Patent Publication Number: US-10322500-B2

Title: Hinge pin extractor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/200,671 for a HINGE PIN EXTRACTOR, filed on 1 Jul. 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, which itself claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/196,320 for a HINGE PIN EXTRACTOR, filed on 24 Jul. 2015, which is also hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a tool for removing the pin of a hinge assembly. 
     2. Description of Related Prior Art 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,922,880 discloses a HINGE PIN-REMOVING TOOL. The hand tool is adapted to remove a hinge pin from a hinge on a door or the like. The hinge pin is pushed out of the hinge by application of force to one end of the hinge pin in a direction that is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin. The hand tool includes a main body that is removably attached to the hinge and a hinge pin-engaging unit on the main body. The hinge pin-engaging unit includes a drive pin slidably attached to the main body and a lever arm that is attached to the drive pin at a distal end of the lever arm and is also pivotally attached to the main body by a fulcrum that is attached to the lever arm between the distal end of the lever arm and a proximal end of the lever arm to form a first class lever. A handle is threadably attached to the lever arm adjacent to the proximal end of the lever arm. 
     The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. 
     SUMMARY 
     A hinge pin extractor operable to urge a pin out of engagement with a hinge assembly can include a base, a receiver, a plunger, and a lever. The receiver can be mounted to the base and can be configured to engage at least one of a first plate, a second plate, and at least one knuckle of the hinge assembly. The receiver can be sized to allow pass-through of the pin as the pin exits the at least one knuckle. The plunger can be mounted to the base for movement along a rectilinear path between a first end limit of travel and a second end limit of travel and can be configured to urge the pin of the hinge assembly out of engagement with the at least one of the knuckles during movement from the first end limit of travel to the second end limit of travel. The lever can be pivotally engaged with the base and can be disposed to engage the plunger to transmit motion to the plunger and thereby move the plunger along the rectilinear path. The lever and the base and the plunger can be engaged such that pivoting motion of the lever is transmitted to rectilinear motion of the plunger through a single, fixed fulcrum positioned directly in the base. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description set forth below references the following drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a first perspective view of a hinge pin extractor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, taken generally from of a front or hinge-facing side of the hinge pin extractor; 
         FIG. 2  is a second perspective view of the hinge pin extractor shown in  FIG. 1 , taken from of a generally rear side of the hinge pin extractor; 
         FIG. 3  is a third perspective view of the hinge pin extractor shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , taken from of a generally front side of the hinge pin extractor; 
         FIG. 4  is a fourth perspective view of the hinge pin extractor shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , taken from of a generally top side of the hinge pin extractor; 
         FIG. 5  is a fifth perspective view of the hinge pin extractor shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , taken from of a generally rear side of the hinge pin extractor; 
         FIG. 6  is a sixth perspective view of a portion of the hinge pin extractor shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , taken from of a generally front side of the hinge pin extractor and focused on a plunger assembly of the hinge pin extractor; 
         FIG. 7  is a seventh perspective view of a portion of the hinge pin extractor shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , taken from of a generally top side of the hinge pin extractor and focused on a distal end of a lever of the hinge pin extractor; 
         FIG. 8  is a eighth perspective view of the hinge pin extractor shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , taken from of a generally rear side of the hinge pin extractor and showing the hinge pin extractor in a standby configuration; 
         FIG. 9  is a ninth perspective view of the hinge pin extractor shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , taken from of a generally front side of the hinge pin extractor and showing the hinge pin extractor in a standby configuration; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the hinge pin extractor shown in  FIGS. 1-9  taken in a plane containing a longitudinal axis of the hinge receiver; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the plunger assembly of the hinge pin extractor shown in  FIGS. 1-10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a tenth perspective view of the hinge pin extractor shown in  FIGS. 1-11 , taken from of a generally lateral side of the hinge pin extractor and showing the hinge pin extractor in a working configuration; 
         FIG. 13  is an eleventh perspective view of the hinge pin extractor shown in  FIGS. 1-12 , taken from of a generally lateral side of the hinge pin extractor and showing the hinge pin extractor in a working configuration; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of a hinge pin extractor according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of a hinge pin extractor according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 16  is a partial cross-section of another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of a base of the embodiment of the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 16 ; and 
         FIG. 18  is an exploded view of a plunger assembly of the embodiment of the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A plurality of different embodiments of the present disclosure is shown in the Figures of the application. Similar features are shown in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. Similar features across different embodiments have been numbered with a common reference numeral and have been differentiated by an alphabetic suffix. Also, to enhance consistency, the structures in any particular drawing share the same alphabetic suffix even if a particular feature is shown in less than all embodiments. Similar features are structured similarly, operate similarly, and/or have the same function unless otherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification. Furthermore, particular features of one embodiment can replace corresponding features in another embodiment or can supplement other embodiments unless otherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification. 
