U.S. patent number 3,731,518 [Application Number 05/146,975] was granted by the patent office on 1973-05-08 for crimping die arrangement.
Invention is credited to Glen L. Blocher.
United States Patent |
3,731,518 |
Blocher |
May 8, 1973 |
CRIMPING DIE ARRANGEMENT
Abstract
The specification discloses a crimping device, especially for
crimping fittings on high pressure hoses and the like, in which a
separable die is made up of a pair of die bodies having registering
cavities to receive the fittings to be crimped. The die bodies have
radially disposed crimping fingers which are all actuated inwardly
toward the center of the cavity simultaneously in a positive
manner, thereby to effect uniform crimping of the fitting on the
hose, or the like, so that the crimped off fitting will be capable
of holding high pressures and will be perfectly round in the
crimped region thereof.
Inventors: |
Blocher; Glen L. (North
Manchester, IN) |
Family
ID: |
22519825 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/146,975 |
Filed: |
May 26, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
72/402;
29/237 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21D
41/00 (20130101); H01R 43/058 (20130101); Y10T
29/5367 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
43/04 (20060101); B21D 41/00 (20060101); H01R
43/058 (20060101); B21d 041/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;72/402
;29/237,515,517 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lanham; Charles W.
Assistant Examiner: Keenan; M. J.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a die for crimping fittings on tubular members such as hoses
and the like: first and second separable die bodies having
registering cavity means adapted to confine a fitting when the die
bodies close on each other, sets of crimping fingers in said die
bodies extending radially from said cavity means and reciprocal in
the respective die bodies radially of the respective cavity means,
an actuator member pertaining to each die body and disposed on the
side thereof opposite the other die body and engaging the radially
outer ends of all of the respective crimping fingers, and means for
moving said actuator members toward said die bodies when the die
bodies close on each other to move equally all of said crimping
fingers radially inwardly toward the center of a fitting in said
cavity means.
2. A crimping die according to claim 1 which includes a lost motion
connection between each die body and the respective actuating
member, each said set of crimping fingers being retracted from said
cavity means when the respective die body is at one limit of the
lost motion connection thereof with the pertaining actuator member
and moving toward said cavity means when said die body moves toward
the other limit of said connection.
3. A crimping die according to claim 1 which includes means
supporting each die body on the pertaining actuator member when
said die bodies are separated and releasing each die body for
movement toward the pertaining actuator member when said die bodies
closed on each other in fitting confining relation.
4. A crimping die according to claim 1 which includes cam means
interposed between each die body and the pertaining actuator member
and normally supporting the die body in spaced relation to the
actuator member, and means operable in response to movement of said
actuator members to close said die bodies on each other in fitting
confining relation to actuate said cam means into position to
permit said actuator members to move toward said die bodies and
thereby actuate said crimping fingers in a crimping operation.
5. A crimping die according to claim 4 which includes means for
releasing said cam means simultaneously and gradually to provide
for positive actuation of all of said crimping fingers
simultaneously.
6. A crimping die according to claim 5 in which each cam means is
in the form of a cam member slidable in the respective actuator
member and spring urged toward die body supporting position, a
first plunger also slidable in the respective actuator member and
operatively engaging said cam member, a second plunger fixed to the
other actuator member and adapted to engage said first plunger at
about the time said die bodies close on each other, said second
plunger moving said first plunger to actuate said cam member in die
body releasing direction in response to movement of said actuator
members toward each other after said die bodies close on each
other.
7. A crimping die according to claim 6 in which each cam member is
bar-like and has a cam surface between the ends thereof, a cam
follower on the pertaining die body engaging said cam surface, a
spring urging said cam member toward die body supporting position,
an inclined end on said cam member, and an inclined end on said
first plunger engaging the inclined end on said cam member.
8. A crimping die according to claim 1 which includes means
supporting said actuator members for movement toward each other to
close said die bodies on each other and away from each other to
separate said die bodies, and means operable during continued
movement of said actuator members toward each other after said die
bodies close on each other for positively actuating said crimping
fingers in the radially inward direction thereof
simultaneously.
9. A crimping die according to claim 8 in which each actuator
member has a recess therein facing the other actuator member, each
die body being mounted in a respective said recess, said crimping
fingers having the radially outer ends engaging the surface of the
respective recess and being spring biased radially outwardly in the
respective die body, the radially inner ends of said crimping
fingers being formed to crimp a fitting and being disposed radially
outwardly from the limits of a said fitting in the die prior to
movement of the pertaining actuating member toward the respective
die body.
10. A crimping die according to claim 1 in which said cavity means
comprises a pair of cavities in each die body, the cavities in each
die body registering with those in the other die body when the die
bodies are closed on each other whereby two fittings can be
confined by the die bodies, and a set of crimping fingers in each
die body for each cavity therein.
Description
The present invention relates to a crimping tool, and is
particularly concerned with a crimping tool which is adapted for
crimping fittings on high pressure hydraulic hoses, and the
like.
Crimping tools for crimping fittings on hoses, and the like, are
known and, therefore, have been generally satisfactory in respect
of lower pressure applications. However, when high pressures are
encountered in hydraulic systems, and the like, known crimping
devices have proved to be defective in that they did not always
crimp the fitting uniformly about the hose and, therefore, did not
provide for uniform resistance to pressure about the entire
fitting.
With the foregoing in mind, a primary objective of the present
invention is the provision of a crimping tool which will produce
superior results when employed for crimping fittings about hoses
and the like.
A still further object of the present invention is the provision of
a crimping die arrangement for crimping fittings on hoses and the
like which produces results such that high pressures can be
contained by the thus crimped fittings without leakage.
Still another object is the provision of a crimping tool of the
nature referred to in which all portions of the fitting crimped in
the tool receive the same treatment.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a crimping
tool of the nature referred to in which the crimped fitting is
round when it is removed from the crimping tool.
Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a
crimping tool of the nature referred to which will produce superior
results but which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and to
maintain.
Still another object of this invention is the provision of a
crimping tool in which more than one type or size of fitting can be
crimped.
The foregoing objects as well as still other objects and advantages
of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference
to the following detailed specification taken in connection with
the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a side view of a crimping die arrangement according to
the invention and partly in section;
FIG. 2 is a view looking in at the left side of FIG. 1 and also
partly in section; and
FIG. 3 is a sectional view indicated by line III--III on FIG. 1,
showing therefrom crimping fingers.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, two die bodies are provided
having cavity means formed therein which define at least one cavity
for confining a fitting when the die bodies are closed on each
other. Each die body carries a set of radial fingers adapted for
being projected into each thus formed cavity for crimping a fitting
in the cavity inwardly about the hose, or the like, which is in the
fitting. According to the present invention, the fingers are
normally radially outside the limits of the cavity means in the die
blocks and are only moveable into the cavity means when the die
bodies have been brought together. Each die body has associated on
the side thereof opposite the other die body, an actuating member
engaging the radially outer ends of the crimping fingers pertaining
to the respective die body and upon the bringing together of the
die bodies, the actuating members are progressively released for
simultaneous movement toward the die bodies to actuate the crimping
fingers radially inwardly so as to crimp a fitting in the die
bodies inwardly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings somewhat more in detail, in FIGS. 1 and
2, reference numerals 10 and 12 designate the portions of a die set
in which the crimping die assembly of the present invention is
adapted for being mounted with the die set including the usual
guide pins and guide bushings to guide the parts of the crimping
die assembly of the present invention toward and away from each
other when placed in a suitable actuating device, such as a
pneumatic press, or the like.
Mounted on each of the elements 10 and 12 of the die set is a first
block member 14 on element 10 and block member 16 on element 12.
Each of the block members is provided with a recess 18 opening
toward the other and in each of the recesses 18 is a second block
member 20 pertaining to block member 14 and block member 22
pertaining to block member 16. Block members 14 and 16 form
actuating members and block members 20 and 22 form die bodies.
Each of the die bodies 20 and 22 is provided with a plurality of
radial grooves or slots 24 formed therein extending inwardly from
each end and in each of which is reciprocably mounted a respective
crimping finger 26.
As will be seen in FIG. 3, each crimping finger 26 has a pin 28
mounted therein which is engaged by compression spring 30 biasing
the respective crimping finger in the radial outward direction. On
each end of each of the block members 22, there is mounted an end
cap, or cover plate, 32, retained in position as by cap screws 34
and serving to close the outer ends of slots 26 and also grooved
for containing the biasing springs 30 and providing bearings for
the radially inner ends thereof.
Each of the die bodies 20, 22, and the pertaining end caps 32 are
provided with a central axial cut-out or recess forming cavity
means which register when the parts of the crimping die assembly
are closed on each other so as to confine a fitting which is to be
crimped on a hose or the like, while at the same time, locating the
said hose.
For example, end caps 32 are provided with arcuate cut-outs 36
having a diameter substantially conforming to that of the hose or
other element which is to be provided with a fitting. The die
bodies 20 and 22, on the other hand, are recessed as indicated at
38 so that a fitting to be crimped on the hose can be placed
therein. Advantageously, the recessed portion 38 in the die bodies
20, 22 exposes the radially inner ends of crimping fingers 26 so
that the fitting can rest directly thereon.
As will be seen in FIG. 3, the recessed portion 38 of block 22
exposes the ends of crimping fingers 26 and also communicates with
a recess 40 formed on the inside of the adjacent cover plate 32 so
that a fitting to be crimped on a hose can be placed in the
resulting cavity resting on the radially inner ends of crimping
fingers 26 and aligned with a hose or like member extending through
the cut-out portion 36 in the respective end plate.
Each die body 20, 22 is provided with at least one pin 42 extending
therefrom into a bore 44 provided in the adjacent one of actuating
members 14, 16. Pin 42 has an elongated undercut region 46 engaged
by a pin 48 extending through a bore provided therefore in the
respective actuating member and retained in place by a plate member
50. Groove pins 42 and 48 normally hold the respective die body
captive on the respective actuator member while permitting relative
movement therebetween. Removal of plate 50 and withdrawing of pin
48 will permit the die body and the crimping fingers therein to be
separated from the actuating member.
The crimping fingers 26 at their radially outer ends engage the
surface of the recess 18 formed in the pertaining actuating member
so that movement of the die bodies toward the adjacent actuator
members will cause the crimping fingers to move radially inwardly
toward a fitting resting on the radially inner ends of the crimping
fingers.
The die bodies 20, 22 have plungers 52 thereon extending from one
side thereof and having inclined ends 54 engaging inclined surfaces
56 on bar-like cam members 58 slidable in the actuator members. Cam
members 58 are normally biased by spring 60 in a direction to
support the die bodies in spaced relation to the actuator members
and forms a lost motion connection between the die body 22 and
actuator member 16. However, movement of cam members 58 in a
direction to release the die bodies for movement toward the
actuator members is accomplished by plungers 62 which have inclined
ends 64 engaging inclined end regions 66 on the cam members 58.
Plungers 62 are slidably mounted in bores 68 provided in the
actuators members and are retained slidably in the bores by the
screws 70 which have end parts loosely fitting in slots 72 provided
in plungers 62.
In the position of the parts of the die assembly in FIG. 1, the
upper ends of plungers 62 are at about the same lever as the upper
faces of the adjacent die bodies. As will be seen in FIG. 2, each
die body has associated therewith two of the plungers 52 and two of
the cam members 58 so that for each die body two of the plungers 62
are provided. Both of these plungers are advantageously located at
one end of the actuator member and are axially opposed to actuating
plungers 74 fixedly, but adjustably, mounted in the other of the
actuator members. At the left side of the lower portion of FIG. 1,
a plunger 74 will be seen and it will be perceived that the plunger
normally bottoms in the bore 76 provided therefor in the actuator
member but can be adjusted in the axial direction and locked in
adjusted positions by a clamp screw 78 which intersects bore
76.
The ends of plungers 74 are about at the level of the plane of the
pertaining die body. The arrangement is such that when a fitting is
placed in the lower die body and the upper die body is closed
thereon, at about the moment the die bodies close on each other so
as to confine the fitting, the cam members 58 commence to move in a
direction to release the die bodies for movement toward the
respective actuator blocks. Thus, after the die bodies 20, 22 close
on each other, continued movement of members 10 and 12 and the
actuator members 14 and 16 mounted thereon will take place, while
the now interengaged die bodies 20, 22 remain stationary, and all
of the crimping fingers will be actuated inwardly toward the
central axis of the fitting to be crimped simultaneously and
positively. The crimped fitting is, thus, uniformly crimped about
the hose and the like to which it is to be attached and is round
and the combination of the hose and fitting is capable of
withstanding high pressures.
Following the crimping operation, separation of the parts of the
crimping die assembly will permit the die bodies and their cam
members to the FIG. 1 position thereof in which they will remain
until a new crimping operation is to be carried out.
As will be seen in FIG. 2, each die body can carry two sets of
crimping fingers, one at each end, and be operable for crimping two
fittings at one time.
The fittings receivable in the opposite ends of the die bodies and
cover plates can be the same or they can be different in size,
depending upon the particular work operation to be performed.
While the die set consisting of members 10 and 12 may be provided
with guide rods and bushings, it is also advisable to provide the
die bodies, or the end caps thereof, with guide pins 80 engageable
in correspondingly shaped holes in the opposed die body or end cap
so that the portions of the die body are guided quite accurately
together and are held in position during a crimping operation.
It will be appreciated that the configuration of the recess 18 in
each of the actuator members and the configuration of the radially
outer ends of the crimping fingers is so selected that the above
described relative movement between the die bodies and actuator
members during the crimping operation causes equal radial movement
of all of the crimping fingers so that the crimped fitting is
substantially perfectly round and thus establishes uniform sealing
conditions about the entire periphery thereof, thereby eliminating
any regions of weakness through which leakage of fluid could be
initiated when the fitting is put in service as in a hydraulic
system or the like.
It will be appreciated that the crimping die assembly of this
invention is quite simple to manufacture and to service and that
all parts thereof are readily accessible for replacement or repair,
if necessary.
Modifications may be made within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *