Tool for removing annular elements tightly mounted in holes, in particular blind holes, of parts

1. A tool for removal of annular elements or rings, tightly mounted in holes, or in blind holes, in parts, of type exerting axial traction on the annular element, the tool comprising:

a tie-rod adapted to be engaged coaxially in the axial passage of the annular element and terminating at its distal end passing through the axial passage of the annular element in an enlarged head having a diameter less than the inside diameter of the axial passage of the element and which is fed into the hole beyond a distal transverse face of the annular element;

means for contact with the annular element, taking a form of an annular cage with lateral claws that are elastically deformable in the radial direction, which cage surrounds the tie-rod and passes through the axial passage of the annular element such that the claws come to be pressed against the distal transverse face of the annular element; and

drive means for acting on the tie-rod to extract the annular element from the hole through action of the claws of the contact means driven by the enlarged head of the tie-rod,

wherein the lateral claws of the annular cage are in a position deformed radially inwards when they pass through the axial passage of the annular element and, on exiting the passage, spontaneously resume their initial position with an outside diameter of the claws greater than the diameter of the axial passage of the annular element and less than the diameter of the hole, and an inside diameter less than the diameter of the enlarged head, to be pressed against the distal transverse face of the annular element, so that the tie-rod, because of action of the drive means, comes into contact with the claws of the cage by its enlarged head and drives the annular element out of the hole, and

wherein, in the enlarged head of the tie-rod, there is provided an external annular shoulder having a diameter at most equal to the inside diameter of the lateral claws when they occupy their initial position to receive them.

2. The tool as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the lateral claws of the cage terminate in lugs projecting radially outwards, so as to be pressed against the distal transverse face of the annular element when the lateral claws go from their elastically deformed position in the axial passage to their initial position on exiting the axial passage.

3. The tool as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the external radial lugs also have inclined faces to facilitate engagement of the lateral claws of the cage in the axial passage of the annular element.

4. The tool as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the lateral claws alternate with semi-open lateral slots provided in the lateral wall of the annular cage.

5. The tool as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a bell-shaped cylindrical part adapted to have its free end pressed onto the perimeter of the receiving hole of the annular element and having, in its transverse bottom end, a central orifice for the tie-rod to pass through.

6. The tool as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the drive means are of screw type.

7. The tool as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the screw-type drive means include a screwthread provided on the tie-rod and a controllable nut mounted on the screwthread.

8. The tool as claimed in claim 5 , wherein a nut of the drive means is situated, during removal of the annular element, bearing on the transverse bottom of the cylindrical part via a thrust ball bearing.

9. The tool as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the tie-rod includes an imprint for insertion of a wrench or other tool.