Automotive hood spring installer/remover tool

Abstract

An apparatus to install or remove tension coil springs from spring seat. Apparatus spans beyond the length of a tension coil spring allowing connection to spring ends with a loop and or hook on a threaded shaft. Applying a turning force to threaded shaft will stretch spring to a longer length allowing removal of spring from spring seat. A turning force in opposite direction retracts spring to shorter length allowing installation of spring to spring seat.

Claims

1. An automotive hood spring installer/remover tool comprising: a frame having an elongated body with a first end and a second end; a first bracket that defines a first hole, wherein the first bracket extends from the first end of the elongated body; a second bracket that defines a second hole, wherein the second bracket extends from the second end of the elongated body; a first shaft having a hook or loop at a first end, wherein the first shaft is configured to extend through the first hole with the hook or loop extending toward the second shaft; and a second shaft having a hook or loop at a first end, wherein the second shaft is configured to extend through the second hole, with the hook or loop of the second shaft extending toward the first shaft; wherein the first and second shaft, when extending through the first and second holes, are generally parallel to the body; wherein each of the first and second shafts has a second end; and wherein the shafts are externally threaded and the threads extend the length of the shaft from the hook or loop at the first end of the shaft to the second end of the shaft.

2. The automotive hood spring installer/remover tool of claim 1, wherein both the first and second end brackets have clearance notches for the loops or hooks on the first and second shafts respectively.

3. The automotive hood spring installer/remover tool of claim 1, wherein the holes defined by the brackets are sufficiently large to allow the externally threaded shafts to pass through the holes.

4. The automotive hood spring installer/remover tool of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of internally threaded hex nuts, wherein each of the first and second externally threaded shafts accepts one of the plurality of internally threaded hex nuts on the end of the shaft that does not have the hook or loop.

5. The automotive hood spring installer/remover tool of claim 4, further comprising a bearing plate or two flat washers, wherein the bearing plate or two flat washers is disposed on the first shaft between the internally threaded hex nut and the bracket.

6. The automotive hood spring installer/remover tool of claim 4, wherein the plurality of internally threaded hex nuts are of a high strength metal.

7. The automotive hood spring installer/remover tool of claim 6, wherein the high strength metal is grade 8, forged steel, or hardened steel.

8. The automotive hood spring installer/remover tool of claim 1, wherein the first shaft is longer than the second shaft.

9. The automotive hood spring installer/remover tool of claim 1, wherein each of the hooks or loops on the shafts is configured to accept an end of a vehicle hood spring; and wherein, when each end of the vehicle hood spring is secured to one of the hooks or loops, the vehicle hood spring extends along the body between the loops or hooks.

10. The automotive hood spring installer/remover tool of claim 1, wherein the body comprises one of a tube or a solid rod.

11. The automotive hood spring installer/remover tool of claim 1, wherein the first and second brackets extend at a 90 degree angle from the body.

12. The automotive hood spring installer/remover tool of claim 1, wherein the first and second brackets and the body are a single piece.

13. The automotive hood spring installer/remover tool of claim 1, wherein the shafts are made of a high strength metal.

14. The automotive hood spring installer/remover tool of claim 13, wherein the high strength metal is forged steel or hardened steel.

15. The automotive hood spring installer/remover tool of claim 1, further comprising a leverage handle connected to the second end of the first shaft to allow turning of the shaft.

16. The automotive hood spring installer/remover tool of claim 1, further comprising an openable and closable metal link; wherein the metal link is connected to the hook or loop of the first shaft.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

(1) FIG. 1 explained:

(2) Frame of tool (1) is a schedule 40 cylindrical pipe cut at 15 long. Frame end brackets (2) are thick, 1 wide angle iron cut at 3 long. Frame end brackets (2) are connected to frame of tool (1) by fuse or weld (8) together. Frame end brackets (2) have a drilled hole (9) from outer end. Frame end brackets (2) have about 1 long deep notch (10) removed from end bracket side for loop and hook clearance. The Long externally threaded shaft (3) is inserted through hole (9) in frame end bracket (2). Two flat washers (6) are inserted over longer externally threaded shaft (3) end on outward side of frame end bracket (2). Internally threaded hex nut (7) is threaded onto longer externally threaded shaft (3) end. The loop and or hook (5) faces inward in relation to frame end bracket (2). The shorter externally threaded shaft (4) is inserted in opposing frame end bracket (2). Two flat washers (6) are inserted on shorter externally threaded shaft (4) end on outward side of frame end bracket (2). Internally threaded hex nut (7) is threaded onto end of shorter externally threaded shaft (4). The openable and closeable link (11) is connected to longer externally threaded shaft (3) for adaptability on applications where vehicle hood spring (12) is shorter in length as used on some 1970's era vehicles. J-Hook (13) is used in place of shorter externally threaded shaft (5) when access to vehicle spring end hook is obstructed. J-Hook (13) will install on frame (1) and grab spring similar to shorter externally threaded shaft (5) and allow removal and installation of spring (12) in most instances of spring end obstruction. More specifically on 1965-late 1970's Ford Mustangs.

(3) FIG. 2 Explained:

(4) Vehicle hood spring (12) shown connected to present invention without the use of openable and closeable link (11) and J-Hook (13).

(5) FIG. 3 Explained:

(6) Shows an anal view of present invention. Also shows a front view of Frame end bracket (2) with flat washer (6) and internally threaded hex nut (7) installed on external threads of longer externally threaded shaft (3) on outward side of frame end bracket (2). J-Hook (13) is displayed.

(7) FIG. 4 Explained:

(8) Displaying present invention connected to a vehicle hood spring (12) while vehicle spring (12) is still attached to vehicle hood hinge (14) with the use of openable and closeable link (11)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) Automotive Hood Spring Installer/Remover Tool comprising:

(10) A straight pipe with extending brackets on each end. End Brackets support externally threaded shafts by means of a threaded or drilled hole. Externally threaded shafts have a hook and or loop at one end and an internally threaded nut on outward side of frame on opposing end. Reference both externally threaded shafts' loops facing inward of frame end brackets. Connect to vehicle hood spring by slipping externally threaded shaft loop over hook end of spring. A turning force is applied to internally threaded nut and the turning force pulls externally threaded rod outward therefore stretching the spring to a longer position. Spring can then be removed from spring seats on vehicle hinge. A turning force on nut in opposite direction will allow externally threaded shaft to move inward therefore retracting the spring to a shorter position. Can be retracted until spring is at a safe, resting, bound position. Spring can then be removed from loops and or hook of tool. Closable link and a J-Hook is provided for adaptability for varying spring lengths and mounting styles of different automobile manufacturers.