Dent removal tool with controlled constant pulling force

Abstract

A dent-pulling tool for pulling dents out of the surface of sheet metal body panels of a vehicle is provided. The tool includes a specially shaped adapter or cup that is adhered to the dent with adhesive. The adapter has at least one groove, or similar formation, on the contact surface thereof to optimize adhesion. The tool also includes a removable base having a non-marring material bonded thereto. The base may include one or more adjustable feet that stabilize the tool during use. The pulling tool is attached to the adapter and continuous controlled pulling force is applied to the adapter to pull the dent back into place. The pulling tool may be ratchet, screw, pneumatically, or hydraulically activated.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/234,870, filed Sep. 22, 2000, which is related to the disclosure of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/879,801, filed Jun. 11, 2001, and the entire content of that patent application, including the claims and drawings, is hereby incorporated as if fully set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention relates generally to automotive repair and more particularly to the removal of small indentations or dents from the body of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The need to remove small indentations referred to as “dents” in the sheet metal body panels of a vehicle is common. Further, it is highly desirable that these dents be removed without piercing the metal of the panel in order to eliminate the need to repair and repaint the dented area. Numerous devices for removing dents in such a manner have been proposed over the years. Perhaps the most common dent removal tool has included a specially shaped cup or adapter that is adhered to the dent with special adhesive. The adapter is then attached to a manual or electrically activated slide hammer that imparts repeated pulling blows to the adapter, which gradually pulls the dent out of the body panel. One key problem with these prior art dent removal devices is that they are difficult to control, because the repeated hammered pulling action on the adapter is a relatively violent occurrence. Accordingly, it has been difficult to pull dents out to exactly match and be flush with the surrounding metal. Another problem with these prior art dent removal tools is that they do not apply sustained pulling force to the dent, and, thus, do not take advantage of the natural memory of the metal, which can help restore the dent to a flush condition. An example of a manual slide hammer-type dent removal tool is the “dent lifter” available in the market.

[0004] Screw or ratchet action dent removal tools have also been available, primarily in the aircraft maintenance and repair industry. Examples of such tools are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,342,263; 4,037,448; 4,116,035; and 4,089,201. However, all of these tools require that a hole or puncture be formed in the sheet metal surface within the area of a dent so that the tool can be securely attached to the sheet metal before pulling force is applied. Clearly, such a procedure is unacceptable for removing small dents from a body panel of a vehicle because it requires subsequent patching, painting, and other surface repair.

[0005] Thus, a need exists for a dent removal tool capable of removing dents in the body of a vehicle that can be accurately controlled to insure that the dent is pulled precisely out to be flush with the surrounding area. Further, such a tool should not require any piercing of the body panel and should not require repainting or patching of the repaired area. Such a tool also should take advantage of the natural memory of the sheet metal to enhance the dent removal. It is to be a provision of such a dent removal tool that the present invention is primarily directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Briefly described, the present invention includes a non-destructive dent removal tool for pulling small dents and nicks from body panels of a vehicle such as an automobile. The tool includes a cup or adapter that is adhered to the dent with high-tensile-strength adhesives. Depending on the characteristics and shape of the dent, an adapter with the appropriate configuration is selected. The adapter may include one or more grooves formed in its bonding surface in order to improve the bond between the adhesive and the adapter. The grooves may be defined as dovetail grooves, which optimize the adhesion of the adhesive to the adapter. Once the appropriate adapter is selected and adhered to the dented surface, a ratchet action and/or pneumatic action and/or screw action pulling tool is then attached to the adapter. The pulling tool also may include a base that is positioned on or adjacent to the surface to be repaired in order to stabilize the tool during use. The base may include one or more adjustable or floating feet that better conform to curved body panel surfaces to improve the stability of the positioned tool. The pulling tool may also include an adjustment mechanism for regulating the distance the adapter and the sheet metal is moved. Once attached to the adapter, the pulling tool is actuated by a user to exert a gradual and continuous pulling force on the cup, which, in turn, pulls the dent back to its original configuration flush with the surrounding surface. The pulling tool is then removed from the cup and the cup removed from the surface of the vehicle with appropriate solvents, which dissolve the adhesive. The repaired dent can then simply be cleaned and buffed such that the repair is virtually unnoticeable. Unlike prior art slide or electric hammer type dent removal tools, the pulling force on the cup attached to a dent in the present invention is gradual, constant, and precisely controllable and the dent is pulled gradually back to its original position. The continuous pulling force also enables the natural memory of the sheet metal to assist in restoring the dent to its original flush configuration.

[0007] Thus, a dent removal tool that addresses and solves the problem of prior art dent removal tools is provided. The tool is easy to use, provides for the highly controlled and accurate application of pulling force, and does this in a continuous and gradual way so that a dent can be pulled precisely back to its original flush position. These and other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon review of the detail description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings, which are briefly described as follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIGS. 1A through 1E illustrate a prior art dent removal tool with manual slide hammer pulling action and process for removing a dent.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the dent removal tool of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 2a is a perspective view of the dent removal tool of FIG. 2 with certain parts removed.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the dent removal tool of the present invention with the adapter removed.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the dent removal tool of FIG. 3 with the base separated from the remainder of the dent removal tool.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a side view of the base of FIG. 4 showing the adjustable floating feet.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the base of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the base of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the adapter of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the adapter of FIG. 8 showing the concentric grooves thereof.

[0018] FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 8.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of an adapter that embodies principles of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 12 is a side view of the adapter of FIG. 11.

[0021] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 11.

[0022] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a further alternate embodiment of an adapter according to the invention.

[0023] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter of FIG. 14.

[0024] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of an adapter embodying the principles of the invention.

[0025] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of still another alternative embodiment of an adapter according of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Referring now in more detail to the attached drawings, FIGS. 1A-1E illustrate a typical prior art dent removal tool and process used in the automotive repair industry. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a special adhesive is placed on a special cup or adapter which is then adhered to the deepest portion of the dent. The adhesive may be from the polyanamide, ethylvinyl acetate or similarly appropriate polymeric groups. For example, a 710 Polyanamide Adhesive Resin from Union Camp Corp. in Jacksonville, Fla. may be used in conjunction with the dent removal tool. The adhesive is then allowed to dry, optionally with the aid of a heat gun, as shown in FIG. 1C. After the adhesive has set, thereby affixing the adapter to the dented sheet metal, a manual slide hammer is attached to the adapter, as shown in FIG. 1D, and repeatedly operated to impart hammer blows to the adapter. Each blow of the slide hammer pulls the dent slightly out and at some point the dent is relatively flush with the surrounding surface. At this point, the adapter is removed with a special solvent that dissolves the adhesive and the area is cleaned and buffed, as shown in FIG. 1E. In some prior art devices, the manual slide hammer is replaced by an electrically operated magnetic hammer. However, the action is the same in that repeated blows impart pulling force to a cup or other adapter attached to the dent.

[0027] The present invention comprises some components similar to those of hammer-type dent removal tools. More specifically, special adapters or cups, which may be made of plastic, metal, such as aluminum, or any other appropriate material, and which may be specially shaped to match the shape of a particular dent being removed, are provided. Rather than a hammer type pulling tool, however, the present invention contemplates a screw action, ratchet action, pneumatic or hydraulic action puller that is attached to the adapter and that provides constant, controllable, and precise pulling force to the adapter and, consequently, to the dent.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of the invention including a pneumatically activated puller tool 10. The puller tool 10 includes a high-pressure air-line 1 connecting the puller tool 10 to a compressor (not shown). The air-line 1 feeds into an air regulator 2 that includes a fine increment air pressure gage. The air regulator 2 is in fluid communication with air throttle 3 via throttle air-line 4. High pressure cylinder air-lines 6 connect the air throttle 3 to a two-way air cylinder 5, shown in FIG. 2a. A fine increment high pressure air gauge 7 is also in fluid communication with the air cylinder 5, which is mechanically connected to connecting rod 9. A cover 11 typically is installed over the air cylinder 5. Connecting rod 9 connects the adapter receiver 8 to air cylinder 5. As shown in FIG. 2a, the surface of connecting rod 9 may be threaded. A locking nut 19 may be threaded on connecting rod 9 and serve as an adjustment mechanism for regulating distance that the sheet metal, on which the puller tool 10 is used, is moved. In use, the locking nut 19 is set in the desired position along connecting rod 9 so as to limit the distance that adapter receiver 8 and adapter 80 may move. As connecting rod 9 is moved upward during operation of the puller tool 10, locking nut 19 will engage an upper portion of the puller tool 10, thereby preventing further upward movement of the connecting rod 9. Consequently, the sheet metal to which the adapter 80 is attached will not be deformed beyond such a pre-selected distance. Thus, overextension of the sheet metal beyond its original position can be avoided by pre-selecting the distance that the adapter 80 may travel.

[0029] Adapter receiver 8 also may include a jaw 21, configured to grasp the head of the adapter 80. The puller tool 10 is supported on a detachable base 130 that has a body 32 having an opening 34 centrally aligned therein. The adapter receiver 8 is so aligned within puller tool 10 so that the adapter 80, attached thereto, may extend through opening 34. Base 130 may include a non-marring material 140 bonded to a bottom surface thereof.

[0030] A similar embodiment of a tool that incorporates principles of the invention is shown in FIG. 3. Another embodiment of the base of the invention, base 30 is attached to the bottom of the pneumatic puller tool 10. Base 30 serves as an interface between the puller tool 10 and a dented surface (not shown) and supports the puller tool 10 thereon. In use, the puller tool 10 is positioned on a body panel to overlie a dent in the body panel to be removed. The base 30 supports and serves to stabilize the dent puller tool 10 during operation. Depending upon the nature of the surface surrounding a dent to be repaired, the base may simply be a flat base plate 132 or 232 having a non-marring material 140 or 240, respectively, attached thereto, as found in bases 130 and 230, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, respectively. Such a flat base may include opening 34 therein through which the adapter may extend, as well as at least one threaded opening 28 to receive a threaded fastener (not shown) which affixes the base to the puller tool 10.

[0031] However, many body panel surfaces are irregular or contoured such that stability for the puller tool 10 may be difficult to achieve with a flat base. For use under such circumstances, the base may be provided with at least one adjustable or floating foot 36. As shown in FIG. 3, two generally rectangular feet 36 and 38 may be adjustably or pivotally connected to body 32. As mentioned above, the bottom surface of the base 30 may include a non-marring material 140 thereon, such as, for example, felt, rubber or a polymeric material well known in the art. In the case of a base 30 having at least one adjustable floating foot 36, non-marring material 40 and 42 may be provided on the bottom surfaces of the feet instead.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, adjustable foot 36 is pivotable about at least a first pivot point defined in FIG. 5 by a pivot joint 47, which includes a first pivot pin 50, first foot bracket 44 and first base bracket 52. Likewise, adjustable foot 38 pivots about a second pin joint 45, which includes second pin 48, second foot bracket 46, and second base bracket 54. Two pivot joints 47 may be provided for each foot. The pivot mechanism of the adjustable foot may, however, be any type of hinge or joint known in the art, such as, for example, a ball-and-socket joint. The body 32 may have a first end portion 41 and a second end portion 43. First foot 36 may be aligned proximally to the first end portion 41 and, likewise, second foot 38 may be proximally aligned to the second end portion 43. First foot 36 is rotatable about a first axis extending through first pivot pin 50 while second foot 38 is rotatable about a second axis which extends through second pivot pin 48. These first and second axes are aligned parallel to body 32. Also, the base 30 may include a variable number of feet that also differ in their shape from the adjustable feet 36 and 38, shown in FIGS. 3-5. More specifically, the base 30 may include 3 or more feet having a circular, elliptical or other convenient shape. These feet may be strategically aligned so as to provide a range of adjustable support on a variety of body panel contours.

[0033] Furthermore, the floating foot, in addition to being pivotable about a point or line, may be extendably adjusted relative to the base 30. For example, foot 36 may be connected to base 30 by one or more adjustable legs (not shown), which may be adjusted to extend the foot to a position away from the base so as to provide support by contact with a surface not in proximity to the working area of a dent to be removed. The legs may include the pivot joints 46 and 47 in addition to means to extend the feet away from the body, such as telescoping portions, or similar means. The base 30 of the present invention having at least one adjustable foot may be used in conjunction with a known dent removal tool, in order to provide certain advantages of the invention.

