| Claims 1. An apparatus for a pry bar for engaging structural members of a vehicle, comprising: an elongated member forming a handle having a bend at one end extending into an arm member, said arm member having an end of contour face; a brace fixed between the elongated member and arm member; an L-shaped bracket fixedly cantilevered from said brace, said L-shaped bracket comprising a pair of legs at right angles to each other, with a bottom edge of a first leg thereof mounted on said upper surface of, and adjacent the distal side edge of said brace, and a second leg of said bracket extending away from said brace and said bend and forming a cantilevered section; a cylindrical shaped spar depending from and adjustably affixed adjacent a distal end of said second leg of said bracket and terminating substantially in line with and spaced from the distal side edge of said brace; and, a groove formed in said spar adjacent a free end of said spar facing said brace forming a prying tip. 2. The apparatus of Claim 1, further comprising a bracket support fixed between the bracket and brace. 3. The apparatus of Claim 2, wherein said brace has an engaging surface with said bend. 4. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said elongated member incorporates means for engaging a fastener. 5. The apparatus of Claim 4, wherein said means for engaging a fastener is an aperture. 6. The apparatus of Claim 5, wherein said aperture is a throughbore. 7. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said end contour face is concave. 8. The apparatus of Claim 1 , wherein said end contour face is textured. 9. The apparatus of Claim 1 , wherein said bracket spar has a contoured section. 10. The apparatus of Claim 9, wherein said contoured section is concave. 1 1. The apparatus of Claim 2, wherein said bracket support is a wedge having an engaging side with the bracket and an engaging side with the brace. 12 The apparatus of Claim 2, wherein said bracket support is a bar conjoining with the bracket at a first end and the brace at a second end. 13. The apparatus of Claim 2, wherein said bracket has an end fixed to the brace and the bracket support fixed between the bracket and brace. 14. The apparatus of Claim 13, wherein said contoured segment has a convex surface. 15. The apparatus of Claim 13, wherein said countered segment is a notch. 16. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said bracket is sheet material. 17. The apparatus of Claim 16, wherein said bracket cantilevered section has an aperture for anchoring said spar therefrom. 18. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said brace is of sheet material of appropriate thickness. 19. The apparatus of Claim 18, wherein said brace has an engaging side with said elongated member and another engaging side with said arm member. 20. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said elongated member and said arm member in cross-section are tubular. 21. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said elongated member and said arm member in cross section are solid. 22. The apparatus of Claim 1 , wherein said elongated member and said arm member are metal. 23. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said elongated member and said arm member are of a composite material. 24. An apparatus for a pry bar for engaging structural members of a vehicle, comprising: an elongated member forming a handle having a bend at one end extending into an arm member; said arm member having an end of contour face; a brace fixed between the elongated member and arm member; an L-shaped bracket fixedly cantilevered from said brace, said bracket comprising a pair of legs at right angles to each other, with a bottom edge of a first leg thereof mounted on said upper surface of, and adjacent the distal side edge of said brace, and a second leg of said bracket extending away from said brace and said bend and forming a cantilevered section; a cylindrical shaped spar depending from and fixed adjacent a distal end of said second leg of said bracket and terminating substantially in line with and spaced from the distal side edge of said brace; and, a groove formed in said spar adjacent a free end of said spar facing said brace forming a prying tip. 25. The apparatus of Claim 24, further comprising a bracket support fixed between the bracket and brace. 26. The apparatus of Claim 25, wherein said brace has an engaging surface with said bend. 27. The apparatus of Claim 24, wherein said elongated member incorporates means for engaging a fastener. 28. The apparatus of Claim 27, wherein said means for engaging a fastener is an aperture. 29. The apparatus of Claim 28, wherein said aperture is a throughbore. 30. The apparatus of Claim 24, wherein said end contour face is concave. 31. The apparatus of Claim 24, wherein said end contour face is textured. 32. The apparatus of Claim 24, wherein said bracket spar has a contoured section; 33. The apparatus of Claim 32, wherein said contoured section is concave; 34. The apparatus of Claim 25, wherein said bracket support is a wedge having an engaging side with the bracket and an engaging side with the brace. 35 The apparatus of Claim 25, wherein said bracket support is a bar conjoining with the bracket at one end and the brace at the other. 36. The apparatus of Claim 25, wherein said bracket has an end fixed to the brace and the bracket support fixed between the bracket and brace. 37. The apparatus of Claim 36, wherein said contoured segment has a convex surface. 38. The apparatus of Claim 36, wherein said countered segment is a notch. 39. The apparatus of Claim 24, wherein said bracket is sheet material. 40. The apparatus of Claim 39, wherein said bracket cantilevered section has an aperture for anchoring said spar therefrom. 41. The apparatus of Claim 24, wherein said brace is of sheet material of appropriate thickness. 42. The apparatus of Claim 41 , wherein said brace has an engaging side with said elongated member and another engaging side with said arm member. 43. The apparatus of Claim 24, wherein said elongated member and said arm member in cross section are tubular. 44. The apparatus of Claim 24, wherein said elongated member and said arm member in cross section are solid. 45. The apparatus of Claim 24, wherein said elongated member and said arm member are metal. 46. The apparatus of Claim 24, wherein said elongated member and said arm member are of a composite material. |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to manually operated hand tools and, more specifically, to a tool serving as a pinch bar and lever having means for gripping an automotive suspension fastened workpiece between first and second tool elements and an extended handle for magnifying a force placed thereon to free the workpiece from its fastened position. Alternately, the first and second tool elements can be positioned against opposing workpieces to free one from the other again using the extended handle to amplify the applied force causing separation.
More specifically, the tool of the present invention is designed for the automotive repair industry in the removal and installation of suspension members, such as CV joints, ball joints, struts, etc that require the dismantling of parts that have bonded due to dirt, wear and electrolytic reactions, such as oxidation, resulting in time intensive and hazardous tasks depending on the inventiveness of the mechanic in performing the separation task.
Furthermore, some of these parts are compressed by tensioning members, which is not where you want your fingers to be located during use. According to U.S. Occupation Safety and Health Administration and U.S. Department of Labor estimates, there are approximately 3,000,000 workers in the automotive industry and, as more females enter the automotive workplace, the need increases for more ergonomic tools that are less dependant on an individual's muscle mass and more considerate of the aforementioned safety concerns and can result in lower labor costs to the consumer through employment of the present invention within the automotive industry.
It should be noted that careful consideration was given and is considered an integral part of the inventive process as to the angular position of the handle when the tool is placed in the operative position since many of the suspension members extend downwardly. Preferably, once engaging the workpiece the handle is cantilevered in a positive horizontal plane.
Additional consideration has been given to one of the workpiece engaging members of the invention that incorporate hanger means, so that once placed in the operative position, it would remain there allowing for hands free operation for the user by straddling the handle and applying the necessary pressure by leaning on the handle as needed. Stated differently, the tool provides means so that the user does not have to use his or her hands to apply force. Using one's legs, either by straddling the handle or simply applying pressure to the handle with a knee, provides for a hands-free operation.
An additional engaging member was also found to be more functional having a hyperbolic tip that can more easily engage tubular members from varying degrees.
It is not considered essentially to the present invention that the tip form a curved plane or that the hanger have a somewhat U-shape, but the tool is functionally more ergonomic incorporating these improvements, as opposed to a flat or rounded tip or the hanger having more of an L-shape. The tool would certainly function in a similar manner, but not as efficiently. There is also a brace extending between the curvature at the base of the handle and the shaft extending to the tool tip with the hanger fastened thereto and extending therefrom. Again, it was found through trial and error that this arrangement provided a more durable tool, as opposed to fastening the hanger to the main tool shaft. The tool would still function within the scope of the present invention but it is felt that this would result in an inferior quality tool. Therefore, such an arrangement is within the scope of the present invention, however, the present invention is preferably manufactured having a brace with the hanger extending therefrom, which will provide a more durable and quality tool. Description of the Prior Art
Tools of the general technical field of the present invention are known to the prior art of which the following prior art references are representative thereof: Hahn, U.S. Patent No. 2,681,791, issued June 22, 1954; Cooper, U.S. Patent No. 2,896,910, issued July 28, 1959; Pulliam, U.S. Patent No. 4,039,140, issued August 2, 1977; Thomas, U.S. Patent No. 4,826,136, issued May 2, 1989; Schmeling, U.S. Patent No. 4,999,898, issued March 19, 1991 ; Turrell, U.S. Patent No. 5,020,202, June 4, 1991; Senters, U.S. Patent No. 5,271,1 15, issued December 21, 1993; Kosbab, U.S. Patent No. 5,626,063, issued May 6, 1997; Landry, U.S. Patent No. D424,901, issued December 21, 1993; Schaffer, U.S. Patent No. 5,909,910, issued June 8, 1999; and Sim, U.S. Patent No. 6,634,620.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a prying device having a specially braced bracket having a transversal prying tip hooking component specially used for delivering leverage to a vehicles control arm.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a prying device specially suited for the primary operation of prying control arms off of vehicles.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a prying device having a transverse bracket having a prying tip used to grasp or turn leverage against vehicular components.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a prying device that us easy to manufacture.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a prying device having a prying tip that may be utilized to grasp a work piece under force and manipulate said piece into a desired location and orientation.
The present invention accomplishes the foregoing and related objects by providing a device primarily utilized in the prying of control arms on vehicles having a plurality of small and large braces utilized to support a transversely positioned bracket having a prying tip composed of typically rounded stock that is utilized to grab a vehicles control arm during a prying operation and effectively establish an increased bending or prying efficiency with the provided increase of grip and provided by said prying tip. Additionally the present invention has an elongated grip to develop a sufficient moment arm from a user to utilize efficiently along with said grip having a curved portion to gain proper angling and placement of the device's work end.
As most broadly recited, the present invention provides an apparatus for a pry bar for engaging structural members of a vehicle, which includes an elongated member forming a handle having a bend at one end extending into an arm member with the arm member having an end of a contour face. A brace is fixed between the elongated member and arm member, and an L-shaped bracket is fixedly cantilevered from the brace. The L- shaped bracket includes a pair of legs at right angles to each other, with a bottom edge of a first leg thereof mounted on the upper surface of, and adjacent the distal side edge of, the brace. A second leg of the L-shaped bracket extends away from the brace and the bend and forms a cantilevered section. A cylindrically shaped spar depends from and is adjustably affixed adjacent a distal end of the second leg of the L-shaped bracket and terminates substantially in line with, and is spaced from, the distal side edge of the brace. A groove is formed in the spar adjacent a free end of the spar and facing the brace for forming a prying tip.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when considered in view of the following detailed description of the invention, which provides certain preferred embodiments and examples of the present invention.
It should, however, be noted that the accompanying drawing figures and detailed description thereof is intended to discuss and explain only certain embodiments of the claimed invention and is not intended as a means for defining the limits and scope of the invention. P T/US2009/069072
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
In the drawing, wherein similar reference numerals denote similar features throughout the several views:
FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an orthographic view of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a side view of the handle of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a partial detail view of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a top view of the bracket and hook of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a detail view of the hook portion of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a detail view of the main brace of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a detailed perspective view of the bracket and brace of the present invention;
FIG. 1 1 is an exploded view of the bracket and spar support removed from the brace;
FIG. 12 is a right side attachment of the bracket to the brace;
FIG. 13 is a left side attachment of the bracket to the brace;
FIG. 14 is an exploded view of alternate attachment points for the bracket to the brace;
FIG. 15 is an exploded view of bracket, spar support and brace plate;
FIG. 16 is an illustrative view of the present invention;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the present invention;
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the present invention;
FIG. 19 is an orthographic view of the present invention;
FIG. 20 is a side view of the handle of the present invention; FIG. 21 is a partial detail view of the present invention;
FIG. 22 is a top view of the bracket and hook of the present invention;
FIG. 23 is a detail view of the hook portion of the present invention;
FIG. 24 is a detail view of the main brace of the present invention;
FIG. 25 is a detail view of the small brace of the present invention; and,
FIG. 26 is two detailed perspective views of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Turning now, in detail, to the drawing figures, FIG. 1 presents is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. The automotive suspension tool 10 of the present invention provides the user 12 with leverage means for engaging, disengaging and aligning automotive suspension parts 16 of motor vehicle 14. The present invention provides a vehicle control arm tool 10 where the front end piece 50 and bracket 38 of tool 10 are engaged with the lower control arm 16 of a vehicle 14, downward pressure on the handle will pry the control arm 16 out of the ball joint socket 16 so the steering knuckle can be moved out of the way and the axle can then be removed from the transaxle.
FIG. 2 shows the automotive suspension tool having an elongated handle 18 extending through a bend 20 into arm member 22, which terminates at tip 24. Optionally, the elongated handle incorporates a section of knurling 58 and handle 18 throughbore 56. Brace 26 extends between handle 18 and arm 22 having an engaging surface 28 with the elongated handle 18 and arm section 22 at arm brace joint 30. Extending from the base transversally, bracket 38 has bracket brace section 40 with brace 26 at joint 42. Bracket 38 extends into cantilevered bracket section 44 that forms an anchor for depending member 48, preferably adjustable spar support 56 having spar 50 with groove 52
opposingly facing bracket brace section 70. Spar 50, depending from bracket 44 forming cantilevered depending member. FIG. 3 presents a back perspective view of the automotive suspension tool with elongated handle 18 extending through bend 20 into arm member 22 terminating at tip 24. Brace 26 extends between handle 18 and arm 22. Extending from the base transversally, bracket 38 has an engaging surface with brace 26. Bracket 38 extends into cantilevered bracket section 44 that forms anchor for spar support56 having spar 50 depending therefrom.
FIG. 4 shows a top and sectional view of the automotive suspension tool with elongated handle 18 extending through bend 20 into arm member 22 terminating at tip 24 with the font tip having variable shapes when applicable and optionally having frictionally material fixed thereto. Brace 26 extends between handle 18 and arm 22. Extending from the base transversally, bracket 38 has an engaging surface with brace 26. Bracket 38 extends into cantilevered bracket section 44 that forms anchor for adjustable spar support 56 having spar 50.
FIG. 5 presents a side view of the handle of the present invention. Preferably, the housing of the automotive suspension tool has an elongated handle 18 extending through bend 20 into arm member 22 terminating at tip 24. Optionally, the elongated handle incorporates a section of knurling 58 and handle 18 throughbore 56.
FIG. 6 shows a partial view of the automotive suspension tool with elongated handle 18 extending through bend 20 into arm member 22 terminating at tip 24. Brace 26 extends between handle 18 and arm 22. Extending from the base transversally, bracket 38 has an engaging surface with brace 26. Bracket 38 extends into cantilevered bracket section 44 that forms an anchor for spar support 56.
FIG. 7 shows the bracket and spar of the automotive suspension tool. Bracket 38 extends into a cantilevered bracket section 44 that forms an anchor for depending member 48, preferably spar 50 with groove 52 opposingly faces the bracket brace section. Spar 50 depending from spar support 56 forms means whereby the tool can be hooked onto the lower control arm of various vehicles. 9 069072
-8-
FIG. 8 shows a detail view of the hook-like spar portion of the present invention. Shown is the contact point of the spar 52, the front tip 24 and the handle 18, 20, 22 are designed so the tool will not rotate and slip off the work piece 16. The hook 52 forms one leg of the overall bracket and has a point or protrusion disposed perpendicularly and inwardly thereon for gripping a surface.
