Abstract:
A tool which has the capability of removing the nut from both large and small nut plate assemblies. The tool comprises a handle having a removal nose portion at one end, the nose portion having an upper jaw portion separated from a lower jaw portion by an opening. The upper jaw portion is used to pry open the nut plate cage and the lower jaw portion pushes and lifts the nut from the cage. The space between the two jaw portions enables a pivoting action around the pried open cage wall.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a tool for removing a nut from a nut plate assembly. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Plate nut assemblies, of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,406, include nuts that are replaceable. Currently, special tools are necessary to remove the nuts from their cages. Small nut plates with thin-walled cages require a tool which can reach inside the assembly, pry open the cage and force the nut out. Larger nut plate assemblies with thick-walled cages require greater prying force, thus necessitating a stronger, thicker tool. However, thicker tools cannot fit inside the nut plate assembly. In addition, the prior art requires a separate tool for installing nuts in the cage portion of the nut assembly, thus in turn increasing the cost of the maintaining and servicing the assembly. 
     What is thus desired is to provide a single tool for use with both small and large nut plate assemblies wherein the tool can remove the nut while positioned outside the nut plate assembly cage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a single tool which has the capability of removing the nut from both large and small nut plate assemblies. 
     The tool comprises a handle having a nose portion at one end, the nose portion comprising an upper jaw portion separated from a lower jaw portion by an opening. The upper jaw portion is used to pry open the nut plate cage and the lower jaw portion pushes and lifts the nut from the cage. The space between the two jaw portions enables a pivoting action around the pried open cage wall. 
     The present invention thus provides a tool for removing a nut from a nut cage assembly, the tool being relatively simple to use and inexpensive to fabricate and being capable of use for nuts of various thicknesses. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the invention, as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the installation tool of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the installation tool of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is an elevation view illustrating in more detail the tool nose of the present invention; and 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate how the nose tool portion is utilized to remove a nut from its receptacle. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the removal/installation tool  10  of the present invention is illustrated. Tool  10  comprises a nose portion  12  mounted to handle  14  via fasteners, such as pins,  16  and  18 . Handle  14 , in the embodiment illustrated, includes an angled or bent, portion  20  in which nose portion  12  is mounted. The angled portion  20  enables tool  10  to be used in limited access areas where the nut plate assembly  50  (see FIG. 4 and 5) is mounted. 
     The other end  21  of handle  14  has a threaded aperture  23  formed in cutout portion  24 . A socket member  26  is positioned in cutout portion  24  as illustrated and secured to handle  14  by screw, or fastener,  28  having a threaded portion  29  (fastener  28  is shown removed from aperture  23  for purposes of clarity). It should be noted that a threaded post extending from end  21  can be used instead of aperture  23 , a corresponding threaded aperture being formed in socket  26 , thus eliminating the need for separate fastener  28 . 
     Nose portion  12 , shown in more detail in FIG. 3, comprises upper jaw portion  30  and lower jaw portion  32 , jaw portions  30  and  32  being separated by opening  34 . Upper jaw portion  32  comprises portion  36  extending at an angle to longitudinal axis  38  of nose portion  12  and lower jaw portion  32  comprises a portion  40  substantially parallel to axis  38  and a portion  42  which extends upwardly at an angle to axis  38 . 
     As will be explained hereinafter in more detail, nose portion  12  is designed to remove nut  52  from cage  54  quickly and efficiently (see FIGS.  4  and  5 ). 
     Referring to FIG. 2, a second embodiment  60  of the reoval/installation tool of the present invention is illustrated Tool  60  comprises nose portion  62 , connected to one end of handle  64  via fasteners, such as pins,  66  and  68 . The other end of handle  64  has a threaded aperture  70  formed therein. A removable socket  72  is secured to handle  64  via threaded fastener  74 , fastener  74  being threaded into aperture  70  in a manner such that head  76  of fastener  74  secures socket  72  to handle  64 . As discussed with reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, socket  72  can be secured to handle  64  using a threaded post fastened to the handle end, the threaded post being secured within a threaded aperture formed in socket  72 . Nose portion  62  is essentially identical in construction to nose portion  12  of FIG. 1 with the exception that shank portion  78  is longer than the corresponding shank portion of nose portion  12 . As illustrated, nose portion  62  and socket  72  are aligned along the longitudinal axis  80  of tool  60 . 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the steps used to remove nut  52  from cage  54  in nut plate assembly  50 . Although tool  10  is illustrated, it is to be understood that tool  60  may be utilized instead. As illustrated, assembly  50  is secured to panel  81  via rivets  82  and  84 , for example. Aperture  86  in panel  81  is adapted to receive a threaded bolt (not shown). 
     In order to remove nut  52  from cage  54 , the upper jaw portion  30  is inserted between nut  52  and cage  54  with the lower jaw portion  32  contacting nut tab  90  which protrudes from cage window, or opening,  92 . Downward pressure is then applied to handle  14  in the direction of arrow  96 , upper jaw portion  30  prying open cage  54  and simultaneously pushing and lifting nut  52  through cage window  92  with tool lower jaw  32  releasing nut  52  from cage  54 . 
     The height of the nose, or removal tool, portion  12  is designed to be suitable to fit into an ergonomically sized handle  14 . Angled to the longitudinal axis  38 , the upper jaw portion  36  is designed so that the angle portion does not contact the nut  52  until insertion of the upper jaw point between nut  52  and cage  54  begins. During the insertion process, the angle portion contacts nut  52  which moves, or floats, within cage  54 . The angle portion pushes nut  52  away from cage  54  enabling the upper jaw point to insert itself sufficiently deep to contact enough of the cage wall to begin the prying process. 
     The lower jaw portion  42  extends sufficiently forward of the upper jaw portion so that, as the upper jaw pries open the wall of cage  54 , the lower jaw, using a pivoting action, contacts the nut tab  90  protruding through cage window  92  and pushes nut tab  90  through cage window  92 . The upward curvature of lower jaw portion  42  is designed so that the lower jaw  42  will, upon contacting and pushing nut tab  90  through window  92 , also provide a lifting action, thereby simultaneously pushing and lifting nut  52  from cage  54 . 
     The opening  34  between upper jaw portions  36  and lower jaw portion  42  is sufficiently large to enable both jaw portions to partially encompass the cage sidewall portion between the top of the sidewall and window  92 . The height and depth of opening  34  allows nose portion  12  to pivot in the prying, pushing and lifting motion about the sidewall portion of cage  54  between the top of the sidewall portion and window  92  in the direction of arrow  96 . 
     The present invention thus provides an installation tool for use with plate nut assemblies of various sizes which is relatively inexpensive and wherein the labor costs associated with removing nuts is substantially reduced. 
     While the invention has been described with reference in its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teaching of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.