US 12,453,997 B2
Repair tool
Barry McAtarsney, Loughall (GB); and Jonathan Vandenfontyne, Ieykaul (BE)
Appl. No. 18/291,698
Filed by Barry McAtarsney, Loughall (GB); and Jonathan Vandenfontyne, Ieykaul (BE)
PCT Filed Mar. 15, 2023, PCT No. PCT/EP2023/056597
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jan. 24, 2024,
PCT Pub. No. WO2023/180137, PCT Pub. Date Sep. 28, 2023.
Claims priority of application No. 2204136 (GB), filed on Mar. 24, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0261836 A1, Aug. 8, 2024
Int. Cl. B21D 1/06 (2006.01); B21D 1/12 (2006.01)
CPC B21D 1/06 (2013.01) [B21D 1/12 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A repair tool comprising:
at least first and second support elements, the first and second support elements each comprising a first end which is adhesively bonded or welded to a portion of material to be repaired and a second end distal the first end;
a spanning member engagable with the support elements, the spanning member being sized and dimensioned to span between said support elements in a spanning position above a portion of material to be repaired;
wherein in the spanning position, the spanning member, supported by the support elements, forms an elevated bridge above the site of repair and one or both of the support elements are movable relative to the spanning member in the longitudinal direction thereof after the support elements are adhesively bonded or welded to the material to be repaired to adjust the distance between the first and second support elements such that, in use, when the first and second support elements are adhesively bonded or welded to a portion of material to be repaired, a lateral tension or compression is selectively applied or released from said material by movement of one or both of the support elements towards or away from each other after the support elements are adhesively bonded or welded to the material to be repaired; and
wherein the repair tool further comprises a pull/push arrangement mountable to the spanning member between the first and second support elements configured to apply a pulling or a pushing force to a portion of the material to be repaired; and
wherein movable connection arrangements are provided between the spanning member and at least a portion of each support element such that the spanning member is rotatable laterally relative to at least a portion of the support elements, lateral being relative to the orientation of the spanning member, and to either side of the support elements, such that the area between the support elements is more readily accessible.