Tool for locating, pressing and removing a fastener and methods thereof

Abstract

TOOL FOR LOCATING, PRESSING AND REMOVING A FASTENER AND METHODS THEREOF The disclosure herein relate to a tool for locating, pressing and removing a fastener with respect to vehicular structure(s), where the fastener is at least a scrivet. Furthermore, disclosure herein relate to a method of locating and pressing the fastener onto the vehicular structure(s). Furthermore, disclosure herein relate to a method of removing the fastener from the vehicular structure(s). The tool (100) includes a handle (102), a plunger (104), a presser (105), a fastener remover (106), a screw driver bit (108) and a plurality of retainers (110). The tool (100) is user friendly especially for a novice for easily locating and pressing the fastener onto the vehicular structures and also for removing the fastener from the vehicular structures. Fig. 2

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The embodiments herein relate to a tool for locating, pressing and removing a fastener with respect to vehicular structure(s), where the fastener is at least a scrivet. Furthermore, embodiments herein relate to a method of locating and pressing the fastener onto the vehicular structure(s). Furthermore, embodiments herein relate to a method of removing the fastener from the vehicular structure(s).BACKGROUND

[002] Generally, a trim pad is fastened to a vehicular panel by using one of scrivets and tree clips. Usually, an operator uses hand for manually pressing the scrivet for securing the vehicular structures. For example, the scrivet can be manually pressed by the operator hand for securing the trim pad to the vehicular panel (body in white (BIW)). In another example, the scrivet can be manually pressed by the operator hand for securing one vehicular panel on another vehicular panel. Further, manually removing the scrivet from the vehicular structures may cause damage to the base parts. Providing a common tool for locating and pressing the scrivet on vehicular structures and for removing the scrivet from the vehicular structure(s) is difficult and is one of the challenges posed to the original equipment manufacturers (OEM).OBJECTS

[003] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a common tool for locating, pressing and removing a fastener with respect to vehicular structures.

[004] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a method of locating and pressing the fastener on the vehicular structure(s).

[005] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a method of removing the fastener from the vehicular structure(s).

[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the tool that is user friendly especially for a novice for easily locating and pressing the fastener onto the vehicular structures and also for removing the fastener from the vehicular structures.

[007] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[008] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:

[009] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of a tool for locating, pressing and removing a fastener (scrivet), according to embodiments as disclosed herein;

[0010] Fig. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the tool, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;

[0011] Fig. 3 depicts an exploded view of the tool, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;

[0012] Fig. 4a depicts a perspective view of a plunger of the tool, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;

[0013] Fig. 4b depicts a cross-sectional view of the plunger, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;

[0014] Fig. 5 illustrates locating and pressing the fastener by the tool, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;

[0015] Fig. 6 illustrates removing the fastener by the tool, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;

[0016] Fig. 7 depicts a flowchart indicating a method for locating and pressing the fastener on the vehicular structure(s), according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and

[0017] Fig. 8 depicts a flowchart indicating a method for removing the fastener from the vehicular structure(s), according to embodiments as disclosed herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The 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.

[0019] The embodiments herein achieve a tool for locating, pressing and removing a fastener (scrivet) with respect to vehicular structure(s). Further, embodiments herein achieve a method of locating and pressing the fastener on the vehicular structure(s). Furthermore, embodiments herein achieve a method of removing the fastener from the vehicular structure(s). Referring now to the drawings Figs. 1 through 8, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.

[0020] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of a tool (100) for locating, pressing and removing a fastener (S), (scrivet), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Fig. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the tool (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the tool (100) includes a handle (102), a plunger (104), a presser (105), a fastener remover (106), a screw driver bit (108) and a plurality of retainers (110). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the tool (100) is explained herein with below reference to locating and pressing the fastener (S) for securing one vehicular structure (P1) on another vehicular structure (P2), and also for removing the fastener (S) from the vehicular structures (P1, P2). However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use / practice the tool (100) for locating, pressing and removing the fastener(S) with respect to trim pads, any other vehicular panels or vehicular structures or any other applications without otherwise deterring the intended function of the tool (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.

[0021] The handle (102) includes a body ((102B), (as shown in fig. 2)). The body (102B) of the handle (102) defines a first receiving portion ((102BR), (as shown in fig. 2)) adapted to receive a portion of a body ((104B), as shown in fig. 4a and fig. 4b) of the plunger (104) therein, where the first receiving portion (102BR) is an opening. Further, the body (102B) of the handle (102) defines a second receiving portion ((102BS) adapted to receive a head ((105H), (as shown in fig. 2) of the presser (105), where the second receiving portion (102BS) is a counter bore. A diameter of the first receiving portion (102BR) is smaller than a diameter of the second receiving portion (102BS) defined in the body (102B) of the handle (102). A bottom end ((102BB), (as shown in fig. 2)) of the handle (102) is adapted to operatively receive a head ((FH), (as shown in fig. 2)) of the fastener (S) therein and a screw ((SS), (as shown in fig. 2)) of the fastener (S) is operatively engaged with the screw driver bit (108) for locating the fastener (S) into a fastener receiving portion ((PR), (as shown in fig. 3)) defined in the vehicular structures (P1, P2).

[0022] The plunger (104) is adapted to press the fastener (S) through the presser (105) and the screw driver bit (108) while securing the vehicular structures (P1, P2) by using the fastener (S). The plunger (104) is adapted to be slidably connected to the handle (102). The plunger (104) is adapted to be moved with respect to the handle (102) for inserting a body ((FB), (as shown in fig. 2)) of the fastener (S) into the fastener receiving portion (PR) defined in the vehicular structures (P1, P2) thereby securing the vehicular structure (P1) with another vehicular structures (P2). The fastener receiving portion (PR) defined in the vehicular structure (P1, P2) is one of an opening or a blind hole. The plunger (104) includes a head (104H) and a body ((104B), (as shown in fig.4a and fig. 4b)), where thebody (104B) extends from the head (104H). A bottom end of the body (104B) of the plunger (104) defines a presser body receiving portion ((104BR), (as shown ion fig. 4b)) adapted to receive a body ((105B), (as shown in fig.2)) of the presser (105) therein, where the presser body receiving portion (104BR) is a blind hole. The plunger (104) defines a T-shape.

[0023] The presser (105) is adapted to press the fastener (S) for inserting a body (FB) of the fastener (S) into the fastener receiving portion (PR) defined in the vehicular structures (P1, P2) thereby securing one vehicular structure (P1) on the another vehicular structure (P2) when the plunger (104) is adapted to be moved with respect to the handle (102). The presser (105) is adapted to be connected at a bottom end of the plunger (104). In one embodiment, the presser (105) is a separate part. In another embodiment, the presser (105) is an integral part of the plunger (104). The presser (105) includes a head (105H) and a body ((105B), (as shown in fig. 2)), where the body (105B) extends from the head (105H) in an upward direction towards a bottom end of the plunger (104). The presser (105) is adapted to prevent unintentional removal of the plunger (104) from the handle (102) when the plunger (104) is moved in an upward direction with respect to the handle (102) beyond a predefined position. The presser (105) defines a T-shape.

[0024] The fastener remover (106) is adapted to be movably connected to the handle (102). The fastener remover (106) is adapted to facilitate removal of the fastener (106) from vehicular structures (P1, P2). The fastener remover (106) defines a wedge portion ((106W), (as shown in fig.3)), wherein the wedge portion (106W) is adapted to disengage the head (FH) of the fastener (S) from the vehicular structures (P1, P2) when the fastener remover (106) is moved with respect to the handle (102) in a direction towards the fastener (S). The handle (102) is adapted to remove the fastener (S) from the vehicular structures (P1, P2) when the handle (102) is moved in an upward direction while maintaining the wedge portion(106W) of the fastener remover (108) in engagement with the head (FH) of the fastener (S).

[0025] The screw driver bit (108) defined on the presser (105). The screw driver bit (108) is adapted to rotate the screw head (SH) of the screw (SS) to engage the screw head (SH) with the head (FH) of the fastener (S) on rotating the plunger (104) during mounting of the fastener (S). The screw driver bit (108) is adapted to rotate the screw head (SH) of the screw (SS) to disengage the screw head (SH) from the head (FH) of the fastener (S) to facilitate removal of the fastener (S). In one embodiment, the screw driver bit (108) is a separate part. In another embodiment, the screw driver bit (108) is an integral part of the presser (105). The plurality of retainers (110) is adapted to retain the fastener remover (106) with respect to the handle (102).

[0026] Fig. 7 depicts a flowchart indicating a method (200) for locating and pressing the fastener ((S) (scrivet)) onto the vehicular structures (P1, P2), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Fig. 5 illustrates locating and pressing the fastener (S) by the tool (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the method (200) is explained herein below with reference to locating the fastener (S) into fastener receiving portion (PR) defined in vehicular structures (P1, P2) and pressing the fastener (S) against vehicular structures (P1, P2) for securing one vehicular structure (P1) with another vehicular structure (P2). However, it is also within the scope of this invention to practice / implement the entire steps of the method (200) in a same manner or in a different manner or with omission of at least one step to the method (200) or with any addition of at least one step to the method (200) for locating and pressing one of scrivet, tree clip and any other kind of fasteners for securing any other vehicular panels or vehicular structures or any other applications without otherwise deterring the intended function of the method (200) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.

[0027] At step (202), the method (200) includes operatively receiving, by a handle (102) of a tool (100), a head (FH) of the fastener (S) at a bottom end (102BB) of the handle (102), and operatively engaging a screw (SS) of the fastener (S) with a screw driver bit (108) of the tool (100).

[0028] At step 204, the method (200) includes, locating, by the handle (102) of the tool (100), the fastener (S) into a fastener receiving portion (PR) defined in the vehicular structures (P1, P2).

[0029] At step 206, the method (200) includes holding the handle (102) of the tool (100), and moving a plunger (104) of the tool (100) with respect to the handle (102).

[0030] At step 208, the method (200) includes pressing, by a presser (105) of the tool (100), the fastener (S) for inserting a body (FB) of the fastener (S) into the fastener receiving portion (PR) defined in the vehicular structures (P1, P2) thereby securing the vehicular structure (P1) on the another vehicular structure (P2) in response to moving the plunger (104) with respect to the handle (102).

[0031] Further, the method (200) includes rotating, by a screw driver bit (108) of the tool (100), a screw (SS) with respect to the fastener (S) for engaging a head (SH) of the screw (SS) with a head (FH) of the fastener (S) on rotating the plunger (104) after the method step (208).

[0032] Fig. 8 depicts a flowchart indicating a method (300) for removing the fastener ((S) (scrivet)) from the vehicular structures (P1, P2), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Fig. 6 illustrates removing the fastener (S) by the tool (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the method (300) is explained herein below with reference to removing the fastener (S) from the vehicular structures (P1, P2). However, it is also within the scope of this invention to practice / implement the entire steps of the method (300) in a same manner or in a different manner or with omission of at least one step to the method (300) or with any addition of atleast one step to the method (300) for removing one of scrivet, tree clip and any other kind of fasteners for securing any other vehicular panels or vehicular structures or any other applications without otherwise deterring the intended function of the method (300) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.

[0033] At step (302), the method (300) includes, orienting and placing a handle (102) of the tool (100) with respect to the fastener (S) located on the vehicular structures (P1, P2).

[0034] At step (304), the method (300) includes, engaging a screw driver bit (108) of the tool (100) with a screw (SS) located on the fastener (S).

[0035] At step (306), the method (300) includes, disengaging, by the screw driver bit (108) of the tool (100), a head (SH) of the screw (SS) from a head (FH) of the fastener (S) on rotating a plunger (104) of the tool (100).

[0036] At step (308), the method (300) includes, holding the handle (102) of the tool (100) and disengaging, by a wedge portion (106W) defined on a fastener remover (106) of the tool (100), the head (FH) of the fastener (S) from the vehicular structures (P1, P2) upon moving the fastener remover (106) with respect to the handle (102) in a direction towards the fastener (S).

[0037] At step (310), the method (300) includes, removing the fastener (S) from the vehicular structures (P1, P2) upon moving the handle (102) in an upward direction and while maintaining the wedge portion (106W) of the fastener remover (108) in engagement with the head (FH) of the fastener (S).

[0038] The technical advantages of the tool (100) are as follows. The tool is user friendly especially for a novice for easily locating and pressing the fastener onto the vehicular structures and also for removing the fastener from the vehicular structures.

[0039] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the 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 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 embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Claims

1. A tool (100) for pressing and removing a fastener (S), said tool (100) comprising: a handle (102); a plunger (104) adapted to be slidably connected to said handle (102); a presser (105) adapted to be connected at a bottom end of said plunger (104); and a fastener remover (106) adapted to be movably connected to said handle (102).

2. The tool (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fastener remover (106) is adapted to facilitate removal of said fastener (106) from vehicular structures (P1, P2).