FIG. 9 presents a detail view of the main brace of the present invention. Shown is the main brace 26 of the present invention preferably, being flat stock mild steel and 17 inches in length, sheared at 40 degrees and 25 degrees.
FIG. 10 provides a detailed perspective view of the bracket and brace of the present invention. Bracket 38 is attached to brace 26 via bracket member 40 that allows the tool to be hooked onto the lower control arm of various vehicles.
FIG. 1 1 shows the bracket and spar support removed from the brace. Shown is brace 38 having spar support 56 and spar 50 attachable to brace 26 via fasteners inserted through fastener apertures 62.
FIG. 12 is a right side attachment of the bracket to the brace. The present invention provides that the bracket 38 can be attached to either side of brace 26 thereby adding to the utility of the adjustable automotive suspension tool. It is further envisioned that having the height of the spar adjustable via spar aperture 58 and fasteners 60 allows the tool to adapt to more makes of vehicles with different suspension geometry.
FIG. 13 is a left-side attachment of the bracket to the brace. The present invention provides that the bracket 38 can be attached to either side of brace 26 thereby adding to the utility of the adjustable automotive suspension tool. It is further envisioned that having the height of the spar adjustable via spar aperture 58 and fasteners 60 allows the tool to adapt to more makes of vehicles with different suspension geometry.
FIG. 14 presents an exploded view of alternate attachment points for the bracket to the brace. The present invention provides that the bracket 38 can be attached to either side of brace 26 thereby adding to the utility of the adjustable automotive suspension tool. It is further envisioned that having the height of the spar adjustable via spar aperture 58 and fasteners 60 allows the tool to adapt to more makes of vehicles with different suspension geometry.
FIG. 15 provides an exploded view of bracket, spar support and brace plate. Housing arm section 22 having brace 26 with fastener apertures 62 that form attachment point for brace reinforcement plate 66 and bracket brace section 40 via fastener apertures 62. Bracket cantilevered section 44 having fastener apertures 58 forms height adjustable attachment for spar support 58 having spar 50.
FIG. 16, is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. The automotive suspension tool 10 of the present invention provides the user 12 with leverage means for engaging, disengaging and aligning automotive suspension parts 16 of motor vehicle 14. The present invention provides a vehicle control arm tool 10 where the front end piece 50 and bracket 38 of tool 10 are engaged with the lower control arm 16 of a vehicle 14, downward pressure on the handle will pry the control arm 16 out of the ball joint socket 16 so the steering knuckle can be moved out of the way and the axle can then be removed from the transaxle.
FIG. 17 presents an illustration of the automotive suspension tool having an elongated handle 18 extending through a bend 20 into arm member 22, which terminates at tip 24. Optionally, the elongated handle incorporates a section of knurling 58 and handle 18 throughbore 56. Brace 26 extends between handle 18 and arm 22 having an engaging surface 28 with the elongated handle 18 and arm section 22 at arm brace joint 30. Extending from the base transversally, bracket 38 has an engaging surface with brace 26 at joint 42 and is further reinforce by bracket support 32 with the support having support brace joint 34 and support bracket joint 36. Bracket 38 extends into cantilevered bracket section 44 that forms an anchor for depending member 48, preferably spar 50 with groove 52 opposingly facing bracket brace section 40. Spar 50, depending from bracket 44 at spur receptacle 54 forming cantilevered depending member joint 46. FIG. 18 shows a back perspective view of the automotive suspension tool with elongated handle 18 extending through bend 20 into arm member 22 terminating at tip 24. Brace 26 extends between handle 18 and arm 22. Extending from the base transversally, bracket 38 has an engaging surface with brace 26 and is further reinforce by bracket support 32 with the support having support brace joint 34 and support bracket joint 70. Bracket 38 extends into cantilevered bracket section 44 that forms an anchor for spar 50 depending from bracket 44 at spur receptacle 54.
