Abstract: A drain cleaning tool includes a wear indicator for providing a visual indication to a user of the tool of an amount of wear in the tool. Various forms of the wear indicator and tool include a flexible plumbers cable with one or more wear detector prominences extending between turns of the cable, a tool carried on the end of the cable and couplings on the opposite ends of the cable. The flexible plumbers cable includes an elongate hollow outer body member defining a longitudinal axis and a resilient intermediate body carried within the outer body. The resilient intermediate body carried within the outer body has along its periphery at least one wear detector prominence extending radially outwardly between at least one selected turn of the helically coiled outer body. The at least one wear detector has at least one color change in the radial direction to provide a visual indication visual indication to a user of the tool of an amount of wear in the tool.

Abstract: A drain cleaning machine with an electronic cable monitoring system is disclosed which comprises a frame supporting a rotatable drum which is driven by a motor through an endless belt. The drum contains a flexible drain cleaning cable which is rotatable with the drum and axially displaceable into and out from the drum, and the frame supports a cable feeding device through which the cable extends and by which the cable is displaced into and out of the drum. An electronic cable monitoring system is configured to assess an amount of cable payed out from and retracted into the drum. A process determines an amount and direction of relative movement between a rotatable drum and a cable follower member and generates a signal representative of an amount of cable payed out or retracted into the drum.

Abstract: A jaw assembly for use with a crimping tool is described, wherein the assembly includes a jaw arm and a side plate where the side plate is configured to fail in a manner noticeable to a user of the jaw assembly prior to the anticipated failure of the jaw arm. The side plate includes a stress riser, such as a milled slot formed in one face of the sideplate, to ensure such failure.

Abstract: A crimp or press tool is provided that includes two pivotally connected jaw members that can be selectively drawn toward one another in order to crimp or otherwise press a fitting onto a pipe or other workpiece. The tool uses a tightening assembly that enables the application of oppositely directed rotational forces to thereby prevent or at least significantly reduce the potential for imparting undesirable torque moments into the pipe or workpiece.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for assuring or determining appropriate closure of a crimp ring assembly. In some embodiments, positive stopping apparatus on the crimp ring are used to assure appropriate closure of a crimp ring assembly. The positive stopping apparatus may be adjustable or non-adjustable and may be positioned on the free ends or adjoined ends of the segments of the crimp ring. In some embodiments, adjustable and/or cam operating pivot connections on the crimp ring are used to assure appropriate closure of a crimp ring assembly. In some embodiments, sensing apparatus or systems are disclosed for assuring or determining appropriate closure of a crimp ring assembly.

Abstract: Assemblies are disclosed for articulating a crimp ring for crimping a fitting relative to an actuator for actuating the crimp ring. The crimp ring includes segments for engaging the fitting, and the actuator includes arms for actuating the segments. Embodiments disclosed include articulating assemblies coupling between the actuator arms and crimp ring segments having multiple axes of articulation. Additional embodiments disclosed include articulating assemblies that are insertable between the arms and segments, articulating assemblies having fixed angled arms of the actuator, articulating assemblies using ball and sockets between the arms and segments, and articulating assemblies used in an intermediate position between the arms and segments.

Abstract: Assemblies are disclosed for articulating a crimp ring for crimping a fitting relative to an actuator for actuating the crimp ring. The crimp ring includes segments for engaging the fitting, and the actuator includes arms for actuating the segments. Embodiments disclosed include articulating assemblies coupling between the actuator arms and crimp ring segments having multiple axes of articulation. Additional embodiments disclosed include articulating assemblies that are insertable between the arms and segments, articulating assemblies having fixed angled arms of the actuator, articulating assemblies using ball and sockets between the arms and segments, and articulating assemblies used in an intermediate position between the arms and segments.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for assuring or determining appropriate closure of a crimp ring assembly. In some embodiments, positive stopping apparatus on the crimp ring are used to assure appropriate closure of a crimp ring assembly. The positive stopping apparatus may be adjustable or non-adjustable and may be positioned on the free ends or adjoined ends of the segments of the crimp ring. In some embodiments, adjustable and/or cam operating pivot connections on the crimp ring are used to assure appropriate closure of a crimp ring assembly. In some embodiments, sensing apparatus or systems are disclosed for assuring or determining appropriate closure of a crimp ring assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus actuated by a rotational drive for crimping a fitting are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a crimp ring having at least two crimp ring segments pivotably coupled together for crimping the fitting. A first member, such as a trunnion or coupling arm, engages a first of the at least two segments, and a second such member engages a second of the at least two segments. A screw is coupled to the rotating drive. The screw is coupled to the first and second members such that at least one of the members is movable along the screw when the screw is rotated. In one embodiment, the rotational drive couples to the screw by a transfer mechanism for transferring and controlling rotational movement from the rotational drive to the screw. The transfer mechanism can include a plurality of gears or can include a universal joint. The rotational drive can be a drill or can be a socket and a ratchet.

