Patent Application
20150158159
The embodiments described herein relate to a tool and method for the installation of an energized spring onto a part.
Springs are often installed onto a part in an energized state. For example, an extension spring may need to be stretched around a part with the ends of the spring connected together. As the springs are installed, the installer must be able to grip onto each end of the spring and also apply the appropriate force to stretch the spring and connect the ends of the springs together. The closer the ends of the spring get together, the more force is required to simply retain the ends of the springs within the grasp of the installer. Further, the force increases as one continues to stretch the ends of the spring together. Other drawbacks may exist. For example, sometimes an end of the spring may slip out of the grasp of the installer that causes the process to be started over. There is a potential of injury due to the energized nature of the spring being released. It would be beneficial to reduce the chance that an end of a spring would be accidentally released during the installation of an energized spring.
The disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method that may overcome some of the problems or disadvantages discussed above. One embodiment is a spring tool comprising a first arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first arm comprising a handle. The tool includes a first member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first member being connected to the second end of the first arm. The tool includes a second member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second member being connected to the second end of the first arm. The tool includes a connecting member being connected between the second end of the first member and the second end of the second member, wherein the first member and the second member form a window having a first width. The tool includes a second arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second arm comprising a handle, wherein the first arm and the second arm are pivotably connected together. The tool includes a first prong connected to the second end of the second arm and a second prong connected to the second end of the arm, the second prong is positioned a second width from the first prong, wherein the second width is less than the first width.
The first and second arms of the tool may be slidably connected together. The tool may include a connecting member pivotably connecting the first arm to the second arm, the connecting member being positioned within an aperture of the first arm and a slot of the second arm, wherein the connecting member may be moved along the slot to change the position of the first arm with respect to the second arm. The first and second prongs of the tool may be adapted to move through the window of the first arm. The tool may include a third prong connecting to the first prong and a fourth prong connected to the second prong, the first prong having a length longer than a length of third prong and the second prong having a length longer than a length of the fourth prong. The tool may include a gap between the first prong and the second prong, the gap being coincident with a centerline of second arm.
One embodiment may be a method of connecting a spring on a part comprising positioning a spring around a portion of a part, connecting a first spring end to a first arm end of a tool, and connecting a second spring end to a second arm end of the tool. The method includes moving the first arm end and the second arm end towards each other, moving the second arm end through a portion of the first arm end, and connecting the first spring end to the second spring end. The first arm may be pivotably and slidably connected to the second arm.
The method may further comprise sliding the first arm with respect to the second arm prior to connecting the first spring end to the second spring end. A connector may be positioned within a slot in the second arm to pivotably connect the first arm to the second arm and the step of sliding the first arm with respect to the second arm may comprise moving the connector along the slot. The connector may be moved along the slot in a direction towards the handle of the second arm. Prior to positioning the spring around the portion of the part, the first spring end may be connected to the first arm end of the tool and the second spring end may be connected to the second arm end of the tool. Connecting the first spring end to the first arm end may comprise connecting the first spring end around a connecting member that is connected between a first member and a second member, wherein the first and second members are connected to the first arm end forming a window. Connecting the second spring end to the second arm end may comprise connecting the second spring end around at least one prong connected to the second arm end. Moving the second arm end through the portion of the first arm end may comprise moving the at least one prong through the window formed by the first and second members.
One embodiment is a tool that comprises a first arm having a window at one end and a handle at the other end and a second arm having at least one prong at one end and a handle at the other end, wherein the at least one prong is adapted to fit within the window. The tool includes a connector connecting the first arm and the second arm, the first arm and second arm configured to pivot about the connector. The connector may be configured to slide and selectively shift a position of a pivot point of the first and second arms.
At least one prong of the tool may be configured to retain an end of a spring. The at least one prong may comprise a first prong having an upper member and a lower member, a second prong having an upper member and a lower member, and a gap between the first prong and the second prong. The first arm of the tool may comprise a first member, a second member, and a connecting member between the first and second member, the window being formed between the first and second members and wherein the connecting member is configured to retain an end of a spring.
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
The lower ends 15, 65 of each arm 10, 60 are adapted to retain an end 201, 202 (shown in
Prongs 55 adapted to retain one end 202 (shown in
The lower end 15 of the first arm 10, the first member 30, the second member 40, and the connecting member 45 are configured to form a window 50 having a width W1. The width W1 is configured to permit the passage of the second end 65 of the second arm 60 and the prongs 55 through the window 50. The prongs 55 may have a width W2 that is less than the width W1 of the window 50. The passage of the prongs 55 into the window 50 permits the ends 201, 202 of the spring 200 to overlap each other providing for the easy attachment of the ends 201, 202 of the spring 200 together as discussed herein.
After the prongs 55 on the second end 65 of the second arm 60 have been positioned within the window 50, the first arm 10 may be shifted upwards causing the pivoting pin 90 to move along the slot 95 in the second arm 60 as shown in
Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, including embodiments that do not provide all of the features and advantages set forth herein, are also within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by reference to the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
