Crimping apparatus and methods of crimping with retainers
Crimping apparatus are provided for use with a crimping machine. The crimping apparatus includes a support structure and a plurality of retainers movably attached to the support structure and radially arranged about an axis of the crimping apparatus. Each retainer includes an engagement structure configured to removably connect a crimping member to the retainer. The crimping apparatus is configured to be removably positioned with respect to a crimping machine while the retainers remain movably attached to the support structure. Methods of crimping with a crimping machine and a crimping apparatus are also provided.
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The present invention relates to crimping apparatus and methods of crimping, and more particularly to crimping apparatus and methods of crimping with retainers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONConventional die cage assemblies are known to be used with a crimping machine to crimp a fitting on an end of a hose. For example, a die cage assembly may be used with a ProCrimp™ 1390 crimping machine available from Eaton Aeroquip Inc. of Maumee, Ohio. Such a crimping machine may be used with various die cage assemblies, such as the die cage assembly disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,552 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Die cage assemblies can be convenient to properly align die segments with respect to the crimping machine. Moreover, die cage assemblies can also provide a unitary structure that simplifies carrying and installation of the die segments by an operator setting up the crimping machine. However, a separate die cage assembly must be purchased for each desired predetermined crimping arrangement. Providing alternative crimping arrangements can be expensive since a separate die cage assembly must be purchased for each contemplated crimping arrangement.
Other crimping machines are known to receive alternative sets of crimp die segments, as disclosed for example, by U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,042. However, such crimping machines do not contemplate use of a removable die cage assembly with a crimping machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to obviate problems and shortcomings of conventional die cage assemblies.
In accordance with one aspect, a crimping apparatus is provided for use with a crimping machine. The crimping apparatus comprises a support structure and a plurality of retainers movably attached to the support structure and radially arranged about an axis of the crimping apparatus. Each retainer includes an engagement structure configured to removably connect a crimping member to the retainer. The crimping apparatus is configured to be removably positioned with respect to a crimping machine while the retainers remain movably attached to the support structure.
In accordance with another aspect, a crimping apparatus is provided for use with a crimping machine. The crimping apparatus comprises a support structure and a plurality of retainers movably attached to the support structure and radially arranged about an axis of the crimping apparatus. Each retainer includes an engagement structure. The crimping apparatus further includes a plurality of crimping members that are each configured to be removably connected to a corresponding one of the retainers by the engagement structure of the corresponding retainer. The crimping apparatus also includes a connecting structure configured to substantially inhibit a relative movement between the crimping apparatus and a portion of a crimping machine along a direction that is substantially parallel to the axis of the crimping apparatus. The connecting structure is configured to permit removable mounting between the crimping apparatus and a crimping machine while the retainers remain movably attached to the support structure.
In accordance with another aspect a method of crimping with a crimping machine and a crimping apparatus comprising a support structure, a plurality of retainers with an engagement structure, a plurality of crimping members, and a connecting structure. The method comprising the steps of providing a first element and a second element and toolessly mounting the crimping apparatus to the crimping machine by engaging the connecting structure of the crimping apparatus with a corresponding structure of the crimping machine. The method further includes the step of removably connecting each of the crimping members to a corresponding one of the plurality of retainers with the engagement structure of the corresponding retainer. The method still further includes the step of moving each of the retainers with respect to the support structure with the crimping machine to crimp the second element to the first element with the crimping members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe foregoing and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. Further, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are employed for designating the same elements.
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a crimping apparatus is provided for use with a crimping machine. One example of a crimping apparatus 100 incorporating aspects of the present invention is illustrated in
Although not required, examples of support structures 110 can include a front member 112 and a rear member 114 that is attached, such as fixedly attached, to the front member 112. For instance, one or more spacers may be used to attach the rear member to the front member. Spacers can comprise a wide range of structures configured to provide attachment between the front and rear member. For example, as shown, the spacers can comprise one or more spacer blocks 118a, 118b and/or spacer tubes 116a, 116b positioned between at least portions of the front and rear member. In further examples, such spacers may be radially arranged about an axis 102 of the crimping apparatus in a wide variety of patterns. In one example, a pair of the spacers may be diametrically opposed to one another. As shown in
In addition, or alternatively, the spacers can comprise one or more spacer blocks to enhance the structural integrity of the support structure. For example, as shown in
Examples of crimping apparatus in accordance with the present invention may include a unitary support structure including a single portion. Alternatively, the support structure can include two or more portions that cooperate to provide the crimping apparatus. For instance, as shown, the support structure 110 can include a first portion 120 and a second portion 130. The second portion 130 can engage the first portion 120 to define an axial passage 108 into an interior area 103 of the crimping apparatus 100. As shown in
Various structural arrangements may be provided to create the first and second portions 120, 130. For example, as shown in
In further examples, the crimping apparatus can also include an optional registration structure to facilitate a predetermined orientation between the first and second portions 120, 130 of the support structure 110. Various portions of the crimping apparatus 100 can comprise the registration structure. For example, the front member 112 and/or the rear member 114 of the support structure 110 can be provided with one or more registration structures. Various types of registration structures may also be used in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In one example, the registration structure can comprise an alignment plate mounted to one side of the front and/or rear member to provide registration between the first and second portions. In the illustrated example, the registration structure can comprise a tongue and groove structure 170 although other registration structures may be provided in further examples.
Many different structural arrangements may provide a tongue and groove structure. For example, the tongue and/or groove may be machined from portions of the crimping apparatus such that the tongue and/or groove are integral with the structure. In the illustrated example, opposed grooves 172a/173a, 172b/173b are machined into abutting locations of the first and second portions 120, 130. Another piece, e.g., a registration pin 174a, 174b, may be fastened to one of the grooves to define the tongue portion. For instance, as shown in
In addition, or alternatively, the front member 112 can be provided with one or more tongue and groove structures or other registration structures. As shown in
The crimping apparatus 100 can be used with a wide range of crimping machines. For example, the crimping apparatus 100 can be used with a ProCrimp™ 1390 crimping machine available from Eaton Aeroquip Inc. of Maumee, Ohio. An Aeroquip ProCrimp™ 1390 crimping machine is illustrated somewhat schematically as reference number 500 in
As shown in the partial schematic views of
The connecting structure 160 can comprise a wide range of structures and can comprise a plurality of identical or different connecting members. In one example, a tool such as a wrench or screw driver can be used to tighten a connecting member to mount the crimping apparatus to the crimping machine. Once appropriately mounted with the tool, the connecting structure can substantially inhibit a relative movement between the crimping apparatus and a portion of the crimping machine along a direction that is substantially parallel to the axis of the crimping apparatus. Moreover, upon loosening and/or removal of the screws or bolts with the tool, the connecting structure can also be configured to permit dismounting of the crimping apparatus from the crimping machine by permitting a relative movement between the crimping apparatus and the portion of the crimping machine along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the crimping apparatus.
In further examples, the connecting structure can be designed to permit tooless removable mounting between the crimping apparatus and the crimping machine. For example, tooless removable mounting can include mounting the crimping apparatus to the crimping machine without the use of tools. Tooless removable mounting can also include dismounting the crimping apparatus from the crimping machine without the use of tools. In further examples, tooless removable mounting can include mounting and dismounting between the crimping apparatus and the crimping machine without the use of tools. Providing a tooless connecting structure can be beneficial to permit mounting and/or dismounting between the crimping apparatus and the crimping machine with reduced time and effort. Various connecting structures may be provided to permit tooless removable mounting between the crimping apparatus and the crimping machine. For example, a latching or interlocking arrangement may be provided. In one example a tongue and groove structure may be provided. One example of the tongue and groove structure can comprise a dovetail structure although other tongue and groove structures may be provided.
As shown in
If the support structure 110 is provided with a first portion 120 and a second portion 130, as described above, it is also contemplated that each portion 120, 130 of the support structure 110 may be provided with at least one connecting member to facilitate axial alignment between the portions and concurrent movement between the press plate and the portions of the support structure. For example, as shown, the first portion 120 of the support structure 110 is provided with the first connecting member 161 while the second portion 130 of the support structure 110 is provided with the second connecting member 163. The connecting members 161, 163 are configured to mount the crimping apparatus 100 to the crimping machine 500 such that the first and second portions 120, 130 of the support structure 110 are axially aligned with respect to one another. Moreover, the connecting members 161, 163 permit concurrent movement between the press plate 504 and first and second portions 120, 130 of the support structure 110. Providing each portion 120, 130 of the support structure 110 with a connecting member also permits removal of one or more of the portions from the crimping machine while the remaining portions of the support structure remain connected to the crimping machine. For example, as shown in
It is also contemplated that at least one portion of the support structure 110 may be provided without a connecting member configured to directly connect to the crimping machine while at least one other portion of the support structure includes a connecting member configured to directly connect to the crimping machine. For example, the first portion 120 may be provided with a connecting member to connect to the crimping machine while the second portion 130 does not include a connecting member to connect directly to the crimping machine. In such embodiments, the first and second portions 120, 130 may be configured to attach to one another such that the second portion 130 is indirectly attached to the crimping machine by way of the first portion 120. For example, the first portion 120 may include a connecting member to directly attach the first portion 120 to the crimping machine. A latching structure, fastening arrangement, or other attaching structure may be used to attach the second portion 130 to the first portion 120. The attachment between the first and second portions 120, 130 can facilitate axial alignment between the portions. Moreover, the connection between the first portion 120 and the press plate 504 and the connection between the first and second portions 120, 130 can facilitate concurrent movement between the press plate 504 and the portions of the support structure 110.
