Patent Publication Number: US-6663082-B1

Title: Fastener removal tool

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In a principal aspect, the present invention relates to a tool for removal of fasteners of the type having a head with a projecting stud for attachment of the fastener into a substrate. 
     Various types of plastic fasteners that hold weather stripping, radiator shrouds, fender linings, air dams and other plastic or rubber parts often need to be removed in order to effect removal of the part associated with repair of a vehicle or machinery. Tools for such removal typically comprise items that have the appearance of a screwdriver with a bifurcated forward foot or end which is wedged under the fastener and then pivoted in order to remove the fastener. Thus, the tip of the tool is engaged under the fastener and the tool is then maneuvered in a manner which disengages the fastener from the item or part which constitutes the substrate to which the shroud, weather stripping, etc. might be attached. 
     A problem that may occur with respect to such an arrangement relates to the movement that must be effected by the tool in order to remove the fastener. That is, often the tool is positioned in such a manner that it is difficult to effectively pivot or move the tool. The bifurcated foot or wedge thus cannot properly be engaged with the fastener to remove it from the substrate. The present invention addresses circumstances of this nature. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, the present invention comprises a tool for removal of fasteners of the type having an exposed head defining a flange and further having a projecting stud from the head that effects attachment of the fastener to a substrate. The fastener thus may fit through a liner, weather stripping, or the like and hold such material or item onto the substrate. The tool includes a handle with a longitudinal rod member that projects axially from the handle. The rod member includes a working end for engagement under the flange of the fastener in a manner which enables the operator to pry the fastener from a substrate. The rod further includes an axial segment having a substantially uniform cross section. Finally, the tool includes a fulcrum member in the form of an annular elastomeric button which is slidably mounted on the axial segment of the rod and which is longitudinally slidable or adjustable on the rod to define a fulcrum for the working or active end of the tool. The fulcrum member is adjustable to thereby enable improved mechanical advantage or a change in the pivoting action in the operation of the tool. Additionally, the fulcrum member may be moved along the axial rod to a position where it does not, or cannot, be utilized to provide a fulcrum for the tool. Thus, in a situation where large fasteners, such as plastic fasteners, require a large amount of travel in order to remove them, appropriate positioning of the fulcrum member enables the operator to provide a larger movement upon pivoting of the tool. Additionally, in circumstances where the plastic fasteners are located in inaccessible areas because of the structural shape of the component parts involved, adjustment of the fulcrum member or ring will enable improved mechanical advantage and positioning of the working end of the tool. Further, the ring or fulcrum member is made from an elastomeric type material which will avoid scratching or scarring various surfaces against which the member is positioned. When the ring is not needed, then it can be slid along the shaft or rod into an inactive position. 
     Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved fastener removal tool, especially a tool which may be utilized to remove plastic fasteners. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a fastener removal tool which is easy to operate, adjustable, rugged, inexpensive, and useful in many different situations. 
     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 drawings comprised of the following figures: 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the tool of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the tool of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the axial rod and working end of the tool of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the rod and working end of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the fulcrum member of the tool of the invention; 
     FIG. 6 is an end view of the fulcrum member of FIG. 5; and 
     FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the method of use of the tool. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the figures, the tool is comprised of a handle  10  having a longitudinal axis  12  and an axial rod or member  14  projecting axially from the handle  10 . The handle  10  may be manufactured from a molded plastic material, for example. The rod member  14  is comprised of a circular cross section, longitudinally extending axial rod section  16  and a distal working end  18 . The distal working end  18  is formed in the shape of first and second projecting spaced prong  20  and  22  at the end of a wedge shaped section  24 . The distal end  18  extends from the axis  12  of rod section  16  at an angle of approximately 30°. 
     Slidably mounted on the rod  14  is an annular, fulcrum member  26 . In the embodiment depicted, the annular fulcrum member  26  includes a center passage  28  as well as first and second opposite axial, internal slots  30  and  32  on opposite sides of an axis  34  of the annular member in passage  26 . The slots  30  and  32  are designed to permit the member  26  to slide over the retention prongs  36  and  38  formed in the end of the rod  14 . The prongs  36  and  38  facilitate maintenance of the handle  10  on the rod  14  during the manufacturing operation. Thus, with respect to manufacture of the tool, the rod  14  is initially formed. The fulcrum member is then placed on the rod by sliding over the prongs  36  and  38 . Then the handle  10  is pressed onto the rod  14 . 
     The fulcrum member  26  is preferably made from an elastomeric material such as urethane. The internal annular passage  28  in the fulcrum member  26  is sized to permit the member  26  to slide axially on the rod  14 . With appropriate sizing, the fulcrum member  26  will remain in a selected slide position due to frictional engagement with rod  14 . Alternatively, detent projections, such as a detent projection  40 , may be provided on the outer surface of rod  14  to facilitate maintenance of the fulcrum member  26  in a desired position. 
     The working end of the rod  14  has a wedge shape to facilitate insertion of the working end under the flange  50  of a fastener  60 . The working end of rod  14  has a cross sectional configuration which prevents removal of fulcrum member  26 . As shown in FIG. 7, the working end may be inserted under the flange  50  of the fastener  60  and the fulcrum member  26  moved downwardly adjacent the working end to provide a fulcrum for pivoting or moving the tool about the fulcrum. The fulcrum member  26  may be appropriately positioned to provide the most efficient mechanical advantage and movement with respect to the operation of the tool. 
     Various alternative constructions are possible with the invention. For example, the shape of the rod  14  is indicated as being circular in cross section. However, other shapes may be utilized. The shape of the internal passage of the fulcrum member  26  is typically congruent with the cross sectional shape of the rod  14 . In the embodiment shown, the handle  10  is a separate molded plastic material which is attached to the rod  14  by a pressing operation. However, the handle  10  may be formed as an extension of the rod  14 . Thus, the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents.