U.S. patent application number 10/544162 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-09 for toothless crimpling tool for plastic pipe connectors.
Invention is credited to Richard A. Steiner.
Application Number | 20060048560 10/544162 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32736216 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060048560 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Steiner; Richard A. |
March 9, 2006 |
Toothless crimpling tool for plastic pipe connectors
Abstract
In a preferred embodiment, a crimping tool to crimp a
cylindrical ring about cylindrical plastic pipe, including: first
and second handles operative to open and close first and second
jaws, respectively, pivotally attached, respectively, to proximal
ends of the first and second handles and to each other; and the
first and second jaws being toothless and defining therebetween,
when the first and second jaws are closed, a cylindrical opening,
the cylindrical opening to crimp the cylindrical ing about the
cylindrical plastic pipe, and to produce a tight seal between the
cylindrical plastic pipe, and to produce a tight seal between the
cylindrical plastic pipe and a cylindrical substrate over which the
cylindrical plastic pipe is inserted. A method of using the
crimping tool is provided, as is using the crimping tool as a
crimping gauge.
Inventors: |
Steiner; Richard A.; (East
Hadden, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOHN H CROZIER
1934 HUNTINGTON TURNPIKE
TRUMBULL
CT
06611
US
|
Family ID: |
32736216 |
Appl. No.: |
10/544162 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
January 28, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US04/02225 |
371 Date: |
July 29, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
72/409.19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25B 7/12 20130101; B25B
27/10 20130101; B25B 27/146 20130101; B21D 39/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
072/409.19 |
International
Class: |
B21D 39/04 20060101
B21D039/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 29, 2003 |
US |
10353615 |
Claims
1. A crimping tool to crimp a cylindrical ring about cylindrical
plastic pipe, comprising: (a) first and second handles operative to
open and close first and second jaws, respectively, pivotally
attached, respectively, to proximal ends of said first and second
handles and to each other, and (b) said first and second jaws being
toothless and defining therebetween, when said first and second
jaws are closed, a cylindrical opening, said cylindrical opening to
crimp said cylindrical ring about said cylindrical plastic pipe,
and to produce a tight seal between said cylindrical plastic pipe
and a cylindrical substrate over which said cylindrical plastic
pipe is inserted.
2. A crimping tool to crimp a cylindrical ring about cylindrical
plastic pipe, as defined in claim 1, first and second smooth
surfaces above, and first and second smooth surfaces below, said
cylindrical opening, said first and second smooth surfaces above
said cylindrical opening being in abutting relationship when said
first and second jaws are closed and said first and second smooth
surfaces below said cylindrical opening being in abutting
relationship when said first and second jaws are closed.
3. A crimping tool to crimp a cylindrical ring about cylindrical
plastic pipe, as defined in claim 2, wherein: said abutting
relationship occurs in a common plane.
4. A crimping tool to crimp a cylindrical ring about cylindrical
plastic pipe, as defined in claim 1, further comprising: means to
limit the distance apart said first and second jaws can be opened,
such that distal ends of said jaws may be used to gauge whether
said ring has been crimped to a specified diameter.
5. A crimping tool to crimp a cylindrical ring about cylindrical
plastic pipe, as defined in claim 5, wherein: said means to limit
comprises a set screw threading inserted through one of said first
and second jaws, a distal end of said set screw bearing against an
inner surface of a second one of said first and second jaws.
6. A method of using a crimping tool to crimp a cylindrical ring
around cylindrical plastic pipe, comprising: (a) providing a
crimping tool having first and second handles operative to open and
close first and second jaws, respectively, pivotally attached,
respectively, to proximal ends of said first and second handles and
to each other; and said first and second jaws being toothless and
defining therebetween, when said first and second jaws are closed,
a cylindrical opening, said first and second jaws to crimp said
cylindrical ring about said cylindrical plastic pipe, and to
produce a tight seal between said cylindrical plastic pipe and a
cylindrical substrate over which said cylindrical plastic pipe is
inserted; (b) sliding said cylindrical ring over said cylindrical
plastic pipe; (c) opening said crimping tool and moving said
crimping tool over said cylindrical ring; and (d) closing said
crimping tool about said cylindrical ring.
7. A method of using a crimping tool to crimp a cylindrical ring
around cylindrical plastic pipe, as defined in claim 6, further
comprising: (e) using said crimping tool to gauge whether said
crimping ring has been crimped to a proper diameter.
8. A method of using a crimping tool to crimp a cylindrical ring
around cylindrical plastic pipe, as defined in claim 7, further
comprising: providing means to limit distance apart said first and
second jaws can be opened and using distal ends of said first and
second jaws to gauge.
9. A method of using a crimping tool to crimp a cylindrical ring
around cylindrical plastic pipe, as defined in claim 6, further
comprising: moving said cylindrical ring to approximately middle of
said substrate.
