IP Library Granted Patent US 12,643,207
Granted Patent B1
US 12,643,207 · App. 19/084,233 · Granted Jun 2, 2026

Coldworking sleeve removal tools and methods

Inventor: Luis Rodriguez (Fort Worth, TX)
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
B25B27/023
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,643,207
App. No.
19/084,233
Granted
Jun 2, 2026
Kind
B1
Abstract

A sleeve removal tool for removing a split sleeve embedded in a structure includes a main rod, a nose cap, a housing, and a nut. The main rod includes a main threaded portion and a neck portion. The nose cap is configured to removably couple to the neck portion of the main rod and to removably couple to a flare of the split sleeve embedded in the structure. The housing includes a non-marking foot. The housing is configured to at least partially surround the main rod. The nut is configured to be threaded onto the main threaded portion of the main rod, wherein threading the nut onto the main threaded portion of the main rod forces the housing against the structure and forces the main rod away from the structure, thereby removing the split sleeve from the structure.

Claims (28)

1 . A sleeve removal tool for removing a split sleeve embedded in a structure, the sleeve removal tool comprising:

a main rod comprising a main threaded portion and a neck portion;

a nose cap configured to:

removably couple to the neck portion of the main rod; and

removably couple to a flare of the split sleeve embedded in the structure;

a housing comprising a non-marking foot, the housing configured to at least partially surround the main rod; and

a nut configured to be threaded onto the main threaded portion of the main rod, wherein threading the nut onto the main threaded portion of the main rod forces the housing against the structure and forces the main rod away from the structure, thereby removing the split sleeve from the structure.

2 . The sleeve removal tool of claim 1 , wherein the housing is tubular in shape.

3 . The sleeve removal tool of claim 1 , further comprising a washer that is installed around the main threaded portion of the main rod between the nut and the housing.

4 . The sleeve removal tool of claim 1 , further comprising a pin that is configured to be removably coupled to the neck portion of the main rod, the pin comprising a diameter that permits the pin to be inserted into the split sleeve.

5 . The sleeve removal tool of claim 1 , wherein the main rod comprises an anti-rotation aperture on an end of the main rod opposite the neck portion.

6 . The sleeve removal tool of claim 1 , wherein the nose cap comprises a groove configured to accept the flare of the split sleeve.

7 . The sleeve removal tool of claim 1 , wherein:

the main threaded portion of the main rod comprises a first diameter; and

the neck portion of the main rod comprises a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter.

8 . A sleeve removal tool for removing a split sleeve embedded in a structure, the sleeve removal tool comprising:

a main rod;

a nose cap configured to:

removably couple to the main rod; and

removably couple to a flare of the split sleeve embedded in the structure;

a housing configured to at least partially surround the main rod; and

a nut configured to be threaded onto the main rod, wherein threading the nut onto the main rod forces the housing against the structure and forces the main rod away from the structure, thereby removing the split sleeve from the structure.

9 . The sleeve removal tool of claim 8 , wherein the housing is tubular in shape.

10 . The sleeve removal tool of claim 8 , further comprising a washer that is installed around the main rod between the nut and the housing.

11 . The sleeve removal tool of claim 8 , further comprising a pin that is configured to be removably coupled to the main rod, the pin comprising a diameter that permits the pin to be inserted into the split sleeve.

12 . The sleeve removal tool of claim 8 , wherein the main rod comprises an anti-rotation aperture on an end of the main rod opposite the nose cap.

13 . The sleeve removal tool of claim 12 , wherein the anti-rotation aperture comprises an aperture for an allen wrench.

14 . The sleeve removal tool of claim 8 , wherein the nose cap comprises a groove configured to accept the flare of the split sleeve.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 19, 2025
From: RODRIGUEZ, LUIS
To: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 070561/0454 →
References Cited (15)
US 3200484A · Garman · 1965 [cited by applicant]
US 3566662A · Champoux · 1971 [cited by examiner]
US 5033180A · Colson · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 5218854A · Jarzebowicz · 1993 [cited by examiner]
US 6601277B1 · Swanson · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6910252B2 · Draggie et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 7302746B2 · Kuo · 2007 [cited by examiner]
US 7484281B2 · Klann · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7926319B2 · Johnson · 2011 [cited by examiner]
US 8230566B2 · Oguri · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8353193B2 · Johnson · 2013 [cited by examiner]
US 8925167B1 · Miller · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9009937B2 · Saito et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20140345100A1 · Huang et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20230339054A1 · Berney · 2023 [cited by applicant]