[0034] In use, a cup or adapter that previously has been bonded to the dent with adhesive is secured to the distal end of the puller rod 9 for pulling the dent out of the body panel. As shown in FIG. 8, the cup or adapter 80 generally includes a head 66, a neck 62 and a body 64, although other configurations of the adapter of the present invention are contemplated. The adapter is attached to the distal end of the puller rod 9 by the cooperation of head 66 with the adapter receiver 8. The adapter 80 may be formed of metals, such as aluminum, high density plastics, such as high density polyethylenes and urethanes, or other suitable materials. The adapter must be hard enough to resist shearing when in use, but soft enough to allow the adhesive to adequately bond to thereto. For example, a urethane with a hardness of between about 75 and about 85 durometers on the D scale provides sufficient strength and bonding properties to the adapter.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the contact surface 65 of the adapter 80, which is adhesively bonded to the dent surface, preferably is formed with at least one groove or slot 50. These grooves 50, which in one embodiment have an inwardly flared or dovetail shape, help to maintain the adhesion between the adapter 80 and the dent surface. This is because the dovetail grooves 50 provide increased surface area for bonding and because adhesive tends to squeeze into the dovetail grooves, which mechanically capture and hold the adhesive. In any case, the dovetail grooves 50 may be aligned in any appropriate configuration and may be curved or straight. For example, in the case of an adapter 80 having a generally circular or disc-shaped contact surface 65, dovetail grooves 50 may be circular in formation and concentrically arranged on the contact surface.

[0036] The configurations of adapters usable with the present invention vary to accommodate the wide variety of dent sizes and configurations. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, an adapter 180 includes a head 66 and neck 62 similar to those of adapter 80. However, unlike adapter 80, adapter 180 has an elongated body 64 having a generally rectangular contact surface 165. The dovetail grooves 150 of adapter 180 are straight and extend in parallel relationships along the length of contact surface 165. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, dovetail grooves 150 are formed by the mortises 155 formed in the body 164. The mortises 155 have a dovetail shape that provides both mechanical grasping surfaces and increased surface area to facilitate the adhesion of the adhesive to the adapter 180.

[0037] Yet another embodiment of the adapter is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. Like adapter 80, adapter 280 includes a circular bonding surface 265 having dovetail-shaped grooves 250 thereon. However, body 264 does not flare to the extent that body 64 of adapter 80 does. In other words, the diameter of the bonding surface 265 is smaller than that illustrated in FIG. 8. Adapter 280 may be more advantageously used on dents having smaller cross-sections. A further possible embodiment of the adapter is shown in cross-section in FIG. 16. A full mortise having a dovetail configuration is not provided herein. Rather, the dovetail groove 350 is formed from an inwardly extending under cut 355, thereby providing a partial dovetail shape to the groove. In this embodiment, the neck 362 and the body 364 are generally coextensive, thereby providing a contact surface with a minimized cross-section or diameter.

[0038] While the embodiments of the adapter shown in FIGS. 8-16 include grooves for optimizing the adhesion between the adapter and the adhesive, the adapter of the present invention may include additional surface characteristics that provide similar advantage. For example, the adapter may include a dimpled, textured, striated or similarly marked contact surface that increases the area of contact with the adhesive and may also provide mechanical retaining surfaces that further optimize the adhesion. The adapter having dovetail grooves or cutouts formed therein also may be used in conjunction with prior art dent removal tools to provide some advantages of the present invention.

[0039] In use, a technician adheres the high-density plastic or metal adapter of the proper size and shape (depending on the size and shape of the dent) to the dent, using a specialized hot industrial strength glue or adhesive. Typically, the adapter is adhered to the deepest part of the dent, but this is not always the case. The adhesive is formulated such that this process does not harm the painted surface of the vehicle. When the adhesive has cured, the ratchet or screw or pneumatic or hydraulic action dent puller tool is attached to the adapter by placing it over the head end of the adapter adhered to the dent. The puller tool possesses a receiver end that mates precisely with the head of the adapter providing a positive link of the two components.

