Abstract: A MacPherson Strut Compressor, with which a strut may be safely dismantled for repair, employs a fluid operated piston-cylinder, mounted to an adjustable upper platen to provide compression between a push platen and a lower base platen.

Abstract: A hand tool particularly adapted for compressing an automobile shock absorber spring to facilitate repairs. The tool comprises a handle with a hook pivoted at the end thereof adapted to engage under a spring coil. An arm is pivoted near one end thereof intermediate the ends of the handle, and a downwardly facing hook on the end of the arm is adapted to engage over a higher coil of the spring. By pushing the handle with the hooks engaged, the hooks or jaws are brought closer together and a short extension of the arm swings across the handle, camming back a lock sleeve slidable thereon. When the arm extension and handle are in alignment, the lock sleeve is extended by a small spring to enclose the arm extension and prevent movement thereof. The compressed coil spring exerts a force on the jaws trying to separate them. This forces the arm extension tightly against the inner surface of the lock sleeve, holding the sleeve firmly in place against inadvertent retraction.

Abstract: A tube coil of austenitic or ferritic material is bent into a coil with a steep pitch by clamping the end of the tube section to be bent in clamps located at the ends of two radial arms of the bending apparatus. One arm is then pulled away from the other arm to cause the clamped ends to displace relative to each other while a steeper pitch is imparted. The pulled arm is free to rotate while the clamps are free to pivot in planes tangential to the tube coils. In one embodiment, the clamps can also move radially of the supporting arm.

Abstract: A spring compressing tool is provided to efficiently compress a coil spring on the suspension system of an automobile. An elongated threaded rod includes a head disposed on one end adapted to be engaged by a common wrench or similar tool whereby the rod may be rotated. A plate having a central aperture to receive the threaded rod and to hold it in position while the spring is compressed is adapted to be removably mounted on the spring tower of the suspension system. A hook assembly to engage the coil spring is designed to receive the threaded rod and travel on the rod as the rod is rotated, thereby compressing the coil spring.

Abstract: A compression spring cramp for large helical or coil springs, particularly, axle springs of motor vehicles, comprises, a hollow guide tube with a threaded spindle rotatably mounted in the guide tube. A first spring gripper member has an inner portion secured to the hollow guide tube adjacent the top thereof and has a substantially semi-cylindrical spring engaging channel portion which extends outwardly from the inner portion and has a channel opening extending downwardly so as to be engageable over the coil of the spring. A second gripper has an inner slider portion which is threadedly engaged on the threaded spindle for movement upwardly and downwardly on the guide tube and includes an outer portion with a substantially cylindrical spring engaging channel portion extending outwardly from the slider portion exteriorally of the guide tube and opening upwardly to engage below a coil of the spring.

Abstract: An expansion shield for anchoring a machine screw or bolt in a hole in masonry, concrete or stone comprises a strip-like blank of sheet helically wound around a shaft. One turn of the shield overlaps a previous turn. The blank in one end has an inwardly bent engagement portion. A method of producing such an expansion shield comprises winding with overlap a strip-like blank of sheet to helical shape on a rotatable and axially displaceable winding shaft which forms an acute angle with the feeding direction of the blank. A tool or an apparatus for producing the shield is also disclosed.

Abstract: A C-shaped or ring-shaped collar member having a groove along the inner periphery of one end in combination with an adjustable pin insert for engaging the end of a torsion spring threaded on a cone. Apertures are provided in the collar for accepting a winding bar to rotate the collar.

Abstract: The accessory device is for use with an hydraulic unit for compressing heavy duty springs. The accessory includes a base plate having feet for engaging lower coils of a spring and a fixed vertical cylinder with its lower end secured to the base plate. A movable cylinder is arranged to telescope over the fixed cylinder and includes laterally extending arms terminating in hooks for engaging over upper coils of the spring. Hydraulic power can be applied to telescope the movable cylinder over the fixed cylinder thereby moving the arms towards the feet and thus compressing a spring positioned therebetween. The relatively large diameters of the cylinders relative to their lengths provides for a very accurate guiding of the downward compressing movement in a rectilinear vertical direction.

Abstract: In a track tensioning apparatus for a tracked vehicle, recoil lock device is provided to prevent unintentional release of a prestressed helical spring during disassembly of the apparatus. Partial compression of the spring is necessary for assembly or disassembly of the track tensioning apparatus and installation or removal of the recoil lock device. Such compression may be accomplished by utilizing the tensioning apparatus, or before assembly by utilizing a specially configured compression device. The recoil lock device are retained in a lock position by a retainer ring engaging narrowed mid-portions of spatially separated pin members of the recoil lock device.

Abstract: A spring compressing tool including a plate having three spaced holes therein. A center hole is provided to allow access to the locking nut of the caster assembly and two other holes in the plate are in alignment with two already available holes in the caster flange. Two elongated threaded studs extend through the aligned holes in the plate and flange elements with nuts engaging the threaded portions above the plate and below the flange holding the spring compressed and the outer and inner cylinders in a fixed relative position while the locking nut of the caster is removed. Loosening of the nuts on the elongated studs allows the outer cylinder to move upward causing the pressure on the caster spring to be relived gradually until the spring is fully expanded and can be safely removed. The spring is replaced in the caster assembly by reversing the procedure outlined.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting or fitting a tension coil spring onto spring retaining members of an article, said apparatus being adapted to restrain said spring at its both hook ends so that it may be stretched as it is conveyed from a supplying position to a mounting position, and to relieve the spring at said mounting position to allow the spring to shrink so that the spring may be delivered to the retaining members to be retained thereat.

Abstract: A hand tool for the manipulation of coil springs includes a handle and a shank portion fixedly secured thereto at one end thereof, the free or other end of the shank being integrally provided with a coil spring hook-type engaging portion disposed perpendicularly to the shank portion such that such components, when viewed together, form, in effect, a substantially L-shaped tool bit. The dimensions of the shank and hook portions, as viewed along three mutually orthogonal axes, is substantially the same and are of such a value as to permit the tool to be inserted and properly disposed within the central coil portions of a coil spring.

Abstract: A garage door spring stretching device having hook means for attachment to the bracket of a garage door hinge and spring support assembly. The chain is attached to the hook and also to one end of a lever. The lever has a slot in which a slidable hook is held for attachment to the garage door spring. By use of the lever and slidable hook a garage door spring may be stretched and affixed to the garage door bracket assembly.

Abstract: The brake shoe webs of a drum brake have apertures provided adjacent the shoe ends which engage the adjusting screw. The ends of the adjusting screw spring are so shaped that they can extend through the apertures with a reverse bend of generally V configuration, causing the terminal ends of the spring to move outwardly to hook on the opposite side of each shoe web from the main spring body. A pair of spaced, axially parallel notched shafts are provided as parts of a tool for installation. The shafts receive the spring hooked ends in the notches, move apart along the axis of the spring coiled body section to tension the spring and to align the spring hooked ends with the shoe web apertures. The shafts are then moved axially to push each spring end through its aperture. The shafts are then retracted, leaving the spring hooked ends attached to the shoes.

Abstract: A single hand tool for removing and applying the springs on automotive brake shoe assemblies includes at one end a member for removing and attaching retainer discs on the hold-down springs and also for removing the shoe-to-anchor springs, and at the other end a spring operated mechanism for attaching the shoe-to-anchor springs to the anchor pin of the brake assembly.

Abstract: A unitized spring manipulating device employs spaced relatively movable spring coil engaging frames of channel cross section which surround the coil spring on three sides. Hinged safety retainer bars on the frames close their normally open sides during usage of the device. Internal spacer bars adapt the frames to springs of varying size. The coil engaging frames are connected through a jacking device which produces relative movement between the frames to compress the spring preparatory to removing a shock absorber strut which the spring surrounds or for other purposes.

Abstract: A simple plate-like tool, having a U-shaped slot in one end thereof with means for positioning a handle for rotative movement of the tool once the tool has been positioned between adjacent windings of a helical spring, which by rotation of the tool, compresses or decompresses the tool in an easy and efficient manner.

Abstract: A suspension strut assembly for a motor vehicle suspension including a telescopic damper which is connected at its ends to a wheel carrier and to part of the vehicle superstructure, and a wheel suspension spring which surrounds the damper and is seated at one end on a casing portion of the damper and at the other end effectively on a piston rod of the damper.To facilitate replacement of worn parts without the need to dismount the entire strut, the connection of the damper to the vehicle superstructure is effected by means of an intermediate member having a bayonet-type or other form of releasable connection to an appropriately shaped aperture in the superstructure such that on release the intermediate member can be lifted out through the aperture, as can the inner part of a two-part thrust plate for the suspension spring, and a ring nut giving access to the internal parts of the damper.