10. A method of using a crimping tool to crimp a cylindrical ring
around cylindrical plastic pipe, as defined in claim 6, further
comprising: producing a said cylindrical crimped ring having
minimal imperfections in an external peripheral surface
thereof.
11. A method using a crimping tool to a crimp cylindrical ring
around cylindrical plastic pipe, as defined in claim 6, further
comprising: providing first and second smooth surfaces above said
cylindrical opening, and first and second smooth surfaces below
said cylindrical opening, said first and second smooth surfaces
above said cylindrical opening being in abutting relationship when
said first and second jaws are closed and said first and second
smooth surfaces below said cylindrical opening being in abutting
relationship when said first and second jaws are closed.
12. A method of using a crimping tool to crimp a cylindrical ring
around cylindrical plastic pipe, as defined in claim 11, further
comprising: providing said abutting relationship occurring in a
common plane.
13. A method of using a crimping tool to crimp cylindrical rings
around cylindrical plastic pipe, as defined in claim 6, further
comprising: providing about 15-20 percent of the crimping force
required by conventional crimping tools.
14. A crimping tool to crimp a cylindrical ring about cylindrical
plastic pipe, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said cylindrical
opening crimps said cylindrical ring substantially 90.degree.
perpendicular to said cylindrical plastic pipe and said cylindrical
substrate, even when said cylindrical plastic pipe is initially
skewed as much as 15 percent from a major axis of said cylindrical
opening.
15. A method of using a crimping tool to crimp cylindrical rings
around cylindrical plastic pipe, as defined in claim 6, further
comprising: providing said cylindrical opening to crimp said
cylindrical ring substantially 90.degree. perpendicular to said
cylindrical plastic pipe and said cylindrical substate, even when
said cylindrical plastic pipe is initially skewed as much as 15
percent from a major axis of said cylindrical opening.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to crimping tools generally
and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a novel
crimping tool for plastic pipe connectors and method of use
thereof, the tool having toothless jaws. Also provided is such a
tool that can be used to gauge whether crimps have been properly
made.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] The present invention is concerned with crimping, typically
although not necessarily, copper alloy metallic rings around
polyethylene plastic pipe to attach the pipe to metallic fittings.
The fillings may be tee fittings or coupling fittings, for example.
Such plastic pipe has become more and more used in construction, as
it is relatively inexpensive and much more inexpensive to
install.
[0003] A disadvantage of conventional crimping tools is that the
jaws thereof are interlocking, with teeth at the top and bottom of
one jaw in the opening defined by the jaws interfitting with
complementarily shaped slots defined in the other jaw. As a
consequence, the resulting marks and imperfections, or skiving and
gouging of the crimped rings, caused by the interlocking teeth on
the rings are unsightly.
[0004] Furthermore, because the presence of interlocking teeth
requires that the opening defined by the jaws be located a
relatively large distance from the pivot points of the jaws, in
order to increase the required mechanical advantage, a relatively
high force is required to crimp the rings. Also, the presence of
the interlocking teeth does not allow a great degree of freedom in
skew of the pipe being crimped and the toothed jaws are likely to
cause skewed crimped rings.
[0005] Following crimping with a conventional tool, the degree of
crimping of a ring is determined by gauging with a separate tool to
make sure that the crimping ring has been crimped to an
ASTM-specified diameter. The separate tool is typically a flat
piece of metal having outwardly open, semi-circular openings
defined therethrough, one pair of openings being provided for each
size crimp to be gauged. One of the openings is a NO GO opening,
meaning that, if a crimped ring can be inserted into the NO GO
opening, then that crimped ring does not meet ASTM specifications
for crimping because the crimp is undersized. If the ring can be
inserted in the other of the openings, which is a GO opening, then
the ASTM specification for crimping has been met, provided that the
ring cannot be inserted into the NO GO opening. If the ring cannot
be inserted into the GO opening, then the crimped ring does not
meet the ASTM requirements for crimping because the crimp is
oversized. While the separate tool is satisfactory, it does require
that the separate tool be kept in the vicinity of the work, and is
subject to be lost or misplaced. The separate tool also requires
that the crimping tool be removed from the work area or set aside
while the crimping ring is gauged.
[0006] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present
invention to provide a crimping tool in which the jaws thereof are
toothless.
[0007] It is a further object of the invention to provide such a
tool in which the pivots pins of the jaws defining the opening can
be located farther away from the distal ends of the jaws, thus
increasing mechanical advantage.
[0008] It is an additional object of the invention to provide such
a tool and method of use that require less crimping force.
[0009] It is another object of the invention to provide such a tool
and method of use that are economical.
[0010] It is yet a further object of the invention to provide such
a tool that can be used to gauge whether a crimping ring has been
crimped sufficiently to meet required specifications.
[0011] Other objects of the present invention, as well as
particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be
elucidated in, or be apparent from, the following description and
the accompanying drawing figure.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0012] The present invention achieves the above objects, among
others, by providing, in a preferred embodiment, a crimping tool to
crimp a cylindrical rings about cylindrical plastic pipe,
comprising: first and second handles operative to open and close
first and second jaws, respectively, pivotally attached,
respectively, to proximal ends of said first and second handles and
to each other; and said first and second jaws being toothless and
defining therebetween, when said first and second jaws are closed,
a cylindrical opening, said cylindrical opening to crimp said
cylindrical ring about said cylindrical plastic pipe, and to
produce a tight seal between said cylindrical plastic pipe and a
cylindrical substrate over which said cylindrical plastic pipe is
inserted. A method of using said crimping tool is provided, as is
using said crimping tool as a crimping gauge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] Understanding of the present invention and the various
aspects thereof will be facilitated by reference to the
accompanying drawing figures, provided for purposes of illustration
only and not intended to define the scope of the invention, on
which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a crimping tool
constructed according to the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a coupling fitting with
which the present invention may be used.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of an end of a length of
plastic pipe.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a tee fitting with
which the present invention may be used.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the tool
in position to crimp a ring around an end of plastic pipe.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the tool
crimping a ring around an end of plastic pipe.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of another
embodiment of a tool according to the present invention being used
to gage the degree of crimping of a crimped ring.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0021] Reference should now be made to the drawing figures on which
similar or identical elements are given consistent identifying
numerals throughout the various figures thereof, and on which
parenthetical references to figure numbers, when used, direct the
reader to the view(s) on which the element(s) being described is
(are) best seen, although the element(s) may be seen on other
figures also.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a crimping tool, constructed according to
the present invention, and generally indicated by the reference
numeral 20. Crimping tool 20 includes first and second handles 30
and 32 pivotally connected by a pin 34. Pivotally connected,
respectively, to handles 30 and 32 by pins 40 and 42 disposed at
the proximal ends of the handles are first and second toothless
jaws 44 and 46. First and second toothless jaws 44 and 46 are
pivotally joined, respectively, by a link 50 extending between pins
52 and 54 disposed at approximately the midpoint of the jaws. A
conventional ratchet mechanism 60 is disposed between handles 30
and 32. Since ratchet mechanism 60 is well known in the art, no
further description thereof will be provided. A conventional
adjustable linkage may also be provided in place of ratchet
mechanism 60. When crimping tool 20 is in the closed position
shown, first and second toothless jaws 44 and 46 define a
substantially cylindrical opening 70.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a coupling fitting with which the
crimping tool of the present invention may be used, the coupling
being generally indicated by the reference numeral 100. Coupling
fitting 100 includes two barbs 110 and 112 extending axially from a
central portion 114.
[0024] FIG. 3A illustrates the end of a length of plastic pipe
120.
[0025] FIG. 3B illustrates a cylindrical copper alloy ring 130.
[0026] FIG. 3C illustrates a tee fitting with which the crimping
tool of the present invention may be used, the tee fitting being
generally indicated by the reference numeral 140. Tee fitting 140
includes three barbs 142, 144, and 146 extending from a central
portion 148, as shown.
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates plastic pipes 120 inserted over barbs 142
and 146, with crimping rings 130 disposed therearound. It will be
understood that pipes 120 and rings 130 have been inserted over
barbs 142 and 146 by being moved in the directions shown by the
arrows on FIGS. 3A and 3B. The left side of FIG. 4 shows crimping
ring 130 uncrimped, while the right side of FIG. 4 shows crimping
ring 130 crimped. In the crimping process, the diameter of crimping
ring 130 is decreased by about four to six percent and the length
thereof is increased by about one and one-half to about five
percent, to form a tight seal to be formed between plastic pipe 120
and barb 146. The width of first and second toothless jaws 44 and
46 is somewhat greater than the width of crimped crimping ring
130.
[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates crimping ring 130 inserted over plastic
pipe 120, the latter having been inserted over barb 146, with
crimping tool 20 in an open position and having jaws 44 and 46
spread apart and in position to crimp the crimping ring around the
plastic pipe.
[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates that first and second toothless jaws 44
and 46 have been moved to their closed position, crimping ring 130
about plastic pipe 120. It will be noted from FIG. 6 that smooth
surfaces 160 and 162 and smooth surfaces 164 and 166, at the top
and the bottom, respectively, of opening 70 (FIG. 1) are in
abutting relationship and that the opening defined by the jaws is
substantially cylindrical. Smooth surfaces 160 and 162 and smooth
surfaces 164 and 166 abut in a common plane. As with conventional
crimping tools, crimping tool 20 first forms crimping ring into an
oval shape and then into a circular shape. Unsightly marks and
imperfections, or skiving and gouging, on the outer periphery of
crimping ring 130 are thus eliminated or minimized, resulting in a
more professional appearance.
