US3751785A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tool for removing moldings
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-05-25
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Granted: 1973-08-14
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Expires: 1991-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A special purpose tool is disclosed for use in removing metal moldings from around the windshield or back light of automobiles in which the molding is secured by means of metal spring fasteners. The tool comprises an elongated metal blade terminating at its outer end in a tip portion curved to form an arcuate fulcrum, the outermost end of the tip being tapered so that it may be inserted between the molding and the automobile metal work. The tip portion forms approximately a right angle with the plane of the blade, and is sufficiently long to extend past the edge of the molding when the tool is in place, whereby upward movement of the handle of the tool will cause the tip to pivot against the metal work of the automobile, with the end of the tip pressing against the fastener and releasing the molding.
Inventors
- 👤 M Whitesell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:59
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B27/00; B25B27/0092; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53683; Y10T29/53796; Y10T29/53896
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A molding release tool for removing molding strips from around the windshield and backlight of an automobile, said molding strips being attached to the frames surrounding said windshield and said back light by means of a plurality of spaced fasTeners, said tool comprising: a thin, planar, elongated blade having a shank portion and a relatively wide head portion; a blade tip formed at the free end of said blade head portion and joining said head portion in a short-radius curve, said tip extending across the width of said head portion, forming approximately a right angle with the plane of said blade, and being curved to form a segment of a cylinder to provide an arcuate fulcrum having a relatively large radius, said top being adapted to fit between the molding strip and the frame to which it is attached; and a terminal end on said tip, said terminal end being tapered to form an edge extending the width of said tip portion and adapted to contact one of said fasteners whereby when said shank portion is pivoted about said fulcrum, said fastener is disengaged from said molding strip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A molding release tool for removing molding strips from around the windshield and backlight of an automobile, said molding strips being attached to the frames surrounding said windshield and said back light by means of a plurality of spaced fasTeners, said tool comprising: a thin, planar, elongated blade having a shank portion and a relatively wide head portion; a blade tip formed at the free end of said blade head portion and joining said head portion in a short-radius curve, said tip extending across the width of said head portion, forming approximately a right angle with the plane of said blade, and being curved to form a segment of a cylinder to provide an arcuate fulcrum having a relatively large radius, said top being adapted to fit between the molding strip and the frame to which it is attached; and a terminal end on said tip, said terminal end being tapered to form an edge extending the width of said tip portion and adapted to contact one of said fasteners whereby when said shank portion is pivoted about said fulcrum, said fastener is disengaged from said molding strip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The molding release tool of claim 1, further including a locator blade secured to said shank portion for use in determining the location of said fasteners, said locator blade being thin, elongated, and flexible whereby it will fit between said molding and the glass of said windshield or back light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The molding release tool of claim 1, further including handle means adapted to receive and hold said shank portion of said blade.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The molding release tool of claim 3, wherein said handle means includes a thin, flexible, elongated locator blade for determining the location of said fasteners.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The molding release tool of claim 1, wherein said tip portion is of sufficient length to extend between said molding strip and said frame and to engage said fastener while said arcuate fulcrum engages said frame, whereby pivotal motion of said shank portion of said tool moves said fastener away from said frame to release said molding.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The molding release tool of claim 1, wherein the axis of curvature of said blade tip extends across the width of said blade.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The molding release tool of claim 6, wherein the degree of curvature of said blade tip is such that the maximum distance between the arc defined by said tip and its chord is approximately one-eighth inch and the length of said tip along its chord is between about one-fourth inch and one-half inch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The molding release tool of claim 7, further including handle means adapted to receive and hold said shank portion of said blade.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The molding release tool of claim 8, further including a thin, flexible elongated locator blade pivotally secured to said handle means, said locator blade being foldable away from said handle for determining the location of said fasteners and foldable into alignment with said handle for storage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The molding release tool of claim 9, wherein the width of said head portion is between approximately three-fourths inch and 1 1/2 inch, and the length of said arcuate fulcrum is approximately three-eighths inch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |