Patent ID: 7152509

Claim:
A fastener extractor comprising: a shaft defining a longitudinal axis; an engagement end at a distal end of said shaft, said engagement end having a plurality of helical ridges and grooves, said plurality of ridges having a thickness, wherein said helical ridges include engagement surfaces and taper from said shaft to said distal end, where said taper is created by a change in the thickness of the plurality of ridges along the longitudinal axis, said thickness being defined as the difference in the distance from the longitudinal axis between one of the plurality of grooves and the engagement surface of an adjacent one of one of the plurality of ridges and wherein said engagement end further comprises a draft angle, said draft angle tapering inwardly from said shaft to said distal end; and an attachment end at a proximal end of said shaft, said attachment end extending axially from said shaft and having a portion adapted to engage an extraction tool; wherein adjacent ones of said plurality of said grooves form said plurality of ridges therebetween, said plurality of ridges further comprise smooth, radiused surfaces with no sharp edges in the engagement surfaces and wherein the engagement surfaces of said plurality of ridges are adapted to engage a pre-formed opening in a fastener to be removed.