Pin puller

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119 of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/226,652 filed 17 Jul. 2009 and entitled PIN PULLER which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This invention relates to tools. Specific embodiments provide pullers for pulling pins. The invention has application, for example, in removing and installing the pins used in the suspensions of heavy trucks.

[0003] Pins embedded in bushings are used in the suspensions of some heavy trucks. For example, such pins and bushings may be provided at the ends of truck leaf springs and/or at truck chassis suspension points. Over time and with use, the bushings can deteriorate to the point that they require replacement. This is a big job. In many cases it is necessary to remove the leaf spring from the truck and to press out the bushings and pins using a heavy-duty press. This is time consuming for mechanics. Re-fitting the suspension of a truck can be expensive for a truck owner.

[0004] Various presses and pin pullers are known. Some examples of these are described in the following United States patents:

[0005]

7,363,798
6,625,861
5,390,403
4,339,865
3,654,685
3,044,157
7,191,504
6,389,668
5,363,543
4,249,293
3,110,958
5,025,542
7,134,268
4,989,442
1,465,124
7,228,609
6,745,447
5,042,132
5,528,809
5,033,177
4,724,608
4,624,041
4,057,889
3,358,352
2,596,549
2,317,405

[0006] There remains a need for tools and methods capable of removing and/or installing pins of the types found in the suspensions of heavy trucks. Existing tools, including those listed above, are not suitable for use in removing or installing such pins. There is a particular need for such tools and methods useful for removing and/or installing pins that are embedded in elastomer bushings.

[0007] One aspect of the invention provides tools suitable for pulling on pins. In certain embodiments the tools have a coupler for coupling a pin to a pull rod and/or a follower adapted to be coupled to a trailing end of a pin being pulled.

[0008] Another aspect of the invention provides methods for pulling pins. Such methods may be applied, for example, for removing pins from truck suspension components or installing pins in the truck suspension components. In certain embodiments the pins are bonded into elastomer bushings and the pins and bushings are removed or installed together.

[0009] Various aspects of the invention provide tools for pulling pins, couplers for use in pin pullers, followers for use with pin pullers and methods for removing and installing pins.

[0010] One example aspect of the invention provides a pin puller tool. The tool comprises a pull rod; a coupler for coupling a first end of the pull rod to a first end of a pin to be pulled a puller; and a follower. The puller comprises an actuator configured to apply longitudinal pulling force on the pull rod. The follower is configured for coupling to a second end of the pin to be pulled. The follower has a face for bearing against a bushing in which the pin to be pulled is embedded.

[0011] A further aspect of the invention provides a method for installing or removing a pin and bushing. The method comprises coupling a pull rod to a first end of the pin; coupling a follower to a second end of the pin; applying tension to the pull rod to pull the pin into or out of a bore and, concurrently allowing force transmitted through the pin to the follower to push the bushing into or out of the bore.

[0012] Another aspect of the invention provides a pin puller tool comprising: a pull rod; a coupler for coupling a first end of the pull rod to a first end of a pin, and a puller comprising an actuator configured to apply longitudinal pulling force on the pull rod. The coupler may comprise first and second mating shells. The first and second shells, when mated, define opposing first and second bore ends. The first bore end comprises a first engagement feature configured to engage an end of the pull rod. The second bore end comprises a second engagement feature configured to engage the one end of the pin. A sleeve is slidably engageable over the first and second mating shells, when mated. The sleeve, when engaged over the mated first and second shells, prevents the first and second shells from becoming disengaged.

[0013] Another aspect of the invention provides a method for connecting a pull rod to a pin. The method comprises placing an end of the pull rod adjacent to a first end of the pin and arranging first and second mating shells on either side of the pin and pull rod such that the pin and pull rod respectively project into opposing first and second bore ends defined by the first and second mating shells and engagement features of the first and second mating shells engage corresponding features of the pin and pull rod. The method may further comprise sliding a sleeve over the first and second mating shells such that engagement of the sleeve over the mated first and second shells prevents disengagement of the first and second shells from the pin and pull rod.

[0014] The foregoing aspects are illustrative examples only. In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following detailed descriptions.

[0025]

	Vehicle 10	Leaf spring 12
	Eye of spring 14, 14A, 14B	Chassis 16
	Support point 17	Bore 18
	Pin 20	Pin end 20A, 20B
	Pin groove 20C, 20D	Bushing 21
	Puller 30	Puller 30A, 30B, 30C
	Main puller component 32	Follower 34
	Pull rod 36	End of pull rod 36 A
	Flange 38	Coupler 40
	Bore end 42A	Bore end 42B
	Groove 44	Ridge 46
	Shells 48A, 48B	Retaining sleeve 50
	Puller assembly 52	Spring 53
	Actuator 54	Port 55
	Piston 56	Cylinder 57
	Opening 58	Fastener 59
	Abutment face 60	Spacer 62
	Spacer parts 62A, 62B, 62C	Tubular member 64
	Bore 65	Bore 69
	Follower 70	Shells 72A, 72B
	Bore 74	Projections 75
	Retainer sleeve 76	O-ring 77
	Groove 78	Striking face 79
	Arrow 80	Bore 85

[0026] Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a portion of the suspension of a vehicle 10. Included in FIG. 1 is a leaf spring 12. Each end of leaf spring 12 is formed into an eye 14A, 14B (collectively eyes 14). Each of eyes 14 can accommodate a pin 20 (see FIG. 3) that is embedded in a bushing 21. Bushings 21 may comprise elastomeric bushings, for example. In the illustrated embodiment, a chassis 16 of vehicle 10 includes a support point 17 comprising a bore 18 which receives another pin 20 and bushing 21.

[0028] When the suspension is fully assembled, shackles (not shown) connect the pins 20 projecting from leaf spring 12 to corresponding pins 20 at support points on chassis 16. For reasons relating to vehicle maintenance or repair, it may be necessary to remove and replace one or more of pins 20 and the associated bushings 21.

[0029] Embodiments of the invention provide pin pullers that may be applied to remove and replace pins of the types that may be found, for example, in vehicle suspensions. Such pullers may have more general application as well.

[0030] FIG. 1 shows one puller 30A that has been installed to remove a pin 20 (not shown in FIG. 1) from a first eye 14A of leaf spring 12. Also shown in FIG. 1 is a second puller 30B configured to introduce a new pin 20 (not shown in FIG. 1) and bushing 21 into a second eye 14B of leaf spring 12. Also shown in FIG. 1 is a third puller 30C which has been coupled to remove a pin 21 from a support point 17 on vehicle chassis 16. Pullers 30A, 30B and 30C illustrate different applications of a puller of the general type described herein. Typically three pullers would not be deployed at once. Typically a mechanic would use one puller to sequentially remove and replace pins 20 and their associated bushings 21 as required.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a puller 30 according to an example embodiment. It can be seen that puller 30 has two parts, a main puller component 32 and a follower 34. Main puller component 32 is constructed so that it can be used to apply tension to a pin such as a pin 20. The pulling force developed by main puller component 32 may be used to pull a pin 20 (and in some cases an associated bushing 21) out of a bore in which the pin has been installed or to pull a new pin 20 (or a pin 20 and associated bushing 21) into a bore in which it is desired to install the pin and bushing. Follower 34 serves to prevent the pin 20 from being pulled out of the associated bushing 21 during removal. As described below in relation to FIG. 6 a similar follower 70 may also be used during installation of a pin and bushing.

[0032] Details of an example embodiment of the tool are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Tool 30 includes a pull-rod 36 that can be coupled to one end 20A of the pin 20 by a coupler 40. Pull-rod 36 and coupler 40 include features that permit pull-rod 36 to engage coupler 40. In the illustrated embodiment, coupler 40 comprises shells 48A and 48B and a retaining sleeve 50. Alternative coupler constructions may be provided in other embodiments. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, pull-rod 36 includes a radially-extending flange 38. Coupler 40, when assembled, comprises a bore end 42A which receives the end 36A of pull-rod 36 and includes a circumferential groove 44 which receives flange 38.

[0033] Pin 20 comprises a projecting end portion 20A which includes a circumferential groove 20C. Coupler 40 defines a second bore end 42B which receives the projecting end 20A of pin 20. Coupler 40 includes an engagement feature that engages circumferential groove 20C. In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement feature comprises one or more projections on the wall of bore end 42B. When coupler 40 is assembled, the projections extend into groove 20C. In the illustrated embodiment, the projections comprise a ridge 46. Ridge 46 extends circumferentially and continuously all of the way around groove 20C in the illustrated embodiment.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, coupler 40 comprises two shells 48A and 48B that can be mated together to define bore ends 42A and 42B and the associated engagement features for pull-rod 36 and pin 20.

[0035] Coupler 40 may be attached to couple pin 20 to pull-rod 36 by placing the end of pull-rod 36 adjacent to the end of pin 20 and then placing shells 48A and 48B on either side of the pin and pull-rod such that pull-rod 36 is engaged in bore end 42A and end 20A of pin 20 is engaged in bore end 42B. A retaining sleeve 50 may be slid over shells 48A and 48B after they have been mated around pin 20 and pull-rod 36. Sleeve 50, when installed, prevents shells 48A and 48B from coming apart and thereby insures that pull-rod 36 will remain firmly coupled to the end of pin 20.

[0036] There are a number of alternative structures for coupler 40. For example, pull-rod 36 could have an alternative structuring on its end 36A. For example, pull-rod 36 could have a circumferential groove similar to the groove 20C provided on pin 20. In that case, coupler 40 could include one or more projections that engage such a groove. Different couplers 40 may be provided for engaging pins 20 having different dimensions or configurations and/or pins embedded in bushings having different diameters. One of shells 48A and 48B could be affixed to the end 36A of pull-rod 36 so that coupling of the pull-rod 36 to a pin 20 can be achieved by installing the other one of shells 48A and 48B and, when so configured, sliding a retaining sleeve 50 over the mated shells. Shells 48A and 48B may comprise magnets, projections, or other interacting features that facilitate releasably holding shells 48A and 48B together in their mated configuration. This facilitates coupling of pull-rod 36 to a pin 20.

[0037] Some embodiments may provide couplers that comprise one or more cross pins or one or more setscrews or the like that may be inserted to engage an end 20A of a pin 20 to be pulled on. In some such embodiments the coupler may remain affixed to the end of a pull rod. For example, such a coupler may comprise a collar having one end attached or attachable to the pull rod with the other end cross-drilled to accept a cross-pin or drilled and threaded to accept one or more set screws or the like. Where the pin to be pulled has a circumferential groove, the cross-pin(s) and/or set screws may engage in the groove to positively engage the end of the pin for pulling on the end of the pin.

[0038] Pull-rod 36 is coupled to a puller assembly 52 comprising an actuator 54. Actuator 57 is conveniently a hydraulic actuator, such as a hydraulic piston. Actuator 57 may, in the alternative, comprise a screw, a lever, or other puller mechanism. In the illustrated embodiment, actuator 57 comprises a hydraulic piston 56 that is sealingly and slidably mounted within a hydraulic cylinder 57. A port 55 can receive pressurized fluid from a pump (not shown) and deliver the pressurized fluid to a volume behind piston 56. In the illustrated embodiment, piston 56 and cylinder 57 are single-acting. Piston 56 may be extended by introducing pressurized fluid at port 55. When the pressure at port 55 is released, spring 53 pushes piston 56 back toward its original retracted position.

[0039] An opening 58 extends through piston 56. As shown in FIG. 3, opening 58 is large enough to receive pull-rod 36. A fastener such as nut 57 may then be attached to the distal end 36B of pull-rod 36. Puller assembly 52 comprises an abutment face 60 that is supported relative to actuator 57 by a spacer 62. Spacer 62 is configured to provide a space into which pin 20 and the associated bushing 21 can be pulled. In the illustrated embodiment, spacer 62 comprises first and second parts 62A and 62B. In this embodiment, at least part 62B is removable to allow adjustment of the overall length of spacer 62.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, spacer 62 comprises a tubular member 64. Tubular member 64 has a bore 65. Retaining sleeve 50 may be a sliding fit in bore 65. In some embodiments, bore 65 itself serves as a retaining sleeve for coupler 40.

[0041] Puller 30 may be used by first assembling pull-rod 36 to a pin 20 to be pulled using coupler 40. The pin 20 may, for example, be lodged in a bore 69 in some component. Then, puller assembly 52 comprising spacer 62 and actuator 57 may be slid over pull-rod 36 so that distal end 36B of pull-rod 36 projects from the distal end of puller 57 and abutment face 60 is supported against the component in which the pin 20 is mounted. Fastener 57 is then installed on the distal end of pull-rod 36 such that, upon operation of actuator 54, pull-rod 36 is placed under tension and pulls on pin 20. Depending upon the stroke of actuator 57 as compared to the length of pin 20, it may be necessary to operate actuator 57 through its stroke, return actuator 57 to the beginning of its stroke, tighten fastener 57 and to repeat this one or more times to fully withdraw pin 20 (and any associated bushing 21) from the bore 69 in which pin 20 is located.

[0042] FIG. 3 also shows a follower 34. In the illustrated embodiment, follower 34 comprises first and second shells 72A and 72B and may also comprise a follower retainer sleeve 76. When shells 72A and 72B are mated together, they define a bore 74 which can receive a second end 20B of pin 20. Shells 72A and 72B have engagement features that engage the end 20B of pin 20. In the illustrated embodiment, pin 20 has a circumferential groove 20D near its end 20B and shells 72A and 72B include projections 75 that engage in groove 20D. In some embodiments, projections 75 comprise a circumferential ridge which extends substantially continuously around groove 20D of pin 20.

[0043] A retainer sleeve 76 may be placed over shells 72A and 72B after they have been mated together around pin 20. In the illustrated embodiment, retainer sleeve 76 comprises a cup shaped assembly having an opening that receives at least end portions of shells 72A and 72B. When retainer sleeve 76 is in place, shells 72A and 72B cannot be separated from one another.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, retainer sleeve 76 has outer-dimensions that are slightly smaller than the largest outer-dimensions of follower 34. Follower 34 has an outer-dimension which is similar to but no greater than the outer-dimension of bushing 21. In the illustrated embodiment, outer faces of shells 72A and 72B define the outer dimension of follower 34. When follower 34 is attached on end 20B of pin 20 then follower 34 prevents pin 20 from being pulled out of bushing 21. Force for pulling bushing 21 is transmitted by pin 20 to follower 34. Follower 34 brings bushing 21 out along with pin 20. Follower 34 may have a flat front face 71 extending around the opening of bore 74. In the illustrated embodiment front face 71 has a circular periphery.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, retainer sleeve 76 is held in place over the mated shells 72A and 72B by a holding member. In the illustrated embodiment, the holding member comprises an O-ring 77 received in a circumferential groove 78 extending around the outer-diameter of shells 72A and 72B in their portions that are received within retainer sleeve 76. Various alternative mechanisms may be provided to hold shells 72A and 72B together an/or to hold retainer sleeve 76 in place on the mated shells 72A and 72B. For example, one or more magnets, pins engageable in corresponding recesses, springs or the like (or combinations thereof) may be provided to hold shells 72A and 72B mated together. One or more indent mechanisms, springs, magnets, set screws, friction pads, or the like may be provided to hold retainer sleeve 76 in place over mated shells 72A and 72B.

[0046] Follower 34 may be attached to end 20B of pin 20 by placing shells 72A and 72B on either side of pin 20 and bringing the shells together so that projections 75 engage in groove 20D. O-ring 77 may then be placed into groove 78, thus holding shells 72A and 72B together. Retainer sleeve 76 may then be slid over the exposed ends of shells 72A and 72B. Frictional engagement between O-ring 77 and the inner wall of retainer sleeve 76 helps to hold the retainer sleeve in place.

[0047] The rear end of retainer sleeve 76 may comprise a striking face 79. In the illustrated embodiment, striking face 79 is somewhat domed. A user can assist in urging pin 21 out of its bore by applying impacts to striking face 79.

[0048] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show a sequence of configurations of a puller 30 that is pulling out a pin 20 that is engaged in a bore for a distance that is longer than a stroke of the actuator 54. Initially pin 20 is fully engaged in the bore as shown in FIG. 3. From the configuration shown in FIG. 3, hydraulic fluid is pumped into cylinder 57 thereby pushing piston 56 in the direction indicated by arrow 80. When actuator 57 is at the end of its stroke, pin 20 still has a portion engaged in bore 69. Piston 56 is retracted (e.g. by depressurizing hydraulic fluid at port 55). In the illustrated embodiment, a spring 53 assists in returning piston 56 to its retracted configuration.

[0049] Once piston 56 has returned to its retracted configuration then fastener 57 can be tightened. Piston 56 may be extended once again by pumping fluid into cylinder 57 through port 55. In the illustrated embodiment, by the end of the second stroke of piston 56, pin 20 and its associated bushing 21 have been completely removed from bore 69.

[0050] It will be appreciated that the basic idea of transmitting force through a pin embedded in a bushing to a follower coupled to an end of the pin such that the follower pushes on the bushing as the pin is pulled may be practiced with followers of designs different from the embodiments described above. For example, a follower may comprise a collar that can be affixed in any suitable way to one end of a pin to be pulled. In the case that the pin is being pulled out and will be subsequently disposed of the follower may even comprise a disposable collar welded or otherwise bonded non to the pin. In other example embodiments the follower may comprise a collar that can be removably affixed to an end of a pin by way of set screws, cross-pins, a clamp, threads (if the end of the pin to be pulled is threaded) or the like.

[0051] As mentioned above, tool 30 may also be used to pull a pin 20 and its associated bushing 21 into a chassis component. As shown in FIG. 6, this can be achieved by coupling pull-rod 36 to a new pin 20 to be inserted into a bore 85 using coupler 40 as described above. Pull-rod 36 is then passed through bore 85 and coupled to puller assembly 52. A follower 70 may be mounted to the opposite end of pin 20.

[0052] In some embodiments, spacer 62 is shortened thereby making it unnecessary to have a very long pull-rod 36. In the illustrated embodiment, spacer 62 comprises two parts 62A and 62B. Spacer 62 can be shortened by removing part 62B. In the illustrated embodiment, part 62B is replaced with a shorter part 62C that has an abutment face for engaging a part into which a pin is to be pulled.

[0053] With puller 30 connected as shown in FIG. 6, actuator 57 is operated to apply tension to pull-rod 36. This pulls pin 20 into bore 85. As mentioned above, it may be necessary to operate actuator 57 through a number of strokes, tightening fastener 57 each time, in order to draw a pin 20 fully into bore 85. Follower 70 helps to push bushing 21 into bore 85.

[0054] FIG. 7 shows the configuration of puller 30 at the conclusion of pulling pin 20 and its associated bushing 21 into bore 85. Coupler 40 has been pulled into the first part 62A of spacer 62. Follower 70 has stopped at the rear end of bore 85, thereby causing pin 20 and bushing 21 to be properly located.

[0055] In some embodiments, follower 70 has an outer-dimension greater than that of bore 85. In such embodiments, follower 70 provides a positive stop when pin 20 has been pulled properly into bore 85. The construction of follower 70 may be the same as or substantially similar to the follower 34 described above. A tool 30 may be supplied with both a follower 34 and a larger-diameter follower 70 both capable of coupling to a pin 20.

[0056] FIG. 8 is an exploded view showing parts of a puller 30 according to an example embodiment together with a pin 20 embedded in a bushing 21.

[0057] In a method according to an example embodiment a pin and bushing are pulled into or out of a bore. A follower is attached to one end of the pin and tension is applied to the other end of the pin. The pin itself acts to transmit force to the follower. Pulled along by the pin, the follower pushes on the bushing from behind In some embodiments the follower projects past the bushing and provides a positive stop to travel of the pin when the bushing has been pulled fully into a bore. The follower may have a construction as described above but this is not mandatory. The follower may have another construction that permits it to be firmly clamped to an end of the pin. For example, the follower may comprise a ring having one or more setscrews, clamps, or the like which permit the ring to be removably locked onto an end of the pin.

[0058] While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.