     The present disclosure, as demonstrated by the exemplary embodiment described below, can provide a hinge pin extraction tool that provides several significant advantages over the prior art. The exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can extract hinge pins from various size hinge assemblies. The exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can also be sized smaller than prior devices because of the arrangement of the fulcrum. A fulcrum is the point on which a lever rests or is supported and on which it pivots. The exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure also defines an integrated tool rather than tool requiring assembly before use. The exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can also be used on both open and closed doors. 
     Referring now to the Figures, a hinge pin extractor  10  can be operable to urge a pin  82  out of engagement with a hinge assembly  84  in that the pin  82  can be moved so that a head  102  of the pin  82  becomes spaced from a top-most knuckle  90  of the hinge assembly  84 . The hinge assembly  84  can include a first leaf or plate  86  that can define a door-side plate, a second leaf or plate  88  that can define a frame-side plate, and knuckles  90 - 98  that are each integral with one of the plates  86 ,  88 . The hinge pin extractor  10  can include a base  12 , a hinge receiver  14 , a plunger  16 , and a lever  18 . 
     The base  12  can define a channel profile with a bottom portion  20 , a first side portion  22  extending transverse to the bottom portion  20 , and a second side portion  24  extending transverse to the bottom portion  20  from a side of the bottom portion  20  opposite the first side portion  22 . The first side portion  22  and the second side portion  24  can extend past the bottom portion  20  at one end of the base  12 , resulting in a gap referenced at  26  in  FIG. 6 . The gap  26  is between an end  33  of the bottom portion  20  and ends of the side portions  22 ,  24  (referenced on the side portion  22  at  35 ). The base  12  can also include a slot  28  in the bottom portion  20 . 
     The receiver  14  can be mounted to the base  12  and can be configured to engage at least one portion of the hinge assembly  84 . The exemplary hinge receiver  14  is generally cylindrical and hollow. The receiver  14  can be centered on a longitudinal axis  104 . 
     The receiver  14  can include a tubular or first portion  34  configured to surround a head of the pin  82 , as best shown in  FIG. 10 . An inner diameter  30  (referenced in  FIGS. 4 and 10 ) of the tubular portion  34  of the hinge receiver  14  can be sized to allow pass-through of the head  102  of the hinge pin  82 . This is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     A notch  32  can be defined by or formed in the hinge receiver  14 , the notch  32  resulting in a first portion  34  of the hinge receiver  14  being more cylindrical than a second portion  36 . The exemplary first portion  34  can be fully cylindrical and the second portion  36  can be less than fully cylindrical. The tubular portion  34  extends a first part of the overall length of the receiver  14  along the longitudinal axis  104  and thus has a ring cross-section in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  104 . The exemplary second portion  36  extends a second part of the overall length of the receiver  14  along the longitudinal axis  104  and has a c-shaped cross-section in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  104 . The second part of the length can be at least as long as the first part of the length or can be longer than the first part of the length. In the exemplary embodiment, the second part of the length is longer than the first part of the length. 
     An edge  38  can defined at the junction between the first portion  34  and the second portion  36 . The edge  38  can extend one hundred and eighty degrees, less than one hundred and eighty degrees, or more than one hundred and eighty degrees. The exemplary edge  38  extends approximately one hundred and eighty degrees and allows the hinge pin extractor  10  to rest on top surfaces (or “upwardly-facing” surfaces) of the hinge plates  86 ,  88  of the hinge assembly  84  when a door  106  is open or when the door  106  is closed, as shown in  FIGS. 10, 12 and 13 .  FIG. 12  shows the door  106  partially open and  FIG. 13  shows the door  106  closed. The edge  38  is a downwardly-facing surface configured to engage top edges of the first plate  86  and the second plate  88  of the hinge assembly  84 . The exemplary edge  38  extends continuously about an arcuate path of at least one hundred and eighty degrees. The exemplary downward surface defined by the edge  38  is without break or an edge resulting from an abrupt change of slope. The exemplary downward surface defined by the edge  38  is continuous and defined in a single plane. The exemplary arcuate path extends about the longitudinal axis  104 . 
     The receiver  14  can be mounted to the base  12  at a midpoint of the c-shaped cross-section of the second portion  36 . The second portion  36  can partially surround and “cup” at least one of the knuckles  90 - 98  when the hinge pin extractor  10  is mounted on the hinge assembly  48  for use. The hinge receiver  14  can engaged with the base  12  such that the position of the hinge receiver  14  along the length of the base  12  is adjustable. The distance between the receiver  14  and the first end limit of travel of the plunger  16  in the exemplary embodiment is therefore adjustable. The hinge pin extractor  10  can thus accommodate hinges of different sizes. 
     By way of example and not limitation, the hinge receiver  14  can be engaged with the base  12  through fasteners, such as fastener  40 , extending through the slot  28 . The fasteners can be received in threaded apertures defined in the second portion  36 . Locking washers can be disposed between the heads of the fasteners and the bottom portion  20  to prevent slippage. The fasteners  40  can be loosened to allow the exemplary receiver  14  to be positioned in any one of a plurality of different positions along the slot  28 . The exemplary receiver  14  is infinitely positionable within the slot  28  between the ends of the slot  28 . The fasteners  40  are tightenable and can be tightened to selectively fix the receiver  14  in any one of the plurality of positions. 
     The plunger  16  mounted to the base  12  for movement along a rectilinear path between a first end limit of travel and a second end limit of travel. The exemplary rectilinear movement of the plunger  16  is along the longitudinal axis  104 . The plunger  16  can extend between a first end  43  and a second end  44 . The plunger  16  can be configured to urge the pin  82  of the hinge assembly  84  out of engagement with the at least one of the knuckles  90 - 98  during movement from the first end limit of travel to the second end limit of travel. The travel of the plunger  16  may not fully separate the pin  82  from any one of the knuckles  90 - 98 , however length of travel of the plunger  16  can allow the head  102  to move away from the top-most knuckle  90  to create space for insertion of a prying tool into the gap created between the head  102  and the knuckle  90 . In  FIG. 10 , the plunger  16  is shown in solid line in the first end limit of travel. The first end  43  is shown in phantom to indicate its position when the plunger  16  is at the second end limit of travel. 
     The plunger  16  can be mounted in a plunger sleeve  42 . The sleeve  42  can be mounted to the base  12  and extend between a first end  108  and a second end  110 . The exemplary plunger sleeve  42  can be fixedly engaged with the base  12 . By way of example and not limitation, the plunger sleeve  42  can be fixedly engaged with the base  12  by welding as done in the exemplary embodiment. 
     The plunger  16  can be movably associated with the base  12  to travel along a rectilinear path between first and second end limits of travel. A rectilinear path is a path without curvature. The plunger  16  can move along a rectilinear path that is collinear with its longitudinal axis. The rectilinear path can also be collinear with the longitudinal axis of a hinge pin being extracted. An end limit of travel can be defined by any point along the length of the plunger  16 . For example, the second end  44  of the plunger  16  is shown in  FIG. 6  at the first end limit of travel. A second end limit of travel of the plunger  16  can be defined when the end  44  is flush with a cap  46  enclosing one end of the plunger sleeve  42 . As will be discussed below, this can occur when the lever  18  is fully pivoted relative to the base  12 . 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate components internal of the plunger sleeve  42 . A c-clip  48  can be mounted in a groove  50  of the plunger  16 . The c-clip  48  can define a shoulder fixedly engaged with the plunger  16  and positioned in the sleeve  42 . In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a shoulder can be integrally-formed on plunger  16  or can be a separate structure mounted on the plunger  16 , such as c-clip  48 . Washers  52 ,  54  can define seats for a spring  56 . The exemplary spring  56  is operably positioned between the c-clip  48  and the end cap  58  within the sleeve  42 . The spring  56  in cooperation with the washers  52 ,  54  and c-clip  48  can bias the plunger  16  to the first end limit of travel. The c-clip  48  can prevent the plunger  16  from exiting the plunger sleeve  42  through the cap  46 . 
     The components internal of the plunger sleeve  42  can be enclosed with the cap  46  and a cap  58 . The first end cap  46  can have a first aperture  112  and substantially close the first end  108  of the sleeve  42 . The second end cap  58  can have a second aperture  114  and substantially close the second end  110  of the sleeve  42 . The exemplary plunger  16  is disposed in the sleeve  42  and is sized to pass through both of the first aperture  112  and the second aperture  114 . The first and second ends  43 ,  44  of the plunger  16  can be sized differently or the same. The end  44  can pass through the first aperture  112  and the end  43  can pass through the aperture  114 . 
     The lever  18  extends between a first end  116  proximate to the plunger  16  and a second end  118  spaced from the first end  116  and from the plunger  16 . The lever  18  can be pivotally engaged with the base  12  through the fulcrum  100 , pivoting about axis  60 . The lever  18  can be disposed to engage the plunger  16  to transmit motion to the plunger  16  and thereby move the plunger  16  along the rectilinear path. Movement of the plunger  16  can be accomplished through a single pivot axis, rather than multiple pivot axes. 
     The exemplary lever  18  and the exemplary base  12  and the exemplary plunger  16  are engaged such that pivoting motion of the lever  18  is transmitted to rectilinear motion of the plunger  16  through the fulcrum  100  defined in the base  12 . The fulcrum  100  of the lever  18  is fixedly disposed on the base  12  whereby the hinge pin extractor  10  can also be sized smaller. The exemplary fulcrum  100  is a single fulcrum  100 . In the exemplary embodiment, the lever  18  can generate a nine-to-one mechanical advantage. The exemplary axis  60  extends across and overlaps the gap  26 . 
     The lever  18  can define a channel profile with a bottom portion  62 , a first side portion  64  extending transverse to the bottom portion  62 , and a second side portion  66  extending transverse to the bottom portion  62  from a side of the bottom portion  62  opposite the first side portion  64 . As best show in  FIG. 7 , a notch  68  can be defined in the lever  18  at the second end  118 . After the head  102  of a hinge pin  82  has been forced upwardly away from the knuckle  90  of the hinge assembly  84  by movement of the plunger  16 , the notch  68  can be moved to partially surround the shank  122  of the hinge pin  82 . The lever  18  can then be moved upward against the head  102  to fully remove the hinge pin  82 . The bottom portion  20  and the side portions  22 ,  24  of the base  12  cooperate to define a recess  120  sized to receive the lever  18  when the lever  18  is not in use. As shown by  FIG. 8 , the notch  68  is exposed and usable to partially encircle the pin  82  when the lever  18  has been received in the recess  120 . Thus, after the head  102  of a hinge pin  82  has been forced upwardly away from the knuckle  90  of the hinge assembly  84  by movement of the plunger  16 , the lever  18  can be pivoted back into the recess  120  and the notch  68  can still be moved to partially surround the shank  122  of the hinge pin  82 . The entire hinge pin extractor  10  can then be moved upward against the head  102  to fully remove the hinge pin  82 . 
     The lever  18  can include a bushing  70  having a substantially flat, planar shape. The nylon bushing  70  can be positioned in the channel profile of the lever  18 . As best shown in  FIG. 6 , the bushing  70  can be sized such that a top surface  72  of the bushing  70  is flush with top edges  74 ,  76  of the first and second side portions  64  and  66 . 
     The lever  18  and the plunger  16  engage one another in a cam-cam follower arrangement, rather than being positively interconnected, such as through a pin or fastener. A cam-cam follower arrangement involves one structure pushing another structure to move that structure, while being positively interconnected allows one structure to push and pull another structure. Movement can be forced in two opposite directions when two structures are positively interconnected. The exemplary lever  18  and exemplary plunger  16  can engage one another such that at least a portion of the plunger  16  slides across a portion of the lever  18  during the transmission of motion. When the lever  18  is pivoted relative to the base  12  to move the plunger  16  along the rectilinear path, the lever  18  can pivot until the top edges  74 ,  76  and top surface  72  abut and contact (or be immediately adjacent to) an edge  78  of the plunger sleeve  42 . The end  44  of the plunger  16  can slide along the top surface  72  during pivoting movement of the lever  18  to inhibit and/or eliminate loading and stress on the plunger  16  in a direction transverse to the rectilinear path. 
