A lock ring spreader is capable of being mounted to a lock ring having a first end and a second end. The lock ring spreader comprises a first mount that is mountable to the lock ring near the first end of the lock ring and a second mount that is mountable to the lock ring near the second end of the lock ring. A crank arm is pivotally coupled to the first mount and extends radially outward from the first mount relative to the lock ring. A link arm is pivotally coupled to the second mount and the crank arm, and extends radially outward from the second mount relative to the lock ring. Pivoting the crank arm radially inward relative to the lock ring pivots the link arm relative to the crank arm and expands the distance between the first mount and the second mount.

A lock ring spreader is capable of being mounted to a lock ring having a first end and a second end. The lock ring spreader comprises a first mount that is mountable to the lock ring near the first end of the lock ring and a second mount that is mountable to the lock ring near the second end of the lock ring. A crank arm is pivotally coupled to the first mount and extends radially outward from the first mount relative to the lock ring. A link arm is pivotally coupled to the second mount and the crank arm, and extends radially outward from the second mount relative to the lock ring. Pivoting the crank arm radially inward relative to the lock ring pivots the link arm relative to the crank arm and expands the distance between the first mount and the second mount.

A method of securing a yoke to a clutch includes arranging a circlip in a circumferential channel in an outer surface of a tool and inserting the tool inside a bore in the clutch. Legs arranged in the channel extend to expand the circlip to an expanded state to arrange the circlip outside of the channel in a circumferential groove in the bore. A spacer is snapped onto a portion of the clutch and arranged between two ends of the circlip to secure the circlip in the expanded state. The tool is then removed from the bore, and a yoke is inserted into the bore. The spacer is then removed from the bore allowing the circlip to contract such that the spacer partially occupies both the groove and a circumferential depression in the yoke. This secures the yoke to the clutch.

A method of securing a yoke to a clutch includes arranging a circlip in a circumferential channel in an outer surface of a tool and inserting the tool inside a bore in the clutch. Legs arranged in the channel extend to expand the circlip to an expanded state to arrange the circlip outside of the channel in a circumferential groove in the bore. A spacer is snapped onto a portion of the clutch and arranged between two ends of the circlip to secure the circlip in the expanded state. The tool is then removed from the bore, and a yoke is inserted into the bore. The spacer is then removed from the bore allowing the circlip to contract such that the spacer partially occupies both the groove and a circumferential depression in the yoke. This secures the yoke to the clutch.

A snap ring insertion apparatus is provided and configured to install a snap ring on a structural member. The snap ring insertion apparatus includes a pneumatic cylinder assembly configured to receive compressed gas and transfer a power of an expansion of the compressed gas to linear movement of a rod. An insertion assembly is coupled to the rod. The insertion assembly has an expander pin and a plurality of fingers pivotably coupled to a finger support member. The finger support member is coupled to the rod in a manner such that linear movement of the rod provides linear movement of the expander pin and pivoting movement of the fingers. Pivoting movement of the fingers results in engagement of the fingers with a snap ring and further pivoting of the fingers results in an expansion of the snap ring in a radial direction.

A snap ring insertion apparatus is provided and configured to install a snap ring on a structural member. The snap ring insertion apparatus includes a pneumatic cylinder assembly configured to receive compressed gas and transfer a power of an expansion of the compressed gas to linear movement of a rod. An insertion assembly is coupled to the rod. The insertion assembly has an expander pin and a plurality of fingers pivotably coupled to a finger support member. The finger support member is coupled to the rod in a manner such that linear movement of the rod provides linear movement of the expander pin and pivoting movement of the fingers. Pivoting movement of the fingers results in engagement of the fingers with a snap ring and further pivoting of the fingers results in an expansion of the snap ring in a radial direction.

In a tool for mounting and dismounting a pipe clamp provided by the present creation, a first end portion and a movable second end portion are separately disposed on a base, and a connecting rod mechanism is used to convert circular motion into linear motion of the second end portion by force, so as to reduce the distance between the second end portion and the first end portion, thereby achieving an effect that the annular inner diameter of a pipe clamp is increased when the pipe clamp is held between the first end portion and the second end portion.

A pliers switchable for use with external snap-rings and internal snap-rings. The pliers has a first member with V-shape track, a second member with an aperture, and a switch mechanism. The second member and the switch mechanism are translatable along the V-shape track, and the switch mechanism is configured to engage and disengage the first and second members in and out of a locked position.

A plier assembly for retaining rings comprises first and second handle assemblies and a drive assembly. Operation of the drive assembly pivots the first handle assembly relative to the second handle assembly. As the first handle assembly pivots relative to the second handle assembly, a first support block of the first handle assembly pivots relative to the first handle assembly and a second support block of the second handle assembly pivots relative to the second handle assembly such that a first support block longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to a second support block longitudinal axis.

A snap ring insertion apparatus is provided and configured to install a snap ring on a structural member. The snap ring insertion apparatus includes a pneumatic cylinder assembly configured to receive compressed gas and transfer a power of an expansion of the compressed gas to linear movement of a rod. An insertion assembly is coupled to the rod. The insertion assembly has an expander pin and a plurality of fingers pivotably coupled to a finger support member. The finger support member is coupled to the rod in a manner such that linear movement of the rod provides linear movement of the expander pin and pivoting movement of the fingers. Pivoting movement of the fingers results in engagement of the fingers with a snap ring and further pivoting of the fingers results in an expansion of the snap ring in a radial direction.