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US 12,746,649 B2Granted
V-clamp tool apparatus and method of use
OwnerChristopher Ryan Komasainventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Tools for use in installing and removing V-clamps are disclosed. One embodiment of a V-clamp tool includes a spreader mechanism, an actuator cable, and a plier element mechanically coupled so as to expand or contract hooks shaped to engage corresponding V-clamp brackets to widen or shrink the V-clamp opening for installation or removal.
Claims26
A V-clamp installation/removal tool, comprising:
- a spreader mechanism, including:
- an elongate hollow outer tubular support element having a proximal end and a distal end, the hollow outer support element defining an interior volume;
- a first spreader hook, having a first curved portion with a first slot to receive a corresponding curved surface of an upper bar curved section 143 of a V-clamp, welded to the outer support element substantially at the proximal end of the outer support element and positioned normal to a surface of the outer support element so as to form a right angle with the surface of the outer support element;
- an elongate inner tubular support element having a proximal and a distal end, the inner support element slidably positioned at least partially within the interior volume;
- a second spreader hook, having a second outward curved portion with a second slot to receive a corresponding curved surface of an upper bar curved section 153 of a V-clamp, welded to the inner support element substantially at the proximal end of the inner support element and positioned normal to a surface of the inner support element so as to form a right angle with the surface of the inner support element;
- and
- a spring positioned between the outer support element and the inner support element within the interior volume;
- an actuator cable having a tubular outer element and an inner cable slidable within the tubular outer clement;
- and
- a plier element having a first handle mechanically fixed to a first jaw and first gripping clement and a second handle mechanically fixed to a second jaw and second gripping clement with the first handle and second handle pivotably coupled;
- wherein the distal end of the actuator cable outer element is mechanically coupled to the outer support clement and the actuator cable inner cable is mechanically coupled to the inner support clement;
- and
- wherein the proximal end of the actuator cable outer element is mechanically coupled to one of the gripping elements and the proximal end of the actuator cable inner cable is mechanically coupled to the other gripping element.
10 more elements
A spreader mechanism for use in a V-clamp installation tool, comprising:
- an elongate hollow outer tubular support element having a proximal end and a distal end, the hollow outer support element defining an interior volume;
- a first spreader hook, having a first outward curved portion with a first slot to receive a corresponding curved surface of an upper bar curved section 143 of a V-clamp, welded to the outer support element substantially at the proximal end of the outer support element and positioned normal to a surface of the outer support element so as to form a right angle with the surface of the outer support element;
- an elongate inner support element having a proximal and a distal end, the inner support element slidably positioned at least partially within the interior volume;
- a second spreader hook, having a second outward curved portion with a second slot to receive a corresponding curved surface of an upper bar curved section 153 of a V-clamp, coupled to the inner support element substantially at the proximal end of the inner support element and positioned normal to a surface of the inner support element so as to form a right angle with the surface of the inner support element;
- and
- a spring positioned between the outer support element and the inner support element within the interior volume.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.