[0040] The technician next applies gradual, constant and increasing pulling force to the adapter. The force is applied in different ways depending upon the nature of the puller. For example, in a ratchet action puller, the force is applied by activating a ratchet action handle in small increments. For a screw action puller, the force is applied by gradually turning the screw of the tool. Finally, in a pneumatically or hydraulically operated pulling tool, pneumatic or hydraulic pressure is applied gradually to produce the pulling force. In any event, the sheet metal in the region of the dent is pulled and stretched back to its original shape, aided by the appropriate sized and shaped adapter. Unlike prior art dent removal tools, the pulling force and, thus, the stretching and bending of the dent is gradual, constant, and highly controllable. Thus, force can be applied until the dent is flush with the surrounding surface, whereupon it can be discontinued. Alternatively, the force can be sustained for a time to allow the natural memory of the sheet metal to assist in dent removal.

[0041] To aid further in the removal of deep dents, the tool of the present invention allows for unattended application of a constant tension on the indented sheet metal for any desired length of time, thus eliminating operator fatigue. The sustaining of a constant pulling force on the dent for an indefinite period of time simply is not possible with prior art hammer type dent removal tools. Further, the dent removal tool of the present invention has distinct advantages over current means and methods that use a slide hammer or other hammering motion to extract dents from the sheet metal surface of motor vehicles. For example, the tool of the present invention allows the dent removal technician to apply constant, steady, incremental, pulling tensile stress to the affected sheet metal rather than uncontrollable, less precise, jerky action experienced with a hammer-activated device. In addition, the more controlled action of the puller of this invention encourages the sheet metal to remember its original configuration, as mentioned above. The interchangeable adapters or cups serve to prevent the sheet metal from being stretched beyond its original flush configuration, a common problem with slide hammer or other hammer activated dent removal tools.

[0042] The invention has been described herein in terms of embodiments and methodologies. It will be understood by those of skill in the art, however, that a variety of additions, deletions, and modifications to the illustrated embodiments might be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A tool for removing dents from sheet metal surfaces of an automotive body panel comprising:

an adapter attachable to a dent with adhesive; and,

a puller tool attached to said adapter for exerting continuous controlled pulling force on said adapter to pull said dent back to a flush configuration.

2. The tool of claim 1, said puller tool being ratchet activated.

3. The tool of claim 1, said puller tool being screw activated.

4. The tool of claim 1, said puller tool being pneumatically activated.

5. The tool of claim 1, said puller tool being hydraulically activated.

6. The tool of claim 1, wherein said adapter includes a head connected by a neck to a body, said puller tool including a jaw grasping said head of said adapter.

7. The tool of claim 1, said adapter being formed of at least one material selected from aluminum, polyethylenes, and urethanes.

8. The tool of claim 1, said adapter including a surface having at least one dovetail groove therein, said surface contacting said adhesive.

9. The tool of claim 8, said surface including a plurality of said dovetail grooves, said plurality of dovetail grooves being curved and concentrically aligned on said surface.

10. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a base attached to said puller tool.

11. The tool of claim 10, said base including at least one opening centrally aligned therein.

12. The tool of claim 10, said base having a non-marring material bonded to at least one surface thereof.

13. The tool of claim 10, said base including at least one foot adjustably connected thereto.

14. The tool of claim 13, said foot having a non-marring material bonded to at least one surface thereof.

15. The tool of claim 13, said foot being adjustably connected to said base by at least one joint.

16. The tool of claim 15, said at least one joint being a pin joint.

17. The tool of claim 13, said foot being adjustably connected to said base by at least one extendable leg.

18. The tool of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment mechanism cooperating with said adapter, wherein said adjustment mechanism limits the movement of said adapter.

19. The tool of claim 18, wherein said adjustment mechanism is attached to a connecting rod.

20. The tool of claim 18, wherein said adjustment mechanism is a locking nut.

21. An adapter for a dent removal tool comprising:

a head connected by a neck to a body with at least one surface having at least one dovetail groove formed therein.

22. The adapter of claim 21, said head and said neck being generally cylindrical.

23. The adapter of claim 21, said dovetail groove being curved.

24. The adapter of claim 21, said surface including a plurality of said dovetail grooves, said plurality of said dovetail grooves being aligned parallel on said surface.

25. The adapter of claim 24, said plurality of said dovetail grooves being curved.

26. The adapter of claim 24, said plurality of said dovetail grooves being circular and concentrically aligned on said surface.

27. The adapter of claim 21, said body being formed of a high density plastic.

28. The adapter of claim 21, said body being formed of a metal.

29. A dent removal tool comprising:

an adapter attachable to a dented sheet with adhesive, said adapter including a surface having at least one dovetail groove formed therein; and,

a puller tool attached to said adapter for exerting force on said adapter to alter said dented sheet.

30. The dent removal tool of claim 29, said dovetail groove being curved.

31. The dent removal tool of claim 29, said surface having a plurality of said dovetail grooves formed therein.

32. The dent removal tool of claim 31, said plurality of dovetail grooves being aligned parallel on said surface.

33. The dent removal tool of claim 32, said plurality of dovetail grooves being circular and concentrically aligned on said surface.

34. The dent removal tool of claim 29, said puller tool being pneumatically activated.

35. The dent removal tool of claim 29, said puller tool being hydraulically activated.

36. The dent removal tool of claim 29, said puller tool being hammer-activated.

37. The dent removal tool of claim 29, said puller tool including a base attached thereto, said base including at least one foot adjustably connected thereto.

38. The dent removal tool of claim 29, wherein the puller tool includes an adjustment mechanism attached thereto.

39. The dent removal tool of claim 38, wherein said adjustment mechanism is a locking nut.

40. A base for a dent removal tool comprising:

a body including an opening centrally aligned therein; and,

at least one foot adjustably connected to said body.

41. The base of claim 40, said at least one foot being adjustably connected to said body by at least one pivot joint.

42. The base of claim 40, said foot including a non-marring material attached to a bottom surface thereof.

43. The base of claim 40, said body having a first end portion and a second end portion, a first of said feet being aligned proximally to said first end portion and a second of said feet being aligned proximally to said second end portion, said first foot being rotatable about a first axis and said second foot being rotatable about a second axis.

44. The base of claim 43, said first axis being aligned parallel to said second axis, said first and said second axes being aligned parallel to said body.

45. The base of claim 40, said foot being attached to said body by at least one extendable leg.

46. A dent removal tool comprising:

a puller tool attachable to a dented surface for exerting force on said surface; and,

a base attached to said puller tool, said base including at least one foot adjustably connected thereto.

47. The dent removal tool of claim 46, said foot having a non-marring material bonded thereto.

48. The dent removal tool of claim 46, said foot connected to said base by at least one extendable leg.

49. The dent removal tool of claim 46, said foot connected to said base by at least one pivot joint.

50. The dent removal tool of claim 46, said foot including two rectangular feet connected to said base.

51. The dent removal tool of claim 46, wherein said puller tool includes an adjustment mechanism.

52. The dent removal tool of claim 51, wherein said adjustment mechanism is a locking nut.

53. A method for removing a dent from a sheet of metal comprising:

adhering an adapter with adhesive to a dented portion of a metal sheet; and,

applying continuous controlled force with a puller tool to the adapter to deform the dented portion of the metal sheet.

54. The method of claim 53, further comprising the step of:

applying the adhesive to a surface of the adapter having at least one dovetail groove formed therein.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein the continuous controlled force is applied to the adapter until the dented portion of the sheet metal is pulled back to a flush configuration.

56. The method of claim 53, further comprising the step of:

mounting the puller tool on the metal sheet by adjustably positioning at least one foot of a base attached to the puller tool.

57. The method of claim 53, wherein the continuous controlled force is pneumatically generated.

58. The method of claim 53, wherein the continuous controlled force is hydraulically generated.

59. The method of claim 53, wherein the continuous controlled force is screw generated.

60. The method of claim 53, wherein the continuous controlled force is ratchet generated.