Patent ID: 6993816

Claim:
An installation tool for installing retaining rings on a shaft or in a bore, the shaft or bore having a given diameter, comprising: an elongated body having a first preselected length that extends between first and second opposing ends of the body, the first end being a tool driving end and the second end being a tool installation end, said body including a hollow portion with a cavity formed therein which extends from the tool installation end rearwardly into said body, the hollow cavity extending axially within said body for a second preselected length, the second preselected length being less than the first preselected length, the difference of said first and second preselected lengths defining a solid portion of said body at said tool driving end that abuts said hollow cavity and which provides a surface by which to apply a force to said tool during operation thereof, said hollow cavity being surrounded by a sidewall of said body, the sidewall being integrally formed with said body solid portion; a plurality of elongated slots formed in said sidewall and extending from said tool installation end rearwardly lengthwise along said body for said second preselected length, the slots defining a plurality of individual contact arms that extend in a cantilevered fashion, lengthwise from said solid portion, the contact arms being bent in a direction transverse to a central longitudinal axis of said body such that a diameter of said cavity varies in size between said tool installation end and said tool driving end, the slots varying in width lengthwise along said tool body, and, each of said contact arms having an enlarged free end for contacting a retaining ring, the contact arm enlarged ends each including a flat retaining ring-contacting face that extends at an angle to the central longitudinal axis of said tool.