Puller apparatus

A puller apparatus, comprising:

• a) a substantially u-shaped frame having a base and a plurality of gripping arms extending substantially perpendicularly from opposing ends of said base, said gripping arms extending in substantially parallel relationship with one another, and respective ends of the gripping arms distal from said base including inwardly disposed gripping projections extending substantially toward one another, said base having an aperture formed therein, said aperture forming an open channel extending between an upper and a lower surface of said base;
• and
• b) pushing means being operably received in said aperture, said pushing means having a proximal portion proximal to said gripping projections and a distal portion, said pushing means including an actuation means disposed on said proximal portion of said pushing means at a position within said u-shaped frame,
• such that actuation of said actuation means axially moves said pushing means with respect to said base.

A method for pulling an article mounted in surrounding relationship around a relatively stationary interiorly disposed object, comprising:

• a) providing a puller apparatus comprising a puller frame including a base and opposed upstanding arms extending therefrom, said arms including inwardly extending gripping projections for transmitting pulling force to said article being pulled, said base having an aperture extending therethrough, and a threaded rod threadably received in said aperture, said rod including an actuation means disposed at a portion of said rod proximal to said article being pulled, said actuation means being configured to impart pushing force directly upon said interiorly disposed object;
• b) positioning said puller apparatus on a rearward surface of said article to be pulled;
• and
• c) rotating said actuation means to axially move said threaded rod in a direction perpendicularly toward said interiorly disposed object, such that pressure developed between said interiorly disposed object and said threaded rod creates a corresponding pulling force which is transmitted to the article being pulled via said gripping projections.