Abstract:
A tool for pulling or removing seals includes an elongate handle having a manual engagement end and a seal hook member attachment end with a seal hook member pivotally attached to the seal hook member attachment end. The seal hook member includes at least one hook element and a mechanism for pivotally adjusting and fixing the pivotal relationship of the seal hook member with the elongate handle member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In a principal aspect, the present invention relates to a tool which is useful for removal of seals, such as seals utilized on vehicle drive transaxles, engine crankshaft seals and the like. 
   Heretofore, Lisle Corporation has made available a fixed head seal puller, Product No. 56750. This tool is used to facilitate the removal of seals, for example, seals used in combination with or in association with vehicle front wheel drive transaxles, engine crankshafts and the like. The tool thus has applicability for automobile repair. The fixed head seal puller is generally successful commercially as a tool for use by automobile mechanics and the like. 
   However, with the advent of multiple sizes and types of bearing mechanisms which are utilized in combination with seals, the extent of utilization of the aforesaid prior art tool has been somewhat limited. The tool, thus, does not have universal application for all sizes of seals. Moreover, the tool has limited capability for use in restricted access areas in an engine compartment, for example. Thus, there has developed the need for an improved seal puller which has a broader range of capability. This desire, among others, led to the development of the present invention. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Briefly, the present invention comprises a tool for facilitating removal of seals and which has adjustment features so that it may be utilized in a number of work environments and with respect to seals of a wide variety of sizes and configurations. The tool includes an elongate handle that can be manually gripped at one end and includes a seal hook member pivotally attached to the opposite end. The seal hook member may include one or more hooks or hook elements, but includes at least one hook element. The seal hook member is pivotally adjustable relative to the handle and thus includes a mechanism for engaging and connecting the seal hook member to the elongate handle member in any one of a number of desired, fixed orientations. The orientation adjustment capability of the tool enables at least two adjustable orientations. In a preferred embodiment, upwards of five adjustable orientations are available and upwards of two or more hook elements are included on the seal hook member. 
   In use, the tool is adjusted by orienting the seal hook member in a desired fashion relative to the elongate handle and then the hook element may be engaged with a seal and manually actuated to facilitate disengagement of the seal from its associated seal seat. 
   Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved tool for pulling seals and removing seals from a seated position in a mechanical device. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide a tool for pulling a seal wherein the tool is adjustable and includes various sized hook elements for engaging a seal and further is adjustable in orientation to facilitate the utilization of the tool. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a tool for pulling or removing seals wherein the tool is comprised of generally flat planar elements including an elongate handle and a seal hook member. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a tool for pulling seals which provides the user with a mechanical advantage in efforts to remove a seal from its associated seat. 
   These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures: 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of the tool of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the tool of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded isometric view of the component parts forming the tool of the invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of the tool of  FIG. 1  illustrating the various alternative positions of the embodiment depicted inasmuch as the hook member may be adjusted with respect to the elongate handle member; and 
       FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the tool of the invention wherein the tool has been set in a fixed position and illustrating the manner of use of the tool. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to the figures, the tool of the invention is comprised of an elongate handle  10  having a manual engagement end  12  with a vinyl or foam grip  14  molded thereon. The opposite end of the handle  10  comprises a seal, hook member attachment end  16 . In practice, the elongate handle  10  is comprised of first and second planar, elongate bars or plate members  18  and  20  which are joined together by rivets  22  and  24 . The elongate members  18  and  20  each include an angled section  26  so that, when joined together, the seal hook member attachment end  16  defines a gap or space into which a seal hook member  28  may be positioned. The seal hook member  28  includes a throughpassage  30  through which the rivet  24  fits and about which the seal hook member  28  may pivot. The seal hook member thus is pivotally connected by means of a pivot connection to the attachment end  16  of the elongate handle  10 . 
