TOOL FOR INSTALLATION AND/OR REMOVAL OF A PITOT TUBE COVER

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a tool for handling pitot tube covers, which are configured in a general cylindrical shape. This tool includes a threaded post configured to receive an external extension. The bottom of the tool is constituted by two parallel support arms with a slot therebetween.

Claims

1. A pitot tube cover handling tool configured for installation and/or removal of a pitot tube cover configured to fit on an elongated pitot tube having an opening at a near end and a mounting to a vehicle on a distal end of said pitot tube, said pitot tube cover having a rear portion comprising an aperture to accommodate said pitot tube, an inner passage along a major axis for holding said pitot tube, upper and lower exterior edges along a length of said pitot tube cover substantially parallel to said major axis, and a substantially closed front portion; said pitot tube cover handling tool comprising: a) a nose structure configured to fit over the substantially closed front portion of said pitot tube cover to at least partially enclose said substantially closed front portion of said pitot tube cover; b) two substantially parallel support arms extending rearward from said nose structure, said support legs configured to extend on either side of the lower edge of the pitot tube cover thereby forming a slot; and, c) means for holding the rear portion of said pitot tube cover to a distal end on each of said parallel support arms.

2. The pitot tube cover handling tool of claim 1, wherein said pitot tube cover handling tool comprises a cylindrical shape configured for a cylindrical pitot tube cover.

3. The pitot tube cover handling tool of claim 2, further comprising a threaded post configured for receiving an external extension and extending beneath said no structure proximate said to substantially parallel support arms.

4. The pitot tube cover handling tool of claim 3, wherein said nose structure comprises a cone-shaped arrangement having an open tip.

5. The pitot tube cover handling tool of claim 4, wherein said pitot tube covering handling tool comprises a flexible polymer.

6. The pitot tube cover handling tool of claim 5, wherein said means for holding comprise at least one with ridge extending perpendicular to a surface at least one of said parallel support arms.

7. The pitot tube cover handling tool of claim 1, wherein said pitot tube cover handling tool comprises a single-piece flexible structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1A is a side view of the subject installation/removal tool.

[0024] FIG. 1B is a front view of the subject installation/removal tool.

[0025] FIG. 1C is a detailed front view depicting one aspect of the subject installation/removal tool.

[0026] FIG. 1D is a top view of the subject installation/removal tool.

[0027] FIG. 1E is a side/rear perspective view of the subject installation/removal tool holding a cylindrical pitot tube cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] The pitot tube installation/removal tool 10 is particularly suitable for the various cylindrical/cone designs of pitot tube covers depicted in FIGS. 13-34 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/179,774, incorporated herein by reference. However, other variations and shapes can also be handled by the subject installation/removal tool 10. When necessary, the subject installation/removal tool 10 can be used with an external telescoping pole (not shown) that fits into threaded post 5. A wide variety of different telescoping poles, and other extension arrangements can be used with the subject installation/removal tool 10.

[0029] The installation/removal tool 10 is preferably of a high-strength, moderately flexible, non-brittle polymer. Examples are polypropylene or nylon. However, tool 10 can also be a lightweight metal such as aluminum, or even wood. It is noted that a flexible polymer material is less likely to scratch an airframe finish, and so is the preferred construction material.

[0030] The installation/removal tool 10 is, preferably, of a one-piece design with a front cup or nose structure 1 to receive a front portion or a nose cone 2 of the pitot tube cover 4. There also to rearward extending support arms 3 that extend along the length the pitot tube cover 4. A threaded post 5 extends from the intersection of support arms 3, and attaches tool 10 to a threaded end piece of an extension piece such as a telescopic tube (shown in the Appendix). There is also a retaining stop 6 at the distal end of each support arm 3, configured to hold the pitot tube cover 4, but still permit easy release of the pitot tube cover 4 from the handling tool 10.

