This invention relates to apparatus for dismantling bolted connections and in particular to apparatus for removing a nut from such a connection.

It is sometimes extremely difficult to remove a nut by conventional means, especially after prolonged exposure to a corrosive environment, for example seawater. Whilst there are power driven tools such as hydraulic wrenches, it is often easier to simply cut the nut away or burn through it with a blow torch. Both of these methods have their own problems and/or risks, so relatively simple tools for splitting nuts have been developed.

A known nut splitter comprises a nut-encircling frame, or clamp which supports a cutting blade and means for forcing the blade into the side face of the nut to split it apart.

Common problems with existing nut splitters include the

need for frequent blade replacement due to wear and tear, but more especially due to actual damage which is not repairable by re-grinding/sharpening. When as often happens the blade tip breaks off, a new blade is essential.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the performance of a conventional nut splitter.

According to the present invention, a nut splitter comprises a nut-encircling frame, a blade supported by and displaceable relative to said frame together with means for effecting said relative movement in a direction to split a nut within said frame, the cutting edge of said blade being formed with a blunt, rounded cross-section at said edge.

The blade is preferably triangular in cross-section, with an included angle at the cutting edge of from 40-60°. The blunted tip preferably has a radius of from 0.5 to 2.5 mm. It is also preferred that the distal ends of the cutting •edge are also rounded, the exact degree of rounding being not particularly critical.

According to a further aspect of the invention the blade is symmetrical in cross-section, each of the three apices of the resultant equilateral triangle being formed as a cutting edge of the kind just set forth. By this means, a single blade can be provided with three working edges instead of the one previously available. In the event of

damage the blade need only be rotated through 120° in order to present a different working edge for use. Advantageously the nut splitter further incorporates a blade holder adapted to removably receive a blade having the cross-section of an equilateral triangle, thereby facilitating changing the working edge as necessary. The blade holder preferably includes means for retaining the blade. In practice a spring loaded ball detent is satisfactory for this, although other easily releasable means such as spring clips may be employed.

Surprisingly it has been found that the blunt, rounded edge profile of this invention is more efficient and considerably less vulnerable to damage than a conventional blade edge used for nut splitting. To illustrate this, the durability of a conventional, relatively sharp blade was compared with that of a blade with an edge according to this invention. Almost regardless of the metal used, the relatively sharp blade proved very liable to damage, including fracture of some or all of the cutting edge. Failure occurred after splitting only a very small number of nuts, in some cases only a single nut. By contrast, the cutting edge of the present invention proved to be almost indestructible.

In order that the invention be better understood a preferred embodiment of it will now be described by way of

example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a plan view partly in section of a nut splitter according to the invention,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a cutting blade for use in the nut splitter of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional end view of the blade of Figure 2 on line X-X thereof,

Figure 4 is a further cross-sectional end view of the blade of Figure 2, but on line Y-Y thereof,

Figure 5 is a plan view of a blade holder for the nut splitter of Figure 1, and

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the tool holder of Figure 5, on line Z-Z thereof.

In the interests of simplicity, like parts in all Figures employ the same reference numerals.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, the nut splitter comprises a nut-encircling frame 1 located at one end of a tubular extension 2. The frame shown mounted around a nut 3 on a bolt 4. The extension 2 comprises a hydraulic cylinder 5

and a piston 6, together with a disengagement spring 7, the latter serving to bias the piston away from the nut 3. An internal collar 8 serves as a sleeve bearing for a piston rod 9 which carries at its free end a cutting blade holder 10 attached by set screws 21. A blade 11 is shown seated in a recess 12 in the holder 10, the latter being best seen in Figures 5 and 6. The blade itself is best seen in Figures 2-4.

The cylinder 5 has an oil inlet port 13 for the admission of hydraulic oil.

In operation, the piston and cylinder device is energised via port 13, to drive the blade 11 to engage the nut 3, trapping it firmly between the blade 11 and a blunt abutment convexly rounded or flattened as shown at 14 on the inside of the frame 1 and located diametrically opposite to the blade 11. The latter is progressively driven into the nut 3 causing it to split apart along the diameter just mentioned.

Figure 2 shows the blade 11 of Figure 1 in side elevation with its distal corners 16 all rounded, to a radius of 2.0 mm.

In Figure 3, the section on X-X shows the blade corners 16 rounded to a radius of 1.5 - 1.8 mm and in both Figure 2

and Figure 3 ball detent recesses 20 are shown roughly intermediate the ends of the blade 11.

Figure 4 corresponds to Figure 3, but shows the blade cross-section without the ball detent recesses 20.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, the blade holder 10 is circular in plan and drilled for the mounting screws 21, (shown in Figure 1 only) . The face of the holder contains a dovetail recess 22 into which the base of the triangular blade slides until a spring loaded ball detent 25 engages in one of the detent recesses 20. It will be apparent that with a blade of the preferred form, changing the working/cutting edge is a matter of pressing out the blade, turning through 120° and then replacing it in the recess 22 to present one of the previous base edges as the cutting edge.