# US 10,478,951 B2 · Device, modular construction system and method for inserting an elastic ring into an inner groove > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,478,951 B2 - Document ID: US10478951B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/586,106 - Filed: 2017-05-03 - Published: 2017-11-09 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2016-05-04 - Assignees: Ohrmann Montagetechnik GmbH - Applicants: Ohrmann Montagetechnik GmbH - Inventors: Coelestin Ohrmann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478951B2 ## CPC - B25B 27/0028: {Tools for removing or installing seals (B25B27/0092 takes precedence)} - B23P 19/084: {for placing resilient or flexible rings, e.g. O-rings, circlips} - B25B: TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING, OR HOLDING - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) ## Abstract A device, a modular construction system and a method for inserting an elastic ring into an inner groove of a workpiece opening provides that the device the ring is fixed by multiple retainers to specific retaining regions and between the retaining regions said ring acquires a wavy shape or crown shape in an axial direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for inserting an elastic ring into an inner groove in a workpiece opening, said device having: at least two retainers that are circumferentially spaced apart from one another and can slide into the workpiece opening with regard to an axial insertion direction (B), each of said retainers having a radially outwards open recess for retaining regions on the ring, wherein the device is configured so that the ring that sits in the recesses can deform between its retaining regions to form a wavy shape, seen in a lateral view, in order to form trailing, curved regions, at least one slider for pushing the trailing, curved regions in the direction towards the inner groove, wherein the device is configured such that the slider can be moved into the workpiece opening in a trailing manner with respect to the recesses, and wherein a mouthpiece is provided with a guiding aperture for the ring to be pushed through in the direction towards the workpiece and for deforming the ring, wherein the retainers together with the inserted ring and the slider can be pushed axially through the guiding aperture. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the guiding aperture tapers in a conical or cone-shaped manner or comprises ribs that protrude on an inner face and whose radial inner face extends in the direction towards the outlet end closer to the middle axis (A) of the guiding aperture at least in sections. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device according to claim 2, wherein the ribs are sliding strips that are mounted on a wall of the mouthpiece. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the guiding aperture comprises an outlet end that is facing the workpiece and an inlet end facing away from the workpiece, wherein the guiding aperture tapers at least in sections in the direction towards the outlet end. ### Claim 5 A device for inserting an elastic ring into an inner groove in a workpiece opening, said device having: at least two retainers that are circumferentially spaced apart from one another and can slide into the workpiece opening with regard to an axial insertion direction (B), each of said retainers having a radially outwards open recess for retaining regions on the ring, wherein the device is configured so that the ring that sits in the recesses can deform between its retaining regions to form a wavy shape, seen in a lateral view, in order to form trailing, curved regions, at least one slider for pushing the trailing, curved regions in the direction towards the inner groove, wherein the device is configured such that the slider can be moved into the workpiece opening in a trailing manner with respect to the recesses, and wherein the retainers are prestressed radially outwards in a resilient manner. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The device according to claim 5, wherein a carrier is provided on which the retainers are mounted. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device according to claim 6, wherein the carrier has a guide for the at least one slider. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The device according to claim 5, wherein some or all the recesses lie in the same radial plane. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The device according to claim 5, wherein the retainers are circumferentially distributed in one of a uniform and non-uniform manner. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The device according to claim 5, wherein the at least on slider and the retainers can be moved at least one of axially one after the other and independently of one another. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The device according to claim 5, wherein the retainers all together, jointly in groups or independently of one another, are mounted in such a manner as to be able to move in an axial and/or radial manner relative to the rest of the device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 5) The device according to claim 5, wherein at least one actuator is provided for moving the retainers relative to the rest of the device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 5) The device according to claim 5, wherein the retainers can be moved radially outwards in the region of the recesses. ### Claim 14 (depends on 5) The device according to claim 5, wherein the at least one slider is arranged radially between the retainers at least during the insertion movement into the workpiece opening. ### Claim 15 (depends on 5) The device according to claim 5, wherein the slider has radially outwards movable contact surfaces so as to change a radial expansion of the slider, the contact surfaces being inclined surfaces. ### Claim 16 A device for inserting an elastic ring into an inner groove in a workpiece opening, said device having: at least two retainers that are circumferentially spaced apart from one another and can slide into the workpiece opening with regard to an axial insertion direction (B), each of said retainers having a radially outwards open recess for retaining regions on the ring, wherein the device is configured so that the ring that sits in the recesses can deform between its retaining regions to form a wavy shape seen in a lateral view, in order to form trailing, curved regions, at least one slider for pushing the trailing curved regions in the direction towards the inner groove, wherein the device is configured such that the slider can be moved into the workpiece opening in a trailing manner with resect to the recesses, and wherein the retainers are mounted to a carrier in a pivotable manner. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The device according to claim 16, wherein the slider has contact surfaces contacting the ring, the contact surfaces being configured as inclined surfaces arranged to push the trailing curved regions of the ring towards and into the groove. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The device according to claim 16, wherein in that the slider is a multi-part construction and has slider fingers which are mounted so as to be pivotable radially outwards and inwards and which comprise inclined surfaces, the ends of the slider fingers facing the workpiece having the inclined surfaces which extend radially inwards towards the end of an associated slider finger, and the ends of the inclined surfaces, viewed in the axial direction, lying radially inwards of the ring. ### Claim 19 A device for inserting an elastic ring into an inner groove in a workpiece opening, said device having: at least two retainers that are circumferentially spaced apart from one another and can slide into the workpiece opening with regard to an axial insertion direction (B), each of said retainers having a radially outwards open recess for retaining regions on the ring, wherein the device is configured so that the ring that sits in the recesses can deform between its retaining regions to form a wavy shape, seen in a lateral view, in order to form trailing, curved regions, at least one slider for pushing the trailing, curved regions in the direction towards the inner groove, wherein the device is configured such that the slider can be moved into the workpiece opening in a trailing manner with respect to the recesses, and wherein the at least one slider comprises a slot for receiving at least one retainer. ### Claim 20 A modular construction system having a device with at least two retainers that are circumferentially spaced apart from one another and can slide into a workpiece opening with regard to an axial insertion direction (B), each of said retainers having a radially outwards open recess for retaining regions on a ring, wherein the device is configured so that the ring that sits in the recesses can deform between its retaining regions to form a wavy shape, seen in a lateral view, in order to form trailing, curved regions, at least one slider for pushing the trailing, curved regions in the direction towards an inner groove, wherein the device is configured such that the slider can be moved into the workpiece opening in a trailing manner with respect to the recesses, and multiple mouthpieces, each mouthpiece having a guiding aperture for the ring to be pushed through in the direction towards the workpiece opening and for deforming the ring and each having an axial outlet end, wherein the retainers together with the inserted ring and the slider can be pushed axially through the guiding aperture, wherein the mouthpieces differ from one another by virtue of different diameters of the guiding apertures in the region of the axial outlet end, wherein the slider and the retainers can be coupled to each of the mouthpieces so that during the insertion procedure the retainers can make contact adjacent to their recesses with an inner face of a wall of the mouthpiece, said wall forming the guiding apertures.