Patent Application
20230120868
The present invention relates generally to the yoke assemblies, specifically to the installation and removal of yoke assemblies, more specifically to the installation and removal of brake yoke assemblies.
Yoke installation and removal can be a time-consuming task due to a variety of reasons. Corrosion of connected components, limited accessibility to the yoke, and the inability to use an air tool are some of the notable reasons.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,763,224B2 discloses a pinion disassembly tool and method. The device utilizes a yoke holding plate that is sized to receive a socket wrench. The device has an overall planar shape and includes fastener apertures to connect with the yoke. The prior art describes a plate that is connected to a yoke with fasteners and can be used to remove a pinion. The prior art specifically focuses on disassembly. The use of an air tool and using a safety pin during operation are not described in this patent.
KR20130062497A discloses a cam yoke assembling system. In addition to being utilized for cam yoke assembling, a rotation restoring force generated by a torsion spring of the system can be used to compensate for the clearance between the support cam and a yoke plug. This disclosure does not focus on installing or removing a brake yoke assembly.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,239,192A describes a yoke and shaft assembly. In particular, the prior art describes an assembly that can be used to connect with a driving shaft and a universal joint yoke member. The assembly may be used to protect operational components from dirt and other external material. This patent does not describe a system and method of installing/removing a yoke. Furthermore, the patent does not describe having safety features such as a safety pin.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,716A describes a tool used to disassemble a universal joint with a first yoke and a second yoke. A pulling motion and a pushing motion are exerted in opposite directions to remove either the first yoke or the second yoke. The tool utilizes a cylinder/piston combination for disassembly purposes. The patent does not describe a process of being used for installation purposes. Moreover, the use of air tools and safety features are also not described in this patent.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,792A describes a tool for assembling and disassembling a universal joint. In doing so, the tool of the prior art utilizes two relatively movable components that move between two positions using a threaded screw. Furthermore, the prior art utilizes a guide pin during the assembly and disassembly process. The overall components used and the arrangement of the components are different in the prior art. Moreover, the ability to use an impact wrench is not specifically described in this patent.
KR20100006968U describes a device for assembling a pinion shaft for a differential device. The device may be used to prevent interference with the propeller shaft. This document does not describe a process of installing or removing a yoke with power tools or a manual ratchet. Furthermore, safety features are not described in the document.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,907,667B2 describes a method of assembling a portion of a universal joint such as a cross and a yoke. The method includes the steps of positioning a threaded fastener through an aperture, positioning the cross relative to the yoke, and installing a set of bearings. The patent does not describe a removal process or safety measures.
CN102360680A describes an assembly tool for a magnetic yoke which mainly comprises a connecting plate and a set of attaching plates. Each of the set of attaching plates is mounted to the connecting plate such that the overall assembly efficiency is improved and the overall cost is reduced. The document utilizes multiple components for assembly purposes. Furthermore, the document does not describe a possibility to be used with air tools and manual ratchets.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,010,208B2 describes a yoke assembly adapted for use in a rack and pinion steering gear assembly. The yoke assembly includes a yoke bearing, a spring, a yoke cover, and an automatic-adjusting mechanism. During vehicle operation, the automatic-adjusting mechanism and the spring are used to apply a biasing force against the yoke bearing. The patent does not specifically describe a tool that is used in installing and/or removing a yoke.
All documents cited here are incorporated by reference.
None of the above cited documents, alone or in combination disclose a comparable component arrangement to the currently disclosed embodiments of the present invention. Hence there remains need for a yoke installation and removal assisting device that allows the user to safely use an air tool or a manual tool on brake yoke assemblies.
It is an object of the invention to provide a yoke installation and removal assisting device.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided a yoke installation and removal assisting device, said device comprising: a structural body, said structural body having a length extending between a first end and a second end; a pair of yoke-receiving channels traversing into said structural body at said first end and partially traverses through said length of said structural body; and a tool-receiving recess centrally traversing into said structural body at said second end, wherein said structural body is rotated to remove or install said yoke.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of installing or removing a yoke using the device as described above, said method comprising the steps of: inserting a yoke into said pair of yoke-receiving channels, connecting an installation/removal tool to said structural body at said tool-receiving recess; concentrically aligning said pin-receiving channel with a pair of pin holes of the yoke; slidably positioning a safety pin into said pin-receiving channel and through said pair of pin holes to connect said yoke and structural body; and activating said installation/removal tool to rotate said structural body and said yoke.
In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a yoke installation and removal assisting device, said device comprising: a structural body, said structural body having a length extending between a first end and a second end; a pair of yoke-receiving channels extending within said structural body from said first end and partially traversing through said length of said structural body; and a tool-receiving recess centrally traversing into said structural body at said second end, wherein said structural body is rotated to remove or install said yoke.
In one embodiment, the structural body is cylindrical in shape.
In one embodiment, an overall cross-section of each of said pair of yoke-receiving slots is rectangular in shape.
In one embodiment, the tool-receiving recess is cubical in shape.
In one embodiment, the yoke installation and removal assisting device further comprises: a first engagement cavity and a second engagement cavity in said tool-receiving recess; said first engagement cavity traversing from a first lateral surface of said tool-receiving recess to a first lateral side of the structural body; and said second engagement cavity traversing from a second lateral surface of the tool-receiving recess to a second side of the structural body, wherein said first lateral surface and said second lateral surface are positioned opposite to each other.
