GB2098529A - Improvements in or relating to flaring or other press tools - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a machine for flaring the ends of tubes in which the body portion (1) has an oblong slot (2) with an abutment (8) at one end (4) and in which is located a split die in which a workpiece is held. A first cam member (21) extends into the slot (2) and is adapted, on rotation, to close the die onto the workpiece and move the die against the abutment (8). A tool holder (40) carrying a punch (60) is located adjacent the other end (3) of the slot (2) and is caused to move towards and away from the workpiece by a second cam means (52) positioned behind the tool holder (40). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to flaring tools The present invention relates to press tools and is especially concerned with flaring tools.

It is known, e.g. from British Patent 1,268,769 for flaring tools to include a wedge shaped slot into which is received a correspondingly shaped gripper adapted to grip a tube, the end of which is to be flared, and for the tool to include a punch holder and punch movable relative to the gripper to flare the end of the tube held in the gripper.

We have now developed an improved form of press tool machine, suitable for use as a flaring tool comprising a body, having a parallel sided slot open at both ends and one side in which is removably received a die for holding a work piece; and abutment located at one end of the said slot; first means to cause the said die to grip the work piece and urge the die against the said abutment; a tool holder disposed adjacent the other end of said slot and movable relatively to the body towards and away from the slot; a press tool located within the tool holder for movement therewith; and second means to cause movement of the said tool holder towards and away from the said slot.

The die may be in two halves that are clamped together in the said slot and urged against the abutment by the said first means, which means preferably comprises a cam pivotally located in a second slot formed in the said body and communicating with said first slot, whereby on rotation of the said cam a surface thereof is movable into the said first slot and against the said die, the said cam preferably being pivoted adjacent the said other end of the first slot.

The second means also preferably comprises an enclosed cam adapted to cause the required movement of the tool holder.

The press tool may be a punch having an end portion shaped to provide the required flare in a tube held within the said die.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a device according to the present invention not including a die or punch, Figure 2 is a side elevation of the tool of figure 1 and including a die and punch, Figure 3 is a plan view of the tool of figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, a press tool consists of a body portion 1 having an oblong slot 2 formed with open ends 3 and 4 and parallel sides 5 and 6.

A lug 7 is positioned at end 4 of slot 2 and includes a face 8 and a groove 9 through which a work piece, in this embodiment a tube having an end to be flared, may be passed.

A die 10, shown in figures 2 and 3 is of rectangular section and consists of two halves 1 1 and 12. The die locates in slot 2 with end 13 in register with face 8 of lug 7. The central portion of the die 10 includes a bore 14 dimensioned to grip the tube and a machined end 15 shown as a 90O inclusive chamber. Die 10 is placed in slot 2 with the split line vertical.

A second slot 20 is formed in side 6 of the body 1 and inter-connects with slot 2. A cam member 21 is mounted on pivot 22 within slot 20 and has a surface 23 that on rotation of cam member 21 in an anti-clockwise direction by arm 24, extends into slot 2. The action of cam 21 when rotated in an anti-clockwise direction is to lock the die halves 11 and 12 together to grip the tube therein and to urge the end 13 of the die into positive location against face 8 of lug 7.

Parallel side plates 30, 31 extend outwardly from either side of body 1 in cantilever arrangement and have upper and lower machined surfaces 32, 33 and 34, 35 respectively parallel to the base of the slot 2, and free end portions 36 and 37. A punch carrier 40 has a body 41 in which are machined slots 42 and 43 for location of the carrier on side plates 30 and 31 along which the said carrier is free to move in directions towards and away from the slot 2 in body 1.

Body 41 of punch carrier 40 includes a fork 44 for locating in the groove 61 machined centrally around punch 60.

A pin 50 extends between free ends 36, 37 of side plates 30. 31 and carries a member 51, including an enclosed cam surface 52, pivotally mounted thereon and rotatable by means of an arm 53 extending outwardly of member 51.

Member 51 extends into slot 45 formed in body 41 of carrier 40 spanned by a free bearing 46 which is in contact with enclosed cam surface 52. The bearing 46 is free to rotate around a fixed pin 47 which is located in holes 48, 49 situated in both sides of body 41. The said fixed pin 47 spans the slot 45. Rotation of member 51 in a clockwise direction causes tool carrier 40 to be moved forward along side plates 30 and 31 under the action of bearing 46 and enclosed cam surface 52.

The enclosed cam ensures a positive movement of the punch carrier 40 in directions both towards and away from the body 1, thus allowing a positive punch withdrawal after a flaring operation has been completed.

As previously indicated punch 60 contains a centrally formed groove 61 for locating within fork 44 of punch carrier 40. As shown punch 60 includes two heads 62 and 63, head 62 being machined to form an internal, spherical radius 64, with a central pilot 65 and head 63 machined to produce a 900 inclusive chamfer 66, with a central pilot 67.

In use a tube is located with the die halves having the end to be flared flush with the end 15.

The die halves and tube are then located in slot 2 and cam 21 rotated anti-clockwise to lock the die halves together and urge the die into positive location against surface 8 of lug 7, the tube passing through groove 9 therein. A suitable punch is located in carrier 40 which is initially held at the end of plates 30, 31 remote from the body 1 with arm 53 in the vertical position. The flaring operation begins when the arm 53 is moved into an approximately horizontal position which allows the operator the prime position for producing the flare as maximum leverage is obtained during the downward stroke of arm 53. To release the punch the enclosed cam is rotated anti-clockwise by returning the arm 53 into the upright position.

The die is released by rotating cam 21 in a clockwise direction and the die halves lifted from the die holder and then separated from the tube.

Claims (7)

1. A press tool machine comprising a body having formed therein a parallel sided slot open at both ends and one side, and abutment located at one end of said slot; a die for holding a workpiece removably received in said slot; first means to cause the said die to grip a workpiece and urge the said die against the said abutment; a tool holder disposed adjacent the upper end of said slot and movable relatively to the body towards and away from the said slot, a press tool located within the tool holder for movement therewith; and second means to cause movement of the said tool holder towards and away from the said slot

2. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the die comprises two half portions clamped together in the said slot and is urged against the abutment by said first means.

3. A machine according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the said first means comprises a cam pivotally located in a second slot formed in the said body and communicating with said first slot, whereby on rotation of the said cam a surface thereof is movable into the said first slot and against the said die.

4. A machine according to claim 3 wherein the said cam is pivoted adjacent the end of the first slot remote from the said abutment.

5. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said second means comprises an enclosed cam capable of moving said tool holder towards and away from the first said slot.

6. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said press tool comprises a punch having a shaped end portion capable of flaring an end of a tube workpiece.

7. A press tool machine as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.