[0031] In operation, the pitot tube cover 4 is placed into tool 10 from the back of the tool, at a nose-down angle, into the nose or front cup 1. Should the pitot tube cover 4 have a lower flange 34 and banner 7 (such as that depicted in FIG. 13 of Ser. No. 17/179,774), the flange 34 and banner 7 would be positioned between support arms 3 of the handling tool 10. The pitot tube cover 4 is pressed forward into the flexible nose portion 1 of the handling tool 10, and the rear of the cover angle downward so that the rear cover portion of the cover clears retaining stop 6 at the distal ends of the support arms 3. Once this is done, pressure by the installer against the nose portion 1 is released and the pitot tube cover 4 is held firmly by retaining stop 6 within the handling tool 10.

[0032] If needed, an external pole (as shown in the Appendix) is then adjusted to a length appropriate to reach the pitot tube attached to the airframe (shown in the Appendix). The pitot tube cover 4 is then positioned with the open tip of the pitot tube, and aligned along to the length of the pitot tube, so that the major axis of the cover 4 is aligned with that of the pitot tube.

[0033] As the rear pitot tube cover aperture 7 is moved (within handling tool 10) to the pitot tube for installation, alignment of the major axis of the cover 4 is maintained as the pitot tube cover is forced onto the pitot tube. To assure that the pitot tube cover 4 is positioned all the way onto the pitot tube (when the internal heat-resistant butt plate touches the tip of the pitot tube) a little additional force can be added once the cover 4 stops sliding easily over the pitot tube. Approximately 1-4 pounds of force will be required to slide the pitot tube cover 4 over the pitot tube until the tip of the pitot tube is against to the internal butt plate of the cover 4.

[0034] Removal of the pitot tube cover 4 from the handling tool 10 can be accomplished by moving the rear of the handling tool 10 downward at an angle to pitot tube cover 4, while pressing nose 1 against the front of cover 4. The space between the support arms 3 is positioned such that they clear any flange, banner or hinge structures 9—along a lower edge (FIG. 13 of '774). Once this pivot operation is done, the handling tool 10 is moved away from the front of the pitot tube cover 4 at an angle, while the rear of the tool 10 clears the rear of the cover 4 with retaining stops 6.

[0035] The relative ease with which the pitot tube cover 4 is detached from the handling tool 10 is due to the general flexibility of the handling tool 10 structure. This includes the nose structure 1 which flexes. This flexibility is facilitated, in part, by the material used and, in part, by the aperture 11 at the tip of the dome-like shape of nose structure 1. This permits slight temporary deformation of the nose structure 1 when the cover 4 is pressed against it, providing additional space for the rear of the cover 4 to clear stops 6 when attaching/detaching the handling tool 10 from the cover 4. As a result, only a slight push and downward movement of the handling tool is necessary to remove handling tool 10 from the cover 4, which is now securely attached to the pitot tube (as shown in the Appendix).

[0036] It is noted that even if the pitot tube cover 4 is a cylinder without a dome-like nose (such as FIG. 28 in the '774 application), the handling tool 10 will still operate in the same manner to allow easy attachment of the handling tool to the pitot tube cover 4 in accordance with the aforementioned operation. Because of the slot formed between the two support arms 3, there will be no interference of any kind of latching structure along edge 9(b) of the pitot tube cover 4. Further, because there is no upper structure, there is no chance of interference between a hinge structure on upper edge 9(a) and the handling tool 10.

[0037] Usually, installation/removal tool 10 is used with some kind of extension means which screws into threaded post 5, as depicted in the Appendix. While standard Acme ¾ inch X5 are preferred, any number of different threading arrangements can also be used. Likewise, any number of different extension arrangements, including angles and articulated configurations, can be attached to the threaded post 5.

[0038] While, a single preferred embodiment has been described and depicted for a particular type of pitot tube cover, the present invention can be modified with within the general concept of the present invention so as to accommodate a wide variety of different shapes and sizes of pitot tube covers. The interpretation of the present invention should be made so as to encompass all variations, modifications, derivations, evolutions, adaptations, and embodiments that would occur to one skilled in this art and having knowledge of the present invention and a variety of different pitot tube cover designs. Accordingly, the present invention should be considered to be limited only by the following claims.