This disclosure relates to the field of screw-type pullers to pull one part linearly off of another part. In a more limited range, one example of the apparatus is used to remove a Pitman arm from a steering box shaft. The device may also be used to remove sway bars, tie rods etc. which are attached via (spline) shafts and compression devices.
The present invention may be embodied as a pulling system for displacing a first object relative to a second object, the pulling system comprising a threaded shaft, a threaded body, a positioning body, at least one intermediate arm, at least one jaw arm at least one threaded body pivot, at least one intermediate pivot, and at least one positioning body pivot. The threaded shaft defines a shaft axis. The threaded body is threaded onto the threaded shaft such that axial rotation of the threaded shaft relative to the threaded body displaces the threaded body relative to the threaded shaft along the shaft axis. The positioning body is supported for movement along the shaft axis relative to the threaded body. The at least one jaw arm defines a jaw. The at least one threaded body pivot pivotably connects the at least one intermediate arm to the threaded body. The at least one intermediate pivot pivotably connects the at least one intermediate arm to the at least one jaw arm. The at least one positioning body pivot pivotably connects the at least one jaw arm to the positioning body. Displacement of the positioning body towards the threaded body causes the at least one jaw arm to rotate such that the jaw of the at least one jaw arm moves away from the shaft axis. With the threaded shaft in contact with the second object, displacement of the positioning body away from the threaded body causes the at least one jaw arm to rotate such that the jaw of the at least one jaw arm moves towards the shaft axis and engages the first object and axial rotation of the threaded shaft displaces the threaded body and the positioning body in a pulling direction away from the second object, where displacement of the threaded body in the pulling direction with the at least one jaw in engagement with the first object displaces the first object relative to the second object.
The present invention may also be embodied as a method of displacing a first object relative to a second object comprising the following steps. A threaded shaft defining a shaft axis is provided. A threaded body is threaded onto the threaded shaft such that axial rotation of the threaded shaft relative to the threaded body displaces the threaded body relative to the threaded shaft along the shaft axis. A positioning body is supported for movement along the shaft axis relative to the threaded body. At least one threaded body pivot is arranged to pivotably connect at least one intermediate arm to the threaded body. At least one intermediate pivot is arranged to pivotably connect at least one intermediate arm to the at least one jaw arm. At least one positioning body pivot is arranged to pivotably connect the at least one jaw arm to the positioning body, where the at least one jaw arm defines at least one jaw. Displacing the positioning body towards the threaded body to cause the at least one jaw arm to rotate such that the jaw of the at least one jaw arm moves away from the shaft axis. With the threaded shaft in contact with the second object, displacing the positioning body away from the threaded body to cause the at least one jaw arm to rotate such that the jaw of the at least one jaw arm moves towards the shaft axis and engages the first object and axially rotating the threaded shaft to displace the threaded body and the positioning body in a pulling direction away from the second object, where displacement of the threaded body in the pulling direction with the threaded shaft in engagement with the second object and the at least one jaw in engagement with the first object displaces the first object relative to the second object.
The present invention may also be embodied as a pulling device for displacing a first object relative to a second object, the pulling device comprising a threaded shaft, a threaded body, a positioning body, first and second intermediate arms, first and second jaw arms, first and second threaded body pivots, first and second intermediate pivots, and first and second positioning body pivots. The threaded shaft defines a shaft axis. The threaded body is threaded onto the threaded shaft such that axial rotation of the threaded shaft relative to the threaded body displaces the threaded body relative to the threaded shaft along the shaft axis. The positioning body is supported for movement along the shaft axis relative to the threaded body. The first and second jaw arms each defining a jaw. The first and second threaded body pivots pivotably connect the first and second intermediate arms, respectively, to the threaded body. The first and second intermediate pivots pivotably connect the first and second intermediate arms to the first and second jaw arms, respectively. The first and second positioning body pivots are arranged on opposite sides of the shaft axis to pivotably connect the first and second jaw arms to the positioning body. Displacement of the positioning body towards the threaded body causes the first and second jaw arms to rotate such that the jaws of the first and second jaw arms moves away from the shaft axis. With the threaded shaft in contact with the second object, displacement of the positioning body away from the threaded body causes the first and second jaw arms to rotate such that the jaws of the first and second jaw arms move towards the shaft axis and engage the first object and axial rotation of the threaded shaft displaces the threaded body and the positioning body in a pulling direction away from the second object, where displacement of the threaded body in the pulling direction with the threaded shaft in engagement with the second object and the first and second jaws in engagement with the first object displaces the first object relative to the second object.
