Abstract A hand applicator for assembling external retaining rings, specifically but not exclusively clip-type retaining rings of the structural form disclosed in copending Wurzel application Ser. No. 852,866, filed Aug. 25, 1969, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,595,123, dated July 27, 1971, in grooves provided therefor in shafts, spindles, etc. by the so-called radial-application procedure, comprising an elongated rigid bar or strap member having at one end thereof a hook formation opening through a side edge thereof as enables said member to be hooked to said shafts, spindles, etc.; an applicator blade mounted substantially flush against the under face of said hook member and for translatory movement toward and away from the hook formation of the latter, said applicator blade being provided at the end thereof disposed toward said hook formation with relatively short-length arcuate jaws constructed and arranged to grip a ring to be assembled along its outer periphery and when translated towards same to project the ring bodily towards and finally seat same in its groove; said hook formation being adapted meanwhile to rest against the opposite side portion of the shaft towards which the applicator blade is being translated and being thereby operative to engender a force in opposition to that required to translate said applicator blade as aforesaid; and hand-manipulable means operative between the relatively rearward or distal ends of both said hook member and applicator blade for translating the latter throughout its working stroke, including a force-multiplying leverage system effective to greatly multiply the effort which the operator is required to exert to effect translation of said applicator blade as aforesaid.
A hand applicator for installing external spring retaining rings of the various types designed for radial assembly in their shaft and/or spindle grooves comprising, in combination: an applicator blade terminating at one end in coplanar resiliently interconnected grip jaws adapted to grip between them a ring to be installed along an arcuate outer-edge portion thereof opposite its shaft-receiving opening; an elongated rigid strap form member; pin-and-slot means securing said applicator blade and said rigid strap member in face engagement and providing also for guided translatory movement of said blade with respect to said strap member from and to a normal retracted position thereon in which its grip jaws, upon gripping a ring, are adapted to maintain same in an ''''assembly-ready'''' position in which it is disposed relatively rearwardly from the end of the rigid strap member corresponding to the grip-jaw end of said applicator blade; means provided on said end of the strap member for taking positive hold on the shaft and/or spindle external surface during the course of the translatory movement of the applicator blade from its aforesaid normal retracted position throughout a ring installing stroke; and hand-manipulable force-multiplying means operative between the rigid strap member and an end portion of the applicator blade remote from its said grip jaw end for translating said applicator blade from its aforesaid retracted position throughout its said ring-installing stroke; the construction and arrangement being such that during the course of said translatory movement the hold which said strap member is adapted to take on the shaft and/or spindle engenders a force in opposition to that required to translate the applicator blade throughout its ring-installing stroke.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
273 words
A hand applicator for installing external spring retaining rings of the various types designed for radial assembly in their shaft and/or spindle grooves comprising, in combination: an applicator blade terminating at one end in coplanar resiliently interconnected grip jaws adapted to grip between them a ring to be installed along an arcuate outer-edge portion thereof opposite its shaft-receiving opening; an elongated rigid strap form member; pin-and-slot means securing said applicator blade and said rigid strap member in face engagement and providing also for guided translatory movement of said blade with respect to said strap member from and to a normal retracted position thereon in which its grip jaws, upon gripping a ring, are adapted to maintain same in an ''''assembly-ready'''' position in which it is disposed relatively rearwardly from the end of the rigid strap member corresponding to the grip-jaw end of said applicator blade; means provided on said end of the strap member for taking positive hold on the shaft and/or spindle external surface during the course of the translatory movement of the applicator blade from its aforesaid normal retracted position throughout a ring installing stroke; and hand-manipulable force-multiplying means operative between the rigid strap member and an end portion of the applicator blade remote from its said grip jaw end for translating said applicator blade from its aforesaid retracted position throughout its said ring-installing stroke; the construction and arrangement being such that during the course of said translatory movement the hold which said strap member is adapted to take on the shaft and/or spindle engenders a force in opposition to that required to translate the applicator blade throughout its ring-installing stroke.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A hand applicator for installing external spring retaining rings in their grooves according to claim 1, wherein said hand-manipulable force-multiplying means comprises a bellcrank leverage system effective to greatly multiply the hand force which the operator applies to translate the applicator blade throughout its ring-installing stroke.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
122 words
A hand applicator for installing external spring retaining rings in their grooves according to claim 2, wherein said hand-manipulable force-multiplying means comprises an elongate handle immovably affixed to the relatively rearward end of said rigid strap member and extending in longitudinal continuation thereof and a depressible handle being the longer arm of a bellcrank lever mounted for bodily rotation about a pivot supported in relatively raised position from the rearward end of said rigid strap member and whose shorter arm extends to and is pin-and-slot connected to the relatively rearward end of said applicator blade, said handle construction and arrangement providing leverage advantage as substantially multiplies the hand force which the operator applies in translating the applicator blade throughout its ring-installing stroke.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A hand applicator for installing external spring retaining rings in their grooves according to claim 3, and wherein spring means operative between said shorter arm of the bell crank lever and said fixed handle effects return of the applicator blade to its normal retracted position upon release of hand pressure on said handles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A hand applicator for installing exteRnal spring retaining rings according to claim 1, wherein the means on the strap member for taking positive hold on the shaft and/or spindle external surface as aforesaid comprises the relatively rearwardly facing edge in part defining the opening of a sidewardly opening hook formation in which said strap member terminates.