Abstract: A spring compressor tool is disclosed for use on, for example, the independent suspension assembly of a vehicle, without the necessity of removing the suspension from the vehicle. The tool includes upper and lower U-shaped pressure shoes having helical-shaped outer peripheries for receiving spaced coils of the spring intermediate the opposed connected ends of the spring. A pair of pneumatic cylinders are positioned between the upper and lower shoes. Cylinder rods extend within the cylinders and mount pistons at one end. A header assembly includes pressurizing and venting valves and the cylinder rods define air passageways which communicate with the header assembly and with the cylinders. Return springs are provided adjacent the rods to urge the shoes to a non-compressed position. Air pressure is provided through the passageways to move the shoes toward one another to compress the suspension assembly spring.

Abstract: An improved spring compressor tool for use on, for example, a MacPherson-type independent suspension assembly of a vehicle, without the necessity of removing the suspension from the vehicle. The tool includes upper and lower U-shaped pressure shoes having helical-shaped outer peripheries which define slots for receiving spaced coils of the spring intermediate the opposed connected ends of the spring. At least one of the shoes is linearly adjustable and both shoes are rotatably adjustable for initial alignment with the spaced spring coils. A pair of pneumatic cylinders are positioned side-by-side between the upper and lower shoes. Air pressure is provided through novel valves mounted on a handle for the tool to the cylinders for moving the shoes toward one another to compress the spring and to vent the cylinders for releasing the spring. Return springs are provided in the cylinders to urge the shoes to a non-compressed position during venting.

Abstract: A spring compressor especially adapted for use with MacPherson strut assemblies. Two parallel end plates having apertures sized to allow the insertion of the tubular shock assembly of the MacPherson strut assembly engage the housings containing the ends of the spiral spring of the strut assembly. The two end plates are joined by threaded support rods which allow the perpendicular distance between the two end plates to be varied to compress the spring as desired. Pivoted latches allow the quick insertion or removal of the MacPherson strut assembly from the spring compressor. Quick release safety catches lock the latches to their respective end plates, to hold the strut assembly securely while the spring is compressed.

Abstract: A device for compressing a strut spring in the strut type car body independent suspension system, comprising two spring compressing plates which are U-shaped and which oppose to each other, and a threaded shaft which, when turned by an external force, changes the distance between the spring compressing plates so as to compress the strut spring.

Abstract: Tools and method for removing an overhead camshaft and assembling and disassembling the valve train of an internal combustion engine. One of the tools comprises a plurality of pivotal rocker members for depressing the valves of the engine allowing the overhead camshaft to be removed axially from the cylinder head. This tool includes an improved base for attachment to the cylinder head as well as improved supports for the rocker members. The companion tool includes a hollow cylinder facilitating removal of the spring keepers when the spring and retainer are depressed and having an internal annular, inclined shoulder facilitating insertion of the keepers during assembly of the valve train.

Abstract: An adjustable spring compression tool for use primarily in connection with the removal of springs form a vehicle chassis.

Abstract: A spring spreader includes two elongated legs each having a coil-contacting end and a pivot end, said elongated legs being interconnected near the pivot end by an elongated pivotal axis of interconnection. A fulcrum is disposed between the elongated legs and is removable from at least one of the legs. The fulcrum contacts each elongated leg near the coil contacting end of each leg. Each leg is pivotable in three directions for easy and individual insertion of each leg between adjacent coils of a spring.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for installing coil springs about a central longitudinal shaft, as for shock absorbers. The apparatus comprises a lever arm having one end that separates into a fork with two tines. A detachable pin is located at the end of the tines to provide a coupling with the shaft. A shank is mounted pivotally between the tines of the fork. Shoes on either end of the shank are inclined at opposite angles to mate evenly with coils of a spring. Applying force to the lever arm lowers the shoes, compressing the springs and allowing a keeper to be withdrawn.

Abstract: A tool permitting the changing or replacing of a shock absorber helical spring, the tool including a base on which a shock absorber is mounted in a position parallel to the base with one end of the shock absorber being restrained, a shock absorber length adjustment shaft is positioned on the base adjacent the other end of the shock absorber, a hand lever is positioned on the adjustment shaft with strategically located pins on the hand lever being inserted between coils of the spring, and the hand lever is then moveable to cause compression of the spring sufficiently far to enable removal of a spring retainer and thus removal of the spring.