Looking to
The universal Pitman arm puller 20 is shown herein in several examples. The components of which may be interchanged by one of ordinary skill in the art.
Beginning with a detailed description of the threaded shaft 22, a first end 24 of the threaded shaft 22 includes a non-cylindrical nut 26. The non-cylindrical nut 26 in the illustration of
In the example shown in
The upper body 28 and/or lower body 30 are longitudinally positionable along the shaft 22 by rotating the shaft 22 relative to either or by longitudinally sliding either the upper body 28 and/or lower body 30 along the threads so as to position the device correctly about a Pitman arm or associated apparatus for removal thereof. For example, an apparatus may be provided in the lower body 30 to allow the lower body 30 to selectively engage or disengage the threads of the threaded shaft 22. The lower body 30 may then be longitudinally moved downward 42 as shown in
On each transverse end of the upper body 28 is provided an upper body pivot 32. In one form, the upper body pivots 32 are formed by way of a surface 34 defining a void through the upper body 28 into which is fitted a pin 36. The pin 36 passes through the upper body 28. In the example shown, a slot 38 is provided in each transverse end of the upper body 28. Into the slot 38 is placed one end of an upper arm 40.
The first end 44 of each upper arm 40 has a surface defining a void there through which allows attachment of the upper arms 40 to the upper body 28 via the pins 36. This allows for rotational movement of the upper arm 40 relative to the upper body 28. Similarly, the second and 46 of each upper arm 40 has a surface defining a void 46a there through. A pin 48 is passed through this surface defining the void forming an outer pivot 50 in the second end 46 of each upper arm 40.
A jaw arm 52 is attached to each lateral side of the lower body 30 by way of a lower body pivot 54 on either lateral side of the upper body 28. The lower body pivots 54 are co-axial in that the axes of rotation are aligned and parallel.
The lower body pivots 54 comprising a surface defining a void 56 through each of the jaw arms 52 into which is positioned a pin 58 which also engages the lower body 30. In one form, the pin 58 is a unitary structure with the lower body 30. To allow longitudinal movement of the lower body 30 relative to the shaft 22, it is generally not desired for the pin 58 to pass through the threaded shaft 22.
Looking to
The term Pitman arm is used herein is a common use for this particular part, however it is to be understood that the tool can be utilized for removal and installation of other parts. The term Pitman arm will be used in this disclosure for ease in description.
Once the jaws 74 are in the correct position about the Pitman arm 76, a tool is utilized to engage the non-cylindrical nut 26 and rotate the threaded shaft 22 relative to the upper body 28 and lower body 30. This rotation of the shaft relative to the threaded upper body 28 and lower body 30 results in upward longitudinal linear movement 78 of the upper body 28, lower body 30, and jaw arms 52, relative to the shaft 22 due to the inner threaded surfaces of the upper body 28 and/or lower body 30.
Looking specifically to
This alignment of the jaws 74 through the plane 92, in combination with the arrangement of the jaw arms 52 provides a much stronger and more easily adjustable device than that shown in prior art devices.
Also shown is a handle 96 which may be used to position or carry the universal Pitman arm puller 20. The handle in one example may be used to control linear movement of the lower body 30 by selectively engaging the threads 98 on the shaft 22 upon movement of the handle 96 relative to the lower body 30.
While the present invention is illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claims will readily appear to those sufficed in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants' general concept.
This application (Attorney's Ref. No. P218463us) is a 371 of International PCT Application No. PCT/IB2015/002481 filed Oct. 23, 2015, currently pending. International PCT Application No. PCT/IB2015/002481 claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/068,389 filed Oct. 24, 2014, now expired. The contents of all related applications cited above are incorporated herein by reference.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/IB2015/002481 | 10/23/2015 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62068389 | Oct 2014 | US |