Magnetic retrieval tool
OwnerFrank H. Speckhartinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A magnetic retrieval tool for retrieving magnetically attractable objects includes a magnet supported in a magnet housing on an elongated, flexible shaft. The magnet is positioned adjacent a face of the housing and is oriented with a line extending through the N and S poles being generally parallel to the face with pole pieces concentrating the magnetic force of the magnet at the face. A remotely operated force reduction feature includes a sleeve of a magnetically attractable material movable between a first position with at least a portion of said magnet disposed within the sleeve to reduce the magnetic forces of the magnet and a second position with the sleeve remote from said magnet.
Claims14
A magnetic retrieval tool for magnetically attractable objects comprising:
- a strong permanent magnet of elongated shape so as to define two opposite ends thereof and side faces extending between the magnet ends, said magnet having N and S poles along the side faces of the magnet;
- elongated pole pieces secured in contact with the side faces of said magnet on opposite sides thereof and which extend generally between the opposite ends of said magnet;
- a magnet housing providing an end face and supporting said magnet adjacent said end face so that a line extending through the N and S poles is oriented generally parallel to the end face, and said pole pieces being operable to reduce the magnetic attraction of said side faces and of said magnet to concentrate the magnetic force at said end face;
- and
- an elongated flexible shaft attached to said magnet housing at a position remote from said face.
A magnetic retrieval tool for magnetically attractable objects comprising:
- a magnet;
- an elongated flexible shaft having a first end and a second end;
- a magnet housing attached to said second end of said flexible shaft and supporting said magnet at a position remote from said shaft;
- force reduction sleeve means within said housing for selectively reducing the magnetic forces of said magnet, said sleeve means defining an interior area and being movable to a first position where at least a portion of said magnet is disposed within said interior area and a second position where said sleeve means is remote from said magnet;
- and
- actuation means operable from at said second end of said flexible shaft for selectively moving said sleeve means between said first and second positions.
A magnetic retrieval tool comprising:
- a strong permanent magnet having N and S poles and pole pieces in contact with said magnet generally at said N and S poles;
- a generally cylindrical, tubular magnet housing of a non-magnetic material generally enclosing said magnet and pole pieces within a cylindrical chamber, said housing having an end cap at a first end thereof for enclosing said first end to provide a face, said end cap supporting said magnet with said pole pieces generally aligned with said face;
- a generally cylindrical tubular sleeve of a magnetically attractable material fitted for movement within said cylindrical chamber of said housing, said sleeve having an interior area receiving said magnet therein when said sleeve is in a first position for reducing the magnetic forces of the magnet and a second position where said sleeve is remote from said magnet;
- an elongated flexible tubular shaft having first and second ends with said first end attached to said second end of said magnet housing remote from said face;
- a plunger housing attached to said second end of said elongated flexible tubular shaft, said plunger housing having a generally cylindrical bore generally aligned with and remote from said flexible shaft;
- a plunger slidably fitted within and having a portion extending out of said cylindrical bore;
- a spring provided within said cylindrical bore acting to urge said plunger out of said bore;
- and
- a wire connected between said sleeve and said plunger so that said urging said plunger into said cylindrical bore causes said sleeve to be selectively moved to said first position and said spring normally biases said sleeve into said second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.