 lockably engage an inwardly turned flange 300 surrounding an end 302 of female connector 278. Concurrently, snap-in retainer 252 is attached to male tubular member 250 by lockably engaging a bead 304 thereon. As is shown in FIG. 13, fingers 266 and 268 of tool 20 are insertable

between barbed formations 290 of snap-in retainer 252 and male tubular member 250. Thus, tool 20 allows male tubular member 250 to become disengaged from snap-in retainer 252 and, in turn, female connector 278.

While the preferred embodiments of an installation tool and a method

of using same have been disclosed, it will be appreciated that various modifications

may be made without departing from the present invention. For example, the

installation tools can be used for many other snap-in retainer constructions beyond those described. Furthermore, the cross-linked arms and mandrel attachment can be used in combination with other tool bodies. Moreover, various materials have been disclosed in an exemplary fashion, however, a variety of other materials may of course be employed. It is intended by the following claims to cover these and any other departures from the disclosed embodiments which fall within the true spirit of this invention.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A tool for use within a quick connect assembly having a snap- in retainer, a male tubular member and a female member thereof, said tool

comprising: a body being defined by an exterior surface and an interior surface

therein both of which are bordered by a leading face and a trailing face thereof, said interior surface of said body defining a cylindrically shaped bore extending

therethrough, said body being split therethrough from said leading face to said

trailing face such that said body is further comprised of a pair of opposing

shackles, said interior surface of each of said pair of shackles being semicircular

in shape and having a pair of ends thereon, said pair of shackles being transversely separable from one another for installation of said male tubular member within said interior surface of said body; means for generating axially directed force to compress said leading face of said body toward said female member; at least a pair of fingers projecting from said body in a substantially axial direction thereto, said plurality of fingers being substantially rigid in said axial

direction, said plurality of fingers having an attachment segment and an installation segment oppositely projecting therefrom separated by a medial segment

therebetween, said installation segment of said pair of fingers being insertable within said female member.

2. The tool of Claim 1 being used for installing said snap-in

retainer and said male tubular member into said female member, said tool further comprising:

a plurality of fingers being pivotally attached to said body at said attachment segments thereof, said attachment segments of said plurality of fingers

having a substantially fixed diametral dimension as measured from an axial centerline of said body, said installation segments of said plurality of fingers having a variable diametral dimension as measured from said axial centerline of said body, said installation segments of said plurality of fingers uniformly transferring said axially directed force from said body to a corresponding section of said snap-in retainer, said installation segments , of said plurality of fingers being radially collapsed toward said axial centerline of said body by an adjacent portion of said female member during installation of said snap-in retainer therein; and means for expanding said installation segments of said fingers to a nominal expanded state upon removal from said female member.

3. The tool of claim 2 wherein: said body further comprises a cup-shaped structure having a peripheral wall projected from a base which defines a cavity therein; said body also comprises a buttress ring being snugly juxtapositioned within said cavity of said cup-shaped structure, said buttress ring

has a substantially annular configuration thereof defined by an outside surface, a cylindrically shaped inside surface, a leading face which is coincidental with said

leading face of said body, and a trapping face thereof, said buttress ring is split coincidental with said pair of shackles;

said attachment portions of said plurality of fingers are affixed at least

between the corresponding portion of said trapping face of said buttress ring and the corresponding portion of said base of said cup-shaped structure; and said medial segments of said plurality of fingers coincide with said inside surface of said buttress ring and project axially beyond said leading face thereof.

4. The tool of Claim 3 wherein:

said medial segment and said installation segment of each of said plurality of fingers flexibly pivot about said attachment segment thereof near the

intersection of said inside surface and said trapping face of said buttress ring therebehind.

5. The tool of Claim 2 wherein:

said plurality of fingers are partially cylindrical in a transverse cross sectional shape thereof.

6. The tool of Claim 2 wherein: said plurality of fingers are formed spring steel.

7. The tool of Claim 2 wherein: said expansion means is further comprised of the spring-back

interaction of a transverse cross section shape of said plurality of fingers and the inherent spring rate of said spring steel used therein.

8. The tool of Claim 2 wherein:

said plurality of fingers are spatially interposed away from each other in said transverse cross sectional direction when said plurality of fingers are in said

nominal expanded state thereof; and each of said installation segments of said plurality of fingers

substantially contact the adjacent of said installation segments when said plurality of fingers are in said collapsed state thereof.

9. The tool of Claim 2 wherein:

said attachment segment of said plurality of fingers each have a bent digit which inwardly extends therefrom for pushing against said snap-in retainer.

10. The tool of Claim 2 wherein: said body has at least one pivot rod juxtapositioned adjacent to said interior surface thereof; and said plurality of fingers each have a flange mounted on an outboard side thereof, said flange has a passage extending therethrough for pivotal

engagement with said pivot rod attached to said body.

11. The tool of Claim 1 further comprising:

a pair of cross-linked arms being attached to said body such that one

of said pair of cross-linked arms is attached to a first of said pair of shackles and

the other of said pair of cross-linked arms is attached to the opposite of said pair of shackles, said pair of cross-linked arms separating and compressing together said pair of shackles of said body around said male tubular member.

12. The tool of Claim 1 wherein:

said female member has a frusto-conical lead-in portion therein and an enlarged radially flanged portion juxtapositioned adjacent to a narrower end

thereof within which said snap-in retainer is lockably engaged.

13. The tool of Claim 1 being used for disengaging said male tubular member from said snap-in retainer located within said female member, said tool further comprising: said pair of fingers being affixed to said body at said attachment segments thereof, said pair of fingers being insertable between at least one barbed formation of said snap-in retainer and said male tubular member thereby allowing said male tubular member to become disengagable from said snap-in retainer and said female member.

