Abstract:
A shock compression tool has a first end assembly defining a main axis and a first engaging surface, a second end assembly the second end assembly defining second and third engaging surfaces. The second end assembly is supported for movement along the main axis relative to the first end assembly. A drive system displaces the second end assembly along the main axis relative to the first end assembly such that a distance between the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface may be altered, and a distance between the first engaging surface and the third engaging surface may be altered. The first engaging surface and the second engaging surface define a first reference line. The first engaging surface and the third engaging surface define a second reference line. At least a portion of the first reference line is spaced from at least a portion of the second reference line.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application (Attorney&#39;s Ref. No. P218470) claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/986,362 filed Apr. 30, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to systems and methods for installing steering shock absorbers and, more particularly, to such systems and methods that easily accommodate different steering systems and configurations. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Steering systems for vehicles commonly use a steering shock absorber. The steering shock absorber is or may be conventional and typically includes a cylinder, a rod, and a spring. The rod is supported by the cylinder for movement between retracted and extended positions. The spring biases the rod towards the extended position. To install the steering shock absorber, the rod typically must be forced from the extended position towards the retracted position against the bias force applied by the spring so that the shock absorber defines an installation length that allows the shock absorber to be installed onto the steering system. 
         [0004]    The steering shock absorbers are considered sacrificial and are thus often replaced during repair and routine maintenance of the steering system. The steering shock absorbers are thus available in one of a variety of standard sizes and configurations, and a given size and configuration is typically specified for a particular steering system. Although the steering shock absorbers are typically standardized, the steering system itself will be designed for a particular vehicle. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, while the process of installing a steering shock absorber is the same for steering systems in general (i.e., compressing the shock absorber to an installation length), the exact installation process for a given steering system will vary depending upon the particulars of that given steering system and the vehicle incorporating that given steering system. 
         [0006]    The need exists for systems and methods of installing a steering shock absorber that can accommodate standardized steering shock absorbers and different steering systems and vehicles. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present invention may be embodied as a shock compression tool comprises a first end assembly defining a main axis and a first engaging surface, a second end assembly the second end assembly defining second and third engaging surfaces, and a drive system. The second end assembly is supported for movement along the main axis relative to the first end assembly. The drive system displaces the second end assembly along the main axis relative to the first end assembly such that a distance between the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface may be altered, and a distance between the first engaging surface and the third engaging surface may be altered. The first engaging surface and the second engaging surface define a first reference line. The first engaging surface and the third engaging surface define a second reference line. At least a portion of the first reference line is spaced from at least a portion of the second reference line. 
         [0008]    The present invention may also be embodied as a method of compressing a shock absorber defining first and second shock openings comprising the following steps. A first end assembly defining a main axis and a first engaging surface is provided. A second end assembly defining second and third engaging surfaces is provided. The second end assembly is supported for movement along the main axis relative to the first end assembly. The second end assembly is arranged to define a first reference line extending between the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface. The second end assembly is displaced along the main axis relative to the first end assembly such that a distance between the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface is altered. The second end assembly is arranged to define a second reference line extending between the first engaging surface and the third engaging surface such that at least a portion of the first reference line is spaced from at least a portion of the second reference line. The second end assembly is displaced along the main axis relative to the first end assembly such that a distance between the first engaging surface and the third engaging surface is altered. 
         [0009]    The present invention may also be embodied as a shock compression tool comprising a first end assembly, a second end assembly, and a drive system. The first end assembly defines a main axis and comprises a first end shaft defining a first engaging surface. The second end assembly comprises a second end shaft, a first cap member defining a second engaging surface, and a second cap member defining a third engaging surface. The first end shaft engages the second end shaft such that the second end shaft is movable along the main axis relative to the first end assembly. In a first configuration, the first cap member is detachably attached to the second end shaft to such that the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface define a first reference line. In a second configuration, the second cap member is detachably attached to the second end shaft to such that the first engaging surface and the third engaging surface define a second reference line. The first reference line is substantially parallel to the main axis, and the second reference line is angled with respect to the main axis. When the shock compression tool is in the first configuration, the drive system displaces the second end shaft relative to the first end shaft to alter a distance between the first and second engaging surfaces. When the shock compression tool is in the second configuration, the drive system displaces the second end shaft relative to the first end shaft to alter a distance between the first and third engaging surfaces. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first example steering shock compressor tool of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an elevation view of a first example type of steering system with which the first example compressor tool may be used; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  is a bottom plan, section view illustrating portions of the first example type of steering system; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an elevation view of a second example type of steering system with which the first example compressor tool may be used; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A  is a bottom plan, section view illustrating portions of the second example type of steering system; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are side elevation, cut-away views illustrating the operation of the first example compressor tool; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a close up view of portions of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a section view taken along lines  7 - 7  in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view illustrating use of the use of the first example compressor tool in a first configuration to install a conventional steering shock assembly in the first example steering system depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 2A ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an offset cap member forming part of a first distal end assembly of the first example compressor tool; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9A  is a side elevation view of the offset cap member depicted in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a close up view similar to  FIG. 6  depicting the compressor tool in a second configuration; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 11 and 12  are elevation views illustrating the use of the compressor tool in the second configuration to compress a conventional steering shock assembly; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a side elevation view illustrating use of the use of the first example compressor tool in the second configuration to install a conventional steering shock assembly in the second example steering system depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 3A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1  of the drawing, depicted therein is a first example compression tool  20  constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention. The example tool  20  is configured to work with a plurality of steering systems, and first and second example steering systems  22  and  24  are depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , respectively. The first and second example steering systems  22  and  24  are or may be conventional and will be described herein only to that extent necessary for a complete understanding of the systems and methods of the present invention. 
         [0025]    In particular, each of the steering systems  22  and  24  comprises a steering shock  30 . As part of the example steering systems  22  and  24 , the example steering shock  30  is or may be conventional and will be described herein only to that extent necessary for a complete understanding of the systems and methods of the present invention. As perhaps best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2A , the example steering shock  30  defines a rod  32  and a cylinder  34  defining first and second shock openings  32   a  and  34   a , respectively. A spring  36  biases the rod  32  to into an extended position relative to the cylinder  34 . The first and second shock openings  32  and  34  allow the steering shock  30  to be arranged to form a part of the example steering systems  22  and  24  as will be described in further detail below. 
         [0026]    The first and second example steering systems  22  and  24  each comprise a link structure  40 , an anchor structure  42 , a first bolt assembly  44 , and a second bolt assembly  46 , and the link structure  40  comprises a first link member  50  defining a first link opening  52 . As is conventional, the first bolt assembly  44  is extended through the first link opening  52  and the first shock opening  32   a  to secure one end of the steering shock  30  to the first link member  50 . 
         [0027]      FIGS. 2 and 2A  illustrate that the anchor structure  42  of the first example steering system  22  comprises first and second anchor flanges  60  and  62  defining first and second anchor openings  64  and  66 . As is conventional, the second bolt assembly  46  is extended through the first anchor opening  64 , the second shock opening  34   a , and the second anchor opening  66  to secure another end of the steering shock  30  to the anchor structure  42 . To align the first link opening  52  with the first shock opening  32   a  and the first and second anchor openings  64  and  66  with the second shock opening  34   a  to allow formation of the first and second bolt assemblies  44  and  46  as described above, the steering shock  30  must be compressed. The example compression tool  20  may be used to compress the steering shock  30  as will be described in further detail below. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 3 and 3A  illustrate that the anchor structure  42  of the second example steering system  24  comprises a first side wall  70 , a second side wall  72 , and an end wall  74 . The first and second side walls  70  and  72  define first and second anchor openings  64  and  66 . As is conventional, the second bolt assembly  46  is extended through the first anchor opening  76 , the second shock opening  34   a , and the second anchor opening  78  to secure another end of the steering shock  30  to the anchor structure  42 . To align the first link opening  52  with the first shock opening  32   a  and the first and second anchor openings  64  and  66  with the second shock opening  34   a  to allow formation of the first and second bolt assemblies  44  and  46  as described above, the steering shock  30  must be compressed. The example compression tool  20  may be used to compress the steering shock  30  as will be described in further detail below. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4-7 , the construction and use of the example compression tool  20  will now be generally described. The example compression tool  20  comprises a proximal end assembly  120 , a distal end assembly  122 , and a drive assembly  124 . 
         [0030]    The proximal end assembly  120  comprises a proximal shaft  130  and a proximal arm assembly  132 . The proximal arm assembly comprises a proximal arm member  134 , a proximal cap  136 , and proximal pins  138 . 
         [0031]    The distal end assembly  122  comprises a distal shaft  140 , a first distal arm assembly  142 , and a second distal arm assembly  144 . The first distal arm assembly  142  is detachably attached to the distal shaft  140  to place the compression tool  20  in a first configuration, and the second distal arm assembly  144  is detachably attached to the distal shaft  140  to place the compression tool  20  in a second configuration. In the first configuration, the compression tool  20  may be used to support the steering shock  30  while the steering shock  30  is used to form the first example steering system  22 . In the second configuration, the compression tool  20  may be used to support the steering shock  30  while the steering shock  30  is used to form the second example steering system  24 . 
         [0032]    In particular, the example first distal arm assembly  142  comprises a distal arm member  150 , a distal cap member  152 , and first distal pins  154 . A drive opening  156  is formed in the proximal arm member  134  to accommodate the drive assembly  124  as will be described in further detail below. The first distal pins  154  detachably attach the first distal arm member  150  to the distal shaft  140 , and the first distal cap member  152  is detachably attached to the distal arm member  150 . The example second distal arm assembly  144  comprises a distal support member  160 , an offset cap member  162 , second distal pins  164 , and distal bolts  166 . The second distal pins  164  detachably attach the distal support member  160  to the distal shaft  140 , and the distal bolts  166  detachably attach the offset cap member  162  to the distal support member  160 . 
         [0033]    The example drive assembly  124  comprises a drive shaft  170 , a drive nut  172 , a drive collar  174  defining a collar opening  176 , and anchor pins  178 . The anchor pins  178  secure the drive nut  172  to one end of the drive shaft  170 . The drive collar  174  is secured to an inner end of the distal shaft  140 , and the distal shaft  140  is telescopically received within the proximal shaft  130  such that the drive collar  174  is within the proximal shaft  130 . The drive shaft  170  extends through the drive opening  156  and threadingly engages the collar opening  176 . Rotation of the drive nut  172  causes axial rotation of the drive shaft  170 . The drive shaft  170  engages the drive collar  174  such that axial rotation of the drive shaft  170  causes relative movement of proximal shaft  130  and the distal shaft  140  along a main axis A defined by the drive shaft  170  as shown by a comparison of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Rotation of the drive nut  172  thus allows the proximal and distal end assemblies  120  and  122  to act on the steering shock  30  to compress the steering shock  30  as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 8 and 13  to facilitate formation of the first and second steering systems  22  and  24 . 
         [0034]    With the foregoing general discussion of the construction and operation of the compression tool  20  in mind, the details of the construction and use of the example compression tool  20  will now be described. 
         [0035]    The proximal end assembly  120  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 4-7 . The example proximal shaft  130  is an elongate tubular structure having a rectangular cross-section and defining a proximal shaft outer wall  220 , a proximal shaft inner wall  222 , and proximal shaft pin openings  224 . The example proximal arm member  134  comprises a proximal arm base portion  230 , a proximal arm shaft engaging portion  232 , and a proximal arm lateral portion  234 . The example proximal arm member  134  further defines a proximal arm cap opening  236  and proximal arm pin openings  238 . The example proximal cap member  136  defines a proximal cap base portion  240 , a proximal cap engaging portion  242 , and a proximal cap attachment portion  244 . The example proximal cap engaging portion  242  defines a proximal cap engaging surface  246 . 
         [0036]    The proximal arm shaft engaging portion  232  is sized and dimensioned to snugly fit within the proximal shaft  130 , and the proximal pins  138  extend through the proximal shaft pin openings  224  and the proximal arm pin openings  238  to secure the proximal arm assembly  132  in place relative to the proximal shaft  130  as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . The proximal cap attachment portion  244  extends through the proximal arm cap opening  236  such that the proximal cap member  136  is rotatably supported by the proximal arm member  134 . A proximal retainer clip  248  may be used to prevent inadvertent removal of the proximal cap member  136  from the proximal arm member  134 . 
         [0037]    The distal end assembly  122  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 4-7  and  10 . The example distal shaft  140  is an elongate tubular structure having a rectangular cross-section and defining a distal shaft outer wall  250 , a distal shaft inner wall  252 , and proximal shaft pin openings  254 . 
         [0038]    The example distal arm member  150  comprises a distal arm base portion  260 , a distal arm shaft engaging portion  262 , and a distal arm lateral portion  264 . The example distal arm member  150  further defines a distal arm cap opening  266 , and distal arm pin openings  268 . The example distal cap member  152  defines a distal cap base portion  270 , a distal cap engaging portion  272 , and a distal cap attachment portion  274 . The example distal cap engaging portion  272  defines a distal cap engaging surface  276 . 