3. The tool (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tool (100) includes a screw driver bit (108) defined on said presser (105), wherein said screw driver bit (108) is an integral part of said presser (105) or a separate part that is connected to said presser (105); said screw driver bit (108) is adapted to rotate a screw head (SH) of a screw (SS) to engage the screw head (SH) with a head (FH) of the fastener (S) on rotating said plunger (104) during mounting of the fastener (S); and said screw driver bit (108) is adapted to rotate the screw head (SH) of the screw (SS) to disengage the screw head (SH) from the head (FH) of the fastener (S) to facilitate removal of the fastener (S).

4. The tool (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tool (100) includes a plurality of retainers (110) adapted to retain said fastener remover (106) with respect to said handle (102).

5. The tool (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein a bottom end (102BB) of said handle (102) is adapted to operatively receive a head (FH) of the fastener (S) therein and the screw (SS) of the fastener (S) is operatively engaged with said screw driver bit (108) for locating the fastener (S) into a fastener receiving portion (PR) defined in the vehicular structures (P1, P2); said presser (105) is adapted to press the fastener (S) for inserting a body (FB) of the fastener (S) into the fastener receiving portion (PR) defined in the vehicular structures (P1, P2) thereby securing one vehicular structure (P1) on the another vehicular structure (P2) when said plunger (104) is adapted to be moved with respect to said handle (102); and said presser (105) is an integral part of said plunger (104) or a separate part that is connected to the bottom end of said plunger (104).

6. The tool (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said fastener remover (106) defines a wedge portion (106W), wherein said wedge portion (106W) is adapted to disengage the head (FH) of the fastener (S) from the vehicular structures (P1, P2) when said fastener remover (106) is moved with respect to said handle (102) in a direction towards the fastener (S); said handle (102) is adapted to remove the fastener (S) from the vehicular structures (P1, P2) when said handle (102) is moved in an upward direction while maintaining the wedge portion (106W) of said fastener remover (108) in engagement with the head (FH) of the fastener (S); and the fastener (S) is at least a scrivet.

7. A method (200) of locating and pressing a fastener (S) for securing a vehicular structure (P1) onto another vehicular structure (P2), said method (200) comprising: operatively receiving, by a handle (102) of a tool (100), a head (FH) of the fastener (S) at a bottom end (102BB) of the handle (102), and operatively engaging a screw (SS) of the fastener (S) with a screw driver bit (108) of the tool; locating, by the handle (102) of the tool (100), the fastener (S) into a fastener receiving portion (PR) defined in the vehicular structures (P1, P2); holding the handle (102) of the tool (100), and moving a plunger (104) of the tool (100) with respect to the handle (102); and pressing, by a presser (105) of the tool (100), the fastener (S) for inserting a body (FB) of the fastener (S) into the fastener receiving portion (PR) defined in the vehicular structures (P1, P2) thereby securing the vehicular structure (P1) on the another vehicular structure (P2) in response to said moving the plunger (104) with respect to the handle (102).

8. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said method (200) includes, rotating, by a screw driver bit (108) of the tool (100), a screw (SS) with respect to the fastener (S) for engaging a head (SH) of the screw (SS) with a head (FH) of the fastener (S) on rotating the plunger (104) after said pressing, by the presser (105), the fastener (S) into the fastener receiving portion (PR) defined in the vehicular structures (P1, P2), wherein the fastener (S) is at least a scrivet.

9. A method (300) of removing a fastener (S) from vehicular structures (P1, P2), said method (300) comprising: orienting and placing a handle (102) of the tool (100) with respect to the fastener (S) located on the vehicular structures (P1, P2); holding the handle (102) of the tool (100) and disengaging, by a wedge portion (106W) defined on a fastener remover (106) of the tool (100), a head (FH) of the fastener (S) from the vehicular structures (P1, P2) upon moving the fastener remover (106) with respect to the handle (102) in a direction towards the fastener (S); and removing the fastener (S) from the vehicular structures (P1, P2) upon moving the handle (102) in an upward direction and while maintaining the wedge portion (106W) of the fastener remover (108) in engagement with the head (FH) of the fastener (S).

10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said method (300) includes, engaging a screw driver bit (108) of the tool (100) with a screw (SS) located on the fastener (S) after said orienting and placing the handle (102) of the tool (100) with respect to the fastener (S) located on the vehicular structures (P1, P2); and disengaging, by the screw driver bit (108) of the tool (100), a head (SH) of the screw (SS) from the head (FH) of the fastener (S) on rotating a plunger (104) of the tool (100) after said engaging the screw driver bit (108) of the tool (100) with the screw (SS).