The support structure 110 can comprise a wide variety of configurations to permit movable attachment of a plurality of retainers 142 to the support structure 110. For instance, the front member 112 and/or the rear member 114 can be configured to permit movable attachment of the retainers 142. As shown in
The die members 140 can include various structures and sizes for performing a crimping action with the crimping machine 500. For example, as shown, each die member 140 includes a retainer 142 configured to removably connect a separate crimping member 182 to the retainer 142. Thus, the crimping apparatus 100 including retainers 142 can be sold separately from the crimping members 182. The crimping apparatus 100 can therefore act as a master assembly that can receive different sets of crimping members to provide a wide variety of alternative crimping arrangements. Only one master assembly needs to be purchased and one or more less expensive crimping sets may be purchased to provide alternative crimping arrangements for effectively crimping elements having different sizes and/or shapes.
Each retainer 142 can further comprise an engagement structure 150 configured to removably connect a crimping member 182 to the retainer 142. Various engagement structures may be used in accordance with aspects of the present invention. For example, a dovetail joint, tongue and groove structure, or other connecting structure may be used. In accordance with one example, the engagement structure can include an aperture and/or a latch. In one example, the engagement structure illustrated and described with respect to
A plurality of crimping members may also be provided for attaching to the retainers. For example, a protrusion 190 from each crimping member 182 may be extended within the aperture 152 to be engaged by the latch for removably connecting the crimping member 182 to the corresponding retainer 142. Each crimping member 182 may be separately connected to each corresponding retainer 142. Alternatively, a plurality of crimping members 182 may be simultaneously connected to each corresponding retainer 142. For example, in accordance with one example, each crimping member 182 of a crimping member set 180 may be simultaneously attached to a corresponding one of each of the retainers 142.
The tool 200 may be provided to support the crimping members 182 for simultaneous attachment to the corresponding retainers 142. As shown in
Methods of crimping with the example crimping machine 500 and the example crimping apparatus 100 will now be described with reference to
Example methods of the present invention can include the step of selecting a crimping member set 180 from a plurality of alternative crimping member sets. The crimping member set 180 can be selected to accommodate a particular crimping arrangement. Once selected, the tool 200 is engaged with the crimping member set 180 to carry the crimping members 182 and help install the crimping members to the retainers 142. For example, as further shown in
As shown in
After achieving axial and rotational alignment between the crimping member set 180 and the retainers 142, the crimping machine 500 is activated to push the retainers 142 in direction 510a against the cam ring 506 as shown in
It will be appreciated that the machine can be used to move the tool and the crimping member set in the opposite direction 510b can cause the crimping members 182 to disconnect from the retainers 142. Indeed, movement in the opposite direction 510b moves the retainers 142 out of engagement with the cam ring 506 of the crimping machine 500. Therefore, the compression springs 145 again bias the retainers 142 to extend outwardly away from the axis 102 of the crimping apparatus 100. As the tool 200 still engages the crimping members 182, the springs 145 cause another beveled cam surface 192b (see
Alternatively, the crimping members 182 can be left connected to the retainers 142. Indeed, as shown in
As shown in
After appropriate positioning of the second element 602 and the end of the first element 600 into the interior area 103 of the crimping apparatus 100, the crimping machine 500 is again activated to push the retainers 142 and connected crimping members 182 in direction 510a against the cam ring 506 as shown in-
The concepts of the present invention may be used with different types of crimping machines. For example, as described above, crimping machines may be employed with a press plate configured to move the crimping apparatus to engage a stationary cam ring. In another example, a crimping machine may be used wherein the crimping apparatus remains stationary and the cam ring is moved to engage the stationary crimping apparatus to perform the crimping procedure. In another example, crimping machines may be designed to simultaneously move the crimping apparatus and the cam ring to perform the crimping function.
