Abstract:
The present invention also includes a method of remanufacturing a printer cartridge, the printer cartridge comprising printer cartridge components fastened together by a pin, the method comprising the steps of providing a device, the device comprising a shaft configured to apply pressure to the pin; a drive means for driving the shaft against the pin; and applying pressure to the pin using the device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/647,115 filed Dec. 28, 2006. This application also claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/132,653 filed Jun. 20, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to electrophotography, particularly methods and apparatus for remanufacturing toner cartridges. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Used printer cartridges of fax machines, copiers, inkjet printers, and laser printers are often remanufactured. Printer cartridges typically include a toner hopper, a waste hopper, primary charge roller or PCR, a developer roller, and a drum. The drum is usually one of the components that wears out from usage and gets replaced during remanufacturing. The drum is typically attached to a drum axle, which is connected to a motor of the printer and allows the motor to rotate the drum. In some cartridges, the drum is attached to the drum axle with a mechanical spring pin that is inserted through a plastic cap portion of the drum and a portion of the drum axle. Examples of these cartridges include cartridges for Hewlett-Packard laser printer model numbers 3000, 3500, 3600, 3700, and 3800. 
         [0004]    In addition to the mechanical spring pin attaching the drum to the drum axle, in some cartridges, a spring pin also attaches the drum axle to a drive element. The spring pin is also inserted through the drive element and a portion of the drum axle. The drive element of the printer cartridge is configured to fit to a drum drive gear of a printer to allow the printer to rotate the drum axle and the drum. Examples of these cartridges include cartridges for Hewlett-Packard laser printer model number 4700. 
         [0005]    To detach the printer cartridge components joined by the spring pin, a hammer and a chisel is conventionally used. For instance, the chisel is first aligned with the mechanical spring pin. Once the chisel is aligned, a hammer is used to cause the chisel to drive the mechanical spring pin until it no longer holds the printer cartridge components. Other conventional methods include using a punch in lieu of the chisel. The punch may include a flatter head than the chisel, which provides a wider surface of pin contact than the chisel. Consequently, the punch may more effectively contact and drive the mechanical spring pin. 
         [0006]    At least one problem with the conventional methods and tools is that they expose the drum to being damaged. For instance, the drum may include drum caps made of soft plastic. Since irregular force is applied to the drum cap by the hammer, the chisel, or the punch, the soft plastic of the drum cap may be deformed. Conventional tools may also damage the mechanical spring pin. Another problem with the conventional tools is that they may be difficult to use. The chisel or the punch may contact the mechanical spring pin, but may easily slip from the mechanical spring pin. Thus, the conventional methods and tools may not be desirable in high volume cartridge remanufacturing environments. Methods and apparatus for efficiently and quickly detaching and reattaching printer cartridge components joined by a spring pin are desired and are addressed by the present invention. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       [0007]    The present invention includes a device for remanufacturing a printer cartridge, the printer cartridge comprising at least two printer cartridge components attached together by a pin, the device comprising: a shaft configured to apply pressure to the pin; a frame connected to the shaft, the frame configured to provide support to the shaft; a cartridge mount connected to the frame; the cartridge mount configured to support a cartridge portion when the shaft applies pressure to the pin. 
         [0008]    The present invention also includes a method of remanufacturing a printer cartridge, the printer cartridge comprising printer cartridge components fastened together by a pin, the method comprising the steps of providing a device, the device comprising a shaft configured to apply pressure to the pin; a drive means for driving the shaft against the pin; and applying pressure to the pin using the device. 
         [0009]    The above description sets forth, rather broadly, a summary of embodiments of the present invention so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood and contributions of the present invention to the art may be better appreciated. Some of the embodiments of the present invention may not include all of the features or characteristics listed in the above summary. There may be, of course, other features of the invention that will be described below and may form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is substantially a front elevational view of an embodiment of a pin driver of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is substantially a front elevational view of an embodiment of an engagement pin of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is substantially a front elevational view of an embodiment of an alignment pin of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is substantially a top plan view of a prior art cartridge for which the various embodiments of the pin driver of the present invention may be used. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is substantially a front elevational view of the portion of the cartridge in  FIG. 4  that includes the drum and the drum axle. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is substantially a rear elevational view of the same cartridge portion as in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is substantially a perspective view of the same cartridge portion as in  FIG. 5  with a pin attaching the drum to the drum axle. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is substantially a perspective view similar to  FIG. 7 , but with the pin driver embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  being used. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is substantially a schematic view of an end of the pin driver and a portion of a drum hub to which the pin driver end may be configured to abut. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is substantially a perspective view of another pin driver embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is substantially another perspective view of the pin driver embodiment of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is substantially a front view of yet another embodiment of a pin driver. 
           [0022]      FIG. 13A  is substantially a perspective view of the clamp, the driver mount, and the moveable shaft of the pin driver embodiment of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 13B  is substantially a side view of the clamp in a first position, the driver mount, and the moveable shaft of the pin driver embodiment of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 13C  is substantially a side view of the clamp in a second position, the driver mount, and the moveable shaft of the pin driver embodiment of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is substantially a front schematic view of a cartridge mount of a pin driver embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is substantially a front schematic view of the cartridge mount of  FIG. 12  having been flipped to accommodate a different drum type. 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is substantially a front schematic view of another embodiment of a pin driver of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is substantially a cross-sectional view of the pin driver embodiment of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is substantially a partial cross-sectional view of the elongated member and the pin abutting member of the pin driver embodiment of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  is substantially a partial cross-sectional view of the elongated member and the pin abutting member of the pin driver embodiment of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 20  is substantially an exploded view of a pin abutting member embodiment for the pin driver embodiment of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 21  is substantially a front schematic view of another embodiment of a pin abutting member for the pin driver embodiment of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 22  is substantially a cross-sectional view of the pin driver embodiment of  FIG. 16  being used to install the pin to the drum and the drum axle. 
           [0034]      FIG. 23  is substantially a front schematic view of a pin being damaged. 
           [0035]      FIG. 24  is substantially a prospective view of a pin guard of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 25  is substantially a partial schematic view of the pin guard of  FIG. 24  being used with a pin driver and pin. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0038]    The present invention comprises various embodiments of a pin driver and related methods of use. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the pin driver  20  may include a tool body  22 , a shaft  24 , an engagement pin  26 , and an alignment pin  28 . The tool body  22  may have a C-shaped structure, which defines a first end  30  and a second end  32 . The first end  30  is preferably positioned at the bottom of the C-shaped structure and preferably defines a first recess (not shown) proximate to the tip of the first end  30 . The first recess is preferably configured to accommodate the shaft  24 , which may be moved within the first recess. It can be appreciated that the first end portion  30  supports, at least partially, the movable shaft  24 . Thus, the first end  30  of the tool body  22  may be thicker than the second end  32  to provide structural integrity to the first end portion  30 . 
         [0039]    The shaft  24  preferably includes continuous projecting helical ribs or male threads. The wall that surrounds the first recess preferably includes corresponding set of female threads. The shaft  24  may be turned and moved within the first recess using a handle  36  attached to a first shaft end  38 . It can be appreciated that the turning of the shaft  24  either elongates or shortens the length of the shaft  24 , as measured from the first end  30  of the tool body  22 . It can further be appreciated that the turning of the shaft  24  moves the tool body  22  up and down the shaft  24 . 
         [0040]    The shaft  24  preferably also includes a second shaft end  40 , which is opposite the first shaft end  38  where the handle  36  is positioned. An engagement pin  26  is preferably attached to the second shaft end  40 . The engagement pin  26  may be another shaft with a smaller diameter than the shaft  24  and may include an edge that tapers towards the tip. The edge may further include a substantially flat surface that is perpendicular to the engagement pin shaft. As the engagement pin  26  is attached to the shaft  24 , the rotation of the shaft  24  also rotates the engagement pin  26 . The engagement pin  26  is preferably configured to push a mechanical spring pin to detach a drum from a drum axle, as described below. 
         [0041]    With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the second end  32  of the pin driver  20  is preferably opposite the first end  30  of the C-shaped structure of the tool body  22 . In  FIG. 1 , the first end  30  is positioned on the bottom of the tool body  22 , and thus the second end  32  is positioned on top of the tool body  22 . The second end  32  preferably defines a second end recess  42  (shown in  FIG. 9 ). The second end recess is preferably configured to accommodate the insertion of the alignment pin  28 . 
         [0042]    The alignment pin  28  is preferably tied to the shaft  24  using a tie known in the art. It is noted that the alignment pin  28  is only optionally tied to the shaft  24  to ensure that the alignment pin  28  is not misplaced or lost and to provide an alignment pin  28  that can easily be grasped when needed. The alignment pin  28  need not be tied to the shaft  24 . The alignment pin  28  may also be attached elsewhere around the pin driver  20  using methods known in the art. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the structure of the engagement pin  26  is shown in detail wherein the engagement pin  26  preferably includes an engagement pin shaft  46  directly attached to the shaft  24 . The engagement pin shaft  46  preferably has a smaller diameter than the shaft  24 . The engagement pin  26  preferably also includes a pin contact portion  48 , which is preferably attached to the end of the engagement pin shaft  46  that is opposite to the end where the shaft  24  is attached. The pin contact portion  48  preferably includes a structure that tapers from the engagement pin shaft  46  to its tip. The pin contact portion  48  is preferably sized to fit inside a recess defined by the mechanical spring pin to be removed by the pin driver  20  (not shown). 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the structure of the alignment pin  28  is shown in detail. The alignment pin  28  preferably includes an alignment pin head  49 . The alignment pin head  49  may be cylindrical in shape and may define a pin head recess  51  to accommodate a tie  44 , which may be used to attach the alignment pin  28  to the pin driver  20 . An alignment pin shaft  53  is preferably attached to the alignment pin head  49 . The alignment pin shaft  53  preferably has a smaller diameter than the alignment pin head  49 . The alignment pin  28  preferably also includes an alignment pin contact portion  55  attached to the alignment pin shaft  53 . The alignment pin contact portion  55  preferably includes a cylindrical body and an edge that tapers toward the tip and forms a pointed edge  57 . It is noted that in other embodiments of the pin driver, the alignment pin head  49  may not include the pin head recess  51 . The alignment pin shaft  53  and the cylindrical body of the alignment pin contact portion  55  may be integrated and may have uniform diameter. 
         [0045]    The present invention also includes methods relating to the use of the pin driver  20 . Before describing one of the methods, the order in which the steps are presented below is not limited to any particular order and does not necessarily imply that they have to be performed in the order presented. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the order of these steps can be rearranged and performed in any suitable manner. It will further be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that some steps may be omitted or added and still fall within the spirit of the invention. 
         [0046]    The cartridge to be remanufactured is preferably disassembled such that the drum can be accessed. In the description below, the drawings corresponding to the description depict cartridges from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including Hewlett Packard company&#39;s HP3700, HP 3500, HP 3800, HP 3600, and HP 3000 cartridges. It is noted that the application of the invention is not limited to Hewlett Packard cartridges. The invention may be used with cartridges from various manufacturers. 
       Drum Disassembly 
       [0047]    Once a toner hopper is separated from the waste hopper, the drum  50  may be visible and accessible. A drum  50  typically has a first end  54  and a second end  56 . The first end  54  is typically attached to a first cartridge portion  58  of the cartridge  52 . The second end  56  is typically attached to a drum axle  60 . The drum axle  60  is typically a piece of shaft that connects the drum  50  to a motor of a printer to allow the motor to rotate the drum. The drum axle is typically attached to a second cartridge portion  62 . 
         [0048]    With reference now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the first end  54  of the drum  50  may include a drum hub  64 . The drum hub  64  may define a pair of opposing recesses, which may be a circular recess  66  on one end ( FIG. 5 ) and a square recess  68  on the other end ( FIG. 6 ). The drum hub  64  may be attached to a drum axle  60 , which may define a drum axle recess. The drum axle recess may be aligned with the pair of opposing recesses  66  and  68  of the drum hub to form a pin passage  70 . A drum spring pin  72  is typically inserted through the pin passage  70  to attach the drum  50  to the drum axle  60  ( FIG. 7 ). The drum spring pin  72  may be hollow, and each drum spring pin end may define a corresponding drum spring pin recesses  73  and  75 . The drum axle  60  may be attached to the second cartridge portion  62 . Thus, the second end  56  of the drum  50  is indirectly attached to the cartridge via the drum axle  60 . 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , once the cartridge has been disassembled to provide access to the drum  50 , the pin driver  20  is preferably positioned around the drum  50  such that the C-shaped tool body  22  is over the drum hub  64 . The drum hub  64  is preferably positioned in between the first end  30  and the second end  32  of the tool body  22 . If the drum hub  64  is of the type that includes a circular recess on one end and a square recess on another, the drum  50  is preferably rotated such that the first end  30  of the tool body  22  is facing the circular recess. The alignment pin  28  may be inserted through the second recess  42  defined by the second end  32 . The shaft  24  may be rotated, and the engagement pin  26  may be aligned with the drum spring pin  72  to be removed. Once the shaft  24  has been extended such that the engagement pin  26  contacts the drum spring pin  72 , the pin contact portion  48  of the engagement pin  26  may then be inserted into the recess  73  of the drum spring pin  72 . 
         [0050]    The shaft  24  may be rotated until the second end  32  of the tool body  22  abuts the drum hub  64  ( FIG. 9 ). The drum hub  64  may include an indented sub-structure  65 , which defines the recess  67  for the drum spring spin  72 . The second end  32  of the tool body  22  may include a protruding portion  43  designed to fit within the indented sub-structure  65  of the drum hub. Once the protruding portion  43  of the second end  32  abuts the indented sub-structure  65  of the drum hub, the shaft  24  may be rotated until the alignment pin  28  is withdrawn from the second recess  42  and the drum spring pin  72  is detached from the drum hub. A portion of the engagement pin may have to be inserted through the pin passage to drive the drum spring pin  72  out of the drum hub. It can be appreciated that the protruding portion  43  aids in providing a much precise alignment between the second recess  42  and the pin recess  67 . The precise alignment may minimize the exposure of the drum spring pin from being damaged. 
       Drum Re-Assembly 
       [0051]    The pin driver  20  may provide leverage during both disassembly and re-assembly. To use the pin driver  20  during re-assembly, the pin driver  20  may be positioned around the drum  50  such that the C-shaped tool body  22  is over the drum hub  64 . The drum hub  64  is preferably positioned in between the first end  30  and the second end  32  of the tool body  22 . If the drum hub  64  is of the type that includes a circular recess on one end and a square recess on another, the drum  50  is preferably rotated such that the first end  30  of the tool body  22  is facing the square recess. The drum spring pin  72  is preferably inserted through the square recess. If the drum hub  64  does not have two types of recesses, then the drum spring pin  72  may be inserted through any drum hub recess. 
         [0052]    The second end  32  may be positioned to abut the drum hub  64 , and the alignment pin  28  may be inserted through the second recess  42  of the second end  32 . A portion of the alignment pin  28  may be inserted through the pin passage  70  defined by the drum hub and the drum axle. The shaft  24  may be rotated, and the engagement pin  26  may be aligned with the drum spring pin  72 . The pin contact portion  48  of the engagement pin  26  may then be inserted into the recess of the drum spring pin  72 . The shaft  24  may be rotated until the drum spring pin  72  pushes out the alignment pin  28  or the desired length of insertion of the drum spring pin  72  through the pin passage is achieved. 
       OTHER EMBODIMENTS 
       [0053]    Referring now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , another embodiment  80  of a pin driver is shown wherein, like pin driver  20 , pin driver  80  preferably also includes similar shaft  24  and engagement pin  26 . Pin driver  80  may also include a C-shaped tool body  82  that has a first end  84  and a second end  86 . The shaft  24  is preferably moveably attached at the first end of the tool body  82 . Unlike pin driver  20 , the second end of the tool body  82  preferably defines a first groove  88  on a first side  90  and a second groove  92  on a second side  94 . 
         [0054]    The first groove  88  is preferably shaped to accommodate a printer cartridge portion, such as a drum drive element  96  attached to the side of the printer cartridge (not shown). In the preferred embodiment, the first groove  88  may be a substantially triangular design configured to accommodate a substantially triangular drive element  96 . Drive element  96  may be positioned on the first groove  88  such that the V-shape of the drive element  96  sits on the V-shape of the first groove  88 . Once the drive element  96  is positioned within the first groove  88 , the shaft  24  may be rotated and lowered so that the engagement pin  26  may contact the spring pin  72  and detach the spring pin  72  from the drive element  96 . Once the spring pin  72  is detached from the drive element  96 , the drive element  96  may be separated from the drive axle  97 . The drum axle  97  may then be pulled out of the cartridge to release the drum from the printer cartridge (not shown) so that the drum can be replaced or remanufactured. 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , second groove  92  may define two parallel vertical sides  96   a  and  96   b  that are spaced apart and connected to their respective angled sides  98   a  and  98   b.  Angled sides  98   a  and  98   b  may be connected to their respective shorter vertical sides  100   a  and  100   b.  The space between vertical sides  96   a  and  96   b  is preferably configured to accommodate a plastic drum cap or drum hub of a predefined shape. The spacing between shorter vertical sides  100   a  and  100   b  compared to the spacing between two parallel vertical sides  96   a  and  96   b  is preferably less. The space between vertical sides  100   a  and  100   b  is preferably configured to accommodate the pin being detached from the drum cap. It is noted that the number, design, and placement of the grooves defined by the second end  86  of the pin driver  80  may be varied and still fall within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0056]    It is noted that embodiment  80  of the pin driver may also be used to re-attach printer cartridge components held together by a pin. For instance, drive element  96  may be re-attached to the drum axle  97  by inserting a first pin  72  using embodiment  80  of the pin driver. The drum axle  97  may be inserted to the drive element  96 , then the first pin  72  may be introduced into the drive element  96 . The drive element  96  may then be positioned into the first groove  88  and the pin may be aligned to the shaft  24 . The shaft  24  may be pressed against the first pin  72  to drive the first pin  72  into the drive element  96  thereby joining the drive element  96  and the drum axle  97 . The drum may be re-attached to the drum axle  97  by inserting the drum axle  97  through the core of the drum. A second pin  99  may be introduced into the drum cap  101 . The drum cap  101  may then be positioned into the second groove  90  and the second pin  99  may be aligned to the shaft  24 . The shaft  24  may be pressed against the second pin  99  to drive the second pin  99  into the drum cap  101  thereby joining the drum cap  101  with the drum axle  103 . 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIG. 12 , the present invention includes another embodiment of a pin driver  102 . Pin driver  102  preferably includes a base  104 , a frame  106  attached to the base  104 , a driver mount  108  attached to the frame  106 , a moveable shaft  110  attached to the driver mount  108 , a clamp  112  attached to the shaft  110  for moving the shaft  110 , and a cartridge mount  114  attached to the frame  106  for supporting a printer cartridge portion (not shown). The pin driver  102  may also include a pin engaging shaft  126  that preferably has a smaller diameter than shaft  110  and shaft adapter  128  that preferably connects shaft  110  and pin engaging shaft  126 . The base  104  preferably provides a flat surface to allow the pin driver  102  to independently stand on a work area. The base  104  may also provide support to the frame  106 , which in turn, supports the driver mount  108  and the cartridge mount  114 . 
         [0058]    The cartridge mount  114  may be attached to the frame  106  at a predefined position wherein it allows the pin that attaches printer cartridge components to be aligned with the engagement shaft  126 . The cartridge mount  114  may include a first interchangeable end  115  and a second interchangeable end  117 , which may be interchanged depending on the application and may be attached to the cartridge by fasteners  119  known in the art. First interchangeable end  115  may define a first groove  88 , and second interchangeable end  117  may define a second groove  92 . First groove  88  and second groove  92  may be similar to first groove  88  and second groove  92  discussed above and shown on  FIGS. 10 and 11 . First groove  88  and second groove  92  may be configured to accommodate printer cartridge portions that are shaped to fit within the appropriate groove thereby allowing the cartridge mount  114  to securely support a printer cartridge portion while the pin is being installed to or detached from printer cartridge components. Again, the number, design, and placement of the grooves may be varied and still fall within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0059]    The driver mount  108  preferably supports the moveable shaft  110  and the clamp  112 . The driver mount  108  preferably defines a shaft receiving recess and allows the shaft to move in the shaft receiving recess. The shaft  110  of the pin driver  102  is preferably configured to move in a lateral manner relative to the driver mount  108  as opposed to a rotational manner. Referring now to  FIGS. 13   a,  the movement of the shaft is preferably caused by the clamp  112 . Clamp  112  preferably includes a lever  116  that is connected to a handle  118  on one end and a pivot mechanism  120  at the opposite end. The pivot mechanism  120  preferably causes the lateral pin driving movement of the shaft  110 . Pivot mechanism  120  preferably includes a pair of hook arms  122   a  and  122   b  attached to the lever  116  on one end and to the moveable shaft  110  on the other end. Pivot mechanism  120  preferably further includes a pair of angled arms  124   a  and  124   b,  one end of each of which are preferably connected to its respective hook arm at a location that is substantially in the middle portion or the bent portion of the hook arm. The other end of each of the angled arms is preferably attached to a shaft stage  126 . The shaft stage  126  is preferably attached to the driver mount  108  and defines a recess for receiving the shaft  110 . 
         [0060]    Referring now to  FIG. 13   b,  as the handle  118  is moved from a position that is substantially parallel to the driver mount  108  towards a position close to perpendicular to the driver mount  108 , the pair of angled arms  124   a  and  124   b  are preferably configured to move. from a substantially 90 degree position relative the driver mount  108  towards a position that is approximately 45 degrees relative to the driver mount ( FIG. 13   c ). The portions of the pair of hook arms  122   a  and  122   b  that are adjacent to the shaft  110  preferably move from a position substantially 90 degrees relative to the driver mount  108  to a position substantially 135 degrees relative to the driver mount  108  thereby pushing the shaft  110  down towards the ground giving it a driving force. It is noted that the recitation of the angles of positions herein are for description purposes only and are not to limit the invention. 
         [0061]    Referring now to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , a different embodiment of a cartridge mount is shown wherein cartridge mount  140  is preferably rotatably mounted to the frame  106  via fasteners known in the art, such as the combination of a bolt  142  and a wing nut  144 . The cartridge mount  40  preferably includes a first end  146  and a second end  148 . The first end  146  of the cartridge mount  140  preferably defines a first groove  88 , which may be a substantially triangular design configured to accommodate a substantially triangular drive element  96  as previously discussed and shown in  FIG. 10 . The second end  148  preferably defines a second groove  92 , which may define two parallel vertical sides  96   a  and  96   b  that are spaced apart and connected to their respective angled sides  98   a  and  98   b  as previously discussed and shown in  FIG. 11 . The second end  148  may be able to accommodate the drum cap  156  and allow the pin holding the drum cap  156  and the drum axle to be installed within them or detached from them. The cartridge mount  40  may be rotated around the frame  106  so that the appropriate groove can be aligned with the engagement shaft  126 . For instance, if a printer cartridge with a triangular drive element  96  needs a pin installed or extracted from the drive axle, then the first groove  88  of the first end  146  may be aligned with the engagement shaft  126 . If the drum  154  has a drum cap  156  that needs a pin installed or extracted from the drive axle, then the cartridge mount  140  may be flipped so that the second groove  92  of the second end  148  may be aligned with the engagement shaft  126 . 
         [0062]    With reference now to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , another embodiment  160  of a pin driver preferably includes a spool  162 , a spooling mechanism  164 , and an elongate material  166 . Spool  162  preferably includes a cylindrical member  168  with rims  170  and  172  attached to the opposite ends of the cylindrical member  168 . The cylindrical member  168  preferably defines a recess  174  configured to receive and hold the elongate material  166 . The cylindrical member  168 , rim  170 , and rim  170  are preferably mounted to a support frame  178 . Spooling mechanism  164  is preferably attached to rim  172  and preferably includes a first gear  176  and a second gear  178 . Each of the first and second gear preferably includes its respective set of gear teeth. First gear  176  is preferably attached to a shaft  180  that extends to a handle  181 . The handle  181  may be operated to rotate the first gear  178 . The teeth of the first gear  178  contact the teeth of the second gear  176  and rotate the second gear  176 . The rotation of the second gear  176  rotates the spool  162  thereby allowing the spool to wind or unwind the elongate material  166 . It is noted that motors, pneumatic, or hydraulic spooling mechanisms known in the art may be used in lieu of the manual spooling mechanism  164 . 
         [0063]    The elongate material  166  may be in a form of a wire, thread, or a string. An elongate material control shaft  180  may be attached to the support frame  178  to substantially prevent side to side movement of the elongate material  166 . The elongate material  166  is preferably configured to be inserted through the pin that attaches printer components together. The elongate material  166  is preferably configured to be inserted through the pin  182  that connects the drum  184  and the drum cap  186  to the drum axle  188 . The elongate material  166  preferably includes a pin abutting end  190 . Pin abutting end  190  may have a square shape ( FIG. 18 ) or a circular shape ( FIG. 19 ). Pin abutting end  190  preferably has a diameter that is bigger than the diameter of the elongate material  166  and smaller than the outer diameter of the pin  182 . In use, the pin abutting end  190  may be inserted through the pin  182  followed by the elongate material  166 . After the pin abutting end  190  is inserted past the pin  182 , spooling mechanism  164  may be activated by rotating the handle  181 . The first and second gears of the spooling mechanism  164  preferably rotate causing the spool  162  to rotate and wind the elongate member  166 . As the elongate member  166  is wound around the spool  162 , pin abutting member  190  abuts the pin  181  and pushes the pin out of the printer cartridge components the pin is holding. 
         [0064]    Referring now to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , another embodiment  192  of the pin abutting member is shown and preferably includes a pin abutting shaft  194  attached to a grasping member  196 . The pin abutting shaft  194  preferably defines an elongate receiving recess that leads to the grasping member  196 . The grasping member  196  is preferably configured to grip the elongate member  196 . The grasping member  196  preferably includes a first body  198  attached to the pin abutting shaft  194  and a second body  200 , which is removeable from the first body  198 . The grasping member  196  preferably also includes a bolt  202  attached to the first body  198  and a nut  204 . In use, the elongate member  166  may be inserted through a pin that holds printer cartridge components together. The elongate member  166  may further be inserted through the pin abutting shaft  194 . The elongate member  166  may then be positioned in between the first body  198  and the second body  200 . The nut  204  may be tightened with the bolt  202  to allow the grasping member  196  to securely hold the pin abutting shaft  194 . The spooling mechanism  164  may then be activated by rotating the handle  181 . The first and second gears of the spooling mechanism  164  preferably rotate causing the spool  162  to rotate and wind the elongate member  166 . As the elongate member  166  is wound around the spool  162 , pin abutting shaft  194  abuts the pin  182  and pushes the pin out of the printer cartridge components the pin is holding. 
         [0065]    With reference now to  FIG. 22 , pin driver embodiment  160  may be used to install printer cartridge components designed to be joined by a pin. Elongate member  166  may be inserted through a pin receiving recess of printer cartridge components designed to be held by the pin and through the pin  182 . Pin  182  may be positioned in between abutting end  190  or pin abutting shaft  194  and spool  168 . The spooling mechanism  164  may then be activated by rotating the handle  181 . The first and second gears of the spooling mechanism  164  preferably rotate causing the spool  162  to rotate and wind the elongate member  166 . As the elongate member  166  is wound around the spool  162 , pin abutting end  190  or pin abutting shaft  194  abuts the pin  182  and pushes the pin into the pin receiving recess of the printer cartridge components the pin is designed to hold. 
         [0066]    It is noted that the mechanical spring pins that hold printer cartridge components together may be hollow and may be made of soft metal. Mechanical spring pins  182  may easily be damaged when pressure is applied to them by the engagement pin  26  ( FIG. 23 ). The present invention also includes a pin guard  210  that may be in a form of a block of material  214  defining a substantially cylindrical indentation  216  ( FIG. 24 ). When the mechanical spring pin  182  is being installed to or detached from printer cartridge components, the pin guard  210  may be wrapped around the engagement pin  26  or pin abutting shaft and the mechanical spring pin  182  by accommodating the engagement pin  26  or pin abutting shaft and the mechanical spring pin  182  into the cylindrical indentation  216  ( FIG. 25 ). The walls of the block of material  214  of the pin guard may prevent the mechanical spring pin  182  from being deformed. 
         [0067]    It can now be realized that certain embodiments of the pin driver of the present invention may ease the steps of detaching or reattaching a variety of printer cartridge components that are held together by a pin. As shown above, certain embodiments can be used for detaching or reattaching drums held to a drum axle by a pin or drive elements held to a drum axle by a pin. The tools and methods of the present invention help minimize the exposure of sensitive parts of the drum to being damaged. For instance, the present invention helps ensure that the the parts of the pin driver or the pin removal technique does not alter the physical characteristic hub or cap of the drum, which is often manufactured with soft plastic. The present invention also helps minimize the exposure of the drum spring pin from being damaged. The present invention provides tools and methods that may be desirable in high volume cartridge remanufacturing environments. 
         [0068]    Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the lengths and the numbers of the various shafts of the pin driver may be varied. The shape and the thickness of the tool body may be varied. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. The invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the above description or as illustrated in the drawings.