Crimping tool

Abstract

A crimping tool having a housing. A driving shaft is rotatably mounted within the housing and includes at least one end extending beyond a boundary of the housing. A driven shaft is pivotally and rotatably mounted within the housing and includes at least one end extending beyond a boundary of the housing. A first drive mechanism engages the driven shaft for pivotally moving the driven shaft. A second drive mechanism engages the driving shaft for rotating the driving shaft. The driven shaft is pivotally moveable from an operating closed position wherein the driven and driving shafts extend in a parallel relation and engage each other to provide a rotational force for the crimping tool and an open position wherein the driving and driven shafts are angularly spaced from each other and wherein the driven shaft does not engage the driving shaft.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a crimping tool, and even more particularly to a crimping tool for crimping a flange cover onto a flange.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0002] Automobile doors are commonly manufactured by welding two panels together to form a flange. Typically, a window seal and glass channel are attached to the flange to provide a means for allowing the glass to move and to provide a weather proof seal to prevent the introduction of outside elements into the door. A flange cover is associated with the window seal and glass channel and typically includes two side portions that are joined at a central web portion. The side portions are separated when installed over the flange. To install the flange cover on the flange, the side portions are crimped or pressed against the flange causing the side portions to engage the flange to retain the flange cover.

[0003] While crimping tools are known in the art, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,670, there is a need for an improved crimping tool that is small enough to be easily used by an operator and has a simple robust design with less moving parts than current designs. There is also a need in the art for a crimping tool that allows for a tighter radius to be formed on a flange cover to ensure retention on a flange.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A crimping tool having a housing. A driving shaft is rotatably mounted within the housing and includes at least one end extending beyond a boundary of the housing. A driven shaft is pivotally and rotatably mounted within the housing and includes at least one end extending beyond a boundary of the housing. A first drive mechanism engages the driven shaft for pivotally moving the driven shaft. A second drive mechanism engages the driving shaft for rotating the driving shaft. The driven shaft is pivotally moveable from an operating closed position wherein the driven and driving shafts extend in a parallel relation and engage each other to provide a rotational force for the crimping tool and an open position wherein the driving and driven shafts are angularly spaced from each other and wherein the driven shaft does not engage the driving shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view detailing the crimping tool of the present invention;

[0007] FIG. 2 is sectional view of the crimping tool in a closed position;

[0008] FIG. 3 is sectional view of the crimping tool in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the crimping tool 10 of the present invention including a housing 12. A first drive mechanism 14 is mounted to the housing 12 and is operatively connected to a driving shaft 16 that extends beyond a boundary of the housing 12 through a circular aperture 20 formed in the cover 18 of the housing 12. The first drive mechanism 14 may comprise various motors including electric, fuel powered, hydraulic or pneumatic motors. In a preferred aspect of the present invention the first drive mechanism 14 comprises a pneumatic drive motor as shown in FIG. 1. A driven shaft 22 extends beyond a boundary of the housing 12 through an elongate slot 24. The driven shaft 22 is pivotally and rotatably mounted to the housing 12, as will be discussed in more detail below.

[0010] Shaped rollers 28, 30 are mounted on distal ends of the driving and driven shafts 16, 22. Preferably, the rollers 28, 30 are made of stainless steel with a polished surface to prevent damage to a flange cover 44 that is to be crimped. The rollers 28, 30 can be of various sizes and profiles for use with different flange covers 44 and varying amounts of crimping.

[0011] A second drive mechanism 32 is mounted on the housing 12 and operatively engages the driven shaft 22 to effect pivotal movement between a closed operative crimping position, as best seen in FIG. 2 wherein the shafts 16, 22 are in a spaced parallel relation to each other and an open ready position, as best seen in FIG. 3 wherein the driven shaft 22 is pivoted away from the driving shaft 16. As with the first drive mechanism 14, the second drive mechanism 32 can comprises various types of motors, preferably comprising a pneumatic motor as with the first drive mechanism 14.

[0012] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that the housing 12 defines an inner cavity 34, enclosed by a cover 18. The driving shaft 16 extends through the housing 12 and is journal mounted within the housing 12 at an opposite end of the shaft 16 as that of the roller 28. A driving gear 36 is mounted along the driving shaft 16 and is positioned within the inner cavity 34. The first drive mechanism 14 is coupled to and rotates the driving shaft 16.

[0013] The driven shaft 22 is rotatably and pivotally mounted to a pivot housing 38. The pivot housing 38 is positioned within and attached to the housing 12. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the pivot housing 38 is mounted about an axis that is defined by a pin 26 disposed in a slot formed through the pivot housing 38 and attached at both ends to the housing 12. A driven gear 40 is mounted on the driven shaft 22 along its length and is positioned within the inner cavity 34. The second drive mechanism 32 is preferably mounted to an exterior of the housing 12, and includes a ram 42 that extends into the housing 12 into the inner cavity 34. A distal end of the ram 42 operatively connects to the pivot housing 38 for moving the pivot housing 38 relative to the housing 12. Preferably, the second drive mechanism 32 operates bi-directionally providing positive movement to the pivot housing 38 for pivoting the driven shaft 22 between the open ready position (FIG. 3) and the closed operative crimping position (FIG. 2).