         [0039]    The distal arm shaft engaging portion  262  is sized and dimensioned to snugly fit within the distal shaft  140  to allow the compression tool  20  to be arranged in its first configuration. To secure the distal end assembly  122  in the first configuration, the first distal pins  154  extend through the distal shaft pin openings  254  and the distal arm pin openings  268  to secure the first distal arm assembly  142  in place relative to the distal shaft  140  as shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6 . Further, the distal cap engaging portion  272  is arranged to extend through the distal arm cap opening  266  such that the distal cap member  152  is rotatably supported by the distal arm member  150 . A distal retainer clip  278  may be used to prevent inadvertent removal of the distal cap member  152  from the distal arm member  150 . 
         [0040]    The example distal support member  160  comprises a distal support base portion  280  and a distal base shaft engaging portion  282 . The example distal support member  160  further defines a distal base bolt opening  284  and distal base pin openings  286 . The example offset cap member  162  defines an offset portion  290 , an offset brace portion  292 , and an offset engaging portion  294 . The offset engaging portion  294  defines an offset engaging surface  296  and an offset clearance surface  298 . 
         [0041]    The distal base shaft engaging portion  282  is sized and dimensioned to snugly fit within the distal shaft  140  to allow the compression tool  20  to be arranged in its second configuration. To secure the distal end assembly  122  in the second configuration, the second distal pins  164  extend through the distal shaft pin openings  254  and the distal base pin openings  286  to secure the second distal arm assembly  144  in place relative to the distal shaft  140  as shown in  FIGS. 10-13 . Further, the distal bolts  166  are arranged to rigidly secure the offset cap member  162  to the distal support member  160 . 
         [0042]    When the compression tool  20  is in its first configuration, the proximal cap  136  and distal cap  152  lie along a first reference line L 1  that is substantially parallel to the shaft axis A as perhaps best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . When the compression tool  20  is in its second configuration, the proximal cap  136  and offset cap  162  lie along a second reference line L 2  that is not parallel to the shaft axis A as perhaps best shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0043]    Further, the offset cap member  162  is configured such that the clearance surface  298  thereof allows the offset cap member  162  to fit within the side walls  70  and  72  and end wall  74  when the second shock opening  34   a  is aligned with the first and second anchor openings  76  and  78 . 
         [0044]    While the example compression tool  20  is constructed such that the example proximal cap member  136  defines a first engaging surface (the proximal cap engaging surface  246 ) and the first and second distal arm assemblies  242  and  244  define second and third engaging surfaces (e.g., the distal cap engaging surface  276  and the offset engaging surface  296 ), the proximal end assembly may define two engaging surfaces and the distal end assembly may define a single engaging surface. Further, a single member may reconfigured to define the two engaging surfaces associated with the separate reference lines L 1  and L 2 . 
         [0045]    The example compression tool  20  as depicted in the drawing and described herein comprises a single proximal arm assembly  132  and a plurality of distal arm assemblies  142  and  144 . As an alternative, two or more proximal arm assemblies of different configurations may be provided to establish additional reference lines spaced or offset from the example reference lines L 1  and L 2  described herein. For example, a proximal arm assembly may be provided that establish a third reference line L 3  that is offset from or angled with respect to both of the first and second reference Lines L 1  and L 2 . Such additional proximal arm assemblies provide additional flexibility for a particular configuration defined by a steering system. Further, more than two distal arm assemblies may be provided to yield a compression tool that is even more flexible. 
         [0046]    The drive assembly of a compression tool of the present invention may be embodied in forms other than the example drive assembly  124  described herein. For example, a ratchet advance system may be used to advance the proximal end assembly  120  relative to the distal end assembly  122 . A ratchet advance assembly uses manual force to advance the proximal end assembly  120  in a first direction relative to the distal end assembly  122  in small increments until the appropriate compression is applied to the steering shock  30 . After the steering shock  30  is in place, a ratchet release is operated to allow movement of the proximal end assembly  120  in a second direction (opposite the first direction) relative to the distal end assembly  122 . Other alternative drive assemblies that may be used as the drive assembly  124  include pneumatic or hydraulic drive systems capable of telescopically extending the distal end assembly  122  relative to the proximal end assembly  120 . The exact nature of the drive assembly of a compression tool of the present invention will be determined based on factors such as the nature of the steering shock being compressed and the desired price point of the compression tool.