O-ring installation tool and method of installing an O-ring in an inner diameter

A method of installing at least one O-ring in an inner diameter of a structure utilizing a tool having a tool central axis, the method comprising:

• disposing at least one O-ring between two spaced apart plates, the tool central axis extending through the O-ring;
• laterally displacing the at least one O-ring with a loading pin within slots of the two spaced apart plates from the peripheral surfaces of the two spaced apart plates and moving the loading pin within the slots while maintaining a pin axis of the loading pin and the tool central axis generally parallel to pull a loop of the at least one O-ring toward the tool central axis;
• axially inserting the loading pin into a hole in the tool to secure the loading pin relative to the two spaced apart plates;
• inserting the tool and the at least one O-ring loaded therein into the inner diameter of the structure;
• removing the loading pin in an axial direction from a first end of the tool;
• and
• manually rotating an actuator at the first end of the tool to move a plurality of O-ring engagement members operatively connected to the actuator such that an O-ring engagement surface of each O-ring engagement member moves in a generally radial direction relative to the the tool central axis to move the at least one O-ring radially outward and into engagement with the inner diameter of the structure.

A method of manufacturing the tool for installing at least one O-ring in an inner diameter of a structure, the method including:

• pivotably coupling a plurality of fingers to a selectively-actuable finger actuator;
• disposing the plurality of fingers and selectively-actuable finger actuator adjacent a first of a plurality of plates, each of said plurality of plates having a peripheral surface and at least one slot opening to the peripheral surface;
• disposing a second of the plurality of plates parallel to the first of the plurality of plates and proximal to the plurality of fingers with the slot of the first plate disposed in alignment with the slot of the second plate and the plates being disposed along a plate axis, a plurality of guide surfaces being secured with at least one of said plates and disposed between the plurality of plates, the plurality of guide surfaces being disposed proximal to the peripheral surface of the at least one said plate;
• and
• securing the first and second of the plurality of plates together in a spaced, fixed parallel relationship to one another with the plurality of fingers being movably coupled between the plurality of plates, the plurality of fingers including engagement surfaces disposed to move in a generally radial direction relative to the plurality of plates.