Patent Publication Number: US-6990713-B2

Title: Steering column pivot pin removal tool

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This is a utility application based upon previously filed provisional application Ser. No. 60/442,864 filed Jan. 27, 2003, entitled STEERING COLUMN PIVOT PIN REMOVAL TOOL, incorporated herein by reference and for which priority is claimed. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In a principal aspect, the present invention relates to a tool designed to remove the pivot pin of a tiltable steering wheel system. 
   A tilt steering wheel system typically includes a pivot pin which is positioned in the steering column of the steering wheel assembly for a vehicle. Such steering wheel assemblies are generally telescoping and tiltable steering wheel assemblies and provide for adjustment of the steering wheel to accommodate a driver of the vehicle. To service a tilt and telescoping steering column, it is desirable to utilize some type of tool that will facilitate removal of the pivot pin which is used to maintain the steering column in an assembled condition. Various prior art tools have been provided for such purpose, such as Kent-Moore Steering Pivot Pin Remover, Model No. 7886 and Model No. 7889. Another pivot pin removal tool available in the marketplace for purposes of pulling or removing steering pivot pins include Snap On Tool Tilt Steering Pivot Pin Puller Model CJ134. 
   While such devices work well, there has remained the need for an improved tool to effect pivot pin removal. That is, prior art tools utilize a pull screw which has a large thread at one end and a small thread on the opposite end. The smaller diameter threaded end is designed to thread into a threaded bore in the pivot pin of the steering assembly. If that threaded end breaks, which is often the situation, then a new tool or at least a new screw element must be purchased. This becomes an expensive option. 
   Thus there has remained the need for an improved pivot pin removal tool which overcomes some of the deficiencies of prior art tools. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Briefly, the present invention comprises a steering column pivot pin removal tool which includes a bridge support with a crown at one end and depending legs from the crown. A jack nut is fitted through a passage in the bridge support crown and is retained on the bridge support by means of an O-ring engaging the jack nut. The jack nut includes a threaded through passage through which a cap screw may be inserted. The cap screw is sized to fit into a threaded bore in the pivot pin to effect the removal of the pivot pin. Thus, the cap screw and jack nut are both independently rotatable and both mounted on the bridge support. The smaller cap screw may be threaded into the pivot pin. When so threaded in and tightly engaged with the pivot pin, then the jack nut may be rotated in a clockwise direction while holding the cap screw in a fixed position so as to effect pulling or removal of the pivot pin from the steering assembly. 
   Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved pivot pin removal tool for steering column assemblies. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved pivot pin removal tool for removal of pivot pins from a steering column assembly wherein the tool is comprised of three interacting elements including a small diameter threaded cap screw fitted into a threaded jack nut which rotates within a bridge support assembly. 
   Yet another object of the invention to provide a pivot pin removal tool which has a simplicity of construction yet is rugged and inexpensive. 
   These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures: 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevation of the improved pivot pin removal tool of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an end view of the tool of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 3  is an opposite end view of the tool of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to the figures, the pivot pin removal tool of the invention is comprised of five basic parts namely, a cap screw  20 , a jack nut  12 , a washer  16 , an O-ring  14 , and a support or bridge support  10 . The component parts are symmetrical about a longitudinal axis  22 . The bridge support  10  comprises or includes a cylindrical housing  28  and depending legs  27  arranged about the axis  22 . Each leg  27  terminates along a planar surface  29  so that the legs  27  will support the tool uniformly on a surface such as a surface  11  associated with a steering assembly  13  having a pivot pin  15  inserted therein. The bridge support  10  includes a through passage  32  at the crown end  30  thereof. The jack nut  12  includes a hexagonal head  18  and a projecting cylindrical, non-threaded shaft  36  with a groove  37  for receipt of O-ring  14 . The jack nut  12  has a threaded axial bore  38  for receipt of the threaded end  46  of the cap screw  20 . 
   The cap screw  20  has a recessed axial opening  42  in a head  40  for receipt of an Allen wrench to effect utilization of the pivot pin removal tool. The cap screw  20  further includes an axial shaft  44  extending from head  40  having a threaded end or shaft  46 . The threaded shaft  46  is threaded through the jack nut  12  and, more particularly, threaded through the threaded section  34  of the jack nut  12 . In this manner, the threaded section or shaft  46  of the cap screw  20  may be threaded into a pivot pin  15  of the steering assembly. Thereafter an Allen wrench may be inserted into the recess  42  and the jack nut  12  may then be rotated by means of a wrench to effect pulling or removal of the pivot pin  15  from the steering column assembly. 
   In review, the tool is used by placing the bridge support  10  legs  27  against the steering column assembly  11 . The cap screw  20  is then threaded through the jack nut  12  and into the pivot pin  15 . The cap screw  20  is then held in a fixed non-rotatable position and the jack nut  12  is turned in a clockwise direction. The O-ring  14  and washer  16  act as a bearing to maintain the jack nut  12  in combination with the bridge support  10  but rotatable. 
   With the tool of the invention, the small diameter threaded cap screw  20  may break, but in such event the entire tool need not be replaced. Rather, the cap screw  20  may merely be removed from the jack nut  12  and replaced by a separate, very inexpensive cap screw  20 . 
   Variations of the construction may be utilized. However, the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.