   The seal hook member  28  is comprised of a planar plate section  40  and a forward head or hook section  42 . The hook section  42  of hook member  28  includes a first hook element  44  extending laterally from a longitudinal axis  46  in a first direction and a second hook element  48  extending in the opposite direction from the longitudinal center line axis  46 . The longitudinal center line axis  46  passes through the center of the pivot opening  30  in the head element  28 . Each of the hook elements  44  and  48  are configured to include a seal engagement point or probe  45  and  47 , respectively. Each of the hook elements  44  and  48  is preferably uniquely sized relative one to the other so as to enable engagement of the point or probe  45  and/or  47  with a seal to facilitate removal of the seal. 
   The body portion  40  of the head  42  includes a plurality of openings, such as openings  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  and  58 . The openings  50 ,  52 , and  54  are at equal radial distances from the center line of the pivot  30 . Similarly, the radial distance of the openings or passages  56  and  58  are at equal radial distances from the center of the pivot opening  30  or the rivet  24 . The head, thus, may be pivoted about the rivet or pin  24  to align openings  50 ,  52  or  54  with a throughpassage  60  or to align the openings  56  or  58  with a throughpassage  62 . Thus, passage  60  is at an equal radial distance from pivot  30  to the radial distance of openings  50 ,  52 ,  54 . Passage  62  is at an equal radial distance from pivot  30  as openings  56 ,  58 . 
   A detent pull pin  66  is provided to fit through either passage  60  or passage  62  to thereby engage or pass through any of the openings  50 ,  52 ,  54  with respect to passage  60  or openings  56  and  58  with respect to passage  62 . Thus, removal of the detent pull pin  66  and pivoting of the head  40  permits alignment of a desired passage in the head  40  with a desired opening in the seal hook member attachment end  16  of the elongate handle  10 . In this manner, the seal hook member  28  may be aligned in any of a number of orientations with respect to the elongate handle  10 . In the embodiment shown, there are at least five different orientations of the seal hook member  28  with respect to the elongate handle  10 . 
   Of course, additional openings permitting additional orientations of the respective component parts  10  and  28  may be utilized. Additionally, the elongate handle  10  may include a plate with radially spaced openings relative to the pivot point  30  for coaction with openings provided in a seal hook member  28 . In other words, the arrangement of the elements may be reversed or expanded from that depicted, for example, in  FIG. 1  insofar as the interaction of the various openings and the positioning of openings in the handle  10  and hook element member  28 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, the component parts forming the tool are generally flat, planar metal plate members. Further in a preferred embodiment, the handle member  10  is preferably an elongate member having longitudinal axis  46  which is straight and elongate. However, the handle  10  may be constructed with various configurations and may also be bent at an angle with respect to the plane of the members forming the handle element  10 . Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the handle element  10  comprises a straight linear axis  46 , although other arrangements are possible. 
   The detent pull pin  66  is constructed so that it may be snap fitted into the openings described and retained therein by means of a detent mechanism. The detent pull pin includes a head  67  which may be manually gripped to facilitate positioning the pull pin  66 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, the fixed rivet or pivot pin  24  lies on the axis  46 . However, it is possible to adjust the position of the fixed pivot pin  24  and make it non-axial. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate the various positions and the use of the tool of the invention. That is, in use, a desired orientation of the handle  10  and the hook element member  28  is set by use of the detent pin  66  and the various openings as previously described. Thereafter, a hook element, such as hook element  44  or  48 , is positioned by the mechanic or user of the tool in a manner so that it will engage with a seal to be pulled from its seat.  FIG. 5  illustrates this utility. 
   The tool of the invention is particularly useful with respect to removal of annular seals. However, the tool may be used in combination or to effect removal of various seal shaped elements including annular elements and elements having other distinctive shapes. The elements need not form a closed loop. For example, the elements may be semi-circular or have other configurations. The tool of the present invention, however, provides a hook element which enables engagement with a seal or other item to facilitate removal of the seal or other type item from a seat or from a seated position. As mentioned in the background, the tool of the invention is especially useful with respect to removal of seals for front wheel drive transaxles, drive shafts and the like. However, the use is not so limited. Thus, the invention, as described herein, is exemplary with respect to the preferred embodiment and the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.