Patent ID: 6016594
Filing Date: 2000-01-25
Classification: B25B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of removing a ball and spring detent means from a confined location within a gear box on a support system for a tractor trailer, comprising the steps of:providing a gear box on a support system for a tractor trailer, wherein the gear box has a cylindrical shaft therein, the shaft has a bore extending transversely therethrough, the bore has a spring and two balls disposed therein, and a bushing surrounds said cylindrical shaft and covers said bore such that the bushing retains the spring and balls within the bore as the spring urges the balls outwardly;providing a tool having:a pair of arms pivotally joined to one another along a pivot axis, wherein each arm has a handle portion and an opposite jaw portion, and with each jaw portion having a tip portion; andan arcuate member attached to the tip portion of each jaw portion, such that when the arms are pivoted about the pivot axis relative to one another the arcuate members oppose one another and define a partial sleeve;opening said gear box, thereby providing access to said cylindrical shaft;grasping said handle portions of said tool with one hand; then;moving said handle portions with said hand, thereby causing said arms to pivot relative to one another about said pivot axis such that said arcuate members form the partial sleeve about said cylindrical shaft; thensliding said tool and partial sleeve in a longitudinal direction along said cylindrical shaft such that each arcuate member becomes positioned between said bushing and said bore, whereby said arcuate members force said balls inwardly against said spring; thenwhile said arcuate members continue to force said balls against said spring, sliding said bushing in said longitudinal direction along said cylindrical shaft, whereby said arcuate members become no longer positioned between said bushing and said bore; thenmoving said handle portions with said hand, thereby causing said arms to pivot relative to one another about said pivot axis such that said arcuate members move away from said cylindrical shaft, whereby said spring urges said balls outwardly from said bore; thencapturing said balls while said balls are urged outwardly by said spring; and thencapturing said spring and as said spring exits from said transverse bore.