In one embodiment, the yoke installation and removal assisting device further comprises: a pin-receiving channel laterally traversing through said structural body adjacent said first end, the pin-receiving channel comprising a first opening on a first lateral side of the structural body, a second opening on a second lateral side of the structural body opposite the first opening, and laterally extending through the pair of yoke-receiving channels; the pin-receiving channel configured to be concentrically alignable with a pair of pin holes on a yoke upon the yoke being engaged in the pair of yoke-receiving channels.
In one embodiment, a cross-section of said pin-receiving channel is circular in shape.
In one embodiment, the structural body is manufactured from tool steel.
In one embodiment, the structural body is manufactured from carbon fiber.
In one embodiment, the structural body is manufactured from aluminum.
In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a method of installing or removing a yoke, the method comprising the steps of: inserting the yoke into said pair of yoke-receiving channels, connecting an installation/removal tool to said structural body at said tool-receiving recess; and activating said installation/removal tool to rotate said structural body and said yoke.
In one embodiment, the method of installing or removing a yoke further comprises the step, between said aligning and said positioning, of: concentrically aligning said pin receiving channel with the pair of pin holes of the yoke; slidably positioning a safety pin into said pin receiving channel and through said pair of pin holes to connect said yoke and structural body, and securing it with a locking mechanism.
In one embodiment, the installation/removal tool is an impact wrench.
In one embodiment, the installation/removal tool is a manual ratchet.
In one embodiment, the yoke installation and removal assisting device comprises a safety pin configured to be inserted in the pin-receiving channel, and a locking mechanism to secure the safety pin within the pin-receiving channel.
In one embodiment, the safety pin comprises: an elongated body configured to fully engage the pin-receiving channel at least from the first opening to the second opening; and a head portion at a first end of the elongated body, the head portion extending laterally from the end of the elongated body, and comprising a concavely curved inner surface configured to fittingly engage the first side of the structural body upon the elongated body being fully engaged in the pin-receiving channel.
In one embodiment, the safety mechanism comprises: a washer member, the washer member comprising a hole configured to receive therethrough the elongated body of the safety pin, and a curved inner surface configured to fittingly engage the curvature the second side of the structural body upon the safety pin being secured within the pin receiving channel.
In one embodiment, the elongated body comprises a laterally oriented fastener channel proximate a second end thereof, and wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a fastener configured to engage the lateral fastener channel therethrough upon the elongated member being fully engaged in the pin receiving channel.
In one embodiment, the fastener is a pin comprising a spring-loaded detent mechanism.
In one embodiment, a second end of the elongated body is threaded, and the locking mechanism further comprises a nut configured to removably rotationally engage the threaded end of the second end of the elongated body to secure the safety pin the in pin-receiving channel.
The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols.
To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.
The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out in the specification. The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
The present disclosure describes a yoke installation and removal assisting device that may be used with a manual ratchet or an air tool. By utilizing the device described in the present disclosure, a yoke can be installed or removed regardless of the condition of the components or the positioning of the yoke. As a result, the overall time required for installing or removing a yoke may be significantly reduced.
The yoke installation and removal assisting device includes a structural body and a safety pin. The yoke that needs to be installed or removed is positioned into a pair of yoke-receiving channels that traverses the structural body of an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The safety pin, which is inserted into the structural body perpendicular to the yoke, may be used prevent the yoke from slipping during the installation process and/or the removal process. When the yoke and the structural body are secure, an impact wrench or air tool may be connected to a terminal end of the structural body. The structural body and the pair of yoke-receiving channels may be configured to receive all yoke types. Furthermore, the safety pin may also be sized to fit different yoke types.
The embodiments of the invention as described herein relate to a yoke installation and removal assisting device that may be used with a manual ratchet or an impact wrench. By utilizing the device of the present disclosure, a user may install or remove a yoke with convenience regardless of the status of the components or the accessibility to the components. For example, if a corroded yoke cannot be removed manually, the device of the present disclosure may be used with an impact wrench to remove the corroded yoke.
Normally access is limited so a larger tool that would deliver more torque is not feasible. The various embodiments of the brake yoke tool disclosed herein allows use of powered tool and delivery of torque to confined area. Established disassembly and reassembly procedures are by hand tools only. Hence, enabling the device and procedure to be done with the assistance of power tools is greatly advantageous in both speed, efficacy and safety.
Devices and methods for carrying out the invention are presented in terms of embodiments depicted within the FIGS. However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and the configurations shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.
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The yoke installation and removal assisting device of the present disclosure may be used to install a yoke onto or remove a yoke from a component that can be, but is not limited to, a driveshaft or a brake chamber. By utilizing the yoke installation and removal assisting device of the present disclosure, a yoke can be installed or removed conveniently with the use of an air tool or a manual ratchet.
As discussed above, in some embodiments, the tool is configured to have a safety pin receiving channel. While the tool may be used without using this feature, for example by the user exerting pressure against the tool to prevent the yoke from leaving the yoke-receiving channels, as will be appreciated by the skilled person in the art, in some case, a safety pin may be used to provide additional safety and avoid potential injuries. Typically, the safety pin is configured, as can be reasonably deduced by the person skilled in the art, to engage the pin-receiving channel and the pin holes of the engaged yoke so as to prevent the yoke from leaving the yoke-receiving channel upon the tool being rotated during installation or removal.
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Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, as shown in
In some embodiments, different means for locking the safety pin may be used. For example,
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments described were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/334,943, filed May 31, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17334943 | May 2021 | US |
| Child | 18083971 | US |
