Spring compressor tool

Claim 2

A spring compressor tool for compressing a spring having opposed ends comprising, an upper pressure shoe having a generally U-shaped helical portion including walls defining a spring receiving channel, a lower pressure shoe having a generally U-shaped helical portion including walls defining a spring receiving channel, a pair of fluid cylinders positioned between said upper and lower shoes, a pair of telescoping sleeves surrounding an end of each of said fluid cylinders and connected to one of such shoes, each of said cylinders including a cylinder body, a piston positioned to slide within said body, a piston rod attached to said piston and extending through one of said telescoping sleeves, and a cap connected to one end of the cylinder body, said cap defining therethrough a bore for slidably receiving said piston rod, said cap and said piston defining a chamber, a fluid header assembly positioned adjacent said telescoping sleeve, said fluid header assembly defining an inlet air passageway connected to said chambers and a vent passageway connected to said chambers, valving means for supplying air to said inlet air passageway and for venting said vent passageway to atmosphere, and spring return means positioned within said sleeves for urging said shoes apart.

Claim 3

A spring compressor tool, according to claim 1, wherein said fluid cylinders are pneumatic cylinders.

Claim 4

A spring compressor tool according to claim 1, wherein each of said piston rods defines a longitudinally extending air passageway and wherein said piston rod passageways connect said inlet air passageway and said chambers, whereby actuation of said valving means supplies air under pressure to said chamber thereby moving the upper and lower shoes together.

Claim 5

A spring compressor tool according to claim 3, wherein said spring return means comprises a spring surrounding at least one of said piston rods and positioned within said telescoping sleeve.

Claim 6

A spring compressor tool according to claim 4, wherein each fluid cylinder includes sealing means between said cap and said piston rod for retarding the passage of air from such chamber.

Claim 7

A spring compressor tool according to claim 4, wherein said valving means comprises a normally closed valve in communication with such inlet air passageway, said valve having a valve actuator and a valve arm adjacent said actuator for engaging such actuator and opening said valve, whereby, when said valve is actuated, air under pressure is supplied through said valve, such air passageway and such piston rod passageways to such chambers.

Claim 8

A spring compressor tool, according to claim 6, wherein a vent fitting is mounted on said fluid header assembly in communication with such vent passageway and wherein said valving means includes a second normally closed valve in communication with such vent passageway, said second valve having a valve actuator and a valve arm adjacent said actuator for engaging said actuator and opening said second valve, whereby, when said second valve is actuated, air under pressure in such chambers is vented through said piston rod passageways, such vent passageway and said vent fitting to atmosphere.

Claim 9

A spring compressor tool, according to claim 7, including a handle connected adjacent said sleeves.

Claim 10

A portable spring compressor tool for compressing in situs a loaded spring having opposed ends, comprising, a first pressure shoe having a generally U-shaped helical portion, said helical portion having inner and outer walls defining a continuous first channel which extends at least 180°, said first channel receiving a coil of such loaded spring at a position intermediate such opposed ends, a second pressure shoe spaced from said first pressure shoe, said second pressure shoe having a helical portion having inner and outer walls defining a continuous second channel receiving another coil of such loaded spring at a position intermediate such opposed ends, at least one fluid cylinder including a cylinder body, a piston positioned to slide within said cylinder body and a piston rod attached to said piston, means limiting said piston rod to linear movement as said attached piston is moved in said cylinder body, said cylinder body and said piston defining a fluid chamber, means attaching said first shoe to said piston rod, means attaching said second shoe to said cylinder body, means for supplying pressurized fluid to said fluid chamber to move said piston in said cylinder body, said first shoe moving toward said second shoe along a linear path to compress such spring as such pressurized fluid moves said piston, means for venting fluid from said fluid chamber, and return means for urging said first and second shoes apart whereby said spring is compressed without removing such spring from place.

Claim 11

A portable spring compressor tool for compressing in situs a loaded spring having opposed ends, comprising, a first pressure shoe having a generally U-shaped helical portion, said helical portion having inner and outer walls defining a continuous first channel which extends at least 180°, said first channel receiving a coil of such loaded spring at a position intermediate such opposed ends, a second pressure shoe spaced from said first pressure shoe, said second pressure shoe having a helical portion having inner and outer walls defining a continuous second channel receiving another coil of such loaded spring at a position intermediate such opposed ends, at least one fluid cylinder including a cylinder body, a piston positioned to slide within said cylinder body and a piston rod attached to said piston, means limiting said piston rod to linear movement as said attached piston is moved in said cylinder body, said cylinder body and said piston defining a fluid chamber, means attaching said first shoe to said piston rod, means attaching said second shoe to said cylinder body, means for supplying pressurized fluid to said fluid chamber to move said piston in said cylinder body, said first shoe moving toward said second shoe along a linear path to compress such spring as such pressurized fluid moves said piston, means for venting fluid from said fluid chamber, and return means for urging said first and second shoes apart whereby said spring is compressed without removing such spring from place.

Claim 12

A portable spring compressor tool, according to claim 9, wherein a pair of said fluid cylinders are connected in parallel between said first and second shoes, wherein a pair of telescoping sleeves surrounds said cylinders and are connected to said first pressure shoe, and wherein said fluid supplying means and said fluid venting means includes a fluid header assembly positioned adjacent said sleeve, said fluid header assembly defining an inlet air passageway and a vent passageway connected to said fluid chamber in each fluid cylinder, and valving means for supplying air to said inlet air passageway and for venting said vent passageway to atmosphere.