Methods and Apparatuses for Extracting Fasteners

Abstract

A method for removing a fastener with an extractor tool. The method comprising providing the fastener and the extractor tool, wherein the fastener includes a head portion and the extractor tool includes a drive head, a torque-tool body, an external thread, and a tubular sleeve. The method further comprising driving the torque-tool body of the extractor tool into an engagement recess of the fastener head portion and applying rotational force to the extractor tool to rotate the fastener. The method further comprising rotating the tubular sleeve along the external thread and into contact with the fastener, pressing the external sleeve axially against the fastener to remove the fastener from the extractor tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for engaging a fastener, the method comprising the following steps:
 providing a fastener;   providing an extractor tool, the extractor tool having a drive head, a torque-tool body, an external thread, and a tubular sleeve;   driving the torque-tool body of the extractor tool into an engagement recess of the fastener;   applying rotational force to the extractor tool to rotate the fastener; and   rotating the tubular sleeve along the external thread and into contact with the fastener, pressing the external sleeve axially against the fastener to remove the fastener from the extractor tool.   
     
     
         2 . The method for engaging a fastener of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 drilling the engagement recess in the head portion of the fastener prior to driving the torque-tool body of the extractor tool into the engagement recess.   
     
     
         3 . The method for engaging a fastener of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing a first external torque tool; and   engaging the first external torque tool with the drive head of the extractor tool to apply rotational force to the extractor tool.   
     
     
         4 . The method for engaging a fastener of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing a second external torque tool; and   engaging the second external torque tool with the tubular sleeve to rotate the tubular sleeve along the external thread.   
     
     
         5 . The method for engaging a fastener of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 applying percussion blows to the drive head of the extractor tool to drive the torque-tool body into the engagement recess.   
     
     
         6 . The method for engaging a fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the torque-tool body further comprises at least one engagement tooth configured to cut at least one groove into internal sidewalls of the engagement recess. 
     
     
         7 . The method for engaging a fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular sleeve is threadedly engaged with the external thread and configured to move axially along a rotational axis of the extractor tool when rotated relative to the external thread. 
     
     
         8 . The method for engaging a fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the torque-tool body further comprises a plurality of laterally-bracing sidewalls and at least one engagement feature. 
     
     
         9 . The method for engaging a fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener further comprises a head portion, wherein the engagement recess is arranged in the head portion. 
     
     
         10 . The method for engaging a fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the step of driving the torque-tool body into the engagement recess further comprises cutting at least one groove into an internal sidewall of the fastener recess. 
     
     
         11 . The method for engaging a fastener of  claim 1 , wherein an outer diameter of the torque-tool body is greater than a diameter of the engagement recess. 
     
     
         12 . A method for engaging a fastener, the method comprising the following steps:
 providing a fastener;   providing an extractor tool, the extractor tool having a drive head, a torque-tool body, an external thread, and a tubular sleeve;   wherein the torque-tool body further comprises a plurality of laterally-bracing sidewalls and at least one engagement feature;   driving the torque-tool body of the extractor tool into an engagement recess of the fastener;   providing a first external torque arm;   engaging the first external torque tool with the drive head of the extractor tool to apply rotational force to the extractor tool   providing a second external torque arm; and   engaging the second external torque tool with the tubular sleeve to rotate the tubular sleeve along the external thread and into contact with the fastener, pressing the external sleeve axially against the fastener to remove the fastener from the extractor tool.   
     
     
         13 . The method for engaging a fastener of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 drilling the engagement recess in the head portion of the fastener prior to driving the torque-tool body of the extractor tool into the engagement recess.   
     
     
         14 . The method for engaging a fastener of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 applying percussion blows to the drive head of the extractor tool to drive the torque-tool body into the engagement recess.   
     
     
         15 . The method for engaging a fastener of  claim 12 , wherein the torque-tool body further comprises at least one engagement tooth configured to cut at least one groove into internal sidewalls of the engagement recess. 
     
     
         16 . The method for engaging a fastener of  claim 12 , wherein the tubular sleeve is threadedly engaged with the external thread and configured to move axially along a rotational axis of the extractor tool when rotated relative to the external thread. 
     
     
         17 . The method for engaging a fastener of  claim 12 , wherein the fastener further comprises a head portion, wherein the engagement recess is arranged in the head portion. 
     
     
         18 . The method for engaging a fastener of  claim 12 , wherein the step of driving the torque-tool body into the engagement recess further comprises cutting at least one groove into an internal sidewall of the fastener recess. 
     
     
         19 . The method for engaging a fastener of  claim 12 , wherein an outer diameter of the torque-tool body is greater than a diameter of the engagement recess.