Patent ID: 7694610

Claim:
An installation tool for a photo-multiplier tube (PMT), wherein the PMT has a neck portion defining a circumferential surface and has an electronic circuit board oriented axially above the neck portion that projects radially outwardly past the circumferential surface, the tool comprising: a clamp assembly having: a rotational axis; a circular base portion at a proximal end defining a central axis substantially coaxial with said rotational axis; a jaw assembly including a pair of opposed jaws on one end thereof, the jaws defining an engagement surface conforming to the PMT neck portion circumferential surface and a centroidal axis substantially coaxial with said rotational axis; a jaw gap defined within the engagement surface for receipt of the PMT neck therein; a pedestal having an end coupled to the jaw assembly laterally offset from said rotational axis and generally projecting axially away from the jaws toward the proximal end of the clamp assembly, for providing clearance for receipt of the PMT electronic circuit board within the clamp assembly; and an arm coupled to the pedestal on the other end thereof distal the jaws and projecting generally toward said rotational axis; and an actuating assembly including a symmetrical handle, defining an axis of symmetry, coupled to the circular base portion of the clamp assembly at said proximal end, the axis of symmetry coaxial with said rotational axis.