PAINTLESS DENT REMOVAL TOOL, SYSTEM AND METHOD
A paintless dent removal tool for knocking down and removing a dent from a vehicle is disclosed. In some embodiments, the paintless dent removal tool includes a threaded bolt having a top end and a bottom end. The paintless dent removal tool further including an arm member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the arm member having a threaded borehole therethrough for detachably securing the threaded bolt in a position transverse to the position of the arm member. The paintless dent removal tool further including a foot member connected to the second end of the arm member. The foot member having a substantially flat lower surface configured to be placed on the outer surface of the vehicle for controlling vibration and improving accuracy when the top end of the bolt is struck by a striking tool.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/799,265, filed on Jan. 31, 2019, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTIONThe invention is in the technical field of paintless dent repair tools, systems and methods. The invention pertains generally to paintless dent repair tools, systems and methods used to “knock-down” a dent in the outer body of a vehicle, such as an automobile, aircraft, motorcycle and the like, for example, and as described and claimed herein.
BACKGROUNDAdvancements in construction methods and materials have resulted in lighter and stronger vehicle bodies for automobiles, aircrafts, motorcycles and the like. However, such improved vehicle bodies are often increasingly prone to dents, dings and various other body deformations. Such damage may be caused by, for example, automobile accidents or debris striking the outer surface of the vehicle body. Repairing such dents, dings and deformations using traditional paintless dent removal tools and processes can be difficult, laborious and time consuming.
In general, paintless dent removal is the process of repairing dents to the body of a vehicle body without repainting the vehicle. Thus, saving the owner of the vehicle time and money by avoiding the cost and expense of repainting the vehicle. Traditionally, in paintless dent repair, many repair shops utilize the flexibility and durability of the outer surface of the vehicle body to reach into vehicle body compartments to “push-out” a dent from the inside outward or “pull-out” a dent from the outside of the vehicle body. Once the dent is pushed or pulled out, however, there is often a need to partially “knock-down” push down or flatten the dent, so as to smooth-out the outer surface of the vehicle body to completely remove the dent.
Traditionally, repair shops have used a variety of tools to help assist a user with the paintless dent repair process, including tools designed to assist a user with the “push-out” and “pull-out” process and tools designed to assist a user with the “knock-down” process, for example. Unfortunately, however, such traditional tools are inefficiently configured, difficult to use and difficult to control. Thus, decreasing their usefulness and increasing the overall cost of the paintless dent repair process. To that end, it would be advantageous to provide an improved paintless dent removal tool, system and method configured to more efficiently push down or “knock-down” dents from the surface of a vehicle body and to guide and stabilize a user's hands during the knock-down process so as to increase the effectiveness and reduce the cost of the paintless dent repair process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe inventive concepts disclosed and claimed herein generally relate to a unique paintless dent removal tool for removing a dent from a vehicle body. The paintless dent removal tool includes a threaded bolt having a top end and a bottom end. The threaded bolt is used for pushing down, i.e., “knocking down” dents out of the outer surface of a vehicle. The paintless dent removal tool includes an arm member that has a first end and a second end. The first end of the arm member includes a threaded borehole therethrough for detachably securing the threaded bolt in a position transverse to the position of the arm member. The paintless dent removal tool includes a foot member connected to the second end of the arm member. The foot member has a substantially flat lower surface configured to be placed on the outer surface of the vehicle for controlling vibration and improving accuracy when the top end of the bolt is struck by a striking tool causing the dent to be “knocked down.” The foot member may be detachably connected to the second end of the arm member and may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes to provide enhanced stability for use with a variety of different sized and shaped dents and different sized and shaped surfaces.
In some embodiments, the paintless dent removal tool also includes a tip member detachably connected to the bottom end of the threaded bolt. The tip member is used for contacting the outer surface of the vehicle when the top end of the bolt is struck by a striking tool to “knock down” a dent. The tip member may be constructed from a variety of different materials and may be constructed in a variety of different sizes and shapes depending upon the size, shape and location of the dent to be “knocked down”. Further, in some embodiments, the paintless dent removal tool also includes a cap member detachably connected to the top end of the threaded bolt. The cap member used for protecting the top end of the threaded bolt when the bolt is struck by a striking tool to “knock down” the dent.
It is to such an improved paintless dent removal tool and to methods of using thereof that exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed and claimed herein are directed.
Like reference numerals in the figures represent and refer to the same or similar element or function. Implementations of the disclosure may be better understood when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed pictorial illustrations, schematics, graphs, drawings, and appendices. In the drawings:
Before explaining at least one embodiment of the inventive concepts disclosed herein in detail, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components or steps or methodologies set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The inventive concepts disclosed herein are capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting the inventive concepts claimed herein in any way.
In the following detailed description of embodiments of the inventive concepts, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the inventive concepts. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the inventive concepts within the disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure.
As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed.
Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by anyone of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the inventive concepts. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.
Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
The inventive concepts disclosed herein are generally directed to a paintless dent removal tool (100) for removing a dent from a vehicle. The paintless dent removal tool (100) includes a threaded bolt (105) having a top end (110) and a bottom end (115). The threaded bolt (105) is used for pushing, i.e., “knocking down” dents out of the outer surface of a vehicle. The paintless dent removal tool (100) includes an arm member (120) having a first end (125) and a second end (130). The first end (125) of the arm member (120) having a threaded borehole (135) therethrough for detachably securing the threaded bolt (105) in a position transverse to the position of the arm member (120). The paintless dent removal tool (100) includes a foot member (140) connected to the second end (130) of the arm member (120). The foot member (140) has a substantially flat lower surface (145) that is configured to be placed on the outer surface of the vehicle for controlling vibration and improving accuracy when the top end (110) of the bolt (105) is struck by a striking tool. As shown in
In some embodiments, the paintless dent removal tool (100) also includes a tip member (150). The tip member (150) is detachably connected to the bottom end (115) of the bolt (105). The tip member (150) is for contacting the outer surface of the vehicle when the top end (110) of the bolt (105) is struck by a striking tool to “knock down” the dent. As shown in
Referring now to
The paintless dent removal tool (100) may be constructed from any material sufficiently rigid to maintain the structural integrity of the paintless dent removal tool (100) when in used. For example, the paintless dent removal tool (100) may be constructed from metals, alloys, steel, titanium, non-metals, carbon fiber, plastics, polymers, resins, ceramics, composite materials, combinations thereof and the like.
The paintless dent removal tool (100) is shown as having a substantially rectangular shape. However, it should be understood that paintless dent removal tool (100) may have any desired shape, including but not limited to, a generally circular, square, triangular or any other desired shape sufficient to permit the paintless dent removal tool (100) to be used as described and claimed herein.
The threaded bolt (105) has a top end (110) and a bottom end (115) and is threaded so as to permit the threaded bolt (105) to be secured to the arm member (120). The threaded bolt (105) is used for pushing i.e., “knocking down” dents out of the outer surface of a vehicle. It should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, that the threaded bolt (105) may, alternatively, be any type of connector or connecting member known in the art. For example, a pin, rod, member, screw, combinations thereof and the like. The threaded bolt (105) may be secured to the arm member (120) using any means for securing known in the art. For example, a nut, cap, lid, combinations thereof and the like.
The arm member (120) has a first end (125) and a second end (130). The first end (125) of the arm member (120) has a threaded borehole (135) therethrough for detachably securing the threaded bolt (105) in a position transverse to the position of the arm member (120). The arm member (120) may be constructed from any material sufficiently rigid to maintain the structural integrity of the paintless dent removal tool (100) when in used. For example, the arm member (120) may be constructed from metals, alloys, steel, titanium, non-metals, carbon fiber, plastics, polymers, resins, ceramics, composite materials, combinations thereof and the like.
The arm member (120) is shown as having a substantially rectangular shape. However, it should be understood that the arm member (120) may have any desired shape, including but not limited to, a generally circular, square, triangular or any other desired shape sufficient to permit the arm member (120) to be used as described and claimed herein.
The first end of the arm member (120) has a threaded borehole (135) therethrough for detachably securing the threaded bolt (105) in a position transverse to the position of the arm member (120). The threaded borehole (135) is sized and configured to accept and secure the threaded bolt (105) thereto. It should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, that the threaded borehole (135) may, alternatively, be any type of opening, whether having a smooth or rigid surface, sufficient to connect and secure the threaded bolt (105) or any known pin, bolt, member or connector known in the art. For example, a pin, rod, member, screw, combinations thereof and the like. The threaded bolt (105) may be secured within the threaded borehole (135) of the arm member (120) using any means for securing known in the art. For example, a nut, cap, lid, combinations thereof and the like.
While the threaded borehole (135) is shown and generally described as being circular, it should be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the threaded borehole (135), may, alternatively, be configured in a variety of shapes sufficient to fit a particular bolt, pin or member. For example, the opening may be rectangular, square, triangular or any other shape sufficient to carry out the inventive concepts described herein. For example, the opening may be rectangular in shape so as to fit a rectangular shaped bolt, pin or securing member.
The foot member (140) is connected to the second end (130) of the arm member (120). The foot member (140) has a substantially flat lower surface (145) configured to be placed on the outer surface of the vehicle for controlling vibration and improving accuracy when the top end (110) of the bolt (105) is struck by a striking tool. The foot member (140) may be constructed from any material sufficiently rigid to maintain the structural integrity of the paintless dent removal tool (100) when in use. For example, the foot member (140) may be constructed from metals, alloys, steel, titanium, non-metals, carbon fiber, plastics, polymers, resins, ceramics, composite materials, combinations thereof and the like.
The foot member (140) is shown as having a substantially circular or square shape. However, it should be understood that the foot member (140) may have any desired shape, including but not limited to, a generally rectangular, triangular or any other desired shape sufficient to permit the foot member (140) to be used as described and claimed herein. In some embodiments, the foot member (140) includes a rubber cap configured to secure the foot member (140) to a vehicle body when in use and to prevent slippage. The foot member (140) is configured to control vibration of the vehicle body surface when the paintless dent removal tool (100) is struck with a striking tool, such as a mallet, for example. As shown in
Referring now to
The paintless dent removal tool (100) may be constructed from any material sufficiently rigid to maintain the structural integrity of the paintless dent removal tool (100) when in used. For example, the paintless dent removal tool (100) may be constructed from metals, alloys, steel, titanium, non-metals, carbon fiber, plastics, polymers, resins, ceramics, composite materials, combinations thereof and the like.
The paintless dent removal tool (100) is shown as having a substantially rectangular shape. However, it should be understood that paintless dent removal tool (100) may have any desired shape, including but not limited to, a generally circular, square, triangular or any other desired shape sufficient to permit the paintless dent removal tool (100) to be used as described and claimed herein.
The threaded bolt (105) has a top end (110) and a bottom end (115) and is threaded so as to permit the threaded bolt (105) to be secured to the arm member (120). The threaded bolt (105) is used for pushing i.e. “knocking down” dents out of the outer surface of a vehicle. It should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, that the threaded bolt (105) may, alternatively, be any type of connector or connecting member known in the art. For example, a pin, rod, member, screw, combinations thereof and the like. The threaded bolt (105) may be secured to the arm member (120) using any means for securing known in the art. For example, a nut, cap, lid, combinations thereof and the like.
The arm member (120) has a first end (125) and a second end (130). The first end (125) of the arm member (120) has a threaded borehole (135) therethrough for detachably securing the threaded bolt (105) in a position transverse to the position of the arm member (120). The arm member (120) may be constructed from any material sufficiently rigid to maintain the structural integrity of the paintless dent removal tool (100) when in used. For example, the arm member (120) may be constructed from metals, alloys, steel, titanium, non-metals, carbon fiber, plastics, polymers, resins, ceramics, composite materials, combinations thereof and the like.
The arm member (120) is shown as having a substantially rectangular shape. However, it should be understood that the arm member (120) may have any desired shape, including but not limited to, a generally circular, square, triangular or any other desired shape sufficient to permit the arm member (120) to be used as described and claimed herein.
The first end of the arm member (120) has a threaded borehole (135) therethrough for detachably securing the threaded bolt (105) in a position transverse to the position of the arm member (120). The threaded borehole (135) is sized and configured to accept and secure the threaded bolt (105) thereto. It should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, that the threaded borehole (135) may, alternatively, be any type of opening, whether having a smooth or rigid surface, sufficient to connect and secure the threaded bolt (105) or any known pin, bolt, member or connector known in the art. For example, a pin, rod, member, screw, combinations thereof and the like. The threaded bolt (105) may be secured within the threaded borehole (135) of the arm member (120) using any means for securing known in the art. For example, a nut, cap, lid, combinations thereof and the like.
While the threaded borehole (135) is shown and generally described as being circular, it should be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the threaded borehole (135), may, alternatively, be configured in a variety of shapes sufficient to fit a particular bolt, pin or member. For example, the opening may be rectangular, square, triangular or any other shape sufficient to carry out the inventive concepts described herein. For example, the opening may be rectangular in shape so as to fit a rectangular shaped bolt, pin or securing member.
