Plug removal method and apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus for removing plugs from recesses, the apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
a nut carried by the housing; and
a plunger carried by the housing and supported for reciprocal axial motion between extended and retracted positions relative to the housing, the plunger including a plunger shaft having;
a first threaded section threadedly engaged in the nut and including threads pitched to convert relative axial motion to relative rotation between the plunger shaft and the housing; and
a second threaded section at a forward end of the plunger shaft, the second threaded section being configured to tap into a plug comprising softer material in response to shaft rotation in a tapping direction;
the second threaded section of the plunger shaft having a shallower thread pitch than the first threaded section.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tool for removing plugs from recesses obviates the need for a twist of the wrist in engaging a plug for removal. A plunger is carried by a housing and is supported for reciprocal axial motion between extended and retracted positions relative to the housing. A shaft of the plunger includes a first threaded section that is engaged in a nut carried by the housing and has threads pitched to allow relative axial motion to be converted to relative rotation between shaft and housing. A second threaded section of the plunger shaft is configured to tap into a plug in response to shaft rotation in a tapping direction, and has a shallower thread pitch than the first threaded section.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for removing plugs from recesses, the apparatus comprising:
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a housing; a nut carried by the housing; and a plunger carried by the housing and supported for reciprocal axial motion between extended and retracted positions relative to the housing, the plunger including a plunger shaft having; a first threaded section threadedly engaged in the nut and including threads pitched to convert relative axial motion to relative rotation between the plunger shaft and the housing; and a second threaded section at a forward end of the plunger shaft, the second threaded section being configured to tap into a plug comprising softer material in response to shaft rotation in a tapping direction; the second threaded section of the plunger shaft having a shallower thread pitch than the first threaded section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for removing plugs from recesses, the method including the steps of:
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providing an apparatus comprising a plunger supported in a housing for reciprocal motion between extended and retracted positions relative to the housing and including a plunger shaft having a first threaded section threadedly engaged in a nut carried by the housing, the first threaded section including threads pitched steeply enough to allow relative axial motion to be converted to rotational shaft motion relative to the housing, and a second threaded section at a forward end of the plunger shaft and configured to tap into a softer material, the second threaded section of the plunger shaft including threads pitched less steeply than the threads of the first threaded section and sufficiently shallow to frictionally prevent relative rotation in response to relative axial motion; extending the second threaded section of the plunger shaft from the housing by moving the plunger shaft toward its extended position; engaging a forward tip of the second threaded section of the plunger shaft against the plug; tapping the second threaded section into the plug by pressing the tip of the second threaded section against the plug and moving the housing axially relative to the plunger such that the plunger shaft is driven in rotation relative to the housing in a tapping direction; and withdrawing the plug by pulling the device aft with the second threaded section carrying the plug. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification