A tool and method for installing collapsible inserts. The tool includes a stabilizing handle which is threaded onto a tool body. The tool body is threaded onto a tool shaft. In use, a collapsible insert is threaded onto the tool and the insert is positioned in a hole in a workpiece. An actuating handle of the tool is then rotated, while holding the stabilizing handle, to cause the collapsible insert to collapse, thereby installing the insert relative to the workpiece. Once the insert has been collapsed using the tool, the actuating handle is rotated in the opposite direction, while holding the stabilizing handle, to disengage the tool from the insert. Then, a hanger is threadably inserted into the collapsed insert and a threaded rod is threaded into the hanger. Alternatively, the threaded rod is directly threadably engaged with the collapsed insert, without need for a hanger.
1. A hand tool for installing a collapsible insert comprising: a sleeve having an external surface and a throughbore, a threaded portion on the external surface and a threaded portion in the throughbore; a shaft having a handle portion proximate a first end, a first threaded portion which is threadably engaged with the threaded portion in the throughbore of the sleeve, a second threaded portion proximate a second, opposite end for threadably engaging the collapsible insert, wherein threads of the first threaded portion and threads of the second threaded portion run in opposite directions; a stabilizing handle which includes a cylindrical portion and a handle portion which extends from the cylindrical portion, said cylindrical portion including a throughbore, and a threaded portion in the throughbore of the cylindrical portion of the stabilizing handle which is threadably engaged with the threaded portion on the external surface of the sleeve.
2. A hand tool as recited in claim 1 , wherein said shaft and sleeve are engaged such that a clockwise rotation of the handle portion of the shaft causes the second end of the shaft to retract into the sleeve, thereby collapsing the collapsible insert.
3. A hand tool as recited in claim 1 , wherein the shaft and sleeve are engaged such that it takes half the number of revolutions of the handle portion of the shaft to collapse the collapsible insert than it does to disengage the shaft from the collapsible insert after the collapsible insert has fully collapsed.
4. A hand tool as recited in claim 1 , wherein said shaft and sleeve are engaged such that a clockwise rotation of the handle portion of the shaft causes the second end of the shaft to retract into the sleeve, thereby collapsing the collapsible insert, wherein the shaft and sleeve are engaged such that it takes half the number of revolutions of the handle portion of the shaft to collapse the collapsible insert than it does to disengage the shaft from the collapsible insert after the collapsible insert has fully collapsed.
5. A hand tool as recited in claim 1 , wherein the shaft includes an unthreaded portion which is disposed between the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion.
6. A hand tool as recited in claim 1 , wherein the shaft includes an enlarged diameter portion which is contactably engageable with the collapsible insert.
7. A hand tool as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes a shoulder which is contactably engageable with the collapsible insert.
8. A hand tool as recited in claim 1 , wherein a space and a groove are provided proximate an end of the sleeve for receiving a retaining ring and a snap ring, wherein the retaining ring contains and stabilizes the shaft in the sleeve, and wherein the snap ring contains the retaining ring in the sleeve.
9. A hand tool as recited in claim 1 , wherein the threaded portion on the external surface of the sleeve is only on a portion of the external surface.
10. A method of installing a collapsible insert comprising: providing a hand tool which comprises a sleeve having an external surface and a throughbore, a threaded portion on the external surface and a threaded portion in the throughbore, a shaft having a handle portion proximate a first end, a first threaded portion which is threadably engaged with the threaded portion in the throughbore of the sleeve, a second threaded portion proximate a second, opposite end for threadably engaging the collapsible insert, wherein threads of the first threaded portion and threads of the second threaded portion run in opposite directions, a stabilizing handle which includes a cylindrical portion and a handle portion which extends from the cylindrical portion, said cylindrical portion including a throughbore, and a threaded portion in the throughbore of the cylindrical portion of the stabilizing handle which is threadably engaged with the threaded portion on the external surface of the sleeve, wherein the shaft includes an enlarged diameter portion which is contactably engageable with the collapsible insert, and wherein said shaft and sleeve are engaged such that a clockwise rotation of the handle portion of the shaft causes the second end of the shaft to retract into the sleeve, thereby collapsing the collapsible insert; rotating the handle portion of the shaft of the hand tool until the second threaded portion extends out of the sleeve of the hand tool; threading the collapsible insert onto the second threaded portion of the shaft until the collapsible insert contacts the enlarged diameter portion of the shaft; rotating the handle portion of the shaft clockwise, while holding the stabilizing handle, until the collapsible insert contacts the sleeve; inserting the collapsible insert into a hole; and further rotating the handle portion of the shaft clockwise, while holding the stabilizing handle, to cause the collapsible insert to collapse.
11. A method as recited in claim 10 , further comprising rotating the handle portion of the shaft in a counter-clockwise direction, while holding the stabilizing handle, to disengage the second threaded portion of the shaft from the insert.
12. A method as recited in claim 10 , further comprising providing that the shaft and sleeve are engaged such that it takes half the number of revolutions of the handle portion of the shaft to collapse the collapsible insert than it does to disengage the shaft from the collapsible insert after the collapsible insert has fully collapsed.