John G Sigman

US Patent:

6343411, Feb 5, 2002

Filed:

Feb 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/514393

Inventors:

John R. Sigman - Phoenix AZ 85023-3622

International Classification:

B23P 1904

US Classification:

29263

Abstract:

An extractor tool for removing and replacing a plumbing fixture, such as a leaking, rusted tub shoe flange with or without cross hairs, includes a shaft having left-handed threads over most of its length and a frusto-conical wedge near one end terminating in a plurality of axial lugs forming a castle around an axial recess, the other end of the shaft being flatted to receive a wrench. A plurality of separate, arcuate shaped, shoes are slidably positioned around the threaded portion of the shaft and are maintained there by a flexible o-ring forming an expandable body having a central bore portion and at least the inner end adjacent the frusto-conical wedge of the shaft formed with a tapered circular recess. A washer and nut are assembled on the shaft from the threaded end. Both inner ends of the shoes may be formed with the tapered circular recess to make them reversible.

US Patent:

20030131463, Jul 17, 2003

Filed:

Jan 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/047276

Inventors:

John Sigman - Phoenix AZ, US

International Classification:

B23P019/00

US Classification:

029/426500

Abstract:

An extractor tool for removing and replacing a plumbing fixture, such as a leaking, rusted tub shoe flange with or without cross hairs, includes a shaft having left-handed threads over most of its length and a frusto-conical wedge near one end terminating in a plurality of axial lugs forming a castle around an axial recess, the other end of the shaft being flatted to receive a wrench. A plurality of separate, arcuate shaped, shoes are slidably positioned around the threaded portion of the shaft and are maintained there by a flexible o-ring forming an expandable body having a central bore portion and at least the inner end adjacent the frusto-conical wedge of the shaft formed with a tapered circular recess. A washer and nut are assembled on the shaft from the threaded end. Both inner ends of the shoes may be formed with the tapered circular recess to make them reversible. The outside surfaces of the shoes and lugs may be knurled for added gripping. The lugs may be tapered and long to aid in engaging deep cross hairs for removal and installation and to accommodate tall toe stop stems. To remove the fixture the castle end is inserted into the flange drain hole, the nut is turned counterclockwise by hand to expand the shoes into a holding grip with the inside adjacent wall structure of the fixture, further counterclockwise turning of the nut with a wrench both tightening the grip and unscrewing the flange. To replace the new flange, insert the castle end into the flange drain hole atop the cross hairs with the lugs in the openings therebetween and turn the shaft clockwise to screw in the flange and tighten with a wrench.