From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A crimping apparatus for use with a crimping machine, the crimping apparatus comprising:
- a support structure; and
- a plurality of retainers movably attached to the support structure and radially arranged about an axis of the crimping apparatus, each retainer including an engagement structure configured to removably connect a crimping member to the retainer, wherein the crimping apparatus is configured to be removably positioned with respect to a crimping machine while the retainers remain movably attached to the support structure.
2. The crimping apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a connecting structure configured to permit mounting of the crimping apparatus to a crimping machine to substantially inhibit a relative movement between the crimping apparatus and a portion of a crimping machine along a direction that is substantially parallel to the axis of the crimping apparatus.
3. The crimping apparatus of claim 2, wherein the connecting structure is further configured to permit dismounting of the crimping apparatus from a crimping machine by permitting a relative movement between the crimping apparatus and a portion of a crimping machine along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the crimping apparatus.
4. The crimping apparatus of claim 2, wherein the connecting structure permits tooless removable mounting between the crimping apparatus and a crimping machine.
5. The crimping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the crimping apparatus is configured to permit tooless removable mounting between the crimping apparatus and a crimping machine.
6. The crimping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the engagement structure of each retainer comprises an aperture.
7. The crimping apparatus of claim 6, wherein the engagement structure of each retainer further comprises a latch.
8. The crimping apparatus of claim 7, wherein the latch comprises a pin with an end portion that is biased to extend into the aperture.
9. The crimping apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of crimping members that are each configured to be removably connected to a corresponding one of the retainers by the engagement structure of the corresponding retainer.
10. The crimping apparatus of claim 9, wherein the engagement structure of each retainer comprises an aperture and the crimping members each include a protrusion configured to be inserted into the aperture of a corresponding one of the plurality of retainers.
11. The crimping apparatus of claim 10, wherein the engagement structure of each retainer further comprises a latch configured to removably engage the protrusion of the corresponding crimping member.
12. The crimping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support structure includes a first portion and a second portion configured to move relative to one another to selectively define an alternative passage into an interior area of the crimping apparatus.
13. The crimping apparatus of claim 12, further comprising registration structure configured to facilitate a predetermined orientation between the first and second portions of the support structure.
14. A crimping apparatus for use with a crimping machine, the crimping apparatus comprising:
- a support structure;
- a plurality of retainers movably attached to the support structure and radially arranged about an axis of the crimping apparatus, each retainer including an engagement structure;
- a plurality of crimping members that are each configured to be removably connected to a corresponding one of the retainers by the engagement structure of the corresponding retainer; and
- a connecting structure configured to substantially inhibit a relative movement between the crimping apparatus and a portion of a crimping machine along a direction that is substantially parallel to the axis of the crimping apparatus, wherein the connecting structure is configured to permit removable mounting between the crimping apparatus and a crimping machine while the retainers remain movably attached to the support structure.
15. The crimping apparatus of claim 14, wherein the connecting structure is further configured to permit dismounting of the crimping apparatus from a crimping machine by permitting a relative movement between the crimping apparatus and a portion of a crimping machine along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the crimping apparatus.
16. The crimping apparatus of claim 14, wherein the connecting structure permits tooless removable mounting between the crimping apparatus and a crimping machine.
17. The crimping apparatus of claim 14, wherein the support structure includes a first portion and a second portion configured to move relative to one another to selectively define an alternative passage into an interior area of the crimping apparatus.
18. The crimping apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a registration structure configured to facilitate a predetermined orientation between the first and second portions of the support structure.
19. A method crimping with a crimping machine and a crimping apparatus comprising a support structure, a plurality of retainers with an engagement structure, a plurality of crimping members, and a connecting structure, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a first element and a second element;
- toolessly mounting the crimping apparatus to the crimping machine by engaging the connecting structure of the crimping apparatus with a corresponding structure of the crimping machine;
- removably connecting each of the crimping members to a corresponding one of the plurality of retainers with the engagement structure of the corresponding retainer; and
- moving each of the retainers with respect to the support structure with the crimping machine to crimp the second element to the first element with the crimping members.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of defining an alternative passage into an interior area of the crimping apparatus by moving a second portion of the support structure with respect to a first portion of the support structure.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 14, 2006
Publication Date: Aug 16, 2007
Applicant: Eaton Corporation (Cleveland, OH)
Inventors: Michael Beining (Holland, OH), Michael Henning (Sandusky, OH)
Application Number: 11/353,731
International Classification: B21J 7/16 (20060101);