     The exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure defines an integrated tool rather than a tool requiring assembly before use. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , when in a standby configuration, the exemplary hinge pin extractor  10  can define a generally cubic structure that can be received in a holder.  FIG. 12  shows the hinge pin extractor  10  positioned on the hinge assembly  84  in a working configuration. It is noted that the hinge pin extractor  10  will be adjusted by shifting the receiver  14  relative to the base  12  so that the plunger sleeve  42  abuts and contacts (or is proximate to) the lowest knuckle  98  of the hinge assembly  84 .  FIG. 13  illustrates the hinge pin extractor  10  positioned on a hinge in a working configuration and already adjusted to conform to the size of the hinge assembly  84 . 
       FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of a hinge pin extractor  10   a  according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The hinge pin extractor  10   a  can include a base  12   a , a hinge receiver  14   a , a plunger  16   a , and a lever  18   a . The hinge receiver  14   a  can include a first portion  34   a  and a second portion  36   a . In this exemplary embodiment, the first portion  34   a  and the second portion  36   a  can be separately formed components. The exemplary hinge receiver  14   a  can also include a plate member  80   a . The first portion  34   a  and the second portion  36   a  can be fixed to the plate member  80   a . The plate member  80   a  can be attached to the base  12   a  for sliding movement. By way of example and not limitation, the first portion  34   a  and the second portion  36   a  can be fixed to the plate member  80   a  by welding and then the plate member  80   a  can be attached to the base  12   a  with fasteners  40   a . The fasteners  40   a  can be received in slots  28   a  and  128   a  for movement between the lateral ends of the slots  28   a ,  128   a . The plurality of slots  28   a ,  128   a  are spaced from one another along a bottom portion  20   a  of the base  12   a  and direct movement of the hinge receiver  14   a.    
     This embodiment can simplify manufacturing. For example, the portion  36   a  can be formed by cutting a cylindrical tube in half along its longitudinal length (resulting in two portions  36   a  for two devices  10   a ). The portion  34   a  can be formed by cutting desired lengths from a cylindrical tube. The plate member  80   a , the portion  34   a , and the portion  36   a  can be held in a fixture and welded together. 
       FIG. 14  also shows that the hinge pin extractor  10   a  can also include a releasable locking mechanism for selectively preventing sliding movement of the plate member  80   a . The locking mechanism can include a pin  126   a  mounted to the base  12   a  for rectilinear movement between first and second end limits of travel. The pin  126   a  is received in an aperture  131   a  of the base  12   a . The first end limit of travel is shown in solid line and corresponds to the pin  126   a  being received in one of a plurality of first apertures  130   a ,  132   a ,  134   a  defined by the plate  80   a . When received in one of the plurality of first apertures  130   a ,  132   a ,  134   a , the locking pin  126   a  is in a first position. The second end limit of travel corresponds to a second position of the locking pin  126   a  and is defined when the pin  126   a  is withdrawn from the plate  80   a , spaced from the plurality of first apertures  130   a ,  132   a ,  134   a . This will be discussed in greater detail below. The pin  126   a  can also include a lateral aperture  136   a , as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     The locking mechanism can also include a biasing member in the form of a spring  138   a  biasing the pin to the first end limit of travel, the first position. The spring  138   a  can act between a c-clip  140   a  mounted on the pin  126   a  and a cap  142   a  that is fixed to the base  12   a . The pin  126   a  includes a distal end  144   a . The position of the distal end  144   a  when the pin  126   a  is at the second end limit of travel is shown in phantom (dash line). 
     The lever  18   a  includes an aperture  146   a  configured to receive a portion of the pin  126   a  whereby the lateral aperture  136   a  is exposed when the pin  126   a  is received in aperture  146   a  of the lever  18   a . For example, when the lever  18   a  is folded into the base  12   a  when not being used (as shown in  FIG. 8 , referred to as a standby configuration), the end of the pin  126   a  opposite to the distal end  144   a  can protrude out of the aperture  146   a . The locking mechanism can also include a cotter pin  148   a  received in the lateral aperture  136   a . The cotter pin  148   a  can substantially lock the lever  18   a  in the standby configuration when received in the aperture  136   a , when the locking pin  126   a  extends through the aperture  146   a.    
     In use, if the hinge will not fit between the hinge receiver  14   a  and the plunger  16   a , the user can place the hinge receiver  14   a  on the hinge, pull the pin  126   a  against the spring  138   a , and pull the base  12   a  downward until the hinge fits between the hinge receiver  14   a  and the plunger  16   a . The pin  126   a  can be pulled outward by grasping the cotter pin  148   a . After fitting the hinge between the hinge receiver  14   a  and the plunger  16   a , the cotter pin  148   a  can be released to allow the pin  126   a  to be received in one of the plurality of first apertures  130   a ,  132   a ,  134   a . The cotter pin  148   a  can then be removed from the aperture  136   a , freeing the lever  18   a  to be rotated about the pivot axis/fulcrum. The hinge receiver  14   a  can be adjusted so that the hinge is captured as closely as possible between the hinge receiver  14   a  and a plunger sleeve  42   a.    
       FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of a hinge pin extractor  10   b  according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The hinge pin extractor  10   b  can include a base  12   b , a hinge receiver  14   b , a plunger  16   b , and a lever  18   b . The hinge receiver  14   b  can include a first portion  34   b  and a second portion  36   b . The portion  34   b  of the hinge receiver  14   b  is interconnected with the base  12   b  through a slot  28   b . The plunger  16   b  and the portion  36   b  can be interconnected with the base  12   b  with fasteners passing through apertures in the base  12   b  as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 16-18  disclose another embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 16  is a partial cross-sectional view of a hinge pin extractor  10   c , some structures have been sections and others have not. The hinge pin extractor  10   c  can include a base  12   c , a hinge receiver  14   c , a plunger  16   c , and a lever (such as lever  18  or  18   a ). The exemplary hinge receiver  14   c  is fixed to a plate member  80   c . The exemplary hinge receiver  14   c  and exemplary plate member  80   c  are fixed to the base  12   c  with fasteners  41   c . The fasteners  41   c  pass through apertures  150   c  in the base  12   c  and fix the position of the exemplary hinge receiver  14   c  on the base  12   c.    
     A plunger assembly of the hinge pin extractor  10   c  includes the plunger  16   c  and a plunger sleeve  42   c . The exemplary plunger sleeve  42   c  is fixed to a guide member  152   c  having a c-shaped cross-section in plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the plunger  16   c , similar to the second portion  36 . The guide member  152   c  can partially encircle knuckles of the hinge assembly when the hinge pin extractor  10   c  is mounted on a hinge assembly. The exemplary plunger sleeve  42   c  is fixed to the exemplary guide member  152   c  with fasteners. These fasteners can pass through the exemplary guide member  152   c  and be received in apertures in the exemplary plunger sleeve  42   c , such as the aperture referenced at  154   c  in  FIG. 18 . 
     The exemplary guide member  152   c  is attached to the base  12   c  for sliding movement. By way of example and not limitation, base  12   c  includes a slot  28   c . Fasteners  141   c ,  143   c  are received in the slot  28   c  for movement between the lateral ends of the slots  28   a ,  128   a . The slot  28   c  directs movement of the guide member  152   c  along the base  12   c , and thus also directs movement of the plunger assembly and the plunger  16   c.    
     A biasing member  156   c  is engaged to both of the hinge receiver  14   c  and the plunger  16   c . The biasing member  156   c  urges the hinge receiver  14   c  and the plunger  16   c  together. Since the exemplary hinge receiver  14   c  is fixed in position, the exemplary biasing member  156   c  urges the guide member  152   c  and plunger assembly toward the hinge receiver  14   c . The exemplary biasing member  156   c  is engaged with the hinge receiver  14   c  through the fastener  41   c  and engaged with the plunger  16   c  through the fastener  143   c , the guide member  152   c  and the plunger sleeve  42   c . The exemplary plunger  16   c  is freely slidable relative to said slot  28   c  while retained to the base  12   c  between first and second end limits of travel. A first end limit of travel is defined when the fastener  143   c  abuts a first end  158   c  of the slot  28   c . A second end limit of travel is defined when the fastener  141   c  abuts a second end  160   c  of the slot  28   c . The exemplary biasing member  156   c  urges the plunger  16   c  toward the first end limit of travel and is defined as a coil spring. 
     In use, if the hinge will not fit between the hinge receiver  14   c  and the plunger  16   c , the user can place the hinge receiver  14   c  on the hinge assembly, pull the plunger sleeve  42   c  or the guide member  152   c  downward, against the biasing member  156   c , until the hinge knuckles fit between the hinge receiver  14   c  and the plunger  16   c . After fitting the hinge between the hinge receiver  14   c  and the end  43   c  of the plunger  16   c , the guide member  152   c  or sleeve  42   c  (whichever has been grasped) can be released, allowing the biasing member  156   c  to draw the sleeve  42   c  toward the hinge receiver  14   c . The lever can then be pivoted to engage and move the plunger  16   c . The end  43   c  can be received in the knuckles when the guide member  152   c  or sleeve  42   c  (whichever has been grasped) has been released, before the lever has been pivoted. 