Abstract: A thread cutting die or chaser for use with a power driven thread cutting machine is provided with a protective coating of an ultra hard material such as titanium nitride which is initially excluded from or is subsequently removed from the faces of the thread cutting teeth such as by a regrinding thereof after application of the coating to the die.

Abstract: An annular thread cutting die head for a power driven threading machine is comprised of an annular support plate assembly supporting a plurality of radially displaceable threading cutting dies spaced apart about the axis of the die head, and a cam plate assembly coaxial with and pivotal relative to the support plate assembly to radially displace the cutting dies. The cam plate assembly is spring biased to pivot relative to the support plate assembly in the direction to radially retract the cutting dies, and pivoting in the latter direction is controlled by a keeper mounted on the support plate assembly and engaging a keeper track on the cam plate assembly.

Abstract: A foldable wheeled stand is provided for supporting a motor driven pipe threading machine during operation thereof, for transporting the machine from one location to another, and for storing the machine during periods of non-use. The stand includes an upper support portion on which the machine is mounted, and a scissors-type foldable leg assembly providing a lower support portion by which the upper support portion and threading machine can be elevated and lowered relative to an underlying support surface. Elevating and lowering is achieved through a crank actuated jackscrew arrangement. The lower support portion includes a pair of wheels, whereby the stand, when folded, can be pivoted relative to the wheels to an inclined angle at which the stand and the threading machine mounted thereon are supported by the wheels for movement along the underlying surface.

Abstract: Roll grooving apparatus is pivotally mountable on the support rails of a power drive unit by which the apparatus is driven and comprises a lower support including a drive shaft driven by the power unit and including the lower grooving roll, and an upper support member pivotally interconnected with the lower support member and rotatably supporting the upper grooving roll. A lever arm is pivotally mounted on the lower support member and is interengaged with the upper support member through a pin and slot arrangement, whereby pivotal displacement of the lever arm imparts pivotal displacement to the upper support member and thus movement of the upper grooving roll toward and away from the lower grooving roll.

Abstract: A rotatable chuck for supporting a plastic coated workpiece in a power driven threading machine is disclosed comprising workpiece engaging jaws mounted on the machine spindle for rotation therewith and for pivotal movement relative thereto radially inwardly and outwardly of the spindle axis. Each jaw pivotally supports an insert holder provided with a pair of inserts for engaging the outer surface of the workpiece. Each of the insert holders pivotally supports a centering link associated with an adjacent jaw so as to be actuated in response to pivotal displacement of the jaws radially inwardly of the spindle axis to control the attitude of the insert holders so that the inserts are directed radially inwardly of the spindle axis to assure a uniform gripping action by the two inserts of each holder upon engagement with the workpiece. The centering links also displace the workpiece to a centered position coaxial with the spindle axis during inward displacement of the jaws.

Abstract: An attachment is disclosed for use with a power driven threading machine of the character having a tubular workpiece receiving spindle carrying jaw assemblies which engage and disengage a workpiece in the spindle. During a threading operation, the jaws engage a workpiece and thereafter rotate the workpiece and spindle in one direction about the spindle axis. When the jaws are displaced to release the workpiece, the jaws and spindle are rotated in the opposite direction about the spindle axis. The disclosed attachment is adapted to be received in the threading machine spindle in place of a workpiece to provide a driving coupling such as for an auxiliary tool assembly supported on the threading machine.

Abstract: A removable cover and seal is disclosed for the oil reservoir of a power driven threading machine to facilitate transportation and storage of the machine without having to drain the oil reservoir. The cover is comprised of sheet metal having a flange about the outer peripheral edge thereof which conforms to the contour of the inner surface of the oil reservoir and is provided with a neoprene sealing gasket adapted to be compressed between the flange and inner surface of the oil reservoir when in covering and sealing relationship therewith. The cover is removably mounted on the reservoir and biased to maintain the sealing gasket compressed against the reservoir walls by means of spring clips mounted on the cover and interengaging with portions of the machine housing.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device in the form of an energy absorbing washer for use in mounting grinding wheels to grinder spindles. The device is capable of absorbing energy at an initial lower rate and a final higher rate.