Friction ring plier

A plier tool for expanding a friction ring having a first opposing end and a second opposing end, comprising:

• a first arm including a distal portion comprising a first protrusion extending distally from a central axis and a first projection extending outwardly from the first protrusion away from the central axis, the first projection configured to engage the first opposing end of the friction ring;
• and
• a second arm including a distal portion comprising a second protrusion extending distally from the central axis and a second projection extending outwardly from the second protrusion away from the central axis, the second projection configured to engage the second opposing end of the friction ring, the first or a second handle defining a first bore configured to receive the friction ring therein and a second bore configured to receive at least a portion of an anvil of an impact driver therein;
• wherein the second arm is pivotably connected to the first arm to cause the distal portion of the first arm and the distal portion of the second arm to move away from each other and the central axis so as to expand a split ring for installation or removal, and
• wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion each include a distal surface coplanar with each other, wherein the first protrusion includes a first angled surface extending between the distal surface of the first protrusion and an outermost tip of the first projection, and wherein the second protrusion includes a second angled surface extending between the distal surface of the second protrusion and an outermost tip of the second projection, each angled surface being configured to assist insertion into a gap between the first opposing end and the second opposing end of the friction ring received within a groove of the anvil.

A method of replacing a friction ring of an impact driver using a friction ring plier, the method comprising:

• inserting a first protrusion and a second protrusion extending from a first pivotable arm and a second pivotable arm, respectively, into a gap defined by a first friction ring located within a groove of an anvil of the impact driver to concurrently engage opposing ends of the first friction ring and an inner surface of the first friction ring, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion each include a distal surface coplanar with each other, wherein a first angled surface extends between a distal surface of the first protrusion and an outermost tip of a first projection, and wherein the second angled surface extends between a distal surface of the second protrusion and an outermost tip of a second projection, each angled surface being configured to assist insertion into a gap between the first opposing end and the second opposing end of the friction ring received within the groove of the anvil;
• engaging the first pivotable arm and the second pivotable arm to expand the inner surface of the first friction ring beyond an outer surface of the anvil;
• and
• translating the friction ring plier proximally along a central axis to remove the first friction ring from the anvil of the impact driver.