     With reference to the perspective of  FIG. 16 , it is noted that during adjustment to receive hinge knuckles, the plunger sleeve  42   c , guide member  152   c  and plunger  16   c  can be moved to the left such that the end  108   c  of the plunger sleeve  42   c  moves past the end  33   c  of the base  12   c . When the plunger sleeve  42   c  is released after the hinge knuckles have been received in between the hinge receiver  14   c  and the plunger  16   c , the plunger sleeve  42   c , guide member  152   c  and plunger  16   c  can be moved to the right by the biasing member  156   c.    
       FIG. 18  illustrates components internal of the plunger sleeve  42   c . A c-clip  48   c  can be mounted in a groove  50   c  of the plunger  16   c . The c-clip  48   c  can define a shoulder fixedly engaged with the plunger  16   c  and positioned in the sleeve  42   c . In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a shoulder can be integrally-formed on the plunger  16   c  or can be a separate structure mounted on the plunger  16   c , such as c-clip  48   c.    
     The components internal of the plunger sleeve  42   c  can be enclosed with a cap  46   c  and a cap  58   c . The first end cap  46   c  can have a first aperture  112   c  and can substantially close a first end  108   c  of the sleeve  42   c . The second end cap  58   c  can have a second aperture  114   c  and can substantially close the second end  110   c  of the sleeve  42   c . The exemplary plunger  16   c  is disposed in the sleeve  42   c  and is sized to pass through both of the first aperture  112   c  and the second aperture  114   c.    
     The exemplary plunger  16   c  further comprises an aft portion  162   c  and a forward portion  164   c . The aft portion  162   c  defines the aft end  44   c  of the exemplary plunger  16   c  that is engaged by the lever and passes through the aperture  112   c . The forward portion  164   c  defines a forward end  43   c  of the exemplary plunger  16   c  that is configured to engage the pin of the hinge assembly and passes through the aperture  114   c . The exemplary aft portion  162   c  and forward portion  164   c  are releasably engaged with one another. 
     The exemplary aft portion  162   c  and the exemplary forward portion  164   c  have different diameters. The exemplary aft portion  162   c  has a thicker diameter than the exemplary forward portion  164   c  and can be more robust for receiving the load from the lever and in guiding the plunger  16   c  in straight, rectilinear movement. The exemplary forward portion  164   c  has a thinner diameter than the exemplary aft portion  162   c  to engage hinge pins surrounded by knuckles with smaller openings. It is noted that the apertures  112   c  and  114   c  can be sized differently so that each is slightly larger than the portions  162   c ,  164   c , respectively. 
     The exemplary aft portion  162   c  and the exemplary forward portion  164   c  have different lengths. In some hinge assemblies, the forward end  43   c  must extend relatively far into the hinge knuckles to engage the pin. Thus, the exemplary forward portion  164   c  is longer than the exemplary aft portion  162   c.    
     The exemplary forward portion  164   c  includes outwardly-facing threads  166   c . The exemplary aft portion  162   c  includes inwardly-facing threads  168   c . The exemplary aft portion  162   c  and the exemplary forward portion  164   c  are threadingly engaged with one another through the outwardly-facing threads  166   c  and the inwardly-facing threads  168   c . The engagement through threads allows differently-shaped portions to be engaged, so as to exchange a first forward portion with a longer or shorter second forward portion. The engagement through threads also allows a damaged portion of the plunger  16   c  to be replaced. A nut  170   c  is engaged with at least a portion of the outwardly-facing threads  166   c  and limits an extent of engagement between the exemplary aft portion  162   c  and the exemplary forward portion  164   c.    
     An exemplary spring  56   c  is operably positioned between the c-clip  48   c  and the end cap  58   c  within the sleeve  42   c . The spring  56   c  can bias the plunger  16   c  to the first end limit of travel. The c-clip  48   c  can prevent the plunger  16   c  from exiting the plunger sleeve  42   c  through the cap  46   c.    
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, 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 scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Further, the “present disclosure” as that term is used in this document is what is claimed in the claims of this document. The right to claim elements and/or sub-combinations that are disclosed herein as other present disclosures in other patent documents is hereby unconditionally reserved.