FIG. 18 is a top and sectional view of the automotive suspension tool with elongated handle 18 extending through bend 20 into arm member 22 terminating at tip 24 with the font tip having variable shapes when applicable and optionally having frictional- ly material fixed thereto. Brace 26 extends between handle 18 and arm 22. Extending from the base transversally, bracket 38 has an engaging surface with brace 26 and is further reinforce by bracket support 32 with the support having support brace joint 34 and support bracket joint 36. Bracket 38 extends into cantilevered bracket section 44 that forms an anchor for spar 50 depending from bracket 44 at spur receptacle 54. Spar 50 having inflection 52 will also vary in contour as the tool will find additional uses and for specific tasks.
FIG. 20 presents a side view of the handle of the present invention. Preferably, the housing of the automotive suspension tool has an elongated handle 18 extending through bend 20 into arm member 22 terminating at tip 24. Optionally, the elongated handle incorporates a section of knurling 58 and handle 18 throughbore 56. As illustrated in cross-section, the housing consists of approximate 1 inch steel tubing which minimizes the weight but has alternately considered a solid shaft member, in whole or in part, that may have application in other areas and therefore is included by reference.
FIG. 21 shows a partial view of the automotive suspension tool with elongated handle 18 extending through bend 20 into arm member 22 terminating at tip 24. Brace 26 extends between handle 18 and arm 22. Extending from the base transversally, bracket 38 9072
-1 1- has an engaging surface with brace 26 and is further reinforce by bracket support 32 with the support having a support brace joint and support bracket joint. Bracket 38 extends into cantilevered bracket section that forms an anchor for spar 50 depending from bracket 38.
FIG. 22 shows the bracket and spar of the automotive suspension tool. Bracket 38 extends into a cantilevered bracket section that forms an anchor for depending member 48, preferably spar 50 with groove 52 opposingly faces the bracket brace section. Spar 50, depending from bracket 38 at spur receptacle 54 forms means whereby the tool can be hooked onto the lower control arm of various vehicles.
FIG. 23 is a detail view of the hook-like spar portion of the present invention.
Shown is the contact point of the spar 52, the front tip 24 and the handle 18, 20, 22 are designed so the tool will not rotate and slip off the work piece 16. The hook 52 forms one leg of the overall bracket and has a point or protrusion disposed perpendicularly and inwardly thereon for gripping a surface.
FIG. 24 is a detail view of the main brace of the present invention. Shown is the main brace 26 of the present invention preferably , being flat stock mild steel and 17 inches in length, sheared at 40° degrees and 25°.
FIG. 25 is a detail view of the small brace of the present invention. Shown is the small brace 32 for the bracket 38 of the present invention preferably being 1/4" mild steel plate.
FIG. 26 presents two detailed perspective views of the present invention. A bracket 38 is transversally attached by welding to the front offset piece of 26 by a small brace and a main brace in order to allow the tool to be hooked onto the lower control arm of various vehicles. Also shown is the front tip 24 of the front end piece 22. The contact point of the hook 50, the front tip and the handle are designed so the tool will not rotate and slip off the work piece. The hook forms one leg of the bracket and has a point or protrusion disposed perpendicularly and inwardly thereon for gripping a surface. While only several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
List of Reference Numerals
10 Automotive Suspension Tool 52 spar inflection
12 user 54 spar receptacle
14 motor vehicle 56 spar support
16 vehicle suspension 58 spar support apertures
18 elongated handle housing section 60 fasteners
20 housing bend 62 bracket apertures
22 housing arm section 64 brace apertures
24 housing end tip 66 brace plate
26 brace 68 knurling
28 brace joint 70 bracket brace section
30 arm brace joint
32 bracket support
34 support and brace engaging surfaces
36 support and bracket engaging surfaces
38 bracket
40 bracket brace section
42 brace and bracket engaging surfaces
44 cantilevered bracket section
46 cantilevered depending member joint
48 cantilevered depending member
50 spar