Snap ring manipulation tool

A snap ring manipulation tool for installation and removal of snap rings includes a frame that comprises a pair of members. The members are opposing, such that a first end of one member opposes a second end of the other. Each of a pair of first holes is positioned through a respective member proximate to the first end. Each of a pair of rods is fixedly coupled to a respective member proximate to the second end. The rod is slidably positionable through an opposing first hole. A biaser is operationally coupled to each member. Each of a pair of first tips is coupled to and extends from a first side of the frame. The frame positions the first tips for insertion into the complementary orifices of the snap ring. The biaser is positioned to diverge and converge the members to respectively widen and narrow the snap ring.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates to tools and more particularly pertains to a new tool for installation and removal of snap rings.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a frame that comprises a pair of members. The members are opposing, such that a first end of one member opposes a second end of the other. Each of a pair of first holes is positioned through a respective member proximate to the first end. Each of a pair of rods is fixedly coupled to a respective member proximate to the second end. The rod is slidably positionable through an opposing first hole. A biaser is operationally coupled to each member. Each of a pair of first tips is coupled to and extends from a first side of the frame. The frame positions the first tips for insertion into the complementary orifices of the snap ring. The biaser is positioned to diverge and converge the members to respectively widen and narrow the snap ring.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As best illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 5, the snap ring manipulation tool10generally comprises a frame12. The frame12comprises a pair of members14. The members14are opposing, such that a first end16of one of the members14opposes a second end18of the other member14. Preferably, the members14are substantially rectangularly box shaped.

Each of a pair of first holes20is positioned through a respective member14proximate to the first end16. Each of a pair of rods22is fixedly coupled to a respective member14proximate to the second end18. The rod22is slidably positionable through an opposing first hole20, such that the frame12is adjustably rectangularly shaped. Preferably, each rod22has a fixed end24and a slide end26. The fixed end24is insertable into a respective second hole27positioned in the respective member14proximate to the second end18. The rod22is couplable to the respective member14by tightening of a respective grub screw28into an associated grub hole30positioned through a face32of the respective member14proximate to the second hole27. Preferably, the rods22are substantially circularly shaped when viewed longitudinally.

A biaser34is operationally coupled to each member14. The biaser34comprises a pair of penetrations36and a screw rod38. Each penetration36is positioned through a respective member14substantially equally distant from the first end16and the second end18. One penetration36is right-handedly threaded and the other penetration36is left-handedly threaded. The screw rod38comprises a first section40and a second section42. The first section40and the second section42are opposingly threaded, such that the first section40is screwable through one of the penetrations36and the second section42is screwable through the other of the penetrations36. Preferably, the first section40is right-handedly threaded and the second section42is left-handedly threaded. Also preferably, the first section40is dimensionally longer that the second section42.

A coupler44is coupled to a terminus46of the screw rod38. The coupler44is configured to couple to a tool such that torque is applicable to the screw rod38. Preferably, the coupler44is coupled to the first section40of the screw rod38. Also preferably, the coupler44comprises a pair of first nuts48that are locked. The first nuts48are configured to couple to a torque tool, such that the user can apply torque to the screw rod38.

A stop50may be coupled to the screw rod38defining the first section40and the second section42. Preferably, the stop50comprises a second nut52.

Each of a pair of first tips54is coupled to and extends from a first side56of the frame12. The first tips54are complementary to the orifices provided at opposing ends of the snap ring.

Preferably, the frame12comprises a pair of first sockets58. Each first socket58is coupled to and extends linearly from a respective member14on the first side56of the frame12. The pair of first sockets58is hollow and, preferably, substantially round when viewed longitudinally. Each of a pair of first bars60is insertable into and reversibly couplable to a respective first socket58. Each bar60has one first tip54coupled to a respective first edge62and one of a pair of second tips64coupled to a second edge66. The first bars60are couplable to the first sockets58such that the first tips54are outwardly positioned. The first bars60also are couplable to the first sockets58such that the second tips64are outwardly positioned.

Preferably, the first tips54and the second tips64are tapered. The first tips54are dimensionally larger distal from the first edge62than proximate to the first edge62. The second tips64are dimensionally larger distal from the second edge66than proximate to the second edge66. The first tips54are complementary to a pair of first sized orifices provided at opposing ends of snap rings. The second tips64are complementary to a pair of second sized orifices provided at opposing ends of snap rings.

Each of pluralities of first screw holes68is positioned in a respective first socket58. The first screw holes68are threaded. Pluralities of first set screws70are complementary to the first screw holes68, such that the first screw holes68are positioned to receive the first set screws70to reversibly couple the first bars60to the first sockets58. Preferably, each plurality of first screw holes68comprises two first screw holes68and each plurality of first set screws70comprises two first set screws70.

The frame12also may comprise a pair of second sockets72. Each second socket72is coupled to and extends linearly from a respective member14on a second side74of the frame12. The pair of second sockets72is hollow and, preferably, substantially round when viewed longitudinally. Each of a pair of second bars76is insertable into and reversibly couplable to a respective second socket72. Each second bar76has one of a pair of third tips78coupled to a third edge80and one of a pair of fourth tips82coupled to a fourth edge84. The second bars76are couplable to the second sockets72such that the third tips78are outwardly positioned. The second bars76also are couplable to the second sockets72such that the fourth tips82are outwardly positioned.

Preferably, the third tips78and the fourth tips82are tapered. The third tips78are dimensionally larger distal from the third edge80than proximate to the third edge80. The fourth tips82are dimensionally larger distal from the fourth edge84than proximate to the fourth edge84. The third tips78are complementary to a pair of third sized orifices provided at opposing ends of snap rings. The fourth tips82are complementary to a pair of fourth sized orifices provided at opposing ends of snap rings. Preferably, the first tips54are dimensionally larger than the third tips78, the third tips78are dimensionally larger than the fourth tips82, and the fourth tips82are dimensionally larger than the second tips64.

Each of pluralities of second screw holes86is positioned in a respective second socket72. The second screw holes86are threaded. Pluralities of second set screws88are complementary to the second screw holes86, such that the second screw holes86are positioned to receive the second set screws88to reversibly couple the second bars76to the second sockets72. Preferably, each plurality of second screw holes86comprises one second screw hole86and each plurality of second set screws88comprises one second set screw88.

A handle90is coupled to the second side74of the frame12and positioned for grasping in a hand of the user to maintain the frame12substantially perpendicular to the snap ring during installation and removal. Preferably, the handle90comprises a shaft92that is substantially circular when viewed longitudinally. A slot94extends from a first endpoint96of the shaft94to proximate to a second endpoint98of the shaft92. An aperture100is positioned between the slot94and the second endpoint98. The slot94and the aperture100are complementary to the pair of first tips54. As such, the pair of first tips54, the pair of second tips64, the pair of third tips78and the pair of fourth tips82all are selectively insertable singly into the aperture100and the slot94. The handle90is positioned for grasping in a hand of the user to maintain the frame12substantially perpendicular to the snap ring during installation and removal.

In use, the frame12is configurable with the pair of first tips54, the pair of second tips64, the pair of third tips78and the pair of fourth tips82positioned for insertion into corresponding orifices provided at opposing ends of the snap ring. The coupler44is positioned on the screw rod38such that torque can be applied to diverge the pair of members14to widen a snap ring. The coupler44also is positioned on the screw rod38such that torque can be applied to converge the members14to narrow the snap ring.