14. A method for using a tool for installing a snap-in retainer into a female member having a frusto-conical lead-in portion therein and an enlarged radially flanged portion juxtapositioned adjacent to a narrower end thereof, said method comprising: (a) pushing said snap-in retainer in an axial direction by an installation mechanism of said tool;

(b) collapsing a preselected portion of said snap-in retainer and an adjacent segment of said installation mechanism of said tool when both are juxtapositioned within said lead-in portion of said female member; (c) expanding said preselected portion of said snap-in retainer when said snap-in retainer is axially positioned within said enlarged radially flanged portion of said female member; and

(d) expanding said installation mechanism of said tool upon removal from said female member.

15. The method of Claim 14 wherein said tool further comprises: a body being defined by an exterior surface and an interior surface therein both of which are bordered by a leading face and a trailing face thereof, said interior surface of said body defining a cylindrically shaped bore extending therethrough, said body being split therethrough from said leading face to said

trailing face such that said body is further comprised of a pair of opposing shackles, said interior surface of each of said pair of shackles being semicircular in shape and having a pair of ends thereon, said pair of shackles being

transversely separable from one another for installation of said male tubular

member within said interior surface of said body;

means for generating axially directed force acting to compress said leading face of said body toward said lead-in and enlarged radially flanged portions of said female member; said installation mechanism is defined by a plurality of fingers projecting from said body in a substantially axial direction thereto, said plurality of

fingers being substantially rigid in said axial direction, said plurality of fingers

having an attachment segment and an installation segment oppositely projecting

therefrom separated by a medial segment therebetween, said plurality of fingers being pivotally attached to said body at said attachment segments thereof, said attachment segments of said plurality of fingers having a substantially fixed diametral dimension as measured from an axial centerline of said body, said

installation segments of said plurality of fingers having a variable diametral

dimension as measured from said axial centerline of said body, said installation segments of said plurality of fingers uniformly transferring said axially directed force from said body to a corresponding section of said snap-in retainer, said installation segments of said plurality of fingers being radially collapsed toward said axial centerline of said body by said lead-in portion of said female member during installation of said snap-in retainer therein; and means for expanding said installation segments of said fingers upon removal from said lead-in portion of said female member.

16. The method of Claim 15 further comprising:

(a) separating said pair of shackles in a transverse direction from one another;

(b) installing said male tubular member within said interior surface of said shackles; and

(c) compressing said pair of shackles transversely against one another to surround said male tubular member.

17. The method of Claim 16 wherein: said body further comprises a cup-shaped structure having a peripheral wall projected from a base which defines a cavity therein; said body also comprises a buttress ring being snugly juxtapositioned within said cavity of said cup-shaped structure, said buttress ring

leading face of said body, and a trapping face thereof, said buttress ring is split

coincidental with said pair of shackles;

said attachment portions of said plurality of fingers are affixed at least between the corresponding portion of said trapping face of said buttress ring and

the corresponding portion of said base of said cup-shaped structure; and said medial segments of said plurality of fingers coincide with said inside surface of said buttress ring and project axially beyond said leading face thereof.

18. The method of Claim 16 further comprising:

a pair of cross-linked arms being attached to said body such that one

the other of said pair of cross-linked arms is attached to the opposite of said pair of shackles, said pair of cross-linked arms acting to separate and compress together said pair of shackles of said body around said male tubular member.

19. The method of Claim 15 wherein:

said expansion means is further comprised of the spring-back interaction of a transverse cross section shape of said plurality of fingers and the

inherent spring rate of a spring steel material used therein.

20. A tool comprising:

a body being defined by an exterior surface and an interior surface

therein both of which are bordered by a leading face and a trailing face thereof, said interior surface of said body defining a cylindrically shaped bore extending therethrough, said body being split therethrough from said leading face to said trailing face such that said body is further comprised of a pair of opposing shackles, said interior surface of each of said pair of shackles being semicircular in shape and having a pair of ends thereon, said pair of shackles being transversely separable from one another for installation of a tubular member within said interior surface of said body; and

a pair of cross-linked arms being attached to said body such that one of said pair of cross-linked arms is attached to a first of said pair of shackles and

the other of said pair of cross-linked arms is attached to the opposite of said pair of shackles such that said pair of shackles cannot move independently of said pair

of cross linked arms, said pair of cross-linked arms each having at least one

fastening mechanism proximate therewith for releasably attaching said body

thereto, said pair of cross-linked arms acting to separate and compress together said pairs of shackles of said body around a male tubular member.

21. The tool of Claim 20 wherein said fastening mechanism further comprises: said body having a plurality of cylindrically-shaped inside surfaces

extending from said leading face thereof to said trailing face thereof which define a plurality of tunnels extending therethrough; each of said pair of cross-linked arms being further comprised of a handle portion, a pivoting portion and a working portion thereof, said working portions each having a cylindrically-shaped inside surface defining a tunnel

therethrough, said tunnels of said body and said pair of cross-linked arms being

concentrically aligned with one another; and

a plurality of mandrels being securely juxtapositioned within said tunnels of said body and said pair of cross-linked arms thereby attaching said body and said pair of cross-linked arms together.

22. The tool of Claim 21 further comprising:

said body having a threaded inside surface transversely extending therethrough from said exterior surface thereof to said tunnel thereof; and

a threaded fastener engaging said threaded inside surface of said body and securely fastening said body to said mandrel therein.

23. The tool of Claim 20 wherein:

said tool is used for installing a snap-in retainer into a female

member.

24. The tool of claim 23 further comprising: means for generating axially direct force to compress said leading face of said body toward said female member; and an insertion mechanism projecting from said body in a substantially axial direction thereto, said insertion mechanism transferring said axially directed force from said body to a corresponding section of said snap-in retainer.