[0030] Although not apparent from inspection of FIGS. 5 and 6, pipe
120 can be skewed as much as 15 percent from the axis of opening 70
and tool 20 will compensate for this skew by straightening out the
pipe and producing a tight seal, a feature not possible with
conventional toothed jaws that tend to produce a skewed crimped
crimping ring 130.
[0031] Comparing crimping tool 20 (FIG. 1) with the conventional
crimping tools shown in the Catalog Brochure titled SARGENT QUALITY
TOOLS--PROFESSIONAL PLUMBING TOOLS, by Rostra Tool Company,
Branford, Conn., it can be seen that opening 70 and pivot pins 52
and 54 are located substantially closer together on crimping tool
20 than are the like elements on the conventional crimping tools.
For a 1/2 crimping tool 20, this distance is about 2.8-3.0
centimeters versus about 3.5 centimeters for a conventional
crimping tool. This placement means that mechanical advantage can
be increased with crimping tool 20 and the crimping force is
reduced by about 15-20 percent. The crimping force, for example,
required by a 1/2'' tool constructed according to the present
invention is about 60 to 70 pounds applied 1-3/4'' from the distal
ends of handles 30 and 32. The additional mechanical gain also
leads to greater tool life and less field calibration.
[0032] Crimping tool 20 minimizes distortion of crimping rings 130
not crimping accurately 90.degree. perpendicular to the pipe and
fitting axes. Cold working of crimped rings 130 is achieved without
the resistance in the tooth and valley areas of conventional
toothed jaws. Because of the increased mechanical advantage, tool
20 can be made lighter than conventional toothed crimping tools
and, therefore, user fatigue is minimized and productivity is
improved.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is illustrated an alternative
embodiment of crimping tool 20 (FIG. 1), this embodiment indicated
generally by the reference numeral 20'. Elements of crimping tool
20' having the same or similar functions as elements of crimping
tool 20' are given primed reference numerals. For a description of
the functions of the foregoing elements of crimping tool 20',
reference should be made to the previous drawing figures.
[0034] Crimping tool 20' includes a set screw 200 threadingly
inserted through first toothless jaw 44', the distal end 202 of set
screw 200 bearing against the inside surface of second toothless
jaw 46' to limit the distance apart first and second toothless jaws
44' and 46' can be opened. Set screw 200 is thus used to adjust
distance "A" between, respectively, smooth surfaces 160' and 162'
of first and second toothless jaws 44' and 46' when the first and
second toothless jaws are opened fully. This distance is set to the
ASTM specification for crimped rings of the size for which crimping
tool 20' is designed. Thus, crimping tool 20' can be used to pass
over crimped crimping ring 130 to verify that the crimping ring has
been crimped to the proper diameter. Thus, crimping tool 20' acts
as a crimp gauge, eliminating inspection with an independent tool.
Such would be difficult, if not impossible, with toothed jaws.
[0035] Reference first primarily to FIGS. 3A-3C, in use, crimping
ring 130 is slid over plastic pipe 120. Then, plastic pipe 120 is
pushed over barb 142 and the crimping ring 130 is positioned to
approximately the middle of the barb. Then, crimping tool 20 (FIG.
5) is opened and moved over crimping ring 130. Then, crimping tool
20 (FIG. 6) is fully closed so that smooth surfaces 160 and 162 and
smooth surfaces 164 and 166 are in abutting relationship. Then,
crimping ring 130 is gauged to make sure that the crimping step has
been done properly. If tool crimping 20' is employed, that tool
itself is used to verify that the crimping step has been done
properly.
[0036] Although various sizes of crimping tools 20 (FIG. 1) and 20'
(FIG. 7) may be provided, the crimping tools may be sized to
accommodate crimping rings 130 for pipe sizes 3/8'', 1/2'', 5/8'',
3/4'', 1'', and 1-1/4'', for example.
[0037] In the embodiments of the present invention described above,
it will be recognized that individual elements and/or features
thereof are not necessarily limited to a particular embodiment but,
where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in any
selected embodiment even though such may not be specifically
shown.
[0038] Spatially orienting terms such as "above", "below", "upper",
"lower", "inner", "outer", "inwardly", "outwardly", "vertical",
"horizontal", and the like, when used herein, refer to the
positions of the respective elements shown on the accompanying
drawing figures and the present invention is not necessarily
limited to such positions.
[0039] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among
those elucidated in, or made apparent from, the preceding
description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes
may be made in the above construction and method without departing
from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter
contained in the above description or shown on the accompanying
drawing figures shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not
in a limiting sense.
[0040] It is also to be understood that the following claims are
intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the
invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the
invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall
therebetween.
* * * * *