FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of tools for handling ring members. In
particular, the present disclosure relates to gripping and picking tools.
BACKGROUND
Typically, a plurality of bushes used in a control valve undergoes cryogenic
treatment to obtain desired properties and configuration. 5 The cryogenic treatment
of bushes is carried out using liquid nitrogen, wherein the temperature of the
liquid nitrogen is below -150C. Post the cryogenic treatment, the bushes need to
be picked-up one after the other from a container having liquid nitrogen.
Conventionally, an operator manually picks up the bush from the container and
10 places the bush in a housing for further treatment. The manual handling of the
treated bushes is an unsafe practice, as exposure to liquid nitrogen can cause
serious injuries to the operator such as cold burns, blisters, inflammation, etc.
Moreover, the manual handling of the cryogenic treated bushes reduces the
productivity.
15 Therefore, there is felt a need for a tool for handling a bush that alleviates the
aforementioned drawbacks associated with conventional handling methods.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment
herein satisfies are as follows:
20 An object of present disclosure is to provide a tool for handling a bush, which is
simple in configuration.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a tool for handling a bush,
which facilitates safe handling of bushes.
3
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from
the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figure,
which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a tool for 5 handling a bush. The tool comprises a
housing having a proximal end and a distal end defining a passage therebetween.
A plunger shaft is slidably disposed within the housing and has a tapered distal
end.
Further, a wedge member is disposed within the housing, and is in abutting
10 relationship with the tapered distal end of the plunger shaft. The wedge member is
configured to protrude outwardly from an opening configured on the housing
when the plunger shaft is slidably displaced in the passage from the proximal end
towards the distal end of the housing to abut an inner circumferential surface of
the bush.
15 Furthermore, a resilient member is disposed within the housing, and is configured
to retract the plunger shaft towards the proximal end of the housing.
In an embodiment, the plunger shaft is defined by a first portion and a second
portion. The second portion of the plunger shaft has the tapered distal end. In an
embodiment, the first portion and the second portion are connected via a
20 cylindrical pin.
In an embodiment, the wedge member and the distal end of the plunger are
coupled via at least two sealing elements. At least two sealing elements are
configured to pass through at least two grooves configured on the wedge member.
Further, at least two sealing elements are configured to restrict the movement of
25 the wedge element when the plunger shaft is in retracted position.
In an embodiment, at least two sealing elements are O-rings.
4
In an embodiment, the tool includes a grub screw that is connected to the housing,
and is configured to limit the slidable displacement of the plunger shaft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A tool for handling a bush, of the present disclosure, will now be described with
5 the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a sectional front view of the tool, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 2 illustrates a sectional top view of the tool, of Figure 1.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN DETAILED
10 DESCRIPTION AND DRAWING
50 – Tool
10 – Housing
10A – Proximal end of housing
10B – Distal end of housing
15 10C – Retention wall
15 – Plunger shaft
15A – First portion of plunger shaft
15B – Second portion of plunger shaft
15C – Tapered distal end of plunger shaft
20 20 – Wedge member
25 – Resilient member
5
30 – Cylindrical pin
35 – Sealing elements
40 – Grub screw
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure envisages a tool for 5 handling a bush that has simple and
compact configuration. The tool further facilitates safe handling of a cryogenically
treated bush, thereby reducing the possibility of injuries to an operator.
The tool, of the present disclosure, is hereinafter described with reference to
Figure 1 and Figure 2.
10 Figure 1 illustrates a sectional front view of a tool 50 for handling the bush, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates a
sectional top view of the tool 50, of Figure 1.
The tool 50 for handling the bush comprises a housing 10. The housing has a
proximal end 10A and a distal end 10B defining a passage therebetween. The
15 housing 10 has an elongated cylindrical body with a retention wall 10C proximal
to the distal end 10B.
The tool 50 includes a plunger shaft 15 that is slidably disposed within the
housing 10. Further, the plunger shaft 15 has a tapered distal end 15C and is
slidably disposed within the passage of the housing 10. In an embodiment, the
20 plunger shaft 15 is defined by a first portion 15A and a second portion 15B. The
second portion 15B of the plunger shaft 15 has the tapered distal end 15C. The
first portion 15A and the second portion 15 B of the plunger shaft 15 can be
connected by any fastening means. In an embodiment, the first portion 15A and
the second portion 15B of the plunger shaft 15 are connected via a cylindrical pin
25 30. Further, the slidable movement of the first portion 15A is restricted by the
retention wall 10C.
6
The tool 50 further comprises a wedge member 20 that is disposed within the
housing 10. The wedge member 20 is in an abutting relationship with the tapered
distal end 15C of the plunger shaft 15. The wedge member 20 is configured to
protrude outwardly from an opening configured on the housing 10, when the
plunger shaft 15 is slidably displaced from 5 proximal end 10A towards distal end
10B of the housing 10. Further, the protruded portion of the wedge member 20
abuts an inner circumferential surface of the bush.
In an embodiment, the wedge member 20 is configured with at least two grooves.
More specifically, the grooves are configured in a spaced apart configuration. In
10 an embodiment, the wedge member 20 and the tapered distal end 15C of the
plunger shaft 15 are coupled via at least two sealing elements 35. The sealing
elements 35 are configured to pass through at least two grooves configured on the
wedge member 20, thereby detachably coupling the tapered distal end 15C of the
plunger shaft 15 and the wedge member 20
15 In an embodiment, at least two sealing elements 35 are configured to restrict an
axial movement of the wedge member 20 when the plunger shaft 15 is in a
retracted position. In another embodiment, the at least two sealing elements are Orings.
Further, a resilient member 25 is disposed within the housing 10. The resilient
20 member 25 is configured to retract the plunger shaft 15 towards proximal end 10A
of the housing 10. More specifically, the resilient member 25 facilitates an
extended - retracted displacement of the plunger shaft 15, when the operator
manually depresses the plunger shaft 15 from the proximal end 10A towards the
distal end 10B of the housing 10. Due to a manual depression on the plunger shaft
25 15 the resilient member 25 is compressed and allows extended displacement of
the plunger shaft 15. Further, by removing the manual depression from the
plunger shaft 15 the stored energy in the resilient member 25 facilitates retracted
displacement of the plunger shaft 15.
7
The tool 50 further includes a grub screw 40, wherein the grub screw 40 is
connected to the housing 10, and is configured to limit the slidable displacement
of the plunger shaft 15 within the housing 10.
The tool 50 of the present disclosure is manually operated. In an operative
configuration, the tool 50 is inserted into the 5 inner circumferential area of the
bush, wherein the distal end 10B of the housing 10 and the bush are in a loose fit.
When the operator manually depresses the plunger shaft 15, the plunger shaft 15
is slidably displaced within the housing 10 from the proximal end 10A towards
distal end 10B of the housing 10. The wedge member 20 being in abutting
10 relationship with plunger shaft 15 protrudes outwardly in an extended
displacement of the plunger shaft 15, thereby effectuating a picking operation of
the bush when the protruded portion of the wedge member 20 abuts the inner
circumferential area of the bush. In the picking operation, the bush and the tool 50
are in engaged condition. Further, to effectuate a dispensing operation of the bush,
15 the plunger shaft 15 is released by removing manual depression, thereby causing
retraction of the plunger shaft 15 along with the wedge member 20. In an
embodiment, in the dispensing operation the bush and the tool 50 are in
disengaged condition.
In an embodiment, the tool 50 of the present disclosure provides safe handling of
20 the bushes which are cryogenically treated, thereby preventing injuries to the
operator. Further, it is convenient to pick and dispense the bush that increases the
productivity at a work station.
In an embodiment, the tool 50 of the present disclosure can be used to handle any
ring shaped members.
25 TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages
including, but not limited to, a tool for handling a bush, which:
8
 has simple configuration; and
 facilitates safe handling of the bush
The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying
embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The
description provided is purely 5 by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof
are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following
description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques
are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The
10 examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways
in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of
skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples
should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed the
15 general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current
knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific
embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such
adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within
the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be
20 understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the
purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments
herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the
art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification
within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
25 Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as
“comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated
element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the
9
exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or
steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or
more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment
of 5 the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has
been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context
for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these
matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the
10 field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of
this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions
or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values
higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or
15 quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the
specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and
component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many
embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred
20 embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and
other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the
disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein,
whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to
be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
25
10
WE CLAIM:
1. A tool (50) for handling a bush, said tool (50) comprising:
 a housing (10) having a proximal end (10A) and a distal end
(10B) defining a passage therebetween;
 a plunger shaft 5 (15) slidably disposed within said housing (10),
said plunger shaft (15) having a tapered distal end (15C);
 a wedge member (20) disposed within said housing (10) and in
abutting relationship with said tapered distal end (15C) of said
plunger shaft (15), said wedge member configured to protrude
10 outwardly from an opening configured on said housing (10)
when said plunger shaft (15) is slidably displaced in said
passage from said proximal end (10A) towards said distal end
(10B) of said housing (10) to abut an inner circumferential
surface of said bush; and
15  a resilient member (25) disposed within said housing (10), and
configured to retract said plunger shaft (15) towards said
proximal (10A) end of said housing (10).
2. The tool (50) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plunger shaft (15) is defined
by a first portion (15A) and a second portion (15B) having said tapered distal
20 end (15C), said first portion (15A) and said second portion (15B) are
connected via a cylindrical pin (30).
3. The tool (50) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wedge member (20) and said
distal end (15C) of said plunger shaft (15) are coupled via at least two sealing
elements (35), and said at least two sealing elements (35) passes through at
25 least two grooves configured on said wedge member (20).
4. The tool (50) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said at least two sealing elements
(35) are configured to restrict the axial movement of said wedge member (20)
when said plunger shaft (15) is in retracted position.
11
5. The tool (50) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said at least two sealing elements
are O-rings.
6. The tool (50) as claimed in claim 1, said tool (50) comprises a grub screw
connected to said housing (10) and configured to limit the slidable
5 displacement of said plunger shaft (15).