The foot member (140) is connected to the second end (130) of the arm member (120). As shown in
The foot member (140) is shown as having a substantially circular or square shape. However, it should be understood that the foot member (140) may have any desired shape, including but not limited to, a generally rectangular, triangular or any other desired shape sufficient to permit the foot member (140) to be used as described and claimed herein. In some embodiments, the foot member (140) includes a rubber cap configured to secure the foot member (140) to a vehicle body when in use and to prevent slippage. The foot member (140) is configured to control vibration of the vehicle body surface when the paintless dent removal tool (100) is struck with a striking tool, such as a mallet, for example. As shown in
Referring now to
In operation, the paintless dent removal tool (100) is used as follows: the paintless dent removal tool (100) is typically held in a user's non-dominant hand, while a striking tool, such as a mallet or hammer for example, is held in the user's dominant hand. The striking tool can be pressed, tapped or struck firmly upon the top end (110) of the threaded bolt (105) so as to apply the desired amount of force to the bottom end (115) of the threaded bolt (105) upon the dent to “knock down” the dent. For example, for a small dent, the top end (110) of the threaded bolt (105) could be struck with a relatively small amount of force to achieve the desired effect; while, for a larger dent, the to end (110) of the threaded bolt (105), may need be struck with a greater amount of force to achieve the desired effect.
The threaded borehole (135) of the arm member (120) guides the threaded bolt (105) downward at a desired angle. It should be understood that the angle may be adjusted to accommodate certain types of dents or hard to reach dent locations. For example, the angle may be adjusted to one hundred twenty degrees (120°), sixty degrees (60°), thirty degrees (30°) or any other desired angle. The arm member (120) guides the angle of the threaded bolt (105) and provides a user with added stability and a more precise and accurate mechanism for removal of dents. Further, the foot member (140) is used for controlling and dampening vibration when the dent removal tool (100) is struck by a striking tool, thus improving stability and accuracy. As shown in
It is to be appreciated that embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be shipped fully or partially assembled, or fully or partially disassembled in the form of a kit, as will be readily appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure.
From the above description, it is clear that the inventive concepts disclosed herein are adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the inventive concepts disclosed herein. While exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the broad scope of the inventive concepts disclosed herein and defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A paintless dent removal tool for removing a dent from a vehicle, the paintless dent removal tool comprising:
- a threaded bolt having a top end and a bottom end, the threaded bolt for knocking down dents out of the outer surface of a vehicle;
- an arm member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the arm member having a threaded borehole therethrough for detachably securing the threaded bolt in a position transverse to the position of the arm member; and
- a foot member connected to the second end of the arm member, the foot member having a substantially flat lower surface configured to be placed on the outer surface of the vehicle for controlling vibration and improving accuracy when the top end of the bolt is struck by a striking tool.
2. The paintless dent removal tool of claim 1 further comprising:
- a tip member detachably connected to the bottom end of the bolt, the tip member for contacting the outer surface of the vehicle when the top end of the bolt is struck by a striking tool to knock down the dent.
3. The paintless dent removal tool of claim 1 further comprising:
- a cap member detachably connected to the top end of the bolt, the cap member for protecting the top end of the bolt when the bolt is struck by a striking tool to knock down the dent.
4. The paintless dent removal tool of claim 1 wherein the foot member is detachably connected to the arm member by a ball, the ball configured to move, rotate and adjust so that the paintless dent removal tool may be stabilized on a variety of different angled surfaces to provide enhanced stability, guidance, positioning and accuracy for dent removal.
5. The paintless dent removal tool of claim 1, wherein the foot member is detachably connected to the second end of the arm member.
6. A method of removing a dent from a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a paintless dent removal tool for removing a dent from a vehicle, the paintless dent removal tool comprising: a threaded bolt having a top end and a bottom end, the threaded bolt for knocking down dents out of the outer surface of a vehicle; an arm member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the arm member having a threaded borehole therethrough for detachably securing the threaded bolt in a position transverse to the position of the arm member; and a foot member connected to the second end of the arm member, the foot member having a substantially flat lower surface configured to be placed on the outer surface of the vehicle for controlling vibration and improving accuracy when the top end of the bolt is struck by a striking tool to knock down the dent; and
- positioning the bottom end of the threaded bolt above the dent; and
- striking the top end of the threaded bolt with a striking tool, so that the bottom end of the threaded bolt pushes down upon the outer surface of the vehicle to substantially knock down and remove the dent.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 30, 2020
Publication Date: Aug 6, 2020
Inventors: Chris White (Oklahoma City, OK), Jonathan Vandenfontyne (Brussels), Reggie Ayers (Oklahoma City, OK), William J. Bickel, JR. (Oklahoma City, OK)
Application Number: 16/777,536
