Patent Application
20190283224
The present invention relates to the installation and removal of retaining rings and, more specifically, to plier systems configured to facilitate the installation and/or removal of retaining rings.
Retaining rings are commonly used to maintain a part within a recess. The retaining ring is resiliently deformable. A retaining groove is formed in the recess, and the part is inserted into the recess past the groove. The retaining ring is deformed to a compressed configuration such that the retaining ring may be inserted into the recess aligned with the retaining groove. The retaining ring is then allowed to expand to an expanded configuration such that the retaining ring is at least partly received within the retaining groove. With the retaining ring at least partly received within the retaining groove in the expanded configuration, at least a portion of the retaining ring engages the part to inhibit removal of the part from the recess. To remove the part from the recess, the retaining ring is deformed from the expanded configuration to the compressed configuration and removed from the retaining groove.
The need exists for improved systems and methods for deforming retaining rings from the expanded configuration to the compressed configuration to facilitate installation and removal of such retaining rings.
The present invention may be embodied as a plier assembly for installing and removing retaining rings comprising a first handle assembly, a second handle assembly, and a drive assembly. The first handle assembly comprises a first frame assembly, a first support block defining a first support block longitudinal axis, where the first support block is pivotably supported by the first frame assembly, and a first tip assembly supported by the first support block. The second handle assembly is pivotably supported for movement relative to the first handle assembly and comprises a second frame assembly, a second support block defining a second support block longitudinal axis, where the second support block is pivotably supported by the second frame assembly, and a first tip assembly supported by the first support block. The drive assembly is supported between the first handle assembly and the second handle assembly. Operation of the drive assembly pivots the first handle assembly relative to the second handle assembly. As the first handle assembly pivots relative to the second handle assembly, the first support block pivots relative to the first handle assembly and the second support block pivots relative to the second handle assembly such that the first support block longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the second support block longitudinal axis.
The present invention may also be embodied as a method of installing and removing retaining rings comprising the following steps. First and second handle assemblies are provided. The first handle assembly comprises a first frame assembly, a first support block defining a first support block longitudinal axis, and a first tip assembly supported by the first support block. The first support block is pivotably supported by the first frame assembly. The second handle assembly comprises a second frame assembly, a second support block defining a second support block longitudinal axis, and a second tip assembly supported by the first support block. The second support block is pivotably supported by the second frame assembly. The first handle assembly is pivotably supported for movement relative to the second handle assembly. A drive assembly is supported between the first handle assembly and the second handle assembly. Operation of the drive assembly pivots the first handle assembly relative to the second handle assembly. As the first handle assembly pivots relative to the second handle assembly, the first support block is allowed to pivot relative to the first handle assembly and the second support block is allowed to pivot relative to the second handle assembly such that the first support block longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the second support block longitudinal axis.
The present invention may also be embodied as a plier assembly for installing and removing retaining rings comprising a first handle assembly, a second handle assembly, a main hinge assembly, and a drive assembly. The first handle assembly comprises a first frame assembly, a first support block defining a first support block longitudinal axis, and a first tip assembly supported by the first support block. The first support block is pivotably supported by the first frame assembly. The second handle assembly comprises a second frame assembly, a second support block defining a second support block longitudinal axis, and a first tip assembly supported by the first support block. The second support block is pivotably supported by the second frame assembly. The main hinge assembly supports the first and second handle assemblies for pivoting movement relative to each other. The drive assembly comprises a first drive block, a second drive block, and a drive rod. The first drive block is adapted to engage the first handle assembly, where the first drive block is detachably attachable to the first handle assembly. The second drive block is adapted to engage the second handle assembly, where the second drive block is pivotably supported by the second handle assembly. The drive rod is adapted to engage the first and second drive blocks such that axial rotation of the drive rod displaces the first and second drive blocks in opposite directions relative to each other. With the first drive block engaging the first handle assembly, axial rotation of the drive rod pivots the first handle assembly relative to the second handle assembly. As the first handle assembly pivots relative to the second handle assembly, the first support block pivots relative to the first handle assembly and the second support block pivots relative to the second handle assembly such that the first support block longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the second support block longitudinal axis.
The example retaining ring 22 comprises a collar portion 30, a first end portion 32, and a second end portion 34. First and second ring openings 36 and 38 are formed in the first and second end portions 32 and 34, respectively. The example retaining ring 22 is or may be constructed in used in a conventional manner, and the construction and use of the example retaining ring 22 will not be described herein beyond that extent necessary for a complete understanding of the construction and operation of the first example plier assembly 20.
The first example plier assembly 20 comprises a first handle assembly 120, a second handle assembly 122, a drive assembly 124, a bias assembly 126, and a main hinge assembly 128. The example main hinge assembly 128 supports the example first and second handle assemblies 120 and 122 for pivoting movement about a main pivot axis A defined by the main hinge assembly 128. The example drive assembly 124 is operatively connected between the example first and second handle assemblies 120 and 122 such that operation of the example drive assembly 124 causes pivoting movement of the first and second handle assemblies 120 and 122 relative to each other about the main pivot axis A.
The example first handle assembly 120 comprises a first frame assembly 130, a first support block 132, and a first tip assembly 134. The example second handle assembly 122 comprises a second frame assembly 140, a second support block 142, and a second tip assembly 144. The example first handle assembly 122 further comprises a first handle proximal pin assembly 150 and a first handle distal pin assembly 152. The example second handle assembly 122 further comprises a second handle proximal pin assembly 160 and a second handle distal pin assembly 162. The example first handle proximal pin assembly 150 and second handle distal pin assembly 162 support the second support block 142 relative to the first and second frame assemblies 130 and 140, and the example second handle proximal pin assembly 160 and first handle distal pin assembly 152 support the second support block 142 relative to the first and second frame assemblies 130 and 140.
The example drive assembly 124 comprises a drive rod 170, a first drive block 172 defining a pivot lock projection 172a, a second drive block 174, and pivot block retaining clips 176. The first drive block 172 is detachably attachable to the first frame assembly 130 as will be described in detail below, and the second drive block 174 is rotatably attached to the second frame assembly 140 by the pivot block retaining clips 176. The example drive rod 170 defines first and second threaded portions 170a and 170b, and the first and second drive blocks 172 and 174 are internally threaded to engage the first and second threaded portions 170a and 170b, respectively. The threaded portions 170a and 170b are configured to engage the first and second drive blocks 172 and 174 such that axial rotation of the drive rod 170 in a first direction displaces the drive blocks 172 and 174 towards each other and in a second direction displaces the first and second drive blocks 172 and 174 away from each other. A handle 178 may be secured to the drive rod 170 to facilitate axial rotation thereof.
The example bias assembly 126 is operatively arranged between the first and second support blocks 132 and 142 to bias the first and second support blocks 132 and 134 into a desired relative orientation during operation of the first example plier 20 as will be described in further detail below. As shown for example in
The example hinge assembly 128 comprises a main hinge pin 190 and a main hinge retaining clip 192. The main hinge pin 190 extends through the first and second frame assemblies 130 and 140 such that the first and second handle assemblies pivot about the main pivot axis A as will be discussed in further detail below.
The example first and second tip assemblies 134 and 144 are supported by the first and second support blocks 132 and 142, respectively, such that pivoting movement of the handle assemblies 120 and 122 about the main pivot axis A relative to each other cause the tip assemblies 134 and 144 to move towards and away from each other.
The first and second tip assemblies 134 and 144 are configured to engage the first and second ring openings 36 and 38. With the first and second support blocks 132 and 142 engaged with the first and second handle assemblies 120 and 122, respectively, axial rotation of the drive rod 170 in the first direction causes the support blocks 132 and 142, and first and second tip assemblies 134 and 144 supported thereby, to move towards each other and thus move the first and second ring openings 36 and 38 towards each other. Axial rotation of the drive rod 170 in the second direction causes the support blocks 132 and 142, and first and second tip assemblies 134 and 144 supported thereby, to move away from each other and thus move the first and second ring openings 36 and 38 away from each other. Axial rotation of the drive rod 170 in the first direction may thus place the example retaining ring 22 in a compressed configuration during installation and removal. Once the example retaining ring 22 is in the appropriate orientation, axial rotation of the drive rod 170 in the second direction may thus place the example retaining ring 22 in an expanded configuration when installed.