[0014] The first and second drive mechanisms 14, 32 may include an appropriate trigger and control structure for operating both drive mechanisms 14, 32. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the first and second drive mechanisms comprise pneumatic drive motors connected to a common source of pneumatic pressure.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 2, the crimping tool 10 is shown in the closed operative crimping position, where the driving and driven shafts 16, 22 extend generally parallel to each other. As can be seen the gears 36, 40 are in meshing engagement such that driving rotation of the driving shaft 16 will cause driven rotation of the driven shaft 22 in a an opposite direction of the rotation of the driving shaft 16.

[0016] In use, a flange cover 44 is placed over a flange 46 for crimping by the crimping tool 10. The flange cover 44 is preferably of a type having an inner metal core and an outer rubber coating, as is commonly used in the art. Preferably, the flange cover 44 is co-extruded in a conventional manner. The crimping tool 10 is positioned about the flange cover 44 until the rollers 28, 30 are positioned at a similar elevation. The crimping tool 10 is then energized by activating the trigger causing the second drive mechanism 32 to move and responsively pivot the driven shaft 22 from the open ready position, as seen in FIG. 3 to the closed operative crimping position seen in FIG. 2. In the closed position, the flange cover 44 is compressed such that it frictionally engages the flange 46. As seen in FIG. 3, the driven gear 40 engages with the driving gear 36 for providing rotational force to both the driving 16 and driven shafts 22. Following the pivotal movement of the driven shaft 22, the first drive mechanism 14 is energized causing rotation of the driving shaft 16. The crimping tool 10 then travels along the flange 46 closing the flange cover 44 progressively by compressing the flange cover 44 between the rollers 28, 30 as it travels along the length of the flange 46.

[0017] While preferred embodiments are disclosed, a worker in this art would understand that various modifications would come within the scope of the invention. Thus, the following claims should be studied to determine the scope and content of the invention.

Claims

1. A crimping tool comprising:

a housing;

a driving shaft rotatably mounted within the housing, the driving shafting having at least one end extending beyond a boundary of the housing;

a driven shaft pivotally and rotatably mounted within the housing, the driving shafting having at least one end extending beyond a boundary of the housing;

a first drive mechanism operatively engaging the driven shaft for pivotally moving the driven shaft;

a second drive mechanism operatively engaging the driving shaft for rotating the driving shaft;

the driven shaft pivotally moveable from an operating closed position wherein the driven and driving shafts extend in a parallel relation and wherein the driving shaft engages the driven shaft to provide a rotational force and an open position wherein the driving and driven shafts are angularly spaced and wherein the driven shaft does not engage the driving shaft.

2. The crimping tool of claim 1 further including a pivot housing disposed within the housing for mounting the driven shaft.

3. The crimping tool of claim 2 wherein the pivot housing is mounted about an axis within the housing for pivotal movement relative to the housing.

4. The crimping tool of claim 3 wherein the axis is defined by a pin disposed in a slot formed in the pivot housing and attached to the housing.

5. The crimping tool of claim 1 further including shaped rollers attached to the ends of the driven and driving shafts extending beyond the boundary of the housing for engaging a flange cover to be crimped.

6. The crimping tool of claim 1 wherein the diving shaft is coupled to a first motor for providing a rotational force.

7. The crimping tool of claim 6 wherein the first motor comprises a pneumatic motor.

8. The crimping tool of claim 1 wherein the driven shaft is coupled to a second motor for providing a pivotal force.

9. The crimping tool of claim 8 wherein the second motor is coupled to a ram operatively engaging the pivot housing for moving the pivot housing angularly relative to the housing.

10. The crimping tool of claim 8 wherein the second motor comprises a pneumatic motor.

11. The crimping tool of claim 1 wherein the driving shaft further includes a driving gear mounted along the driving shaft for engaging a corresponding driven gear mounted along the driven shaft when the driven and driving shafts are in the operating closed position.

12. A crimping tool comprising:

a housing;

a driving shaft rotatably mounted within the housing, the driving shafting having at least one end extending beyond a boundary of the housing, the at least one end having a shaped roller attached thereto;

a driven shaft pivotally and rotatably mounted within the housing, the driving shafting having at least one end extending beyond a boundary of the housing, the at least one end having a shaped roller attached thereto;

a first drive mechanism operatively engaging the driven shaft for pivotally moving the driven shaft;

a second drive mechanism operatively engaging the driving shaft for rotating the driving shaft;

the driven shaft pivotally moveable from an operating closed position wherein the driven and driving shafts extend in a parallel relation and wherein a flange cover disposed between the two shaped rollers of the driving and driven shafts is crimped onto a flange and an open position wherein the driving and driven shafts are angularly spaced for allowing positioning of the crimping tool about the flange cover disposed on the flange.