Further, the support blocks 132 and 142 are supported by the first and second frame assemblies 130 and 140 such that the support blocks maintain a desired angular relationship with each other. In particular, a longitudinal axis B1 of the example first support block 132 is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis B2 of the example second support block 142 during relative pivoting movement of the first and second handle assemblies 120 and 122.
With the foregoing general understanding of the first example plier assembly 20 in mind, details of construction and operation of the first example plier assembly 20 will now be described.
The example first frame assembly 130 comprises a first outer frame member 220, a second outer frame member 222, a first lock plate 224 defining a first lock plate slot 224a, a second lock plate 226 defining a second lock plate slot 226a, and a plurality of first spacer plates 228. The example second frame assembly 140 comprises a first inner frame member 220, a second inner frame member 222, and a plurality of second spacer plates 224. A plurality of first handle fasteners 236 are used to form the first handle assembly 120, and a plurality of second handle fasteners 238 are used to form the second handle assembly 122.
The first handle proximal pin assembly 150 comprises a first proximal pin 240, a first proximal retainer clip 242, and first and second proximal spacers 244. The first handle distal pin assembly 152 comprises a first distal pin 250, a first distal retaining clip 252, and first and second distal spacers 254. The second handle proximal pin assembly 160 comprises a second proximal pin 260 and a second proximal retainer clip 262. The second handle distal pin assembly 162 comprises a second distal pin 270 and a second distal retaining clip 272.
The example first and second support blocks 132 and 142 are identical and will be described together. Each of the support blocks 132 and 142 defines a proximal opening 280, a distal opening 282, a tip recess 284, a tip screw opening 286, and first and second spring openings 288a and 288b. The example tip recess 284 defines an undercut portion 284a. The example support blocks 132 and 142 need not be identical.
The example first and second tip assemblies 134 and 144 are also identical and will be described together. Each of the tip assemblies 134 and 144 comprises a tip member 290 and a tip screw 292. The example tip members 290 each defines a mounting portion 294, an extension portion 296, and a tip portion 298. The example mounting portion 294 further defines an undercut surface 294a. The tip portions 298 are sized and dimensioned to fit within the first and second ring openings 36 and 38 of the example retaining ring 22. The example tip assemblies 134 and 144 need not be identical.
The mounting portions 294 of the tip members 290 are arranged in the tip recesses 284 of the support blocks 132 and 134, and the tip screws 294 are threaded through the tip members 290 and into the tip screw openings 286 to secure the tip members 290 to the support blocks 132 and 134. The undercut surface 294a may further be configured to engage the undercut portion 284a of the tip recess 284 defined by the support blocks 132 and 134 to inhibit twisting movement of the tip members 390 relative to the support blocks 132 and 134. In particular, the undercut surfaces 294a are angled relative to the axis B1 and B2, respectively, and surfaces of the support blocks 132 and 134 defining the undercut portion 284a of the tip recess 284 define angles that are complementary to the angles of the undercut surfaces 294a. The example tip members 290 thus engage the example support blocks 132 and 134 by forming half of a dovetail joint that effectively translates loads between the tip members 290 and the support blocks 132 and 134.
The example tip members 290 may be made of a higher quality, relatively rigid material (e.g., tempered steel) as compared to the material from which the remaining parts of the first example plier assembly 20 are fabricated. The relatively small diameter tip portions 298 of the tip members 290 thus are less likely to deflect under the loads necessary to compress the retaining ring 22, but the cost of the first example plier assembly 20 may be reduced. Further, the tip members 290 are easily replaceable if damaged or if a different size or shape of the tip portion 298 is desired.
As shown in
This application (Attorney's Ref. No. P219650) claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/644,326 filed Mar. 16, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62644326 | Mar 2018 | US |
